#Shiz University

[captainsophiestark]

The Shiz University Book Fair

Fiyero Tigelaar x Reader

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Fandom: Wicked

Summary: Fiyero made an enemy in his destruction of the library, but it might be just the spark he needs to find something in life that matters.

Word Count: 2,952

Category: Angst, Fluff

A/N: The actor who played Fiyero the first time I saw the musical will forever and always hold the place of favorite in my heart, but damn, Jonathan Bailey is a VERY close second.

Putting work into an AI program without permission is illegal. You do not have my permission. Do not do it.

"That self-important, irreverent, stupid, idiot."

I grumbled to myself, using it to vent a little bit of my temper as I worked through my corner of the library. The books I'd been meticulously organizing, gathering, and cataloguing had been scattered to the winds, and even worse, some of them had sustained damage. I couldn't be completely sure yet, but it also seemed like a few were missing. I was going to kill that stupid fucking prince.

"Well, I see someone completely ignored my critical lesson yesterday."

Speak of the devil and he will appear. I huffed, then set down the stack of books in my hand before whirling around with a fierce scowl. None other than Fiyero Tigelaar stood before me, much closer than was wise if he knew how badly I wanted to hit him, staring at me with his arms crossed and an insufferable smile on his face.

"What the hell are you doing here?" I demanded, absolutely seething. Fiyero just shrugged, apparently completely unaffected.

"I noticed you didn't come to the Oz Dust last night. I figured that meant I had more work to do in corrupting my fellow classmates." He gave a significant look to the stacks of books behind me. "Apparently, I was right."

"If you so much as move a finger to touch my books again, I swear, I'll knock that stupid smile right off your face. For good."

Fiyero's eyebrows raised, but his grin only widened. He held up his hands as if to placate me, but he also took a step forward. I narrowed my eyes.

"Listen, I'm just trying to say... you seem a little stressed," he said. I scoffed, but it didn't deter him. "And in my professional opinion, you need to let go of some of this stress before it eats you alive. Living in the library, working day and night, not letting go and having fun? I've seen it claim more than one attractive classmate whom I could've saved. I'm not letting it happen this time."

I clenched and unclenched my fists, barely managing to restrain myself from punching him in the nose. Clearly, his flirty charm had worked almost universally for him before, to the point that he wasn't getting a single one of the glaringly obvious signs that I did not like him and did not want to talk to him. I huffed a long sigh through my nose.

"Fine. You want me to let off some stress? Here goes!" Fiyero grinned like he'd just won the lottery, but I steamrolled over him, relishing the moment that satisfaction dropped from his face. "I've been working on putting together pallets of books and organizing everything for months for the largest reading and book fair in Oz! All for kids, who travel from far and wide to come to the Shiz University Book Fair. For some of them, this is the only access they get to important stories, reading events, and information that they otherwise can't even dream about. I've been helping to put it on since I started here at Shiz, and for the first time, I've finally been put in charge of the whole thing. My dream job, my dream event, that will do so much good. And you fucking ruined it! 

"It's going to take me SO LONG to put everything back, reorganize what you threw around the room for your stupid dance break, replace the damaged and missing books, all before the kids come in less than a week! And frankly, if you hadn't destroyed all of my hard work, I probably would've gone dancing with my friends last night, to celebrate the end of our preparations. But instead, I'm here, working all day and night to get things back in order for one of the events that I not only enjoy most, but that's most important to me and the people who attend. Some of us know how to balance important things that we care about with dicking around, and we don't need lessons from a sanctimonious asshat who thinks he has life figured out even though it's painfully obvious that he doesn't."

Fiyero frowned at me, actually looking like he was using his brain for the first time since I'd met him. Whether he was burning up his processing power trying to think of a comeback or just fuming about someone having the nerve to shout at him, I didn't wait to find out.

"You're lucky I didn't kill you the minute you set foot in my space here," I continued, the anger leveling to a dangerous simmer rather than the explosion I'd been feeling a few moments earlier. "Now get the hell out."

With that, I whipped around, putting my back to Fiyero and returning to my stacks of books. It was the clearest method I could think of for dismissing him, and hopefully, he at least got this message.

I finished running through an inventory of the next stack of books without interruption from Fiyero. After another moment, I couldn't stand the not knowing anymore, so I whirled back around with a scowl already loaded to tell him to get lost again, this time in stronger words. But, to my surprise, he was nowhere to be seen.

I hummed to myself, scouting the library one last time. He was really gone. Good. I'd expected more of a fight, but I definitely didn't have time for one. Hopefully, that would be the last I saw of that obnoxious party boy.

***************

"Babies and toddlers?"

"Check."

"Learning to read?"

"Check."

"Middle grade?"

"Check."

"Everything else? Nonfiction, second language, advanced readers-"

"Everything checked off and accounted for. Now triple checked."

