Content Advisory: Suggestive Content
✉ Chapter Twenty-One: An OzDust Do-Over ✉
A knock on her door caught Elphaba's attention and she closed her book and scrambled to answer it.
"Oh, it's you," Elphaba's shoulders slumped upon seeing Fiyero.
"Expecting somebody else?" he teased as he invited himself in.
"I guess not," Elphaba sighed. She returned to her bed and set her book on her lap.
"Glinda hasn't come around yet, has she?"
"Not yet. It's only been a day, after all. It's not like I expected her to drop everything and move back in," Elphaba lied.
"Well, you always have me."
"That I do."
Fiyero kicked off his shoes and casually set his bag aside.
"Did…we have plans tonight?" Elphaba asked slowly.
"Not specifically," he shrugged. "Why do I need an excuse to come see you?"
"Of course not. It's just…" Elphaba trailed off, glancing between her boyfriend and her book.
"It's just?"
"It's just I was really looking forward to reading my book tonight?" Elphaba hinted, drumming her fingers on the hardcover.
"Reading?"
"Yes, reading. It's that thing I like to do."
Fiyero soaked in Elphaba's cozy attire and glasses. She'd had a mug of tea on her bedside table and had even lit that vanilla candle she claimed to hate.
"Oh."
"I'm sorry, Yero. It's just that I had to spend my break between classes editing my life sciences essay and I just got to this really intriguing part—"
"Nah, it's fine! Tell you what, you do your thing," Fiyero said. He stretched out on Glinda's unused bed and put his hands behind his head. "I won't bother you."
"You sure?"
"Totally."
"Well…okay."
Elphaba settled back in and cracked open her novel once more. She turned back to the world of the narrative until a lackadaisical whistling began filtering through her lens of focus.
"Yero?" she called without looking up.
"Hm?"
"That's distracting."
"Sorry."
He stopped and she began to read again. For a few minutes anyway.
"Boy, it sure is quiet."
"It was," Elphaba sighed.
"I just never realized how quiet it got around here."
"Yero—"
"Say, maybe you can read your book aloud?"
"You wouldn't have any idea what's going on. I'd have to catch you up on everything," Elphaba closed her book and stood.
"Nah, I wouldn't distract you—"
Fiyero wheezed as Elphaba suddenly straddled him on the bed and pinned his wrists to Glinda's pillow.
"Fiyero," Elphaba emphasized. "Listen to me."
"Yes ma'am."
"You know that I care deeply about you, yes?"
"Yes."
"You know that I cherish every tick-tock of our time together, yes?"
"Yes."
"Then please take what I have to say at face value. This here tonight? It's not working."
Fiyero sighed in defeat.
"Yeah…I know."
Elphaba released his wrists.
"It has nothing to do with you, sweet Yero. Sometimes I really just need to be alone."
"To read?"
"To read," Elphaba confirmed. "To read, to journal…to miss you."
"Well, I like that."
Fiyero flipped them so that he was on top of her and fondly adjusted her glasses.
"I just can't relate, I guess. Needing alone time."
"Well, opposites attract."
"That they do," he agreed, attacking Elphaba's neck and face with playful kisses.
"So, what did you usually do on a Thursday night? You know, before us?" Elphaba asked as her laughter died down. Fiyero hesitated, but Elphaba caught his frown.
"Ah—you know. Not much," he said evasively, standing up and pacing away.
"Not much?" Elphaba frowned, sitting up against the headboard of Glinda's bed.
"You know I'd usually just…hang out."
"Hang out?" she raised her eyebrows. "How specific."
"Hang out with…people. You know, friends."
"Fiyero…" Elphaba sighed and stood to approach him. "You don't need to be cagey about friends around me. It's important for you to go be around people just like it's important for me to be alone."
"Yeah, I know. It's just that ever since…" he glanced at Elphaba and then away again. Elphaba saw his jaw tense and she connected the dots.
"I see."
"I don't want to associate with people that think about you that way."
