Rifiuto: Non Miriena

A/N: Written: 2009. Found: 2018- Licia

"We gotta stack the brooms."

"Why?" Elphaba asked Avaric, as she and Fiyero left the rink after their victory. His arm was slung over her shoulders, and she hand a hold of his hand.

"To celebrate."

"So we won Mixed Doubles, Av. It's not that big a deal."

"I don't just mean that, Fabala." He replied. "I mean your marriage!"

The pair fell silent, sharing a glance. They hadn't expected to let it slip- in fact, they weren't even sure how it had gotten out. Fiyero had made one comment to Avaric, but the young man had completely forgotten it by the time the tournament started. Besides, Avaric wasn't the type to spill a secret, so it definitely wasn't him. And it wasn't any of the others in the Roaring community, for they'd been just as stunned as Avaric. In fact, the only reason Elphaba and Fiyero knew their secret had gotten out at all, is because Nor had stopped Elphaba during the match and told her, like the friend she was.

"Don't tell me you're not-"

"No, no, we are." Fiyero replied. "We're just trying to figure out who told."

Elphaba removed the necklace she wore beneath her jacket. "A Vinkun marriage knot. Yero saw it in a little shop we passed by after stopping by the courthouse, and bought it for me. He's upset it isn't a ring, but I could care less if it goes around my neck or on my finger." She leaned up, stealing a quick kiss.

Avaric chuckled. "So come on, what do you two say? Have a little fun?" The pair shared a glance, before nodding.

For the athletes, a little fun meant the Philosophy Club, the oldest, most popular dance club and bar in the capital city of the Vinkus.

It wasn't uncommon for teams to 'stack the brooms' after a match- or rather, have drinks with the very people they were competing against. Despite the team and country they represented, they were still human, still capable of companionship and friendship. In fact, some of the strongest friendships centered around Roaring, and could be traced back years.

The pair slid into a both, accepting the drinks the waiter brought over. In the Vinkus, the legal age to drink was seventeen; the legal age of consent sixeen. Since both Fiyero and Elphaba were seventeen, they were above the legal age of consent, and their elopement wouldn't be questioned- except by those who really mattered or were deeply curious.

"To the happy couple! Congrats, on finding that one person willing to put up with your stubborn ass for the rest of their life! May you not kill each other!" The pair raised their glasses with laughter and smiles at Avaric's toast, before clinking. Irji, one of Elphaba and Fiyero's teammates, waved it away, holding up his hand.

"And to the Vinkun team, finally making the Winter Games! Now all we need is our Mixed Doubles pair, and we'll be all set to kick some ass in the Emerald City in two years!"

"Here, here!" Elphaba called, raising her glass; the players clinked glasses before sipping their drinks.

"So what exactly made you decide-"

"Manek!" Elphaba cut Irji off. "He asked me if we loved each other, and it got me thinking. We talked it over last night and decided that would probably be the best thing for us." The older player nodded. Avaric was only a couple years older than both of them, but he often turned to the teenagers for advice. They were both a lot wiser than their seventeen years screamed, and he respected that about them. "We do love each other; so why beat around the bush anymore? We were determined to spend the rest of our lives together anyway, so... why not make it official?" She asked, holding up the necklace.

Irji chuckled. "Well, congrats, Fabala. Yero's one lucky son of a bitch to have you. Just make sure he doesn't let you go. He can be stupid at times."

She threw her head back, laughing. "Don't I know it." Her eyes rolled back as Fiyero kissed her neck, and after a moment, she turned, capturing his mouth in hers. "Dance with me."

He stood, tugging her with him. She grinned at the others, allowing him to lead her to the dance floor. He slid his hands down her hips, pulling her closer, until there was barely any space between them. She slid her arms around his neck, pulling him down for a kiss.

Fiyero flicked the light on in their room at St. Prowd's, only to stop, causing Elphaba to slam into him from behind. "Yero, what-" They hadn't drunk much; they'd spent more time on the dance floor, but still, the bright light of their room and the sight of their coach surprised them both. "Mulhama, what are you doing here?"

"I came to check up on you two, being your coach and all." The older woman replied. "Congratulations on your marriage, by the way."

"How did you-" Fiyero started, suddenly pale.

"My husband works for the courthouse, remember? He called me early this morning, and asked if I knew if you'd snuck off to get married. I don't fault you, or blame you, but I hope you two understand what you're doing. Marriage is tough, and you're young, and with your careers-"

"That's kind of why we did it." Fiyero replied, finally able to find his words, as Elphaba slipped into his side. "We figured, that maybe it would be easier to get sponsorships, and Fabala wouldn't be forced to go back to Munchkinland, and we could look at getting her sister out-" Mulhama waved his explanation away.

"Not tonight. You can tell me tomorrow. I just wanted to drop by. Now get some sleep, both of you. Just because you won Nationals, doesn't mean there won't be little team scrimmages tomorrow that you won't want to partake in. I know you two. Now get some sleep, and congratulations."

Once she was gone, Fiyero turned to Elphaba. "Do you think Mulhama-"

"No. No, no way. It's Mulhama. She wouldn't-"

"Unless it was in our best interest."