I let out a long sigh as I stared around the circle of my closest, most trusted volunteers. They each had clipboards in hand, running through last inventory and organization checks with me before the Shiz University Book Fair officially began. Despite how intense I'd been all morning, they all still had smiles on their faces as they indulged my over-preparedness. This event meant just as much to them as to me, after all, and we were all recovering from last week's unplanned chaos.

"Alright. Then great job, everybody. Grab some coffee or whatever else you want, and then get in position. Doors open in ten."

Everyone nodded, sharing smiles before breaking from our circle and heading off to do whatever they wanted with their last few minutes of quiet. Some of them clapped me on the shoulder on their way past, and I gave them each a smile and a nod.

After the scene Fiyero had caused in the library, not only had everything required reorganization, but a good number of the books had also required replacing. I'd managed to track down most of them, but with only a week's notice, I hadn't quite gotten all of them. Still, on such a limited time frame, I was proud of what I'd managed to accomplish. Everything was as close to perfect as it could be, in position and ready for the arrival of the kids to go off without a hitch.

Of course, no sooner had the thought crossed my mind than a new challenge popped up out of the ether to punch me in the nose. With just under ten minutes until book fair start, Fiyero had the nerve to come riding in on a bicycle, a cart behind him and a smile on his face.

I rushed across the field space where we'd set up the book stands, trying to head him off as early as possible. I caught some of our volunteers sharing glances and looking at Fiyero with interest, but this was a problem I was perfectly happy to handle myself.

"You! Get the hell out of here, right now!" I shouted, pointing to Fiyero as he stopped his bike and hopped off of it. I raced right up to him, shoving at his shoulders and trying to shoo him back onboard the bike, but he just held up his hands in surrender while still standing his ground.

"Relax! I come bearing books!"

I froze. Fiyero's shoulders relaxed when I stopped trying to shove him out of my space, but his relief was a little early as far as I was concerned. I narrowed my eyes at him, incredibly suspicious and ready to resume my attack at a moment's notice.

"What do you mean you come bearing books? What are you talking about?"

Fiyero smiled, keeping his hands up in the air as he walked to the back of the wagon he'd pulled here on his bicycle. I watched him like a hawk, but when he flipped the tarp back to reveal a few different crates of books, I couldn't stop my mouth from dropping open in shock.

"What...?"

"I heard what you said in the library," Fiyero said with a shrug. "I'm... sorry... that I ruined some of the books you'd prepared for the children. I didn't mean to. Or, I suppose I did, but... I didn't realize how important they were at the time. I asked around, and a few of your volunteers said you hadn't been able to replace some of the books, so... I decided to do it myself."

My eyebrows shot up as Fiyero lifted the first crate out of the cart. He walked over to me, stopping just in front of me and holding it out so I could see inside. Lo and behold, it contained more than one volume of the books I hadn't quite been able to replace on such short notice.

I looked up at Fiyero with wide eyes, all the fire and impulse for violence drained away. He just smiled back at me, and this time, it didn't seem to have the same arrogant tinge as before.

"...How...?"

He just shrugged again.

"I'm a prince. I have my ways."

"You... you seriously went to all the trouble to track these down? Just for the book fair?"

The corner of his mouth tugged up into a smile. "I've been trying to find something useful to do with my title for a long time. It wasn't a problem."

I just breathed another surprised sigh. I didn't know how to react to the man in front of me. I'd written him off as a shallow asshole, quite validly in my opinion, but the Fiyero standing before me now seemed like a completely different man.

"So... is there somewhere in particular you'd like me to put these books?"

"Oh! Yes, uh... yeah. Follow me."

I led the way to the table I'd worked hard to cover up a slight empty spot on, and Fiyero dutifully followed me. I waved to a few of the other volunteers to unload the rest of his cart, and we worked quickly, Fiyero providing much more help than I'd been expecting. By the time the doors officially opened and the first few children arrived, everything was perfectly in place.

I'd been expecting Fiyero to take off not long after he dropped off the books, but he continued to surprise me. He talked to the kids and their families as they came in, and not long into the event, he borrowed a map of the table layouts from one of the more experienced volunteers. Within ten minutes, he was helping direct kids and families with questions, carrying their books, and sending them to people who could answer questions if he ran into one he didn't know the answer to.

I kept an eye on him all the same, expecting the other shoe to drop. Surely, the Fiyero that had destroyed my books and the rest of the library would make a reappearance at some point. And yet, he never did. The new Fiyero not only stayed, but he stayed later than some of my regular volunteers. The sun was setting by the time the last kids and families left, and Fiyero was still here, along with my most dedicated volunteer core. I shook my head as I crossed the space to talk to him, still not quite believing this had been real.

"Well!" he said, addressing me with a smile and his hands on his hips as soon as he noticed me coming. "That seems like it was a success!"

