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Fiyero gazed down at her desk, dropping the bag he’d had packed for two years on the maze of branches that made up her floor. Oz only knew what was in there. But he didn’t care.
Because a small poppy he’d handed Elphaba five years ago sat preserved in magic before him.
His heart raced. His lungs unable to take in air.
She’d kept it.
She’d preserved it, held it like it was something precious.
Did she know how precious she was to him?
The rustle of leaves, he looked up to his left.
There she was.
She’d changed her clothes. They’d gotten caught in quite the chase escaping and her dress had ripped. She now had her hair tied back, a night dress on, and a robe of soft knitted gray material, tied tightly at her waist.
Real.
In front of him after all this time.
Relief coursed through him, it wasn’t a dream this time, she was alive. She was safe. She was well.
She was beautiful.
“Why are you here?” she was asking. “Why… why did you do that? Why did you come with me?” Her eyes were sharp, discerning, looking for threats, questioning his motives.
“You kept it.” He said simply, his voice hoarse.
Her eyes moved to the desk, the flower sitting in its container, “No one had ever got me flowers before. Call it sentimental.” Her brows furrowed, but he saw her chest rise quickly, the sharp intake of breath.
“I’m here to do the right thing. I’m here to do what I should’ve done a long time ago.” His breath shuddered, he could feel his heart in his throat, “I’m here because…” fuck it, he’d already gone this far, “I love you, Elphaba.” Relief guttered through him, the truth finally rolling off his tongue.
Elphaba couldn’t breathe. Her stomach in knots. “No. You don’t. You can’t.” She said, but her voice wavered.
Had anyone ever said that to her before? She came to the conclusion that no, this was a first.
She swallowed thickly.
“I can and I do.” He countered. “I have for a long time.”
“You were going to marry my best friend six hours ago.” Or ex best friend. Would Glinda ever forgive her for this? Could she forgive Glinda? Had her friend known about Dr. Dillamond the whole time? Going along with the Wizard? Trying to get her to join them?
“Your former sorcery teacher was going to cage Feldspur and change your wanted status from dead or alive to just dead if I didn’t.”
Elphaba’s mouth went dry.
He’d been threatened.
They’d used her to threaten him.
Fiyero continued, “Luckily he’s safe on the ground there with the other Animals.” He gestured down. Elphaba’s gaze followed. She nodded. “And you made it out of the palace.” And he was so grateful. “If you want me to go, I will.” The words felt like tearing a hole through his chest, but he would always respect her choice. Her eyes snapped back to him, he looked at the poppy once more, then back at her. “Tell me you don’t love me.” He whispered. “Tell me to go.”
Elphaba’s eyes were glassy, her face fighting to stay neutral. “I-” she began, “Fiyero.” His name on her lips made his knees weak. How he’d missed her. “I- I can’t do that.” The confession a whisper. Barely audible. But he’d heard it. The air rushed out of him. She loved him. His eyes stung, his throat tight. “I just-”
“What is it?” He asked. Oz, he’d do anything, anything for this woman, he realized with startling clarity.
She looked away, down, embarrassed. Her hands wrung in front of her and for a moment he saw the girl she’d been at Shiz. A young woman unsure of herself as well as the formidable and powerful woman before him. “I wish I could be beautiful for you.” Again, so quietly. But the night air was blessedly silent, away from the noise of the city. It was as if it was just them in the whole world.
If only it could be, for just this night.
But her words cut, she really couldn’t see. “Elphaba-” He began gently, ready to wax poetic about every inch of her and how stunningly gorgeous she was both outside and within. The spirit that shone through her as beautiful as her eyes, her body, each curve he longed to explore, her nose, her lips… He wanted to kiss her so badly, wanted to hold her.
A half smile played her lips, like it was all a joke, “Don’t tell me that I am, you don’t have to lie to me.” The smile fell. No, it wasn’t a joke. She believed those words. She believed him lying, that he was placating her.
He internally made a vow to spend a lifetime showing her exactly how true her beauty was.
“Its not lying.” He said simply. Because it wasn’t lying. She was incredible, but he knew she wouldn’t believe him, her distaste for her own image ran too deep, “Its looking at things another way.” Because Oz may have chosen to see her one way, and that was their loss. He had different eyes. His eyes saw only the woman he loved.
She still wouldn’t look at him, but he saw her cheeks darken.
He slowly approached, when he got close, she finally met his gaze, “Yero, I - don’t know how-” her eyes swam with so many emotions, but they were soft. Most of all frightened as she looked up at him.
Well that wouldn’t do.
