Mercus and Fiyero had gone out gathering supplies for the intended bash tonight. Fiyero was grateful for the chance to regain some of their childhood frivolity. The last two years had been hard for all of Oz, and they had all grown older than the calendar had required.
Mercus had transformed his talent of networking and persuasion to work a carefully constructed subversive maneuver against the Wizard, and the parties were a contingent part. They served as recruiting and cover for the subterfuge all at once.
He was also glad for the opportunity for Elphaba to meet more people. She needed to let more people to befriend her. It really was unhealthy for her to have no one but him, and Glinda was too busy to be there for her friend. Mercus was a start, but she should be surrounded by her admirers as she deserved. She had so flourished when they had first gone to these parties, and he still regretted not taking her back against her protests. She thought it made her weak, but he knew it was really the best thing for her. She should learn it was okay to have people you trust, someone to rely on.
Walking in, both men's attention was immediately drawn to the billiard room. A stunningly sexy figure with onyx locks and viridian skin, dressed in the only clothes Mercus had of female nature: a leather halter top with a matching black miniskirt, leftovers from some conquest. Never would she have worn that at Shiz, but the years had taught her a nonchalant poise with her body that was simultaneously intimidating and alluring. Also, it was that or nothing. He felt himself dwelling on the nothing a little too long.
She was posed by the table, barefoot toes braced on a chair so her attractive thigh was clearly visible. Bent over to align the shot, she provided them quite a nice view of what they would like nice views of. Her sultry lips were pouted in concentration, eyes fiery with focus under their ebony lashes, all framed with that exotic skin and breathtaking hair. Fiyero felt his jaw drop, and Mercus's eyes were huge beside him. She was so…ravishingly beautiful.
She aimed, and with a resounding crack, three balls dropped into the pockets at once. Realizing she was being watched, she shook her hair back and turned to face them with confident grace, and they were in such total awe of the goddess before them that they merely watched as she smiled as if everything were normal, waved, and circled the table to continue her game.
Mercus turned to him, punching him hard in the shoulder jealously, "You lucky bastard." He sure was.
Elphaba was nervous. This party was a bad idea. What if someone recognized her? They would all be in danger. She felt like a cancer on the lives of everyone she touched. Mercus had just insisted that it would look more suspicious to cancel than to ride it out.
How could they not recognize her? She didn't think green skin was exactly a common commodity. Mercus had made it a costume party to help, but Elphaba didn't think she could blend in well enough. Her only costume was herself, so she guessed technically she was going as the Wicked Witch. Donning her iconic hat, she made a face in the mirror at the ridiculous sight that greeted her. They were doomed.
Fiyero walked in, looking over her shoulder at her reflection in the mirror. His eyes traveled over her half-dressed body hungrily, and she felt her breath catch in her throat. He was so good at that. She struggled to maintain her composure as his lustful eyes made her feel wanted and wanton all at once. She wanted to say something, but she couldn't think of anything that didn't end with, "take me please, Fiyero." She used to be so strong, but she had no resistance to him.
They were still adjusting to the reality of each other, having been apart so long that dreams seemed more real than memories. She recalled the time when she could have Fiyero anytime she wanted him, which was often. Which was now. But she still felt awkward initiating. She still felt like an unwanted ugly duckling, though she knew she was too old to become the swan now. She had made peace with her duckness, until his eyes raked over her like that.
Turning to face him, he seduced her with his eyes. His eyes could say more than most people's lips and much more convincingly. She was crossing to him without conscious thought, aware of it only when she arrived a breath away. She was determined to not melt at the heat of his gaze. "So what do you think?"
What a loaded question that was. He allowed himself another scorching stare before answering huskily, "I feel like the Big Bad Wolf in front of Little Red Riding Hood."
"Wrong fairy tale. I'm the Witch. Can't you tell?" she teased.
"Mmm, you do look very…" he bit his lip, eyeing her suggestively, "wicked." He leaned down to kiss her ravenously, and she pulled him tightly against her. His hand was on the laces to her top when the door opened, a voice calling for Fiyero.
"Sorry." Mercus ducked back out, and Fiyero fell back frustrated.
He closed his eyes and ran his hands through his hair, regaining himself, and when his eyes fixed on her again, she wanted to rip his clothes off right then. "I will be…right…back." His words were so emphatic, she had to smile. "Hold that thought." Halfway out the door, he ducked his head back in, "Don't even think of leaving." She smiled, and then heard Fiyero's "Ow! Why'd you punch me again?"
Mercus's voice came through the door. "You damned lucky bastard."
Fiyero wanted to go back to Elphaba. Now. Right now. He finished helping Mercus as fast as humanly possible, remembering the spark in her eyes when he'd called her wicked. She was irresistibly tantalizingly enticingly tempting. Ever since that pool table thing this afternoon, she had been itching in his brain, and now he was completely on fire for her.
He almost flew up the stairs, not even caring that the guests had already started arriving. He raced to her room, panting from the mad dash. She was still there, and still amazingly striking in that costume. He shut the door and locked it.
Turning to her, he tried to be smooth. "So, where were we." She just smirked at his cheesy line. Crossing to her, he pulled her forcefully to him. "I want you." Memories of their previous encounters flooded his system with more motivation to rip her clothes off, though he held off by tenuous thread. He poured hot kisses all over her, nibbling her ear and neck as if she were a fine delicacy. She smiled, returning his advances with her own, and he was powerless against her seduction.
Naked, she was even more exhilaratingly beautiful than was right. How could something so enticing exist if he wasn't supposed to be tempted? He took her body against his, and he was filled with wonder by her anew. Every time he touched her, he was surprised by how amazing she was. Every time. Together they researched the limits of human pleasure, with astonishing results.
He rubbed his arm lightly as she started to fall asleep against him. He grinned widely as he imagined how hard Mercus would hit him tomorrow.
At least Elphaba got her wish, he thought wryly. They never even made it down to the party to be recognized.