Their hug was oozing with happiness, and tear-filled laughter until there was a knock at the door. Scarecrow sighs
"Come in."
A man with a ball-shaped body and a large clock sat in the middle of his chest walked in and stood at attention.
"Your Majesty, the Duke of Munchkinland has arrived."
Scarecrow grows slightly
"He wasn't supposed to show up until tomorrow."
Tock talk nodded
"Yes, he did say"
A recording started to play from Tick Tock's body, and the Duke's voice crackles out
"He thinks he can put our meeting to side like some casual meet, what in the land of OZ could be more important than our trade deal."
Dorothy tries to smother a smirk as she said
"Should I go and say hi."
Scarecrow smiles at her as he giggles softly
"No matter how hilarious it would be for him be speech lest for once, I know he will boast about being the first to meet you, besides us. I will not hear the end of it from the other nobleman."
He straightens up his appearance, picks up his everyday vest and coat from his nearby chair. He puts them on and then turns to Dorothy rubbing his neck
"sorry to leave so soon after you just got here I'll be back the as soon as I can."
He kisses her hand before walking with Tick Tock. Dorothy stammers a bye while blushing madly. The 4 bystanders looked to each other and sighed as they nodded together, these two are hopeless.
~^0w0^~
Later that evening Scarecrow fakes a smile as he listens to the noble go on about some reason for his side to get more money. Internally he groans, I had to leave Dorothy, when she finally got here, to listing to this guy put on a fake act to get more money. Sigh, at least she is here now, I was able to hold her again. Her hair was so smooth, and she had fit so perfectly in my arms, I hope I could have kept her longer possibly alone this time. He looks over to Tick Tock seeing that almost 2 hours have passed and he has barely spoken this whole time. The Duke was still rambling on with no end in sight, Scarecrow clears his throat to get the Duke's attention. The short round man stops and looks up to our King, he says
"Yes, your Majesty is there anything you want to add."
Scarecrow stands up giving him his best politician smile as he starts to lead the Duke to the door
" I believe I have heard quite enough, but I will need some time to decide the best course of action. Of course, I will also be sending some of my people to check what you had said, not that I doubt you or anything my good sir but…"
He gives the Duke a slight head tilted smile that screams "I have heard all this shit before, but I have to be polite about it."
"I have had some try to pull the wool over my eyes. Can you believe that hahaha, anyway please send a report of your grievances so the person I send can be well informed of what to be on the look for."
The duke was in a cold sweat
"I understand, it might take a while to get everything together."
Scarecrow pats the Dukes back
"Don't worry I'm sure you will get me all that is needed in do time."
He opens the door and lightly pushes him out
"and of course if you end up fixing it before my men get there just be sure to tell me."
Scarecrow's guards walk up to lead the Duke out of the castles, the king stands there waving till they turned the corner. He asked Tick Tock
"Do you know where Dorothy is currently."
He nods
"She will be in the dining hall in half of an hour Miss Clover wanted to get her cleaned up in some this 'world's fashion.'"
He quickly turns around running
"Thank you, Tock."
~^0w0^~
The dining hall doors swing open to show Marvel, Glinda, Lion, and Tin Man sitting with their lovers. They turn to see Scarecrow walking in with a massive grin on his face. Marvel smirks
"Well, that took shorter than normal."
He chuckles as he takes set at the head of the table
"Well after doing this for so long I found a few ways to speed things along."
"I guess there was a bit of an insensitive with brunette hair and in a cute emerald green pinstripe dress, hmm."
Scarecrow blushes then look over to Glinda and the guys
"How long?"
Marvel sits back
"Who do you think gets the picture for you every year."
Scarecrow sighed
"So all my attempts to hide this where for nothing."
Glinda appears next to him and pats his shoulder
" Don't worry Darling. I do believe its really sweet and I know we'll support you all the way."
Scarecrow looks out to his friends before he starts to rub the back of his neck
"Thanks, guys just one thing please don't tell her I don't want to creep her out before I know how she feels about well…."
He gestures to himself
"this "
They all nod slightly, Lion raises an eyebrow and starts to talk
"I don't think you need to worry, it seems like she…. Mmmm."
The Lionness covers his mouth
"She would never judge you because of your race."