He softly took her hand in his, and knelt down. She looked at him confused. “Elphaba. I’ve been looking for you since the second you flew off. Not because you needed to be captured, or that I don’t think you did the right thing, or that you couldn’t handle yourself, but because I was just so worried about you, I needed to know that you were safe. I joined the guard to find you, to throw them off your trail any chance I could, to help the Animals from the inside, fight for our cause because I care too.” She noted he had said ‘our’ cause, “I’m a coward for staying in the palace, I’m a fool for not kissing you that day in the forest. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry for all of it. Everything that’s happened. I’m only asking you to believe me, that you are the most beautiful woman in all of Oz, and I am so lucky to see the real you, to love the real you. Tell me how to prove it to you.”
Elphaba blinked, her heart doing flips in her stomach. Fiyero Tigelaar was kneeling before her, practically begging her to allow him the privilege of loving her.
She was selfish.
She was reckless.
She was foolish.
She was so madly in love with him.
“Kiss me.” The words left her mouth before her brain registered she’d said them. Her hands gripped his tighter on their own volition, “Hold me.” She whispered.
He slowly rose, one hand coming to her waist, the other the side of her face. The way he touched her, like she was something precious, something valuable. She’d never experienced that before. She hadn’t known human contact in so long, let alone this kind of care and gentleness. Slowly, his lips lowered to hers. His mouth brushed hers, it was soft at first, she didn’t know what to do with her hands. One settled on his bicep, the other his cheek. His lips were soft, warm, he smelled good. Like cedar and lavender and something indistinguishable. After just a moment, one that felt all too short, he pulled back ever so slightly, their noses still touching, eyes still closed.
“That was my first kiss.” She said, the smallest of smiles twitched her lips.
Both of Fiyero’s hands came to her waist, her arms winding around his neck. “Was it satisfactory?” He asked, slightly breathless. He was trying to make her laugh, but secretly he hoped he had given her the best first kiss possible. It had certainly been the most electric he had ever experienced.
She nodded. “I missed you.” She confessed.
“I missed you too.” He held her tighter. “Can I kiss you again?” He asked, feeling shy with a woman for possibly the first time in his life.
She nodded, this time rising to her toes to meet him halfway, feeling more bold, one of her fingers curled in the hair on the back of his neck. He pulled her impossibly closer, their kiss was slow, despite knowing their time might be limited.
“I can’t believe you’re here,” Elphaba whispered against his mouth, “I never thought- I could never imagine you… That you would want- well, me.” Her words so soft, so vulnerable and unsure. She’d already confessed, she couldn’t deny she loved him now. Something had cracked open in her heart. She desperately needed this, needed to be truthful, needed to allow the emotions that had been roiling in her heart for so long free. His eyes on her, listening so intently, making her feel safe in a way she had never experienced, “I don’t know… I don’t know how long we have, Yero. This life, its not easy, its not safe, but for as long as we do have… I’m yours. I can’t go back, I can’t stop loving you.” She looked down briefly, he gently lifted her chin, nodding, understanding. He let her continue, “I only wish I could make this last.” She finished.
Fiyero kissed her once more. Deeper, longer, passion igniting the gentle touches they’d shared so far. As they separated again, all too quickly but desperate for air, Elphaba took his hand and led them to sit on the edge of her bed.
Fiyero marveled at their interlaced fingers, how small her hand felt in his. “Maybe I am an idiot.” Elphaba’s worried gaze met him, “Not for this, never for this, I’m an idiot for not finding you sooner, for the way I’ve gone about this whole thing, I’ve really done it all wrong.” He said. His regrets ran deep. He wished he’d have just ended things with Glinda, kissed Elphaba sooner. He’d dreamed of every way he would’ve courted her properly given the chance. If he had just… done it before it all went to shit. “But maybe I’m the smartest of them because I can see you for who you are. I can see how beautiful you are, and that makes me very lucky. I can see how brilliant you are, how brave, how good, how kind you are.” He saw her face, how many emotions passed through her, fear, sadness, confusion, regret, love. “Maybe you’ve bewitched me after all,” he wiggled his fingers, a small laugh left her, just as he had hoped. He loved nothing more than to see her smile, he’d missed that smile. “You’ve turned my world upside down, Fae.” The use of that silly nickname he’d given her one day by the canals when they were all just college friends and life seemed so simple. He’d wanted something special to call her, because she was so special, he had said. He brought her hand to his mouth, kissing her fingers. “I think I fell in love with you at Ozdust.” He laughed. “Or maybe before that. Maybe when you yelled at me.”
Elphaba brought her hand to the back of his neck and pulled him to her, kissing him, each kiss growing slowly more heated, need building.
One of Fiyero’s hands found her hair, the tiny braids tangled in his fingers, the other her waist. Elphaba gripped the front of his shirt, slowly becoming more sure. They broke apart, breaths heavy, “Elphaba…” Fiyero sighed, practically moaned her name. He was a man desperate, in need of her touch, her lips, her presence. “Oz, where were you?”
Elphaba’s breath was labored, a warmth pooling deep in her stomach, she smirked, “Here. There.” A breathy laugh. “Its been… Lonely. I thought of you.”