"Yeah. We're still looking at numbers, but... I think it might've been our most successful event ever."

Fiyero's smile took on a warm glow that made him much, much more handsome than I'd ever thought possible when he was destroying books.

"Congratulations."

Heat rose to my face as I glanced at the ground.

"Yeah, well... thanks." When I met his eyes again, that same warm smile almost knocked me flat as my heart raced in my chest. Still, I forced myself to take a breath and return to reality. "...Why are you here?"

Fiyero frowned. "Am... I not wanted?"

"No! No, that's not what I was trying to say. Seriously. I appreciate all your help, both with the books and with the kids today. Honestly, you were great. But... I don't know, I'm just surprised, is all. You didn't really strike me as the type of guy to hang around volunteering at a book fair for an entire day."

Fiyero hummed, glancing down with a self-deprecating smile on his face. I watched him with interest, especially when he met my eyes again with more sincerity than I'd honestly believed him capable of.

"I didn't strike myself as that type either. In fact, I pride myself on my ability to corrupt my fellow classmates despite the best efforts of people like you. But... it was nice to be a part of this. Speaking with you in the library... it's clear how much this matters. To you, of course, but to the kids and their families who come to this event... It obviously does a lot of good. It was nice to be a part of creating that."

I smiled at Fiyero, something I never could've imagined doing just a few hours ago.

"Not what I expected to hear from Mr. Nothing Matters."

Fiyero shrugged. "Well..."

He turned slightly away from me, rubbing the back of his neck and moving like he was going to retrieve his bike and leave. I reached out and grabbed his hand before he could get very far, to both our surprise. Fiyero looked at me with raised eyebrows, a light behind his eyes that I'd never seen before.

"It was wonderful to have your help," I said. "I kind of hate to admit it, but... you were a big part of the reason this event was such a success. You found replacements for books that families and kids had been waiting for and expecting, but more than that, you spent time with them. You're a prince. Whether or not you care about the title, taking the time to talk to, help, and encourage those kids, who all know exactly who you are? It was a big deal. So thank you. I'm really glad you decided to be a part of this."

The last of the guarded expression faded from Fiyero's face as he fixed me with a soft smile. He stepped closer to me, and after a moment, I let my hand fall from his before clearing my throat.

"Anyway..." I said, trying to break whatever intensity was currently building between the two of us. "If you wanted to keep doing stuff like this, you know, helping make a difference... I host a reading group every week with some of the kids who are more local. I'd love to have your help hosting that, if you'd be interested."

Fiyero was fully grinning at me now, the confidence bordering on arrogance back in full force. This time, though, I didn't quite mind it as much.

"I'd love to help with that," he said. "On one condition."

"...And what's that?"

"As long as agreeing to help with your reading group doesn't prevent me from asking you out to dinner. And maybe for some dancing, to celebrate Shiz's best ever book fair."

Despite myself, I smiled, my heart flipping in my chest. If he'd had the nerve to ask me out a week ago, I would've slapped him. Now, I quite literally couldn't think of anything I'd rather do to celebrate.

"I think we can make that work," I said, fighting and losing to a smile of my own.

"Perfect. How about... tomorrow night?"

"You're on."

We shared another smile, but before we could do anything else, the voices of my friends, the other volunteers who'd been the most involved in this event, broke in. We'd all made plans to go out and celebrate once this event was officially finished, and although they were probably pretty interested in seeing what happened with Fiyero and I, none of them wanted to wait any longer to celebrate.

"One second!" I called, waving to them before turning back to Fiyero. He was still watching me with a little smile, and it made my heart race when I noticed it. "...Do you want to come with us?"

His eyebrows shot up.

"Where are you going?"

"The Oz Dust. We're celebrating a successful event, and you were certainly a part of creating that success. It wouldn't feel right to celebrate without you."

Fiyero grinned, then took my hand in his. My heart skipped a beat, but I pushed through, letting Fiyero pull me along and towards the group of my friends.

"It would be my honor," he said, giving me one last look before turning with a smile to greet the rest of our group. I followed, watching him, still a little in awe. Whatever had caused this change in Fiyero, it was truly amazing to see. Everyone else in the school seemed to be smitten with the party boy, but suddenly, I found myself head over heels for the version of him that seemed to care as much as I did, now that he'd found a cause worth caring about.

