Emerald Fog

A week had passed since the Winter Ball, and Fiyero was restless. The way Galinda had acted that night still nagged at him. She had been radiant and composed, as always, but there had been moments, fleeting, subtle moments, when her focus had shifted. Not to him, but to someone else. Someone on the stage.

Someone green.

It wasn’t the first time he’d noticed this shift in her, but it was the first time it had truly bothered him. Fiyero was no fool. He understood people, how they moved through the world, what they wanted. And what Galinda wanted, what she really wanted, wasn’t him. He knew they had been drawn towards eachother when he had first arrived at Shiz because of what they both thought they should want, but he knew now it wouldn’t be fair to keep her tied to him.

And so, he devised a plan.

It was late afternoon when he tracked Galinda down in her dorm room. She was lounging on a chaise, wrapped in pink silk, her blonde curls perfectly arranged as though she were expecting company. She looked up as he entered, her eyes sparkling.

“Fiyero,” she greeted, her tone light and melodic. “To what do I owe this unexpected visit?”

He grinned, leaning casually against the doorframe. “I was wondering if you’d like to join me and a few friends tonight. We’re heading to the Ozdust Ballroom.”

Galinda’s expression brightened immediately. “The Ozdust? Oh, Fiyero, you know how I adore that place. Who’s coming?”

“Just a small group,” he said with a shrug. “You, me, and a few others. I thought it would be nice to unwind after last week’s excitement.”

She tilted her head, studying him. “Is this a date?” she asked, her tone teasing.

Fiyero chuckled, sidestepping the question. “Does it matter? You’ll have fun either way.”

Her laugh was light and easy. “Well, when you put it like that, how can I refuse?”

The Ozdust was already alive with music and chatter by the time they arrived. Fiyero led the way, Galinda on his arm, flanked by a few of his more boisterous friends. The ballroom was dimly lit, its atmosphere smoky and electric, the perfect setting for a night of revelry.

Galinda had dressed to impress, her gold dress shimmering under the soft glow of the chandeliers. Heads turned as she entered, but she barely noticed. Her focus was on Fiyero, and she felt a pleasant warmth at the idea that this might be the romantic evening she had been waiting for. Maybe this night out would reignite her feelings for the Prince and she could forget all of the confusing feelings she had been struggling with.

That illusion shattered the moment she heard the band.

Her steps faltered as she recognized the low, sultry notes of a guitar cutting through the noise. She froze, her gaze snapping to the stage where the band was setting up. Emerald Fog. Elphaba.

Her breath caught in her throat.

“Fiyero,” she said slowly, “why didn’t you tell me Elphaba’s band would be playing?”

He smirked, tugging her gently forward. “I thought it’d be a nice surprise. You seemed to really enjoy their performance at the ball.”

Galinda’s heart raced as they moved closer to the stage. Elphaba was standing at the microphone, her green skin stark against the dark backdrop, her black hair loose around her shoulders. She was tuning her guitar, her focus intense, but she looked up as they approached.

Their eyes met.

For a moment, Galinda forgot how to breathe.

“Fiyero,” she hissed, her voice low, “what are you doing?”

He grinned, his voice low and conspiratorial. “Helping you figure something out.”

Galinda didn’t have time to respond. The music started, a fast-paced, pulsing beat that sent the crowd surging onto the dance floor. Fiyero took her hand and led her into the fray, spinning her effortlessly into a dance. She followed on instinct, but her mind was elsewhere.

On stage, Elphaba’s gaze flickered to her again, then away. She sang with the same raw, magnetic energy that had captivated Galinda at the ball, her voice weaving through the music like a spell. Galinda couldn’t look away.

Fiyero noticed, of course. He always noticed. “She’s good, isn’t she?” he said, his tone light but pointed.

Galinda nodded absently. “Yes. She is.”

They danced through the first song, then another, but Galinda’s movements became more mechanical as the night went on. Fiyero, ever perceptive, eventually slowed their steps, his hand lingering at her waist as he leaned down to speak in her ear during the final song.

“Go talk to her,” he said, his voice low.

Galinda blinked up at him, startled. “What?”

“You’re distracted,” he said with a knowing smile. “You’ve been distracted since we were last here, that first time you saw her. I didn’t realise what it was then that had you so distant, but I couldn’t miss it at the Ball. Just go talk to her.”