Scarecrow nods, he opened his mouth to say something but was cut off by the doors opening. This merchant woman walks in hold the door open, Dorothy walks in wearing a simple Victorian/ modern style dress. The top is a corset that not to tight but holds her body well with sweetheart cut that buttons, the skirt has the folds in the perfect places, and she has a coat that has short bell sleeves and has one button at the bottom, so it outlines a heart on the corset. It was a navy blue, Emerald Green and white plaid with a navy blue coat. It came halfway between her knees and her ankles, she wore short navy blue heels with white stockings. On her chest over her heart was still the OZ brooch and a few of the hairpins with her hair in a more softer look.
" Thank you, Miss Clover, I feel like I'm dressed to the nines. Are you sure this isn't too much just for dinner?"
"No need to be so formal sweetheart, it was a delight to pick your outfit. You have grown to be sure a beautiful young lady."
Scarecrow stands up, his eyes never leaving her form. Dorothy looks over to him and blushes as she starts to walk over to her friends after saying goodbye to Clover who send a node to Glinda. Once she is close enough Scarecrow, who is filled with just pure excitement, picks her up from around the waist and twirls her around.
"You look simply wonderful Dorothy."
Once he placed her down and moved his hands to her arms as if wanting to hug her again. Dorothy giggles as she regains her bearings and she looks up to him
"Thank you Scarecrow."
They stare at each other and start to chat, the group of soon to be matchmakers smiled with knowing glances at each other. Tin remarks quietly
"You know we will have to do some major damage control once everyone finds out."
Glinda glares at him for a second before giving a small pout,
"They will be too worried about the giant force of evil coming this way besides look at them, I haven't seen him this happy in months. It also looks like our little Dorothy has taken quite the shine to him as well, those 2 have been to hell and back, they deserve at least a chance to be together."
Lion chimes in
"You know the nobles don't care if the world is falling to hellfire and brimstone, they will still protest with the old fashion 'she is not noble blood' debate ."
Glinda gives one of those scary to sweet smiles
" Then they will have to deal with me."
Everyone but Marvel stepped away from her slightly sensing her mother/ shipping ora, he sighed
"Here we go again."
~^0w0^~
Some time has passed, and they are currently enjoying their meal at the table the whole room is filled with laughter and voices as each one tells their story of what's happened over the past few years. After lion had explained his story of becoming King of his pride he gives a big burly laugh and says.
" I know Crow has probably asked you every question by now, but we would like to hear only some."
Scarecrow blushes lightly as he glared at Lion with the "its true but did you have to point it out" face. Lion continues
"How have things been in Kansas since you went back, you have grown up so much."
Dorothy's smile falls a little bit as a pained look flashes in her eyes. She takes a deep breath before turning to everyone with a sad smile
"... It was nice while it lasted."
The room fell silent, and Scarecrow reached out and held her hand. She squeezes his hand lightly as she continued.
"Once I went home everything was fine Hell I was able to make new friends for a short while until everything changed the fields became bare and dust storms started. It lasted for 6 years, and it had blown everything away; all our farms, towns, … even my aunt and uncle. It doesn't help that our economy took a turn for the worse right before it too, I lost so much; my friends, family, and the farm."
She gripes Crow's hand harder as her eyes watered
"Wow, I really killed the mood ugh? Sorry "
Scarecrow gives her his warmest smile
" Don't worry about it, you can continue if you want."
She smiles back to him then laughs lightly as she wipes her eyes gently.
"Well, at least things got better after that, (sigh) I had moved to Seattle once I sold the farm. I guess I couldn't help it, with a nickname like The Emerald City how can I go anywhere else."
She smiles lightly as she reminisces
"Luckily enough I was able to pass off as a teacher while still getting my degree thanks to Marvel pulling some strings. I… I can't thank you enough for that Marvel you really saved me all those years ago."
Marvel nodded as he smiled with watery eyes
"That's what friends are for."
She continued as all the feeling of sadness melted away leaving her golden smile
"I spent 8 years teaching those kids that came through my door. It was (she chuckles) the second best thing that has happened to me."
Scarecrow raised an eyebrow
"Whats the First?"
She picks up her glass and takes a sip as a light blush creeps on her face
"Meeting you….all again."
Scarecrow blushes and his face is turned to one of a lovesick pup.
"We are glad that your back again to Dorothy."
