37The trip ended up being longer than expected. It rained in the land of Oz, something that did not happen too often. The Scarecrow assured his people that everything was going to be alright but Dorothy could see beyond his words. He was scared, just as he had been whenever they faced the Wicked Witch.
Except this time it wasn't the Witch, it was her son. Or so the people said. She really did not know what to believe anymore among all the turmoil that the rain had caused. Some said it was some type of revenge.
"The son will drown us with water in the same way we killed his mother with water."
Most of their entourage panicked and some cried. They all looked awfully worried. All of them except for Hunk, who still had that skeptical and confused look on his face. Dorothy found it endearing. Even calming. Everyone seemed to be frightened but not Hunk. Most of the time he looked like he just wanted some canned beans and perhaps some coffee in the mornings.
Mayhaps it was because he never had to face the terrible Witch to begin with. Even so, the auburn-haired girl found some peace when around him.
Or well, whenever she got to be around him.
Scarecrow would usually take her by the hand and take off running. They would disappear into the forest only to end up across a beautiful waterfall or even an entire town made out of cotton candy. Well, what was left of it after the rain. They all made sure to aid with rebuilding. Hunk was just content to be able to do something besides standing there while looking lost.
Just a few days before reaching the City, Hunk had been helping some townsfolk with the bridge that connected the major's town hall to the rest of the place. To the small villagers the river seemed like a bottomless abyss, but to Hunk it was nothing more than an ankle-deep pond.
The people looked so surprised that Dorothy believed that they might just replace her as their mighty goddess with her farmhand friend. The attention of so many people around him as he worked made said farmhand blush a bit. The redness in his neck only grew deeper when he noticed that Dorothy was also gazing at him from afar.
She noticed too and gave him an enthusiastic wave, as if to motivate him. It worked, more or less, since he almost hit his own thumb with the hammer. The smallfolk giggled along with Dorothy and in that moment she truly believed they would just start to build a statue for her friend.
"I'm sorry this hasn't been the perfect trip for you, Dorothy." A voice she easily identified came from behind. Scarecrow appeared with an apologetic smile on his face and two flasks of what looked like apple juice. Her hands moved to take it thankfully. Despite the rain, it was awfully hot in the open lands.
"It's not your fault." The girl said after taking a courteous sip of the beverage. It tasted freshly made and while it was not exactly cold, her dry throat appreciated the liquid. "I wouldn't say it's anyone's fault, to be honest."
"Most people around think it's the Witch's son."
"Do you also share their beliefs?"
Despite everything Scarecrow had lived through during their magical adventure with the Witch, the newly discovered logic in his brain made him leery. "Maybe. I'm unsure yet. That's why I wanted your help."
"I thought you wanted to marry me." Dorothy whispered shyly, half a question and half an affirmation. Her eyes quickly glanced back at Hunk to make sure he was still out of earshot. Indeed he was, now working alongside some tiny men who had climbed on his shoulders.
Oz's King didn't hesitate to answer, a tint of pride in his voice. "That too. I mean, if you want to, of course."
"Oh, Scarecrow. I'm terribly sorry for what happened back in Munchkinland. It was all just very sudden and did not know how to react."
Besides, Hunk was right there. There was no need to emphasize that though.
"Don't fret, Dorothy. I don't blame ya'. I think I would've reacted the same way." Scarecrow laughed. He took his now empty glass and grazed the back of her hand just for a quick instant. The gentle touch was just like she remembered from all those years back. But at the same time it also felt identical to Hunk's soft and sometimes accidental touches on her arms or hands. It confused her to no end and Scarecrow was quickly to notice so. "Are you alright, dear?"
"I'm okay." She nodded with a reassuring smile on her delicate features. The King was about to press into the matter, but a far-away order from one of the generals urging the pack to move saved her from any more questions.
Deciding to let the matter go, Scarecrow gave a strong nod and spoke softly. "I will see you back there, alright? Don't wander too far away where the guards can't see you."
"Of course."
The King was escorted back to his carriage as everyone was getting ready to depart again. Men were waking up from their naps, others were coming back from a quick bath in the river, others were still up on trees collecting fruits. Dorothy took it all in with delight. After so many years of yearning, she was finally back to behold such a view.
