A Million Dreams
Thankfully for Elphaba, the previous night had not been a dream. She awoke that morning full of nerves and apprehension, shrugging off her friend's giddiness as they got ready for the day and they both left the dorm room.
Glinda gleefully threw herself into Ollivander's waiting arms, and Fiyero chose to close the gap between himself and Elphaba, who blushed and an uncharacteristic giggle left her throat as he lightly kissed her.
"Hello to you too," she spoke in a teasing tone.
"Hey." he grinned.
The exchange caused Glinda to clap her hands and squeal with happiness, Boq looked on, clearly impressed. "You finally told her." he grinned.
Elphaba looked confused as Fiyero put his arm around her waist. "How long have you known and how many of you know?"
"Of course I told her." the prince grinned.
"Finally!" Boq smirked.
"All of us knew," Glinda told her.
"I did try and tell you," Ollivander smirked.
Elphaba frowned. "Does somebody want to tell me what's going on?"
Fiyero just laughed and kissed her hair. "Nothing to worry about. He's just been telling me for weeks to do this."
"Honestly, the moping and the puppy eyes, it was just sickening." Boq teased.
After breakfast, Elphaba had gone back to her dorm room for her book, leaving Fiyero waiting outside for her, Glinda had dragged Ollivander off campus, Nessa had decided she wanted to write a letter to her father, which left Boq to his own devices.
"I knew I couldn't keep you away from that book for too long." Fiyero teased as she reemerged and he brought her close to him as they walked.
Elphaba grinned, clutching the sorcery book to her chest. "I want to start learning these as soon as possible. Next weekend we go to see the Wizard, I want to make the best impression."
"Fae, he'll love you." Her enthusiasm was infectious and he couldn't help but be happy for her.
"Lin suggested that we all go... But I think I'd be in enough trouble already, I don't want to drag Nessa into it. She's keeping this secret for me, but if she came with us, she'd want to tell father because she'd be too excited."
He nodded. He understood that. "Then I'll come with you." He grinned. "I'm sure Glinda could talk Ollivander into coming with her, and when you have your audience with the Wizard, the two of us will find a bar or something, then we can all celebrate you working with him."
She scoffed. "You make it sound so simple like I'm going to get it."
"Because, my Fae, he will be blown away by you and your magic, and your passion for helping the Animals."
'My Fae' The words made her heart sing and she grinned. "You really think so?"
"I do." He nodded. "And I get to say that that's my beautiful, brilliant girl at the side of the most powerful being in all of Oz, and she's going to do good for them all." He didn't care how cheesy he sounded. He jabbed her in the side when she started to shake her head in denial. "Hey. You are all of those things and more. I love you."
She rolled her eyes, the grin still on her face and she lay her head on his shoulder as they walked. The pair made their way down to the canal and sat under a tree beside the water, away from prying eyes. Elphaba didn't want to be disturbed. She sat with her back comfortably against him, he wrapped his arm securely around her waist as she began to read her book.
This time he knew better than to distract her, so he occasionally watched her out of the corner of his eye, sneaking a glance over her shoulder every now and again. He did eventually become bored and he closed his eyes, his fingers absently playing with her hair as she read.
Elphaba smiled softly to herself, his presence around her and her book both making it easier to push away any dark thoughts that she had in her head. She knew that it was a conversation that they would need to have, just so she could banish them forever - hopefully - but she was too happy, too in love to find the energy to talk about it. The morning was a quiet one, a nice one, that was not an argument she needed or wanted to have. Maybe she should speak to Glinda first... Her best friend would know what to do.
Lunchtime came and went, and it was mid-afternoon by the time Elphaba had finished with her book and she stretched herself out, causing Fiyero to wake up when he felt a body move against his side. He rubbed his eyes, grinning stupidly seeing her turn around to face him. "How was the book."
"Interesting." She nodded. "According to this thing, spells can be used to make potions work, they can also be used in the creation process of a potion. It even lists the ingredients that you'd need." she put the book down beside them. "I think I might have to experiment with a few of them at some point." she sat forward when he arched his back to stretch a little.
"I don't want to move from this spot," he told her, curling his arms back around her, pulling her back to him. "Why don't we make this your new reading spot, just for the two of us."
She smiled and nodded, laying her head on his chest. "It's a peaceful spot..." she agreed, listening to the flow of the water and the steady beating of his heart, she had to keep telling herself that this was real, that she wasn't dreaming.
After a brief silence, he glanced down at her, gently brushing her hair out of her face. "What's in that head of yours?"
"Oh... just wondering when I'll wake up from this dream..." she spoke softly.
"Hopefully never. Because you're not dreaming, Fae. We're really sat here and everything I told you is true." he grinned. "I mean... I could pinch you if you like, to test the dream theory."
She laughed and shook her head. "No thank you." she looked up at him as he tightened his hold around her. She felt safe, loved, protected, and she never wanted that feeling to stop. She sighed softly.
"What is it?"
"I just..." she looked down at the water, cursing those doubts that were never too far away. "I just wish I could be beautiful for you..."