"And I don't want you to outcast yourself on my behalf! Not when you have the choice—"
"I've made my choice," Fiyero said intensely, suddenly turning to gently grasp her elbows. "You're my choice."
"Then what are we to do? Our relationship is doomed to fail if I don't find time to read," she said with a half-hearted smirk.
"I don't know. People just need to get their heads out of their asses about you and me. I mean, do they realize what's at stake? If they can't accept us then they lose the best parties on campus."
Elphaba noticed a change in his expression and she raised her eyebrows.
"Yes?"
"That's it. A party."
"Fiyero. Parties are not always the answer."
"But this time it is!" he pulled away and began pacing excitedly. "Get this. I throw a big bash at the OzDust, you come with me as my date, everyone gets caught up in the drinks and dancing and boom! Acceptance city."
"You may be oversimplifying this."
"Think about it, who can resist a good party?"
"Who do you think you're talking to?" Elphaba gestured towards her abandoned book.
"This'll work."
"Yero, my heart, please listen to me," Elphaba appealed. "Don't put all of your hope into this. You're connected with me now and hatred for me runs deep."
"Yes, but my methods of charming people are unmatched!" Fiyero insisted, grabbing Elphaba's hands. "After all, I've charmed the uncharmable."
"I can't argue with that," Elphaba allowed. She soaked in the goofy optimism on Fiyero's face and didn't have the heart to fight him anymore than she already had. "Alright, Yero. If you want to try this, I'm with you."
"Great! I'd better get planning. OzDust ballroom tomorrow at eight, mark it in your little calendar thingy."
"Tomorrow? You can arrange all of this by tomorrow?"
"Of course," Fiyero winked. "I'm Fiyero Tigelaar."
He took both of her hands and kissed them affectionately.
"Read all you want tonight, my love. Tomorrow we dance!"
With a smooth, gliding step towards the door, Fiyero took his eager leave. Elphaba watched him go, a familiar pessimism blending with premature dread on Fiyero's behalf.
She hoped this worked.
For his sake, she hoped this worked.
Fiyero was thorough in his pursuits to draw a crowd. The OzDust was booked, musicians employed, and there'd be drinks and hors d'oeuvres to spare. There was buzz about it, for sure, but Elphaba feared it wasn't the buzz Fiyero was hoping for. 'Are you going?' seemed to be the question of the day, and where in the past a simple 'yes' would be the likely answer, people could see this party for what it was. To attend meant to accept Fiyero and Elphaba's unnatural relationship, and by extension, Elphaba herself. It was true that the Shiz hivemind loved a party, but whether or not they loved a party more than their petty rumors remained to be seen.
Regardless, Elphaba made a promise to Fiyero to come so when eight o'clock came around she was ready and waiting in her frock. Fiyero's confidence was usually endearing to Elphaba, but tonight as they walked hand in hand to the OzDust, it only added to her unease.
"Are you ready?" Fiyero asked as they stood at the double door entrance.
Elphaba hesitated as she considered reasoning with him one last time, but in the end she figured that it was too late to turn back.
However, that knowledge didn't soften the ache she felt to see Fiyero's face fall as they opened the doors to an utterly empty OzDust. Musicians and wait staff stood around and chatted as the shining overhead lights spiraled upon a dancefloor with no dancers.
"Maybe we're just the first ones here?" Elphaba offered.
"It was supposed to start an hour ago," Fiyero said. "Fashionably late, and all that."
He numbly released Elphaba's hand and wordlessly walked down the steps.
"Fiyero…" Elphaba called from the top. "Yero, please."
He stepped out onto the dance floor and crossed one leg over the other to smoothly spin towards Elphaba.
"I've still got it, huh?" he joked sadly.
Elphaba shook her head and slowly descended the steps halfway.
"This isn't about you," she gestured to the empty space. "This is all to do with me. I'm sorry, Fiyero."
"It's not your fault, Fae." Fiyero glanced around and slipped his hands into his pockets. "I guess my dancing days are over, huh?"