****************

Everything Taglist: @rosecentury @kmc1989 @space-helen @misshale21

[fifisettos]

something that really amuses me is that glinda and elphaba are always in their cunty little fits and the rest of shiz are just in uniform. like who is letting them get away with this

[guccilongboard]

Shiz wouldn’t survive me cause I would’ve started taking kneecaps around school until someone fessed up

[selfdesructivedisaster]

It’s absurd to me how people say that Elphaba and Glinda are only barely amicable acquaintances in the book as apose to their more focused on relationship in the musical. And even though admittedly their relationship is infinitely more focused and developed on in the musical, the way people dismiss their friendship in the book always annoyed me

Even during their first-on-one interaction in the book, although Glinda is passive-aggressively antagonistic to her, she finds herself weirdly interested in Elphaba, physically and intellectually. Throughout the interaction, Glinda diverges multiple times through her narration to comment on Elphaba’s features, usually in a superficial or mean way, but she occasionally finds herself almost entranced by Elphaba’s looks, even going as far as to unintentionally compliment her hair. After Glinda inquires about what Elphaba is reading she inadvertently makes an interesting observation about the text that a pretty, popular girl like her wouldn't be caught dead making and she quickly walks back on it, to Elphaba's delight. Proving to Elphaba and by extension us as the audience that Glinda is much more than what she lets on. It's only their first interaction and they're already so much in terms of dynamic and intimacy, them both breaking down each other's walls and showing a part of themselves that others rarely get to see

[supercap2319]

Fiyero came up to Y/N with a charming smile on his face. "You know I was thinking...we should get together sometime and... study."

"You thinking? Better be careful. I wouldn't want you to hurt your brain with a foreign concept." Y/N responded.

Fiyero laughed.

[yeetfanficccc]

How bout a dance? Wicked Boq x Reader

Authors note- bro 2 fics in 2 days who am I? Reader can be read as gender neutral. I wrote this in one sitting so sorry for any mistakes- enjoy fellow Boq simps (in this house we simp for the simp) AU where Nessa doesn't like him because that's too complicated my guy. Did I give this (Y/N) my kind of oblivious, a bit stupid personality? Yes.

There he was again. Within the day Fiyero had been at Shiz University, everything seemed to change. Classes felt shorter as students slacked off, the library had books scattered every place a book shouldn’t be, and people were dancing, genuinely dancing, with glee. It was the most fun I’d had in years. I needed more

“He’s kind of cute isn’t he? That Fiyero.” It was a question, but it felt like the most obvious statement in the world. Literally everyone, boys, girls, probably Oz himself, found Fiyero attractive. He was a magnet sucking the world in, and I wanted a taste of what that was like. 

Next to me Boq, my first friend at Shiz, pouted, “I don’t get why everyone is freaking out so much. He’s just some guy.”

If I was being honest with myself, Boq was way more my type. Kinda shy, kinda nerdy, with freckled cheeks, unruly red hair, and a genuine smile. The type to make you feel special. But, I saw how he looked at Galinda, like she was the most beautiful person in the world. So, I resigned myself to the flirty, pipe dream Fiyero. It made me feel less sore inside. 

“Boq, I have a plan. A stupid, crazy plan.”

“You’re implying that all of your plans aren’t stupid and crazy.”

“Crazy I’ll give you,” I smiled, “but not stupid.”

His lip curled, “(Y/N), you thought it would be funny if we told people we liked their hat for a week when they weren’t wearing one just to see when they crumble.”

“The best thing you can take from someone is their reality, besides it was harmless.”

“One guy started crying by day 3.”

“To which I promptly apologized.” 

“Oz,” he laughed, that honey suckle laugh. The one I could never get out of my head. I shot my gaze away. “You’re impossible.”

“Do you want to hear the plan? Or should I find someone else?”

“No,” he shot so fast it sent me back a bit, “I’m your guy. I’ll do anything for you. We’re a team.”

I ignored the heat rising on my face, “you know how a bunch of people are going to the OzDust tonight?”

“Yeah…?”

“And you want to get Galinda’s attention?”

“I did. But now I don’t know. Things have changed.” He wouldn’t meet my eye when he said the last bit. I frowned. 

“If you’re worried about Fiyero don’t be. That’s my part of the plan.” 

“What do you mean?” 

“We pretend to be in love, so much so that everyone is jealous of how desirable we are. Fiyero and Galinda are the type that need the spotlight. So, they will each see us as their ticket back to the center of attention.”

“You want us…. to be in love?” homeboy looked dazed. 

“Only pretend of course! Just until our respective person sees how great we are.” 

“I don’t think this plan will work.”

“Do you not think we can convincingly be in love?” I questioned.

“No. We can do that.” And there went his eye contact, “I just don’t think we can convince Galinda and Fiyero to be with us.”

“Maybe you’re right. Sorry,” I deflated, “I was just really zoned out and this idea came to me”

“I’m not saying we shouldn’t try… for research.”

“Really! Boq you’d do that for me?”

“I’d do anything for you…” this time, his eyes meet mine. Brown, like fine Earth melted in amber. I felt a stir in my chest. No, too complicated. Fiyero is brainless, fun- way less emotional investment. That is, hoping this plan worked. Which I definitely wanted!

