Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The Reckoning is upon us, splattered across the weathered brick of a concrete wall. The very same barrier meant to protect some ten thousand people from what lies on the other side, now used to spew rhetoric born almost twenty years ago to the day.

“Elphaba Thropp will die today,” Morrible spoke into the crowd with a pointed gaze. She continued, “And you all will have the pleasure of witnessing it, here in this very square. For she has been a cancer on our society since the day she was conceived and now WE no longer have to live in fear.” Her words seemed to give life to the already rowdy display of townsfolk. Their cheers and chants only energized Morrible as she stood perched on the stage in the center of the town square, one hand gripping the braids of a restrained Elphaba. She was a mere two inches or so taller than the emerald skinned young woman, but the authority with which she spoke made her more grand and overbearing than even the tallest of people.

“She’s wicked, kill her,” chants roared through the square.

Elphaba grimaced. She wouldn’t give a single soul the satisfaction of seeing her sweat, especially not Madame Morrible. The woman who’d been leading the brigade of terror against her alongside Highmaster Arduenna. He who sits in the biggest house, in the center of the town, at the center of this world. She gritted her teeth as their eyes connected from across the way. Elphaba watched him on his balcony accompanied by his wife, Larena Arduenna, and their extremely intolerable daughter… Galinda Upland. On the shoulder of Galinda, a small, blue monkey sat perched. Blue; a monkey Elphaba knew well.

“When they find out you’re lying they’ll never forgive you,” Elphaba spoke only to Morrible. “They will never love you the way they love him.”

She smiled in satisfaction just as her braids were yanked back towards Morrible.

“I don’t need their love. I need their respect.” A half truth spoken directly into Elphaba’s ear. She flinched away and pulled at the ropes around her wrists. Realistically she knew Morrible cared very little about the people of Oz, she cared only about power and had aligned herself with the Uplands to get it. Highmaster to be exact. His sole purpose had been to get rid of Elphaba since the day the rumor of a green baby’s birth spread across town. He claimed to be “keeping the town safe” because her verdigris may be contagious. Though no other reports of green people have been found, ever.

The day of her eighteenth birthday, the order was put out. She was wanted dead or alive and a reward would be given to whomever turned her body in. For a whole year now Elphaba has been on her own, fighting to stay alive. Never getting the chance to be a teenager or to do things the same way as the other people her age. The worst of those people being Galinda Upland.

The perky blonde girl stood next to her father, her eyes glued on Elphaba. They’d never spoken but knew each other fondly. Everyone knew the only heir to the rights of leadership in Oz, and everyone knew of the green girl who lurked around in the shadows.

Elphaba frowned towards Galinda. She hated her. And no one hated her, no one except Elphaba.

Distracted momentarily by another yank of her hair, Elphaba yelped out in pain as she was dragged by her hair to her knees. In her tumble to the ground, her wrists flexed. The flimsy rope shifted and she knew it’d give if she pulled hard enough.

“Her green skin is but an outward manifestorium of her twisted nature,” Morrible started.

“Are you done?” Elphaba said.

Before she could even look up, the wind was knocked out of her by the Oz Guard to her left. His boot jammed right into her side.

The people of Oz cheered! From her vantage point Elphaba could see what she perceived to be genuine joy at her demise. People yelled and screamed in every direction, hoping to get a rise out of her.

“Silence!” Morrible overpowered them. In an instant, thunderclouds rolled in and a hard downpour started. People began to get antsy, looking for cover in a panic. Elphaba glanced up to see Morrible growing more frantic as she tried to still the crowd. The Oz Guard followed suit trying to get everyone situated, but between the mass hysteria of a live execution and an already provoked crowd there was no use.

Elphaba sat, drenched, on her knees and watched the panic. She waited for the guard to her left to focus on the crowd. He was occupied with two men who seemed to be having a disagreement about something Elphaba didn’t care to listen for. She glanced back up to where the Uplands used to be; the balcony now empty and properly soaked.

She took a deep breath then pulled her arms full force apart and just like she thought, the ropes snapped. She rushed to her feet, knocking Morrible down in the process. Her wrists burned and her knees ached but she ran as fast as her body count handle. She knew the Oz Guard was faster than her but she was small and agile and that would be her advantage.

With the chaos unfolding in the square no one seemed to notice her charging through the crowd. The storm poured down aggressively as thunder roared through the sky.
Elphaba had no idea if anyone was following her because she hadn’t dared to look. Too afraid that if she did, they’d be close and she’d lose steam. Fear was coursing through her veins but her will to be free was stronger. She ducked into a building she knew well: an old bakery she often stole from.

“There! She’s over there!” She heard from somewhere behind her.

She ran past the tables, knocking over chairs as she went towards the back. The back entrance led to an alleyway that would lead her to the outskirts of town. There she had the upper hand, the forest served as her home as of late. Out the back door she turned right and ran past old buildings with chipped paint and mold growing along the walls.

Most of the town looked this way. Human civilization had been confined to live within the stone walls of Oz for upwards of one hundred years. That was when the illness started, when people became different, brainless even. Some hollow and tin-like. The illness affected anyone who came in contact with someone already infected. Those people lost the ability to speak, presented minimal brain function, and were aggressive. They attacked the healthy, turning some and killing others. There was no method, no reason, no understanding. Still one hundred years later, there’s been minimal progress. The healthy live within the walls of Oz while the unhealthy remain in control of the vast majority of what’s left of the world.

Oz now stood, one hundred years outdated in both thought and structure. Buildings were falling apart because construction workers and carpenters were few and far between. Medical supplies were limited, so health was of the utmost importance. Pregnancy was now a high risk for every mother and mortality rates were climbing higher.

So, twenty years ago, when Highmaster heard of a green baby born into this world by a newly rescued woman. He knew he had to protect his already ailing town. However, there was a rule in place. Children shall never be killed in Oz. So he issued a warning that if she was ever seen, it was to be reported to him. Well she never was, in eighteen years, ever spotted by anyone other than her sister, Nessarose, and father, Frexspar.

On her eighteenth birthday, she was put out by her father, and a new order was issued: Elphaba Thropp wanted dead or alive. Reward. Now one year since then, here she was running through a storm to save her own life.

The rain poured down harder and lightning cracked through the atmosphere. Her glasses were filled with water and while she could see without them, she certainly saw far better with them. She yanked the accessory off her face and shoved it into the pocket of the green hoodie she was wearing. Now with her eyes working at only eighty percent capacity, she missed the uneven pavement beneath her feet and fell against her arms as she braced herself. She took the opportunity to look back only being able to make out the royal blue uniforms of the Oz Guard gaining on her.

“Shit!” She groaned as she came to her feet, not noticing the hole in the elbow of her hoodie.

She turned a hard right then a quick left around the corner of an abandoned house. It was a straight away from here to the forest. Her feet moved faster than they ever have before. Her lungs weren’t getting enough air and she felt like she could pass out at any second, but she continued. If she had air, she would’ve sighed in relief as her feet crossed into the dirt, but alas in her breathless state all she could do was think about relief.

“Where did she go?”

Elphaba ran over the bridge that crossed the smaller part of the creek, the place she’d been showering for a year now. The wood creaked beneath her but the rain drowned out the noise she was so familiar with. Past the creek there was a small hill with an oddly placed rock that created a ledge of sorts. In one swift motion, she slid underneath the overhang knowing they wouldn’t be able to see her from the other side of the creek.

“Fuck! You lost her!” She heard one of the men say.

“Me? You were closer.”

“She’s not gonna like this.” The “she” Elphaba assumed was Morrible.

Her eyes shut tightly as her chest rose and fell at a quickened pace. She wasn’t sure if she was crying or just wet from the storm, but she wiped the liquid from her face and pulled her glasses out her pocket.

“Fuck!” She whisper-yelled at the glass fragments in her hand. Her favorite pair of gold glasses reduced to nothing but frames in her palm.

Ten more minutes she sat under that ledge in quiet anticipation of being found, but after long enough with no other noises besides the rain she peeked her head out to look around to see nothing other than trees and greenery. The adrenaline she was feeling began to come down and now her lungs had too much air; she was freezing. Her lips quivered and her teeth clattered as she walked back across the bridge towards the abandoned house she’d been calling home. The house was just before the creek blocked by trees, but close enough to the outskirts of town that someone wandering may have seen it before. Luckily for her, the public was deathly terrified of becoming like the people outside the wall, so they seldom wandered.

She pushed the old, creaky door open to see that the rain had penetrated the walls and the broken windows. She sighed but remained unsurprised. In all fairness, even when it wasn’t raining the house was always oddly cold. Today was exceptionally brutal, but she would happily accept the cover than to be cold out in the open. She walked through the living room which consisted of a dusty sofa with holes in it and more fabric tears than it had proper upholstery. Straight through the threshold was the kitchen where she pulled her soaked hoodie off and threw it on the counter in the kitchen. The counters were covered in wood chips and dust despite her best efforts to clean over the last year. No matter how hard she tried, the broken windows always allowed for more debris to come in.

“Chistery Arduenna Upland!”

Elphaba ducked behind the wall of the kitchen. She knew that voice— annoying perky and undoubtedly pink…

“Get back here!”

It was only then that Elphaba heard Blue, his pants growing increasingly closer to her. She knew before he even came into her view that this was very bad for her. His tiny footsteps grew quicker and then she heard the door creak open.

“Chistery!” Galinda cried out.

The girl’s steps were soft and slow; she was unsure— probably afraid, that much Elphaba knew. Without hesitation she bursted out from behind the wall to grab Galinda by her shoulders and pinned her to the wall.

“Get off me!” Galinda screamed.

Elphaba’s grip was firm. An arm across both her shoulders and the other covering her mouth. “Stop yelling.”

Galinda squirmed against her for a few more seconds then gave up with a huff. She nodded slowly.

The second Elphaba dropped the hand from her mouth, Galinda shoved Elphaba back as hard as she could. “This shirt is one of my favorites, and you’ve gotten it all dirty!”

The shirt clung to her skin. It was perfectly pink with ruffles along the bottom, and rightfully soaked like the rest of her attire and hair. It was hardly something to look at when it wasn’t wet in Elphaba’s opinion.

Elphaba’s brow raised as she let Galinda feel powerful. “This one?”

Galinda’s brows furrowed, then she cleared her throat trying to regain her composure, “Yes. This one,” she mocked Elphaba. “Where’s my monkey? You stole him!”

Elphaba scoffed, “I did not steal any monkey.”

“I saw him come here. Give him back,” Galinda crossed her arms and puffed her chest out. She was exactly as Elphaba imagined her to be up close: entitled, but unexpectedly even more beautiful.

“Is your monkey about ye’ high?” Elphaba gestured to the size of Blue. “And blue?”

Galinda nodded, “See, I knew you had him!”

“Your monkey’s in the window, princess.”

Galinda opened her mouth to respond, then frowned. “I’m not a princess.”

“Your father is—”

“Yes, thank you for the history lesson. I’m not him. If I was, I would’ve called the Oz Guard here.”

Elphaba gulped, “Aren’t you going to?”

Galinda tilted her head, taking an assessment of Elphaba as she looked her up and down. “No.”

“Why?”

“Because it’s my father who wants you, not me.”

Galinda took a step closer and Elphaba took one back. “I’m not a threat to you,” Galinda reasoned.

“You expect me to believe you? I saw you watching me about to be killed.”

Galinda rolled her eyes, “Legal obligations blah blah.” She then turned towards Blue, “You get over here. You’re in big trouble!”

Blue jumped down from the window sill and went straight to Elphaba, hopping into her arms and covering his eyes in mock fear.

Galinda stomped her foot as Elphaba snickered. “You don’t think I’m serious?”

Chistery stuck his tongue out at Galinda then climbed up to sit on Elphaba’s neck.

“Hmm seems like he doesn’t care,” Elphaba taunted Galinda. Getting the girl riled up was very thrilling for her.

“You hush!” Galinda dismissed Elphaba just as everyone always had, but this felt different to Elphaba. It felt less rooted in disdain for her and more in annoyance with Blue.

“Chist, you could’ve gotten me killed. I had to chase you through town with all that’s going on today.”

Elphaba interjected, “He’s a monkey.”

Blue smacked the top of her head. Galinda giggled.

“Ow! Okay, sorry. Fight your own battles then,” Elphaba said, pulling Blue off her neck and lowering him to the ground.

“See, he doesn’t like you either,” Galinda stated proudly.

“He loves me. We banter,” Elphaba rebutted.

Galinda rolled her eyes, “How long has he been sneaking out anyway?”

Elphaba shrugged, “Couple months.”

Galinda nodded but her gaze was focused on something else; Elphaba’s side guarded by her arm. Between the boot and the fall, she was feeling the effects and had subconsciously begun to hold it in an attempt to ease the pain.

Galinda hesitated, “You should find somewhere better to stay.”

Elphaba scoffed. The nerve of the girl whose father is the reason she’s in this hellhole to begin with. “And where do you suggest?”

Confusion struck Galinda’s face almost as if she didn’t mean to offend Elphaba. As if her suggestion, in her mind, was a good one. “I don’t know. Somewhere with actual windows.”

“Go away,” Elphaba said. Her irritation with Galinda rose every time she opened her mouth. In a few minutes she’d been ambushed, accused of being a thief, and given quite possibly the most thoughtless advice she’d ever heard.

Galinda frowned. “Why are you upset?”

At this, Elphaba took a step into Galinda’s space. “Why am I— why am I upset? I was set to be murdered today! Do you know what that means? Thousands of people cheered for me to stop breathing and you want to know why I’m upset?”

Elphaba’s eyes poured rage into Galinda’s. Her fist were clenched at her sides, she had a very low tolerance for ignorance. Galinda oozed privilege and misunderstanding. There was no world in which they ever got along, Elphaba was sure of it.

“Okay, you’re right,” Galinda matched Elphaba’s rage with calmness. The rain clattered against the old wood as she noticed Elphaba’s clenched fists. “Maybe I should just come back later.”

“C- come back? Why would you— do you hear yourself when you speak?” Elphaba said.

“I’m coming back,” Galinda started as she turned away. “Without the Oz Guards. Just me,” she added hurriedly. “Chistery, let’s go.”

———

The sun beamed down onto the grass fields of Oz creating the perfect weather for a day outside which Galinda and her friends happily took advantage of. They’d set up a picnic blanket with snacks and outside activities like frisbee and volleyball. It was herself, Shenshen, Pfannee, Fiyero, and a few of his friends whose names escaped Galinda despite having spent a considerable amount of time with them as she was unfortunately Fiyero’s girlfriend. She liked the boy just fine and he seemed to like her as well… a lot. They’d been dating for a year or so; he asked her to be his girlfriend on her seventeenth birthday to which she responded with a gleeful head nod. Since then they’ve gone on countless dates and had plenty of sleepovers somehow managing to only garner the attention of the especially nosy folks in the town.
More than anything, they were good friends. Galinda enjoyed talking to him and found him to be extremely charming and funny, the kissing was just a nice addition.

“Galinda stop daydreaming and catch!”

She wasn’t sure who said it but when she looked up a frisbee was barreling towards her. Her shriek could be heard all over town as she ducked to the ground. Her pink plaid skirt spread around her body as her knees met the grass and her arms covered her head.

“Are you trying to kill me!” She yelled in the general direction of well… everyone.

Pfannee and Shenshen erupted into laughter at her dramatics.

“Darling you’re supposed to catch it,” Fiyero quipped.

She rose to her feet with a frown. “I never agreed to this game anyway! I wanted to sit and watch.”

“Catch it once then you may go,” Shenshen offered.

With a roll of her eyes, she went to retrieve the frisbee just a couple feet away. As her head scanned the surrounding area she noticed all the townsfolk out enjoying the afternoon just as she was and a soft smile appeared on her face. She picked up the frisbee and then glanced once more out in the distance and there she was. Covered head to toe but still recognizable to someone who’d been so close to her less than twenty four hours ago.

Elphaba was on the other side of the lawn walking very fast towards some building. She wore black jeans, sneakers, a green hoodie, gloves, a mask, and glasses but it was her braids that struck Galinda as familiar. Even with her hood up and distance between them, Galinda could see so clearly one Elphaba Thropp.

“Galinda, hurry!” Pfannee rushed.

”Yeah, sorry. Here,” Galinda moved with the frisbee in hand. She gave a lazy toss without even looking at where she threw it. Her mind was elsewhere and now her eyes were back on Elphaba.

She’d planned on going back to the abandoned house later tonight when she could sneak away from her friends but before her eleven thirty curfew. Every night at eleven thirty (midnight on weekends) the Oz Guard knocked on her door to make sure she was in bed as per her father’s instructions. She didn’t mind the curfew so much as she’d never had a good enough reason to stay out so late because her friends and Fiyero were allowed over whenever they pleased, but now looking at Elphaba rush to wherever it was she was going, she had the intense feeling to stay out as late as she pleased.

“What is it?” Fiyero asked with a soft hand against her waist. He looked out in the same direction as she looked, but saw nothing that would steal anyone’s attention away as hers had been stolen.

“Nothing! There’s nothing.”

“You seem awfully distracted by nothing.”

“Can’t a girl just look at the scenery,” Galinda said with a pat on his chest.

“I suppose,” he said, still confused.

In the hours that followed Galinda’s mind thought only of one person. She wanted to know why Elphaba had been in town? What did she need? Did she get it? And in a completely selfish moment she wished that she was the one to get it— whatever it was— for her. It was much safer for Elphaba if she were to be the one going into town.

In their encounter yesterday, having finally put a personality and face to the name, Galinda became utterly enamored with the girl. Growing up she sometimes thought about if she was even real. Like everyone else, she’d heard the rumors even from Nessarose herself who was two years younger than her, but according to herself three years younger than Elphaba. Nessarose often told stories about her sister being careful not to divulge too much information as Elphaba was an unofficial outlaw as a child. However, Galinda always felt it was disingenuous. Even as a younger teenager she could tell Nessarose wanted the attention. She loved how everyone would gather around her to hear the stories of what Elphaba was up to as a child and how she acted.

Now having met the girl herself, Galinda knew Nessarose was more into saying what people wanted to hear rather than telling the truth. Nessa often described Elphaba as aloof which in one conversation Galinda had negated. Elphaba was smart and observant. She remembered how organized the abandoned house was. Elphaba’s things were neatly aligned but concisely placed as if she was prepared to run at any given moment. And the place was clean— as much as an old house could be anyway. Not to mention how quickly she’d disarmed Galinda a mere seconds after she’d entered the house. She must’ve heard her coming even over the loudness of the storm.

Above all Galinda wanted to see her again. Perhaps because she knew her father would be so angry about it or because she felt special being the only person not related to her to ever see Elphaba. Maybe both. But either way she could hear her father berating her in her head “Galinda Arduenna Upland you know better! I forbid you from seeing that wretched girl again! Tell me where she is!” And of course she wouldn’t ever confess. So naturally he’d get even angrier. He’d say “Tell me this instant!” His face would turn bright red. “So help me Oz! Tell me right now or you’re never leaving your room again!” So she’d stomp away to her room pretending to be upset when she knew she’d just continue to disobey him.

As a young girl Galinda learned early on the lengths her father would go to to keep in her good graces. Once when she was seven years old, he’d told her “no” to ice cream so she cried and said she’d never speak to him until she could have it. After two days of the silent treatment, he caved and told her she could have it everyday after dinner. At thirteen years old she wanted to go to a party with Pfannee and ShenShen that was across town. He told her “absolutely not”, so she told him momsie was her favorite parent. In the end she got an Oz Guard escort to the party courtesy of her father.

Five years later, now eighteen, she still knew the power her love held over her father but she also knew how fiercely he loved this town.

When she returned home, she went in search of her father, Popsicle, as she called him. She searched the living room, den, kitchen, master bedroom, pool room, his office space, the basement, and the cigar room all to no avail.

“Have you seen Popsicle?” She asked the guard who had been following her around in the most obvious of ways.

“No miss.”

She rolled her eyes. She hated the Oz Guard. She found them to be unnecessary and annoying and besides they never stuck around. Her father had a habit of firing them and getting new ones time and time again, so she never knew their names. She knew their duties and the times they were supposed to do them because that never changed: assist her father at four forty five every morning when he woke, follow him around all day, assist her mother when she woke at seven every morning, follow her around all day, annoy Galinda all day, make sure she’s in her room at eleven thirty every night (except weekends). It was an endless cycle she’d been living in for all her life. She wanted nothing more than to do something exciting… like Elphaba.

She lived on her own and took full care of herself. She answered to no one and didn’t have people looking over her shoulder most of the day.

Galinda was over the moon to turn eighteen because she’d convinced her dad to confine her guards to the house. It took a week long silent treatment and a lot of side eyeing, but it worked. He agreed to let her roam free outside the house so long as she made curfew. So naturally she was never home. She often stayed at Fiyero’s and spent her days with her friends now that she was done with high school. She’d be enrolled into Shiz in the fall and while it was the only college in Oz, meaning her father would know exactly where she was, she was grateful to be on her own sort of.

“I don’t like this one bit. The Oz Guard will be dispatched every night until she’s found,” Highmaster spoke, snapping Galinda out of her thoughts. She didn’t hear him come into the foyer where she’d been standing.

“Hi, Popsicle.”

“Hello, Darling. One second,” he spoke into the phone.

“How are you?”

“Good. Are you talking about Elphaba?”

Highmaster sighed, “Yes. She’s been escaping us for a whole year. It’s unsafe. She needs to be found.”

Galinda bit her lip. There wasn’t a version of Elphaba being found that didn’t end horribly for her. “Will you have her killed if she’s found?”

Highmaster stepped closer to Galinda, resting his hands on her shoulders. With a kiss to the top of her head, “It’s safer for everyone if she’s gone. She is highly contagious.”

Galinda stepped away, “Then how come no one in Oz is infected?!”

“No one has seen her.”

“Because she isn’t a threat to anyone!” Galinda became more agitated by the second.

“And how do you know this? Have you seen her?”

“No!” She rushed, “No… It’s just— she isn’t bothering anyone, why do you waste so much energy on her?”

“To keep you safe, pumpkin.” He tapped her on the chin then resumed his phone call, “Every night at eight o’clock.”

Galinda huffed as he walked away. She looked up at the clock on the wall. It read: six thirty. That left her one and a half hours to warn Elphaba.

She ran up the stairs, skipping every other one to get to her destination faster. Once in her bedroom she pulled out a backpack from under her bed stuffing bandages and medicine she’d retrieved from her bathroom into it. Then she changed out of her skirt into light wash jeans, threw the backpack on her shoulders and headed for the door.

Chapter Text

Elphaba made her way back through the forest with her water bottle in hand. Today’s weather had her spending most of her time at the creek and in the river for some sort of relief. The heat was better than the storm, but hellish in its own right.

As she approached the house, she saw Galinda poking around and looking in the windows. She watched for a few more seconds before intervening.

She cleared her throat, “Stop coming here.”

Galinda jumped and turned in Elphaba’s direction. Elphaba took note of how she was now wearing a different pink shirt with just as many ruffles as the last one and her hair was pulled into a ponytail. “There you are! Just come in before the Oz Guard spots you!”

The panic in Elphaba’s tone rose, “The Oz Guard? You saw them?”

Galinda held the door open to let Elphaba enter first. “That’s what I came here to tell you.”

“Go on…”

“You see Popsicle— my father… has made it so that the Oz Guard will be looking for you every night at eight o’clock.”

Elphaba inhaled. Fuck!

She looked down to the watch on her wrist, broken. She had no way of knowing what time it was outside of her guessing based on the sun’s positioning.

“Well? Aren’t you gonna say something?”

“Is it eight?”

Galinda glanced down at her watch, also pink! “Seven fifty five.”

“You need to leave.”

Galinda scoffed, “No ‘thank you’? Are you always this grumpy?”

Elphaba shook her head to dismiss Galinda as she lightly shoved her towards the door. “Have you ever been on the run? It tends to make people grumpy.”

Galinda side stepped Elphaba’s efforts to get rid of her. She started with a finger pointed at Elphaba, “You are such a cynic.”

Elphaba stopped, “No one has ever given me a reason not to be.”

“Then you should meet more people.”

“Show me one that doesn’t want me dead and I will.”

Galinda pulled her shoulders back, “Me.”

Elphaba paused, again. Her? Unbelievable. “Galinda, go away!”

“I don’t remember telling you my name,” Galinda smiled.

“Just because I live in the forest doesn’t mean I don’t know what goes on in town,” Elphaba said as she resumed her efforts to drag Galinda out of the house.

“I- I saw you!” Galinda said, with her arms blocking Elphaba’s attempts to grab her. “I saw you in town earlier today. What were you doing?”

“You recognized me? I need to cover up more,” Elphaba said more to herself than Galinda.

“You were covered up fine. I saw your hair.”

“M- my hair?” Elphaba questioned, grabbing her braids by the ends of the strands. “What’s wrong with my hair?”

“Oh Oz! Nothing! Nothing at all. It’s lovely. I'm sure no one else could make out that it was you but me. Unless of course you’ve spent time with someone else…”

Elphaba snickered, “Someone else? There is no one else.”

“Good,” Galinda whispered. “Uh I mean— just, you know that someone else might want to turn you in.”

“Right, well you should go. It’s probably eight now.”

Galinda had now escaped Elphaba’s grip and was headed towards the kitchen. “But I brought you—” She was cut off by Elphaba rushing towards her and pulling her behind the wall that separated the kitchen from the living room. “What are you—”

Elphaba’s hand covered Galinda’s mouth. She whispered, “They’re close.”

Galinda stiffened. Elphaba’s body was pressed behind hers separated by the backpack she now regretted having on. Elphaba could feel Galinda’s breath against her fingers and the rise and fall of her stomach under her other hand. The girl was small, so small that she would probably have to protect them both from the Oz Guard.

The stairs outside the front door creaked and Galinda made a sound between a moan and whimper under Elphaba’s hand. Then Elphaba felt her hand on Galinda’s stomach being held.

“Ssshhhh,” Elphaba whispered into her ear. She didn’t stop Galinda from holding her hand but she didn’t quite encourage it either. She just prayed the girl stayed quiet long enough for the guards to leave.

The door opened and Galinda’s stomach started to move at a more rapid pace. Elphaba knew if she even moved her feet an inch the floor would creak and their cover would be blown, but Galinda’s rising panic told her that she needed to do something before this became a bigger problem. She waited until the guards looked away from her and away from the front door then she picked up a wood chip that had been sitting on the counter. With an incredible amount of precision, and one arm still wrapped around Galinda’s waist because her grip was too tight for Elphaba to get out of, she threw the wood chip out of the broken window.

The sound alerted the guards who rushed out the door to explore where the sound came from. Then in a hurry Elphaba turned towards the kitchen sink, and pulled the cabinet open.

“Get in,” she whispered to Galinda.

“W- what? We can’t fit in there.”

With perfect timing, Elphaba pulled up the small mat that was on the floor in the cabinet to reveal a trap door.
She opened the door and motioned for Galinda to get in.

“Right now, Galinda.”

Galinda hurried into the cabinet and into the small space under the trap door with Elphaba’s help. Before lowering herself fully, Elphaba closed the kitchen cabinet and the trap door.

“What is this?” Galinda asked.

“I dunno. I found it here when I found this place,” Elphaba shrugged while she picked up a flashlight that was already down here.

“This is why they’ve never found you,” Galinda pondered aloud. Nessarose’s incorrect description of Elphaba crossed her mind again… aloof? Ha. How genius of Elphaba to be hiding in plain sight, she thought. Her breathing calmed down and she pulled her knees to her chest. She and Elphaba were a foot apart as the space could only fit three people comfortably. She took her backpack off and placed it next to her.