Fiyero’s eyes snapped open, her hands where still rested on his chest. Could she feel his heart pounding? He regretfully removed the hand tangled in her hair and covered her emerald one with it, holding her hands over his heart. “I thought of you too. All the time. You’ve always been right here, Fae.” She bit her lip, oh she was so cute. “Its always been you.” He shook his head, “If I could go back in time…”
Her hand grazed his cheek, and suddenly he was careened back to a different forest, a clearing by a creek, a trembling Lion cub. She shook her head, “I know.” her brow was ever so slightly furrowed, “But one thing I’ve learned recently is that we can’t go back. Whats done is done.”
She was right, a crooked smile, “You were always the smart one.” he said.
“Don’t sell yourself short, Tigelaar.” An eyebrow raised, “I’ve heard about cages being mysteriously left unlocked in the palace.”
“Oh really?” He feigned confusion.
A smile played Elphaba’s lips, “Thank you.”
“Its the right thing to do.” He cupped her face in his hand, “Someone once showed me I was capable of doing so.” His thumb grazed her cheek.
“Do you still feel like your doing the right thing, Fiyero?” she asked, her voice quiet.
He nodded and kissed her again. “The most right thing I’ve ever done.” He murmured against her lips.
Fiyero’s hands were on her waist again, hers in his hair. Their kiss grew feverish, until Elphaba unexpectedly pulled him so they laid down on the bed. Fiyero very reluctantly pulled back a centimeter and was met with Elphaba’s eyes, suddenly sad. “Fae…whats-”
“Sorry. I didn’t mean-” her face was flushed, lips swollen from his kiss, Oz she was so damn pretty, but she was flustered, “Of course you wouldn’t want-” She began to sit back up.
Oh. Thats what she thought.
Fiyero stopped her, a hand to her arm, gentle, reassuring. “Oh Elphaba, trust me, I want to very much.” Elphaba swallowed, her ears ringing. “Was I not on my knees confessing my undying love not long ago?” He asked, smiling, but there was a shyness to all of this. This meant something.
This meant everything.
She eased slightly back down, facing him. He took her hand, thumb running along the back of it. “Are you sure? I don’t want you to feel pressured or like you have to do anything because we might not-”
He looked down at their hands. How could they not have forever? Was the world really so cruel?
Of course it was.
He continued, “Because even if we just have tonight, that doesn’t mean we have to rush. I won’t push you.” He brought her hand to his mouth, kissing her knuckles, “I love you.” he said again, it just felt so good to say, “And you love me, you admitted it.” a lopsided smile, she bit her lip, and nodded, “Thats what matters.”
“I do love you.” She said and Fiyero’s heart felt like it would burst through his chest. “And I don’t know if tonight is all we have or the world will be merciful just this once.” Her own heart ached. Could she just have this? Just this one time, could she have a bit of happiness that was hers to hold onto? “But like you said, we’ve already lost so much time.” She seemed to be making a decision, he swore he could see the gears in her mind turning, “We have catching up to do.” She met his gaze. Suddenly sure, suddenly so steady. “I mean, I’ve never- well, that was my first kiss earlier so you can put together the rest.”
He kissed her forehead, “If you’re sure… I mean,” that charming crooked smile of his, “I would love nothing more than to make up for some of that lost time.” He winked.
She laughed.
What a beautiful sound.
Fiyero kissed her, pulling her closer to him, they were still awkwardly half laying on the bed, “Tonight its just you and me.” He said, noses touching, breath intermingling.
Elphaba nodded, “I like that idea.”
Their lips met once more, Fiyero rolled them so he was hovering on top of her. Elphaba gripped the front of his shirt, the top button opening, his hands wandered lower, feeling the curve of her hips. She felt him growing hard against her, a startling but exhilarating sensation. His kisses began trail her jaw, her neck, she gasped softly.
“You okay?” Fiyero asked.
Elphaba nodded, “Yes.” she confirmed.
He kissed her neck once more, her shoulder revealed beyond her robe as it fell. “Tell me if you want me to stop.” He said, his hand moving to her inner thigh. “You’re in control here.” He assured her.
“I don’t want you to stop.” She whispered.
His fingers dipped below the waist of her underwear, Oz, she was already wet. She gasped again, he looked back up to her face, she nodded, knowing his question. Carefully, slowly he touched her, allowing her to feel every bit of friction, sensation. Her eyes closed, her head fell back against a pillow, fingertips still entangled in his hair, his waves coming undone. His thumb made circles on her clit, one finger slid inside her, her back arched. “Oh Oz, Fiyero…” Her words were soft.
He’d imagined her cries of pleasure enough times.
To hear them was nearly his undoing.
His face nuzzled her neck, his own arousal straining at the zipper of his pants. “Fae.” he panted, continuing his slow exploration of her, he’d get to know every inch of her, every perfect inch. He loved this woman endlessly.