“See you tonight!” 

That night, the OzDust

The OzDust was more magnificent that I imagined. Music swirled in the air, as crowds huddled around a gleaming dancefloor. Every color of the rainbow, and then some, was fashioned into skirts, suits, and corsets moving in rhythm. 

Boq wore a red velet suit as I dawned blue. Opposites, that somehow end up together.

“(Y/N), you look so stunning,“ Boq grinned his smile lines even up to his eyes, “like a painting or something.” Damn he’s a good actor.

“And you are the most handsome munchkin boy I’ve ever seen.”   

“Just munchkin?”

“Okay fine. Most handsome boy, no superlatives!” I teased bopping his nose. This clearly surprised him, but he quickly went with it. 

“My angel” he leaned in to kiss my cheek. I nearly fainted, the heart palpitations were back with a vengeance. Do it for the bit (Y/N). Do it for the bit. “Am I doing a good job?” 

His whispered words made me remember this is all an act. But he had such a puppy dog smile, like all that mattered was pleasing me. Damn… no Fiyero think unobtainable Fiyero. 

“You’re doing great. But I don’t think we’ve gotten their attention yet. Permission to turn it up a notch? If this is making you uncomfortable though, we can stop.” 

“I’m not as shy as people think I am, not when I’m with you.”

“Well then, let’s dance.”

“Let’s” he reached out his hand. 

The song was upbeat, fluid. Boq took me in his arms and glided me around the dancefloor. I felt like I had wings and was zooming through the clouds. 

“Is this, okay? Am I dancing too fast?” Boq asked. 

“No, you’re perfect.”

“Well then, I’m turning it up.” He laughed, “get ready (Y/N) (L/N), we’re going turbo mode.”

His goofy smile turned to a devilishly handsome grin. He spun and held me to the song perfectly like it was a big, rehearsed dance number. I couldn’t remember the last time I felt so alive, so free. And it was all because of him. Just then, the song turned more jazzy, low, seductive. The notes caressed my ears as I could feel Boq’s hot breath on my cheek.

He dipped me. Something within me snapped, I leaned forward and pressed his lips against mine. Warm honey.  Once I realized what I did, I pulled away, 

“I’m so sorry. I got caught up in the moment.”

“(Y/N), I can’t keep lying to you. I like you, like a lot. I’m sorry if that ruins things but-“

“No. That ruins nothing. I like you, like a lot too.” My heart raced.

“But what about the plan?”

“It was a stupid and crazy plan. I only liked Fiyero because I needed a distraction. I haven’t even talked to him. I like you, this whole time I have.”

“Oh.” Boq blushed. It sent me to heaven.

“But I thought you liked Galinda. So, I didn’t think anything would happen with us.”

“I did. But then you came along and showed me I’m good as I am. You make me so happy.” 

“Boq, you are so sweet.”

“Can I be sweet… as your boyfriend?”

“Yes!” I shot, “please.”

“I’m sorry your plan didn’t work.” he placed a hand on my cheek, "you were so excited about it. It was really cute actually..."

“To be honest, I don’t think Galinda or Fiyero looked our way once. They were too busy with eachother… and themselves. It was a bad plan.”

"Or maybe you were secretly seducing me this whole time and playing mind games to make me jealous." Boq baited.

"Boq, I'm about as dull as brick when it comes to you how would I have found the sense to play mind games?"

"For the record, I was jealous when you wouldn't stop talking about how attractive Fiyero was."

"Now you now how I feel when you wouldn't shut up about Galinda when we first met!"

"It was a phase! A weird, weird phase."

“Well, I’m glad. Because now I have you. And you're stuck with me.” I gave him a light kiss on the cheek, he turned someone even redder.

"If you think I was kind of weird and obsessive about her, you have no idea how much I yapped about you whenever you weren't around."

"My handsome, silly Munchkin boy...."

We danced the rest of the night in each other’s arms, holding on to the joy in our hearts.

[loveintensely]

Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero: a deleted scene in Wicked of the news and anticipated exciting arrival of the Winkie Prince himself to Shiz University💙😍

[stuckasmain]

Wicked experience | December 2024

This was insane. I need. Need more Shiz related things, more in-universe merchandise! Ough. But seeing these costumes and such up close I think is such great writing/drawing ref so here you go:

[vanaillaz]

i really liked wicked

[uplandthropps]

Christmas at Shiz

The bustling halls of Shiz University were quieter than usual as Christmas break approached. The students, eager to return home to their families for the holiday, packed their bags and filled the port, leaving behind the campus, which would soon be shrouded in a blanket of snow. Yet, Elphaba Thropp remained in her dorm room, the only sign of life in the otherwise empty corridor.

