Chapter Text
Students were chatting and creating noise as everyone headed to history with Dr Dillamond. Galinda was complaining to Boq about Dr Dillamond mispronouncifying her name, Fiyero moved out a table for Nessa to get in. As soon as Boq saw Dr Dillamond, he excused himself from Galinda “oh Dr Dillamond! I picked some poppies for you!” He didn’t look happy to see him, who happy in general, which worried Boq “not now, Mr Boq. Everyone, please, take your seats” he furrowed his brow confused and went to sit down “please, everyone! I have something to say in very little time” he sat next to Elphaba, who stroked his knuckles. He was confused, what was going on? Why did Dr Dillamond seem so worried? He put the boutique of flowers on his desk as Dr Dillamond spoke up again “my dear students, this will be my last day at Shiz” murmur, whispers and gasps started to spread around the classroom “you see… animals… animals are no longer permitted to teach” what? No, what? That… no… “what..?!” Elphaba gripped his shoulder in a comforting manner, her brows furrowed in worry “it’s alright, Mr Boq, I’ll be alright…” before he could finish speaking, a shrill whistle started from the door of the classroom, making a few students cover their ears. Suddenly, guards stormed in, followed by Miss Coddle, who seemed very calm about this whole situation “students, please remain calm, there is no cause for alarm” Boq shoved off Elphaba and stood up, feeling anger start to rise in his chest “what is this? What’s going on?!” The guards started to grab Dr Dilamond’s horns, dragging him “let him go!” He rounded his desk, rushing to Dr Dillamond, but was stopped by Miss Coddle “sit down, Mr Boq” he gave her a defiant look “you can’t do this” she smiled, clapping her hands together “I’m afraid it’s out of our hands” the guard dragged Dr Dillamond out of the classroom so roughly, his glasses fell off and broke “Dr Dillamond!” He ran after, picking up his glasses and being stopped by a guard. The rest of the guards continued to drag Dr Dillamond out of the classroom, who was shouting now and yelling out in pain and discomfort “that is quite enough, Mr Boq. Take your seat” he gave her a angry look and reluctantly returned to his desk. Elphie helped him down, asking if he’s ok. He gulped, sitting down shaken
-•
“students, your new history professor has prepared a special presentation for you today” then, the new professor came in, pushing in front of him a cage on a trolley. He stopped in the middle of the classroom, clearing his throat “good afternoon, class” a few students murmured in response and Fiyero scoffed. He didn’t wait and threw off a red velvet covering, revealing a clearly frightened lion cub. He became even more frightened when the professor banged his ruler against the gold bars “now this, students, is called a cage. This marvellous thing is for the good of all Oz, and for the good of all of Oz’s animals. You see-“
“He doesn’t look very happy to be in there” the professor gave a awkward smile and continued to speak “now, one of the benefits of caging an animal this young is that they will never learn to speak. The size of the cage will vary depending on the animal it’s holding, but the general design will remain the same” Boq could feel anger and disbelief rising. This wasn’t right, how could his professor just do this to this poor creature like it’s nothing? He imagined every animal, including Dr Dillamond, trapped in cages and not ever speaking. His hands shook “Boq..?” He ignored Elphaba’s concern, gripping the desk “this is wrong, we have to do something!” Galinda gave him a look “I’m sorry… we?”he grabbed the poppies “well someone has to do something!” And he threw them down. Suddenly, the poppies from the boutique started to float up, their pollen created a mist. They spun in the air slowly and around the classroom, and one by one, students started to fall asleep. He looked around the classroom breathing heavily. Everyone had fallen asleep except for him and Fiyero “what is happening.. did… did you do this?” Boq looked at his hands shakingly. Oh Oz, he was out of control. Fiyero jumped up, going to the cage “I… I didn’t mean to- Fiyero what are you doing?” He didn’t answer, picking up the lion cub and gently tucking him into his blazer “well? Are you coming?” He let out a sigh and nodded, following Fiyero out the classroom
-•
He followed Fiyero into a forest and Fiyero jumped up on a tree trunk “ok, we could go… this way… or… erm… that way!” Boq looked in both directions “don’t squeeze him” he contemplated which way to go “I’m not! You think I’m really stupid aren’t you?”
“No, not really stupid” he rolled his eyes and looked down at the cub, adjusting him “oh I think he’s waking up…” Boq looked up at where Fiyero was. The cub was indeed waking up and they couldn’t let him loose anywhere. The cub then scratched Fiyero, making him fall back. Boq stifled a laugh and helped him up “ok ok give him here”
“He’s wriggling…”
“Well you’re holding him too tight…”
“He’s a wriggler” Boq softly chuckled and took the cub, setting him down by a nearby lake. He gently stroked his back as Fiyero took off his blazer and rolled up his sleeves “why is it that you’re always causing some kind of commotion?” Boq’s insecurities started to sink in and be looked at his reflection in the water, sighing “I don’t cause commotions, not by purpose. Besides, I’m the commotion” Fiyero softly chuckled “you care too much, Boq” maybe. Maybe he did. Maybe things would be a lot better if Boq didn’t care, just kept his mouth shut and moved on. But he couldn’t. His heart simply wouldn’t let him “I know…. I know that my life would be so much simpler if I didn’t care but… I can’t help but caring” Fiyero stopped rolling up his sleeves as Boq stood up, turning to him “besides, you could’ve just left this cub in that cage back there, but you didn’t” Fiyero shrugged “so..?” Boq sighed and continued “so, no matter how shallow and self-absorbed you pretend to be-“ Fiyero put up a finger “uh, excuse me, sugar. There is no pretending here. I happen to be deeply self-absorbed and genuinely shallow” Boq scoffed, did this man think he was fooling anyone? Let alone, him? “Really? Because the man I saw back in that classroom wasn’t shallow and self-absorbed” Fiyero stepped closer, looking into Boq’s eyes “maybe you have an effect on me…” Boq felt his heart beat and he quickly knelt back down next to the cub. Fiyero chuckled softly and knelt down next to him. They sat in silence for a couple minutes before Fiyero spoke up “what did you mean to do back then…?” Boq looked at Fiyero, who seemed serious all a sudden. He noticed that the cut given to him by the cub was bleeding “you’re bleeding…” he gently lifted his hand to Fiyero’s temple. Fiyero flinched back, making Boq bring his hand back. He sighed and tried again, gently using his thumb to stroke away blood. He ended up cupping Fiyero’s cheek and Fiyero said nothing, just looked at him. Boq could feel his heart pounding, he was touching Fiyero. And fiyero didn’t look disgusted. He wasn’t pushing Boq away and keeping his distance. It felt… right. Fiyero suddenly pulled away “I…I better get the cub to safety” Boq watched Fiyero stand up and pick up the cub, who made a noise of protest. Fiyero disappeared into the bushes, leaving Boq alone. Boq looked at his reflection again, studying his black curls and green skin. Maybe… maybe he could let his feelings for Fiyero show? Maybe Fiyero could like him back? If he admitted to himself or Fiyero that he had feelings, what would happen? He held himself, tears starting in his eyes. No, no he couldn’t. Fiyero would never accept him, just him, all of him. And why would he? Boq was nothing compared to Fiyero, he was just some Munchkin with strange powers and green skin. Whilst Fiyero… well, he was a prince. He want someone worthy. Boq gripped himself into a self-hug, crying now… “I’m not that boy”