Chapter Text
Midterms had come around as usual, but the stakes felt higher for Elphaba this time around. Having made it to her final year at last, she’d been pushing herself even harder than ever to pass her courses. So much so that she’d orchestrated extra study sessions between her, Fiyero, Galinda and Boq, just to make sure that all of them would cross the Shiz stage together in June.
The afternoon had started innocently enough, with Elphaba suggesting that the four of them study outside in the quad instead of Galinda’s dorm. Boq had politely declined; he’d been working on an agricultural project and was needed in the fields today. So the three of them made their way to the group of benches in the shade, Galinda taking up one with Elphaba and Fiyero sharing the other across from the blonde. And they had stayed focused for a good hour and a half this time, given Fiyero’s need to keep moving while reviewing the material. Right up until Nessa had wheeled by, tossing the group a look of disgust.
Three years in, and she still held a grudge over Elphaba’s relationship with Fiyero and subsequent engagement news. How dare she up and move to the Vinkus after graduation instead of Colwen Grounds where she belonged. Not running around with a Winkie prince who’d previously bedded anyone who’d given him the time of day.
“Pansexual, bisexual, I don’t care what the papers say!” Nessa had argued back when Fiyero and Elphaba had first announced their official status as a couple that fateful Saturday morning in the cafeteria. “All you create is scandal, which Elphaba doesn’t need more of. What next, my sister will be part of a royal harem? Father will be utterly displeased at your behaviour.”
That comment ticked Elphaba off and had been the driving stake between Elphaba’s decision to distance herself from her sister and father. “NESSA! That’s the most horrendible and untrue thing I’ve ever heard!”
“That makes two of us,” Fiyero hissed, keeping himself in front of Elphaba during that horrid conversation. He rarely lost his temper, but he’d heard enough rumors from the press over the years, and he was not about to let his future sister-in-law start new ones or bring harm to his future wife. “Yes, I’m pansexual and have been with all types of people in the past. But you have no right to make accusations like that. I’m not going to ruin your sister’s reputation, end of discussion.”
Elphaba caught her sister’s glare, trying to keep herself from levitating her books to hurl towards Nessa’s direction. Fiyero, who’d been pacing around the benches had noticed the exchange between the Thropp sisters and immediately knelt in front of the bench where Elphaba sat, taking her hands in his.
“Easy, Fae, deep breaths for me.” One set of hands moved over his heart, the other over Elphaba’s.
Elphaba nodded, slowly trying to match her breaths to her fiancé. In for four, hold for four, out for four, just the way Galinda and Fiyero had taught her during their first year. As Elphaba’s breathing returned to a normal level, Fiyero sat on one side of her while Galinda shifted to sit on the other side, placing a hand gently on Elphaba’s shoulder.
“Fiyero’s right. Never mind Nessa. Let’s focus on something else instead. Like the amazing summer you’re about to have in the Vinkus this year!”
“Amazing? Stressful is more like it, Glin,” Elphaba sighed, feeling a sense of panic rising in her chest again as she rested her head in her hands. “You forget that I have to survive the graduation ceremony, then Fiyero and I are travelling back the morning after. Then I’ll have the royal wedding just a couple weeks after we settle in the castle, plus who knows how many official royal appearances I’ll be expected to give after that!”
“And you won’t be facing any of these events alone,” Fiyero reminded her. “I’ll be there, along with my parents to help you.”
“Tell me about some of the events,” Galinda suggested, hoping the topic would keep Elpaba relaxed. “Which one are you looking forward to the most?”
“Honestly? The Vinkun Pride parade,” Fiyero offered with a bashful grin. “For one thing, the Tigelaar family, in general, has always been the most progressive compared to previous rulers. Our family has participated as representatives of the royal family for years, but after I came out, the celebration took on a whole new understanding. Every year after that, I’ve always brought out a pan flag along with the rainbow one. Besides, it’s the one time out of the year that I can go shirtless in public and get away with it!”
“Really?” groaned Elphaba, smacking him with her notebook. “You’re royalty for Oz’s sake! Your parents actually allow it?”
“Technically we’re royalty, and yes, it’s allowed. When my parents first took the throne, they decided that the “come as you are” message of pride should extend to everyone, royals included, as our way of demonstrating that we aren’t above anyone else.”
“Well that makes sense,” Elphaba mused, relieved that she wouldn’t be stuck in some hot, stuffy gown during the June heat.
“Oh,” Galinda responded, her cheeks turning pink. “I’ve never attended a Pride parade before, but that sounds, um, fun I guess.” She nervously fidgeted with her hands in her lap, looking across the courtyard. Elphaba raised an eyebrow to Fiyero, who shrugged in return. He was about to say something else, but Galinda had stood in front of him, waving her hands wildly.
“Oh my Oz, isn’t that your parents coming this way? What are they doing here? I don’t look presentable!”
“You look fine, Glin,” Fiyero chuckled as Baxiana and Marilott made their way towards the trio.
“Your majesties,” Elphaba and Galinda greeted, each managing a polite curtsy. While Elphaba had started to use their first names when in the Vinkus, she couldn’t bring herself to do so on Shiz property. Baxiana just shook her head as her and Marilott enveloped their son and daughter-in-law in a brief hug. Marilott pulled away first, looking towards the others as he cleared his throat.
“I hope we haven’t caught you and your friends at a bad time. Our meeting with the Gilikin representatives ended earlier than we planned this afternoon,” Marilott explained, looking around at the benches and scattered papers.
“N-No sir,” Elphaba stammered, quickly organizing the picnic plans into one pile and gathering the rest of her study notes. “Just studying. Last midterms of the year before we graduate”
At the mention of graduation, Baxiana’s eyes brightened, looking towards her husband with pride. “Well if the three of you are free, we’d like to take you out for dinner tonight. There’s something important we wish to discuss, preferably somewhere more private.”
“Wait a minute, what about Boq?” Galinda asked, looking at Elphaba and Fiyero. “Whatever this is, he should be part of the discussion too!”
“That’s fine,” Marilott nodded. “Let’s meet in an hour or so. That way all of you have time to settle and freshen up.”
An hour and a half later, the six of them found themselves at one of the smaller Gilikenese restaurants just outside of the shiz campus, tucked into one of the private back rooms. As the platters of food had dwindled to crumbs, Marilott was the first to speak.
“I know the four of you are busy, so I’ll get right to the point. First, my wife and I would like to say how proud we are of all of you for how well you’ve been doing at Shiz.” Looking towards Fiyero, Marilott softened a bit at his next words.
“Son, I know it’s been quite the ride over the last few years, but I’m especially proud to see how much you’ve changed. Not only are you approaching graduation, but you’re finally surrounding yourself with people who truly have your best interests at heart.” At that, Fiyero’s face reddened, but he reached for Elphaba’s hand all the same. Looking towards the couple, Baxiana was the next to speak.
“While we know that your graduation ceremony is still a few months away, King Marilott and I would like to officially invite the four of you to the Vinkus for an official celebration. It would likely be a week or so after Shiz holds theirs to give you time to make the journey.”
At first, the four friends were stunned at what they heard. Of course, it was Galinda who made the connection first.
“Oh my Oz! Elphie, do you realize what this means? We’ve just been invited to a ball! By royalty! And just before your wedding too! This is absolutely thrillifying!” the blonde squealed in delight.
Remembering her manners, Elphaba looked towards the King and Queen, offering a polite smile in response. “Thank you. It would be an honor indeed.”