“Oh! I brought you some bandages,” Galinda exclaimed!

“Hush,” Elphaba commanded. “You’re going to get me killed.”

“Sorry. I got excited to help you.”

Elphaba exhaled slowly. She hadn’t much practice with human interaction and she didn’t even like Galinda, but she felt like maybe she was being too harsh on her at this moment.

She softened, “Just stay quiet… Let me see what you brought?”

Galinda grinned, “As I was saying… Bandages! And gauze and that gel stuff that keeps it not infected. Oh Oz, the infected! Have you s—”

“Galinda, slow down,” Elphaba said. “I think you mean antibiotic ointment and what about the infected?”

Galinda took a breath as she unloaded the backpack. “Well it’s just… people think that you are infected. Wait! Are you?”

Sensing the perfect opportunity for some entertainment, Elphaba started slowly, “What would you do if I was…? We’re all alone down here… Where would you go?”

Galinda gulped, her eyes darted towards the exit above their heads then back down to Elphaba. “I guess I would die. I hope you aren’t but if you are, would you perhaps not kill me, or at least give me a head start, it’s only fair!”

Elphaba giggled at that but quickly covered her own mouth. The horrible flashlight lighting illuminated Galinda’s face from underneath making her slight face of fear look even more dramatic. Then Galinda took a breath and shakily giggled too.

“I’m not infected… That’s just a rumor,” Elphaba trailed off. A rumor she’d heard her entire life. The very same rumor that’s effectively ruined that very same life. The reason she can’t go out without a disguise, doesn’t speak to anyone (except Galinda now), hasn't seen her family in a year, and is in this predicament.

“People say that you’re contagious,” Galinda added.

“Your father says that I’m contagious,” Elphaba rebutted dryly.

“He thinks he’s protecting the town. In his eyes you’re a threat.”

“And yet you see that I’m not.”

Silence filled the bunker. Neither girl was sure where to go from there. Elphaba would never forget how Galinda made no effort to stop her father but claimed that she wasn’t like him. The bystander who does nothing is just as guilty as those who act with injustice. Galinda pretended she was better but they both knew her “holier than thou” attitude was a facade. She acted one way in public and completely different when with Elphaba alone.

Elphaba furrowed her brow.

Galinda started, “How long should we stay down here anyway?”

Elphaba shrugged, “I’ve got nowhere to be.” She repositioned herself next to Galinda then stretched her legs.

“You're no help.”

Galinda sighed then picked up the flashlight using it to inspect her surroundings. The bunker looked as if it was hand chiseled. The concrete floor beneath them was uncomfortable and the makeshift walls were just rocks. Near her feet were what she assumed was Elphaba’s pillow and blanket; both extremely dirty.

“Soooo, what were you doing in town?”

“I needed food,” Elphaba stated.

“Did you get it?”

And right on cue, Elphaba’s stomach growled ferociously. Their eyes locked for a second then Elphaba turned away in shame. She didn’t want to seem like she needed anything from anyone, especially not Galinda. She silently cursed her stomach for needing food. “I’m fine.”

“Did you not hear that growl?”

Elphaba scooted closer to the wall, “I can take care of myself.”

Pity was not something she desired. She was a fully functioning adult after all, and she’d been making her way just fine on her own. A part of her craved safety and companionship but never would she admit that aloud. She knew better. She’d seen firsthand how cruel people can be. They prey on any weakness and take pride in proving they’re better than the next person. The people in Oz were the kind of people who’d step on her neck if it meant giving themself a leg up. So she expected the worst of everyone and therefore was never disappointed when they turned out to be horrible.

Galinda looked into Elphaba’s eyes as best she could while Elphaba actively avoided looking back at her. She seemed to be contemplating something but resigned to silence.

It was going to be a long night…

The next day Elphaba went down to the creek later than usual. It was around six at night although of course she had no way of knowing that. She had only taken her hoodie off when she heard voices, one of which she recognized as Galinda’s. She hid behind a tree to listen.

“Miss, shouldn’t you be home?”

“Shouldn’t you mind your business?” Galinda quipped.

“You aren’t supposed to be patrolling before eight anyway.”

The guard cleared his throat. “Yes, well we wanted to get a jump on things.”

“You want to harass her.”

“Ma’am we’re just trying to keep Oz safe as per your father’s request.”

“Don’t call me ma’am, I’m eighteen not fifty,” Galinda said in disgust.

Elphaba dared to peek her head around the tree and there she was in all her pink glory. Galinda stood with a hand on her hip so unintimidated by the guards that if Elphaba wasn’t hiding she’d probably have laughed.

“Well she isn’t here. I've been walking this way. Go back into town, that’s an order.”

The guards nodded and started back towards the middle of town.

Elphaba watched Galinda keep her confident stance and gaze as the men departed, but the second they were gone her shoulders slouched and she went rambling around in the bushes for something.

A bag.

“Pssss,” Elphaba whispered.

Galinda’s head shot up. It took a few seconds to find Elphaba given that she blended with the foliage, but when she did, a huge grin plastered across her face. She started to sort of wobble with the large duffle in Elphaba’s direction. She almost looked pregnant which made Elphaba giggle to herself.

“Hi! Let’s go inside. This thing is heavy,” Galinda panted out.

Elphaba assessed the bag then Galinda’s out of breath state deciding against her better judgment, she started, “I can hold it, but I was on my way to the creek.”

Within seconds the bag was off Galinda and on Elphaba. “Well since you offered!”

The walk to the creek was fairly silent. Elphaba enjoyed the lowering sun and secretly the feeling of having someone with her. She’d been alone for so long she started to forget what companionship even felt like. She remembered how Nessarose would sometimes come into her room and they sat together while Nessarose told her about the outside world. She told her about school and the park and all the boys she had crushes on, and Elphaba just listened. She always made sure to support Nessarose but jealousy flowed through her body. She wanted nothing more than to live the life Nessarose had been so graciously given. The girl often complained about her chair but even that made Elphaba jealous. How selfish of her to complain about being able to leave this house even if she had to take the long way sometimes. And how rude of her to dismiss the people she found to be uninteresting. Elphaba would have killed to have someone— anyone to talk to. To want to spend time with her.

Now here she was walking along a dirt path she’d walked plenty of times before with a girl who shouldn’t want to spend time with her but for some reason does. That jealousy she knew so well dulled.

“It’s a beautiful night, Elphie!”

Elphaba’s eyebrow raised and her lips bunched together. “Elphie?”

“Can I call you that?”

“It’s a bit perky.”

“I’m gonna call you thaaatt,” Galinda sang as they arrived at the creek.

Elphaba dropped the bag then sat next to it while she caught her breath. The duffel was in fact very heavy but she had offered and well, she wanted Galinda to know she was strong.

“So what’s in this thing anyway?” She asked as she leaned back against her arms with her legs outstretched and crossed.

Galinda dropped to her knees and began to open the bag. “Well… You need things so I got you things.”

“Oh I don’t need,” Elphaba started.

“Shut up, yes you do! Now listen!”

Galinda went on to list everything in the bag: a pillow, blanket, toothbrush, toothpaste, a new watch, various hygiene supplies, non-perishable food, a sandwich, a first aid kit, a sewing kit, and some clothes.

Elphaba sat stunned at the display in front of her. These things were thoughtful and just for her… She felt overwhelmed by Galinda’s attention to her needs and even more by her desire to help. Only one person had ever cared about her in her whole life and that woman is long gone. It’d been so long that Elphaba hardly even remembered what she looked like or what she smelled like. Her mom was the only person to never be disgusted by her skin, never taunted her, never hit her, never bullied her. The only time she wasn’t the first to be blamed and ignored was with her mom. She missed her every second of every day, but these days less and less. Her time was now spent with this whirlwind of pink who’d seemed to barrel into her world. Galinda Arduenna Upland who hid her from the Oz Guard, and brought her things. She didn’t snap when Elphaba wasn’t receptive with her or when her many years of emotional abuse surfaced through their conversations. She let Elphaba shove her towards the door and she still came back. In such a short time she’d flipped Elphaba’s opinion of her and scrambled everything she thought she knew about the girl. The hypocrisy in Elphaba’s words now became abundantly clear in her mind. She’d berated Galinda about her father’s incorrect assumptions only to have done the same thing to Galinda.
Elphaba was never good with words despite knowing so many. She inhaled and exhaled slowly. “Thank you.”

Galinda smiled genuinely, Elphaba thought, because her dimple showed and she’d never seen it before. Or maybe she had but hadn’t cared until now. Now it was her personal mission to see how many times she could get Galinda to show that dimple in a day, an hour, a minute even.

She stared at Galinda and actually saw her. Her big brown doe eyes under her thick lashes and above her cute little nose. The moles littering her upper chest were slightly visible due to the low cut of her top. Her perfectly painted pink nails and her perfectly curled blonde tresses.

”Elphie…? You’re staring,” Galinda said innocently.

“Mm,” Elphaba cleared her throat. “Thank you.”

“You said that already silly,” Galinda giggled. “Oh here! This is for now.” She handed Elphaba the sandwich.

“Oh I’m not hungry,” Elphaba said.

“Eat it or I will start singing!”

“Give me the sandwich,” Elphaba said quickly and with a playful soft smile.

“Can I see your hoodie?” Galinda asked.

“No.”

Galinda’s lips pressed together, “Pretty please?”

“No, drop it,” Elphaba said as she took a bite from the sandwich.

“Why is it such a big deal? I’m not gonna steal it.”

“Then why do you want it?”

“To fix it. There’s a hole in the elbow,” Galinda pulled the sewing kit out the duffel bag. “See, I thought maybe I could try. Although my sewing skills aren’t the best.”

“I don’t know. What if you make it worse?” Elphaba’s face etched with worry. The jacket was a lot less effective with the hole, but what would she do if it got worse? She wouldn’t get rid of it but it’s also the only one she has.

“It’s special to you?” Galinda asked tentatively, leaning into Elphaba’s eyesight.

She nodded.

“If I tell you a secret will you tell me why it’s so special to you?” Galinda suggested.

Elphaba contemplated. Was it worth it to let Galinda into her psyche? Did she even care about Galinda’s secrets? What if she lies and just makes up a secret and Elphaba bares her soul to her? Then she’ll look like an idiot.

“I can go first and you can decide if my secret is worth you telling me yours.”

Yes, she liked that idea. She was completely in control now. “Go on,” Elphaba said as she chewed on another bite of the sandwich.

“Hmm okay… When it’s my turn to lead Oz, I’m going to deny the role,” Galinda spoke calmly as if she’d thought about this for a considerable amount of time. There was no hesitation in her voice, she was sure.

Elphaba almost choked on her sandwich. “Your parents are going to kill you.”

Their eyes met and then both girls erupted into laughter. Galinda doubled over as Elphaba tried to keep the sandwich in her mouth.

Elphaba was correct.

Even if Galinda’s dad was dead by the time the leadership position was hers, he’d surely haunt her for the rest of her days.

After the laughing stopped, Elphaba realized it was her turn. That was a pretty good secret on Galinda’s part. Since Galinda was a child, Oz had known exactly who their heir would be. There was only one Upland child and she was the perfect candidate save for the fact that she didn’t want the role.

“The hoodie was my mother’s. It’s all I have left of her,” Elphaba started. “We had matching ones but I grew out of mine so my father threw it away even though I begged him not to.”

Galinda’s eyes softened, “Oh Elphie, that’s awful!”

Elphaba shrugged, “It’s fine. I stole this one before I was kicked out. It was all I could grab in time though.”

“He kicked you out? Why?”

“Because he blamed me for my mother’s death and because of your father. He knew the order on my life would endanger his and Nessarose’s, sorry— my sister.”

“I know who she is.”

Elphaba’s head shot up, “You've seen her recently?”

Galinda shook her head sorrowfully.

“Oh, well anyway it doesn’t matter they both hate me.”

Galinda frowned. “All of this because you’re green?”

Elphaba nodded.

“I’m sorry about your mother. I remember the story. My father had no right.”

Elphaba stiffened. It’d been years since her mother’s death story was brought up in conversation. When it happened it was all anyone could talk about until they found another story, but no other story would ever compare to what they did to her mother.

After Nessarose was born, questions about both girl’s genetics came up. No one understood how one child could come out green and the other with a disability. It was deemed that their mother was the problem because Elphaba was conceived before Highmaster let her parents into the gates of Oz. He figured she had some variation of the infection. A tale he’d conceived in his mind and convinced the townsfolk of. So shortly after Nessarose was born he had Melina executed in the town square just as he’d tried to have Elphaba a few days ago. As Frex had told her many times before, the only reason he kept Elphaba around was because Melina made him promise to raise her. So on her eighteenth birthday, the day he decided “raising her” ended, he put her out on her own to be killed.

“Thank you. No one has ever given me their condolences before. It’s nice to hear, you know,” Elphaba said quietly as if she was afraid to admit even that. Galinda slid the duffel out of the way to move closer to Elphaba. Once she was close enough she leaned her leg onto Elphaba’s.

They sat together quietly for a couple more minutes before Elphaba handed her hoodie over to Galinda.

“Be careful… please.”

Galinda took her plea very seriously. She pulled out the sewing kit which only consisted of pink thread and began to sew up the hole in the elbow.

“I need to shower. Could you sew facing the other direction?”

Elphaba’s words broke Galinda’s concentration. She looked up at Elphaba who was now standing over her.

“Oh y- yes. Okay turning now,” she narrated.

Elphaba snickered, turned herself to undressed then lowered herself into the deep end of the creek. The water went up to her shoulders and was the perfect temperature for a bath on a warm day. “You can turn back now.”

Galinda peeked then situated herself back facing the water.

Elphaba began to use the soap and small towel Galinda gave her in the duffel to wipe the dirt off her body. The soap smelled exactly like Galinda which brought her comfort and made her smile to herself. The idea that Galinda just yanked a bunch of things from her own personal collection to give to Elphaba made it feel even more personal to her. These things had been loved by Galinda and were now hers to have.

“I don’t even have to look at you to know you’re staring,” Elphaba said as she looked at Galinda through her lashes.

“I am not!” Galinda dramaticized. “Focus on your bath!”

“You focus on that hoodie.” Elphaba winked at her and her cheeks turned bright red in seconds.

“I’m focusifying.”

“You’re what?” Elphaba laughed.

“It’s a word!” Galinda argued.

“It most certainly is not.”

“You know what it means don’t you,” Galinda pointed at Elphaba.

“Because I have a brain, not because it makes any sort of sense.” Elphaba shook her head in disbelief. Of course, Galinda also makes up adorably imperfect words that somehow make perfect sense.

After a few more minutes, Elphaba began to go over her body with the towel for the last time. In doing so she went over her bruised side. Her groan got the attention of Galinda who’d finished the hoodie and was staring up at the sky.

“Are you okay? What is it?” Galinda sat up, worried.

“I’m fine. It’s just my side. The Oz Guard were not so gentle with me and then I fell.”

Galinda reached for the big towel as she spoke, “Here come out. Let me look at it for you.”

As much as Elphaba wanted to get out of the water, she wouldn’t do it with Galinda looking at her. “Could you… You know?” She motioned for Galinda to turn around and she quickly did. It took Elphaba no more than a minute to get out of the water and into dry clothes. Once she was sitting comfortably she tapped Galinda on the shoulder.

“Okay now let me see it,” Galinda practically demanded.

“It’s fine really, just bruised.”

“Elphie!”

Elphaba huffed then lifted her shirt. Her eyes wandered around the creek, the sky, the trees, really anywhere Galinda wasn’t. The girl examined her side then grazed it with her fingertips.

“Ouch!” Elphaba exclaimed.

“Oz, I’m sorry,” Galinda looked up into Elphaba’s eyes. “Let me wrap it.”

“Oh you really don’t have to.”

Galinda beamed, “I know! That’s what makes me so nice!”
Elphaba rolled her eyes playfully but indulged in Galinda’s desires. She held the gauze in place while Galinda wrapped it though all she could focus on were Galinda’s soft fingers all along her midsection. Her back. Her ribs. She was everywhere. And everything smelled like her. She looked down to see Galinda with her tongue just barely poking out her lips as she focused. She exhaled with a smile. She got the urge to touch Galinda. To run her fingers through her hair but quickly put the thought to the back of her mind.

“There all done. And here… is your hoodie! All fixed.” Galinda presented the hoodie with the widest grin Elphaba’s thought she’d ever seen. She was so proud of her work and while Elphaba didn’t mind the slightly wonky stitching, the pink thread did give her pause.

“Pink? Really?”

“It’s all I had,” Galinda said with the most not innocent, innocent shrug. Her dimple dipped into her cheek and suddenly the pink stitching didn’t matter to Elphaba anymore. Galinda was satisfied and her hoodie was technically fixed.

“Oh Oz! It’s almost eight. We should get you back,” Galinda said as she came to her feet in a hurry. She seemed more worried about Elphaba getting back to the house safely than Elphaba herself.

Galinda was in such a hurry that neither of them realized she carried the duffel the whole way back.

“This is my stop,” Elphaba said, taking the bag from Galinda in the doorway.

“Can I come see you tomorrow?”

Elphaba nodded, “Could you bring Blue if it’s not too much trouble?”

Galinda smiled, “Yes! He misses you I think.”

Elphaba smiled towards the ground. “You mean you actually punished him for sneaking out.”

“Oh yes! One week, no free roaming.”

“Oh the dictatorship,” Elphaba joked and they both laughed softly. “Go on… Get outta here,” Elphaba said, nudging Galinda away.

As she started to walk away, Elphaba called out to her, “Oh Galinda?”

Galinda turned.

“Be safe, please.”

Galinda nodded, then was on her way. She hadn’t realized that Elphaba watched her until she was out of her sight. She even stepped to the edge of the porch. She waited until even her shadow was gone and then she retreated inside.

Chapter Text

Since that day, Galinda has brought Chistery over to see Elphaba a few more times along with food for her and small things she noticed Elphaba was in need of. Elphaba was eternally grateful for Galinda’s help but weary of its end. Nothing lasts forever, that she knew for a fact. One day Galinda would grow bored of her and tired of only being able to see her in the forest and this horrible house. There’d be a day where she promised to come back as she so often did except this time she wouldn’t. The promise would be empty and Elphaba would have expected it.

This particular day, however, was not that day. Today Galinda sat with Elphaba on the porch eating matching salads.

“Elphie, slow down! You’re going to choke,” Galinda said, tapping Elphaba on the shoulder.

She ate as if every meal was her last, rushing to put the food in her mouth before it disappeared.

In her defense, she hadn’t eaten in over twenty four hours and she was very hungry. Galinda brought her food, that was true, but sometimes even that wasn’t enough. And she and Galinda didn’t see each other everyday so there have been times when berries from the forest served as breakfast, lunch, and dinner for the girl.

“Sorry,” she managed with a mouth full of lettuce.

Galinda giggled, her hand covering her mouth as she did so. “You've food on your face!”

Elphaba wiped her cheeks, getting every place except where the salad dressing rested on the corner of her lips. “Did I get it?”

“Nope, let me,” Galinda offered.

Elphaba’s emerald green eyes locked onto Galinda’s manicured fingertips as they came in contact with her lips. Her fingers were soft as they brushed over her lips. Then with a quick swipe across her cheek, they were gone. Elphaba’s lips parted slightly as she watched Galinda. The interaction seemingly did not affect her because she went back to eating her salad with practiced ease, but Elphaba couldn’t. The feeling of Galinda’s fingers on her face was intoxicating. So much so that she hadn’t even realized she put the salad down.

In between her thoughts and Galinda eating, music started to play in the distance!

Galinda gasped, “Oh Elphie, dance with me!”

With her salad now casted aside too, Galinda pulled Elphaba to her feet and out onto what would be the front lawn.

Galinda held onto Elphaba’s hand while she swayed her hips to the upbeat music playing from the center of town.

“It’s The Wizard’s remembrance day! How could I have forgotten?” Galinda said as she danced.

“Why do they call him that anyway?” Elphaba said as she stood while Galinda danced around her.

“You don’t know the story? He’s said to be the man that started this Oz! No one knows how he did all this on his own, so they say it was magic! So he’s The Wizard!” Galinda continued, “Years ago on this very day, there was a power outage that affected the lights on the wall, and the Oz Guard couldn’t properly defend it to keep those within the wall safe. He went out to fix it but never came back, so remembrance day was created to honor him.”

Elphaba rolled her eyes. She didn’t believe this story at all. It sounded like an excuse for Highmaster to garner more favor with the townsfolk. Every year on remembrance day he makes the same speech about how the town must stick together in The Wizard’s name and every year the people fall for it, but not Elphaba. If he really wanted community, he wouldn’t be trying to kill her.

“Come on, dance! You wicked, pretty thing!” Galinda grabbed both of Elphaba’s arm and swung them back and forth to the beat of the music.

Elphaba watched as Galinda closed her eyes and let the music take over her body. She wished she could do that too, but letting her guard down wasn’t her strongest suit. What if she closed her eyes and someone came up behind her? Or if she listened only to the music and didn’t hear their footsteps? No. She wouldn’t do it.

Galinda raised one of Elphaba’s arms and began to twirl her around with a bright smile. Her skirt lifted slightly and surrounded her body as it spun with her. “Look at how pretty your skirt is when you spin.”

The flowy black skirt Elphaba wore was worn down. She’d stolen it some months back from a secondhand clothing store in town when she needed some clothes for a hot day.

“It’s not pretty, it’s old.”

“Then it’s vintage,” Galinda cheered!

Elphaba snickered at Galinda’s optimism. It was cute how she always saw the world half full. She was glad that Galinda had a nice life and wasn’t subjected to the life she herself had to live. More than that she was thankful that Galinda kept coming back to her.

When Galinda finally let go of Elphaba’s hand she walked out to the edge of the forest looking in the direction of town.

“You should go,” Elphaba said. She didn’t want to monopolize Galinda’s time or take away from her actual life. This, here, wasn’t real. Galinda had a real life with a family and friends and things she liked to do that didn’t consist of eating salad on an old porch.

“I’ll come back,” Galinda said.

With a certain defeatedness in her voice, Elphaba spoke, “It’s okay, you don’t have to.”

Galinda turned around to face Elphaba. “Nonsense! I’ll come back, I’ll always come back.” Then she planted a kiss on Elphaba’s cheek and was on her way.

———

“It’s so hot! Elphie, I’m melting,” Galinda said with a hand across her forehead for emphasis.

“You’re not melting. Here have more water,” Elphaba offered. She’d become used to Galinda’s antics and all the drama that came with knowing her. Despite giving Galinda a hard time for no other reason than her own pleasure, she found her to be very charming. Although her apparent need for physical contact was an adjustment Elphaba was still learning to make. She wanted nothing more than to embrace her fully but couldn’t help the awkwardness she sometimes felt when Galinda would initiate contact between them.

“We should go down to the creek! Oh, the water must feel so nice, I know it!” Galinda grabbed Elphaba by the arm, practically dragging her out of the house. “Come on, we’re going!”

“Well I just think t—”

“Whatever you’re going say doesn’t matter, I’ve decided for us both,” Galinda beamed as she locked her arm with Elphaba’s.

Elphaba sighed weakly. She wanted to complain or find a way out of it, but after further pondering with herself she realized she hadn’t had an actual reason for not wanting to go. So, she let herself be dragged to the creek.

Along the way Galinda told her about any and everything from her latest fashion picks to all her plans for Shiz while Elphaba listened attentively. She liked to listen to Galinda speak; her excitement for the smallest things made Elphaba feel like she should appreciate the small things too. Her life was far from perfect but she did have a great view of the sunset every night and had spent countless nights under the stars basking in the tranquility of the quietness. Maybe she’d get Galinda to stay with her one night and they could enjoy it together.

“Yes! Nice cold water!” Galinda barely finished her sentence before she took her top off and then shimmied out of her skirt and shoes.

Elphaba’s bottom lip caught between her teeth then she looked away. She felt wrong looking at Galinda with almost no clothes on but there was nothing she wanted to see more in this moment. Her cheeks darkened a shade of green.

The water swished around as Galinda entered and Elphaba could hear her exhale in relief.

“What are you doing? Get in here,” Galinda cheered, but Elphaba remained facing away from her.

“I’m fine, just gonna stay over here and watch.”

“But you aren’t even looking at me,” Galinda said, genuinely confused.

Elphaba’s head slowly craned in Galinda’s direction. Her body below her chest was submerged which gave Elphaba the perfect view of her wet, sheer, pink bra clinging to her albeit small but perky breasts. Elphaba averted her eyes again this time out of nervousness.

“Pleaaseeee Elphie, come in with me,” Galinda whined.

Elphaba thought about it for a split second before reality kicked in. She wasn’t properly groomed in the way Galinda was and no one had seen her body since she became old enough to take care of herself.

Galinda’s body was perfect, and well… not green.

Elphaba shook her head. She didn’t want to let Galinda down, but she couldn’t do it.

What she hadn’t expected was for Galinda to climb her way back out of the creek and pull her closer to where the water met the dirt.

“Stop it Galinda!” Elphaba panicked and lightly pushed Galinda away from her.

“What’s wrong? Do you not trust me?”

Elphaba contemplated the question. They’d only just met and trust was never her strong suit, but she didn’t not trust Galinda or she wouldn’t be doing this with her. She trusted her to not have her killed and she trusted that she wouldn’t tell anyone about the abandoned house, but trusting her with her body was an entirely different thing. Something Elphaba had never had with anyone and had no idea where to even start to build that type of trust.

She could feel Galinda waiting for an answer she didn’t have. She focused her gaze on the water and shrugged.

Galinda’s voice was soft in her ear, “Elphie?”

Their eyes met for a brief second then Galinda smiled at her as if she was trying to tell her that it was okay to feel whatever it was she was feeling.

“You don’t have to. I didn’t mean to push you,” Galinda continued quietly.

Her hand brushed over Elphaba’s with a touch so light it almost felt like it didn’t happen. Elphaba looked down at the small space between their hands then back out to the water.

“What if I just keep my clothes on?”

“If you want,” Galinda said nonchalantly.

Elphaba was expecting her to protest or throw a tantrum and try to convince her to undress, but she didn’t. She simply walked her way back into the water and waited for Elphaba to join. Her acceptance was off putting but the way she looked at Elphaba made her feel like this wasn’t abnormal, like she wasn’t the weird green girl who wanted to go into the creek fully clothed. Right now she was just a girl with another girl enjoying the hot day.

She kicked her shoes off and dropped her hoodie from around her waist. She also made sure to take off the watch Galinda had given her before making her descent into the cool water.

“Mm this is great!”

“I told youuuu,” Galinda sang.

The rush of the waterfall up the creek combined with sounds of the water running and the trees softly swaying created a euphoric feeling for the girls. They began to float on their backs in peaceful silence, lightly brushing into each other from time to time.

Elphaba was in such a state of bliss that she hadn’t even noticed Galinda stopped floating and was now just watching her.

“Elphie? Do you ever get scared out here all alone?”

Elphaba’s eyes opened.

She didn’t answer right away.

She took a deep breath then came back down to her feet. “Why do you ask?”

“Just— Well, I think I’d be afraid, but you don’t seem to be.”

Again Elphaba took her time with her answer. The small distance between them did little to quell what bit of anxiety she did get from answering questions about herself. She was used to never being able to tell anyone about her life out of fear of being killed. Used to never being asked and being dismissed when she tried. A part of her had a gut feeling that Galinda was okay to talk to but the other half felt like she shouldn’t. She should never let anyone close to her. She was undeserving of companionship because what did she have to offer? She hadn’t a single thing of value she could give Galinda. There was only her and no one wanted that.