"Not so fast. You…you still owe me a dance, remember?" Elphaba said, swiftly descending the remainder of the steps with her hand outstretched. Fiyero lifted his eyes but said nothing.
"Oh, come on. Don't make me be the one to get the party started," she warned. "Nobody wants to see my moves."
To prove her point Elphaba began gracelessly grooving to no music. She bobbed her head awkwardly and flailed her stiff arms about, flinging them into the air as she spun herself in a clumsy circle. She only ceased when Fiyero was unable to fend off his laughter any longer.
"See? I need the help. Dance with me, Yero," Elphaba requested softly, extending her hand once more. "Won't you please?"
Fiyero hesitated before graciously accepting her lovely, emerald hand. He nodded to the modest gathering of musicians and cleared his throat.
"The one I arranged for please…thank you," he nodded.
Fiyero guided Elphaba to the center of the floor as the musicians prepped their instruments. After some hubbub, they began playing a sweeping, almost mysterious melody.
"May I have this dance?" Fiyero offered.
"You may try," Elphaba laughed faintly.
Fiyero took Elphaba's waist and hand and her breath hitched as he attempted to lead her. Her hand and back immediately stiffened and she looked down at her feet to gauge where they should go. Fiyero paused and tilted her chin up to meet his eyes.
"I know—I'm sorry. I don't actually know what to do."
"Relax, my Fae. You just need to loosen up."
"You know that's not my strong suit."
"Hey, do you remember my secret talent?" Fiyero asked randomly.
"Your what?"
"My talent. The one I wrote to you about."
Elphaba smiled slyly and narrowed her eyes at his challenge.
"You can touch your tongue to your nose. Allegedly."
"Allegedly?! Watch this," Fiyero said, immediately demonstrating his talent with success. "Now you."
"I can't do it! You already tricked me into trying, remember?" Elphaba insisted.
"Show me."
"Are you serious?"
"Dead serious. Try it out."
Elphaba scoffed before indulging him with an attempt to touch her tongue to her nose. She was still not able to do it, but what she did do was start laughing, as tickled by his antics as she had been in his first letter to her. In her brief window of unguardedness Fiyero took her by the hand and waist once more and began leading her in a fluid dance.
As if by magic, Elphaba's feet knew where to go. The placement of his hands and physical cues allowed her to know exactly when to sway, when to spin. She relaxed into his dips, trusting that he'd catch and lift her up each time. She didn't feel the need to look at her feet because the whole time he kept his eyes on hers, gentle and adoring, thankful to share part of himself with her.
She fancied herself his marionette, but the comparison didn't feel right. He was not controlling her, but rather enhancing something that was always within her. They moved together. It felt nice to release control, if even only for that moment. It felt nice to be taken care of.
It felt nice to fly with him.
As the musicians played their last extended note, Fiyero stilled their movements to conclude their dance. Words didn't suffice, so they leaned forward and met half way for a warm, meaningful kiss.
The sudden sound of solitary applause broke their embrace and Elphaba and Fiyero turned their attention towards the grand staircase. There on the steps, dressed in her pink party attire, stood Glinda Upland holding the pointed black hat in her hands.
"I heard there was a party."
Elphaba slowly dropped Fiyero's hands and stared as Glinda descended the steps until she stood sheepishly at the base of the staircase.
"Nice hat," Elphaba commented.
"Yeah it is," Glinda nodded. "I found it when…when I was moving my things back in."
"Moving back?" Elphaba asked guardedly.
"Yes, well…" Glinda hesitated before lifting her gaze to meet Elphaba's. "ShenShen snores."
Elphaba crossed her arms. "So do you."
The girls stared at each other for another clock tick before Glinda dropped the hat and they both broke into a run to collide in a fierce hug.
"Oh, Elphie. I'm so sorry!"
"I'm sorry too. So sorry."
They pulled apart and Glinda waved her hands in front of eyes to fan her tears.
"Sweet Oz, I didn't think I would cry."
"Glinda, I never wanted to hurt you—"
"I know that. I mean—who would?"
