Archive of Our Own ^beta

The problem with finding Elphaba Thropp wonderful in all of the ways comes in two different parts.

One; Fiyero has a girlfriend. 

Galinda is popular and beautiful and she genuinely makes Fiyero laugh with an ease he hasn’t really ever seen in a girl before. Most of the people–boys and girls–who throw themselves at his feet tend to be, well, like him. Only they don’t do it as well as he does.  

And Galinda is too, oh she really is very much like him. But there is a deeper side of her and, surprisingly, Fiyero finds that he rather enjoys that side too.

When she lets him see it. 

He likes when she muses about the lessons they share or how, when she’s particularly frustrated by a lesson Morrible has given her, she’ll make pages and pages of notes to understand. Truthfully he knows that he isn’t quite as deep into this relationship as Galinda may be; she’s often running off with her friends, Shen Shen and Pfannee, talking about weddings and decorations and how they are going to live in the Emerald City right next door to Elphaba. 

Part of him feels guilty about it but then Elphaba will dismiss him or she’ll smile nicely when Galinda places a hand on his chest and he knows, oh he so knows, that it doesn’t matter how fascinating or wonderful or intelligent he finds Elphaba. She isn’t really interested in him.

Which, well, makes him like her more. 

Two; He’ll come to learn that his girlfriend is in love with Elphaba too. 

one.

“I’ve never had someone hate me before,” Galinda muses. They’re sitting outside in the spring sunshine and Fiyero lays back on the grass, his hands cushioning his head, and the warmth of Galinda’s knees pressing against his thighs. She’s tucked into his side, sitting straight up as she wiggles her fingers at passers-by who giggle behind their hands at the couple. He opens one eye to gauge her feelings, to see if she is genuinely bothered, and watches as her jaw clenches a little between sentences. She’s upset. Flustered in fact. She’s beautiful when she isn’t trying to be perfect. “I’m not sure what I ever did to her. All I’ve ever wanted is to learn magic and she barely even looks at me when I speak to her.”

Fiyero shrugs. Not exactly dismissing Galinda but not entirely sure what to say. Whether Galinda was good at magic or not, and Fiyero was sure she probably had something to offer, Morrible was going to keep her in her seminars because Elphaba insisted upon it. 

“Worrying about why people do the things they do isn’t a practical use of your time, darling,” he says and Galinda tilts her head towards him, her hands coming down to press against his stomach. “You’ll get there eventually. Magic takes time.”

“I don’t have time!” Her cry makes him smile a little because it’s just so her. “Elphaba is just so wondrous at this kind of thing. She’s already learning new spells and I haven’t even managed to levitate a single item. Not even a blade of grass.”

Fiyero thinks of Elphaba, of her green skin that absolutely bewitches him and how she, in turn,  narrows her eyes every single time he walks into a room. It’s not that she dislikes him, he knows that she doesn’t, because she always engages him in conversation but she’s just not the biggest fan of his kind of distraction. Fiyero likes to have fun, to make noise, and see smiles on people’s faces. 

Elphaba likes to stay quiet. 

“She’s just very serious.”

“I am very serious too,” Galinda fires back and he can’t help but laugh out loud at the pout on her lips. Her hands leave his body and she crosses them across her chest, her shoulders raising up, and she lets out a genuine ‘harumph’ at him. It’s delightful. “Darling. I am serious about my magic.”

There’s enough weight behind her words that Fiyero pushes himself up onto his elbow and forearm, tilting his head a little when his hair falls into his eyes and he levels her with a knowing look. “You are. I know you are. Elphaba just – she’s different.”

“She’s magic,” Galinda agrees in a breathy admission. It takes Fiyero off guard for a moment but before he can really analyse it, she’s back to speaking and rushing forth with her thoughts.. “I just don’t want to let her down.”

“Morrible is never impressed by –”

“Elphie, Fiyero. She risked a lot to get me into this seminar and I –” Galinda relaxes her arms a little, her head bowing down as though she didn’t just interrupt him. “What if I let her down? I have to be good at this, Fiyero. For her.”

The words themselves don’t really mean anything but when he adds them together, when they’re connected to Galinda’s shy look and the way she’s worrying her lip, it becomes heavier. More apparent. It makes him pause. 

“For yourself too,” he says and Galinda shrugs once. He wants to say more but she shakes her head and looks up at him with a smile that begs him to forget the last few moments. He can already see the facade building back up and he knows he won’t get anywhere with her now. For a moment she was simply Galinda. “You will get this.. I have no doubts. You, my darling, are Galinda Upland of the Upper Uplands. Remember that.”

She smiles at his words and preens a little under the attention. He tilts his head up to accept the little kiss she places against his lips and finds comfort in the fact she finds comfort in him. The kiss is quick, too quick really, but he likes her well enough that he doesn’t say anything about it. 

Even if he wanted to kiss her again she's already spinning away to grab some fruit they had brought outside with them, plans for the Ozdust evening falling from her lips, and Fiyero finds that he doesn’t really have much else to offer. She’s explaining what she would like him to wear and how she’s going to style her hair and he opens his mouth when she passes a grape past his lips. 

He lays back with his hands back behind his head again and lets his mind empty. 

;;;

Elphaba is sitting on the balcony when Fiyero walks Galinda back to her suite and he waves at her briefly, his heart pounding a little when she nods her head at him in return.
There is certainly a guilt that he feels when his body reacts like that and he doesn’t enjoy it. Galinda is right there. She’s standing by her bed, looking towards Elphaba too, but she’s right there and his heart is beating faster in ways that he cannot help. It makes him feel small sometimes, how large his feelings for Elphaba are, but he was raised correctly and he knows it’s simply a fleeting thing that arose when she dismissed him.

He just wasn’t used to being challenged like that. That’s all. 

“So, what time would you like me to come and get you tonight?” He clears his throat after speaking because Galinda doesn’t react immediately, her eyes flitting between the book Elphaba has in her hands and Elphaba herself. She turns to look at him and for a moment he sees something large behind Galinda’s eyes too. “Are you okay?”

“Oh. Yes, yes of course,” Galinda replies back and he nods even though he doesn’t believe her. “What were you saying?”

“Tonight. Shall I escort you down to the boats?”

“The boats?” There’s an enjoyable frown that knits Galinda’s eyebrows together as she clearly tries to piece together what he’s talking about and it amuses him greatly when he notices the exact moment she remembers. Her mouth opens in a little ‘o’ shape and her hands fan out a little. “Of course. Ozdust. We were only just talking about that! How terribly forgetful of me. Yes, of course, my handsome chaperone. Eight should be perfectly acceptable.” 

“And Elphaba, would you like me to escort you too?” He makes his voice louder so that she can hear him through the broken glass door. The girls still haven’t fixed it and Fiyero has no idea why. “I have two arms. That’s the perfect amount.”

He shares a grin with Galinda who looks positively radiant at the idea of Elphaba coming and she ushers him over to the balcony doors, even as Elphaba turns to look at them slowly and with zero interest in being pulled into their conversation. What a sight they must be, Fiyero thinks. The two of them crowding the balcony doors with smiles bigger than the towers of Shiz. 

“Thank you for the gracious offer,” she says and though her words are nice her tone is dripping with sarcasm and it makes Galinda make a gentle noise in the back of her throat. “However, as much as I would love to share a boat with all of you to a party I don’t want to go to, I have some reading to do for Morrible tonight. And I have a paper to finish for Dr. Dillamond; one I assume both of you have finished since you’re not doing it this evening. You can use both of your arms to dance with Galinda.” 

“Oh,” Galinda says quietly and Fiyero turns to look at her, one hand reaching for her arm. “Are you not coming tonight?”

“Did I give any indication that I would?”

“Well. No. But I thought –” Galinda trails off and blinks rapidly. Her eyes glance down to Elphaba’s book again and then back up to green eyes. “What reading are you doing for Morrible?”

Elphaba looks guilty, only for a moment, before she turns the book in her hands. Advancement of Levitation and Telekinesis. Fiyero watches Galinda carefully, watches as she swallows thickly and how she straightens her back and tilts her chin up. Gently, Elphaba lowers the book and offers up a smile to Galinda. 

“I asked for further reading,” she tries and Galinda nods once but Fiyero is sure both he and Elphaba can see right through it. The thing with Galinda is she wants so desperately that it thickens the air. “I’d be more than happy to let you read it with me.”

“Mh,” Galinda hums softly and turns away, walking back towards her vanity and Fiyero looks at Elphaba. She isn’t looking at him. “Perhaps I should read some of it. Maybe that would help me.”