She sat at her desk, her green hand resting over the pages of a thick book, but her mind wasn’t on the text. Instead, her thoughts drifted to her family—her father, who hadn’t even sent a letter this year, her mother, who had long passed, and Nessarose who’d fought tooth and nail to get her to join the family to no avail. The holidays had always been a bitter reminder of how alone she was. Her father’s disdain for her… her difference. She wasn’t welcome in their home, not for Christmas, not for anything.

As she stared out the window, watching the first snowflakes of the season descend softly upon the grounds, she knew there was no reason to go home. No one would miss her except Nessa— who’d soon forget at the sight of the many gifts she’d surely receive. The thought of spending the holidays alone didn’t faze her as much as it probably should. She had always been used to it, after all.

It was then that there was a knock on her door.

“Elphie? Are you in there?” came a familiar, cheery voice that always, without fail, sent a chill down her spine.

It was Glinda, her best friend, her roommate, and possibly the only person who ever seemed to truly care about her outside of her studies, unless you count Dr. Dillamond, but even he’d have more interesting counterparts to interact with. Elphaba sighed and remained at her desk.

“I thought you were going home for the holidays,” Elphaba mumbled, flipping the page of her book with a frown. Of course it was nice to see her friend, but it was the holiday season, one in which she knew Glinda Upland had be eagerly awaiting as she’d sang every Christmas song she knew. Every. Day.

“I was… but I received notice that Momsie and Popsicle were caught by a rip in the sails if you can believe it! It is most heartbreaking that they won’t be able to see my face for the first day of the Upland Christmas festivities. Alas, they will be here tomorrow.” Glinda replied with slight frown, her brown eyes now riddled with concern. “But Elphie, what on Oz sake are you doing here?”

Elphaba tensed at the question, her teeth gnawing at the insides of her cheeks as she debated whether it was worth it or not to send her feather hearted friend into a frenzy, however, she knew that the girl would only pry more and more until she got to the truth. And damn it did she always get to the truth.

“I don’t have anywhere else to go,” Elphaba said quietly. “Besides, my family.. They don’t want me there.”

Glinda’s expression softened. Hesitant, she stepped closer to Elphaba, her blonde curls swaying as she moved. “That’s not fair,” she said, her voice filled with warmth and genuine sympathy. “You should be with someone— people who cares about you, Elphie. And I do. So I’ve decided.. I’m going to stay here with you! We’re going to have the best Christmas ever!” Glinda’s sugary voice sang as she clapped in approval of her own decision.

Elphaba blinked, unsure of how to respond. “But… why would you want to spend Christmas here, with me? Shouldn’t you be with your family?”

Glinda shrugged nonchalantly. “I suppose my parents will be fine without me for one holiday. I’ve already sent them my gifts, personalized photos of me in these great Shiz halls. And besides, it’s important to me that you’re not alone—“ The blonde daughter herself, “because how else would you feel the Christmas magic?!” She flashed a smile, unsure if her quick thinking covered her pathetic pining. “So, what do you say? Will you let me stay?”

A smile tugged at Elphaba’s lips. She wasn’t used to such kindness, not from anyone, let alone someone like Glinda. “I… I guess so,” she said, her voice quiet but filled with gratitude.

“Great! Now, let’s get you into the Christmas spirit!” Glinda said, clapping her hands together excitedly. “We’ll decorate the whole place, bake some cookies, maybe even build a snowman. You’re going to experience your first real Christmas, Elphie!”

Elphaba groaned, already wondering if she’d made the right decision of letting her best friend stay just at the sound of all of the extravagant activities.

—————

The next few days passed in a whirlwind of activity. Glinda was, as always, a force of nature when it came to organizing and decorating. She had managed to find an old Christmas tree in the campus storage room, which, despite being a bit scraggly, had a certain charm to it. The tree’s branches were sparse in places, but Glinda didn’t seem to mind in the least. It was still a tree, and that was all that mattered.

Elphaba watched from her spot on the floor, arms crossed, as Glinda eagerly strung lights around the tree, her movements quick and precise, almost as though she’d been born for this. Elphaba couldn’t help but be captivated by the way Glinda worked. There was something about the way she moved—so graceful, so full of energy—that made everything seem brighter, even on a dreary winter afternoon. The cheerful clink of ornaments being hung on the tree and the occasional giggle from Glinda only added to the warmth that filled the room.

Elphaba, who had never done anything like this before, felt a mixture of awe and discomfort. She couldn’t remember the last time anyone had made an effort to do something for her. The idea of having a tree in her room, something so festive and joyful, felt almost alien to her.

“Okay, Elphie! Now it’s your turn.” Glinda sang, handing Elphaba a green ornament to place amongst the rest of the sparkling bulbs and tinsel.

“I’ve never done this before,” Elphaba admitted as she cautiously placed the single ornament on the tree. “This whole thing… I don’t know what I’m supposed to feel.”