Glinda turned her attention to Fiyero and put her hands on her hips to look him over.
"Now there's you."
"Hey, Glinda…" Fiyero greeted anxiously.
"Fiyero."
"Glinda, listen. You were a great girlfriend—"
"Obviously."
"—and what I did to you was unfair, so unfair. I panicked. If you want me to grovel I'll grovel, because I'm sorry, Glinda. I'm so—"
"You talk too much" Glinda groaned. "How about I talk and you listen. How's that? During my time away, I took a page out of your book and did some thinking for myself. You wanna know what I think, Fiyero?"
"What do you think?"
"I think that I'm too good for you."
Elphaba burst out laughing and Fiyero grinned in relief.
"That you are."
"Bring it in," Glinda said before launching herself at Fiyero in a forgiving hug. When she pulled away she spoke to him in a low, private voice. "You're taking good care of her, aren't you?"
"Swear on my life."
"Good," Glinda nodded, patting Fiyero's cheek with a soft smile. "Why…look at you. It's about time you fell in love, isn't it?"
Glinda stepped back and looked between Elphaba and Fiyero.
"Now I know that my mercy is gift enough but I have one more surprise. Elphaba, before the party tonight, you are getting your first genuine Glinda makeover!"
"This…is the party, Glinda," Fiyero gestured glumly between the three of them.
"Oh, no it is not. Did I forget to mention? The party is only beginning!" Glinda said. She clapped twice and the double doors above the stairs sprung open to admit scores of people dressed to party.
"How did you do this?" Fiyero gaped. "I couldn't even get one person to show up!"
"Oh, Fiyero. Sweetie. They like you…" Glinda flourished her arms out in a majestic gesture as people began rushing down the steps to take to the dance floor. "But they love me."
As the musicians began playing a lively tune, Glinda stooped to grab the discarded hat before snatching Elphaba's hand.
"You were kidding about the makeover, right?" Elphaba clarified.
"Uh uh. Say goodbye to your boytoy for now. I'm about to give you your first smokey eye!" she squealed before pulling Elphaba up the stairs with a jarring yank.
"Help me," Elphaba mouthed to Fiyero over her shoulder but he could only laugh and wave her off.
Glinda pranced with Elphaba in tow up the stairs and weaved through people in the foyer until they reached a little sitting room with a decorative mirror. It seemed that Glinda had come prepared with a makeup bag standing by.
"Sit," Glinda pointed to a velvety settee.
"Do I have a choice?"
"What do you think?"
Elphaba sat and clicked her heels together anxiously as Glinda rummaged through her bag. She flinched as Glinda brought an eyeliner pencil close to her face.
"Oh, Elphie. Don't be such a baby."
"I've never worn makeup!"
"Toughen up."
Elphaba sighed and did as Glinda told her.
"Now it goes without saying they don't make concealers in…your shade. You're lucky you have such clear, pretty skin."
"Pretty. Sure," Elphaba scoffed.
"Fiyero certainly thinks so."
"It's alright, Glinda. We don't have to talk about him."
Glinda leaned back and gave her a disbelieving look.
"Are you kidding? You thought that after our reunification I wouldn't insist on hearing all the details? Grow up, Elphie."
"I just thought it might be hard because…well," Elphaba mumbled uncomfortably. "Because you…loved him."
Glinda paused her efforts on Elphaba's face with a sage expression.
"Oh, Elphie…" she smiled sadly. "I didn't. I didn't love him."
Glinda took a seat beside Elphaba on the settee with a wistful sigh.
"I thought I did. I mean we made sense and we looked good together, you have to admit it," she bumped Elphaba with her shoulder. "But…I didn't love him. Not like that. Listen, I wasn't creeping on you or anything but I have to confess…I watched you dance. I mean, the way he looked at you, Elphie?"
Glinda shook her head and drummed her manicured nails on her knee.
"He never looked at me that way, and you know something? I never looked that way at him that way either."
"I'm sorry, Glinda."