Fiyero steps towards her but Elphaba reaches her first and he stops in his tracks. He watches as a gentle green hand lays on a pink shoulder, his eyes taking in how Galinda seems to lean into the weight and how Elphaba holds it. Suddenly he feels very out of place. 

“I’ll leave you two girls to it. Galinda, I’m sure it won’t take you very long to beautify yourself as you’re already looking wonderful. I’ll be back here for eight.”

She looks at him and Fiyero knows what she is going to say before she even says it. 

“Maybe we should stay in tonight,” she suggests with a little shrug. It makes her look younger than she is and Fiyero swallows because although he knew it was coming, he still feels slighted. “We do have to finish that paper for Dr. Dillamond.”

“You’ve been working at it all week,” he tries but there isn’t much of an attempt behind it. Elphaba’s hand hasn’t left Galinda’s shoulder and, if anything, Galinda is moving further into the touch. “You can have a break, darling.”

“Oh we all deserve a little break,” she agrees and he watches as she looks back at Elphaba’s book. There’s a look of uncertainty painting across her pretty features and when she looks at him again he is certain that she won’t back down. Her mind is made up. “We can go tomorrow. Elphaba will come!”

“No I won’t.”

“She’s practically vibrating in excitement for it. Oh, and we can make sure that everyone will be there. Boq and Nessa and the rest,” Galinda offers and Fiyero knows what is happening, he knows he isn’t really going to win this one or get her to join in. All at once he doesn’t really feel like going to the Ozdust anymore either. “Tomorrow, Mr Tigelaar. I swear it. Oh it’ll be wonderful to celebrate finishing an essay and a long week of lessons.” 

“I’m not coming with you tomorrow.”

“You can pick us both up at seven,” she decides, completely dismissing Elphaba, and Fiyero looks at the poor girl in amusement. She’s pressing a finger against her lips, as if wondering if she is accidentally mute, and when she looks at him he shares an amused look with her. When she smiles his entire body erupts. “Oh, Oz. I’m so looking forward to it.”

He sighs in defeat, Elphaba’s hand still on Galinda’s shoulder and Galinda’s decision being final. 

“Tomorrow,” he says.

two. 

When Elphaba studies she likes for it to be silent. If there are too many noises she gets this tightness around her mouth and she frowns deeply, her eyebrows joining in the middle and she huffs and puffs and collects her books loudly like it will stop the noise around her. Fiyero doesn’t really mind the noise. Studying isn’t exactly his favourite pastime and he, more often than not, leaves it to the last minute. He’ll scratch out an essay with his quill and he always passes–(he wonders if he has something to do with the Prince title. He knows it does.)-so he doesn’t really put the effort in. 

But he likes to read. Sometimes. Preferably in his dorm room and it’s not like he’s reading those huge, heavy tome kind of things. Short stories about dragons and knights or far away lands.. He likes those. 

He’s reading one, or scanning it at least, in the quad. He has space between lessons and it’s quiet; if someone was to ask him why he was reading he had the excuse of studying on the tip of his tongue. Nobody would believe him, he knows that, but he doesn’t really care. 

There’s a little shuffle near him and he glances up from the page to see Elphaba settling down on the bench across from him and he says nothing as she sets up her notebook and opens her book, dragging a long fingernail down the page until she finds the part she wants. Still she stays silent and she starts making notes.

Fiyero isn’t sure if he’s invisible or not.

To Elphaba he’s pretty certain that he is. 

“Hello,” he finally says and he wiggles his head a little in amusement as Elphaba makes a show of stopping writing and sighing loudly. “Fancy seeing you here. Come here often?” 

“I’m trying to study, Fiyero. So if you don’t mind.”

“Oh I don’t mind at all,” he grins and suddenly his book about dragons and knights and men who love magical women really doesn’t interest him. It clatters to the bench as he lets it drop and he leans on the table. Finally Elphaba looks up and he takes the win. “Why are you studying on such a beautiful day?”

“Because the weather being nice doesn’t mean my studies stop being important.” He blinks at her for that, not entirely sure what to say. She always sounds so unamused by him and it’s a change from everyone else who always laugh along with him, who joke and jest and follow along with whatever he says. Her eyes glance to the bench and even though he knows she can’t see the title of the book, he flushes.  “Why are you here? Are you reading ?”

“I can read you know.”

“Well I assumed you could, considering your age,” she snarks back and Fiyero can’t help but laugh a little at her attitude. She’s lovely. “I just never expected you to be reading. You know, when the day is so beautiful. I always assumed you used books as a means of travel.” 

She throws her words back at him and Fiyero can’t help but raise his brows at that, impressed and attracted to the way she holds herself. It’s so different from everyone else; so different from Galinda and her friends and those who follow him around. 

“I’m simply waiting between classes. Galinda is in her seminar for linguification and my class isn’t for a while yet,” at the mention of the blonde he notes how Elphaba nods, like she already knows what class the girl is in. “Miraculously though you’ve arrived. And how wonderful that is. You can keep me company instead of that book.” 

“I’m studying,” is all she replies back but she doesn’t move and she doesn’t frown at the noise he’s making. She stays. Her pen twirls between her long fingers and she looks up at him, her head tilting in an offer.  “I am meeting with Galinda after her class though so we can get lunch together. You can walk with me, if you like, to see her?” 

It’s the mention of Galinda that stops his smile. It’s like she’s proving a point, her words targeted, and he shakes his head. His law class is genuinely on the other side of the school from Galinda's class but, even if it wasn’t, he isn’t sure he likes the look Elphaba is giving him. Like she knows. 

“I’m meeting her later for our evening meal,” he says instead and Elphaba narrows her eyes a little. Something passes her face and he knows he isn’t smart enough to understand it; not yet. He doesn’t know her well enough yet. “Will you join us?”

“I’ll be with Nessa and Boq,” she tells him and Fiyero already knows that Galinda won’t let that happen. They’ll start their meal together but by the time they have dessert Galinda will have pulled him over to the table with Nessa, Boq and Elphaba. He doesn’t mind, not at all, Boq is pleasant enough company and Nessa always speaks to him. It seems Elphaba can read minds though. “I’m sure Galinda will have you join us by the end of the evening though.”

They both smile at that. Their Galinda smile. 

“She’ll insist upon it,” he nods and there’s a kind of smug feeling that he’s managed to hold Elphaba in conversation long enough that she hasn’t made any more notes. Her fingers tap against her book and he can see she really wants to get back to it and he wonders if he should let her. His selfish side wins out; his need to be in her company overthrowing any sense or reason. “I can meet you both in your room.”

“We’re perfectly capable of escorting ourselves to the dining hall, Fiyero. We’ve done it plenty of times. Even sometimes alone,” Elphaba retorts but she sounds amused and she’s smiling and Fiyero thinks he might have found his favourite thing. Her pen presses against her notebook and a little ink spills out onto the page. She tilts her chin at him and he points to himself, noting how she rolls her eyes a little in amusement. “Now, stop distracting me just because you have nothing better to do. Read your book.” 

“It isn't a distraction if you let it happen,” he teases back and even though she shakes her head, he knows she’s entertained. “But, fine, okay. Go back to your studies, I insist.”

“So gracious.”

“I am a Prince after all,” he continues but she’s already focusing back on the thick book in front of her. 

He waits for a moment and when he realises she isn’t going to engage him further, he picks his book back up. While he wants the conversation and to make her laugh he’s happy to take this too; this quiet calm. 

It’s nice.

;;;

Dinner goes exactly like he thinks it will and before he knows it, Fiyero is carrying both his and Galinda’s desserts over to a large round table that seats the rest of their friends. She walks in front of him, waving and smiling at the other students, and he smiles along and winks at a few just to be kind. 

“Oh, Elphie,” Galinda sighs and Fiyero can’t help but laugh at her dramatics. As soon as she reaches the table Galinda is sliding in and laying all over the table, her arm outstretched on the wood and her head landing against her bicep. “I am simply exhausted.”

Fiyero places their desserts down gently and watches the girls in amusement. Elphaba looks up from her meal, quite startled at the intrusion, but her eyes soften at how Galinda is sprawled. One hand comes up and brushes against Galinda’s shoulder, her arm, and Galinda raises her head to look at her friend. Across from him Boq looks at Galinda and Nessa looks at Boq. 

Oh dear. 

“Have you had a long day, dear?” Elphaba uses her free hand to lift her glass of water to her mouth and Fiyero wonders how easy it was for Elphaba to become used to Galinda and all of her, well, Galinda-isms. 

“Oh it’s been awful,” she says. She sits up, only happy to be dramatic for a few moments lest someone starts gossiping, but she reaches for Elphaba’s hand and cups it in both of hers. Fiyero sees how Elphaba looks at her hand, then her plate, and then sighs. “That linguification essay I spent far too much time on only just got a pass and as soon as I handed in my notes for my math class, they gave us more. It’s too much, Elphie. I fear I might get overwhelmed. How is one supposed to have time to do anything productive if all we do at school is study?”  