Her own hands were roaming, his shirt was untucked, her fingers finding their way underneath. Her fingertips on his bare skin sent shivers down his spine. He sat up, she followed him, already missing the sensation of his hands, she pulled his shirt over his head, she delicately touched his chest, fingernails traveling the constellation of diamonds that were inked over his back and shoulder, “Beautiful.” She whispered, eyes meeting his. Her hands traced his arms, running down the solid muscles.
Fiyero nodded encouragingly, “You can touch me.” Her hesitant featherlight hands hovering over his skin, “I want you to touch me.” He said, knowing so many had feared her, cowered from her contact. Her hand wound around the back of his neck, one running down the front of his torso. he shuddered. His hands went to the tie on her robe, a question in his own gaze, she nodded. Slowly he undid it, the fabric falling from her shoulders. Her night dress was paper thin, black of course, lace lined where it dipped and revealed the top of her breasts, he could see her nipples peaked through the near sheer fabric. “Beautiful.” He repeated the words to her, eyes on hers. His hands were back on her thighs, shifting her dress up, “May I?” he asked.
She nodded, “Yes.” He slowly and gently brought the night dress over her head, revealing an expanse of green skin, her arms instinctively came in front of her chest hiding herself, she looked down.
Fiyero tilted her chin up to meet his eyes, “You’re perfect.” He said. “I love you.” He took her hands guiding them back to him, he saw her shoulders dip, tension melting from her body.
Her hands were on his waist, he was kneeling before her. “I love you too.” She said again. And Ozdammit, it felt so good to say. She was overwhelmed by it all, the flood of emotions and sensations making her feel lightheaded and buzzing all over. Her fingers found the button of his pants. “May I?” she repeated his earlier question.
“Please do.” He replied, that charming smile on his face. With trembling fingers she undid the fastening and pushed his trousers down along with his boxers. His erection sprang free and her eyes went wide looking at it, then her eyes then snapped back up to his. A purely male smirk graced his lips. She quirked a brow at him. “Just excited to see you.” He joked, sensing her unease. Another breathless chuckle from her. He wiggled the rest of the way out of his pants, letting them drop to the floor, he knelt, completely bare before her. He cupped her cheek in his hand, kissing her softly.
Elphaba coaxed him down, laying on the bed, him hovering over her once again. Her hands on his back, his shoulders, combing through his hair. “Fiyero…” she sighed against his mouth.
Fiyero never thought the sound of his own name could be so lovely. His hands touched everywhere they could, feeling the sensation of her soft skin under his calloused fingertips. His fingers were at the waist band of her underwear, “Are you sure, Elphaba?” He asked again.
She nodded. “I don’t think I’ve ever been more sure of anything.” She confessed. And coming from her that held weight.
He kissed down her body, gentle soft presses of his lips as he traveled lower. One of his hands cupping her breast ever so gently, her sharp intake of breath making him grow impossibly more aroused. He pressed sweet kisses wherever he found a scar, no doubt from this life on the run. What had she encountered? What had caused injury? He’d get to know the story of each. His lips peppered kisses on her hip bone as he brought the thin black material down. He continued kissing her thighs, her knee as finally her underwear was on the floor next to his and she was laid bare in front of him. He smiled down at her. She was here. She was real. This woman who had burrowed so deeply in his heart before his brain had ever had the chance to catch up.
“What is it?” She asked him now, seeing him pause.
“I’m not dreaming.” he answered.
She understood, she bit her lip. “Neither am I.” She sat up, kissing him, and surprised him when she reached a hand to him, taking him in her grip. Gently she stoked him, his eyes closed, his hands on her once more. One traveled back between her legs. He slid a finger inside her, his thumb making deliciously slow circles over her nerves. “Fiyero.. I want-” he managed to come enough to his senses to look at her, “I want you.” she looked at him through dark lashes.
He nodded, “I want you too.” His hands moved to her hips, he trailed kisses along her collarbone. Her head fell back. He gently laid her down. He hovered above her entrance, “Is this okay?” He asked.
“Yes Fiyero. Please.” The last word was whispered.
Slowly he entered her, she inhaled sharply, the sensations new, but very pleasant. She felt that she was on fire, so close to him yet not nearly close enough, open and vulnerable in whole new ways. She gripped the back of his arms. She heard her own name tumble from his lips. “Just tell me what feels good.” He said to her, a hand cradling the back of her head. She nodded, then kissed him once more.
He began to move inside her. Gently, maddeningly slowly. From the moment he’d entangled with her, he was near coming undone. He held on, wanting her to enjoy every moment, never wanting to rush. Oz, she felt so good. He’d dreamed of this, yearned for this connection with her.
“Yero…” she sighed, a moan escaping her lips. Her breath quickening, her grip on him tightening. his movements became faster, her own hips meeting his in rhythm. He kissed her neck, her shoulder, inhaling the scent of her, memorizing each hitched breath, each whimper of pleasure. She gasped, he could feel how tightly wound she was. Her lips swollen, breath heavy. Her eyes met his, hand reached for his, their fingers interlaced, she moaned again, her pleasure building. “I love you.” She whispered.
