Love in Oz (Scarecrow x Reader (Wizard of Oz fanfiction))

Chapter Three: The Tinman

So, we walked and talked for a while before arriving at a little forest full of apple trees. As we had been walking a long way, we decided to pick some apples to eat. Dorothy picked one but the tree immediately snatched it back and hit her hand. The tree asked what she was doing. She started to explain when she realized the tree talked to her. Oh yeah, we're not in Kansas. The trees can talk. Of course, they can. I'm not surprised because we've been with a Scarecrow who wants a brain. Things cannot get stranger than that at this point.

Scarecrow told us to just move on and that we didn't want the apples. The tree asked if Scarecrow was hinting that his apples weren't what they ought to be. Nope, he just thought we didn't want apples with worms in them. That's true but that offended the tree. We ran off but Scarecrow continued to tease them so they threw apples at us. Well, that's one way to get them. We gathered as many apples as we could into Dorothy's basket. But Dorothy got our attention saying she found a man. A man made out of tin holding an axe!

We walked over to see this tinman. As we investigated, he tried to speak but his mouth wouldn't move. But we worked out that he was trying to say 'oil can'. There was one nearby so we used that on his mouth and he could talk again. It seems like he's been there a long time. We oiled more places on him where he asked and he became less stiff. As Dorothy oiled his arms, the arm with the axe went down almost hitting his foot.

"Did that hurt?" I asked

"No, it feels wonderful," Tinman said relieved, "I've held that axe up for ages."

"Goodness! How did you ever get like this?" Dorothy asked

"Well, about a year ago, I was chopping that tree, when suddenly it began to rain. And right in the middle of the chop, I rusted solid. And I've been that way ever since," He explained

We oiled his joints a bit more

"Well, you're perfect now," Dorothy said

"Perfect? Bang on my chest if you think I'm perfect. Go ahead, bang on it!" He told us

I banged on it only for an echo to come back

"Beautiful! What an echo!" Scarecrow said smiling

"It's empty. The tinsmith forgot to give me a heart," Tinman said sadly

"No heart?" We asked

"No heart. All hollow," He tapped his chest and fell backward but we helped him, 'When a man's an empty kettle, He should be on his mettle, and yet I'm torn apart. Just because I'm presuming that I could be kind of human if I only had a heart. I'd be tender, I'd be gentle, and awful sentimental regarding love and art, I'd be friends with a sparrows, and the boy who shoots the arrows if I only had a heart. Picture me, a balcony above a voice sings low.'

'Wherefore art thou, Romeo?' a voice asked

'I hear a beat. How sweet! Just to register emotion. Jealousy, devotion. And really feel the part. I could stay young and chipper and I lock it with a zipper if I only had a heart.'

Tinman started walking while his legs were rusted. Dorothy oiled his knees. As Tinman continued to walk, Scarecrow oiled his other knee. Tinman walked backwards but began dancing as the three of us watched in delight. Dorothy, me, and Scarecrow then whispered to each other and we nod. We were discussing whether we should take Tinman with us to get a heart from the wizard. As Tinnan leaned sideways, Dorothy, me, and Scarecrow try to catch him but he saved himself. That continued for a moment until Tinman stumbled back to sit down.

"Oh! Are you all right?" Dorothy asked

"I'm afraid, I'm a little rusty yet," Tinman said

She oiled his joints again

"That was wonderful! You know, we were just wondering why couldn't you come with us to the Emerald City to ask the Wizard of Oz for a heart," I said

"Well, suppose the Wizard wouldn't give me one when we got there," Tinman said

"Oh, but he will! He must! We've come such a long way already," Dorothy said

The Wicked Witch cackled madly as she stood on the roof of a cabin nearby

"You call that long? Why, you've just begun! Helping the little ladies along, are you, my fine gentlemen? Well, stay away from them," She looked at Scarecrow, "or I'll stuff a mattress with you!" and to Tinman, "And you! I'll use you for a beehive! Here, Scarecrow. Wanna play ball?"

The witch threw down a ball of fire to the ground which set it on fire. Scarecrow jumped away in fear almost burning. I got him away as Tinman put the fire out with his hat funnel. The witch cackled before she disappeared behind a cloud of red smoke. I helped Scarecrow up.

"I'm not afraid of her. I'll see you two get safely to the Wizard, whether I get a brain or not! Stuff a mattress with me!" Scarecrow scoffed

"I'll see you two reach the Wizard, whether I get a heart or not. Beehive! Bah! Let her try and make a beehive out of me!" Tinman said

"Oh, you're the best friends anybody ever had. And it's funny, but I feel as if I've known you all the time. But I couldn't have, could I?" Dorothy asked

"I don't see how. You weren't around when I was stuffed and sewn together, were you?" Scarecrow asked

"And I was standing over there rusting for the longest time," Tinman said

"Still, I wish I could remember," Dorothy said

"But I guess it doesn't matter anyway. We know each other now don't we?" I asked smiling

"That's right," Scarecrow said smiling

"We do," Tinman said smiling

"To Oz?"

"To Oz!"

We're off again! Deeper into the forest we go to see the Wizard. I'm surprised the boys aren't scared at the fact that the witch did threaten them and are still willing to help us. Well, I suppose that's friendship and dedication for you. Well, It's the best friendship I've had aside from Dorothy and I love it. And I'll happily help them get what they want. They deserve it.