"Fae..." he put his hand under her chin to turn her head up to his, but her eyes were looking away. "Elphaba, look at me."
She looked up at him slowly. "Don't... Please, don't give me some speech about how you think I am. Don't lie-"
"Elphaba, can I speak now?" he couldn't bring himself to smile at the way she flushed. "It's not lying. It's looking at things another way."
She scoffed.
"I am going to spend every moment I can telling you this. I will make you see yourself the way I see you. I love you, green skin and all. I love the way you have this glow about you that most people don't. I love the way you bite your lip when you're concentrating. That little wrinkle on your nose when you get mad. When you glare and scowl at me when I've irritated you - deliberately most of the time. And let me tell you... you're scary when you're mad, but I also think it's kinda sexy." He smirked.
She rolled her eyes and shoved him, a slight blush on her cheeks.
"Do you know what I love most of all?"
"What...?"
"How smart and loving you are. The sass, the sarcasm. Everything about you. And one day, Elphaba Thropp, you're going to believe me."
"That's some challenge you've set yourself."
He kissed her nose. "I know." He smirked. He knew it would be a challenge, he knew it would take a long time for her to believe or to trust his heart, but he also knew that when that day came, it would be a very special, very important day.
Elphaba wanted to run, the emotions beginning to overwhelm her, but as though she were under his spell, she stayed rooted to the spot. "I... Can we go back now...?"
He nodded, suddenly feeling as though he'd come on too strong and ruined the moment between them, and just like that, the spell was broken. "Of course."
She saw the doubt in his eyes and she picked up her book, and held his hand, feeling guilty. "We're okay..." she reassured him. "I'm just... feeling overwhelmed and I think I need to talk to Glinda..."
He stood up, her words seeming to ease his nerves slightly, and he helped her to her feet. "I'm sorry."
"Don't be," She smiled. "It was... nice to hear. I'm just not used to any of this."
He put his arm around her again and they took a slow walk back to Crage Hall. "I have an idea. I'm going to take you out this weekend. Just us two."
"Like a... date?" She looked up at him.
He nodded. "Don't worry, you don't have to dress up or anything if you don't want to. But that's what I'm going to do for you."
She smiled. "I'd like that." She turned to go into the building when she was dragged back by her wrist.
"Where do you think you're going?" He smirked. "You missed something."
"What?" She tilted her head, looking at him innocently.
"This." He brought her close and kissed her breath away. He pulled away, thoroughly enjoying the dazed look on her face as he let her go. "I'll see you later, Fae."
Elphaba silently made her way to her room, and she leaned against the door once she was inside the empty room. Numbly she lifted her fingers to her lips and let out an incredulous laugh. "What... just... happened...?" she whispered as she breathed to calm her racing heart. She walked over to her bed and flopped backwards on to it, her book bouncing away from her somewhere above her head. Out of nowhere, giggles bubbled in her throat as she stared up at the ceiling. "What...?" she put her hands up to cover her mouth. She could hardly believe this was happening. For the love of Lurline, she was green, and a boy - a Prince no less - saw past that and loved her anyway? No, it was absurd! And yet... It was happening. It was happening to her of all people. The socially awkward green bean of Shiz. Oh... Where was Glinda when she needed her?
As if she heard her friend's thoughts, the dorm room door flung open and the pink cupcake bounced her way into the room with arms full of shopping bags. "Elphie!" she gasped, seeing her friend on the bed. "Are you alright? Nothing happened with Fiyero did it?"
Elphaba sat up and held out her arms. "I need you to pinch me."
"I'm sorry? Elphie, have you misplaced your mind?"
"I need to know I'm not going to wake up and find I imagined all of this."
Glinda looked at her sympathetically, fully understanding now. She dropped her bags inside her closet and sat beside her friend, gently squeezing the bare green skin of her friend's wrist. "Elphie, I can't!" she pouted, seeing the girl raised an eyebrow. "Oh, very well! Just don't hate me!" she huffed and tightly pinched her wrist.
Elphaba yelped and pulled her arm back, rubbing the sore spot.
"Satisfied?"
"Much." the green witch grumbled. "What did you buy now?
"Oh, just some new shoes and a few presents for Momsie's birthday." Glinda smiled and then frowned. "But I know that look on you Elphie. You're... thinking..." The word caused the blonde to wrinkle her nose and the raven-haired girl laugh.
"I just keep thinking that one day he's going to change his mind and leave me... I have no idea what I'm doing or what's expected of me... I don't know how to be in a relationship, or to be... loved."
"Oh, Elphie!" Glinda hugged her and threw them both back so they were lying down side by side on the bed. "Fiyero fell for you so just... be yourself. He would never expect anything from you. And you are loved. By him, by me, by our friends and your sister."
"I'm just scared of messing it up and we can never put it right..."
Glinda nodded, she knew Elphaba didn't like admitting weakness, and in her friend's eyes, admitting she was scared was exactly that. "I know you're scared, Elphie, but you've nothing to worry about. You'll both mess up eventually, but that's the good thing about relationships. You both make mistakes and you learn from them and grow. He won't leave you."