~^0w0^~
For the rest of the meal, they enjoyed themselves with overflowing joy and during this Dorothy and Scarecrow seemed to never let their hands go. Once it was all done and everyone walked to their rooms together down the long corridor that they all shared 2 by 2 each pair went to their respected rooms soon leaving Scarecrow and Dorothy as the last 2 in the hall. Their walk slowed down as they enjoyed each others presence until Dorothy stops abruptly. Scarecrow turns to see her looking out a huge window that oversees the garden with the light of the moon making every seem to glow. He saw the curiosity and wonderment flow from her. He thought, ok this can't be any more perfect, he glances to the doors that lead to the garden, or can it. He walks over to Dorothy and gives a light cough to get her attention as he reaches out with his hand
"Want a closer look."
She gazes up to his face, the light from the window made his eyes seem to glow. She bites her inner lip as she thought, Ok Dorothy keep your cool he just wants to catch me up on all that I have but why is my heart beating so fast still. He couldn't feel the same way, can he? She takes his hand and lets him guide her to the garden. As they walk their hand never part, Scarecrow looks at her.
"Do you like what I did to the place, it felt a bit to green before."
She giggled
"Oh, I wonder why."
They laugh together, and Scarecrow plucks a blue rose beside them being careful of the thorns removing them swiftly as he hides the flower from Dorothy's sight. As they came to the fork in the road, he stops and turns to her
"This is where I first saw you again."
He brings up the rose and places it in her hair and move his hand to her cheek.
"I… I have been so caught up with work and the slowly creeping threat for so long. I haven't been this happy in ages, thank you, Dorothy."
Dorothy tilts her head
"For what I haven't done much?"
He stepped closer titling his head down closer to her
"Just being here with me again like all those years ago. You're the first friend I ever had, Dorothy, it pained me to see you disappear."
They stayed like that for what felt like for hours but was just a few minutes as they crept closer together till there for heads touched. He lets out a held in a sigh as he holds her close in a loving embrace.
"I guess what I'm trying to say is I missed you, and I feel like we can do anything with you here with us."
Dorothy returns the embrace as she adds
"We will get through this together, I promise you won't be alone ever again."
They stayed like that till a cold breeze swiped right past them making Dorothy shiver. Scarecrow pull apart from her to take off his coat, he places it on her shoulders as he smiles.
"Let's get you inside."
She nodded as they turned back to the castle, while they walked Dorothy held onto his arm not letting go till they get to her room. She opens the door and Toto came running out to Dorothy, he jumps on her legs till he noticed Scarecrow. He runs to the straw man to be picked up mid-run, Scarecrow laughs
"As energetic as ever aren't ya little buddy?"
He gets a bark in response as he tries to get closer
"Nice try Toto, but I heard from a certain little bird about your puppy kiss attack on Marvel."
He winks to Dorothy causing her to giggle, as Scarecrow handing the thoroughly pampered pup back to his mama, he sighed
"I guess this is goodnight, I'll see you tomorrow."
Dorthy places Toto back in her room before turning to Scarecrow
"Wait, Scarecrow."
She grabs his arm pulling him down so she can kiss his cheek. This left Scarecrow blushing madly.
"Thank you for a wonderful time… Crow."
She said this so sweetly as she pulled way while ending it with a cute tilt of her head as she said his nickname. It took a second for him to respond
"Ugh….. Yes umm, Your… your welcome and I...I enjoyed it as well."
She steps into her room looking back she says softly
"Goodnight."
And before she shuts the door, Scarecrow says dreamily as he straightens up
"Goodnight Dorothy."
Once the door shuts Scarecrow stands there placing a hand on his cheek. After he jumps up happily trying not to make any sound as he dances gracefully down the hall to his room. Unbenoictes to Scarecrow, Dorothy had peeked out of her room seeing him dance away while holding his coat in her hand. She smiles as the door shuts again
"I guess I'll keep a hold to this tonight."
She twirls in place before stepping gracefully to her bed holding the coat close. She places it down on the bed as she goes to the closet to change to her sleepwear and takes off any remaining makeup. Once she is done, she goes back to her bed pick up Scarecrow's coat while turn to fall backward on the bed with it in her arms
"Oh, Toto you have no idea how great tonight went."
As she snuggles with the coat as Toto claims up on the small stairs at the end on the bed. He lays beside her as she gets under the blanket, she smiles happily as she takes in his smell. She sighs
"Maybe I was wrong before, what do you think Toto?"
She looks over to him to find him already asleep, with a giggle she closes her eyes as she waits for sleep
"We will see I guess."