“Am I prying? Oz, sorry. You don’t have to answer,” Galinda said, breaking the silence. She stepped closer to Elphaba who was looking off to the other side of the creek just beyond her.

They were close now—

Close enough that Galinda’s hand came to rest on Elphaba’s hips. In the water, her black t-shirt floated slightly away from her body, giving Galinda’s fingers unlimited access to her hips and lower stomach.

Still Elphaba couldn’t look at her…

She practically whispered, “I get scared all the time.”

Without a care for personal space or the awkwardness that any other person would feel being so close to someone who’s actively avoiding their gaze, Galinda looked right at Elphaba’s face.

Her gaze had a certain charge to it that Elphaba couldn’t make out. She felt so naked despite being the clothed one of the two. As if the second she looked back at Galinda she’d melt away, so she didn’t.

“Like in the town square,” Galinda finally added.

Elphaba nodded.

“I’m sorry I watched,” Galinda said. “Now that we’re friends, I won’t let them hurt you.”

At this Elphaba did turn her head.

Her eyes locked with Galinda’s and suddenly the closeness didn’t bother her anymore. She was more lost in what Galinda had said and if she’d heard it correctly. With Galinda’s hands on her hips and her breathing growing increasingly more rapid, she opened her mouth to speak and then she’d heard it!

Shouting from somewhere on the side of the creek closest to town—

Someone was coming.

The only thought in her head besides her pending death was that Galinda was here with her, unclothed. She looked to the side of the creek closest to them then to the other side and made a snap decision.

“Galinda run!”

Confusion etched across her face and her hands dropped from Elphaba’s sides. “What?”

“Run! There’s people coming and they’re close.”

Galinda turned in the direction of the sound she could now hear. It sounded like boys their age. She froze.

“Galinda, you have to go!” Elphaba said, pushing her towards the shore. Then she turned back in the direction of the town. Her hoodie was on that side of the creek… She couldn’t leave without it.

“Elphie, what are you doing? Come on!” Galinda said, perhaps too loud.

Elphaba looked up, even without her glasses, she could see that they had spotted her.

“Go!” She yelled one more time, making sure not to say Galinda’s name as the boys were now in earshot. Five of them to be exact.

“Leave it! Come!” Galinda shouted from the other side of the creek as she started to run.

“Dude, that’s her!” One of the boys said to the others.

Elphaba heard what Galinda said but it took her more time to process that she wasn’t going to be able to get her jacket— Her mother’s jacket.

She started to swim towards the end of the creek Galinda had run from. She was a fairly good swimmer but no amount of speed would compare to the fact that the boys just had to cross the bridge on foot. When she was out of the water and on foot she could hear them behind her.

“She’s there!” One yelled as he chased her through the forest.

She hadn’t seen Galinda while she was running so she assumed she took off in another direction.

The forest floor impaled her feet with every step. Rocks and sticks and dirt all clung to the bottom of her feet impacting her speed, but she didn’t stop. Not until her arm was yanked and even then she fought! She tugged and pulled but it was no use.

“She’s real!” The blonde haired boy exclaimed. He was about a foot taller than her and looked as if he played some sort of sport.

“What do you think the reward is?” The raven haired boy asked.

“I don’t know but we’re gonna get so many girls for this,” the other blonde boy said then he high fived the redhead boy.

“She looks scared,” the last boy said. His eyes were softer than the other boys. He was the only one to not look at her like she was a prize.

“Let go!” Elphaba yelped.

“Ohhh she talks!” The raven haired boy said. He was the one with the death grip on her arms. He held them behind her back.

“Should we just kill her? She’s wanted dead or alive. We could get away with it,” the redhead suggested.

Elphaba looked around. Her chest felt tight and she was out of breath. Not to mention the growing ache in her feet. “Please, let go…”

“Shut up! Let us think!” The blonde haired boy yelled at her then punched her in the stomach.

She cried out as if she already didn’t have minimal air reaching her lungs, the punch knocked every bit of wind she had out of her. Her knees went weak and if it wasn’t for the boy holding her up, she would certainly be on the ground right now.

“Hey! Come on, that wasn’t necessary,” the boy with the soft eyes said.

“What are you in love with her or something?” The redhead boy joked and the others laughed. Then he punched her again. This time she did fall to her knees.

Tears dropped out of both her eyes. There was nothing she could do to soothe her pain, her arms were still behind her and she could hardly even double over.

She panted out, trying to get more air inside of her body. Then the blonde boy joined in. He kicked her so hard in her left side, the same side the Oz Guard had kicked, that the raven haired boy let go of her. Her small frame flung to the right and she yelled out in pure agony.

Her head hit a rock with a harsh crack and her vision blurred instantly.

———

Galinda ran as fast as her feet would allow her to. Her father would kill her if it got out that she was in that creek, practically naked, with Elphaba. She would never be allowed out of her room ever again. She felt horrible for leaving Elphaba, worse than she’d ever felt before. She hoped that she got away, but that same hope was shattered the second she heard the scream.

It was the kind of scream that rattled birds out of trees and prey out of hiding. She stopped running that very second.

Elphie…

Then the bell rang.

There was a bell tower in town that was used to signify when her father would be making important announcements in the town square. It meant that at least one person from every household was required to be in attendance.

She turned to go back, even more out of breath but somehow running faster back towards the sound of Elphaba’s scream. The thoughts of her father left her mind in an instant. She didn’t care at all about that damn bell, she cared about Elphaba. While she ran she tried to get the thoughts of what they were doing to Elphaba to make her scream like that out of her mind. The girl rarely even raised her voice, that scream was the loudest thing she’d ever heard. She wasn’t even sure Elphaba’s body could make a sound that loud until now.

She was close enough now that she could see the creek, but not the boys… or Elphaba.

Elphie, please…

When she’d made it close enough that she could see the bridge, she hid behind a tree to make sure the boys were gone. After not seeing or hearing anyone she came out.

“Elphie?”

She looked around everywhere but couldn’t find her so she started to widen her search. She went the opposite direction as she ran hoping that Elphaba was just hiding somewhere. That she’d escaped and was okay.

“Elphaba? It’s just me. They’re gone,” she tried.

And there she was, laying on the ground. Galinda ran over in a panic. “Elphie!”

She dropped to her knees where Elphaba laid. She was passed out, her head was bleeding, and she had all kinds of cuts and bruises.

Galinda’s breathing picked up. What experience did she have with first aid? She didn’t know the first thing to do. She laid a hand on Elphaba’s cheek and rubbed her thumb back and forth. The tears on her cheeks were almost dry now but still Galinda used her finger to wipe them away.

“Elphie please wake up,” she said over her friend’s body. “Elphaba!”

She shook her by her shoulders with a bit more force then tapped her cheek repeatedly. “Come on, Elphie. Wake up! Wake up!”

Elphaba’s eyes shot open and she tried to back away from Galinda in a hurry.

“No, no. Stop it. It’s just me, it’s okay. You’re safe now,” she said softly to her very frightened friend.

Elphaba whimpered then reached for her head. It was clear to Galinda that she was in an incredible amount of pain. She could hardly hold herself up and her wet clothes still clung to her body, now dirty in addition.

“Elphie, we have to get you back to the house. That’s where the first aid kit is.”

Elphaba just stared at her and Galinda was too afraid of scaring her again to get any closer to her.

“I’ll be back,” she said as she rose to her feet.

“Stay!” Elphaba begged. More tears started to flow from her eyes, but she wiped them away before Galinda had the chance to comfort her.

Still trying to be strong, Galinda noted.

“I was just gonna go get my clothes,” she told Elphaba.

Elphaba’s eyes fluttered and for a moment Galinda thought she’d pass out again. She rushed over to her side. “Okay, you’re coming with me.”

She helped Elphaba to her feet. Every groan she let out broke Galinda’s heart. Elphaba held onto her side with one arm and wrapped the other around Galinda’s neck.

Slowly but surely they crossed the bridge and Galinda was able to put her clothes back on.

“No! No, where is it?” Elphaba panicked. She dropped to the ground and started to search around.

It was only then that Galinda realized her hoodie was gone. She felt awful but she knew that Elphaba shouldn’t be moving around the way she was. She watched her look around and shove through the grass in search of her hoodie.

“Elphie… They took it. Come on,” Galinda said with a hand on her back that Elphaba flinched away from.

“Don’t touch me!”

She didn’t listen. She grabbed Elphaba as she dropped to her knees beside her.

“I said don’t—”

“I don’t care. Come here.” Galinda pulled Elphaba into her lap. Both girls’ breathing were labored but Elphaba’s whole body shook with her sobs. She curled up in Galinda’s arms and let out a gut wrenching sob.

Galinda’s hand cradled her head and the other rubbed soothing circles on her back. She whispered so many comforting words into Elphaba’s head, she wasn’t even sure she heard them.

It’s okay

and

I’ll get it back for you… I promise

Nothing calmed Elphaba though. She was still hiccuping and holding herself.

Galinda let go of her back and head to cup her cheeks.

Elphaba inhaled sharply as she tried to meet Galinda’s eyes.

“I’m gonna fix this for you. I’ll get it back, but I need you to calm down, darling.”

Again Elphaba’s eyes fluttered but she managed a nod. “It hurts.”

“I know…,” Galinda said truthfully. She couldn’t imagine the extent of pain Elphaba was in, but she knew she wanted to help in any way she could. “Come on.”

Galinda carefully helped Elphaba to her feet making sure to grab her forgotten watch and shoes, and they walked back to the abandoned house.

Once inside, Galinda sat Elphaba down in front of the couch not trusting any part of it to hold her fragile weight. Then she retrieved the first aid kit and the flashlight, and came back to Elphaba.

“You have to tell me where it hurts because I can’t see very well in here, but I don’t wanna risk them spotting us outside if they come back.”

Elphaba nodded then pointed to her feet. “I stepped on a lot of things,” she said quietly.

Galinda tried to break some of the tension in the room with relatability, “So did I.”

She softly wiped Elphaba’s feet down with the cleansing wipes, then she applied the antibiotic ointment and wrapped them up with gauze. She repeated the process for all the cuts that Elphaba told her about except she opted for bandaids for the smaller ones.

Once she was done, she sat down next to Elphaba and intertwined their fingers.

She asked, “What did they do to you?”

“The same thing everyone’s always done to me… hurt me.”

Galinda’s free hand came up to Elphaba’s chin. Her fingertips grazed the space at the nape of her neck as her thumb swiped across her cheek. Then slowly with the utmost care she laid a soft kiss on the top of Elphaba’s head paying extra attention to the bandage that was protecting the open wound on her temple.

“You have me now. You’ll never be alone again, I promise.”

Chapter Text

The next day, Galinda went back to the abandoned house with painkillers, a hoodie, and more food for Elphaba. She knew nothing could ever replace her mother’s, but until she got it back for her there was no way she was leaving her without a jacket.

“Elphie?” Galinda made her way into the house and set the things down on the kitchen counter. “Are you here?”

“Yeah, down here,” Elphaba said from the bunker below the cabinet.

Galinda grabbed the items and climbed down to be with her. She sat crossed legged in the small space across from Elphaba.

“Hi,” she started.

“Hi,” Elphaba said with a gentle smile.

“I brought you painkillers and food and—” Was it insensitive of her to offer Elphaba another jacket? Her mind started to wander about all the ways Elphaba could reject her.

“Galinda? And what?”

She looked back to Elphaba but saw nothing except genuine curiosity. “I brought you a hoodie. I know it’s not the one that was taken from you and it never will be, but I thought you’d be cold without a jacket. It gets really cold in the forest at night and—”

She was cut short by Elphaba. “Thank you. I was a bit cold last night.”

“I’m sorry I had to leave,” Galinda rushed out, now feeling horrible for doing so. “I have curfew at eleven thirty.”

Elphaba dismissed her with a wave of her hand. “It’s okay, you’ve done enough for me.”

“I can do more! Whatever you need!”

“Galinda, really. It’s okay. I feel better than yesterday.” Elphaba smiled reassuringly. “And these,” she grabbed the painkillers, “Will do wonders for me. I should be up and moving in a bit.”

Galinda snatched them from her hand! “Aht! None of these until you eat this,” she said, pushing the sandwich in her direction.

“You just like telling me what to do,” Elphaba said.

“I like when you listen to me if that’s what you mean,” Galinda replied, satisfied.

Elphaba watched Galinda watch her eat the sandwich for longer than was considered normal. They’d been playing a little game with their eyebrows silently while she snacked.

“So… Do you have a plan? You can’t want to be on the run forever…”

Elphaba didn’t answer— A habit of hers Galinda had begun to hate. She just continued eating her sandwich as if the question hadn’t even been asked. Being ignored bothered Galinda more than if she would’ve just told her to shut up or be quiet.

She frowned, “Stop doing that!”

“Doing what?” Elphaba asked, mouth full.

“Well for one, eating with your mouth open—”

“You asked me a question.”

“And secondly, ignoring my questions,” Galinda finished!

Elphaba put her finger up then motioned towards the sandwich currently in her mouth. Galinda rolled her eyes at her antics despite just saying how she disliked when Elphaba spoke with food in her mouth.

She took a very dramatic pause to swallow the sandwich then washed it down with water from her bottle.

“So you don’t want me to ignore you but you also don’t want me to answer you with food in my mouth? Then maybe don’t ask me questions when I have food in my mouth.”

“You take pride in your sarcasm, don’t you?”

Elphaba shrugged, “I’m just repeating what you said.”

“What is your plan?”

A sigh escaped Elphaba’s crumb covered lips. “I don’t know… Survive, I guess. I don’t have any options. It’s either go out beyond the wall to be infected or stay here and be executed.”

Galinda took a deep breath. She wished she had a solution for Elphaba right now, but she didn’t. Popsicle wouldn’t ever listen to her about this topic without her incriminating herself as proof. She couldn’t even ask Fiyero and her friends for help because they shared the same beliefs as her father. She understood that they feared for their lives and didn’t want to risk it, but Elphaba hadn’t done anything wrong. She looked different but that wasn’t her fault. She hadn’t hurt anyone or even expressed a desire to.

Galinda reached over to Elphaba to wipe the lingering sandwich from her lips and cheeks. She swiped over the big pieces then pinched off the smaller ones one by one. She hadn’t even realized she was doing it, her mind focused on fixing everything for Elphaba. She wanted to fix the hit on her life and the fact that her mother’s hoodie was stolen and the crumbs on her face, but only one of them was in her immediate control. So, she picked at every intrusion of food on her face until it was spotless.

“Got it all?”

Galinda nodded then handed Elphaba the painkillers.

Defeatedly, “Tell me when you run out and I’ll get you more.”

Elphaba nodded. “Galinda, it’s okay. This is the only life I’ve ever known. I’m not yours to fix.”

But that was wrong.

She was wrong.

Despite whether either of them knew it for what it was yet, Elphaba was Galinda’s and vice versa. No, she wasn’t something to be fixed or a possession to be had, but they were tethered to each other from this point on.

Galinda knew she’d do anything for Elphaba’s freedom. She would even give up her favorite pink pumps! Her most prized possession for Elphaba’s life seemed like a fair trade to her. Only Popsicle couldn’t care less about pumps. Maybe she could offer him herself… If she agreed to take her leadership role seriously, he would rescind the order on Elphaba’s life. Or if she just kept Elphaba alive for long enough for her to gain the position— A position she loathed… The position that would save Elphaba’s life though. She would do it, for her. She would rule until her last breath if it meant she could control Elphaba’s fate in Oz. Keep the Oz Guard and townsfolk away from her.

“Galinda? Where’d you go just now?”

“Huh? Nowhere. I’m here… With you.” Galinda smiled softly.

“Are you sure? We could talk about it,” Elphaba suggested.

She shook her head, “No, no. It’s nothing. Just lost in thought.”

“Tell me about what you were thinking about,” Elphaba said. She patted the space next to her and Galinda happily occupied it. She wasted no time leaning her head on Elphaba’s shoulder.

“I hate that everyone treats you like they do. I wish I could make it better for you.”

Elphaba’s eyes shut while she processed Galinda’s words. “It’s alright. You have your own life to tend to.”

Galinda sat up. She was so sure she’d made it perfectly clear to Elphaba that she didn’t want a life without her in it. They were best friends after all. “You are a part of my life now.”

“But I can’t be all of it.”

Galinda wanted to tell her she was wrong, that she absolutely could take up every inch of her life. They could spend everyday together and go on happily until they both had grey hair and families of their own. She could bring Elphaba more things and give her more kisses until the end of their days, and Elphaba would mock her playfully and help her with all the things she couldn’t do on her own because she was the smartest person she knew. Galinda noticed some time ago that Elphaba carried a few books in her bag, boring ones about topics she couldn’t remember. The kind that Shiz students had.

“You can be whatever you want to be in my life, Elphie.”

“What if I don’t know what I want to be?”

Galinda’s eyes drifted down to Elphaba’s lips then back up to her eyes. She wanted to give her everything right then and there and tell her she can have all she’s ever wanted. They could do anything together, that Galinda was sure of.

But what if Elphaba didn’t want that? What if she didn’t want Galinda at all? “Do you want to be in my life?”

Elphaba bit her lip shyly. “If I’m allowed to, yes.”

Galinda smiled then laid her head back down on Elphaba’s shoulder. She linked their arms and their fingers and curled up into Elphaba’s side.

She groaned quietly at the sudden movement.

“Oz, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have.”

Elphaba held her in place firmly. “It’s okay. I’m okay.”

“You promise?”

Looking down at their hands, Elphaba responded, “I promise.”

———

Both girls were getting tired now as they’d been talking for the last couple hours. Galinda glanced down at the watch to see that she had a few more minutes before she had to start her walk home for the night to make curfew.

With her head still on Elphaba’s shoulder, she asked, “Elphie, did you ever dream as a child?”

Taken aback by the question, Elphaba craned her head down towards Galinda. “Mostly about toys I guess.”

Galinda sat up, giggling. “No, silly! I mean what did you imagine your life to be like? Did you ever wish for something really bad?”

“Oh…”

Galinda waited patiently for Elphaba to regain her footing and get her words together. She wouldn’t push, she never did.

“Love.”

Galinda’s head tilted in confusion. “You want a husband?”

“Oz, no!”

They both giggled like primary school aged girls.

“You know… What you have. A family and friends. People to love who will love me back. They won’t be afraid to touch me and won’t think I’m diseased. They’ll be kind to me and won’t h—” hate me… “I dreamed to know what it feels like to not be so afraid all the time.”

Galinda’s initial reaction was to frown and storm over to the Thropp house to give Nessarose and Frex a piece of her mind. To reprimand them for being so cruel to their own blood and destroying such a beautiful girl. For not defending her when everyone was against her and for adding to the strife she already had to face outside her own home.

Instead, she took a deep breath and waited for Elphaba’s eyes to meet her again. She took both of her hands into her own and laid gentle kisses on both of her knuckles. “I’m not afraid to touch you and I don’t think you’re diseased.” I will love you back. I won’t ever harm you. There’s no need to be afraid.

Their hands stayed intertwined as if that was their natural state, their only state. Galinda’s eyes never left Elphaba’s freckle-covered face. She wondered how many of them she was born with and how many came in the last year of being in the sun. Which ones were her favorite and which ones weren’t. Either way she wanted to kiss all of them until Elphaba started to push her away, then she’d just start to kiss her hands instead. She would kiss her so much that Elphaba would have to physically restrain her to get her to stop. She wanted nothing more than to fill her up with so much love and adoration that she never questioned whether or not someone would love her ever again.

“Why haven’t you given up on me yet?” The genuine confusion in Elphaba’s eyes made Galinda hold onto her even tighter.

“Because I still have air to breathe.”

Chapter Text

Galinda spent much of her time in the following days caring for Elphaba and tending to her wounds. She redressed her wounds and made sure she always had plenty of water to drink. Their attachment had grown profoundly given that Galinda was now at the abandoned house every single day under the guise of needing to help Elphaba. Truthfully, she would’ve gone to see her even if she was in perfect health.

Today, however, she couldn’t avoid her friends for any longer. Not that she was doing it intentionally, but Elphaba needed her more. Since being with her more often than not, she noticed that Elphaba hadn’t been going to the creek. Her clothes were getting more dirty and her nails seemed less kept than usual.

Galinda felt she needed to do something so Elphaba didn’t unintentionally give herself an infection. Sure, they could tend to the wounds as they’d been doing, but how useful was that if Elphaba’s body itself wasn’t clean?

So Galinda decided a care package was needed. She packed up every possible shower tool Elphaba could need, more towels, clean clothes, soap, razors, her very own nail kit, a small bowl, and an excessive amount of water bottles. The perks of being the Ozian leader’s daughter was that she didn’t struggle for the things that were sparse in town. It meant that she could provide Elphaba with whatever she needed without her father even noticing the things were gone.

Satisfied with her bag, Galinda covered the things with her jacket in case her friends took a peek inside they wouldn’t suspect anything. Then she made her way to the cafe she planned to meet Shenshen and Pfannee at. They’d asked Fiyero if he wanted to join them but he said he already had plans and he’d join them an hour or so late.

“Tell us everything! We haven’t seen you in forever,” Pfannee said, raising a bagel delicately to his mouth.

He sat across from Galinda and next to Shenshen at the small table for four they were seated at on the outdoor patio of their favorite lunch diner. The diner had a retro feel to it with checkered floors and vibrant colors covering the walls. The outside of the building had a fresh coat of teal paint with striped black and white awnings surrounded almost fully with overgrown plants. The diner was lucky enough to be in the renovated part of town which made it a hotspot for young people.

“It hasn’t been so long! I’ve just been busy with… Stuff!”

Shenshen raised her eyebrow, then shared a glance with Pfannee.

“Stop it! I’m telling the truth!”

“People who tell the truth don’t have to narrate it, honey,” Pfannee quipped with a lick of his fingers.

“Lucky for you we know how to have a good time,” Shenshen said as she lifted a bottle of unmarked alcohol to the table.

“Now? The sun is still up!” Galinda feigned uninterest, but everyone knew she was always up for a good time.

“Since when do you say no to fun?” Pfannee said, taking the bottle from Shenshen and topping off all of their lemonades with the alcohol. “And now it’s a mixed drink!”

“Cheers!” Shenshen raised her glass.

“Cheers!”

“You two will be the death of me,” Galinda smiled, then clinked her glass to her friends’ and lowered it to her lips.

After two “lemonades” she was considerably tipsy and about fifteen minutes from drunk. She was past “everything is funny” and well on her way to “every decision is a good one” territory. She’d actually been enjoying the afternoon much more than she anticipated. She did miss her friends, but she also missed Elphaba. How long twenty four hours felt when it was time spent away from the one person she’d gladly spend all her time with.

“Yeroooooo,” Pfannee shouted! “How hot is he?”

Shenshen laughed into his shoulder and Galinda kicked him under the table. More out of instinct than truth. She didn’t actually care that Pfannee found her boyfriend to be hot. She couldn’t care less if she was being honest.

“Hi, darling,” Fiyero said, leaning down to plant a soft kiss on her cheek.

“Hi!”

“And you two. Keeping her in trouble I see,” he said with a wink to Pfannee, who’s crush on him was no secret to anyone… In all of Oz!

Pfannee pretended to pass out in his chair and Shenshen fanned him with her hand.

“You guys are idiots,” Galinda laughed!

“So what did I miss?” Fiyero asked, taking a piece of bread from the center of the table.

“Spiked lemonade and gossip,” Shenshen said.

“Remind me to never commit a more serious crime with you,” Pfannee added.

“What?! He asked.”

“But that doesn’t mean you confess!”

Galinda rolled her eyes, “Stop your bickering.”

“Yes, mom,” Pfannee teased.

Galinda’s mouth dropped open, “Hey!” Then a piece of bread smashed into Pfannee’s head.

The table erupted into laughter.

This was nice. It felt like before. Galinda only wished that she could introduce Elphaba to her other friends. They could all drink spiked lemonade together and poke fun at each other, and she wouldn’t have to pretend that she cared about Pfannee’s crush on Fiyero because she would have Elphaba…

“What’s on your mind?” Fiyero asked Galinda quietly.

“Not much,” she lied. Elphaba was all she could think about now.

“Is it about what your father announced the other day? I’ve felt pretty bad about it too.”

The announcement…

She totally forgot about that, so consumed with caring for Elphaba.

“Oh right! I was studying then, remind me of what he said.” Studying… Quite possibly the most unbelievable lie she could’ve come up with. It would’ve been more believable for her to have been shopping for an article of clothing that lacked pink than it was for her to be studying.

Nonetheless, Fiyero seemed to accept her excuse as he told her, “Some of the Oz Guard were infected and one killed trying to protect the wall.”

“Oz…” She continued, “That’s awful!”

“Isn’t it scary to think that we live with an infected inside the walls…?” Pfannee questioned. “She could be anywhere. Infecting whoever.”

“Buzzkill,” Shenshen said.

“She isn’t i— How do you even know she’s infected?” Galinda said, trying to keep her feelings on the subject, on Elphaba, buried.

“Her own sister says she’s actually green!” Pfannee practically yelled. The alcohol clearly had a grasp on him.

“People lie!” Galinda said, her voice also raised slightly.

“Darling, calm down,” Fiyero said, rubbing her back. “We’re only talking. It’s not like any of us have seen her.”

“I just— Don’t you think it’s unfair.” Galinda slouched in her chair, resigned.

“You used to agree with us, what’s gotten into you? Do you want to be infected?” Pfannee said.

“Of course not, but what if she’s just… green. No one has reported an infection within the walls.”

Shenshen and Pfannee laughed which really bugged Galinda. It wasn’t funny and they were wrong about Elphaba!

“Just green? No one is just green…” Shenshen replied.

“Whatever… I uh— I have a thing. Popsicle wants me to do something for uh something.” Galinda excused herself from the table in haste. She grabbed her bag and darted for the exit gate before anyone had the chance to protest. She was sure they were talking about her behind her back, but she didn’t care.

Stumbling down the street, she took the long way to the forest so that she had to walk past her house to get there. At least that way if they asked her, she could say she technically did go home without it being another lie she told them.

———

“Elphie, come out!”

Galinda?

Elphaba moved as fast as she could out of the bunker. She was feeling much better these days.

“There you are! I have thiiiiings,” Galinda sang as she embraced Elphaba.

Almost instantly Elphaba could smell the alcohol radiating off her body. Her nose twitched. She’d never drank before and only recognized the smell courtesy of her father coming into her room to yell at her at ungodly hours of the night.

“Have you been drinking?” Elphaba asked, holding onto a wobbly Galinda by the forearms.

“Only— Only a little,” Galinda said as she closed her pointer finger close to her thumb to indicate the very small amount of alcohol she was claiming to have had.

“You walked here all alone, drunk? Oz, Galinda! Sit down!”

“Fine,” Galinda frowned, but it was quickly replaced with a huge grin once she remembered she’d come here to give Elphaba a makeover. “Let me show you what I have!”

“Uh Galinda d—” Elphaba tried to warn her, but it was too late.

Galinda turned and plopped down on the old couch, only it was broken. Her butt fell through the cushion, folding her small body up and causing her bag to fling to the other side of the rickety brown furniture. Her skirt bunched at her waist as her feet waved in the air.

Elphaba’s hand flew to her mouth to hide her giggles.

“Stop laughing! This isn’t funny,” Galinda shrieked!

Elphaba doubled down on her laughter. She clutched her stomach as a cackle came out her mouth.

“Elphiiiieeeeeee,” Galinda pleaded. “Help!”

Elphaba calmed. “The people’s princess… Stuck in an old sofa and no one is here to see it except me? How did I get so lucky?” She snickered.