“It’s a mystery,” Elphaba says patiently and she lifts her fork with her left hand, her dominant one still in Galinda’s grasp, and pokes at some vegetables. “We can look at your work tonight, if you like? Would you like my help?”

“With math? No,” Galinda shrugs and Fiyero has to wonder if either of them realise there are three other people at this table.  Boq continues to look at Galinda, painfully obvious as he waits for a moment to jump into the conversation, and Nessa looks at Boq as he waits. It gives Fiyero a moment to look at Elphaba, if it’s being honest, but she’s too swept up in the dramatics of the blonde girl.  “We both know I excel at it. I just don’t want to.”

“Petulant,” Elphaba scoffs but it’s fond and sweet and said in a way that Fiyero thinks probably should have been private. “Well, I have to study tonight anyway. Your boyfriend distracted me during my break between lessons and I didn’t manage to finish my work for my agricultural class.”

“Oh!” Galinda spins immediately to Fiyero and suddenly he wishes the girls had forgotten they were all there. He puts his hand up in surrender but Galinda presses her lips together and scrunches up her face in annoyance. “You scoundrel. You know you shouldn’t distract Elphie when she’s studying. It’s very important to her.” 

“It’s not a distraction if she lets it happen,” Fiyero tries, echoing his words from earlier. He regrets it though. There is a flicker of uncertainty in Galinda’s eyes, a sudden seriousness that he hadn’t been expecting, and it lasts long enough that he’s able to recognise it. She pulls her hands away slowly from Elphaba’s. It’s a strange movement and it catches everyone's eyes at the table. Nessa looks at Elphaba who looks at Galinda who frowns at Fiyero. “I apologise. It was for only a moment, dearest.” 

“Yes. Well,” Galinda swallows but Fiyero knows she’s off balance. She tries to right herself by reaching for her dessert but she gets no further than lifting the little fork. With a tone of confusion that she tries to mask with teasing, Galinda continues. “You might be the only person in Shiz that she lets distract her. I should know, I have tried countless times to no avail. Don’t take advantage of it.”

At her words Elphaba shakes her head, like she wants to disagree with Galinda but her mouth won't let her, and an awkward silence settles. Fiyero doesn’t let it last long though. 

He hates awkward silences. 

“So, I think I have found a new place we can go to. It isn’t quite the ballroom but it has fantastic music and they stay open all throughout the night. Shall we go this weekend?”

Boq immediately takes the opportunity to fill the silence and that prompts Nessa to join in, enthusing about going to a new place and meeting new people. 

Next to him, the girls stay quiet. 

;;;

Elphaba walks ahead of them when Fiyero walks the girls back to their room. She’s never really been as impressed with his need to do it but however Fiyero feels about Elphaba, however confusing his feelings may be, Galinda is still someone he cares about. He still wants to make sure that she gets to her room safely. 

“Are you okay, beloved?” He asks quietly and he taps the back of his hand against Galinda’s. When they’d initially gotten up to go back to their rooms he had reached out to link his fingers with Galinda’s but she had fussed away, looking through her bag instead of holding his hand. He’d put his hands behind his back instead but he felt the distance and it’s the first time it has made him unsure. 

Of course he hasn’t been perfect but it doesn’t mean he wants his actions to hurt Galinda. 

“Yes. Oh, I’m wonderful,” Galinda says and it’s painfully clear there is something on her mind. That isn’t something they do, not Galinda and himself. They don’t get lost in thought. “Thank you for walking us back, darling.”

“Well. Just you, I guess. Elphaba didn’t need my help this evening,,” he replies and he looks to where Elphaba is already turning the corner towards the suite. Galinda hums at that but doesn’t engage and it worries Fiyero enough that he stops walking, Galinda walking three more steps until she turns to look at him curiously. “Be honest. Are you okay?”

She turns her eyes to the corner Elphaba has disappeared around before he sighs a little. She steps towards Fiyero slowly, her eyes nervously flitting around his face. 

“Why were you spending time with Elphaba alone?”

The question stumps him for a second because there isn’t really an answer. They didn’t really spend any time together; Elphaba studied and Fiyero tried to read instead of watching Elphaba study. Of all the things he was expecting Galinda to pick up on, it wasn’t that. 

“I was in the quad at the same time that she was,” he shrugs with a gentle smile and Galinda blinks rapidly at that, as though she’s trying to filter through a reply. Her accusation sounds silly, on one hand, but the guilt still gnaws at him. “I’m sorry if my spending time with Elphaba has flustered you, love, it was just a brief meeting.”

“I don’t mind,” Galinda frowns before she smooths her brows out and shakes her head. “I enjoy the thought of my future husband and my best friend getting along. It’ll make the wedding easier, I suppose –”

Galinda trails off and the gnawing grows, ripping through Fiyero’s stomach and bleeding into his body. Guilt floods him, her words hurt, and he wants to say something. But what can he say? That he delighted in those moments between classes because Elphaba was there? That when he’s around the other girl he feels like he’s on fire? It’s downright despicable behaviour. He won’t do it. 

It’s a silly crush. He’s never had one before, never needed one because he always gets who he wants, and it’s thrown him for a loop. It’s something he isn’t sure he knows how to deal with and he supposes that’s why everything feels so unbearable. 

It doesn’t help that he genuinely cares for Galinda too. She’s wonderful. Hurting her simply isn’t an option. 

“If it helps at all, I don’t think she particularly wanted me there.” Galinda laughs a little at that but it’s breathy and distracted. Her thoughts are far away, barely visible to Fiyero, and he reaches out for her but she crosses her arms uncomfortably. “Galinda.”

“She usually studies with me. That’s all,” she shrugs and her eyelashes flutter with her words. He notes how there isn’t a mention of himself; only of Elphaba. He thinks that might be important. “No matter. I suppose it really isn’t very important.” 

“Galinda.”

“Thank you for walking us,” Galinda repeats her words from earlier and she hurries forward, pressing a gentle kiss against his cheek. She looks at him for a long moment and her mouth quivers like she’s about to say something but then stops herself. “Goodnight, love.”

Fiyero wants to say more but he stops himself too.

“Goodnight.”

three. 

A few weekends pass before they go to the Ozdust again. Studies have been particularly strenuous, especially for Elphaba with Morrible leaning heavily on her, and she hasn’t really left her suite in her pursuit of learning. Fiyero sends Galinda on a mission to get her to bring Elphaba with her for an evening of fun and he half expected her to fail, but his smile breaks across his face when the girls come down the dock with linked arms and matching smiles. 

They’re in the middle of a conversation when they reach him but it trails off easily and Galinda smiles at him as he nods at her, like two co-conspirators that managed to crack the mission. 

“I can see you two plotting, you know? You’re hardly subtle,” Elphaba says as she eases her arm out of Galinda’s. Fiyero doesn’t miss the way her lips downturn just slightly, how her eyes go from Elphaba, to the floor, and then back again. 

She looks like she doesn’t know what to do with herself and Fiyero steps forward, his fingers dancing against her lower back. 

It doesn’t seem to help.

“We didn’t plot a single thing, Elphie. Do we look like planners?”

Elphaba laughs at that, her hip bumping Galinda’s just so, and it’s like watching the sun rise on Galinda’s face as she leans into the attention. The little downturn in her lips is a distant memory as Elphaba turns her focus to her again.

 “Perhaps I’m the brains in this operation,” the green girl concedes with a humble head tilt. 

“And I’m the beauty?” Galinda grins, her tone is flirty in a way that Fiyero is familiar with and his eyes jump between the two girls. He tilts his head, wondering if he heard it right, but the moment passes so quickly that he can’t really examine it. 

“What does that make me?” He asks, before Elphaba can reply, and the girls look at him. Elphaba’s eyes widen a little like she’s just remembered he’s there and his stomach churns at the unexpectedness of it. Sometimes when it is the three of them he feels like he’s a witness to their conversations. It’s unfair really because the girls do try to include him, they do, but their conversations are so private and there are so many inside jokes that it makes it almost impossible to join.

Galinda places her hand on his arm and smiles. “The muscle, darling.” 

“You can ride the getaway horse,” Elphaba nods and it pulls a giggle from Galinda, her pale hand patting his arm soothingly. Before he can really say anything Elphaba is already climbing into the boat, Boq reaching his hand up to help her graciously. 

When he looks back at Galinda she’s already watching Elphaba, making sure she isn’t wobbling on the boat and she sighs softly when she’s sat safely. She smiles at him when her eyes move back, her fingers flexing against his arm again, and he leans down to press a kiss against the top of her head. 