Glinda paused her decorating and turned to her with a soft smile. “It’s okay. You don’t have to know what to feel. You’re here with me, and I’m going to show you how wonderful Christmas can be. No expectations, no pressure. Just… us.”

Elphaba couldn’t help but feel a warmth in her chest at the sincerity in Glinda’s voice. It was such a simple promise, but it meant more to her than she could articulate.

“I’ve never had a real Christmas,” Elphaba murmured, her fingers tracing the edge of a green ornament. “Not like this. I don’t even remember the last time I had someone to spend the holidays with that didn’t do it out of proximity.”

“Well, now you have me,” Glinda said, grinning. “And I’m not going anywhere. So… let’s make the most of it.”

Elphaba’s heart gave an unexpected flutter at the words, though she quickly brushed it off. Glinda didn’t mean anything by it. She was just being her usual bubbly self. Still, the sentiment lingered in the air like a spark.

When Glinda finally stepped back, her hands on her hips, she surveyed the tree with a proud smile. “Perfect! Now for the star!” she exclaimed, holding up a shimmering gold star, its edges delicately curved. The short woman stood on the tips of her toes to try and place the star but failed to reach the top. “Tsk, tsk, tsk. Mr. tree could you be kind and bend to me so I mustn’t struggle so much?”

“Do you want me to help?” Elphaba asked, her voice betraying a hint of hesitation.

Glinda’s eyes lit up. “Of course! I suppose that is best since my wand is still broken, which I need to talk to Morrible about that.”

Elphaba let out a soft chuckle, avoiding Glinda’s gaze as she stepped toward the tree and place a soft touch to either side of Glinda’s slender waist, helping her stretch to place the star on the very top branch. For a second, Elphaba’s hands lingered a little longer than they should’ve on Glinda, and a jolt of warmth surged through their bodies. The proximity was both comforting and overwhelming.

When the star was finally settled atop the tree, they both stood back, their gazes lingering on the shimmering gold decoration.

“It’s perfect,” Glinda said, her voice soft and full of admiration. She turned to Elphaba, and for a moment, they just looked at each other, both of them blushing slightly, the unexpected intimacy of the moment still hanging between them like a delicate thread.

Elphaba cleared her throat, breaking the silence. “It’s… it’s nice,” she said quietly, trying to ignore the rush of emotions stirring in her chest. “Thank you. For letting me help.”

“Thank you for not fighting me on this,” Glinda said with a bright, almost mischievous smile as she stepped back. “Now it’s time for the next part of our Christmas festivities—cookies and hot chocolate!”

Elphaba nodded, relieved for the distraction. She still wasn’t sure what had just passed between them, but for now, she could at least try to focus on something else. As she followed Glinda to the kitchen, she couldn’t help but glance over her shoulder at the tree��at the star, shining so brightly at the top, as though it were a symbol of something new beginning.

And for the first time in a long while, Elphaba didn’t feel quite so alone.

For the rest of the day, they laughed, sang Christmas carols (even if Elphaba’s voice was a bit off-key), and indulged in Glinda’s latest holiday obsession—baking. Glinda was a disaster in the kitchen, spilling flour everywhere, but it didn’t seem to bother her in the least. Elphaba couldn’t help but be amused by Glinda’s infectious energy, even if she kept accidentally burning the cookies.

As the evening drew near, they sat down on the floor, sipping hot chocolate that Glinda had somehow managed to make without burning the milk. The tree glittered in the corner, the lights twinkling softly in the dim room.

“I’ve never had hot chocolate before,” Elphaba confessed before cautiously taking a sip of the hot liquid, her eyes widening at the taste. “This is… good.”

“See? I knew you’d like it!” Glinda exclaimed. “It’s a Christmas classic! Next up, we’ll do some caroling—just you wait.”

Elphaba chuckled softly. “I’m not much of a singer.”

“You don’t have to be,” Glinda replied with a grin. “It’s all about having fun. Just wait until we get to the mistletoe part.”

“Mistletoe?” Elphaba raised an eyebrow.

Glinda’s grin wiped from her face as she realized she’d said that out loud. “Oh, Oz. I-it’s nothing. You’ll see!” She squeaked, taking another sip of her sweet, chocolately excuse to not talk.

—————

The next morning, Glinda had many thoughts that paced through her mind as she watched her emerald companion get ready for the day they had in store. Swallowing hard, she finally mustered up enough courage to stand. She tip toed over to the other side of the suite and handed Elphaba a small, neatly wrapped box. “Here,” she said, her tone suddenly quieter than usual. “This is for you. It’s not much, but… I wanted to give you something.”

Elphaba stared at the gift for a moment, unsure how to react. She gently unwrapped the paper and opened the box to reveal a delicate silver bracelet, etched with a small ‘G + E’.