“Elphaba Thropp, help me this instant,” Galinda attempted to command! However, being folded into a couch really takes away one’s authority.

Elphaba stepped closer to her. So close Galinda had to lean her head back to see her face. “Say pleaseeee.”

Galinda scowled unconvincingly then her face morphed into something else all together. Her long eyelashes fluttered and her bottom lip bent downwards.

The most adorable pout Elphaba thought she’d ever seen crossed Galinda’s face.

“Pleeeaasseeee, Elphiiieeee,” Galinda begged innocently.

Her eyes looked at least three sizes bigger to Elphaba. How could she ever deny her?

“Alright, come here,” Elphaba caved instantly. She held Galinda just under her shoulders and pulled gently until she was up on her feet again.

With her arms around Elphaba’s neck, Galinda planted a kiss to her cheek. “Thank you!”

Elphaba froze as a wave of butterflies fluttered through her abdomen. Just like at the creek and again in the bunker that night and every other time Galinda’s lips touched her body. She couldn’t help but get lost in those moments no matter how minuscule she thought they were to Galinda.

She shook herself out of her thoughts before they consumed her.

“Show me what you brought today.”

“Oh yes! Okay— Well…” Galinda went over to the couch and delivered a kick to it as payback. Then she straightened out her skirt, grabbed the bag, and turned back towards Elphaba who’d snickered again. “I noticed that you’ve been avoiding the creek.”

Elphaba’s eyebrow raised. “Are you saying I smell?”

“What? Oh Oz! No! I’m not— No! I just—”

Elphaba laughed again, “Calm down, I’m only kidding. You were saying…”

Galinda playfully swatted Elphaba’s arm. “Don’t do that! I could’ve died!”

Elphaba shook her head at her dramatics. “Tell me what’s in the bag, Galinda.”

“Oh right! I have so much.” Galinda dropped to her knees after dusting the ground with the back of her hand.

She unloaded the bag of goodies onto the ground making sure to put the towel down first. Then she looked up at Elphaba, hopeful she hadn’t offended her. “I thought it would be fun to give you a makeover. They always make me feel better and well… you went through something horrible so I wanted to help.”

Elphaba looked down at all the things in front of her. She felt something similar to how she felt when Galinda brought her things for the first time. Her chest tightened and her hands felt clammy. She was pleasantly overwhelmed and having trouble forming words.

“Elphie? Sit,” Galinda said as she reached for her hand.

Once she was on the ground, she pulled her knees to her chest.

“I was thinking… we could start with a bath of sorts. I brought lots of water,” she picked up a water bottle. “We could do it in here until you’re ready to try the creek again.”

Elphaba took a deep breath to calm her anxiety. “I can’t do it,” she said softly.

Galinda hesitated, “…I could help.”

Elphaba shook her head, “I don’t think you’d want to see me that way.”

“Nonsense! We’re best friends!”

Is that what they were? Friends… Elphaba was growing to hate that word as Galinda used it. Friends don’t make each other feel how Galinda makes her feel.

Her voice was low, so low Galinda hardly heard her say it. “I’m not trimmed.”

Galinda’s head tilted. “Is that what’s been worrying you this whole time? I brought razors! Do you take me for a novice beauty guru?”

Her smile brought Elphaba out of her self doubt in an instant. That was it? No snarky remark? Or look of disgust? Just help…

“You’re sure?”

Galinda nodded excitedly!

The next couple minutes consisted of Galinda moving everything out of Elphaba’s way so she could fully sit on the towel and unpacking the soap. She sat the small bowl out next to Elphaba and poured a water bottle in it. Then she placed the razor next to it.

She waited patiently for Elphaba to take the scene in.

Elphaba’s eyes met Galinda’s with a sliver of uncertainty but mostly trust. The confidence and softness in her gaze made it easy for Elphaba to relax her mind and get rid of her lingering anxiety.

“Ready?” Galinda asked. She was sat on her knees in front of Elphaba.

Elphaba nodded. She kicked her shoes off then removed her socks and rolled them up to place next to her shoes. She undid the button on her pants and shimmied out of her pants and underwear. Then she pulled her shirt over her head and unwrapped her still minimally bruised waist. She wasn’t wearing a bra underneath which made her completely naked now.

She stole a quick glance at Galinda who hadn’t been staring, uncharacteristically. She was focused on getting soap and water on the smaller towel.

When their eyes finally did meet again, Elphaba bit the inside of her cheek. That self consciousness was creeping its way back into her mind.

“Can you say something please?” She asked softly.

“You have nothing to worry about. You’re the most scandalocious little fish in the sea!”

Elphaba’s face scrunched up. “Is that good?”

Galinda nodded with a grin. “It means you’re hot!”

Elphaba smiled towards her knees. She knew Galinda was probably very very drunk but the compliment was still nice to hear.

Then she felt Galinda scoot closer to her and her breath hitched as Galinda began to wipe her arms with the soapy towel. She focused on the movement across her body rather than the girl causing the moving. The white streaks of cleanness followed every place Galinda touched. Her face… Arms… Hands… Feet… Legs…

And just as Galinda was nearing the junction of her thighs, she skipped up to her stomach.

“Lower your knees please,” Galinda asked.

Elphaba did look at her then and she saw nothing but focused determination. Galinda’s tongue poked out her mouth as she wiped across Elphaba’s abdomen. Instinctively, her muscles flexed.

“Show off,” Galinda said with a wink.

Elphaba smiled, satisfied. She did have abs naturally. She’d never did much to maintain them, but living the life she did had exercise built into it with all the running for her life and whatnot.

Then Galinda moved behind her. She felt her hands lay flat against her skin for few seconds then they began to move. With ease they flowed across her back soothingly.

A single slender finger followed the map of her spine up and down.

Then the wet towel followed the same path. Elphaba could only feel the soft fabric against her skin, second to Galinda’s hands. Nothing compared to how taken care of she felt when Galinda touched her as she just had. She imagined Galinda’s hands were still on her unguarded by the towel when her wish was granted. Galinda’s hands came around her waist as her lips kissed the tip of her shoulder.

Elphaba’s head craned to the other side and her eyes fluttered shut. Galinda’s lips were heaven sent, so soft, so loving against every part of her they touched.

Galinda’s mouth moved to the corner of her neck and her hands tightened around Elphaba’s waist.

Elphaba wanted so badly to ask her if this was how she bathed all her friends, but fear of her stopping coursed through her. She wouldn’t risk losing Galinda’s hands gripping her stomach or her lips that were now kissing higher on her neck.

A quiet moan escaped Elphaba’s lips as her hands came to rest on Galinda’s. Then she felt Galinda stop, her eyes opened and she turned to see Galinda staring back at her.

“Better?”

Elphaba nodded slowly. Galinda turned her hand to give Elphaba the towel. “Do you want to do the rest yourself?”

Elphaba shook her head steadfastly. “You can.”

Galinda stared at her for a second longer then shifted to dip the towel back in the bowl of water. Elphaba watched her every movement just waiting for the moment she kissed her again, touched her again. She needed to feel her in any way she could.

Galinda squeezed the excess water out then brought the towel up to Elphaba’s breasts. She leaned over Elphaba’s body so that she cocooned her in her embrace. Elphaba looked up to see Galinda or maybe she just needed a reason to lean her head back against Galinda’s body. Her eyes shut again as the towel grazed over her nipples that were now stones of green underneath Galinda’s fingertips.

She moaned again.

The rise and fall of her chest was significantly faster than it had been minutes ago.

“Relax, darling,” Galinda whispered.

Elphaba could do nothing but hum in response. Galinda’s hands were lowering.

Her head dropped as she watched with bated breath…

“Open,” Galinda commanded and she obeyed. Her legs, bent at the knees again, widened.

She bit her lip as the towel met the covered flesh between her legs. Galinda’s hands were slow and gentle as they parted her to cleanse. She felt the world melt away when Galinda’s fingers separated from one another against her. She whimpered before she even realized it was coming out.

Galinda rubbed against her clit for a second. And that was all it took for Elphaba to have a completely new set of desires. Her hand wrapped around Galinda’s wrist.

Galinda’s head came around to look at Elphaba’s face. “Want me to stop?”

Elphaba shook her head weakly. Then she felt Galinda’s free hand slide across her back and around to hold her breast while the other wiped around every part of her vagina except her clit. And Oz how she missed her fingers against the unexplored nub.

Galinda’s lips dipped into her neck again, this time sucking hard.

The moan that slipped out this time was loud.

Then she stopped.

She was gone.

Galinda dipped the towel back in the water and rang it out.

Once she was in front of Elphaba again, she situated herself and picked up the razor. Elphaba watched her as she covered her leg in soap and began to remove the hair from her legs. Every now and then she’d lay a soft kiss on her knee and then she’d rinse and repeat. Shave… Kiss… Rinse… Repeat. Until her legs, underarms, and stomach were all hairless.

“You want me here too?” Galinda asked with a soft hand against the bundle of curls between Elphaba’s legs.

Elphaba took a shaky breath. “Please.”

Galinda smiled then reached for her hand. “Lay back, please. And open your legs a bit more for me.”

Elphaba did as she was told and let Galinda get to work. Admittedly, being shaved by Galinda was less heat inducing than being bathed by her, but she still appreciated the gentleness with which Galinda cared for her body.

“Landing strip or bald?” Galinda asked, peeking over Elphaba’s knees.

“Surprise me,” Elphaba said in response to not knowing what a landing strip even was. “Actually, whatever you have,” she corrected!

Galinda giggled, “Bald, darling.”

“O-okay.”

When Galinda was done, she dipped the razor into the water and left it there. Then she wiped Elphaba down with the towel from front to back and admired her work.

Elphaba watched her look at what she’d done in silent satisfaction which made her in turn happy. She was about to sit up when Galinda leaned down to place a kiss right against where Elphaba’s clit lay under the lips of her labia.

She gasped, “Galinda!”

A cheeky grin spread across Galinda’s face. “I aim to impress,” she said with a nonchalant shrug.

She then handed Elphaba a fresh set of clothes. A black, tight fitted, crewneck t-shirt, some loose fitting black jeans, underwear, and black socks. She noticed a long time ago, Elphaba seldom wore a bra; a fact she greatly appreciated.

She shamelessly watched Elphaba change and rewrap her side, then she cleaned up their makeshift bathroom and pulled out her nail kit.

“I got your favorite color,” Galinda exclaimed!

Elphaba looked down at the various polishes, all a different shade of pink in her mind. “They’re all pink…”

“No! They’re black with pink flakes and glitter. That’s not the same!” Galinda seemed particularly proud of herself for being technically right.

Elphaba gave up with a quiet laugh and offered Galinda her nails to do with whatever she pleased. “Just not too short, okay?”

“Noted!”

Galinda got to work, perhaps even more focused than she just was a few minutes ago. Elphaba could see that she really enjoyed pampering and makeovers! They were by no means her own favorite, but she’d never had one the way Galinda was doing it, so maybe they were now… Maybe anything she did with Galinda was in the running to be her favorite thing to do.

Galinda finished painting her nails in record time and was now holding Elphaba’s hand up to the natural light flowing in from the windows to admire her work.

“Oh helloooo, so pretty!” Elphaba figured Galinda’d said more to herself than to her. She giggled softly which got Galinda’s attention. “Hello to you too! Equally as pretty as my work.”

Elphaba’s cheeks flushed and she dipped her head as gravity brought her braids to the front of her face.

Galinda quickly swiped them behind her ears then lifted her face with a caring hand under her chin.

“Can I tweeze your eyebrows?”

“That sounds painful,” Elphaba said.

“Only a little.”

“That’s not very convincing.”

“I’ll kiss it after,” Galinda suggested.

“Hmm…” Elphaba pretended that wasn’t more than enough to make her change her mind. “I don’t knoooow…”

Galinda pouted.

“Get your tweezers out.”

Galinda practically bounced with joy. She pulled tweezers out a separate part of her bag. The part that was just the things she carried on a day to day basis.

She held Elphaba’s face and began to pluck away at her eyebrows.

“Ow! Galinda!” Elphaba shrieked, but Galinda quieted her with a gentle and purposely slow kiss to her brow bone.

Her hands rested on Galinda’s waist as she tried very hard not to look at her breasts that were, undoubtedly, in the perfect place to stare at from this angle.

Galinda continued plucking to her satisfaction then she pulled Elphaba up, careful not to ruin her nails.

Elphaba watched as she surveyed the room. She then went around pulling various sheets off dusty artwork hanging from the walls until she found what she was looking for… A mirror.

“How did you know that was there?” Elphaba questioned.

“I didn’t,” she shrugged. “Come, come.”

“Oh I really don’t need to se—” Elphaba started until she did see herself. Her hair pulled behind her ears, and her eyebrows with an actual shape changed her look entirely.

Galinda, from behind her, “Why… Miss Elphaba— Look at you. You’re beautiful.”

Elphaba looked at herself in the mirror and for once her image wasn’t distorted. The waves of the creek told her an incorrect tale of her appearance. It told her she wasn’t attractive and that the green was too much for anyone to want to look at. But here… In this mirror meant to reflect reality… And with Galinda behind her… She felt like maybe that wasn’t true all the time. If Galinda thought she was beautiful in this moment…

Then who was she to tell her she was wrong?

———

The girls sat on the steps of the back porch, away from prying eyes, just enjoying each others company. It was now late enough that the only illumination in the forest were the stars, hindered only by trees that pointed towards the clouds.

Elphaba looked up with a smile and Galinda did the same.

“It’s nice out. You’re lucky you get this view every night.”

“Lucky?” Elphaba questioned.

“You know what I mean,” Galinda corrected.

“I do.”

“My head feels all woozy, Elphie.”

“Wait here.” Elphaba disappeared into the house for a few seconds then came out with a water bottle she handed to Galinda. “I read that water helps with the effects of being drunk.”

Between gulps Galinda asked, “You read a lot?”

Elphaba waved her hand dismissively. “I guess. I’d like to read more, but I can’t get books from the library. The ones I have, I got from the secondhand shop.”

Galinda took another sip and was about to ask Elphaba what books she wanted so she could get them for her, but the alcohol in her system suddenly wanted to not be in her system anymore.

She rushed to her feet to empty the contents of her stomach, “Oh Oz! Elp—”

Elphaba jumped up after her to hold her hair back and rub her back until she was finished. She then gave her more water and brought her inside. They sat on the floor in the kitchen. The tile was dusty, but cool enough that Galinda preferred it over the thick carpet in the living room.

Elphaba sat with her back against the kitchen counter and Galinda’s head in her lap as she continued to rub her back. She felt oddly comforted just existing here with Galinda who she was sure would be asleep in a matter of minutes.

“You have curfew,” Elphaba reminded her with a soft tap on her shoulder.

“It’s fine. I’ll suck up to Popsicle tomorrow, but I’m not moving from here right now,” Galinda said with a yawn.

“Sweet dreams,” Elphaba cooed as she ran her hands through her hair then down her back once more.

Chapter Text

Galinda laid on her bed with her feet up against the wall, locked in a deep state of thought. She remembered every single detail about her night with Elphaba and replayed it over and over in her head. Her hands touched every part of Elphaba and her lips had been almost everywhere on her emerald skin. It was invigorating— To hear the sounds Elphaba made while she was under her, begging her not to stop. Galinda wanted to hear it again and feel Elphaba in her mouth. She’d never wanted to taste someone as much as she did Elphaba.

She hadn’t intended to fall so fast for Elphaba. She hadn’t intended to fall for her at all, but she didn’t regret it. How could she regret something that made her feel so warm and comfortable?

How was it possible to feel like the most privileged girl in the world to have had her mouth on the most sought after girl in all of Oz and simultaneously the most unlucky for not being able to have her every night?

Instead she settled for Fiyero.

Sex with Fiyero was mediocre at no fault of his, she just wasn’t interested.

She didn’t want to hurt him. He’d done nothing wrong. He was the perfect boyfriend for the wrong girl and he had no idea. That was something Galinda regretted. He was her friend, but she was going to hurt him eventually…

Then again Fiyero was getting something in return, so maybe he wouldn’t be so angry with her…

He was next in line to lead the Oz Guard thanks to her adorable, daughter charm. He’d told her some months ago how he wanted the position so he could protect Oz, and she wanted to be a good girlfriend to him. So, when the time came, she batted her eyelashes at Popsicle, and told him exactly what he wanted to hear. Then suddenly Fiyero was next in line to lead the Guard.

At the time she felt so proud of having been able to do something nice for him, but now it just felt like one more reason for her to feel horrible about herself. He didn’t deserve to lose his future job prospects because of her, and Popsicle would surely rescind the offer if she told him they were no longer together.

But still…

The rebellion from having touched Elphaba in secret oozed out of her and made her feel more powerful than ever.

Her thoughts about power now interrupted by the sound of her door handle being twisted and the door pushing open aggressively.

“Galinda Arduenna Upland!”

Here we go…

“Popsicle, let me explain,” Galinda tried as she rose to her feet. She glanced past Popsicle to see her Momsie standing in the doorway.

“I don’t care about whatever excuse you have. You know the rules!”

“That isn’t fair, you have to listen to me!”

“I don’t have to do anything!”

Galinda crossed her arms over her chest. “I was with Fiyero! I fell asleep. I didn’t mean to.”

“None of that matters! The rules are in place for a reason! What if an infected got in and you were walking home alone? What if you were hurt and no one was near to help you? What if—”

“What if I died?!” Galinda interrupted.

“Galinda,” Larena yelled! “You are being awfully dramatic.”

“So is he! It was one time…”

“And now it’s the only time because the Oz Guard will be with you 24/7, Chistery is confined to the house, and your new curfew is seven.”

“High—” Larena started but Galinda spoke over her.

“What? No! No way!”

“That’s final Galinda,” Highmaster screamed!

She just stared at him as the rage flowed out her body. 24/7 surveillance and in the house by seven? Prisoners had more freedom. Not to mention taking away her pet’s freedom too was just cruel. However, she was more pissed to know that he was smart enough to think of it because Chistery was one of her most used forms of communication. He was very familiar with the town and extremely smart so she often used him to send messages to people quickly. He was much faster than her other options of mailing letters or driving to the residence of the person she was trying to reach.

When the initial outbreak happened and Oz became confined to the walls that stand around the borders today, the phone lines were one of the first things to go unmaintained. Without direct communication, the bell tower became of the utmost importance to notify people that there was news to be shared throughout town in an effective way.

But Galinda had Chistery! He acted as her personal little mail carrier and resident gossip (a quality she loved about him) which is why she hadn’t noticed that he’d been sneaking off to see Elphaba for quite some time. So, locking him in the house effectively nerfed her means for communication with… anyone. Elphaba especially…

As Popsicle turned to leave the room, she mumbled, “I hate you.”

She needed to talk to her friends to clear her mind. She grabbed her coat and headed for the door.
———

Shenshen, Pfannee, and Galinda walked over to Fiyero’s house which was deeper in town than Galinda’s, so they had plenty of time to talk before arriving. She vented to them about missing curfew and her punishment for it, but she hadn’t mentioned why she missed curfew just yet. Three members of the Oz Guard followed close enough behind them for Galinda to be annoyed with their presence, but far enough that she could still have a private conversation with her friends.

“I need to confess something to you guys before we see Fiyero…”

Pfannee’s ears perked up! He loved confessions and gossip and quite frankly anything that wasn’t his business. “Do tell!”

Galinda picked at her fingertips, a nervous habit she’d picked up as a child. “I cheated on Fiyero sort of…” She quickly added, “But not with someone you know, so don’t ask me with who because I can’t say!”

Shenshen stopped walking and Pfannee looked as if someone had told him his mother just died. He seemed more gutted than Galinda.

“Galinda Arduenna! How could you?” Pfannee dramaticized.

“Why did you do that? I thought you guys were happy…” Shenshen added.

Galinda dropped her shoulders in defeat. “We were— Are! We are! I didn’t do it on purpose.” She pointed to both of them, “You two got me drunk and it messed up all my thinking!”

“Oh sureeeee! Blame us!” Pfannee said.

“You have to tell him. He should know,” Shenshen suggested.

“I know.”

“Is the boy at least hot?” Pfannee joked, trying to break the tension.

“You assume it was a boy?” Galinda said with a wink.

Shenshen and Pfannee both gasped in utter shock then shared the most incredulous glance.

“How scandalocious!” Pfannee said as he tapped Galinda’s shoulder in approval.

They continued walking until they made it to Fiyero’s where Galinda knocked on the door.

He answered it within seconds, “Hi, darling!” He greeted her with a kiss and Pfannee pretended to need to clear his throat which earned him an elbow to the ribs from Galinda.

“I was wondering if you had time to talk to me today? Well hang out with us, but I also— I also need to talk to you.”

He didn’t even think twice about declining. “I can’t today. I have training for the Oz Guard that I can’t miss.”

Galinda nodded in understanding. She caught herself just before releasing a breath of relief. She absolutely knew she had to tell him the truth, but that didn’t mean she was ready to. For once, the Oz Guard proved to be useful to her. “Oh it’s no problem at all, it can wait! Have fun doing whatever it is you boys do…,” she said the last sentence with a level of sarcasm aimed directly at the three men standing about twenty feet to her right pretending to not be paying attention to her.

She pecked Fiyero’s cheek, waved him goodbye, and rushed Pfannee and Shenshen towards the park where they planned to spend their afternoon.

———

Elphaba was still reeling from the events that transpired last night. The astounding lack of physical contact in her life made it so that she remembered every single touch she did receive. Which meant that Galinda was often in her memory, but this was different… The way she’d been touched by Galinda was something of the novels she’d sometimes read when she snuck into town. Her touches lingered… Along with her scent that now filled Elphaba’s nose often as she wore things Galinda got for her and bathed with soaps picked out by her. Galinda had imprinted herself in Elphaba’s life and took whatever sensibility she had to be replaced with an intense desire.

These thoughts lasted for hours…

And then those hours turned into days…

Only the days continued to go on, but her contact with Galinda had ceased. She hadn’t seen Galinda in close to a week now. Those very same thoughts that made her blush now made her feel something entirely new.

Galinda had left her.

She wasn’t coming back.

Clearly, she’d gotten her fill and hadn’t planned on seeing Elphaba again, that was the logical explanation.

Elphaba had felt abandonment throughout her entire life, that part of the feeling wasn’t by any means new, but she had never felt it from someone she believed wouldn’t leave her. She started to actually believe the words that left Galinda’s mouth, a mistake she wouldn’t make again.

She wiped the tears from her eyes as she walked into town, fully covered from head to toe. Despite her complicated and ever changing feelings about Galinda, the longing she felt never dulled. She wanted to see her… So much so that she’d risk her life to go into town just to get a glance of her.

Much to her disappointment there was some sort of gathering going on in the square which meant there were far too many people for her to feel comfortable being out in the open. She hung close to the walls of buildings still hoping she could at the very least see Galinda to no avail.

She wanted to talk to her and ask her why she never came back and if she ever would again, but that was a foolish thought. Why would she ever come back? She had no reason to…

Elphaba’s walk back to the abandoned house was fairly quiet except for the many voices in her head telling her every reason Galinda had to avoid her.

You are a danger to her…

She was just bored and you were her entertainment…

You were just a sick joke to her…

Her mind proved time and time again to be the most volatile place she would ever spend time in. A place she could never escape after years of emotional turmoil solidified the things her mind made up.

Every step she took felt heavier than the last.

She tried to focus on the forest.

The greenery…

The sky…

The smell… Charcoal…?

Something was burning. Elphaba looked around for where the smell was coming from, but as she got closer to the abandoned house her guessing was no longer needed. She could see it… Everything she owned up in flames!

She started to run towards the house. She couldn’t let it all burn. The staircase dipped as she ran up them and onto the porch. She held the opening of her hoodie over her nose as smoke attempted to fill her lungs. She couldn’t see much except what was illuminated by the flames traveling up the walls on either side of her.

She started towards the kitchen as a huge burst of fire lit her face up!

No!

The bunker… Her food supply was in there along with her flashlight and other things Galinda had given her over the days they spent together.

Then she remembered her duffel! She hadn’t put it in the bunker because it was easier to just leave it near the couch which was where she’d been cleaning herself after the first time Galinda did it.

She coughed aggressively then squinted her eyes and started to walk towards where she knew it should be.

“Come onnn,” she said as she rambled around the couch for it.

Another cough forced its way out of her mouth and the ceiling collapsed to her left! There was no way she could even attempt to get to the bunker now, the pathway to the kitchen was actively burning in front of her very eyes.

Then her hand touched the thing she was looking for. She threw the duffel bag over her shoulder and ran back out the front door.

She fell to her knees once her feet were on solid ground, and coughed relentlessly.

As fast as her hands would allow, she unzipped the bag and took out a water bottle practically chugging the whole thing. She had two more water bottles and her canister of water, but that was it.

She turned around to watch the house burn down with her things in it. She was starting over completely… again.

She wanted to scream and shout and cry! What did she do that was so horrible that this was her life?

After a few more hard pants and tears, she raised her shoulders. What good was it to cry? No one would care anyway.

She was all she had.

———

Galinda and her friends sat at the park doing nothing particularly special. Just the usual gossip when she heard clamoring around her. People started to crowd around to watch whatever was going on behind her.

“Oh my Oz, the forest is on fire!” Shenshen said as she stood up to watch.

It was like the world slowed down for Galinda… Shenshen’s words repeated over and over in her mind before she processed— Or rather accepted what they meant.

She turned to see exactly what all the commotion was about and she knew exactly what was on fire just by the distance of it from the square. She’d spent so many days at this park waiting for her chance to make her escape from her friends to Elphaba at the abandoned house. The now burning abandoned house.

Her first instinct was to run towards it to see if Elphaba was okay. Was she inside when it happened? Was she even alive still?

Galinda hadn’t even realized she was crying until the tear hit her lip. She quickly glanced at Pfannee and Shenshen who thankfully were preoccupied with the fire to notice her emotional state. With a swipe of her fingers, any traces of care were long gone.

She looked around for the Guard, hoping they’d lost her in the commotion but there was no such luck. There was a guard some twenty feet to her right, left, and behind her. The same three guards that had been “terrorizing” her for days now. She wondered how fast she’d have to run to lose them. She seriously considered it, but with the vast possibility that they catch up to her, she’d be putting Elphaba in danger if she was alive and at the house. She couldn’t do that…

She couldn’t see her.

She couldn’t save her.

If she was dead, she would have died without Galinda being able to say goodbye. Without them ever having talked about how they felt.

Galinda wouldn’t get to ever kiss her and the thought of that made more tears fall from her eyes. She had to turn away before Pfannee or Shenshen noticed her.

She pushed through the crowd, trying to catch her breath. She couldn’t even bear the smoke smell that was beginning to fill the air.

The sound of sirens brought her head up and back towards the flames. She wasn’t sure whether to be grateful the firemen were going to put it out or scared that they would find Elphaba dead.

In the end it was both things she felt.

Grateful and scared.

———

The sirens snapped Elphaba out of her trancelike state. She’d been just staring at the house for minutes now.

She started to run.

Her feet carried her towards the creek, but she couldn’t do it. It would’ve been easier to cross the creek and find hiding on the other side, but she just couldn’t. So she ran upstream instead towards the waterfall. The river ran into it and she was sure she could find some way to cross that way. The distance between both sides was far larger than the creek, which could be swam across. The river however, was huge, and the waters rushed at a speed that would have her headed down the waterfall in a matter of seconds.

Still… The creek wasn’t an option.