Galinda hesitated, her heart pounding. “Fiyero, I don’t—”

“Galinda,” he interrupted gently, “it’s okay. Really.”

Tears filled her eyes. “I can’t”.

He held her hands and put them over his heart, his voice took on a serious tone. “My darling, you can. We don’t choose who takes up home here.”

She stared at him, searching his face for any trace of malice or jealousy. But there was none. Only understanding. Only kindness.

And so, with a deep breath, she nodded.

Elphaba was backstage when Galinda found her, sitting on a worn couch with her guitar resting against her knees. She looked up as Galinda approached, her dark eyes widening slightly in surprise.

“Galinda,” she said, her voice cautious. “What are you doing back here?”

“I just…” Galinda hesitated, unsure of how to begin. “I wanted to say congratulotions for your performance tonight and to thank you. For the song. At the ball.”

Elphaba’s expression softened, though she remained guarded. “You don’t have to thank me.”

“I do,” Galinda insisted, stepping closer. “It meant a lot to me.”

There was a beat of silence. Elphaba studied her, her gaze searching, and for once, Galinda didn’t feel the need to perform or deflect. She just…stood there, waiting.

“You looked happy with Fiyero,” Elphaba said quietly, her tone unreadable.

Galinda’s chest tightened. She took a shaky breath, her hands trembling as she clasped them in front of her.

“When you sang that song,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper, “it felt like you were talking to me. Like you…saw me. Not the person everyone expects me to be, but me.”

Elphaba’s expression softened, a flicker of vulnerability and hope breaking through her usual composure, but just as quickly the long established feelings of doubt and being unloveable took over.

She shook her head, her dark eyes meeting Galinda’s. “Why are you really here, Galinda? You’ve got your perfect life, your perfect boyfriend. What could you possibly want with someone like me?”

Galinda frowned, stepping closer. “I just wanted to tell you how good you were tonight. You didn’t have to be so rude about it.”

“Rude?” Elphaba’s voice rose slightly, a spark of anger in her eyes. “Do you know what it’s like to stand on that stage, knowing every person in that room is judging you? That they think you don’t belong? And then to see the one person you…to see you—” She cut herself off, turning away.

“To see me what?” Galinda demanded, her voice trembling.

Elphaba’s jaw tightened. “To see you with him,” she said finally, her tone sharp. “Kissing him, smiling at him like…like he’s the only person in the world. And then you look at me like that, and I—”

“Like what?” Galinda interrupted, her voice rising now to match Elphaba’s.

“Like you’re confused!” Elphaba shouted, her frustration spilling over. “Like you don’t know what you want, but you still feel the need to…to look at me like that. And I can’t-” She broke off, her chest rising and falling as she struggled to reign in her emotions.

Galinda’s heart was pounding, her cheeks flushed with anger and something she couldn’t name. “I wasn’t looking at you like anything!” she said, her voice defensive.

“Yes, you were!” Elphaba shot back. “And then you show up tonight with him, throwing it in my face how much you want him, like it’s some kind of game.”

Galinda’s breath caught, her eyes wide. “I don’t…” She stopped herself, the words catching in her throat. Her hands balled into fists at her sides as she stared at Elphaba.

“You don’t what?” Elphaba challenged, stepping closer.

“I don’t want him!” Galinda shouted, the words tumbling out before she could stop them. For a moment, there was only silence between them.

Elphaba stared at her, her expression unreadable. “Then who—”

“I want you,” Galinda said, the words barely more than a whisper. Her eyes widened in shock as she realized what she had just said. Her hands flew to her mouth, covering it as though she could somehow take the confession back.

Elphaba froze, her body stiff and her eyes searching Galinda’s face. “What did you just say?” she asked, her voice low and cautious.

Galinda shook her head, stepping back. “I…I didn’t mean…”

“Yes, you did,” Elphaba said, taking a hesitant step toward her. Her voice softened, the anger draining away as she whispered, “Galinda…”

“I’m sorry,” Galinda said quickly, her voice trembling. She turned away, her heart pounding in her chest. “I shouldn’t have said that. I…just forget I said anything.”

“Wait,” Elphaba called, but Galinda didn’t stop. She hurried back toward the ballroom, her heels clicking against the floor, once again making an escape from the Ozdust.

Elphaba stood there, staring after her, the weight of Galinda’s words settling heavily on her chest. For the first time in a long while, she was completely at a loss for what to do.