She lets out a little hum of appreciation and that knot from earlier, that unexpected feeling, dissipates a little. 

“I think you’d make an enchanting getaway rider, darling,” she tells him slyly and he rolls his eyes, laughing as he helps her onto the boat before getting on himself and sitting close to Galinda so she doesn’t get cold.

When he sneaks a glance at Elphaba, because he can’t help himself, she’s lost in a conversation with Nessa.

;;;

Fiyero has never really been a jealous kind of person. If he wanted something he would get it; as a child he got whatever toy pleased him, whatever horse was the fastest, the biggest room in whichever castle they were in that summer. Girls, boys, everyone wanted him and if they didn’t then there were a line of others, a line of suitors, of people who would tell him how wondrous and handsome he was. 

He thinks Galinda might be the same–their backgrounds are similar, she’s an only child and wants for nothing–but she’s a jealous person. Possessive, almost. 

“This had better not be a joke,” Galinda huffs and Fiyero wraps his arm around her shoulders tighter, his eyes on the young man who is talking to Elphaba near the staircase. The music is loud and the lights are bright and it makes it impossible to see the conversation taking place. He seems kind, maybe a little shy, and he’s speaking to Elphaba like they’re friends but, for some reason, it has set a firework off in Galinda. “If he is teasing her I will make sure he never gets a moment's peace.” 

“I think she’s just being nice,” Nessa placates but Fiyero can see how she’s looking too, her hands moving her drinks back and forth nervously. Fiyero has heard what can happen if Elphaba gets emotional, if things get too much. He thinks Nessa might be worried about that. “I don’t think it’s romantical.” 

“And why wouldn’t it be?” Galinda turns and Fiyero struggles to keep up with her ire. He’s not entirely sure what she’s angry about but he knows it’s mostly because someone is speaking to Elphaba. “She’s beautiful. He better appreciate that.”

“So, are we for or against this conversation taking place?” Boq asks, genuine and wide-eyed. Nessa smiles at him in a sweet way but Galinda waves him off, his face sagging a little as her fingers dance through the air. “They’re just talking, Galinda.”

“Yes, yes,” Galinda dismisses, her brown eyes narrowed back on her friend and the boy. Fiyero has to admit he doesn’t exactly enjoy the image in front of him but he has no rights to jealousy or envy. It’s not fun to watch Elphaba laugh with someone else but Galinda’s warmth is pressed against him and he knows the difference between right and wrong, even if it feels uncomfortable. “Quick. Look busy. She’s coming over.”

“Busy doing what? Staring at Elphaba?” Fiyero chuckles and Galinda nudges him in an irritated way.

When Elphaba makes her way back to the table, a glass of something red in her hands, she narrows her eyes at the group. Green eyes flick between Boq and Nessa before scanning Fiyero’s face and, ultimately, inevitably, landing on Galinda. Next to him Galinda pretends to look at the table in a fascinated way and Fiyero isn’t sure what to do; he smiles at Elphaba and wiggles his fingers, like that’ll break the ice, and she runs a tongue over her teeth.

“Galinda?”

“Elphie?”

“What’s going on?”

“Nothing,” Galinda shrugs but her voice goes higher when she’s lying and everyone at the table knows that. Elphaba probably the most. She waits patiently and Fiyero can feel the small girl squirm under his arm, uncomfortable. All at once it burst from her. “Who was that boy?”

“Avaric.”

“Just the singular name? How darling,” Galinda says and she finally looks at Elphaba. Fiyero doesn’t stop her little tantrum though; he kind of wants to know too, wants to know who the boy was that managed to capture Elphaba’s attention long enough to distract her from returning to her friends. “Who is he?”

Straight to the point.

“He’s in my Biological Arts class. He was asking about something I wrote at the beginning of the semester,” she shrugs and Fiyero nods at her, though he doesn’t quite meet her eyes. Elphaba slides into the booth, next to Boq, and puts her drink on the table like she hadn’t just been the subject of all of their attention for the last few minutes. “Am I not allowed to converse with people?”

“Don’t be absurd,” Galinda huffs but the table looks at her dubiously anyway. She sighs, giving them all a smile that Fiyero is sure she practices in the mirror and she uses her hands when she speaks. “I was worried for you. What if he was saying something horrendible?” 

“Then I wouldn’t have stayed in conversation with him.”

Fiyero can feel the defensiveness radiating from Elphaba and he sits up a little straighter, warily looking between the two women, and Galinda tenses a little as she realises her words are being misconstrued. Maybe she isn’t saying the right thing in the right way. 

“I know. But, Elphie, you’re my friend, ” Galinda persists, Elphaba blinking at her with a quiet expression. “I don’t ever want anyone to say something to you that might upset you.”

For a moment Fiyero wonders if Elphaba will fire back with something, like she had with him when they first met, but instead her features relax and she reaches across the table. Galinda meets her before a green hand even reaches her. 

“Shall we dance?” Fiyero says and just like that the tension breaks.

He tries to not notice how Galinda leads Elphaba to the dance floor. How he walks with Boq and Nessa instead.

;;;

“They really are beautiful, aren’t they?”

Fiyero looks up from where he’s leaning against a pillar, an untouched drink in his hands, and raises an eyebrow at Boq curiously. On the dancefloor the three girls giggle and dance; Elphaba lets Galinda twirl under her arm, Nessa spins and slams her hands in beat with the music, Galinda’s arm wraps around Elphaba’s shoulder, the other pressing against her chest as they laugh with Nessa. 

People stare. Some for the right reasons, others for more heinous reasons, but they all look. 

“We are lucky men, Boq.”

At the acknowledgement Boq stands a little taller. And the thing is Fiyero likes Boq well enough but sometimes he tries too hard, gets hurt too easily, and he wishes Boq would sometimes take his advice. Feel less, enjoy more. Don’t worry about the little things.

Then again.

Fiyero finds it rather difficult to follow his own words sometimes. 

“Indeed,” Boq nods, chin high and proud. 

Fiyero waits, just a moment, to see if he’ll elaborate further but the boy looks back out to the dancefloor. Galinda and Elphaba are doing some sort of swaying movement, ensuring to keep Nessa involved, but it looks elegant and practiced and they look content. It’s wonderful. 

“Shall we join them?”

“I’m not sure they need us to,” Boq laughs, a little self-deprecatingly, a little honestly. Fiyero sips from his drink but doesn’t attempt to move; he knows when there’s something coming, when someone wants something from him. He’s used to it. “Can I ask you something? Man to man.”

“Sure,” he shrugs, amused. “Man to man.”

“How do you know if you’re in love?”

It’s kind of surreal how the music swells in that moment, how the lifting of the notes seem to expand his chest, and Fiyero raises his eyebrows at the question. 

How do you know ? 

“My good man,” Fiyero claps Boq on the shoulder, his large hand encompassing the space, and he rubs quickly. He looks back out to the dance floor; Galinda holding the hem of her dress, twirling gently. Elphaba smiling. “You don’t know. You just are. You crave their presence; want to hear their jokes, their laughter. Knowing about their childhood becomes important because it makes them who they are and who they are is important. It makes you feel like you could run from here to the Emerald City and beat the bullet train. You feel alive .”

“Wow. You really feel all of that for Galinda?”

Boq startles him out of his staring, the band’s lively music fading into a more gentle theme, and the girls turn like they are ready to head back to the table. 

He straightens, clearing his throat. His smile is wide and he knows Boq expects it. 

“Who else?” 

;;;

When they’re on the boat back everyone is in various states of tiredness. Elphaba is wide awake but Galinda lays on her shoulder, her arms tucked between her and Elphaba’s bodies and her knees turned towards the other girl. In turn Elphaba has an arm around her shoulders, holding her safe with the rocking of the boat, and her other hand hovers close to Nessa’s chair. 

Fiyero watches them through hooded eyes, how Galinda is so comforted by the mere presence of Elphaba that she can fall asleep while on the water. 

“I’m glad that she has you,” he says, breaking the quiet air, and Elphaba looks at him like she was expecting him to speak. She doesn’t say much in return but she smiles– her Galinda smile –and glances at the mess of blonde hair covering her shoulder. “She cares deeply for you, you know?”

“Mh,” Elphaba nods a little but there’s a part of her that looks like she wants to disagree, that looks like she’s holding off, and Fiyero wants to ask more. To find out more. But something tells him not to and Elphaba shakes her head at herself, almost like she has had a disagreement in her mind with herself, and he watches as she shuffles away–just a touch–from Galinda. “I know.”

The movement seems to bother Galinda and she follows the heat of Elphaba, moving closer. Panic crosses Elphaba’s face and she glances at Fiyero before looking away.