She pushed bushes and flowers out of her way as she ran parallel along the creek but far enough from it that it wasn’t in her direct eye line. The duffel bag was heavy and her chest already hurt from the smoke inhalation, but she just pushed herself even harder. In a matter of seconds there’d be Oz Guards and firemen in the very same forest she was which meant she would need to be on high alert.

She knew the incentive there was to bring her to Highmaster dead or alive and she also knew no one would spare her a second chance if they got the opportunity. She’d been lucky twice now. Once with Galinda and then again when the boys at the creek didn’t take her in. She didn’t question either but she knew pushing for a third miracle was a stretch. There was no room for error. So, even though she wanted nothing more than to cry and curl up in a ball to rock herself until this nightmare ended, she kept running.

The peak that housed the waterfall was steep and rocky. Her fingernails dug into the ground as she climbed and she thought about how Galinda had taken the time to carefully manicure them for her.

No! That wasn’t real!

She tried to shake the thought but it only came back. She was ruining Galinda’s hard work.

”No! They’re black with pink flakes and glitter. That’s not the same!”

She remembered how happy and proud of herself Galinda was and how warm Galinda’s smile had made her feel. She was proud of having been partially responsible for putting it there… Until she wasn’t.

Galinda had left her! She’d touched her and made her feel special and made her think she was worth more than a public execution only to leave with no explanation! She was cruel! She was exactly how Elphaba thought of her before they met.

She pushed even harder, the adrenaline coursed through her veins. And maybe it was anger too! Maybe it was disappointment and shame and anger and humiliation all rolled up into one.

Once she made it to the top of the waterfall, she followed the river. Now confident she was far enough away from where anybody who would want to kill her could be, she slowed down.

She took the time to drink from the river, eternally grateful that at the very least she had a clean water source.

But water could only get her so far. Her food was gone and she’d searched this side of the forest for long enough to know that berries were the only edible food here. She needed to cross the river and hope to anyone who would listen that there was food on the other side.

She couldn’t go back into town now. There was no point and it was too risky anyway. One day she’d get caught trying to steal food or get caught sleeping somewhere she wasn’t supposed to be now that she didn’t have the house to hide her.

This was the only way.

It took her well into nightfall to walk far enough down the river that she could see where the forest ended and the poppy field began. That signified that she was getting closer to the wall on this side of Oz.

She was exhausted, in pain, and starving. She hadn’t eaten that morning due to a particularly bad bout of anxiety. She hadn’t eaten much since she last saw Galinda truthfully…

There was a large downed tree that had planted itself in the river. It was almost long enough for Elphaba to use it as a bridge but it didn’t quite reach the other side. She looked around with limited visibility due to the lack of light and her lack of glasses, but she could see the vines that grew all around her.

She figured she could tie the vine to the branch of the tree and use it as an anchor for her to reach the other side of the river.

She used all her strength to break the vine off then she wrapped it into a loop and threw it on her shoulder. She didn’t love the idea of being soaked but what other option did she have. She took off her hoodie and socks then put them in the duffel so she only had a t-shirt, pants, and shoes on. She couldn’t stop all her clothes from getting wet but she could at least keep some things dry. She was fairly sure there was a change of clothes in her bag, but she’d still have to go through the hassle of having to wait for these to dry to wear them again.

She took a deep breath, pulled the duffel high on her back as best she could given that it was a cross body bag and cautiously stepped into the river. She held onto the side of the tree and used it as a wall to keep her from floating down the river, and so she could move along it without having to swim just yet.

While the tree was large enough to support her weight if she were to walk on it, she didn’t trust herself in her current state to not fall into the water on the side of the tree towards the waterfall.

Once she’d made it to the branch that was closest to the end of the tree, she unhooked the vine and tied it as best she could around the branch. Then she pulled herself up to sit on the tree.

The slight shift in the tree under her weight made her almost lose her balance. Her hands were shaking now but she knew this would be easier if she could toss the duffel to the other side.

She carefully pulled the bag over her head and launched it across the remaining part of the river. It caught on the edge of a stick hanging from the ground on the other side. It was okay for now but a strong current would surely take it downstream.

Elphaba exhaled a breath she didn’t even know she was holding then quickly slid back into the water. She tied the vine around her wrist and ducked under the water to swim to the other side.

Her vision was so blurred and the darkness was all consuming so she hadn’t even realized she’d made it to the other side until she scratched her head on the river’s wall. She came up for air and grabbed onto the ground to pull herself up. Without even a second breath she reached for the duffel bag and collapsed on the ground.

Her breathing was ragged and her head now ached but she had done it. Her ribs felt like she had been repeatedly stabbed as they still had a few more days to go before they were fully healed and this certainly didn’t help the process.

She sat up with her arms around her knees, panting. She was wiped out. She needed to sleep and to get out of these wet clothes.

She pulled the shirt and pants off, wrung them out, and set them aside. Then she used the towel in the duffel to dry off before putting her hoodie and a new set of pants on. There was nothing she could do about the soggy shoes but at least the rest of her was dry except for her braids. Those would have to air dry.

The land on this side of the river was mostly flat as it was a poppy field, but there were a few trees towards the small part of the forest on this side.

Elphaba made her way over to the trees and used her duffel as a pillow to lay on. She was so tired she knew she didn’t have long before sleep overtook her.

Oddly enough she was grateful for the mental reprieve.

———

After two more weeks of being followed around and not seeing Elphaba, Galinda became agitated. She blamed Popsicle for being so strict with her. She tried for days to talk him into changing his mind about her punishment, but he wouldn’t budge. All of her usual tactics fell short. She felt utterly hopeless and she missed Elphaba terribly.

Luckily, the day of the fire there was no report of her body in the house, so Galinda assumed she’d gotten out. She had to because the other option was so horrific that she couldn’t bear to think of it as a possibility.

Galinda aimlessly walked the halls of her house passing by Popsicle’s office where he was in a meeting with Madame Morrible.

“Galinda needs to make more public appearances… We need the public to love her if she’s to lead one day.”

She rolled her eyes as she listened to Morrible from the other side of the wall.

“She just needs time. She’s in her rebellious phase these days, it’ll pass,” Popsicle said.

“And if she doesn’t garner public favor? Who will lead then?”

Galinda didn’t hear anything then. She waited for Popsicle’s response.

“There are no other blood heirs.”

This was true… technically. But it wasn’t impossible.

Then Galinda heard something that she’d never even considered…

“She’s dating Fiyero, yes? A nice boy with a spotless reputation… They could have a child. Then the leadership role could skip Galinda should she be… unable to have the spot.”

What did that even mean?

Galinda’s hand flew to her mouth to cover up the sharp inhale she’d taken. Surely, Popsicle wouldn’t consider that. Her child— His grandchild wouldn’t be sold away before they were even born.

“I see,” Popsicle replied.

That was it? He didn’t defend her! He didn’t tell Morrible no! Galinda was infuriated! She carefully walked away from the door so they wouldn’t hear her then she headed for the door.

She needed a break from her family and to process what she’d just heard. She always thought having Fiyero’s child was a possibility for her, but they’re so young. She thought they had time, that she had time. Then Elphaba came and changed everything she thought she knew.

Her Elphie…

Who she hadn’t seen in weeks. Whose green eyes she missed awfully bad. With her soft hands and lingering gaze.

She did make a promise to her that she’d find her jacket, and she’d made no effort since then to make good on that promise. So that’s what she decided to do instead of dwelling on Popsicle and Morrible’s conversation.

Her child was hers and they couldn’t take it away from her. She wouldn’t let them.

She also couldn’t fix the way they thought, but she could fix this for Elphaba. She would.

She started with the only other people who she knew that knew of the hoodie’s existence. Nessarose and Frexspar Thropp.

She hasn’t seen either of them in quite some time but she knew where they lived. Everyone did. Their house was treated like a zoo for many years. People wanted to see if they could get a glimpse of Elphaba but they never did.

Only now Galinda knew why…

“Elphie?” Galinda softly called out while she laid out in the grass with Elphaba. Their heads were close to each other as they stared up at the stars.

“Hmm.”

“How come you were never spotted before? You were so good at hiding.”

Galinda’s question came from genuine curiosity. How is it that Elphaba survived for eighteen years never being seen by a single soul outside her household?

“I was locked in my room…” Elphaba said blankly.

Galinda turned on her side so she was facing Elphaba. “All the time?”

“Yes,” Elphaba replied. She stayed facing the sky. Galinda’s gaze was too piercing, too revealing for her to meet right now.

“That must’ve been awful. You must’ve been so lonely.”

Elphaba paused. Then she felt Galinda’s hand come to rest on her cheek. It was warm and comforting. She let her eyes shut as a silent tear dropped towards her ear.

Galinda’s fingertips gathered any traces of sadness that dripped from Elphaba’s eyes. Then she slightly tilted her cheek so that Elphaba would look at her.

“You’re not alone anymore.”

Galinda cleared her throat as she approached the Thropp door. The Oz Guard had proved themselves to be useful to her, as they so rarely did, by giving her a ride.

Her hand shook slightly, but she knocked on the door.

It took a few seconds, but Nessarose came into view. “Galinda?”

“Hi, Nessa!”

“What are you doing here?”

Galinda gulped. She needed to tell a convincing lie so that Nessarose didn’t suspect she knew Elphaba.

“My father sent me to ask you about your sister… The fugitive,” Really, Galinda? She berated herself. “You see there have been reports of people in uh… Jackets… walking around town suspiciously! So I need to know if Elphaba had a favorite jacket… Maybe one she took when she left? Perhaps a hoodie… So that the Oz Guard knows what they’re looking for, of course.”

“Of course…” Nessarose said in return.

Galinda flashed Nessarose her best and most confident smile. The smile that disarmed anyone who disagreed with her. It was intimidation rolled up in a dimple and plush pink lips turned upwards.

Nessarose hesitated, “U-uh she uh… There was this hoodie she loved. It was green.”

“Would you say forest green?” Galinda asked as she pretended to not have seen the hoodie before.

“Yes. A darker shade of green, definitely.”

“Hmm, do you have a picture of it?” Galinda thought if she had a picture of the hoodie then she’d have a better chance when she asked around town if anyone had seen it later.

Nessarose nodded then rolled herself to somewhere in the back of the house only to appear minutes later with a wallet sized picture in hand.

Galinda looked at the photo being handed to her and couldn’t help but smile softly. It was Elphaba, at maybe three years old, with a smaller version of the green hoodie on, next to her mother who had the larger one on. They looked so happy and carefree in the living room of their home.

Nessarose started, “The one Elphaba is wearing is long gone, but she has the one our mom is wearing. She wore it almost everyday before she—”

Galinda looked up from the picture at the abrupt stop. The audacity of Nessarose to get choked up when she let Frex throw Elphaba out!

Galinda cleared her throat and without even an ounce of care for Nessarose’s feelings, she turned on her heels. “You’ll get this back once the Oz Guard is finished with it. Official town business and such,” she said with a wave of her hand, and her back already turned from Nessarose as she headed back towards the car.

“What did she want?” Frexspar asked as he appeared from around the corner.

“Elphaba’s green hoodie… I think she knows something.”

”Then we better make damn sure she doesn’t say anything.”

———

“Frexspar Thropp, lovely of you to drop by,” Larena exclaimed! “Do come in…” She said as she motioned for him to enter her house.

“Frex,” Highmaster said as he came into the room.

“Sir,” Frex responded. “I’m afraid this isn’t a meeting for pleasantries. We need to talk.”

“About?”

“Your daughter.”

Larena listened attentively from the corner of the room as Highmaster waited for Frex to continue.

“It’s been brought to my attention that she has come in contact with my— With the infected girl.”

Highmaster looked around and waved off any staff that was lingering around, even the guards. “And you know this how?”

“She came to my house not too long ago. Said she’d been sent by you and was looking for a jacket that belonged to my Melina and was taken by… Elphaba.”

Highmaster inhaled sharply, clearly shocked by the information.

Frexspar continued, “But guessing by your failure to hide your shock, that was a lie… Right?” Frexspar laughed like a predator that had caught its prey.

Larena looked on, mortified. What had Galinda gotten herself into?

“You’re mistaken! I did send her, but that’s none of your concern.”

Frexspar took a step closer, “Don’t patronize me. That girl—”

“Your next Ozian leader and don’t you forget it,” Highmaster growled. “Show some respect!”

“How did she know about it then? Elphaba wore it every single day after my Melina was killed! After you— It never left our house!”

“Bite your tongue!”

“Frexspar I think you need to leave,” Larena tried to interject.

“We had a deal,” Frexspar yelled! “Now I get to make the demands. I want a seat at the table and I want access to resources for my Nessarose, or I’ll go to the town with what I know. How your daughter is infected!”

The tension was palpable. Frexspar stood toe to toe with Highmaster while Larena watched from a distance.

The rage in Highmaster’s eyes poured out of him in a way that should have had Frexspar cowering.

But he didn’t…

He knew he had the upper hand and he knew Highmaster knew it too.

“Keep your damn mouth shut and your despicable offspring away from my daughter!”

“We both know I no longer have control over what Elphaba does. I cleaned my hands of her a long time ago.”

“Get out of my house before I have the guards remove you.”

Frexspar smiled, he knew he had won. “Don’t be a fool Highmaster. I would hate for the Ozian people to lose faith in their leader…”

And with a tip of his hat, he was gone.

Highmaster turned to Larena who shook her head defeatedly and walked out of the living room.

Chapter Text

“Yero?” Galinda said softly. She was leaning against his chest as they laid in her bed. They hadn’t been doing anything other than holding hands, courtesy of Fiyero, and talking about things.

“Hmm,” he answered.

“How much do you still want the Oz Guard job?”

Fiyero sighed, “A lot, I suppose. I want to be able to protect the people of Oz… And you.” He lifted her chin with his fingertips then kissed her head gently.

Her hand came up to his cheek to rub the stubble there. The little hairs poked at her hand, but she didn’t mind too much. She kissed his cheek softly then went back to laying on his chest.

Her eyes blinked slowly as her mind ran a mile a minute. There was no way she could ever tell him now, it would be the end of them and his chances at leading the Oz Guard. It also meant she could never give herself fully to Elphaba, if that’s what they both wanted whenever she saw her again. She just wished there was a sign to tell her what to do…

Like Elphaba demanding that she end it so they could be together.

She would do it then.

She didn’t care about the consequences. They could figure it out. The forest was livable and they could sneak into town as Elphaba had already done. She would have to say goodbye to her friends… And her many, many, many pink tops that she loved so much… But she would have Elphaba in her arms every night and wake to her beautifully green eyes every morning.

That was all she really wanted…

“Then you should have it… Whatever you want, you should have.”

Fiyero squeezed her arm slightly. “I love you, Galinda.”

“I l—”

“Galinda Arduenna Upland!” The sound of Highmaster’s voice boomed through her room as he shoved the door open. If not for the reinforced door stopper, the knob surely would’ve torn a hole in her perfectly pink wall.

She instantly sat up, confused.

“Fiyero, son. I need to have a private conversation with my daughter.”

“Yes, Sir,” Fiyero said as he jumped out of bed and rushed to put his shoes on. Galinda had never seen him move so fast which would’ve made her giggle except she was obviously in trouble for something she wasn’t sure of.

The Uplands watched Fiyero leave, Highmaster even stepped out the door to watch him say what he assumed was goodbye to Larena on his way out. Their conversation was curt and then he was gone.

Highmaster turned back to Galinda, his face full of rage. “Tell me you haven’t seen her.”

“What?” Galinda asked. She had an idea of who he was talking about but she couldn’t believe it because if he truly was talking about her, then she was about to be in an unimaginable amount of trouble. She prepared herself to construct the delivery of perhaps the most important lie she would ever tell in her life.

“Have… You… Seen… Her,” Highmaster said, dragging out every word.

“Her who? Popsicle, I don’t know who you’re talking about.” She made sure she looked at him through her eyelashes and with the most adorable tone of voice. The one she used to get what she wanted as a child. “Maybe you should calm down,” she continued.

He ignored her suggestion. “The green girl. Have you seen her?”

“No! That’s ridiculous!”

“Then explain why Frexspar Thropp was in our living room earlier saying you knew about a jacket that only his family knew of!”

Galinda froze for half a second. She was caught in a lie, but she could save this! She had to for Elphaba.

“Nessarose talked about it. I heard it from her. Mr. Thropp is lying! Popsicle, I swear it!”

Highmaster knew full well that whether or not Galinda was telling the truth was of minimal importance to his situation. Rumors spread like wildfire in Oz and while he did have a profound amount of persuasion over the townsfolk, a rumor like that would surely cost him some supporters. He was surprised Frexspar hadn’t come up with something like this years ago with the illness being so misunderstood still after all these years. No one knew how it was passed except that close contact with an infected person was a part of it, and no one knew how to tell if someone was infected before the symptoms started to show.

That combination did nothing but boost mass hysteria in Oz. Everyone was constantly paranoid with no way of knowing who was infected. Hence why they jumped on people with any and every difference in town.

He looked into her eyes clearly searching for any shred of a lie because he cared if she had suddenly begun to lie to him. He wasn’t sure why their relationship had taken a turn as of late, but he needed to know if they were past the point of no return. Would she lie about something like this? And to him of all people?

After a few seconds of a stare off, he deemed Galinda’s words to be truth. Only he wasn’t aware that the genuineness he saw in her eyes wasn’t that of someone who’d just told the truth, it was that of a person who would do anything to protect someone they cared about.

“Alright then. Come here, pumpkin,” Highmaster said as he pulled her into a tight hug.

“Can I have my freedom back?” Galinda mumbled into his chest.

Highmaster pulled away with a chuckle. “Nice try.”

———

After Popsicle left her room, Galinda sat in the bay window across from her bed. She thought about how Elphaba was doing and what she needed. How much of her stuff was gone now? Was she starving? Had she ever gone back to the creek? Galinda wondered if she thought about her too… Did Elphaba even miss her? She hadn’t seen her around town despite the way she looked for her constantly.

“Darling…,” Larena said from the doorway.

“Oh hi Momsie!”

Larena smiled as she came over to sit with Galinda in the bay window.

Galinda readjusted, pulling her knees up to her chest so that Momsie would have more room to sit comfortably.

“You and your father haven’t been getting along so well lately.”

Galinda shrugged, “We’re okay, I guess. I’m still mad at him for making me a glorified prisoner.”

Larena snickered softly. That was her daughter after all… The most dramatic girl in all of Oz.

“Couldn’t you go easier on him. He’s dealing with a lot with all the things happening in town.”

Honestly, Galinda had very little idea what was going on in Oz, she’d been so focused on her own problems the last couple of weeks.

“The townsfolk feel threatened with a known infected within the walls. They’re growing more rageful by the day and are losing trust in the Guard. Not to mention, mothers are dying in childbirth because we don’t have enough doctors to care for them all at once…”

And yet Popsicle wanted her to have a child. She grew even more angry at him the more she remembered his conversation with Morrible.

“I imagine there’ll be a riot soon enough if we don’t fix this,” Larena continued. “And it doesn’t help that you’re giving us such a hard time.”

Galinda rested her head on her knees to stare out the window. Of course, Momsie was on Popsicle’s side. They always did feel like a unit against her. She loved them both dearly, but she longed for her own life away from them. They were controlling perfectionists.

Galinda don’t associate with them, it wouldn’t look good for your reputation…

Galinda wear this one, it’s more formal…

Galinda don’t act that way in public, people will see…

She was sick of it! It was an exhausting way to live, especially for an only child.

Larena started to run her hands through Galinda’s hair just as she did when she was younger. “Darling girl, what’s going on with you?”

Galinda didn’t answer right away. She didn’t realize how much she needed her Momsie these days. She had never been in a situation quite as serious as the one she was in now. People’s lives were on the line and she was only eighteen, barely an adult. She hardly knew how to care for herself and there was Elphaba, just one year her senior, having to actually fight for her life every single day.

Elphaba who didn’t have her Momsie anymore or a big house with anything she needed.

A tear escaped Galinda’s eye but she just sniffled and wiped it away. She felt even worse for crying when Elphaba was the one who was in danger.

“Sweetheart,” Larena cooed with a kiss to Galinda’s temple.

She rubbed her back softly and Galinda couldn’t help but talk to her. “I didn’t mean to upset Popsicle. I just—”

Larena pushed the loose strands of hair that had fallen over Galinda’s face back behind her ears. Her ears that were now as red as her nose from the crying she was doing. “Tell me, darling.”

“There’s someone… Someone I care about very much. I just wanted to see them, that’s why I broke curfew,” Galinda said, effectively snitching on herself as she’d told Popsicle something else entirely.

Larena softened, “All of your friends are allowed over, you know that.”

Galinda shook her head then lifted her head to meet Momsie’s gaze. “It isn’t one of my friends.”

Puzzled. Larena spoke, “Fiyero was just here earlier…” And as she looked back into her daughter's sorrowful eyes, she understood what it was she was trying to tell her. “But you’re not talking about Fiyero, are you?”

The question was purely rhetorical for she knew the answer.

Her daughter had fallen for someone other than her boyfriend and how afraid she looked to confess it to her. Larena’s heart squeezed; Galinda had been punished for falling in love.

While she didn’t condone the cheating and would have a talk with Galinda some other time about it, she couldn’t imagine being newly in love and being forced to be apart in a place like Oz where everyone practically lived on top of each other.

“I’ll see if I can get your father to lift the Guard and your curfew, but Galinda…”

Galinda wiped at her tears with a swipe of her fingers as Larena stood up.

From the doorway, she finished, “Your father is blinded by power, but you are my child and I know you. If it’s freedom you want then your father will need his heir. You are of age now. It’s time you start thinking about your future… A family of your own…Perhaps someone else to lead the people of Oz.”

Larena leaned over to kiss the crown of Galinda’s head, then she left the room and Galinda to think about what she’d said.

———

After listening to her mother basically tell her to get pregnant, to risk her life for the good of Oz, Galinda needed to get out of the house. She wandered around the streets with the guards watching her every move. She focused on ignoring them and clearing her mind.

The state of Oz wasn’t good, that much she knew, but she never realized how bad it was. Buildings were filled with cracked concrete structures that couldn’t have been safe should a natural disaster strike. The side streets wreaked of excrement and uncleanliness. There were people living everywhere: in alleyways, on the side of the streets, in tents…

The more she walked the town she called home, the further from it she felt.

She didn’t often go any deeper into town than Fiyero’s house which meant she stayed in the fairly renovated parts of town. She had been shielded from the truth for so long, Oz was suffering. Cracking at the seams and falling apart from within.

She headed back towards the more upbeat part of town. Where the town square was and the park she frequented. There everything would be okay. The people were more happy, the buildings were better built, the roads were better paved. This Oz she did recognize.

As she walked along the route she often took when she needed a walk, she watched everyone in the center of town go about their day.

And there he was… There it was…

A boy she recognized but couldn’t put a name to. He had black hair and wore brown shoes, blue jeans, and a green hoodie.

Elphaba’s green hoodie…

As she got closer, she saw her handiwork right across the elbow as he threw a football to some other boy. A blonde one.

“Hey,” she yelled at him! She didn’t care that he stood nearly a foot taller than her. “Give me that!”

“Relax,” the boy said, hardly paying her any attention.

“No! That’s not yours! Give it to me!”

The boy laughed in her face which only fueled her anger. “You should go find someone else to bother.”

Then Galinda did something she couldn’t believe. For a moment she felt just like Popsicle, abusing her power in this town. She wanted to hate herself for it, but she liked it. Here was this boy who had stolen something from someone who had already lost so much. Someone she promised to help. It was only right that she used every resource at her disposal to keep that promise.

“Take the hoodie off of him,” Galinda said to the guards who she knew had been watching the situation unfold and were ready to protect her in an instant.

Only then did the boy look at Galinda directly. His eyes widened when he realized who he had dismissed, but by that point the guards were already reaching for the hoodie.

“Okay! Fine! Alright, take it!” The boy said as he pulled the hoodie off just before the guards could harm him to get it.

“Where did you get it from?” Galinda asked as she pushed past the guards to enter the boy’s personal space again. She was small but determined.

“Why? It’s just a hoodie…”

Galinda waved the guards in his direction and the boy caved instantly. “Your boyfriend gave it to me! Fiyero! Don’t you remember me? We’re cool, ask him!”

Galinda stood back, stunned. And then it hit her, that’s where she knew the boy from. He was one of Fiyero’s friends she seldom paid attention to when he brought them along to their hangouts.

But why did Fiyero have Elphaba’s hoodie?

That part, she failed to understand.

Chapter Text

Galinda stormed over to Fiyero’s house! She was furious and confused, but hopeful that he hadn’t done what she thought he had. She didn’t want to lose him this way.

She didn’t want to lose him at all.

But how could she, in good faith, be with someone cruel enough to beat Elphaba for no plausible reason?

With Elphaba’s hoodie in her hand, she banged on the door, not caring if she seemed rude to his parents.

“You, go back! I need to have a private conversation. You can watch me from back there,” she demanded of the guards and pointed to the end of the block.

“Galinda? How’d it go with your dad?” Fiyero asked as he opened the door.

With a frown on her face, she pulled him outside the door and closed it behind him. “Where did you get this?” She held the hoodie up to his face.

Fiyero looked at the hoodie, then to Galinda. He knew exactly where it came from, but he wasn’t the only one to blame. “Why?”

“Just answer the question! Or are you gonna keep lying to me.”

“If you already know where it came from then why are you asking me?!”

Galinda shoved him, “I talked to Nessarose, I know who it belonged to!”

He laughed dryly, “Oh is that what you did? Who’s lying now! We both know how you know about that hoodie.”

“You don’t know anything!”

“Oh yeah?! I know you’ve been with her! With Elphaba! I know you sneak off to her!”

Galinda’s breath caught in her throat. He couldn’t have known that, there was no way. He was lying, again! “That’s not true!”

“I saw your clothes,” his anger faded. He seemed defeated and hurt. “You’re the only girl in all of Oz who’d wear pink head to toe.”

Galinda thought back to that day…

Her clothes were right there next to the hoodie. He’d known this whole time…

“Do your friends know?”

He shook his head. “I saved your little friend. If she even is that… Why were all of your clothes there, Galinda? All of your clothes were on the ground and you were nowhere to be found.”

He thought she’d slept with Elphaba. He thought this whole time that she’d betrayed him and he wasn’t entirely wrong. Galinda’s shoulders slouched.

“You’re why they didn’t kill her aren’t you?” Galinda inquired. It made no sense to her how Elphaba managed to survive a group of boys who wanted her dead, but she never pressed and Elphaba never offered the information up.

Fiyero nodded. “They wanted to do so much worse, but once I saw your clothes there I knew that you were tied to her. I just didn’t know how, but I had my guesses. After they knocked her out, I convinced them to just come back later, then the bell rang. I knew you’d have found her by the time the announcement crowd had died down.”

Galinda wanted to cry now. He’d saved Elphaba’s life… for her.

And she had fallen for her.

And came over here to scream at him.

“Fiy—”

He cut her off, “We did come back. We found that abandoned house and all her stuff in it. I only went out of fear that you’d be there because I thought you’d ditch Pfannee and Shenshen at some point.”

“The house fire…,” Galinda said with a hand over her mouth. Her eyes were watering now and her chest tightened. “That was you!”

“No! I didn’t do it! And I didn’t hit her…”

“You just let your friends do it…”

“I thought she was infecting you!”

“By the time you went to the house, you’d seen I was fine! You kissed me.”

“Not because I wasn’t afraid of being infected. I kissed you because I was prepared to be infected with you!”

“And what about your friends? Didn’t they think hitting her would infect them or are they just idiots?”

“They wanted to die martyrs. They were paranoid that they would get infected anyway, so they thought dying as the people who saved Oz was better than just dying.”

