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

Chapter Seventeen: The Badminton tournament

I didn't think Scarecrow was serious but he was. He hosted the Badminton competition and there were maybe ten people who wanted to compete against me. Or at least I thought so. There was going to be a judge to determine who was the best player to go against me in the final round. No pressure. But I am getting curious about Scarecrow's secret project now. He won't let anyone in to have a look, not even Lion and Tinman. It must be a big secret if he's not even letting those two inside.

And no one can have a secret look when he isn't in there because he locks the door. It only makes you more curious. But he's not been in there today since it's the competition today. I was in my room getting dressed and making sure my hair was out of the way (A/N: Or nothing if you have short hair). Safe to say I was nervous about this. I've never done an actual competition before. But I can't let that affect my performance or something will go wrong or I'll lose. Losing isn't my concern right now. As I finished with my hair, there was a knock on my door. No surprise, it was Scarecrow.

"Are you ready?" Scarecrow asked smiling.

"I am. I'm just a little nervous, that's all," I said smiling.

"You're going to do great, I know you will. Just have fun and do your best."

"I will, don't worry. I'm ready for anything."

Or at least that's what I thought. We went down to the court where the competition was halfway done. I stayed with Scarecrow until it was time for me to face the other top player. It ended up being someone from a country I haven't been to so I couldn't say what he is. I was handed my racket and I walked out to the court. But my hand felt so itchy. Before the first serve, I gave it a quick itch and started the game. As the game went on, the itching just got worse on both hands to the point it was unbearable.

I think Scarecrow saw my discomfort and stopped the game from continuing. I dropped my racket and scratched my hands but it just wouldn't stop. I even rubbed them on my clothes but that didn't help at all. Scarecrow came over asking what was wrong. I told him the situation and he took me away. He told someone to look for anything suspicious that the other opponents brought in case they tried to sabotage me. I just couldn't stop the itching. Scarecrow told me to try and stop before I end up hurting myself.

It wasn't long before someone came back showing a bag of itching powder. Someone put that on my racket! Scarecrow took me somewhere to wash my hands and gave me new clothes since I rubbed my hands on my clothes. I got the powder off and it felt great to stop itching. Scarecrow gave me privacy so I could change into something else. Once I was dressed and made sure my hands were washed properly, I went to Scarecrow who wasn't looking happy. He told me it was the opponent that I was just playing with who did it. Why would he do that? To win?

Scarecrow offered to cancel the competition because of what happened but I told him no. I wanted to do this and, this time, we play by the rules and no sabotage. So, I was given a new racket and I went back to the court. The game started again and my opponent was easily getting beaten by me. I finally won the match and fairly this time! And my opponent had a rage moment at the fact he lost so I think I found the reason why he sabotaged me. He didn't want to lose because he doesn't take it well.

I was given a trophy for winning and this honestly felt very surreal. I gave Scarecrow a hug as a thank you for arranging this. After that day, we suddenly started to spend more time together. He would spend a few hours a day on his project in the morning while I'm asleep and at night when I go to bed. One time he even took me to a hill to just lay on the grass and stargaze for a while. He would tell me about the stars and point out patterns they all made. The stars were so much different here compared to back at home.

I couldn't find Orion anyway and he's easy to spot when you look up at the stars. I told him about that and he just seemed fascinated at how different our two worlds are. It was amazing how he was the genus but, when I say something about my world, he becomes an excited little boy, fully interested in what I had to say. It was like he was learning from me something he didn't know about and I guess he was. I'd love to show him everything but I'm pretty sure humanity isn't ready for a talking scarecrow. We soon just laid there and looked at the stars. But there is something I'm still curious about.

"Scarecrow?" 

"Yeah?" Scarecrow looked at me

"Is it true? What the Jester said about making the Rainbow Mover before he came into the picture?" I asked

Scarecrow sighed, "I suppose it's not much of a secret anymore. Yes, I did and I really wish he didn't mention that."

"You did it because you loved me and wanted me back. That's what he said anyway."

"I still love you. I just wanted to tell you how I felt even if you'd never feel the same which you don't. I'm still accepting that I have to let you choose who you love so I'm not pushing you to choose me just because I like you."

"When did you even know you liked me in that way?" I asked turning over on my stomach to look at him properly

"I started to read fantasy romance books and thought the whole 'Love at first sight' thing is what happened with us. I know now it wasn't and that real life is different."

"At least you know now. And I'll tell you if I have feelings for you when I'm ready."

"I'll wait and support your choice."

From there, we talked about other things before heading back to Emerald City. I won't lie when I say I am starting to feel something for Scarecrow but I don't know if it's just friendship or love. I'll wait a bit longer and find out which it is. But we'll just be friends in the meantime.