AN. The response to the final UtEoT chapter, once again, blew me away. I am so grateful for all of you!
I don't know if anyone actually requested this, it just kind of happened as a follow on from the last one. This is a short but sweet one.
Cut From Chapter 11: A Revelation
Fiyero changed into his pyjamas, brushed his teeth and locked the door before settling himself onto the couch with the pillow and blankets. The couch wasn't quite long enough for him to unfold his legs completely, which hadn't been an issue until now. He'd never intended to use the couch for sleeping- except maybe the odd nap.
But these were special circumstances.
He shifted on the cushions, trying to get comfortable in a position with the blankets covering him and sighed, staring up at the ceiling.
The look on Elphaba's face that night was burned into his brain. The grief in her eyes as she'd talked about her novel. He'd never seen anything like it before. Fiyero didn't think he'd ever felt so passionate about anything as Elphaba did about her writing. Aside from his parents (which could be said for most people), he didn't think there was anything in his life that would cause him such grief and pain as he'd seen on her face tonight if he were to lose it.
Except for Elphaba.
Fiyero sat bolt upright on the couch, his eyes widening. Where had that come from?!
Elphaba had become a friend since he'd come to Shiz, absolutely. Her friendship was important to him, yes. But if she wasn't in his life, how much would it hurt him?
Fiyero tossed the blankets aside and swung his legs off the couch, sitting up and resting his elbows on his knees.
Well, this was new.
He'd only known Elphaba for a little over a month and he was so glad they were friends. She made him think more about things, made him try harder. She was brilliant, driven and passionate about so many things, and he loved the way she saw the world. He loved the way she saw him and saw through all his crap.
He loved her.
Fiyero jumped to his feet as though struck by lightning. That was ridiculous. He didn't love Elphaba. It wasn't possible. She was his friend. Maybe his best friend. That was all.
Pacing before the fire, Fiyero began to mentally list every reason why he was wrong. Why it was just not possible that he loved Elphaba. They were just friends. He'd never loved any girl he'd dated before, how could he love Elphaba, when they weren't even dating?
But, a little voice in his head whispered, how did it feel when you carried her up here? It felt right, didn't it? Or when you hugged her?
Fiyero's fingers twitched a little at the memory. He hadn't planned on hugging her earlier, but she'd been shaking and upset, and he was at a loss for anything to say that could make her feel better. He hadn't been able to completely ignore that she had fit against his side perfectly in a way Fiyero was sure he'd never thought about any girl he'd previously dated. As if she was meant to be there.
And all his arguments melted away. He loved Elphaba. It was as simple as that. He loved Elphaba. Who was currently sleeping in his bed.
"Shit," Fiyero muttered, scrubbing a hand over his face.
As though his epiphany had suddenly enhanced his hearing, Fiyero stilled in his pacing and cocked an ear towards his bedroom door, moving closer to the door hesitantly. There it was again- a distinctly muffled sob.
Fiyero's heart ached at the sound, and without thinking, his hand stretched out towards the door handle. He drew his hand back at the last second though, faltering. He'd seen Elphaba hold back her tears, watched as she held herself together determinedly in front of him. She wouldn't want him to go in there. As much as he wanted to, as much as it killed him not to, he couldn't open that door.
Murmuring another curse under his breath, Fiyero stepped back and returned to the couch, positioning himself so that he could see the bedroom door, as though he could mentally will Elphaba the comfort that he couldn't provide her in person.
Swallowing back a groan, Fiyero sighed and leaned his head back, returning his gaze to the ceiling.
It was ironic, really. The first time there was a girl in his bed whom he loved… and he was out on the couch. But questions still remained. What did he do now? Was there any chance Elphaba felt anything for him beyond friendship?
She had kissed him last week. Only on the cheek, but she had kissed him. It had taken Fiyero by surprise at the time, but he'd brushed it off as a gesture of friendship and gratitude.
He remembered the blush that had bloomed in her cheeks when he'd presented her with the rose- had it really only been that morning? He hadn't really dwelled in it at the time, but now, it gave him a small flicker of hope.
Enchantment, the girl at the fair had told him as he'd surveyed the collection of roses available. Purple roses signified enchantment. And it had seemed so appropriate, to sum up the way he felt about Elphaba from when they'd met. She'd enchanted him, and he'd had to know more about her. If she only felt friendship for him, was that going to be enough?
There was also the small matter that really, his timing could not be worse. Not when Elphaba was a few feet away crying. In his bed.
Fiyero groaned again, rolling over and burying his face into his pillow. He got the feeling he wasn't going to be sleeping much tonight.