Galinda held her stomach now. This was all too much for her to process. Fiyero had been indirectly responsible for everything that had happened to Elphaba since she met her. And he had also been responsible for her still being alive. She didn’t know what to feel or how to feel about any of this…

“Fiyero, I don’t love you the way you love me,” she blurted out.

He wasn’t even phased. He didn’t move. “I know.”

Her eyes met his equally sorrowful ones and they reached an understanding without even having to say a word. He pulled her into a hug that she clung to as if her life depended on it.

“I’m sorry.” And she meant it. She was truly sorry for how all of this had panned out.

“It’s alright. I know how it feels to love someone and be willing to do anything for them,” he said into her hair.

“We can fake it until we figure all of this out.” She looked up at him. “So you can still lead the Oz Guard.”

Fiyero kissed her temple. “I won’t ask you to stay with me when you don’t want to.”

“But Popsicle will—”

“Galinda…”

“You’re a good boyfriend, you know,” Galinda breathed out. “And a good friend.”

———

Elphaba walked along a dirt path in a direction she was unsure of. She’d been living off only water for almost three weeks now. She was weak, tired, and dizzy as she staggered along with the duffel across her chest.

She had lost close to fifteen pounds from the lack of food and with the weight, her muscles went as well. Galinda’s clothes now hung off of her.

She hummed to herself as the hot blazing sun shined down over the poppy field and forest. This side of the river was a lot slower than the other. She hadn’t seen a single soul in weeks, but she had made acquaintances with a goat.

A talking goat to be exact.

His name was Doctor Dillamond and he was exceptionally smart, even more so than she was which is what drew her to him. He followed along behind her, his hooves making a clunking sound as he went.

“Have you figured out where it is you want to go yet?”

“Nope,” she replied.

“How will you survive then?”

She shrugged. “Doesn’t matter. I’ll die anyway.”

“You should drink more water, it’s very hot out today.”

She did listen to him then. She lifted the canister to her mouth and practically gulped down all the water she had left. She was about a day's walk away from the river and would have to turn back to get more.

“Now look, you’ve got to go back,” Doctor Dillamond narrated.

“I can see that.”

Elphaba turned on her heels and began to follow the same path back in the direction she came from. Her irritation only grew as it got hotter and the bag felt heavier. Her shoulder felt weighed down and her head felt woozy.

“How about we sing a song to keep you awake?” Doctor Dillamond suggested.

She began to hum a tune quietly. A lullaby Melina sang to her when she was a child. Now, without her jacket, this was all she had.

Hours went by…

And she still had hours to go before she could drink something.

However, she didn’t want to take a break. She wanted to have water by nightfall. So, she continued along step after step wishing for some sort of end to this misery.

“It seems we have a visitor,” Doctor Dillamond said.

Elphaba looked up to see a woman across the field. She couldn’t quite make out the features of the woman but she felt compelled to follow her.

Once Elphaba began to walk towards her, the woman turned on her heels and started to leave.

“H- hey,” Elphaba called out! She had no idea if this woman was a danger to her, but with the shape her body was in she wouldn’t be able to run from her or fight her off anyhow.

The woman didn’t stop. She continued her steady strides as Elphaba quickened her pace to catch her. Maybe the woman had some water she could offer her…

After a few minutes of speed walking, Elphaba could clearly see the woman.

She tilted her head in recognition, but no words came to her mind as it related to the identity of the woman.

“Do you have water?”

No response.

“Are you from Oz?” Elphaba tried again.

Nothing.

The woman just kept walking on and Elphaba followed. Perhaps she was leading her somewhere she needed to see.

“Not so talkative, this one,” Doctor Dillamond chimed in.

“How observant of you,” Elphaba replied. “Maybe you’ve scared her.”

“Me? You’re green,” Doctor Dillamond defended.

“You’re a talking goat,” Elphaba retorted.

This was silly. They were both odd by Ozian standards so what good was it to argue about it? Elphaba huffed then focused back on the stranger in front of her.

“Do you have a name?”

“I don’t think she wants to talk to you,” Doctor Dillamond said.

“Then you try.”

“They declare you clinically insane for that, Miss Elphaba.”

Huh?

Elphaba didn’t understand what he meant by that, but she didn’t care to figure it out.

Before long Elphaba could see the river! She smiled and silently celebrated. Her mouth was so dry she didn’t even have saliva to swallow. Her lips were chapped and peeling at the corners.

Every part of her body hurt. She knew that when she stopped at the river, that would be it for her for the day. She’d collapse.

The woman abruptly stopped and Elphaba followed suit. She then pointed to their right. Elphaba’s eyes followed the direction of her fingers and if she squinted hard she could see something out there.

A structure?

A house maybe?

“What is that?”

“Why don’t we go find out?” Doctor Dillamond responded.

“It’s across the river. I can’t cross it again.”

“Then we’ll have to cross the creek through the forest.”

Elphaba gulped. She hated that idea, but the woman started to walk again. This time more notably towards the forest where the waterfall was.

Elphaba’s mind wandered as they walked. She missed Galinda, and her positivity. All that energy for such a small person, she thought to herself. She wished that things hadn’t gone the way they did. She thought they were fine the morning Galinda left the abandoned house to go home… And then she just never showed up again.

Elphaba replayed that morning over in her head…

She had woken to Galinda’s head still in her lap and an aching pain in her back from having slept sitting against a wooden cabinet. She looked down to see Galinda peacefully sleeping and immediately figured she could take a few more minutes of this pain. She wasn’t ready to give this up yet because she knew Galinda had to leave when she did.

Galinda had to face her father and she hoped the girl wouldn’t be in too much trouble. What they had done, the falling asleep part of it, was completely innocent and she didn’t deserve to be punished for it. Granted, Galinda had been doing some underage drinking and some very, very enticing sexual acts that she was sure Galinda’s father would not like to hear about, but those were things he’d never find out to punish her for.

Galinda stirred in her lap, sitting up with frizzy hair and a sleepy smile.

“Morning,” she yawned.

“Hi,” Elphaba smiled.

When Galinda’s eyes finally fluttered open normally and she was done yawning, she looked at Elphaba with a large grin. Her dimple became visible and Elphaba was sure she could stare at her like this forever.

“You have to go home,” she whispered.

“Yeah and I’ll probably be killed once I get there,” Galinda joked.

Elphaba laughed, “Welcome to the club!”

Both girls rose to their feet.

It was evident neither of them wanted her to go by how slowly Elphaba walked her to the door.

And how drawn out the kiss was that Galinda planted on Elphaba’s cheek.

How long their gazes lingered on each other even after that.

“See you later then,” Galinda said as she walked down the rickety steps.

“Yeah, later.”

Chapter Text

Galinda spread out on the couch in the living room, staring at the ceiling. She’d had some time to think about the last couple of days and everything that occurred during that time. She and Fiyero seemed okay, maybe even stronger now that they were being honest with each other.

And she still hoped everyday that Elphaba was okay.

But it was the looming dread about her future that clouded her mind right now. Her child, a child she did want to have eventually, subjected to the exact same life she was running away from. That was something she couldn’t bear and wouldn’t allow, ever. Popsicle could give her the position, but he couldn’t make her do it effectively. He could, however, take her child away if he wanted to. The Oz Guard would always be at his disposal which made her decision even more difficult.

Never have a child or have one that would grow to hate her?

How could she birth another human she knew she couldn’t protect?

She felt hopeless on the topic.

“We can’t get away. I need to be here in town,” she heard Popsicle say. His office door must’ve been open. Galinda’s head poked up from the couch. What was he up to now?

“Maybe Galinda would like to have it for the summer?” Momsie suggested.

Have what? She was properly intrigued now. She loved gifts!

“It’s far out in the forest,” Popsicle said.

The forest?

He continued, “She would be alone and I couldn’t sleep well knowing that.”

Suddenly this didn’t sound like a gift she wanted. She was up on her knees now, not even hiding the fact that she was listening. Her fingers gripped the top of the couch as she waited for what was next.

“Dear, our daughter is many things, but alone for more than a few hours is not one of them. She’s with those friends of hers more than she breathes, and besides I’m sure Fiyero would gladly join her.”

Galinda rolled her eyes. They were trying to facilitate the conception of her child, obviously. She plopped down on the couch and crossed her arms across her chest. They couldn’t make her have sex with Fiyero! She never would again anyway. Of course, they weren’t aware of the breakup, no one was yet.

“And dear you’d have to lift her curfew if…”

Galinda perked up again, but failed to hear the end of whatever her Momsie had said. Yes, Momsie was making good on her words to get Popsicle to give her freedom.

She heard footsteps coming down the hallway and stood up, flattening out her skirt when she made it to her feet.

“Pumpkin, your mother and I have decided on something.”

Galinda nodded eagerly. She was ready for her amazing gift! Freedom!

“We’ve recently purchased a cabin…”

Wait what? Galinda was more confused now than ever. What did that have to do with her curfew?

“…for the summer. Free of the Oz Guard and curfew.”

She shook her head distractedly. She hadn’t heard most of what he said. “Sorry, one more time.”

Popsicle chuckled, “I said you’re welcome to stay in the cabin for the summer with no Oz Guardian supervision and no curfew.”

“So no rules at all,” Galinda cheered with a clap of her hands!

“Yes, there are rules, Pumpkin,” Popsicle said.

“You have to check in with us everyday,” Momsie said. “And the upkeep of the cabin is completely on you.”

“Deal! Deal! Deal!” Galinda practically bounced off the walls doing high kicks and squealing at the top of her lungs. She ran into the middle of her parents to give them both a shared hug, and cheek kisses. ”Wait, what about Chistery?”

“Your monkey can do as he pleases,” Popsicle added.

She looked up at Popsicle, sincerely, “Thank you!”

She hadn’t forgotten about their plans for her future, but some space between them would be good for her. She was ecstatic to get away from them for a few months and this meant that she would have more time to find Elphaba.

“Popsicle, could you have one of the guards notify Pfannee, Shenshen, and Fiyero and tell them that they’re invited to my new house, tonight!”

Larena shared a knowing look with Highmaster. An ”I told you so” look as Galinda flew up the stairs to pack.

———

Elphaba, Doctor Dillamond, and the woman finally made it to the waterfall after what felt like more countless hours of aimlessly walking to Elphaba. Pain was an understatement for what she was feeling.

“Just down there we can cross over the creek bridge,” Doctor Dillamond said.

Elphaba took a deep breath. “Just a second, I need water.”

“No time for that, she’s getting away,” Doctor Dillamond said.

Elphaba looked ahead and he was right. The woman hadn’t stopped walking when they had. The water would always be here, but she was unsure if the woman would if she let her out of her eyesight. So, Elphaba continued down the hill carefully with Doctor Dillamond close behind her.

Every step she took made her palms more sweaty and her chest grow tighter. She hadn’t been back here since almost dying and she hadn’t planned on coming back if she could help it.

The woman was halfway across the bridge now.

Elphaba began to panic. They could be here waiting for her to cross. They could be in the bushes or behind a tree. She couldn’t defend herself and even if she could, she couldn’t take on all five of them— well four. She remembered the boy who didn’t hurt her. He was just… there.

“I can’t.”

“You’ll lose her,” Doctor Dillamond said matter-of-factly.

Elphaba’s breaths came in quick pants. She looked down the creek to the exact place she was on that day. Just past the bridge, right where there was a man-made a dip in the ground as if it was dug out there for people to climb out of the creek. She remembered being silently thankful for it because she thought she could get away quicker, but it didn’t really matter in the end.

She grabbed her side. It suddenly started to hurt.

“Miss Thropp, focus,” Doctor Dillamond commanded.

She tried. She tried so hard to listen to him but her mind just replayed that day over and over.

She told Galinda to run…

She couldn’t get her hoodie…

She hoped Galinda would be okay…

She realized she was going to die…

And then by some miracle she didn’t. She woke up to Galinda over her, whispering coos near her.

The rustling of the woman moving to the other side of the bridge broke Elphaba’s trance.

She just stared at the woman. She knew her. She knew she did. Why couldn’t she place her then?

“It’s alright, child,” the woman said with her hand outstretched.

All Elphaba had to do was cross. Just take a few steps over the bridge and she would be with the woman, and she’d know what to do next.

“Go on,” Doctor Dillamond said from beside her. “You are strong enough.”

Elphaba looked back down the creek then to the woman. Okay…

The first step was the worst. The bridge creaked beneath her weight and the sound made her freeze. Her eyes panned around her for any sight of anyone else. There were none. There wasn’t a single sound except for her.

She continued on, one step after the other.

The woman looked at her with a smile, “Good. Never let them break you, child.”

Elphaba stopped then. Her voice…

The urge to hum the lullaby filled her, but she ignored it in pursuit of the woman. She was walking again and Elphaba was determined to catch her, to know who she was.

Everytime Elphaba got close to the woman she sped up as if she didn’t want Elphaba to catch her. She wanted her to follow, to remain at a distance. Elphaba couldn’t understand but she knew that running would only deplete her already ailing body. She regretted not drinking at the creek now more than ever. They had started back past the waterfall towards the cabin now on the other side of the river.

The vast poppy field consisted of nothing but colored flowers, no water, no food, nothing.

Flowers and the cabin. That was it.

The woman stopped some hundred feet before the cabin. The sun was setting now and casted a beautiful orange hue across the land. With a view of the cabin grounded in front of the forest as a backdrop, Elphaba continued towards the woman. Once she got close enough, she turned to look at her face but she didn’t have one. There was nothing there.

The woman no longer moved, or spoke. She just stood there. Statuesque and mysterious.

Elphaba turned towards the cabin and there out in the field, laying in the flowers… Asleep… Galinda rested.

Elphaba was angry with her. So angry. And confused. Why was she even out here?

She walked over to Galinda who bathed in the golden hue. She looked stunning and peaceful. Without a care in the world, like she didn’t even miss Elphaba. As if she didn’t care about how she’d made her feel.

Elphaba grew more angry!

“Hey!”

Galinda didn’t stir. She still didn’t care.

And that made Elphaba even more angry. She dropped the duffel bag to the ground. “Wake up! Galinda!”

She woke up with a jolt.

Elphaba didn’t give her any time to process their sudden meeting. “You should go home, princesses don’t belong in the dirt.”

Galinda smiled, clearly ignoring Elphaba’s rude remark, as she bounced to her feet to greet her with a hug. Only she was met with resistance and the lightest of force in a push.

She frowned.

“Elphie?”

“Don’t call me that!”

Galinda’s mouth bent downwards in an instant. Elphaba hadn’t ever treated her this way before. “Don’t yell.” She tried again to hug Elphaba who took a step back before she could. “What did I do? Why are you pushing me away?”

Elphaba scoffed. She couldn’t be so dense. “You haven’t done anything I didn’t expect.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

Elphaba breathed hard. She was half trying to get air into her lungs and half holding a rage so volatile she didn’t trust herself to speak yet.

“Elphaba…” Galinda looked at her with eyes so soft she felt even angier. Why didn’t Galinda understand what she had done?

“I’ll always come back, huh? You said that to me! You remember? You lied,” Elphaba screamed at her!

Galinda inhaled. Her eyes started to water in an instant. She reached out as if she wanted to heal Elphaba with her touch, as if she could convey everything she’d ever felt for her in a single touch. Then as a single tear fell from her eyes, she pulled her hand back. “I didn’t lie…,” she whispered because she couldn’t speak any louder. The words would get caught in her throat.

“You never came back! You lied,” Elphaba repeated as she came into Galinda’s space. “It’s my fault for even believing you weren’t like everyone else,” she said with a venom in her voice Galinda didn’t even know she possessed.

Galinda does reach out and grab her this time, but Elphaba yanks her arms away from Galinda’s hold and shoves her in the process.

“Stop doing that!” Galinda finally snapped back.

Elphaba smirked, “Why? Does it make you feel bad about what you did? Maybe you should feel bad! Maybe you should feel how you made me feel!” While she didn’t regret saying it, she didn’t mean it when she did. She never wanted Galinda to hurt, she would bear every pain she ever had for her if she could. She just wanted her to understand that she hurt her. She wanted someone to finally understand that she had feelings, that she bled the same color as they did.

Her lips quivered as she waited for what Galinda would say next. The tears were right at the brim but she wouldn’t let them drop.

“Let me explain…”

“Oh, with more lies?”

“Elphaba!” Galinda’s hand flew in the air. She grabbed Elphaba’s face desperately. Her cheeks were more hollow now and she had bags under her eyes, but Galinda still held onto her like she was her most prized possession. She still looked into her green eyes as if they were the most precious gems in all of Oz. And she still craved her with a feeling so intense she wasn’t sure she would be able to live if Elphaba rejected her again. “Popsicle assigned me an Oz Guard detail 24/7. I couldn’t come see you without putting you in danger. A- and Chistery was locked in the house, o- or I would’ve sent him to you.”

Now the tears did stream down Elphaba’s unhealthily indented cheeks. They seemed to fall even faster with each passing second.

“Don’t pull away from me again… Please,” Galinda begged as her thumbs wiped Elphaba’s tears away. Her voice cracked ever so slightly.

Elphaba didn’t respond. She just let herself be held. What could she say while Galinda looked at her like she was something to be cherished? Galinda’s hold was desperate but it wasn’t damaging. Her fingers were strong but gentle. Elphaba knew that even after yelling at her, Galinda wouldn’t retaliate. Her eyes were sad and genuine. Those big brown eyes that she missed everyday no matter how many times her mind told her that Galinda didn’t want her.

“It’s okay now. Momsie fixed everything. We can stay here together,” Galinda started with Elphaba still in her grasp as she willed her to understand. “I didn’t leave you… I would never do that to you.”

Elphaba’s breath picked up again. Her chest rose and fell at a quickened pace. Her first instinct was to pull away from Galinda to where it was safe, and she didn’t have to feel everything she felt for her. To retreat to a place where she didn’t need Galinda’s touch like she needed air to breathe, somewhere she didn’t long for her presence...

But she doesn’t know that such a place no longer existed…

There was nowhere she could go where Galinda wouldn’t be. She had been sewed into the very fiber of her being.

There is only the space she’s in right now where Galinda’s breath across her cheek was all she could think about.

Only space for how badly she wanted to wipe the tear that was threatening to fall from Galinda’s eye before it did. Before it tarnished her perfectly crafted face with sadness.

“…You didn’t leave me,” Elphaba said. Her words hung in the space between a statement and question.

Until…

“Never,” Galinda clarified.

Then Elphaba broke. She fell to her knees with a scream of frustration, relief, and sadness. The last few weeks had been absolute hell for her. She’d been alone thinking her only friend didn’t want her, and torn away from everything she ever knew with no food and no shelter. She’d gone so many days unbathed, she felt disgusting and her body ached terribly. She curled herself into a ball between so many flowers that would flourish from the water her tears provided them.

Galinda dropped to her knees and took Elphaba’s small frame into her arms. It was much easier for her to pick her up than it had been the night she was attacked. She did it almost effortlessly now. Elphaba’s arms wrapped around her neck as she rocked her back and forth whispering what would be considered sweet nothings on any other occasion into her ears. Except now each word that left her lips meant everything. Every touch, every glance, every sob that she held her through all had a reason. They became things Galinda would hold onto until her last breath.

With so little hydration in Elphaba’s body eventually her tears stopped, but her sobs continued. Loud, guttural sobbing that only someone who’d been repeatedly broken down could possess. Only someone at the very end of their string could make the earth shattering sounds that Elphaba made as she cried out.

Galinda picked Elphaba up bridal style and took her inside the cabin while she sobbed. She sat her on the fluffy, black couch that resided in the living room which was past the kitchen. They’d entered from the back door as the poppy field was behind the cabin so the sun shined through the glass pane doors to provide natural golden hour lighting on the scene: Galinda with Elphaba in her arms as she cried softer now.

Galinda didn’t tell her not to or shush her, she knew that Elphaba needed to release it and she needed someone to hold her through it. So, that’s exactly what she did.

Once Elphaba stopped, Galinda slid her off of her lap and kissed her head.

“I’ll be right back,” she barely got out before Elphaba grabbed her wrist.

Her grip was a bit too tight but Galinda knew she didn’t mean to hurt her.

“You’re leaving?”

Elphaba’s eyes oozed a deep rooted fear that broke Galinda’s heart. “No, no. I’m just going to get your bag. I left it out there when I brought you in.”

It took Elphaba a few seconds of processing to release Galinda’s arm. She nodded softly but watched her the whole way from the couch.

The cabin had an open floor plan with large wooden beams to support its weight in place of separation walls. It had a charmingly rustic feel to it. Through the entranceway was the living room with the stairs on the right. The living room opened up to the kitchen and the hallway that led to the bathroom and two bedrooms. Upstairs had a large den of sorts and two more bedrooms. There was a large balcony upstairs and a front and back porch downstairs. With the poppy field out back and the forest in front, it was the perfect hideaway. It was deep enough into the forest and along a private-paved road so no one but the owners— The Uplands, were meant to be on it.

Galinda returned with Elphaba’s bag. “Elphie, where were you all this time? I looked for you, but never found you.”

Elphaba sniffled as Galinda approached her. “I crossed the river and met a talking goat.”

Galinda laughed, “You’re funny! Goats don’t talk.”

Elphaba shook her head. “I’m being serious. He’s here with me. Right outside.”

Galinda looked puzzled as Elphaba pointed to the field. There was nothing out there and certainly not a talking goat. “Elphie…”

Elphaba could see in Galinda’s eyes she didn’t believe her. She hated not being believed. “I swear, Galinda! He’s there! You don’t believe me, just ask the woman!”

Elphaba grew more agitated as she pulled Galinda up, or rather held Galinda’s hand while she stood up, and dragged her to the back door. “See! They’re right there!” Elphaba pointed to where Doctor Dillamond and the woman stood in the field.

“Elphie, there’s no woman and no goat out there,” Galinda said softly. She was trying to remain calm, but Elphaba’s frantic state was scaring her a little.

“She’s there! I know her— I mean I think I did. I just can’t remember her name.”

“Describe her then,” Galinda said.

“Um s- she’s— She has Nessa’s skin tone and curly brown hair.” Elphaba continued, “But her voice. I know it.”

Galinda had an idea now, she walked over to the couch to grab Elphaba’s hoodie. In the pocket she kept the picture of Melina and Elphaba as a child. “Elphie…,” she said as she rubbed her back and handed her the jacket.

“You found it!” Elphaba was partly distracted by trying to remember the woman.

“Check the pocket.”

Elphaba reached inside and pulled out the picture of Melina.

“Is that the woman you’re seeing, Elphie?”

Elphaba practically jumped into Galinda! “That’s her! You know her! You believe me now! Who is she?”

Galinda was confused as to how Elphaba had missed her younger self entirely. Something was wrong with her. Galinda smiled softly because she didn’t want to alert Elphaba to her suspicions or upset her, but she had to tell her the truth.

She held onto Elphaba’s arms. “Elphie… That’s your mother, Melina. I think you’ve made her up in your mind. She’s gone.”

Elphaba looked back at her confused, “No, she isn’t gone! She’s right there! I thought you believed me,” Elphaba said as she looked out into the field.

And there Melina was. She could see her face now…

Her lips quivered and for a second she reverted back to the little girl who wore the same hoodie as the only person she ever trusted at that time. “Mama?” The sound left her mouth so quietly Galinda almost didn’t hear it.

“You have everything you need, now,” Melina said, or rather Elphaba heard. The two were no longer the same thing.

Galinda watched the scene unfold with sadness in her eyes. Now having paid a lot more attention to Elphaba’s features up close. She was definitely malnourished. It made sense to her why she could pick her up now. Her skin was so dry and a lighter— paler shade of green.

Elphaba looked down to the picture and the hoodie once again and then back up to the field.

Just the field.

Melina and Doctor Dillamond were gone…

“Your mother died sixteen years ago, Elphie.”

Before Galinda could beckon her away from the glass window, the front door swung open. She must’ve forgotten to lock it.

“Galindaaaaa,” Pfannee called out as he, Shenshen, and Fiyero entered the cabin!

“Oh my Oz,” Shenshen screamed as Elphaba turned around to see where the yelling had come from.

Elphaba froze.

Chapter Text

Elphaba instinctively grabbed the door handle to run outside, but Galinda intercepted her.

“Get the guards!” Pfannee yelled in a panic.

“They’ll kill me! Let go,” Elphaba said as she tried to push Galinda away, but she wasn’t strong enough. Her head started to pound, she felt sick to her stomach and scared out of her mind.

“Everyone calm down!” Galinda tried, but there was no use.

Shenshen picked up the hearth poker from near the fireplace fully intending to charge Elphaba with it.

Pfannee backed up towards the door, “The guards are right outside, keep her here!”

He was referring to the Oz Guardian escort Popsicle arranged to get him to the cabin.

“Fiyero!” Galinda pleaded.

Elphaba saw Shenshen barreling towards them and started towards the circular dining room table. She had to try to defend herself if Galinda wouldn’t let her run.

“Elphie! Shenshen stop!” Galinda’s hands raised in surrender towards her very determined friend. She stood in between the table and where Shenshen stood next to the couch.

Fiyero slammed the door shut before Pfannee could escape. “I can’t let you do that,” he said as he grabbed Pfannee’s arm.

“You’re trying to get me killed. This is not how I imagined you manhandling me,” Pfannee said as he turned back with his arm in Fiyero’s grasp.

“Galinda, she’s infected! Move. We can get the reward,” Shenshen said with the poker high in her hands.

Elphaba gripped the wooden chair with everything she had. The spike in adrenaline was more than she could handle right now. She felt like she was seconds away from passing out, but she knew she’d die if that happened. With Galinda now away from the door she ran for it again. Shenshen pushed past Galinda and swung the poker.

“Elphie,” Galinda yelled!

Elphaba turned to see the poker and Shenshen coming at her full force. She ducked and crawled towards Galinda who pulled her up.

Galinda tried again, “Everyone stop, please!” One arm held Elphaba by the waist and the other was out towards Shenshen.

Elphaba's head bounced back and forth between Shenshen in front of her and Pfannee behind her. She tried to push out of Galinda’s grasp but she only tightened her arm.

“It’s okay, Elphie,” she whispered to her. “It’s okay everyone,” she said louder. “She’s not infected.”

Fiyero released Pfannee, but stayed near the door to guard it.

“What the hell are you talking about? She’s literally green! Oh Oz, you’re infected too!” Pfannee panicked even more. He started to pace back and forth.

“Galinda, get away from her,” Shenshen said.

“No… Would you all just listen! She’s not infected. She’s just green.”

“Oh honey she’s gotten to you…,” Pfannee said as he wiped his brow and started to fan himself. “My best friend is infected!”

Elphaba panted out harder every second. She had a firm grip on Galinda as her nails dug into her arm.

“Ow! Elphie!”

Shenshen lunged towards them and pulled Galinda away from Elphaba.

“Stop it,” Galinda tried, but Shenshen was considerably stronger than her. She watched Elphaba fall to her knees while she tried to catch her breath. “Elphie, breathe!” Galinda fought against Shenshen’s hold.

Elphaba could hardly hear Galinda now. She clutched her chest as she doubled over onto herself. “I- I can’t. Help,” she panted out between gasps for air.

“Fiyero!” Galinda looked at him with tears in her eyes. Shenshen wasn’t going to let her go and if somebody didn’t help Elphaba she didn’t know what would happen to her, but it wouldn’t be good. She couldn’t just watch her potentially die and do nothing. “Please!”

Fiyero looked to Pfannee, “If you run out that door, I’ll tackle you.”

“Oooo bossy, I like it,” Pfannee said with a finger in his mouth.