“I care for her too,” Elphaba continues, voice low and quick. There’s a lonely tone to her though as she adds on. “She’s my best friend.”

“And you’re hers.”

For a second Elphaba looks unbearably sad about that and then it fades, as quickly as their boat glides over the moon's reflection in the water, as swift as a hummingbird. 

“I know.”

four.

Despite the fact it is spring, for one week the weather turns and becomes bitterly cold. Some students complain to Morrible but she waves them off and tells them that the winter flowers need it. Fiyero doesn’t understand it very much but Elphaba nods, like it makes sense, and so Galinda and Fiyero nod too. There isn’t quite snow but the grounds of Shiz become a little greyer, the sidewalks a little slippier, and even Galinda has taken to wearing a thicker coat, something Fiyero wasn’t sure she even owned. Elphaba wears a scarf that he thinks may have belonged to someone important with the gentleness she handles it with. 

With the drop in temperature comes a few illnesses; some classes become breeding grounds and by the fourth day of the cold snap, Fiyero can’t walk twenty paces without someone coughing or sniffling into a handkerchief. It’s a little frustrating really. Maybe because he finds that he very rarely gets sick but it also means people are just less lively . 

It’s downright miserable. 

“Where’s Galinda?” He asks as he places his tray down on the table. Boq is seated, clearly waiting for Nessa to return, and Boq shrugs at him and sends him a clear look of confusion.

“Of everyone I’d have assumed you’d know where your girlfriend is,” he says and it almost amuses Fiyero at how obvious Boq is. Even if he and Galinda were to break up right at this very moment; Boq still wouldn’t ever stand a chance with the girl. Still – Fiyero kind of admires his optimism. “She hasn’t come down for breakfast yet.”

That worries Fiyero. Galinda wouldn’t miss breakfast; not so much for the food but to be able to catch up with people, to be seen, to hear the gossip. She knows people rely on her presence, as silly as it sounds, and she hasn’t sent word to him as to why she wouldn’t be there.

“Are you two okay?” Boq asks and his beady little eyes light up like Fiyero would divulge that information if they weren’t. He frowns at that. 

“Oh, I forgot. Yes she’s fine,” he lies and there’s a look that Boq has that Fiyero doesn’t quite like. Of course he isn’t innocent, not with how he feels when he sees Elphaba, but that doesn’t mean he wants people thinking badly of Galinda and himself. “She requested that I take some breakfast to her suite. Which…Well I’ll do that right now before I get into trouble.”

He tries to wink as he gets up to leave but he feels a little unstable. Things have felt a little off between them since the Ozdust, when Boq had asked his silly little question and how Fiyero hadn’t been sure why it had shaken him so much. He knows Galinda has felt it; he’s seen less of her this past week than he ever has, her body glued to Elphaba’s and her attention completely taken by her roommate. 

Eventually he knows they’re going to have to talk but, honestly, sometimes it’s easier not to.

When he finally arrives at the girls' suite he has some fruit and some pancakes and he knows it’s frowned upon to eat in the rooms but he’s pretty sure nobody would say anything to him even if they caught him. He knocks on their door with a free hand and he smiles to himself when he can hear flustered footsteps heading towards him, the door opening quickly and with a flourish.

“Be quiet,” Galinda snaps as she opens the door. She’s in a long, pink nightgown that Fiyero is positive would look ridiculous on any other person. It’s light and airy and comes all the way down to Galinda’s ankles, the sleeves long and baggy on her small arms. Still - the sight of her pink gown does nothing to temper the annoyed glare on Galinda’s face. It lightens, just a touch, when she sees him. “Oh, Fiyero! Thank Oz. Come, come. Quickly. Come in.”

Fiyero is rushed into the room and only has a moment to look back as the apple he was holding falls to the floor. Galinda closes the door on it as it bounces away and Fiyero follows Galinda as she fusses around the room. He places the snacks on Galinda’s table and reaches out for her, both of his hands closing down around her biceps, and waits patiently for her to look at him.

“Darling. Talk to me.”

“It’s Elphaba,” Galinda sighs and Fiyero feels his body tense, his heart beating faster, and judging by the look Galinda gives him she feels it too. “She’s dying. ”

“ What?!”

“I’m not dying! Galinda stop that,” calls out from Galinda’s bed and two green hands reach above the mountain of comforters and she pops her head out. She’s paler than usual but her green skin still stands out painfully against the onslaught of pink and white. “I’m fine.”

“She’s been up all night with this horrendible cough, Fiyero,” Galinda bemoans and she wriggles out of Fiyero’s grasp–not a difficult feat considering Fiyero thought Elphaba was dead and his legs still feel like they’re made of straw–and waltzes over to the bed. It takes less than a second for Galinda to dump herself onto the mattress, her face in a pillow. “I’ve sent word to Morrible to find an immediate cure. I am hoping it won't take too long.”

Fiyero is pretty sure Elphaba is glaring but half of her face is covered in pink quilts and blonde hair. He catches her eye over the range of fabric and she rolls her eyes fondly, which doesn’t particularly help his racing heart. 

“I suppose you have this illness that has taken half the school?”

“Yes –” Elphaba starts but Galinda pulls her head up, interrupting immediately.

“It’s worse than what everyone else has,” she insists and Fiyero is sure Elphaba laughs but it’s covered by a cough. Honestly it does seem awful, it rattles deep in Elphaba’s chest and sounds wet and painful. She looks exhausted and Galinda, Oz bless her, probably isn’t helping with that tired feeling. “Oh, Elphie! I’m going to miss you dearly.”

“I’m not dying.”

“But you’re not well, ” Galinda fires back, immediately sitting up and pressing a delicate hand against Elphaba’s forehead. It’s a lot softer than any of her previous movements, her fingers brushing hair away from Elphaba’s forehead, and Fiyero finds himself envious of the relief that floods Elphaba’s eyes. “You’re burning up.”

“Probably all the layers,” Elphaba says and it makes Fiyero huff out a laugh. Even sick, she’s still as Elphaba as ever. “Galinda, please. Stop.”

“No.”

“I was perfectly capable of getting ready for breakfast this morning. It’s just a cough,” she says and then turns her attention to Fiyero, her eyes meeting him from over Galinda’s shoulder where she’s still fussing over Elphaba. “She attacked me. She won’t let me leave this bed.”

“Correct,” Galinda sniffs and she tucks Elphaba in a little tighter, ignoring the noise of protest. “I simply will not have you exerting energy and depleting what little time you have by walking around this school to find things to eat. I will do it for you.”

“Breakfast is over,” Elphaba retorts dryly but she sounds like she’s smiling. It’s becoming more difficult to see her face with the amount of movement Galinda is making. 

“Oh. Oh dear,” Galinda halts her movements and turns to look at Fiyero, maybe for the first time since he arrived, and her eyes flit over to the food he had brought in his panic to make sure she was okay. “What luck! Fiyero has brought us some fruit and…pancakes? Love. Elphaba doesn’t like pancakes.”

“They’re for you,” he tries but she’s already moving off of the bed and picking up an orange. She peels it primly as Elphaba and Fiyero watch in silence–one able to see a lot easier than the other–and he can’t help but smile kindly as she lays them out on a little China plate. It’s such a gentle thing to do that it makes him flush a little in pride. “Can I do anything to help?”

“Free me?”

“No,” Galinda says immediately and Fiyero sees it again, that look in her eye, the unsure one. It vanishes quite quickly but it’s the same one he saw when he walked the girls back to their suite, when she asked him about Elphaba. “Oh. No. Actually, dear.  Would you mind keeping an eye on Elphie? I’m going to make her some tea but we’ve finished all of ours. Nessa has her favourite one so I’m going to go there. I’ll be only a clock-tick.” 

He starts to protest that he’ll go, a gentleman deep down, but something whispers for him to stay. To spend time with Elphaba. It’s selfish and mean and awful but he can’t help it.

“Of course, my love,” he says and Galinda nods firmly. She’s so small and so fragile but when Fiyero looks at her sometimes, when she’s ready to fight for something, she’s rather intimidating. “I’ll stay.”

“Wonderful. Now, Elphie, please don’t die before I return. I’ll be most unforgiving,” she says and Elphaba says something but it’s muffled. 

Whatever it is seems to satisfy Galinda and she leaves, silly pink nightgown still hanging from her shoulders, and Fiyero shakes in his in pure amusement. While her intentions are clearly good and while she obviously cares for Elphaba, her actions are nothing more than chaotic and amusifying. 

Still, it’s how Galinda shows love.

There’s a cacophony of movement from Galinda’s bed, sheets moving immediately off of a body, and Elphaba sits up and lets out a strong, deep cough that startles Fiyero. Her body racks with it and both of her hands cover her mouth, her eyes shut tightly, and her back arches into the movement. 