Elphaba curled into her friend's embrace, listening to her.
"I know you don't like to make mistakes, but sometimes you have to, and you have to be confident in your partner and talk to each other, and be grown up enough to work things out."
"When did you become such an expert?"
The blonde giggled. "My Momsie gives good advice. And now I get to pass that on to you."
Elphaba nodded and frowned. How would her own mother have reacted, had she been alive now? Would she be happy for her? Would Elphaba have ever worried about being loved? She didn't realise she'd started crying until Glinda wiped away her tears.
"I'm sorry, Elphie... I didn't mean to bring up..."
"No, it's okay. It can't be helped." Elphaba sighed and reached up above her head for the forgotten book, handing it to her. "I finished reading this." She changed the subject.
"Ooh! What other spells were in there?"
"They seem far more complex than the ones Morrible has us learning, but I guess we are beginners after all... It tells you how to make potions and all sorts in here."
Glinda's eyes shone with interest.
"So, you were right, it's definishly one to be practising with," Elphaba added. "Maybe we can look into it over the summer and for the next school year."
Glinda nodded. "How bored did he get with your reading?" she teased.
Elphaba laughed. "He managed really well, actually. He did end up falling asleep at some point though... He says he's going to take me out this weekend."
Glinda squealed happily. "Elphie! Oh, it's gonna be your first date!"
"Lin, please!" she winced, rubbing her ear and laughed. "Inside voice!"
"Hush. Let one of us be giddy because Oz knows you won't," she smirked. "You should ask him to come with us to the City! I've already told Olie he's coming with us."
"Actually... He invited himself." Elphaba smiled and she was deafened and hugged again.
"We're going to have the best time!" Glinda proceeded to launch into a list of things that they could possibly do for that weekend as a group and as a twosome, Elphaba resigned to only half listening to her.
Later in the evening, the group of friends met up again for dinner.
"Do any of you know why Morrible has gone?" Nessa piped up.
"No... Gone where?" Elphaba asked.
Nessa shrugged. "All I know is she's left her position at the school and she's gone to the Emerald City."
"So who's looking after you?"
"She brought in a new nursemaid a couple of days ago... She seems nice enough, I've had the most wonderful conversations with her." Nessa smiled. "Don't worry, Elphaba, I'm perfectly fine."
Elphaba nodded, it was true she hadn't noticed a difference in her sister, therefore had been unaware of the changeover. She relaxed against Fiyero's arm. "Alright..."
He looked between the two sisters, knowing full well that his Fae wouldn't relax until she'd seen it for herself.
"Maybe... maybe I should stay with you tonight, just to check her out for myself."
'And there it is.' He thought and smiled. "Fae, I'm sure she'd be good enough." he said gently, though he was clearly wasting his breath.
"But I don't know her. I have to see how she is with her."
"I am still here." Nessa spoke up, before turning to him. "She freaked out when Morrible changed the roommate situation..." she admitted with a slightly wrinkled nose, outwardly displaying her disgust for her sister's magic for the first time. "She had a magical outburst and my chair was spun away from Morrible and back to Elphaba."
Glinda winced at that particular memory.
The revelation caused the green girl to hang her head shamefully. "I said sorry for that..." she mumbled.
Fiyero shook his head, a pointed look at the younger Thropp before looking back to Elphaba. "You shouldn't have to be sorry for it. You were just worried for her wellbeing."
"And your control is getting better now." Glinda put in cheerfully.
Elphaba scoffed. "Yeah, if I don't get too emotional."
Nessa rolled her eyes.
"I'd say some of your best work comes from you being emotional." Fiyero smirked and winced as a pointy green elbow jabbed his ribs. "What? Your magic fascinates me."
Elphaba scoffed again and rolled her eyes. "You're an idiot."
He leaned in close to her. "Your idiot." He kissed her.
"You two really are sickening." Boq laughed.
Elphaba blushed and picked a leftover slice of cucumber from her salad and flung it at him. "Shoo, Munchkin."
Boq laughed more and shook his head. "No can do, Miss Elphaba."
Fiyero grinned again. "I can't help it. I'd shout it from the rooftops that Elphaba is mine if she wouldn't turn me to stone with one of her glares."
"I'd actually kill you if you embarrassed me like that." she smirked.
"Message received and understood, ma'am." he nodded, the grin unmoving from his face.
She rolled her eyes and laughed as the Munchkin covered the word 'sickening' with a cough and the prince stuck his tongue out childishly. "I'm dating an overgrown child..."
Fiyero kissed her cheek. "You knew this when you agreed to be mine."
"Unfortunately, I did." she smirked, laughing again as he gave her a hurt look. "Oh, please! You're no more hurt by that than Boq is when I call him Munchkin!"
"I am, you'll have to make it up to me now."
"Oh really? And how do you suppose I do that?"
"Well, I could think of-" he stopped when she kicked his shin. "Okay, okay! A kiss then?"
Elphaba smirked again. "Just as I thought." she spoke and kissed his cheek, lightly slapping him. "There, all better now?" she asked sweetly.
Glinda giggled into her hands watching them both.