"Good heavens, why are you sorry? Fiyero loves you, Elphaba. He loves you and you deserve to be loved. So, deal with it."
Glinda completed Elphaba's makeup after singing several verses of an absurd off the cuff song she named 'smokey eye in the sky.'
"And while your frock is soooo pretty, Elphie I have one last surprise."
Glinda thrust a garment bag into Elphaba's arms and after taking a few minutes to change, Elphaba emerged in an understated party dress with black lace sleeves and an elegant skirt. Glinda smiled and folded her hands over her heart.
"Glinda, you've done it again," she complimented herself. "I found it at the shop around the corner."
She took Elphaba by the shoulders and guided her to stand before the sitting room's full-length mirror.
"Why, Miss Elphaba. Look at you. You're beautiful."
"Why did you do all of this?" Elphaba asked, turning to face her friend.
Glinda hesitated for a moment and looked down at her feet in shame.
"I haven't been very good, Elphie. Not good at all."
"Glinda…"
"No, it's true. I was so jealous that I turned my back on you. I guess this is just my way of…asking forgiveness."
"Well, there's blame to share," Elphaba acknowledged. "I've missed you, Glinda."
"I've missed you too, Elphie. And I'm sorry I changed my name to mess with your head."
"It's okay. Just move back in and we'll call it square, okay?"
"My stuff is already unpacked! It's a good thing, too. I've missed having my reticule around."
"Oh, Glinda…" Elphaba smiled fondly. "I still have no idea what that is."
The friends pulled each other into a long, tight hug, basking in the relief of forgiveness.
"So, how is he in bed?" Glinda asked bluntly. Elphaba pulled away and swatted at her shoulder.
"I'm not telling you that!"
"Oh yes you are! Didn't you see what happens when you keep secrets from me? Please, please, please. I need to live vicariously through you!"
"You've really never slept with anybody?" Elphaba clarified.
"I'm not that kind of girl, Elphie!" Glinda said in a playfully aghast tone. "Well, I mean I've done some things—"
"He's not horrible, alright?" Elphaba alluded, forcing back a flush. "He's great, in fact. There, I said it. Happy now?"
"Elphaba Thropp you wicked woman!" Glinda giggled.
"Why did you bring the hat?" Elphaba changed the subject.
"Oh, yes. I just thought because I was so horrid in tricking you to wear that in front of everybody…as a symbol of my humility and goodwill," Glinda paused for dramatic effect, "I'll wear the hat tonight."
Glinda took the hat, closed her eyes, and braced herself to put it on only to have Elphaba snatch it out of her hands at the last moment.
"I really don't think you can pull it off, Glinda," Elphaba said before confidently pulling the hat on her own head. "It's a much better fit for me."
By the time Glinda and Elphaba reemerged from the sitting room into the foyer, Fiyero was leaning against the wall underneath the clock waiting for them.
"Hey," he said, straightening up as soon as he saw Elphaba's transformation.
"Good, huh?" Glinda boasted.
"Good, yeah. Good," he said. "Hey."
"Yero you're so typically male," Elphaba teased affectionately.
"Now then!" Glinda clapped. "For the moment you've both been waiting for."
She grandly offered one of her hands to each of them and Elphaba shot Fiyero an amused look as they both took one of her hands.
"Elphaba Thropp," she nodded to Elphaba. "Fiyero Tigelaar," she nodded to Fiyero.
She then brought Elphaba and Fiyero's hands together and linked them with a showy flourish.
"I, Glinda Upland of the Upperuplands, hereby bestow my blessing upon your courtship," she announced before lowering herself into a deep, exaggerated curtsy.
"That's…so good of you, Glinda!" Elphaba agreed before shooting Fiyero a look to join in.
"Er—yeah! Very, very good."
"I know, right?!"
Elphaba, deliriously happy to have the world back in a beautiful balance, wanted nothing more than to live in that moment for good. But the ornate clock above the trio's heads neither froze nor turned back.
It did as all clocks did and tick, tick, ticked ever forward.