Elphaba felt each wave of sensation, slowly building, heat coiling within her. “I love you.” He said to her.
Oh she was so completely and utterly his, did he realize?
She moved her hips against his, chasing being even more impossibly close to him, his head buried in her neck, his lips kissing there, his breath heavy in her ear. She wound her legs around his back, needing him. She felt as if she would combust.
Alive. She felt so alive.
“Ohh” She gasped, her back arched, she gripped his back, something between a cry and a groan, “Fiyero…”
He wasn’t far behind her, his hips moved faster, more intensely. “Fae. Elphaba.” He extracted himself from her as he came, not wanting to risk it.
Their breaths intermingled. Chests heaving against one another.
Smiles lit both their faces.
They laughed.
---
Some time later, Elphaba found herself snuggled under a blanket, securely wrapped in Fiyero’s embrace, her head on his chest. She absentmindedly traced circles on his stomach, his own hand rubbing her back. She was warm, possibly the most comfortable she’d ever been, a pleasant soreness between her legs. Fiyero kissed the top of her head, “I could get used to this.” He said.
A smile spread across Elphaba’s face. “Me too.” She looked up at him, his hair messy from her fingers running through it, satisfied smile on his face, an ease about him that she hadn’t seen since Shiz. She’d been alarmed by how... Angry he’d been at the palace. His exterior hardened, his eyes exhausted, jaw set. He’d grown up so much. She supposed they all had. She ran a hand along his face, fingertip tracing a faint scar from the Lion cub. How far they were from who they’d been then, but she still saw him, saw right through his walls and facades, saw his soft heart, his tender spirit, “Yero…” her brow furrowed. “What happens now?” She asked.
Fiyero shrugged, “I mean, I could eat.”
Elphaba glared at him, albeit half heartedly. “You know what I meant.”
He took a deep breath, “If there’s any way I can help you, I will. I’ll at least have your back, if I’m not useful with any actual rebel activities.” He hugged her a little tighter, “If you’ll have me of course.”
“Of course I will.” she chuckled, “I wouldn’t of had sex with you let you throw away your whole life if I didn’t want- want to be with you.”
“Worth it.” He smiled mischievously, hand wandering to her backside, she let out a squeak at his playful squeeze. “Sorry,” He kissed her, her hands came around his neck, half on top of him. “And I didn’t throw my life away, Elphaba. I want to be with you. By your side.” He said, serious once more, “I’m yours, thats what happens now. For as long as we have. It might not be a traditional future, but I really don’t care. As long as I’m with you.”
She nodded. “I don’t care what it looks like. I’ll be happy with you next to me.” She said. “Thats why you had a bag packed?” She teased.
“Love, I’ve had that bag packed for two years. I knew the second I laid eyes on you there wasn’t a chance in hell I wasn’t coming with you.”
“Good, welcome to the resistance.”
Fiyero smiled, kissing her, just because she was there and real and he could. He looked around, “This is, uh, quite the hideaway you have here.” He said.
She smiled proudly, “I’m quite pleased with it myself. Took some time, but the trees seem to like my magic more than people do. I’ve had a lot of time to practice.”
“You’re incredible. Show me everything.”
“I suppose I didn’t give you a tour, we got a little distracted.” Her finger ran down his chest.
“It was a lovely distraction.” He said with his most charming smile, “Feel free to distract me anytime, anywhere.” He trailed a few kisses across her collarbone.
Elphaba blushed, rolling off the bed. She grabbed her discarded robe and tied it around her waist. “I’ll be right back.”
Fiyero nodded and watched her go to another section of the… Did he call it a house? A nest? Penthouse?
He reached for his own shirt and pants.
The bag was too far away.
This morning he’d woken up dreading the day, thinking he was to be chained to someone he didn’t love and had lost any hope of finding Elphaba.
Now he was in her bed, and she loved him. This whole time, she had felt this same fire he felt in his chest.
As for Elphaba, this morning she thought she was going to have to watch her best friend marry the man she loved while trying to pull off one of her most ambitious and dangerous missions to date. Tonight, Fiyero had made love to her and joined her in this solitary life, returning the feelings she’d harbored for him all these years.
She smiled, splashing water on her face. She was hot, flushed, despite the cool night air.
She opened her drawers, just searching for something comfortable… Then something else caught her eye.
She’d had to get new underthings a few months ago, these things just needed to happen on occasion, she obviously didn’t have money.
She didn’t like stealing things, but she was already a wanted criminal so what were a few scraps of fabric? She never took from Animal owned businesses. She’d honestly grabbed these by accident. Her eyebrows raised, examining the sheer lace, but maybe she could make use of them.
She bit her lip, feeling a rush of excitement down her spine.
And Fiyero thought her beautiful.