“I… I don’t know what to say,” Elphaba whispered, her voice tight with emotion.

“You don’t have to say anything,” Glinda replied softly, boldly taking Elphaba’s hand in hers. “It’s just something I wanted you to have.. As a reminder when you’re outside of these here Shiz walls that I, Glinda Upland of the Upper Uplands, am your best.. friend.” The word friend had taken a bit more effort to say than she’d liked, but her friend was still too shocked to notice.

Elphaba’s heart thudded painfully in her chest. She hadn’t realized how much she had longed for such an acknowledgment, such a gesture, until this moment. Her fingers brushed over the smooth surface of the bracelet, and for a moment, everything else in the world seemed to fade away.

“Thank you,” she finally said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Glinda smiled, her gaze warm but hesitant. “You’re welcome. Um.. Elphie, actually I.. well I was thinking about how you haven’t had the full Christmas experience, and as your.. friend.. it’s my job to make sure you have absolutely every magical Christmas experience, is it not?” The golden haired girl rambled, her light feet pacing across their room.

Elphaba raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”

Glinda bit down on her perfectly glossed lips, glancing toward the doorway, where a sprig of mistletoe was hanging just above the entrance. “I.. I mean. I know we’re just friends and you can totally say no if you want to, but I mean it’s a tradition and.. well you should experience all the traditions. Right? I hope I’m not confusifying you.”

Elphaba had never thought much of the traditions surrounding Christmas. She’d always seen them as frivolous, unnecessary. But in this moment, as she glanced at the mistletoe with Glinda underneath, she couldn’t deny the magic of it all.

Elphaba’s eyes were soft as she stepped closer, her breath warm against Glinda’s skin. “I mean.. it is tradition.” Elphaba cooed.

“You don’t have to, if you don’t want to,” Glinda said quietly, her voice trembling slightly. “But… if you do, I’d like it. A lot. For you to get the experience, that is..”

Elphaba’s heart was racing. She had always been so guarded, so protective of herself. She had never allowed anyone to get too close. But Glinda… Glinda had a way of way of chipping away at her walls, even when she’d first arrived at Shiz it was Glinda who got under her green skin and made a home. Now her mind was filled with much more than just the cruel darkness of the past, but the warmth of the woman just inches away from her.

“Elphaba?” Glinda’s voice was a whisper now, almost too soft to hear.

Elphaba swallowed hard, her gaze meeting Glinda’s. There was something new in her eyes, an uncertainty that she’d never seen before. One that she’d recognized so many times in her own gaze.

Stepping closer, Elphaba closed the small gap that somehow was still too wide between them, allowing Glinda to feel her heart beating against her chest as she gently cupped her soft, blushing cheek in her hand and kissed her like the delicate flower she was.

The kiss was gentle, tentative at first, as if they were both testing the waters. But as their lips met again, and again, and again, the world seemed to fall away. For the first time in years, Elphaba felt… home. The warmth of Glinda’s presence, the tenderness of her touch, completed something inside of her that she didn’t know was unfinished. “So this is the Christmas magic you were talking about? I quite like it, Glinda Upland. Now.. remind me, with Mistletoe am I allowed to kiss more than just your lips?”

Glinda’s eyes widened and she quickly ran to her bed to pull out a handful of mistletoe from her bedside table. “Shall we find out?” Her swollen lips curled into a smirk.

The two enjoyed the rest of their Holiday at Shiz just like that, filled with warmth and wrapped in each other, eagerly awaiting their next school break.

——

I hope you all enjoy!! :)

[jbaileyfansite]

Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero in Shiz's University students portraits

[thenadnerb02]

This is my contribution to the Wicked fandom

[the-patchwork-girl-of-oz]

I actually kinda like wicked being two parts because sometimes I just wanna see my little university babies being happy at school without the emotional termoil of act 2, y’know?

[hornvey]

Guys I just got my shiz university acceptance letter!!!

It ended up getting marked as spam so learn from me and if you applied but haven’t gotten anything yet check your spam

[selfdesructivedisaster]

I’ve see this sentiment that Elphaba cares so deeply about animal rights because she was raised by Dulci-bear. Which is definitely a cute addition to Elphaba’s character, but I’ve seen people label this as her main motivation to help the animals and I’m like????? Are we watching the same movie ???

Guys, she’s not fighting for animal rights because she knew some of them. She’s fighting for animal rights because she knows all too well what it is like to BE one of them

She knows how it feels to be ridiculed by strangers who don’t know you, to be judged for actions you didn’t commit, to be hated for things out of your control!

She’s not fighting for the animals just because she likes them. She fighting for the animals because she basically IS one of them.

[enigma731]

tumblr sleuths, do we have any sense of how the dorms at Shiz are organized? like whether they're co-ed, whether the private suites are in a separate building, etc?