She thought of Oz as not only her dream but her home at heart too. But if it was, but did it not feel entirely right?
A presence distracted her from the deep thoughts. Turning back, she found Hunk proudly holding a basket full of oranges, apples, and some grapes. He had a few of those in his mouth and struggled to speak, grape juice escaping the side of his mouth and falling on his already wet old-shirt.
"Look, Dorothy." He finally managed. "The villagers here are great. I think they all believe I'm some sor' of god."
The chocolate-eyed girl laughed, taking an apple and biting it. The juice had been sweet, but the apple was sweeter. "I believe they do. I think think anybody had been able to fix that for them before."
"Aye. I'm startin' to see why ya' like this place so much. These are great." He pointed at their meal excitedly, only making Dorothy chuckle louder. Her hand flew to cover her mouth as she now too struggle to chew. "I'd even ask ya' if we could stay a lil' bit longer."
That made her heart skip a beat. The idea of staying with Hunk in a small village in Oz as he helped the townsfolk and in return they built a house for the two of them made her start daydreaming instantly.
What if, she thought, neither Kansas nor Oz are home. What if it's a combination of both at the same time?
Hunk's voice brought her back to reality. "I think we have to go. If we don't they'll try to have me arrested again for trying to kidnap ya' or somethin'."
"Yes. Yes. Of course."
Her arm circled his, a habit that had grown in both of them since their attempt at running away back in Kansas. They both would be lying if they said they still didn't feel a tad shy by the action, but they seemed to be growing more comfortable with it.
With the basket still full in Hunk's free hand, the pair walked their way back to the main road. Skipping down the hill from the pathway had been easy and even fun, but climbing back up was proving itself to be a risk, especially with the muddy ground after the storm. There was an official entrance to the village but that was farther away and they did want to delay the King's departure any longer.
Dorothy slipped a few times but Hunk was already there and ready to catch her while still holding the food in hand.
"I got ya'. Don't worry." He would always say.
The farmhand also lost his footing here and there, and the girl did her best to keep him from hitting the dirt entirely. In the end, they both were able to emerge from the damned hill unharmed except for their clothes. Dorothy's dress was ruined, her shoes full of mud, her hair stained.
Hunk's poor attire was no better. Already destroyed from their violent landing and long journey, his shirt was nothing but half a piece of fabric miserably hanging from his shoulders, his pants smeared in mud and holes. The shoes had been long forgotten and were lying somewhere down the hill.
Staring at her friend's half-naked tragic state, Dorothy couldn't help but laugh louder than he had even heard her. The shame he felt was overpowered by the happiness he felt by being able to make her so joyful. He was starting to feel cold though.
The commotion caught the attention of some guards who went to check what was going on. At the sight, their swords were unsheathed. "What did you do to her majesty the saviour?"
"Oh, come on." The man complained.
"No. No. It's fine." Dorothy insisted in-between laughs. "I'm okay. Truly."
Scarecrow appeared behind his men, mounting a brown horse whose color matched the one of his straw. When his eyes landed on her, worry was drawn on his features. "Dorothy. My gods, what happened?"
"It was-" She attempted. "It was the hill. We fell. I'm sorry to trouble you, dear Scarecrow. I'm fine."
Her straw-friend jumped off of the horse in such a gallant manner that Hunk's confidence stung a tiny bit. There he was, a so-called man who looked like him but was a king. And there he himself was, an idiot who didn't even have a shirt on. He ran his hand through his hair in an attempt to make himself look as charming only to feel the wet dirt gluing itself to his head.
"Well, I'm glad you're not harmed but you cannot continue our journey in those rags. They're not worthy of ya'. Or your friend's."
That took Hunk by surprise. Since their little meeting back in Munchkinland the pair of twins had subconsciously decided to ignore each other. They'd been successful so far and comfortable. But their mutual friend was meant to ultimately force them to interact, it had been meant to happen sooner or later.
The guy was being nice to him and Hunk didn't want to seem like an asshole. "Yeah. That woul' be great, I guess."