Fiyero was surprised she was still in her robe when she returned, but she’d also put her hair back up. She looked relaxed, more relaxed than he’d ever seen her.
He smiled, “Hi.” he said, rather lamely.
“Hi.” She returned. She then walked to him, holding his hand, he interlaced them. “This is really it, its not as big as it seems.” She said. “Washroom is back there, and by washroom I mean there’s a mirror I found and a bowl and the water flows up because… Well, magic.” She smirked, and Fiyero loved to see her take pride in her skill, confidence looked so good on her. “And there’s a kitchen of sorts right there, you saw that, by my desk. Just be careful with fire since we live in kindling.”
“We live?” Fiyero asked. Yes, they’d just had a discussion about being together and working side by side and all that, but still, moving in was a big deal.
Her brow furrowed, “Well, where would you be staying otherwise?” She asked.
That he didn’t have an answer for, “Oh I don’t have an alternative, I just like hearing you say ‘we’.” He pulled her into his arms, just enjoying having her close.
She raised up on her toes and kissed him.
She planned on doing a lot of that for as long as she could.
“Come here, this is what I actually want to show you.” She took his hand and led him to the large opening on the far end of her hideaway, it was shuttered with leaves to keep out the wind and provide coverage, but she waved her hand and they moved out of the way, the foliage revealing a view of the expanse of the forest, the night sky, even the emerald city in the far distance. They both tried not to think too hard about that and what and whom laid within its gates. Elphaba pointed up, “You can actually see the stars without all that light from the city.” That and the full moon, illuminating the treetops.
“Wow.” Fiyero breathed, “This is amazing” He took a deep breath, “Its… peaceful here.” And it was. It was quiet, just the wind and the occasional cricket, the rustle of leaves. He felt like he could breathe for the first time in five long years. Maybe more than that, if he was being honest. He turned to her, pulling her close. She was so much shorter than him, only coming up to his chest, he rested his chin on her head, “Thank you. For showing me this, for letting me in. For… well everything.” He said, his hands running along her sides, her’s on his arms. “Thank you. I feel like... like I can just be me when I’m with you. You’ve always seen past it all. And at first, it was so frightening. Now I- now what hurts is all the masks I’ve worn.”
Elphaba was listening to him so intently, actually listening to him, not deciding how to impress him or flirt with him or whatever people usually did when he spoke. No, Elphaba didn’t see a prince, she didn’t see a captain, she didn’t see an ornament to be hung off an arm. She saw a man with a heart that cared so deeply. A half smile was on her lips now as she looked up at him “I could say the same to you.” She said. “You never… You never once looked at me with fear, or disgust. You’ve always seen me, not my skin. and I’ve... Fiyero do you know how much it hurts to be painted with another’s brush?” He nodded. Of course he understood, perhaps better than anyone. “And... Its been so long. I’ve been hiding, running, working, trying to do something right.” She huffed a laugh, “Do you know, most of the Animals don’t even know my name? I don’t know why I bother, its not like I can hide my identity when this is what I look like. And I’m the one they pin everything on anyway.” She shook her head, looking down, “There was a few months there… Recently, I thought I’d forget my own name too.” She bit her lip and looked back up at him, “Thank you for not forgetting. Thank you for reminding me that I’m not ‘the witch’. That I’m Elphaba.” Her eyes were a bit glassy.
Fiyero bend his knees to be at her eye level, “I could never forget you, Elphaba.” He whispered her name and kissed her again. Her arms wound around his middle, he held her even tighter, their kiss deepening.
He felt like he was floating.
As they pulled away, he looked around.
They were floating.
Blue fireflies surrounded them as they floated just out of the opening of her home, their home, it seemed. He looked at her in awe, “Are you?”
She looked a bit dismayed, “Sorry. Oh Oz, sorry, sometimes when… I mean I was just feeling a bit-.” Her cheeks flushed a pretty darker green
“This is amazing!” Fiyero laughed, “You’re extraordinary.” He cupped her face.
Elphaba laughed, smiling at him. It was true, her magic sometimes had a mind of its own when she was feeling something particularly intense. “I... I didn’t realize I could do this without the broom.” she whispered., partially to herself, “I think I’ll set us down now, though.” She was clearly flustered.
Fiyero nodded, kissing her forehead.
She closed her eyes and took a few deep inhales and exhales. Slowly they descended back to the treehouse. Feet on the branches.
Elphaba laughed, Fiyero smiled. “The broom isn’t the magic, Fae, its you.” he said.
“That didn’t scare you?”
“You could never scare me.” He assured her, he held both her hands in his. “I’m... I’m so glad we’re here.” he said. “Nothing and no one can take tonight from us.”
She shook her head, “No. this is ours. Fiyero, I think... I think this is the happiest I’ve felt in, well, possibly ever.” She pecked his cheek, “Thank you.”
“I’ll make you happy for as long as I can.” he promised.