“Hey, hey,” Fiyero stumbles towards her and picks up the glass of water on the table, holding it ready for Elphaba to take when she stops coughing. It settles a little and she pulls in deep breaths, shrugging off Fiyeros hand when he places it on her shoulder. She’s patient with Galinda’s attention, not so much his. “Are you okay?” 

“I’ve been holding that. I didn’t want her to worry,” she admits around a shaky smile and she takes the glass of water with a grateful nod. Half of it drains and Elphaba uses the cool glass to run across her forehead, her cheeks and neck. She’s sweating and she looks really warm, her cheeks flushed despite the pale complexion. “Thank you.” 

“That’s okay. Oz, Elphaba, you really do look unwell,” he says, already lifting the bottle of water that had been next to the glass he’d handed to Elphaba. He tilts it towards her and fills the glass when she nods. “I thought Galinda was being dramatic.”

“She is being dramatic.”

“I’m not sure she is.”

“Of course she is. She’s Galinda,” Elphaba says fondly, her tone betraying her. There is a quiet air about her when she speaks about Galinda that reminds Fiyero where he is in the friendship group, what his role is. He doesn’t dislike it; he likes that he has a part in Elphaba’s life, but it’s becoming rather clear that Galinda holds first place. “Though I do appreciate it. I don’t really remember anyone looking after me quite like Galinda does.”

“Nobody does anything the way Galinda does,” he agrees. Elphaba settles back into the abundance of pillows and she pulls a thinner sheet around her, clearly aware that she is only wearing her nightgown. “Would you like me to get you a sweater or something?”

Elphaba shakes her head, sipping more of the water that Fiyero had poured for her. She looks genuinely tired, like she really had been awake all night coughing, and she closes her eyes. 

“I’ll need to put the comforters back over me before she comes back. She’ll throw a fit if she sees me uncovered,” she flushes a deeper green at the wording. So does Fiyero. “I appreciate you staying though. I – Would it be okay if you help me up? I’d like to go to the bathroom and, well, I’m feeling slightly wobbly.”

Fiyero nods and reaches for her, smiling to himself when she takes his hand and allows him to bear some of her weight. She’s tiny, just as small as Galinda really, and he helps her up with ease. Their shared bathroom isn’t far from Galinda’s bed and Fiyero watches as Elphaba shuffles into it, closing the door behind her slowly, and he looks around the now empty room. 

It’s kind of ridiculous how the two girls have seeped into one another's world. Pens and books that are clearly Elphaba’s lay on Galinda’s dresser and desk; a pink and yellow pillow is propped on Elphaba’s bed near the window; bags and shoes sit by the door, messed up with each other so that Fiyero is only sure whose is whose due to the colouring. 

The place is tidy, of course, but it’s lived in and it's theirs.

“Elphie, Nessa has gifted me some of your favourite tea and some wonderful chocolate truffles that your father sent. Although I’m not sure why he would only send one box and have it sent to Nessa but –” Galinda stops as she takes in the room. Fiyero, alone. Elphaba, absent. “Oh, Fiyero. Is she okay?” 

“She’s using the bathroom,” he says, his head shaking in amusement as Galinda’s hands go to her chest like she was genuinely worried. Fiyero knows she probably was. “I’m sure she’ll appreciate the tea. Shall we?”

“I need to brew it first. Elphie only likes it mild,” she says and heads over to the little tea-kit that is dark and wooden and very Elphaba. She looks up at Fiyero and though her face doesn’t betray her hesitation, her eyes do. “Will you be staying?”

“Would that be acceptable?”

“Of course,” Galinda says, a tight smile on her face and she sets about trying to find another little teacup. There are two set up and ready and it reminds Fiyero how little they have guests. How it really is just the two of them. “Oz, where did I put it?” 

As Galinda rifles around her various cases,  Elphaba comes out of the bathroom. Her face looks freshly washed and she has a robe on now, her hands in the pockets of it as she watches Galinda flitting around. “What is she doing?”

“We’re having tea.”

“You’re staying?” 

Fiyero nods, just once, and Elphaba nods back but it’s just as hesitant as Galinda’s smile. He doesn’t want to intrude on their space and he places his hands behind his back, rocking up onto his toes, as he debates. Neither of the girls will really kick him out–maybe Elphaba if she was in a better state–but he also doesn’t want to put them into a terrible position. 

It’s just.

He’s never felt so out of place before.

“I can go if you’d like me to? I don’t want to impose,” he tries but Elphaba is already climbing back into bed– Galinda’s bed –and Galinda raises the spare teacup triumphantly. He looks at the green girl, sympathy in her eyes. “Especially if you’re so sick.”

“I’m not sick,” she grits out and shakes her head when Fiyero tries to interject. He doesn’t know why she’s so insistent on being strong. “You can stay.”

When Fiyero looks at Galinda, he tries to not notice how she doesn’t quite meet his eyes. 

;;;

Elphaba must truly be unwell because after half of her tea and a few half-hearted attempts at eating an orange, she falls asleep. Fiyero kind of likes how comfortable she feels; able to be vulnerable around himself and Galinda, trusting they won’t do anything terrible while her eyes are closed. He doesn’t know much about her life back home in Munchkinland but Boq had spared some details and the fact Galinda won’t share any of it tells him enough. 

“Thank you for coming today,” Galinda whispers. She’s sitting on the floor in front of her bed, half of her attention on Fiyero and the other on listening to the clunky breathing of the girl above her. Elphaba has been coughing on and off, even while asleep, and each time it makes Galinda wince. “Why did you?”

“Come? I missed you at breakfast,” he replies easily because it’s true. Sure his heart isn’t quite in the right place, not when it comes to Galinda, but she’s still important and he still loves her as one might love a family member or a dear friend. Her not attending breakfast had genuinely worried him.

“So, you didn’t come to see Elphie?”

It’s there again, that dark look that looks so out of place when mixed with pink and gold. She’s fiddling with the handle of her teacup, the liquid long since gone and the china cold but her eyes stay on him. Big, dark eyes that are stuck between wanting answers and not wanting to know anything at all.

“Galinda.”

“I see the way you look at her, you know? I’m not foolish,” she tells him and her voice is so low that it freezes Fiyero in place. His eyes glance up to the sleeping girl above them and his heart races as he gives Galinda a smile, one he hopes is more charming than nervous. “You’ve looked at her that way for as long as I’ve known you.”

“No, Galinda, no. It’s nothing like that. Absolutely nothing like what you’re thinking.”

Yes it is. It’s entirely accurate. 

“No? What if I told you she looks at you that way too?” 

Oh, Oz.

Her eyes narrow like she’s just worked something out, something that has been bothering her, and her lips press tightly together before she nods once. Fiyero panics because there is a calmness about her, one that worries and scares him and he shakes his head again. But Galinda is already rising from her place on the floor, collecting two of the three cups and placing them on a circular tray. 

“Galinda, I would never –”

“I know,” she cuts him off but she’s short with it, a thick emotion coating her words and making everything feel slowed down and upsetting. “And neither would she. Not while I’m here anyway, not while she thinks that you’re mine.”

His eyes move to Elphaba where she shuffles in the bed and he blinks rapidly, his eyes sore and hot, and he reaches out to Galinda. She takes his hand softly and he tugs, insistent on leading her out of her suite and he closes the door behind them. He walks them both towards a stone bench. She follows him easily.

The corridor is quiet, completely vacant, but still Galinda looks around, one hand closing her robe together across her chest, and she sits down as she tries her hardest to give Fiyero a brave smile. She doesn’t look very brave and it shatters something inside of Fiyero that had truly belonged to Galinda. 

“If I could change it I would, darling,” he says and he gasps when Galinda reaches out, her hands covering his own. She’s shaking and it hurts because Galinda has never been anything but pure joy and hope and love. And now, because of his actions, she’s sitting on a cold bench and crying. 

“Oh my sweet boy. I know you would. I know. And, please, I don’t blame you in the slightest. How could you not fall in love with her?” Galinda whimpers and she tilts her head towards him, a golden curl dropping from behind her ear. He itches to push it back, to hold her face, to beg for forgiveness on his knees and tell her he didn’t mean to do it. “I forgive you. And honestly, darling, it could have been much worse. Imagine we were to be married and you told me this.”

He laughs at that, just once, but it sounds tuneless to his ears. “I’m so sorry.”

“Nonsense,” Galinda waves him off but he can feel a wet tear hit his hand and the waver in her voice shakes him. “We’ll tell the world how we are far more powerful as friends, okay? Perhaps tell them it’s only right of us to share ourselves with the world rather than stay perfect with each other. And I insist that you do not make me out to be selfish. I won’t stand for it. You tell everyone how wonderful and how good a girlfriend I was. You tell them I broke your heart.” 