Fiyero rushed to Elphaba’s side. He kneeled down next to her and touched her back, but she flinched away.

“D- don’t,” she managed. “Creek…”

Galinda realized she’d recognized him.

“He won’t hurt you, Elphie. I promise. Let him help.”

Elphaba glanced over to Galinda. She trusted her implicitly. “W- water.”

Fiyero jumped up and filled a glass from the tap. He brought it over to Elphaba.

“Just breathe Elphie. Slowly,” Galinda said as Shenshen finally released her after her continuous fighting. She crawled over to Elphaba as fast as she could.

Elphaba tried to lift the glass but her hands were shaking. She wiped the tears from her eyes. When did she start crying? “I c- can’t.”

“It’s okay,” Galinda cooed softly as she took the glass and held it to Elphaba’s mouth for her.

“This has got to be the sickest case of lesbianism I’ve ever seen,” Pfannee said as he plopped down on the couch. “Girl actively puts her life in danger for a girl with a signed death sentence.”

“Pfannee, shut up,” Galinda said as she focused on making sure Elphaba wasn’t drinking too fast.

Galinda looked up at Fiyero who ran his hand down his face then turned away from her. She felt horrible for him having to see her and Elphaba with their breakup being so fresh, but that was guilt she would have to live with for the moment because no part of her was leaving Elphaba on the ground alone.

Shenshen stood back by the back door with the hearth poker still in her hand.

Elphaba looked over, her eyes focused on the poker as if she was waiting for Shenshen to use it on her.

Galinda followed her eyeline once she realized she was more into whatever she was looking at than drinking the water. “Shenshen drop it, you’re scaring her.”

“SHE’S scaring me!”

“Shenshen! Trust me,” Galinda said.

“With my life?” Shenshen gripped the poker tighter and Elphaba rejected the glass fully now. She tried to stand, but Galinda wouldn’t let her.

“Let go!”

“Shenshen! Drop it!”

“Shenshen the girl can’t even hold a glass on her own, I don’t think she’s gonna require a fireplace thingy to kill,” Pfannee said as he waved his fingers in the air and stretched out on the couch with his legs crossed.

Galinda wasn’t sure she agreed with Pfannee’s delivery but he was technically correct. Elphaba couldn’t harm any of them even if she tried her hardest at this moment.

She reached out for Shenshen to hand her the poker and she did reluctantly.

Galinda turned back towards Elphaba. “See, it’s okay,” she said softly as she took Elphaba’s cheek in her hands. “I’ve got you.” She slid the poker across the floor away from everyone. With both her hands free she was able to fully cup Elphaba’s face now. “Will you drink more now?”

Elphaba nodded and let Galinda bring the glass to her lips again.

“It’s like we’re not even here,” Pfannee said as he looked at his fingernails clearly over the whole situation.

Fiyero still stood at the door looking anywhere but where Galinda and Elphaba were on the ground.

Once Elphaba finished the glass, Galinda helped her to her feet and led her over to the couch. She swatted Pfannee’s legs out of the way although he was more than happy to be nowhere near Elphaba.

“Hey! Don’t do that,” Galinda said at his apparent disgust at being near Elphaba.

“It’s fine. I’m used to it,” Elphaba said quietly.

Galinda glared at Pfannee. “It’s not fine.”

Fiyero chimed in. “Well this has been lovely but I think I’ll be going now.”

“No!” Galinda stood up. “Everyone is staying. I need you.”

Elphaba’s eyes scanned the room. She was still unsure of whether or not Galinda could actually convince these people not to turn her in.

“You guys are my friends so you have to help me. Don’t you all trust me?”

The group shared looks of defeat, but listened to what Galinda had to say.

“I think we should all just start over.”

Collective groans filled the room including one from Elphaba.

“Firstly, Shenshen, could you please grab me an apple from the fridge.”

Shenshen looked confused but went into the refrigerator to retrieve an apple then handed it to Galinda and stepped away from the couch.

“Here, you eat,” Galinda said as she gave the apple to Elphaba.

“Friends of mine,” Galinda started. “This,” she held her hands out towards Elphaba. “Is Elphaba. She is not infected. We’ve been friends since before remembrance day, and well— As you all can see, I am in perfect health… And still beautiful,” she said with a flip of her hair then she poked her leg out.

“This doesn’t make any sense,” Shenshen said. “And why didn’t you seem afraid,” she said to Fiyero.

“I’ve seen her before…,” he said like a child that had just admitted to eating the last cookie.

Pfannee’s mouth dropped, “And to think I was going to give you the best years of my life!”

Galinda rolled her eyes, “Pfannee focus!”

Shenshen started again, “So everyone knew except for me and Pfannee? Wow, great friendship we have here.”

Elphaba took a small bite out of the apple, testing her stomach. She didn’t even feel hungry after going so long without food. However, she did want another glass of water, but Galinda seemed preoccupied with keeping her alive and all.

“Shenshen, it wasn’t like that. Fiyero found her on his own. I told no one.”

“So explain how she isn’t infected. Why is that what everyone thinks?” Shenshen asked.

“I’m not exactly sure… It’s just always been the rumor, I suppose,” Galinda shrugged.

“How are we supposed to harbor a fugitive? You can’t even do your homework alone,” Pfannee added. “I think we should just turn her in.”

“No!” Galinda panicked. She put her hand on Elphaba’s shoulder as if to tell her silently that she would handle it. “You can’t.”

“And why not?”

Galinda hesitated.

Fiyero interjected, “How can’t you see it?”

Shenshen looked from Fiyero to where Galinda now held Elphaba’s free hand and remembered her conversation with Galinda. “It’s her.”

“What’s her?” Pfannee said.

Galinda nodded.

“Oh Oz, Galinda,” Shenshen said in profound disbelief. “The person she was telling us about is Elphaba, Pfannee. The mystery person.”

“Ohhhhhh?” Still confused. “Ohhhhhh!” It clicked for him. “Oh Galinda! How scandalocious!”

“So you can’t tell. She’s not a threat to anyone. She’ll just stay here… With me. Please, guys.”

Elphaba squeezed Galinda’s hand as she continued to take small bites from the apple.

“Fine.”

“I won’t say anything”

Galinda sighed in relief, but Elphaba realized only two of the three people had confirmed they wouldn’t say anything. She pulled on Galinda’s hand to get her attention and nodded towards Fiyero.

“Yero?”

“Yeah, I’ll keep your girlfriend a secret,” he said bitterly.

Fair enough… Galinda thought. She couldn’t imagine how hard this was for him, but she was eternally grateful that he agreed to keep Elphaba safe.

It did, however, slip her mind to correct him.

“Thank you.”

Galinda then looked down to Elphaba. She took a seat next to her and pulled her braids from her face. “How's the apple?”

Elphaba shrugged, “Not really hungry.”

“You have to eat it. You need it.”

“You two are already insufferable,” Pfannee said as he walked towards his suitcase that was near the door.

“How about you guys go get settled in… Upstairs. One of you will have to take a bedroom down here though. Elphie and I will take the other one.”

The others nodded and headed up the stairs except for Fiyero who walked into the downstairs room and shut the door behind him.

With the distractions gone, Galinda could focus completely on Elphaba and her health.

“How do you feel?”

Elphaba shrugged again.

“Elphie, please. Talk to me.”

“Exhausted. Everything hurts.” She exhaled a shaky breath.

“Come here,” Galinda said as she laid back and pulled Elphaba to lay on top of her. “Finish the apple and nap. When you wake up I’ll take care of you.”

Elphaba’s head rested on Galinda’s chest. She was still afraid that her friends would turn her in and she really didn’t want to eat the apple, but she didn’t have the energy to fight Galinda on any of it. So, she did as she was told.

———

When Elphaba woke up, Galinda was no longer under her. It was dark out and she could hear voices coming from the kitchen. She sat up and rubbed her eyes.

“…And that’s how we ended up here,” Galinda said to the others.

“I can’t believe you kept all of this from us for like ever,” Pfannee said.

“You have the biggest mouth in all of Oz,” Shenshen added with a chuckle.

“Oh Elphie!” Galinda noticed she was awake and started towards her.

Elphaba looked up at her, still trying to process the scene.

“Let’s get you cleaned up, come on,” Galinda said as she took her by the hand and led her towards the bathroom. She waved goodbye to her friends for the night, “Have fun. I need to take care of some things with Elphie.”

“They are so gonna bone,” Pfannee said after the bathroom door shut.

Fiyero rolled his eyes and got up from the table to retreat to his bedroom.

“Pfannee! That’s his girlfriend who has a girlfriend,” Shenshen said.

Galinda and Fiyero still hadn’t broken the news of their breakup to anyone.

———

In the bathroom, Galinda turned the shower on and made sure the temperature wasn’t too hot. “Shower first to get everything off then we can switch to a bath so you can relax.”

Elphaba nodded blankly. Her mind was still foggy and now that her life wasn’t in immediate danger, she could process what Galinda had told her earlier.

She was hallucinating.

Her mother was dead and Doctor Dillamond didn’t exist. She was so sure. They felt so real. She almost didn’t want to believe Galinda, but she had all the signs of being dehydrated and malnourished.

“Elphie?”

“Hmm.”

“Do you want help taking your clothes off?”

Elphaba reached for the bottom of her shirt, but her hands still shook uncontrollably. She timidly nodded, but couldn’t meet Galinda’s eyes.

Asking for help was not her strongest suit.

Galinda walked over and lifted Elphaba’s arms gently. Then she pulled the shirt over her head and started to unbutton her pants. Her clothes were unbelievably dirty and had small holes all over. They smelled like forest and river water and had mud spots in various places.

Once Elphaba was undressed, Galinda took her by the waist to help her focus her attention on her. “Do you mind if I join you?”

Elphaba’s eyes stared into Galinda’s but it didn’t seem like she was processing what her ears were hearing. She didn’t respond, her eyes drifted downwards. She began to sniffle.

“No, no, stop it. It’s okay. You’re okay,” Galinda said as she bent down into Elphaba’s eyeline. “Just let me take care of you, okay.”

Elphaba grabbed onto Galinda’s arm to steady herself both physically and mentally. “How could it not be real? I saw.”

Her voice was so small and laced with fear.

“You were starving. You still need a lot more food, but first I need to get you clean.”

Elphaba nodded as Galinda helped her into the tub.

Once the warm water hit her skin she felt so much calmer. She focused on the repeated drops against her body and watching the dirt float off of her. Before long Galinda’s hands came in contact with her back. She’d started to apply the soap with a towel and scrub gently at the dead skin and grime that occupied the expanse of Elphaba’s body.

She worked diligently to restore Elphaba’s body to how she remembered it being the last time she saw it. How smooth and soft her skin was and how preciously green it shined. She took her time scrubbing the dirt away, being extra careful not to hurt Elphaba in the process. She remembered from health class that malnourishment made people more susceptible to bruising and injuries.

She made sure to check in with Elphaba and hold her hand every time she whimpered.

She answered all her questions which really were just the same ones over and over again.

Are you sure they won’t turn me in?

Maybe my mother is still in the field. Can we go look for her?

Did you miss me at all?

Each question effectively tugged at her heart every time Elphaba’s small, scratchy voice spoke.

And every time she could see in Elphaba’s eyes that she was genuinely confused and terrified and hopeful that her mother was alive.

Galinda simply responded as best she could…

I’m sure. I would never let them.

We can’t, darling.

I’ve missed you every second of every day.

Silent tears dropped from Elphaba’s eyes as Galinda rinsed her off. She didn’t understand her feelings and she wasn’t sure she could fight forever. Why couldn’t they go look for her mother? Her mom would help her! She loved her!

But she trusted Galinda…

Galinda would help her too.

Galinda reached around Elphaba to turn the shower setting from shower to bath then she lowered Elphaba down and pulled her in between her legs.

Elphaba sniffled and Galinda kissed her shoulder blade.

She then leaned around so she could see Elphaba’s face. “You’re not alone anymore.”

Her lips grazed the space just under Elphaba’s eyes as she kissed her tears away. “I’m here.”

“I’m always gonna be here.”

———

After their bath, Galinda brought Elphaba to their bedroom and lotioned her entire body leaving her shining and soft. She then put her in one of her pink nighttime gowns and took her back into the kitchen to have a quick meal before bed.

It took Elphaba close to an hour to finish her food because she didn’t have an appetite, but Galinda insisted she finish and she didn’t want to disappoint her.

Elphaba had hardly spoken for the rest of the night, too in her head and too exhausted to even think about holding a valuable conversation.

Once Elphaba finished eating, Galinda took her back to their bedroom where she put her into bed and climbed in next to her.

“Maybe we can look for my mother tomorrow?” Elphaba’s soft voice filled with desperation.

Galinda couldn’t tell her again that they couldn’t or that her mother was dead, so she told a small lie in hopes that Elphaba wouldn’t remember tomorrow.

But mostly she lied because she wanted Elphaba to be able to sleep peacefully.

“Maybe we can, darling.”

———

A knocking on the bedroom door caused Elphaba to wake abruptly and push herself away from Galinda and the door.

The sudden movement startled Galinda awake.

“Elphie? I- It’s okay,” she said as she pulled Elphaba back into her arms. “Who is it?”

“Me.”

Fiyero…

“Just letting you know we’re eating breakfast.”

“Thanks,” Galinda said, more focused on calming Elphaba down.

“Time to eat!”

“I’m not hungry,” Elphaba said.

“You have to.”

Elphaba rolled back over. She didn’t have to do anything she didn’t want to.

Galinda’s arm came around her waist as she laid a kiss on her cheek then her neck. “Pleaseeeeee,” she said.

Elphaba rolled onto her back now. She was prepared to deny Galinda again, but then she saw her adorable bedhead and how she somehow had a cheerful glint in her eye even though everything seemed to be going wrong.

“Fine, but not a lot,” Elphaba said as she pushed to her feet and out of Galinda’s hold.

“Whatever you say,” Galinda agreed, despite knowing fully that she was going to make Elphaba have a full breakfast.

She waited for Elphaba to join her at the door and grabbed her hand to lead the way to the dining room table.

“Morning,” she greeted the table of her friends.

“Food’s in the kitchen,” Shenshen said.

Galinda led Elphaba to the kitchen and grabbed two plates for them. After making her plate of eggs, bacon, and a pancake, she started on Elphaba’s.

Elphaba was far too focused on watching Galinda’s friends that she hadn’t heard Galinda asking her what she wanted.

“Elphie!”

“Huh?”

“What do you want?”

Elphaba looked over to the spread before her. Eggs, bacon, pancakes, waffles, fruit, toast, and three different juices. She had never seen so much food in her life. Not even when she was at home. Her breakfast was always given to her at her door as she had to eat it alone in her room.

“I’m a vegetarian. No bacon.”

Galinda smiled. “I didn’t know that about you.”

“Only a little, please,” she said as she watched Galinda put eggs on her plate. “No waffles or pancakes.”

“So eggs, fruit, and toast?” Galinda asked and Elphaba nodded.

She brought both their plates to the table where they sat next to each other with Fiyero on one side of Elphaba and Shenshen on the other side of Galinda.

“So, I think we should all introduce ourselves to each other,” Galinda suggested. “If we’re all going to be friends after all.”

Shenshen scoffed.

“Hey! What’s that about?”

“Just because you say she isn’t infected doesn’t mean I want to be her friend. It’s social suicide.”

Elphaba shrunk into herself. Of course, nothing had changed. Even in a room full of people who knew she wasn’t infected, she was still outcast. It hurt but she wasn’t surprised.

Galinda’s hand slid across Elphaba’s thigh under the table. “Well you should try! Elphie is the sweetest!”

“Being gay in Oz was also social suicide at one point in time, people change,” Pfannee said. “I’m Pfannee! Galinda’s favorite friend, so don’t get any ideas,” he joked.

Galinda cleared her throat in Shenshen’s direction and kicked her under the table.

“Ow! I- I’m Shenshen. Uh- I have a deep desire to not be killed for knowing you.”

“Shenshen,” Galinda warned!

“Okay fine! Hi! As long as you don’t try to turn me green we’ll be fine.”

Galinda dropped her fork angrily, but Elphaba’s hand on her arm stopped her.

“It’s okay, I get it. Um the green isn’t transferable. I don’t know why I came out this way, but no one else has ever turned green because of it.”

Shenshen surveyed Elphaba trying to decide if she believed her or not.

“I’m Fiyero…,” he said. “We’ve uh- I- Well I wasn’t my best self that day.”

Elphaba lifted her head with a sudden confidence. She secretly enjoyed that he felt bad for what he did— Or didn’t do at the creek.

“I’m sorry for not stopping them…”

“It’s o—”

“And for stealing your hoodie,” he finished

She paused. That was him? She didn’t forgive him for that. She never would.

She focused back on her food with furrowed brows and downturned lips.

“Elph—” Galinda started, but was interrupted by the bell going off. Even this far in the forest, it could be heard.

An announcement.

“I can’t leave her. You guys should go see what it’s about,” Galinda suggested.

Her friends quickly discarded their half finished breakfasts and headed for the door. While Pfannee had been given an Oz Guard escort to the cabin, Shenshen and Fiyero had driven their cars yesterday, so they drove Shenshen’s into town to hear what the announcement was.

Galinda watched them leave as she and Elphaba finished their food up. She gathered up their plates and washed them in the sink.

“Come on, let’s sit,” she said as she walked over to the couch and waited for Elphaba to join her.

“What do you think the announcement is?” Elphaba asked with her hands in her lap.

Galinda shrugged, “I don’t know, but it can’t be any worse than what my parents already have planned for me.”

Elphaba looked at her confused.

“They want me to birth the heir to the Ozian throne,” Galinda dramaticized. Oz technically didn’t have a “throne”, but that’s essentially what her father’s job was: King of Oz. “They gave me this cabin to fuck Fiyero in.”

Elphaba’s eyes widened, “Why him? They just picked someone for you?”

Galinda’s mouth opened then closed. She’d never actually told her that she had a boyfriend when they met. “He—”

She was having trouble confessing. What if Elphaba was upset with her? What if she never forgave her?

“Galinda, what is it?”

“He was my boyfriend until recently.”

Elphaba’s lips pinched together. Her face went through a plethora of emotions before she landed on her question.

“So you cheated then?”

In the grand scheme of problems in her life, Galinda having a boyfriend was very low on the list. “You did put your lips on my—”

“Elphaba,” Galinda interrupted!

Elphaba chuckled. The first time Galinda heard her laugh in what felt like eternity.

“Well I mean… I actually didn't. I never kissed you on the lips. Everywhere else is just… friendly.”

“You did kiss my lips!” Elphaba laughed harder this time and Galinda followed. It felt nice to have this with her. To be able to laugh at the absurdity of Galinda trying to justify her cheating with the very person she’d cheated with.

Galinda calmed. “You liked it when I did it.”

Elphaba flushed. A dark green crept up her neck and onto her cheeks. “It was the first time anyone had ever touched me so kindly.”

Galinda reached for her hand. She intertwined their fingers and kissed her knuckles. “I’ll always touch you that way, you know.”

Elphaba looked at their linked fingers and at the gentle smile on Galinda’s lips. She believed her even though she didn’t want to.

“I’ll always touch you that way, too.”

Galinda leaned into her. “Fiyero isn’t my boyfriend anymore.”

Elphaba breathed out against her neck. Galinda’s other hand had hooked onto her waist.

Galinda continued, “Which means we can touch each other as kindly as we want and no one can say anything.”

Elphaba chuckled, “Pfannee would say something.”

“Pfannee is an idiot,” Galinda said as she laid a kiss on Elphaba's upper chest.

Elphaba’s free hand came to rest on Galinda’s shoulder as she let her kiss all over her chest and neck. Galinda’s kisses were delicate and a little slimy because of her lipstick, but perfect in every way.

Elphaba let her hand drift through Galinda’s hair, flattening some friz in the process. Then she felt Galinda’s lips lock on her neck.

“Galinda…” She breathed out.

“Tell me to stop and I will,” Galinda whispered into her ear.

The only sounds that followed were Galinda’s lips returning to their space on Elphaba’s neck and Elphaba’s breathing quickening as she did it.

Galinda let go of her hand to drag her fingertips up Elphaba’s stomach and over her thinly covered breasts to grab her neck.

Their eyes locked and Elphaba licked her lips. She wanted to finally have Galinda’s lips against hers but she was still far too scared to take charge. She’d never done this before and Galinda was obviously very good at it.

Galinda’s fingernail poked lightly under Elphaba’s chin urging her to tilt her head back so she could finish littering kisses along her neck. She moved to straddle Elphaba now, pulling her gown up to bunch around her waist in the process.

She was the one who dressed Elphaba,
so she knew for a fact there was nothing under the gown keeping her fingers from touching Elphaba’s flesh the second she wanted to.

Elphaba leaned back against the arm of the couch and Galinda released her neck.

Galinda was properly throbbing now. Her whole body buzzed with the desire to touch Elphaba, to taste her. She bit her lip as she stared down at Elphaba below her. Her nipples were hardened and poking through the gown.

Galinda pulled her own gown over her head and threw it somewhere to be found at a later time.

Elphaba’s jaw dropped and she clenched her fists together to stop herself from grabbing at Galinda’s boobs. There was no shame in her eyes as she stared at the perky, pink mounds right in front of her.

Galinda laughed, “You can touch me however you want, you know.”

Green fingers hid Galinda’s nipples from the cold air conditioning in the cabin as Elphaba squeezed gently.

Galinda’s moan was quiet. Her eyes drooped as she was sure her lip would have an indent in it from biting it so hard.

She reached down to pull Elphaba’s gown up further. She was pleasantly met with Elphaba’s warm center slightly covered in hairs she knew so well. It had been weeks now so of course the hairs had started to grow back and somehow she looked even hotter this way. Galinda let her hand graze over the prickly hairs.

Elphaba exhaled with a small whine and her hands dropped to Galinda’s thighs.

With her free hand, Galinda grabbed her own breast as her eyes never left Elphaba’s. She pinched her nipple just the way she liked and moaned in response. Then with ease she slid her hand down her own body and spread herself to gather the creamy liquid she’d felt come out of her for the last couple minutes.

Her smell filled the cabin and Elphaba’s eyes lowered. She watched Galinda’s fingers, now covered in her own slick, start to rub herself.

And she felt Galinda start to grind her hips against her thighs. She wanted to part her legs more to tell Galinda that she’d wanted her to touch her, but the couch didn’t allow for more than an inch or two of space.

Elphaba was so distracted by her own need, she missed that Galinda was no longer touching herself. It wasn’t until she felt Galinda’s fingers in between her own legs that she realized Galinda had been using her own slickness to wet her clit.

She rubbed Elphaba’s clit slowly— Agonizingly slow.

“More… Please,” Elphaba pleaded with her.

“Well since you asked so nicely,” Galinda teased.

She scooted herself down the couch and laid her fingers on top of Elphaba’s vagina.

“Butttt…,” she dragged the word out.

Elphaba whined and tried to push her hand lower.

“I’m gonna need something in return.”

Elphaba stopped then.

Galinda could sense her nervousness so she finished her thought more quickly than she’d originally intended. “I want to see all of you.”

Elphaba sat up and pulled the gown over head as best she could. She still wasn’t at full strength but she could manage the gown now if she did it slow enough.

Galinda ran her hands up and down Elphaba’s waist as a sign of silent encouragement. She could take all the time she needed.

Galinda couldn’t help but notice how her body had changed. She didn’t have defined abs anymore and her ribcage was notably more visible. She had a few small bruises and her stomach hair had grown back— That part Galinda didn’t mind.

Elphaba could see that Galinda was surveying her. It made her self-conscious. “I know,” she whispered, her voice laced with shame. “You don’t have to look. I understand.”

Galinda sat up in a swift second. Fixing Elphaba’s declining mental state was far more important to her than having an orgasm. She moved up to straddle Elphaba again, only this time there was a determination in her eyes as she cupped Elphaba’s cheeks.

“You are beautiful.”

Elphaba didn’t believe her. She knew how she looked now and while she didn’t love the way she looked before, she believed that Galinda did. Now that seemed impossible.

“I mean it. I won’t lie to you and say that I’m not worried, but I don’t think you’re any less beautiful.”

Elphaba tried to meet her eyes but the shame wouldn’t allow her to. How could she let herself get this bad? How could she expect Galinda to want her when she couldn’t even take care of herself?

“Elphaba Thropp! Stop it!” Galinda could see how she was mentally berating herself. She kissed her cheek, and her nose, and her forehead, and her chin. She did it over and over until Elphaba was nothing but a fit of giggles under her.

“Okay. Okay! I get it,” Elphaba said in between laughs.

“Are you sure? Do you need more kisses? I think you need more,” Galinda said as she went in again.

“No! I got it!”

“Then say it,” Galinda said as she leaned up.

“Say what?”

“That you’re beautiful.”

Elphaba wanted to. She wanted to so badly and she wanted to believe it.

“Elphie…”

“I can’t,” Elphaba said.

Galinda leaned in slowly. Her eyes drowned in Elphaba’s lips. She planned to kiss all her shame away. To share every praise she had to give through the connection of their lips.

But she hadn’t planned for her friends to return.

Nor for them to see her naked on top of an equally naked Elphaba.

“My eyes,” Shenshen screamed!

“Hot,” Pfannee said with a smirk.

“Turn around,” Galinda screamed!

Elphaba hid herself under Galinda. She was mortified. Galinda dropped down on top of her to cover both of their bodies, but mostly Elphaba’s. She knew how unsure of herself Elphaba was and she couldn’t imagine how embarrassed she felt having strangers see her at her most vulnerable.

Galinda however, had changed in front of Shenshen and Pfannee plenty of times.

Once her friends turned, she flung herself off of Elphaba and ran to the bedroom with their hands locked together. Elphaba managed to grab their gowns before Galinda pulled her to the back.

———

Galinda and Elphaba reemerged, now in their clothes for the day.

“Say nothing,” Galinda warned her friends. “What was the announcement? And where’s Yero?”

Pfannee snickered in the back, clearly still picturing Galinda and Elphaba naked.

Elphaba covered her face in her hands as Galinda pulled her down onto the couch and into her lap.

“The wall was breached last night. An infected got in but the Oz Guard killed it…,” Shenshen said.

Galinda gasped. “That’s awful!”

Her hands absentmindedly ran up and down Elphaba’s thighs.

“Your father asked for volunteers for the guard before he initiated a mandatory summons.”

Galinda tilted her head, she had an idea where this was going. Fiyero had told her that it was okay that she couldn’t guarantee him a spot in the Guard. She knew he would try to do it alone.

“Fiyero volunteered, didn't he?”

Shenshen nodded.

Galinda lifted Elphaba off of her. “I need a minute.” She disappeared into the bedroom.

Pfannee and Shenshen looked to Elphaba who expected them to throw her to the wolves or try to attack her while Galinda wasn’t around, but instead they motioned for her to go after Galinda.

She stood up shakily and walked back to the bedroom. When she entered, Galinda stood up and put a smile on her face. She knew it was fake.

“You don’t have to do that,” Elphaba said.

“Do what?”

“Pretend.”

Galinda sighed and plopped back down on the bed.

“You care for him. It’s okay. I don’t feel any sort of way about it.”

Galinda looked up at her, relieved. “I don’t want to be his girlfriend, but I don’t want him to die. I know that as a Guard leader he’d mostly delegate, but as a regular member... He should’ve just let me help him.”

Elphaba lifted her chin and rubbed her thumb along her cheek as Galinda had done for her so many times before. Initiating the contact was weird for her, but she didn’t hate it anymore. She had to actively think about not stopping, but that was a small price to pay for how Galinda looked at her when she did it.

