Chapter Twenty-Six: Jump In

She woke up the next morning in his arms and basked, for just a moment, in the peaceful feeling as she felt his chest rise and fall and his breath on her forehead. It was nice to just let him in, to simply exist and be loved. Feeling foolish, but unable to help herself, she nuzzled against him.

He blinked at that and smiled at her. "Good morning, my love."

"Mmm, good morning." Her worries began returning to her and she pushed them away. It was easier to forget about everything terrible when she was with him. "Glinda is probably wondering why I didn't come back."

"Somehow I doubt that." He remarked.

A laugh bubbled through her throat. "You're right. She knows exactly why I didn't come back last night."

"Is everything better between the two of you? I forgot to ask yesterday."

"It is. I told her she was right. I hate being wrong, but I know I was. Playing the stupid game we played was complicated, and I only made it worse by refusing to be honest about the way I felt. It wasn't fair to expect her to watch things go badly."

"They turned out fine, didn't they?"

"They were quite a bit messy for a while there, Fiyero."

"I know and I'm sorry for that."

"I was as much a part of it as you were, probably more," Elphaba admitted. "I might want to get back at some point, before I'm missed by anyone else."

"I don't want you to go."

"I know, Yero, but I should. And on that note, you asked me to spend more time here, but you know that's not going to be a daily thing, right? I have morning classes sometimes."

"I won't like it, but I can live with it. Besides, we're only just starting this, at least the real version of this. I realize that physically we already jumped the gun, but you staying the night is a physical and emotional thing and we'll probably need our own space sometimes."

"Exactly. I love how you just… you're on the same wavelength as I am. I mean, Glinda reads my mind. But you understand, and that's different than just knowing what I'm thinking." She had to drag herself out of the bed, the temptation to stay almost won. Carefully, she dug through the mess of clothes on the floor and began to redress. She stood in front of his mirror for a moment. "Thank you for keeping the love-bites down where no one can see them."

"I can see them."

"When I'm not dressed. But no one else can see that."

"And that's how I like it." He got up and kissed her. "I'll see you in class?"

"Yes."

"I love you, Fae."

"I love you, too." It felt so strange to keep saying it out loud like that. But she could get used to it. She barely paid attention to anything as she headed back to her room, practically floating as she walked slowly along.

"Elphaba?" It was Tibbett. "You're daydreaming, aren't you?"

"No, actually. I don't need to daydream. I'm just... living." She found herself smiling, unable to help it. She felt giddy, like she'd had too much sugar or coffee. But this was a natural feeling, and she didn't need a drug.

"It's a little early to have just come back from seeing Fiyero. Unless, of course, you spent the night." Tibbett raised his eyebrows. "And given how you seem like you're on Cloud Nine, I'm going to assume it was good."

She rolled her eyes. "Assume away. I don't care." That had been the point, hadn't it? To let people think they were together. And now that they were, she cared even less that people thought she was sleeping with Fiyero.

"Scandalous!" Tibbett grinned. "Good for you."

"I really should get back."

"Have a good rest of the day, then." Tibbett waved.

Glinda looked up as Elphaba shut the door behind her. "I'm assuming that conversation went well, then?"

She nodded. "We're together. For real, this time."

"And the ring?"

"Still fake. I think it would be a bit soon. And I don't know about marriage, honestly."

"Does he know that?"

"We haven't talked about that much yet. Glinda, this is new. I just want to enjoy this for a little while before societal pressures take that joy away."

"You're probably right. Besides, I think you've made enough changes for the time being." Glinda smiled. "I'm glad you did the right thing. I was getting aggravated."

"I could tell. I'm pretty sure Fiyero thought you might kill him one of these days."

"He's afraid of me, isn't he?"

"Maybe a little. But he appreciates that you're my best friend. He's the one who encouraged me to try and talk to you about this. He knew I'd need to talk it out with someone else before I could talk to him."

Glinda put her hand over her heart. "That's so sweet. He really does love you."

So this is what it really felt like, being loved. Could anything this good possibly last for her? She lowered her eyes. "He does. He's too good to be true."

"I'm sure you two will have your share of problems. In fact, you already have. But don't dismiss it just because you're too happy with him. That would be ridiculous."

"I didn't say I'd dismiss it. I told him, didn't I? I just... I still need to be cautious. I can't let this overwhelm me."

"Just jump in, Elphie. Stop being so scared."

She shook her head. "It's not that simple."

"You'll get there," Glinda said.

"Maybe."

The group went to lunch together to celebrate the beginning of the new semester. For the first time, Fiyero's arm on her shoulder didn't feel strange to her. She wasn't sure if she really wanted him to do that all the time, but this had been how they'd been doing things and it would seem odd if she didn't allow it. She smiled at him, and he smiled back knowingly. Every other time they'd been out like this, it felt as though they were constantly on guard trying to hide their secret. Now it felt like they had something special between them, like co-conspirators. She liked that much better.

"I swear Elphaba, you've gotten even greener than last year. Do green people tan?" Crope asked.

"I was in the Vinkus for most of the summer, so I suppose it could be possible. I haven't noticed anything. Have you, darling?" She turned to Fiyero.

He shook his head. "But I saw you every day. When something changes slowly like that, I wouldn't have noticed. Glinda?"

"Now that you say so," the blonde studied her, "I can see it."

"It was ugly before and it's ugly now. I don't get why it matters." Avaric snapped.

"Avaric," Fiyero began, clearly exasperated, "can you please leave my fiancée alone?"

Elphaba gulped. The plan had been to be casual about it, and perhaps that was his way of doing so. But that word was bound to get someone's attention...

"Fiancée? So you two are engaged now?" Boq asked, incredulous.

"That's why you looked so happy when you were walking back from Fiyero's room the other morning." Tibbett exclaimed. "Now I get it."

There was a sharp intake of breath from Nessa. Her sister hadn't exactly been aware she spent the night with "that boy," as she still called him. At this point, though, Elphaba wasn't too upset about it. When they'd been faking, she'd gone out of her way to keep Nessa ignorant. But now, why lie about it? "Thank you for informing the whole table of my walk of shame, Tibbett. And yes, we got engaged over the summer," Elphaba confirmed.

"Congratulations!" Pfanee exclaimed.

Shen-Shen cast an angry glance at Avaric. The couple had broken up at some point towards the end of last year and now Elphaba was starting to think she knew why. If she could use it against Avaric without hurting Shen-Shen, she should. For now, though, she'd leave it alone.

"When's the wedding?" Crope asked.

"We, uh, we haven't set a date. We're taking our time." Fiyero looked at her. "Planning is just going to be so stressful and we don't need that while we finish school, right, Fae?"

"Of course."

Boq sighed. "Elphaba: in love and getting married. Who'd have thought?"