With a swift snap of his fingers, that was seen by the guards instead of heard, a new set of clothes was delivered to the three of them. Scarecrow had been precautionary and brought along five set of magnificent dresses for Dorothy, each one with three replicas in different sizes to make sure one would fit just right.
At the scene, Dorothy beamed with glee and hugged the Scarecrow tightly. "These are beautiful!" She exclaimed and took her three favorite ones before jumping into a carriage. The windows were pulled down and she began to change.
Scarecrow and Hunk were left outside, awkwardly standing face to face. The Kansas boy swung back and forth as the Oz regal inspected him from head to toes. Another snap and something was brought right away.
"This might fit you just right."
"I'll try it out. Thanks."
"Of course."
More silence followed.
A guard coughed.
"Maybe you could try it out. If it doesn't fit I can surely find something else for you."
"Ah." Hunk blinked. "Yea'. True."
Dorothy was inside anyway and by the looks of it she was going to take her time. The young man ripped the rest of his shirt off and went behind a tree to take his torn pants off as well. He did his best to clean the dirt away with little success.
The clothes he'd been given were military ones. It was not a surprise for him since there were no other men in sight that did not belong to the Oz army. This one did not look as flashy as the bulky and fluffy green coats the rest were wearing though, thankfully.
It was still green but the shade did not hurt his eyes. He proceeded to put on a white long-sleeved shirt that he buttoned all the way up. The breeches were a more creamy color and tighter, something he did not appreciate around his thighs. The vest was green along with its buttons and so was the long coat with the word Oz embroidered on the left side around the chest.
A pair of a darker shade of green boots completed the look. They were his favorite item. For days he had to walk with thin-sole shoes and even without them. The thick shoes were more than welcomed by his tired and wounded feet. There was a large hat too but he was not about to put it on. He preferred to keep his old ruined one. It was the only memory of Kansas, the only grasp back to reality he was still holding onto. He was not going to let it go.
When he reappeared from behind the tree, Dorothy was already out the carriage and twirling on the spot with such elengacy that it quite literally made him swoon for a second.
She was wearing a long green dress that reached her calves. The green was brighter than his but he did not mind the strong hue. It had long sleeves made out of thin and transparent fabric that allowed her arms to be seen with white lace sewn at the edges. The center-piece, the bodice, was adorned with jewelry and diamonds, all a different tone of green. Her shoes were simpler than his but still made for travel. Thick, white slippers that looked comfortable enough to either walk or ride.
Dorothy looked like the perfect picture of a princess and Hunk couldn't do more than to stare in awe.
His mind didn't register the moment she ran to him and took his arm. "Look at you. You look so handsome." The excited girl said, studying the man next to her. "Although we could do something about the hair."
The joke made Hunk snap out of his dreamy-like state. He wasn't sure how long he'd been standing there looking like a dumbass, but by the time he came crashing back to reality, Scarecrow and his men were already gone and the first wagons were starting to move.
His eyes quickly flew to meet Dorothy's own. "You-" He stuttered. "Ya' look very beautiful, Dorothy."
She tried her best to hide the blush on her cheeks to no avail. Hunk didn't mind. He was sure he looked like one of the apples he still had secured in his little basket too. It was a mutual feeling, he realized soon enough. It was as if his brain was starting to work again, slowly but surely.
"Let's move!" One of the guards screamed from the front lines.
"Come one." Dorothy urged with a smile, pulling Hunk by the arm and guiding him into the carriage she'd just been occupying. He gleefully followed, extending a careful hand to help her jump into it before he did.
Once inside, the rest started to move and the wheels at the sides made the small coach shake. Thunder roared in the sky and another storm approached quickly.
It was just a matter of a few more hours before they reached the Emerald City. But for the first time, Hunk didn't mind if they took just a little bit longer.
Author's Notes: Well, following this story has excited me a lot. By the way, I envision Dorothy as Judy in Meet Me in St. Louis, more or less, in this story and more specifically this chapter. And Hunk as younger, of course. I will try to keep on updating this story until I finish it. It's still a long way to go but I will try. Reviews are always welcomed! I will also try to upload this to AO3 to have another site to have it filed into.