“I wouldn’t be lying,” he whispers back, his head falling forward enough that his forehead presses against hers and he swallows thickly at her shaky inhale. “You really are a good person, Galinda.” 

“Oh, dear, no I don’t think I am,” she says but at his questioning look she doesn’t elaborate, she just sniffs daintily and lifts her hand up to pat at her tears. “When she is feeling more herself again you tell Elphie exactly how you feel about her. She deserves the truth. She deserves to know how beautiful others find her.” 

“I wouldn’t –” Fiyero sighs, his eyes darting away from Galinda’s. He’d be lying if he told her he didn’t want to at least try with Elphaba. Still. “I don’t want to hurt you.”

“Oh you wonderful rogue. Knowing that you and Elphie are unhappy, just so that I can be happy, is the most awful of feelings. I won’t do it for a moment longer,” Galinda shakes her head at her own words. “You’re both my best friends. I simply won’t stand in the way of that.” 

“Galinda…”

“No. No more. I won’t hear it,” she tells him and she stands quickly, patting at her eyes again. There’s something big inside of her, something that she wants to say, but Fiyero knows he won’t get to hear it. When she looks at him again she levels him with a sharp look, one that would probably look more threatening on someone else. “But I warn you, Fiyero Tigelaar, if you so much as make her frown there won’t be a place in all of Oz that you can hide in. I did not sacrifice my own happiness for you to throw it all away.”

The wording knocks Fiyero off balance for a moment. What did she mean by that? He knows he’s lost any right to ask but he’s still curious. The moment passes and he loses his chance, Galinda tugging on his hand to pull him to his feet and he wraps his arms around her when she pulls him into a hug. She smells like blossoms and citrus. 

“I do love you, you know? I didn’t lie.”

“I know,” she whispers back. 

When she lets him go and he’s walking back to his own dorms he has a chance to think about the conversation, how mature it had felt but how final too. He knows that Galinda is one of his best friends, he truly believes it, but he isn’t sure it will stay that way if he does manage to romance Elphaba. 

He wonders if Elphaba is asking Galinda about the conversation, if she’s wondering where he is. He wonders if Galinda will be honest with her and tell her that she broke off their romance. Wonders if Elphaba will be happy to hear the news, if she’ll hide it and try to comfort Galinda. 

He hopes she’ll want to comfort him too.

Sometimes, Fiyero really hates himself. 

five. 

Word spreads quickly but Galinda and Fiyero put on a united front. They may be separated but they sit together during meals and he doesn’t change places in their history class, still proudly sitting next to Galinda and letting his arm drape over the back of her chair. Whispers flutter through the air at just how wonderful they both are, how responsible and mature. 

There are other whispers too; questioning if there was another lover, if they quarrelled and said some unforgivable things. It’s easier to ignore those because he knows it isn’t true. Not completely. 

“Good morning,” Elphaba greets quietly, placing her tray down next to Fiyero and climbing over the bench to sit. When he looks at her she gives him a sympathetic smile which hardens when a group of girls walk past, giggling behind their hands and pointing at him blatantly. She clearly wants to say something but Fiyero shakes his head no. “How are you feeling today?”

“Rotten,” he says truthfully, finding it easy to be honest with the girl next to him. “How is she?” 

“She’s Galinda,” is all Elphaba offers. She takes the napkin from the tray and unfolds it to put over her lap, pouring herself some milk from a carton and setting her plate up as she wants. “Only Galinda knows how she truly feels.”

Fiyero looks at Elphaba at her words and sees a sliver of bitterness on her features, an annoyance he wasn’t expecting. Of course it had been almost two weeks since the break up but he was sure Galinda would have told Elphaba everything, maybe even everything that Fiyero couldn’t, but he isn’t sure now. 

“What do you mean?”

“Nevermind,” Elphaba sighs, shaking her head at herself. She pushes around some fruit on her plate with the tines of her fork, never actually spearing anything. 

Before Fiyero can press he sees Galinda making her way over. She stumbles over herself a little but she manages to right herself quickly, fast enough that nobody would have really noticed, and there’s an uncomfortable crease in her brow as she takes in the image of Elphaba and Fiyero sitting together. He watches as her eyes move between the pair and she swallows strongly, the closed-lip smile on her face shaking just so, and she stands at the opposite side to them. 

For such a small girl, Fiyero thinks, she really can hold a presence. 

“Galinda,” Elphaba breathes out and she sits up a little, her fork dropping to her tray. It’s awkward in a way that it has never been with the trio before; Elphaba nervously looking at Galinda who can’t quite meet Elphaba’s eyes. “I –” 

“Hello,” she greets them as a pair, something she rarely does, and Fiyero gives her his best smile. He doesn’t want her to be uncomfortable, not around him and certainly not around Elphaba. Galinda hesitates for a moment and almost places her tray down before something changes her mind and she gives them both a little head tilt. “Enjoy your breakfast.” 

She moves like she’s going to leave but Elphaba startles, pushing herself back enough that the bench Fiyero is sharing with her moves with him too. “Wait, Galinda.”

“Oh, I couldn’t possibly intrude,” Fiyero thinks she’s speaking to Elphaba but she’s looking absolutely everywhere else except for her friend. “And, well, you know – there isn’t much space at the table. I’ll join Shen Shen and Pfannee. No trouble.” 

Fiyero looks at the long table, spacious enough for at least eight people and only occupied by himself and Elphaba, and then back at Galinda. She looks tense and awkward and Fiyero wishes he could disappear or, at the very least, make the last few weeks disappear. 

“I’m sorry,” Elphaba says and it’s surprising enough that Galinda turns, a bewildered expression cutting across her features. Fiyero wonders if there has been an argument in their suite, a private conversation that isn’t meant for the dining hall, and he looks between them. “For whatever I did. Just, please, sit with us.”

Galinda looks at Fiyero and then back at Elphaba. 

Her shoulders sink.

“I’ll see you both in class,” is all she says and Elphaba deflates completely when she goes.

“She’s been like this ever since you two…” She looks apologetic as she says it and Fiyero feels the guilt grow. He knew Galinda could be jealous but he hadn’t expected this. “She won’t look at me. She barely speaks to me. I don’t know what I did.” 

“I don’t think you did anything, Elphaba.”

“I must have. She told me that the two of you had broken up and that it was for the best. She said you both wanted the same thing and that she was setting you free,” Elphaba shrugs at that, confused and hurt at how easily her best friend could walk away. “What did she mean by that?”

He’s honest when he shrugs and he looks up as Elphaba stands quickly, her food barely touched. “I’m not sure.”

“I’m going to go to class.”

“The bell hasn’t –”

“I’ll see you there, Fiyero.”

Elphaba leaves the dining hall and Fiyero knows eyes are on him, on her, on Galinda. He can already feel the rumor mill rumbling and he closes his eyes, irritated at how ridiculous the whole thing is. It isn’t fair for Galinda to blame Elphaba; it wasn’t her fault that Fiyero couldn’t handle his emotions, that she couldn’t put it to the side. 

Fiyero takes a look at the table Galinda is sitting at.

Her gaze is on the door Elphaba left out of. 

Ah. 

;;;

She said you both wanted the same thing. 

I have to be good at this, Fiyero. For her. 

I did not sacrifice my own happiness for you to throw it all away.

Shit.

;;;

“Are you okay?”

His selfishness wins out. While he is sure that Galinda may feel for Elphaba the way that he does, he has to know. He’s felt this way for so long that he doesn’t quite know what to do with all of it. He leans on the table that she’s studying at, his hips pressing against it, and she looks up at him in a way that colours him amused.

“What do you want, Fiyero? I’m really not in a sociable mood.”

“Unlikely,” he teases but when Elphaba doesn’t smile, he concedes. “Sorry. I just wanted to see how you are. After, you know, this morning with Galinda.”

She sighs at that but there’s also a relief behind her eyes that he’s asking, that someone asked. Galinda is one of her only friends, Fiyero knows that, but she can’t exactly confide in her about this. 

“I’m fine,” she shrugs but she’s lying. “I wasn’t expecting your breakup to somehow have a negative effect on my friendship but I suppose I’m not very well versed in friendships.” 

“No. It isn’t you,” Fiyero reassures her quietly. He feels awful and he decides to simply go for it. It’s never let him down before and he just honestly needs to know. Rightly or wrongly. “I haven’t been completely honest with you, Elphaba.” 

“Shocking.”

“I like you.”

“ Pardon?”