She bit her lip again. It did funny things to his insides when she did that. “We forget the world right now, remember?” She reminded him.
He nodded, “Right. Just you me and the moonlight.” He nodded his head towards the glowing orb in the sky above them. “And you look so beautiful in moonlight.” He said, half to himself.
She looked down and their intertwined hands. Green and tan. “I think we’re beautiful, Yero.”
He kissed her again, hands wandering once more. Her hands at the loose buttons of his shirt. She pulled away slightly breathless, and moved his hands to the tie on her robe. He undid easily, revealing the black lace beneath. She took his hand as his eyes bulged out of his head, leading him back to the bed.
This time he removed his own clothing quickly. “Where in Oz name did you get that?” He asked.
“Found it lying around.” she winked.
“Oh, is that so?” He teased. He loved how poised she looked, how she was embracing their time together, embracing her beauty. And he loved seeing how magnificent she looked in this little two piece number.
No seriously where did she get that?
She was kneeling on the bed, he joined her. Kissing her neck, hands exploring once more. “Lay down for me.” He said into her ear. She nodded, doing so. He scooted so he was kneeling before her, kissing her thigh, he lifted her knee and continued.
Elphaba sighed, enjoying his breath tickling her leg. His tongue flicking over her skin. She looked down. “Fiyero what are you-?”
He brought the thin material down and removed it from her, “Something I’ve thought about more often than is appropriate or that I care to admit.” He replied, he pulled her hips forward, kissing the inside of her thigh again, he looked up at her, “If thats okay, of course.”
Her eyes were a little wide, she nodded, “Fiyero you can do whatever you want.” She said, her breath shuddering. She thought she’d had the upper hand with her little outfit, but she was completely at his will and did not have a problem with that fact whatsoever.
A wicked smirk on Fiyero’s face as he began to make gentle circles on her clit with his tongue. Elphaba gasped. “Oh fuck.” She whispered. Fiyero smiled against her, continuing his slow teasing. “That feels good…” she sighed. He then licked her entrance, tongue entering her, she shivered, a whimpering sound escaping her. She tasted divine. He could do just this the rest of the night.
He might’ve too.
He moved back to her clit after a moment, using his hand as well.
“Yero, I-” He looked up. She was so pretty. Head thrown back, chest heaving. She looked back down at him, “Come here.” she said, breathless.
He was happy to oblige. He sat up, wiping the corner of his mouth and winking at her, then was hovering above her again. “I love you.”
“I love you.” she pulled him down to her again, he entered her. She was less hesitant this time, more demanding.
It was hot, he had to say.
Her legs wrapped around his waist, nails digging at his back. He moved faster this time, harder, need driving his movements. It wasn’t long before release found her, the embers that had been burning in her soul for his man finally lighting into flame that she swore would consume her. And gladly she would burn.
She shattered around him, his name tumbling from her lips. He followed her quickly.
“You’re very good at that.” She said, breath still heavy.
“So are you.”
He pulled her close to his chest, her back to him. Their legs intertwined. He kissed her shoulder, her neck.
“Are you okay?” He asked. She nodded.
She peered through the leaves, the sky was pink and orange. “its morning…” she sighed.
“Oh wow, I didn’t realize.” He began, “Sorry, are you tired? It was a- uh- a long day yesterday.” That was one way to put it, “Do you want to… take a nap?”
She chuckled, “Yes, actually, that sounds fantastic.” She snuggled closer to him. His arms warm, safe. She was gripping his arms as if he’d disappear if she closed her eyes.
“I’m not going anywhere.”
She nodded.
She fell asleep quickly. Fiyero softly snoring behind her in minutes.
Neither dreamed. Too exhausted, all the words in their hearts finally expressed, at peace. Just for this moment.
They didn’t sleep for long, the light waking Elphaba as the sun rose and shone through the branches. A tan arm slung across her waist. She rolled over and faced her lover. She took the moment to marvel at him once more. A new crease in his forehead, she smoothed her thumb over it, her hand wandering to his clean shaven cheek, she wondered what a little stubble might look like. If she’d have the chance to see. His hair was a mess. She’d been running her fingers through it all night, a smile ghosted her lips, it was soft, now wild and free from the styled perfection she had seen in the past.
For a moment she allowed herself to imagine this could last. That they could somehow build a life together. Hide in this treehouse, work in tandem, do some good, fall into each others arms every night after a long day or a brush with danger.
She shook her head.
Just be present, Elphaba. She scolded herself. If she imagined a future, happiness, it could be taken from her.
Fiyero stirred. His blue eyes blinked open, as if he had sensed her presence. She kissed him, his arms immediately tightening around her. “Good morning.”
She laughed. “Good morning”
“So I wasn’t dreaming”
She shook her head, “No.” Her brow furrowed. “You dream about these things a lot?”
He rolled her over so he was on top of her, “Pretty much every night.” He confirmed. “If I slept at all.” He kissed her again.
