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“Get out.” Her father said coldly, thrusting a small bag at her. Elphaba stared at him, then turned and walked away. She didn’t know how long she walked, but eventually, she reached the Emerald City. She taught herself a skill, some way to earn enough money to stay alive, but the nights were cold. Then, one night, she was startled to find a group of people ranging in age from young to mid-twenties, following the most handsome man she had ever seen. Their eyes met, and he grinned before he sauntered over to her, crouching down. “Come on. It’s cold out, and I know a warmer place where you can sleep. It’s safer, too, with a group like this one.”
“No, thank you.” Elphaba said coldly, wrapping her threadbare blanket tighter around herself.
“My name’s Fiyero Tigelaar.” He introduced himself, his grin softening to a smile. Digging into his bag, he dug out a container of food, then set it down in her lap. “Here. That’ll help you keep warm, at least for a little while. If you change your mind, just… Follow the lights.” Fiyero winked before he got up. He kept looking back at her over his shoulder, and Elphaba stared after him, frowning at his lack of reaction to her green skin.
Fiyero waited on the rooftop, keeping watch while the others slept in the space below, so when Elphaba climbed up, he saw her and smiled, his eyes warm and inviting. Elphaba stared at him, then at the table covered in food. “Help yourself.” Fiyero told her. “There’s more than enough to go around.”
“Where did you get it all?” She asked him, picking up a loaf of bread. Fiyero walked closer, wrapping a warm blanket around her shoulders. “There are places all over the city where you can find things of value that people leave behind. Food, clothes, blankets, sometimes even greater things. Books, artworks, and so much more. And here above the city, no one thinks to look for us.”
“Utter nonsense. People leave things behind because they have no value.” Elphaba scowled. Fiyero stepped around in front of her. “That’s not true. People just don’t see the value in those things. Everyone here has a story, Fae. Everyone here ended up finding a new home, and a family. Eat as much as you want, then get some rest. Tomorrow, we’ll get you some better clothes, hm?”
In the days and weeks that followed, Fiyero kept watching Elphaba, who resisted his charms but gradually became a part of the family. They all welcomed her easily, never once making her feel unwanted for any reasons. Eventually, that haunted look in her eyes began to fade, and it was replaced by a happier look, and Fiyero noticed it. His eyes softened whenever he saw it, and he began spending more and more time with her whenever he could.
One day, Elphaba was sitting by herself, watching Fiyero engage with the younger members of their little group. Boq joined her, a friendship having grown between them.
“What’s his story?” Elphaba asked Boq, another one of the family. Boq followed her gaze as Fiyero was telling a story to some of the younger kids, using his hands to illustrate his point.
“Fiyero’s? None of us know. He never told any of us.” Boq replied, picking up an apple and cutting it in half, offering her some. Elphaba took a piece, watching Fiyero curiously.
Later that night, Elphaba and Fiyero were alone, enjoying the peaceful night while the others were asleep, and Elphaba was sitting next to Fiyero, who was stroking her hair absently. “Fiyero?” She glanced up at him.
“Hm?”
“How did you end up living this life?” Elphaba asked him quietly. Fiyero’s hand stilled, and his chest rose and fell in a sigh before he looked away. “It doesn’t matter.”
“It matters to me.” Elphaba told him, her voice soft as her eyes searched his. Fiyero met her eyes, then looked up at the sky above them.
“I was born in the Vinkus. My parents decided they didn’t want a son who took nothing seriously and disowned me when I was twelve. I left home, and for a while, I was alone. But then I found a bunch of other people, and we just… Grouped together. They trusted me to keep them safe, and it just…grew from there.” He replied. His eyes scanned the skies briefly. “It’s nearly winter. We’ll be needing to stockpile things; winter is always scarcer than summer.”
Elphaba nodded, reaching out to rub a hand up and down his back. Fiyero leaned into her hand, sighing happily, closing his eyes under her touch. “Your touch always calms me.” He whispered. Elphaba smiled, kissing his cheek. “I know. I can see it in your face.”
Winter drew closer, and one day, Fiyero led Elphaba up to the roof. Instead of sitting beside her, he stretched out beside her. Elphaba glanced at him, tilting her head slightly. “Are you alright, Yero?”
“I’m going to be gone a little bit longer this time, Fae.” Fiyero told Elphaba, laying his head in her lap. “I’m looking for something in particular, and it’s going to be harder than anything else to find. It might be a couple of weeks. I’m going to leave you in charge. Everyone knows the way things work, so you won’t have to do much.”
“Where are you going?”
“I’ll be in the city, but not in any of the usual places. When I’ve found what I’m looking for, I’ll come back.”
Elphaba nodded, running her fingers through his hair. He took her other hand and kissed each of her fingers, lazily caressing the back of her hand. “Will you miss me?” Fiyero asked her, his eyes meeting hers. Elphaba met his gaze, her original, snarky answer fading quickly at the vulnerability in his gaze. Her eyes softened before she leaned down to kiss him tenderly.
“You already know I will.” She replied quietly. “I love you, Fiyero.”
When the morning came, he was gone, and it was two months before he came back, looking extremely pleased with himself. Elphaba watched him, but held back, letting the others greet him first. That night, Fiyero led her out to the roof where they had first spent any real time together.
“Fiyero, what are we doing up here?” Elphaba asked, turning to see him on one knee, holding a small box. Elphaba stared at him, her eyes widening as her breath caught in her chest.
“Elphaba, the night we met, you were alone and afraid. And in the time that we’ve spent together, I’ve learned to see you, all of you. And I love you. I can’t and don’t want to imagine a life without you. I meant what I said that night. Just because someone else decided they didn’t want you doesn’t mean no one else will… I want you. I love you. Will you marry me, Elphaba?” He asked, opening the little box and holding up the ring inside for her to see. He’d hunted for the perfect ring, scouring every jeweler he could find, until he found the perfect one. It was yellow gold, with a single emerald in the shape of a heart surrounded by a cluster of diamonds and sapphires.
Elphaba breathed in sharply, her eyes widening, before she kissed him deeply, sliding the ring onto her finger.
“Yes. As long as you’re mine, I’m yours.”