There is genuine shock on her face, her eyes wide, and her brows quickly knit together as the words resonate with her. He says nothing for a second, wanting her to really understand his words, and he nods at her. She sits back in her chair at that, pulling away from him.

“That’s why we broke up. She told me she saw how I looked at you and, Elphaba, I couldn’t deny it,” he implores. She stays completely silent, completely still, and worry creeps into his bones. “I like you. That’s why she’s being so strange with you. She told me to tell you and I suppose she believes I already have. I don’t know, I don’t pretend to know the inner workings of Galinda Upland like you do. But that’s why. My dishonesty is why she’s so distant with you.” 

“You like –” Elphaba inhales shakily, the confusion still deeply scarring the space between her brows. “Me? You like… me ? Romantically?”

“Yes,” he says and just like that a weight lifts. He laughs. “Oz, I do.”

“Oh, Fiyero,” she sighs and as he leans forward she places her hand on his shoulder. It is sudden and it stops him and Elphaba looks so serious and so wretched that he has to put his hand against the wood of the table. “I’m so sorry.”

And suddenly, just like that, the weight is back.

“I’m sorry,” she says again, eyes shining, hand still pressing against his shoulder. “I don’t. Not like that. I’m sorry, but I only see you as a friend. A brother. I’m…I didn’t mean to hurt you or give you the wrong impression. Oz, this is my fault.”

“No! No it isn’t. I should be the one saying sorry. I –” he trails off because, well, what is there to say? His heart sinks to his shoes but at least he knows. “It’s okay that you don’t like me back. I would never want to bend your will. I just…It’s important to me that you knew.” 

Elphaba says nothing for a long time. Fiyero leans back in his chair and wonders exactly how far off course he has gotten; he’d started at Shiz with an air of frivolity and now, after only a few months, he feels heavy and sullen. 

“Galinda knows?”

Fiyero nods at that, still reeling a little at the rejection, and he watches Elphaba carefully. She really is beautiful, even with her face creased with worry and distress. 

“She encouraged me to tell you.”

“She did?”

“She’s a good friend,” Fiyero nods and Elphaba scoffs a little at that, insulted she even needed to be told, and Fiyero can’t help but smile at the connection the girls share. He thinks about what Galinda said, about how he looks at Elphaba, and he thinks he might recognise it in the way Galinda looks at her too. It might hurt but he decides that maybe he owes it to both of his friends to continue his honesty after so long hiding. “Can I tell you something else?”

Elphaba bites her lip at that but nods. “Okay.”

“I think Galinda likes you too,” he sighs and it’s almost heart-breaking how everything heavy lifts from Elphaba’s face. Really, he should have known. Perhaps he’d been so blinded by his own infatuation that he’d be unable to see theirs. “She hasn’t said it to me. Not directly. But –” 

“I apologise, Fiyero, but I…I think I have to go. This has been – I think I have to go.”

“Of course you do,” he smiles but she just looks shell shocked. It’s endearing in a sad kind of way. “Go.”

“Fiyero. I –”

“It’s okay,” he says and it’s honest, genuine. She looks at him with pure affection and he feels his heart fill with love for his friend. It hurts because of course it hurts but he knows he’ll be okay. He’s important to her, she said that, and she’s important to him, she knows that. It’ll be okay. “I should know better than anyone that you can’t help who your heart desires. I’d be a hypocrite to stand in the way.” 

“And you’re sure?”

“No,” he shakes his head but then shrugs at her with a lopsided smile, watching as she packs her things up and he sympathises with how her hands shake. “But she currently thinks I’ve confessed my love to you, and she also thinks that you’ve reciprocated, and this is her reaction. She defends your honour and speaks highly of you when you’re not there. She wants to make you proud. She cares for you when you’re sick. She chooses you. I might not be smart, Elphaba, but I’m no halfwit. I think you might be in with a chance.” 

She turns to leave and then halts, turning back. 

“I’m sorry, Fiyero,” she says again and he shrugs at her. He’ll never blame her for not returning his feelings, it truly isn’t her fault and there was always a chance she was going to reject him. He knows there is someone out there for him; he’s sure of it. 

“Go get your girl,” he smirks and Elphaba turns her lip up at that. 

“Don’t ever say that again.”

He’s still laughing long after she has left.

in the end. 

Summer comes and it is warm. 

There are only a few days before they are all to head home. Elphaba has elected to stay behind, not particularly willing to part with her reasons as to why, and in turn so has Galinda. Fiyero has been summoned to attend some banquets back in Winkie Country and his presence at a gala is non-negotiable.

“A gala, Elphie. Oh I love such events,” Galinda trills, spinning on the spot when Fiyero tells them of his summer plans. Elphaba smiles at the girl and Fiyero feels his heart twist at the sight. For nothing more than how wonderful it is, how beautiful they are together. Even if he had a chance–that one in a million chance–they would have found one another eventually. “Fiyero! Will there be performers?”

“Live music. Dancing. The finest ball gowns in all of the land,” he teases her and she throws herself backwards onto her– their, hers and Elphaba’s–bed, a hand over her eyes and she whines out loud. “I’ve had my suit made special and my mother has had the chef from the Emerald City Palace brought in. No expense spared if I am to find my bride-to-be.”

“Oh you good-for-nothing,” Galinda cries from the bed and she sits up immediately, reaching for a small pillow and throwing it at Fiyero. Elphaba rolls her eyes fondly and stands up from where she’s sitting at the desk, placing herself next to Galinda and dropping a hand to her thigh. Fiyero watches as she melts. “Do you think they’d extend the invite to Elphie and myself? I have the perfect gowns for us.” 

Elphaba opens her mouth to that, nervous, but Fiyero cuts her off. “I’ve spoken about you both so much to my parents I can’t imagine they’d decline,” he tells them and Galinda lets out a squeal that is so loud that Elphaba cups a hand to her ear. “Would you like me to ask? I can send word if they are agreeable.” 

“I’m sure the green girl you bring along will be most thrillifying,” Elphaba says with a mirthful laugh and she lets her fingers be linked with Galinda, though she avoids the concerned look of her girlfriend. “Fiyero, I couldn’t ask you to humiliate yourself like that.”

“Elphaba Thropp!” 

Fiyero winces when Galinda stands from the bed, complete with a little foot stomp, and she pulls Elphaba up from the bed she’s only just sat on. 

“I will not hear a single bad word about your beautiful self,” she huffs and Fiyero shrugs when Elphaba looks at him for help. He agrees with Galinda. “You’re wondrous and intelligent and there isn’t a part of you that I don’t love dearly.”

“Not sure I needed to hear that,” Fiyero tries but Galinda is picking up steam. 

“You will not speak like that of yourself. Not in front of Fiyero and certainly not in front of me,” she continues, pressing up on her toes to kiss Elphaba quickly. It doesn’t satisfy her so she kisses her again. And a third time. “Fiyero. Tell her.” 

“I would but I’m not sure I’d get a response considering you’ve yet to remove your lips from hers.”

“Find a way,” Galinda grumps and kisses Elphaba once more. When they smile at one another Fiyero couldn’t imagine them smiling at anyone else. “Can we go to the gala?” 

“Galinda.”

“Darling, my beloved. Please. I would just adore it if you’d let me take you. We simply can’t stay in this room all summer long. I’ll die. ”

“You chose to stay with me,” Elphaba tries and looks at Fiyero again but he shakes his head. He’s been in between the two of them before and it didn’t exactly make for the most fun time of his life. “You can always go back to Gillikin.” 

Galinda’s mouth drops open like Elphaba had just sworn at her and called her a pig. She steps back from her girlfriend–though, Fiyero notes, she doesn’t let go of her hand–and turns to Fiyero with a pout. “Tell her.”

“What exactly am I telling her?”

“Oh! You are both impossible,” Galinda decides and Fiyero isn’t sure why he’s in trouble but Galinda points a finger at him anyway. He swats it away with an eye roll. Elphaba snakes a hand around Galinda’s waist, pulling her back to her. “I’ll be glad to see the back of you, you impossible boy.”

“No you won’t.”

“I certainly will.” 

“No, you like me too much.”

“Impossible! Absolutely impossible! Oh, I just wish the boat would come at once and take you back to your parents. I can’t stand you.”

;;;

When Fiyero meets Sarima at a party his parents host; her parents are incredibly prosperous and she has blue eyes that Fiyero can’t look away from. She’s beautiful and lovely and it’s not infatuation this time, not like it was with Elphaba. He thinks it might be true. 

He sends the girls a letter at once and they write him back immediately. 

I’m so happy for you to have found someone. We can’t wait to meet her. - E. 

Be happy! Be loved! Make sure she doesn’t have a best friend she is in love with. Twice would be humiliating. – G.