A sad smile, “You did seem… tired. When I saw you” she said, “You frightened me. Partially because I thought you believed it all for a second. But also because you seemed so not yourself. You worried me.” Her hand caressed his arm.
“I’m sorry about that. I didn’t mean to scare you.” He ran a hand over her head, “I just needed to get you out of there.” He looked down, “I’ve been so worried. Needing to keep you safe, like I said, I know you can handle yourself but I wanted to help however I could, and having to put on the mask everyday. Hearing the things they say about you, the things they‘d do if they foun-“ he cut himself off. The disgusting things the men of the guard would say- he’d ordered many a push-up if they failed to watch their tongues, “You don’t want to know.” He shook his head.
A half smile, “I’ve probably heard it all.” She reminded him, but kissed his cheek.
Both their stomachs rumbled.
“You did say you were hungry earlier.” Elphaba smirked, “I’m being a bad host.”
“You’ve been very generous, I think.” He said with a raised eyebrow.
She kissed him again, would she ever tire of doing so? Probably not.
“Come on, let’s get you something.” He rolled off her, allowing her to rise and she put her robe on again. “Sorry I don’t have… a lot, but I can put something together.”
“I’ll be right back, I’ll help.” He said, grabbing his bag and going to the washroom.
He was happy to see that whatever state he had packed this bag in, he’d included a toothbrush. He did have to borrow Elphaba’s toothpaste but figured she wouldn’t mind. He changed into another pair of boxers and some lounge pants, surprised he had such in here. He really didn’t remember packing the bag.
He’d likely been a bit intoxicated.
But he was grateful. There was also another pair of guard pants, and another white shirt. It was warm, he decided to stick with no shirt for now. Plus he’d seen Elphaba’s eyes linger at his tattoos.
He was happy for her to have any view she enjoyed.
He saw himself in the small mirror. Despite being up all night and the physical exertion (which…Oz had been incredible beyond his imaginations) he saw the bags under his eyes had subdued just with their short nap. Or maybe her presence and the sheer relief of unloading all that was in his heart.
He recognized the man staring back at him for the first time in a long time.
His gaze dropped to his hands, the silver ring he wore on his middle finger. The Tigelaar crest embossed on it. His father had given it to him when he’d graduated Shiz. When held been officially given…
An idea occurred.
He exited and saw Elphaba at her makeshift stove, a kettle on, two mismatched tea cups next to her. She turned her head and smiled at him, she was so beautiful. “Like I said I don’t have a lot of food, so it’s just toast and some apples, I saved one for Feldspur too.” He came up behind her, wrapping his arms around her middle. “And sorry coffee’s hard to come by but I think you’ll like this tea, it’s pretty good. But I don’t have sugar -” She was rambling and it was so incredibly adorable.
He kissed her cheek, “Do you ever let anyone else talk?” He whispered into her ear. She leaned back into his touch, “I had a thought.” He said
Her eyebrows rose, “Oh boy we know where that gets us.”
He laughed and turned her around. “I love your treehouse, but I worry since they’re after both of us, we need a back up.” Her face turned serious, she nodded. “My family has a castle just into the Vinkus, west of here,” her brow creased, “Kiama Ko, its called. And technically, its mine. We’ve never lived in it.”
“Where does your family live?” she questioned.
“The other castle.” He answered simply.
“Oh of course.”
“But, you see, the land has some magic, or whoever owned it before us did. So its full of tunnels and secret passages, makes a perfect hide away, and it only lets in those who mean no harm to me, since it belongs to me now, or… my spouse, consort, lover, whatever word you want to use.” He finished, holding up his hand with the ring. Elphaba’s eyes fixed on it. He took it off and grabbed her left hand, “We’re going to be together always. However long always is.” He said, “I know… I know this is like, intense. but- well.” He felt very flustered, his heart doing flips.
“My life is intense.” She said. “And you’re right, its good to have a backup plan, another space. Thank you.” she kissed his cheek.
He breathed once more, bringing the ring to her hand, it unfortunately was too big for the finger he wanted it to rest on, but it fit her index finger well enough. He kissed her hand.
Her arms wound around his neck, he kissed her again, deeply. She was backed against the desk soon enough, their breakfast forgotten. Fiyero lifted her up and sat her on the desk. Elphaba’s legs came around his waist, hands on his chest. He gripped her thighs, his kisses moving to her neck, her ear, nibbling there. She laughed “What is it?” he asked
Elphaba felt wild, she felt alive, the absolute insanity of the past twenty four hours catching up with her sleep deprivation. Fiyero’s touch heady, his love intoxicating. “Its just… for the first time I-” she searched for the word. An ironic laugh working its way up her throat, “I feel wicked.”
A devilish smile on Fiyero’s face, he kissed her, hands roaming.
Maybe they could have this. Maybe they would be granted time.
Hope and happiness rooted in both their hearts.
Somewhere in the distance, the wind picked up.