Rifiuto: Non Miriena

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

She had the rink all to herself. As she sat on a bench, tying one of her skates, her gaze flicked to the notebook she'd brought. She had an idea for a song, she just couldn't think of the right words. So far, all she had was a title, one that was shaky at best.

When We Awaken

She sighed, slamming the notebook shut, and standing. Taking a deep breath, she stepped out onto the ice, started her music, and began to skate. She loved these moments, when she had the ice to herself, and didn't have to worry about... everything. When she could just be an ice skater; a girl who wore sparkly costumes and competed against other girls to be the best. When she could pretend that flowers were being thrown for her, and that her scores for artistic performance, presentation, and technique would be high enough to secure her a spot on that podium and a medal around her neck.

She loved Yero, she truly did, but there were times when she wondered what it would be like if she'd gone into figure skating instead of Roaring. Would she still be as renowned in skating as she was in Roaring? If she had dedicated her life to skating over Roaring, would she be the darling of the skating world?

"You have to choose, Fabala. Figure skating or Roaring, you can't compete in both. You can study in both, and practice in both, but not compete. Competing in both has never been done; it's never even been heard of before. Think long and hard, Fabala."

She had chosen Roaring, but what would have happened if she'd gone the other way and chosen figure skating instead?

So preoccupied with her thoughts, she missed her landing, rolling several times before landing on her stomach. A soft groan escaped her, and she pushed herself onto her elbows. "Fucking-"

"Toe pick!"

A pair of skates stopped in front of her, and she looked up, to find Fiyero standing over her. "Very funny, Yero." She pushed herself up, taking the hand he offered, and allowing him to help her up. "What are you doing up? When I left, you were still asleep-"

"Woke up to find you weren't there. Figured you'd probably gone back to your dorm, but I couldn't go back to sleep."

"So you came out here to skate?"

"Where do I usually go when I can't sleep?"

"Yeah, yeah, I know. The rink, just like me." They took off, doing nothing but skating around the length of the rink. "Hey Yero?"

"Yeah?"

"Do you ever wonder about what would have happened if I hadn't joined Roaring?"

He glanced at her. "What do you mean?"

"If I'd... chosen figure skating instead? Mulhama gave me a choice when I was about ten. Either figure skating or Roaring, and I chose Roaring. Do you ever wonder what would have happened if I'd decided on figure skating instead?"

He thought about it. "Not really. I mean... we'd have still both been at St. Prowd's, We just would have trained in different sports."

"You think we would have roomed together?"

He shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe, if it had been allowed." They fell into silence again, working on jumps, lifts, throws and basic turns. When Fiyero checked his phone, he was surprised to find it was an hour before dawn. "Fabala, let's head back. Get some sleep." She nodded, grabbing her phone and speaker and joining him.

He smiled at the little girl, who blushed. "Elphaba, your room is this way." Without a glance back, the woman led the little girl down the hall and towards the stairs. They were heading to the third floor. The figure skating students lived on the third floor, just like the ice dancing students lived on the fourth floor. He hoped he'd get to see her again.

She snuggled closer to him, arms slipping around his waist.

They all stood, watching the figure skaters practice, waiting for their own chance to practice on the ice; though his gaze was on one skater in particular. Her long black hair was pulled back in a high ponytail, and she wore a dark blue skirt and a matching sweater, with white skates. The girl was in the middle of performing an I spin with an ankle hold, her left leg vertical with her body. Once she finished, she curtsied, and moved to leave the ice, following the other skaters as the Roaring team entered. He reached out, grabbing her wrist. "Hey."

She turned meeting his gaze, and he blushed. "Yeah?"

"You looked really nice out there." She blushed, pulling away and following the other students.

He buried his face in her hair, tightening his hold on her.

"Congrats, Fabala!"

"Congrats on qualifying, Fabala!"

"Congrats, Fabala! Are you excited? You get to go to the Ozlympics!"

She turned, nearly bumping into him. Still dressed in her costume, she quickly ducked her hands behind her back. The black leotard with the short skirt, long sleeves and rhinestone decoration on the front only accented her green skin all the more, and her long black hair was in a tight bun with a white flower clipped into it. "Oh, hi, Yero."

"Hi. I... I wanted..."

"You wanted what?" She waited, as the other girls giggled and then scampered off, leaving them alone. He shrugged.

"I wanted to... to..."

To ask you out. He thought. But instead, he stuck his hand out. "To wish you congratulations on making the team. Her face fell; clearly it wasn't what she'd been expecting.

"Oh." She reached out, taking his hand. "Thanks."

He curled around her tighter, despite her soft groan of annoyance.

She had won Gold in Gillikin in the women's singles skate. Overall, she'd been one of about twelve gold medals won at the Gillikin Ozlympics. He'd watched her win, and had determined that he'd talk to her that night, before dinner. He quickly pushed himself away from the wall, as the elevator doors pinged open, only to find her inside, wrapped in someone else's arms. "Oh, Yero, hi. Going down to dinner?"

"Yeah."

He stepped inside, trying hard to ignore the man as he whispered something in her ear, making her laugh. Once they made it to the lobby and stepped out of the elevator, he grabbed her arm. "Fabala, can we talk?"

She nodded. "I'll be right there, Avaric." Once he was gone, she turned to him. "So what did you want to talk to me about?" He opened his mouth to speak, when he caught sight of the ring on her finger as she reached up to tighten her ponytail. She caught him staring and blushed. "Yeah, Avaric proposed and I said yes." She bit her lip. "We were going to tell everyone at dinner tonight. So... what did you want to talk about?"

He shook his head; since when had she been dating Avaric? When had she met Avaric? He mentally kicked himself. Avaric attended St. Prowd's also, so of course they'd have met there. But how long? Avaric had never said anything; then again, Fiyero didn't exactly spend time with the figure skating crowd, and Avaric was one of the best in the mens' skate. "Nothing. Just wanted to congratulate you on winning."

"Thanks, Yero." She whispered, pulling him into a hug.

He bolted upright, heart pounding. In the dark, reached for her, and she shifted, barely awake. "Yero? Wha's wrong?"

Instantly, his heartbeat began to slow when he heard her voice. "Nothing, Fabala. Just... just a nightmare that's all."

She yawned. "M'kay... go 'ack t' sleep..."

"I will, I..." He curled around her, burying his face in her hair, taking a deep breath. "I love you, Fabala."

"Hmm... love you too..."

It took him hours to fall back to sleep and by the time he finally did, Elphaba slipped out of bed, heading back to Crage to get ready before class.