She kissed the top of her head then enveloped her into a hug to lay more kisses against her head.

Galinda quietly cried into her chest while she held her.

Chapter Text

Day 2 of Elphaba’s recovery:

Elphaba felt horrible all day. Her stomach was so used to not eating that it physically hurt when she did which in turn made her not want to do it. She complained to Galinda at every meal and even pushed the food away.

Galinda sat on the couch with Elphaba’s head in her lap and a bowl of fruit in her hand.

“Please, Elphie. I know it hurts, but you can’t not eat,” Galinda pleaded with her for the third time today.

Elphaba shook her head and turned to hide her face in Galinda’s lap.

She gave up a long time ago on getting Elphaba to eat anything heavy, but fruit seemed manageable.

“You don’t have to eat a lot,” Galinda tried to reason with her, rubbing her back in an attempt to calm her.

“Just one?” Elphaba questioned.

Galinda smiled and picked the biggest strawberry for her to try. She handed it down and watched as Elphaba decided if she was actually going to eat it or not.

Her little face of contemplation was positively adorable to Galinda.

Once Elphaba put the strawberry in her mouth, Galinda began to rub circles on her stomach fully anticipating for the pain to start soon.

Eventually, she’d gotten Elphaba to eat half the bowl and sleep in her lap for a few hours.

Day 4:

Elphaba was growing more annoyed with Galinda’s constant help and looking over her shoulder. She hardly gave her the chance to do anything on her own and while the help was thoroughly appreciated, it was becoming too much for her. She didn’t want help with every little thing and she hated asking for it when she actually needed it.

Elphaba was now in the kitchen attempting to get herself a glass of water. The water pitcher was filled to the top and slightly too heavy for her, but she was determined.

She was able to lift it shakily, but tipping it into the glass proved to be more than the average challenge for her.

Fiyero entered the kitchen and noticed her struggling. “You want some help?”

“No.”

“Are you sure, I don’t mind?”

“I said no!”

Her scream mixed with the sound of the pitcher shattering as she dropped it echoed throughout the cabin. Galinda ran out from the bedroom to see what had upset Elphaba, but she was met with Elphaba storming past her and slamming the bedroom door shut.

Day 6:

Elphaba had been considerably more cranky for days now and Galinda was getting less patient by the day. She understood Elphaba was healing and these were just symptoms of her illness, but she didn’t deserve to be constantly yelled at and pushed away.

Elphaba had locked herself in the bedroom some hours ago after failing to lift the trash on her own. She’d expressed to Galinda that she wanted to help out around the house, but household chores were too much exertion for her or just downright impossible given her lack of strength.

“Elphie, come out already,” Galinda said as she knocked on the door.

On the other side Elphaba was looking at herself in the mirror. As if her sudden handicap wasn’t enough, her ribs were still poking out of her stomach.

Since that first day when she and Galinda almost had sex, they hadn’t touched each other again. Mostly because Elphaba declined all of her advances. She wanted to feel pretty when she let Galinda see her. She didn’t want to have to worry about if Galinda was bothered by the way she looked— Outside of her green skin, of course. Her skin would always be a problem she dealt with, but Galinda had expressed to her many times how it didn’t change how she saw her.

“I’m not coming out. Go away!”

Day 10:

Galinda laid in bed with Elphaba resting against her with a salad in hand. She had been taking small bites for a few minutes now which was much more than she had done in days.

Galinda noticed she seemed to actually want to eat it now which made her all giddy inside, but she didn’t want to make any sudden, dramatic noises that would distract Elphaba while she ate.

They were having a mindless conversation about their lives until it dawned on Galinda that Elphaba hadn’t seen her sister in well over a year now.

“Do you want to see Nessa now?”

Elphaba shrugged and took a big bite out of the salad. “Sometimes… but she won’t want to see me anyway.”

“I know you said she blamed you for your mother’s death, but you know that’s not your fault right?” Galinda’s hand ran through Elphaba’s braids then squeezed her shoulder.

Elphaba made a soft sound of recognition. “I’m learning to.”

That day Elphaba finished the salad without complaining and without any pain.

Day 15:

“Galinda, come here,” Elphaba yelled across the house! “Look!”

Galinda came into the kitchen to see Elphaba with the filled trash bag held high in her hands.

“I can do it,” Elphaba cheered!

Galinda practically bounced over to Elphaba, she was so excited. She squealed, “You’re doing it! I’m so proud of you!”

They celebrated with ice cream and cookies that they’d baked together.

Day 25:

Elphaba was mostly recovered now. She did everything on her own, helped out around the cabin, and was gaining her weight back.

She stood in the mirror with a huge toothy grin on her face. Her ribs were back to normal and her abs had started to form again.

The walks in the poppy field she’d been taking must’ve really helped with her muscle gain, she thought as she looked at herself proudly. She was finally starting to feel like herself again.

She wanted to tell Galinda, but she was out for the time being. She’d gone into town to grab some things for the cabin as she always did at least once a week.

So she settled for celebrating alone with the leftover ice cream. She was partial to the mint chocolate chip flavor.

Day 30:

Elphaba’s body was back to normal after battling just over a month of the worst symptoms she’d ever dealt with. She was eager to get back to how her relationship with Galinda used to be. She wanted to touch her again and be touched by her in return.

———

Galinda was out shopping again and Elphaba was left alone in the cabin with plenty of time to think about how the last month had impacted her and Galinda. The girl had put up with so many mood swings and difficulties because of Elphaba that she wanted to do something special for her.

A sunset picnic.

She began to get to work on making food for the picnic: sandwiches, chips, fruit, and juice.

She wasn’t a great chef because she’d never been taught to cook, so she would have to keep it very simple, but she knew Galinda would appreciate the effort.

While she was cutting up watermelon, the radio transmission that had been playing in the background got her attention…

Another breach of the wall was attempted last night and two guards were killed protecting our precious, beloved Oz.

Elphaba sighed. She was just as afraid of being infected as the next person, especially living way out in the forest practically alone. Sure, Pfannee and Shenshen visited often, but most days it was just her and Galinda with Fiyero now spending his days with the Guard.

She finished cutting up the fruit and packed all the food up in the picnic basket then set it aside in the fridge.

“Elphie! I’m back,” Galinda said walking through the door.

“Hey, did you hear the news?”

Galinda shook her head as she placed a kiss on Elphaba’s cheek and set the bags down on the counter.

“Two guards were killed by infecteds trying to get into town.”

Galinda stopped unpacking. Fiyero hadn’t been around as of late and whenever she stopped by his house he wasn’t there either. She hadn’t seen him in well over two weeks and she was growing more worried. It was only a matter of time until he was the one being killed out there.

“He’s gonna be fine,” Elphaba said as she rubbed Galinda’s back.

“You don’t know that.”

“No, but I know that thinking the worst doesn’t ever do any good.”

Galinda turned into Elphaba’s touch. She buried her head into her neck, taking in her scent that was now so intentionally Elphaba. She had her own soap, shampoo, and laundry detergent that she used which meant that for the first time, Galinda had a smell to link to her that wasn’t something she’d given her. A sort of earthy scent that mixed with the smell of poppies that lingered around Elphaba because of how much time she spent out in the flower field.

Elphaba held Galinda and rubbed soothing circles on her back until she pulled away.

“Oh Elphie! I got you something. Well— Two somethings!”

Elphaba smiled. She was happy that Galinda found a distraction and curious about what she had gotten.

Galinda pulled out a blue book with some sort of archaic artwork on the front.

A Medium Rare Collection of Very Hard Perplexifying Puzzles

“What’s this?”

“A book, silly! A smart people one— So, naturally, I got it for you! You’re the smartest person in all of Oz!”

Elphaba’s fingers danced over the puffed out font on the cover. The book actually seemed like something she’d pick up for herself and Galinda had been thoughtful enough to get it for her. She thought about her when she wasn’t around and when it wasn’t warranted…

She would’ve cried if it wasn’t for the excitement flowing from Galinda’s jittering being at this moment. She looked as if she would explode if Elphaba didn’t say something soon.

“Thank you, my sweet. This is really nice!”

Galinda grinned now. “My sweet? I like that!”

“Well… this was very sweet of you. So, yes, my sweet.”

“I got these fixed too,” Galinda said as she pulled Elphaba’s gold framed glasses out of the brand new black case.

Elphaba gasped. She’d thought she would have to be partially blind for the foreseeable future. “When did you snag these? You thief,” she joked.

“They fell from your hoodie a while ago. I just couldn’t get around to it until now.”

Elphaba pulled Galinda into a tight hug. Her arms wrapped around Galinda’s neck with such care and softness. “I planned something for you, later.”

Galinda pulled away, intrigued. “How much later? What should I wear? Oh, what is it? The suspense is killing me!”

“It’s only been like five seconds,” Elphaba laughed.

“Still! I should wear pink right?”

“You don’t own anything else,” Elphaba said as she shook her head lovingly. This girl had no idea how she already took up so much space in her heart.

———

“Honey, I’m homeee,” Pfannee announced, pushing through the door that was seemingly never locked, with Shenshen on his heels.

Elphaba, who had just emerged from the bedroom after changing into her outfit for the picnic, was thoroughly disappointed to see them. She wanted alone time with Galinda without the subconscious, self consciousness that came with having her friends around. They had been fairly nice to her in the last month, Pfannee more than Shenshen, but it was still evident they were all learning to trust each other.

“Don’t look so excited,” Shenshen said, shutting the door.

“Sorry,” Elphaba mumbled.

“What’s gotten into you?” Pfannee asked.

“Nothing,” Elphaba mumbled again, already on her way out the back door. The picnic was already set up in the poppy field and the sun was well on its way to setting. The perfect night… ruined by Galinda’s very talkative and judgmental friends.

Elphaba huffed as she sat cross legged on the picnic blanket. She flicked some leaves off of the pink and white checkered fabric that must’ve flown on by way of the light breeze that was in the air today.

She was so proud of how the picnic setup turned out and even more sad that it wouldn’t go the way she planned. As usual, Pfannee and Shenshen would monopolize Galinda’s attention and probably force their way onto the picnic blanket and eat most of the food.

Back inside, Galinda came out of the bedroom in a sheer pink top with bell sleeves, a white pleated mini skirt with pink stitching, and pink babydoll heels. Her hair was in a half up half down style and her makeup was light. She also had green hair pins and a green ring on.

“Where’s Elphie? I’m ready for my surprise!”

“You mean there’s a reason she’s been moping on that picnic blanket since we got here,” Shenshen said, pointing out the glass pane back doors.

Galinda looked over to see Elphaba all alone outside. “You two better not have upset her.”

Pfannee threw his hands up in the air as if that was an immediate sign of his innocence and Shenshen just rolled her eyes.

Galinda waved them away, “We can hang after my picnic with Elphie.”

They agreed and disappeared up the stairs.

“She set up a picnic for me…,” Galinda whispered to herself. This was the type of romance she craved since being a little girl. Someone who would sweep her off her feet with plenty of surprises and thoughtful gestures. The kind of romance that made her heart beat out her chest and her stomach fill with butterflies.

Elphaba hadn’t heard or seen her coming, too into her own self-pity and she was facing in the opposite direction.

“Hey,” Galinda said.

Elphaba startled from her thoughts, “Hi… Where are Pfannee and Shenshen?”

“I sent them upstairs.”

Elphaba smiled and held out her hand for Galinda to take.

“A picnic, huh?”

The shy smile that crossed Elphaba’s face made Galinda want to grab her and litter kisses on every visible piece of skin on her body.

“I just wanted it to be us though… I wanted to thank you for putting up with me when I was… like that,” Elphaba said, fumbling with a leaf between her fingertips.

Galinda lightly touched Elphaba’s hands to steady them and to take the leaf away from her. She didn’t like that she gave more attention to it than her, but she knew it was a sign of her nervousness.

“It’s perfect! And you look beautiful,” Galinda said. Elphaba wore a black mini skirt, definitely something Galinda had gotten her.

So we match, Elphie!, Galinda said the day she brought it home to a very unconvinced Elphaba.

She paired the skirt with a white button up, with the sleeves rolled up to her elbows, and knee length white socks with black loafers.

“Now tell me what we’re eating tonight,” Galinda said, reaching for the picnic basket.

———

After they’d finished eating and talking about any and every thing, the sun was shining the perfect shade of orange and the summer breeze was warm.

Galinda still sat crossed legged, only now Elphaba’s head rested on her thigh. She looked down at her while she told her about how she’d already done three of the perplexifying puzzles in her book.

Galinda’s hand ran up and down her waist while she listened to Elphaba’s musings.

“…And well… it was easy to figure out b—”

“Grape?” Galinda interrupted with the small purple fruit in her hand.

“Yes, thank you.” Elphaba’s mouth opened for Galinda to set the grape inside her mouth. Her lips closed around Galinda’s fingers, something she’d done with absolute purpose.

“Careful,” Galinda warned playfully.

Elphaba giggled beneath her as she chewed on the grape.

Then Galinda’s hand came to rest across her chest. The top button of her shirt was undone which gave Galinda access to her flushed skin. Her thumb began to stroke the base of Elphaba’s neck, across hundreds of little green freckles that she adored.

Elphaba hummed. She was more than satisfied with how the picnic was going and hadn’t even thought about Pfannee and Shenshen. She was more focused on Galinda and her delicate touches. The way she smelled and how utterly gorgeous she looked under the late afternoon light. Elphaba craned her neck up to get a better look at Galinda. She wanted to remember as much of her for as long as she could.

Galinda took Elphaba’s hand in her free one for no other reason than to have even more contact with her. She let Elphaba fiddle with her fingertips and run her thumb across the back of her hand.

She didn’t have a clue that Elphaba was trying to remember every little thing she was feeling.

Galinda’s hand on her chest…

Galinda’s hand in hers…

Galinda’s thighs under her head…

She never wanted to forget any of it. She wanted to have something to think of in her last moments. Something that would make it less scary. Something to make her forget about her impending death as it was happening. She wanted to go out with happiness in her heart and not fear.

“What’re you thinking about down there?” Galinda asked as she released Elphaba’s hand to stroke her jawline.

“You.”

Galinda cheesed like a five year old. “I am fun to think about, aren’t I?”

Elphaba snickered. Galinda’s narcissism was oddly charming and mostly harmless. She always made her laugh with her quick remarks and abundance of love for pink and well… herself.

“You are very fun to think about, yes.”

“What fun thing about me are you thinking about?”

Elphaba’s hand found its way to Galinda’s arm, under the flowy sleeve of her top, she was able to feel every hair on that part of Galinda’s body. She felt warm and impossibly soft.

“I was memorizing you. This moment…”

Galinda’s fingertips slowed against her jaw but didn’t stop and her other hand left Elphaba’s chest to bring her free hand up to her lips. Kissing Elphaba’s body was something she would never tire of, it never got old. There was always some new place to kiss because even though she’d done it so many times, every one was different and every part of her felt new each time she laid her lips against her emerald flesh.

“Am I so easy to forget?”

“I’m memorizing how you feel, not how you look. That… I will never forget, my sweet.”

Galinda looked out to the sky, she also wanted to never forget this day. The perfect weather as a backdrop for the perfect picnic with the perfect girl. A girl who she intended to keep in her grasp for as long as she possibly could. She would breathe in Elphaba’s last exhale if it meant she could keep her inside of her when her body was no longer alive.

She hated to think that way though. She wanted to live blissfully with Elphaba forever. Somewhere away from Oz, where no one would hurt Elphaba, and no one would judge either of them.

“Hmm how I feel?”

Elphaba nodded in her lap. “For when my body is gone, and only my soul remains.”

Galinda couldn’t have her forgetting any part of her now could she…

Elphaba needed to know that she wasn’t going anywhere, that they would be together for so long that Elphaba would have no choice but to have memorized her entire being. They would be each other's first thought every morning and last thought every night.

And when the time came for one of them to go…

The other one will have already been engraved into every part of her mind that there wouldn’t even be a question of whether or not they would remember each other.

“Sit up,” Galinda urged.

“Why? I’m comfortable,” Elphaba whined softly.

“Because your mouth is better suited for what your hands so easily forget.”

The confidence Galinda possessed left her body and entered Elphaba’s in the form of compliance. She sat up with her full attention on Galinda. Her body buzzed with nervousness and anticipation.

She looked right into Galinda’s eyes that looked back into hers with so much desire she thought she’d melt on the spot. “A- and what is it I’m forgetting?”

Galinda’s finger hooked under Elphaba’s chin as she pulled her into her space. The breeze around them ceased, there was only the one breath that they shared. With every exhale Elphaba released, Galinda breathed in as if she could hold everything Elphaba felt for her.

“How I feel…”

Galinda’s eyes took in all of Elphaba. She started with her thin eyebrows, then moved to her eyes.

They spoke to her so distinctly. They were filled with years of uncertainty and suffering, but still hopeful. So hopeful… A hope she planned to nourish until Elphaba could do nothing but be sure that she could have her heart’s desire, and that Galinda would be right there with her every step of the way.

Her nose was next, covered in freckles just like her cheeks. She wanted nothing more than to count every one and seal it with a kiss.

And finally… Her lips…

Oz… Her lip…

Galinda’d fantasized about Elphaba’s lips for weeks now. How they felt… And how they tasted…

She was close…

So, so, so, so close…

She leaned forward the smallest bit and watched how Elphaba’s breath picked up. She could do nothing other than close the distance between them with the softest kiss ever given. Her lips barely grazed Elphaba’s, it was a teasing of sort.

“Galinda, stop it,” Elphaba whispered into her mouth. “Kiss me.”

Elphaba rarely asked for what she wanted, a habit Galinda was more than happy to help her break.

“Anything for you.”

The last words to leave her mouth before she didn’t have the breath to say any other words. Her lips were busy learning Elphaba’s and tasting her.

Their lips molded together so effortlessly as if they’d done this everyday before now. As if they were meant to be in this exact moment, sharing this exact kiss.

Galinda’s hand came to the nape of Elphaba’s neck to pull her even closer. Though that seemed physically impossible with how close they already were. Galinda grabbed at Elphaba like she couldn’t do anything else until this was done. As if without this kiss she’d cease to exist.

Elphaba moaned into Galinda’s mouth, a quiet moan— A shy moan even. Her hands pulled at Galinda’s waist to bring her into her lap. Her long fingers slid under Galinda’s loose fitted top to feel the porcelain skin underneath.

When they pulled away, they were both pleasantly out of breath. One of them considerably more than the other…

Galinda began to kiss her way across Elphaba’s jaw and down her neck to suck on her favorite spot. This time she sucked harder than she had before. She wanted to leave a mark, a reminder that she was here.

“Galinda-”

She released Elphaba, pushed her down on her back, and smiled innocently, “Yes?”

“Oz…”

Galinda wasted no time pulling her shirt over her head.

“Wh- What are you doing? We’re outside!”

Galinda shrugged, “We’re the only ones out here, and I think I’ll die if I don’t have you right now. Do you want me to die, Miss Thropp?”

Elphaba’s eyes bulged at Galinda in her bra, straddling her waist. She failed to remember why she even protested. “N- uh No! No, we can’t have you dying…”

“Good answer,” Galinda said, then dropped down to continue marking Elphaba’s neck.

Elphaba’s hands felt every part of Galinda’s stomach and back, except for what lay under her bra. She pulled Galinda by her hips so that they were flush with her own.

“Want me that bad, huh?” Galinda teased.

Elphaba snickered and turned away from Galinda’s starving gaze, but Galinda’s hand pulled her jaw back forward. “Don’t look away from me.”

Elphaba nodded. She was utterly enamored and oddly submissive to Galinda’s demands.

“Take my bra off,” Galinda commanded.

Elphaba licked her lips as she unhooked the garment and let it fall from Galinda’s body.

Galinda wondered for how long Elphaba would just blindly obey her. She decided to test her theory. “Suck me.”

Elphaba’s mouth opened as she looked from Galinda’s very serious eyes to her very pointed nipples. Then her hands were on Galinda’s back to pull her down.

Her lips connected with Galinda’s breasts as she sucked her nipples with ease. She started off by capturing the bud between her lips and swiping her tongue across it until Galinda arched into her. Then she tugged harder and that seemed to be what Galinda needed.

A loud moan left her mouth as she ground down against Elphaba’s hips.

“Oz, Elphie!”

Elphaba switched to the other one to do the same thing then let go and waited for her next instructions.

Galinda kissed her once more then moved off of her to discard the rest of her clothing. She took extra time making a show of removing her panties. Stained a darker shade of pink right in the middle. Elphaba watched as a string of slickness trailed from her vagina and connected to her panties, until Galinda broke the connection with her fingers.

Elphaba rose to her knees focused on only one thing, tasting that very same string of cum that was still visible between her legs.

Galinda looked down at her with a charged smile. “Go ahead.”

Elphaba brought her hands up to Galinda’s thighs. “I don’t know how.”

Galinda ran her hands through Elphaba’s braids then lifted her jaw so their eyes met.

With Elphaba on her knees below her, looking at her like she hung the moon and the stars, her voice sounded like audible seduction, “I’ll teach you.”

Elphaba bit her lip, then focused back on Galinda dripping inches away from her mouth. She leaned in to deliver a soft kiss above Galinda’s clit, just as she’d done to her some weeks ago.

“Use your tongue, darling.”

She hummed quietly as she poked her tongue out and let it part Galinda’s folds. Oz… tastes so good.

Her tongue flattened against Galinda’s clit. Then she felt fingernails against her skull, Galinda was pushing her further into her. She bobbed her head as she licked Galinda from top to bottom relentlessly.

“F- fuck…,” Galinda breathed out with her head facing the clouds.

Elphaba pushed Galinda’s legs further apart from her inner thighs then she positioned herself so close to Galinda she was practically under her. She found Galinda’s clit and wrapped her lips around it. She treated it just as she had her nipples, and tugged on it softly.

“A- ahhh! Elphie!” Galinda was hardly managing to breathe above her.

She pulled the soaked nub further into her mouth then pushed it out and repeated until Galinda was bent over her now. This position made it so that she had to sort of chase Galinda to keep her mouth on her. She gently pushed the back of Galinda’s thighs towards her to urge her to straighten up so she could finish.

“Fingers.”

Elphaba looked up at her, “Show me.”

Truthfully, Elphaba had fingered herself before and knew, at least very generally, how to do it, but she remembered how turned on she felt when Galinda’d fingered herself on top of her last time, and she wanted a repeat show.

Galinda’s fingers slid down over her clit and spread out to open herself before she used three fingers to rub back and forth.

Elphaba watched in a trance. She gave in to her intrusive thoughts of licking Galinda while she touched herself. Her mouth came right over Galinda’s fingers as she licked in between them and around… everywhere.

Galinda held her head tighter as her eyes slammed shut. “F- fuck me.”

Elphaba smiled into her dripping pussy. Then her fingers came to run over Galinda’s entrance.

“E- elphie!”

She pushed one finger into Galinda who was more than ready to take her.

“More! So many more!”

Elphaba released Galinda’s clit to chuckle.

“F- fu— Are you laughing?” Galinda stopped.

“Sorry, you’re so cute.”

“Less flattery, more making me cum.”

Elphaba kissed Galinda’s thigh then put her face back into her pussy and added two more fingers.

“Curl them upwards. M- my spot is there. You- you’ll feel it.”

Elphaba signaled her understanding by following exactly what she’d been told to do and continuing her fast swipes across and hard sucking on Galinda’s clit.

Cum was dripping down her wrist and all over Galinda’s thighs. She took a second to lick Galinda off of her then continued her work. Her free hand came up Galinda’s stomach. She could feel her muscles flexing and releasing with her thrusts and Galinda started to chase her fingers. Her hips moved back and forth while she clenched around Elphaba’s fingers tightly.

She pulled away from Galinda to watch her fingers repeatedly disappear inside of her and then she added a fourth.

Galinda screamed out, “You want me to squirt all over this blanket, don’t you?”

Elphaba didn’t even know that was a thing that could happen. She’d only ever seen her own vagina in the midst of an orgasm, and it certainly didn’t “squirt”.

“Like actually squirt?”

Galinda nodded distractedly. “Go faster and suck really hard on my clit”

Elphaba increased her speed and held Galinda’s thigh again while she devoured her clit.

“P- push harder upwards and flex your fingers.”

And so Elphaba did. She pushed harder on that spongy spot inside of Galinda and flexed her fingers with every thrust.

“F- F- Fuck! Elphie! I’m- Fuuuuuck,” Galinda moaned as she held Elphaba’s face to her. Elphaba’s mouth filled with so much cum it started to drip out and down Galinda’s legs.

Galinda rode her orgasm out against Elphaba’s face. Her body convulsed and she all but fell over Elphaba. She felt like she was floating. Her limbs relaxed and her hold on Elphaba weakened.

When she looked down, the bottom half of Elphaba’s face was covered in her and her hand was glistening. Elphaba looked at her with so much adoration and submission, Galinda felt like an idiot for waiting so long to fuck her. Her eyes begged for Galinda to praise her and tell her what to do next.

“You’re good at following directions,” Galinda said, with a hold on her chin.

Elphaba’s eyes never left her as she unbuttoned her shirt and pulled her boots and skirt off.

“Leave the panties,” Galinda said as she watched.

Elphaba leaned back on her elbows, waiting.

“Eager,” Galinda teased. She dropped to her knees in front of Elphaba, ignoring the wet spot she was currently kneeling in.

She let her hands trail up from Elphaba’s feet, across her calfs, then up her thighs as her lips followed every place her hands touched. She kissed all over Elphaba’s legs and sucked so many marks into her thighs.

She laid her head on Elphaba’s covered center while she took in her scent and soothed the places she’d sucked on with her fingers, rubbing circles across the irritated skin.

She unashamedly put her nose right into Elphaba’s panties.

Elphaba was so wet from having ate Galinda out that her panties were wet from top to bottom. She brought her hands to her nipples to squeeze softly.

“Stop!” Galinda pulled Elphaba’s hands away from herself. “Those are mine to touch. And only mine…”

Elphaba gulped then captured her lip between her teeth. She watched as Galinda pulled her panties to the side to reveal her clit that poked out of her lips. It was already larger than usual and in need of attention.

Galinda kissed it while she held Elphaba’s panties to the side. Then… without warning… she locked her lips around the sensitive bundle of nerves and began to get her fill. With her free hand she felt the hairs across Elphaba’s stomach… and her abs… and finally… her puffy green nipples. She squeezed hard and Elphaba moaned.

She could see that Elphaba was quickly getting lost in her ecstasy, but she wasn’t done just yet.

She stopped and pulled Elphaba’s panties all the way off. “Turn around… On all fours.”

Elphaba took a second to process what it was she was asking then she turned.

Galinda spread her legs and came up behind her so her hips were flush with Elphaba’s ass. She reached around, bending over Elphaba, to rub her clit.

Elphaba whined as she lowered the front half of her body to the ground. She couldn’t hold herself up anymore with how fast Galinda’s fingers were moving against her clit and how her other hand rubbed her ass.

“I’m gonna push into you, okay?”

Elphaba whined in response.

“Elphie? Say something, darling.”

“Y- yes. Okay.”

Galinda kissed across Elphaba’s ass softly to soothe her before she entered. Her finger went in easily but Elphaba still pulled away from her slightly.

“Okay, okay. I’m stopping. Just relax, baby.” The pet name slipped from her mouth.

“N- no, don’t stop. I can do it.”

Galinda kissed her back. “Tell me when.”

She rubbed on Elphaba’s clit still. She could feel the nub moving back and forth under her fingertips, it was intoxicating.

“Okay, more.”

She added a second finger…

And then…

“More,” Elphaba panted out. She was growing addicted to the stretch and the way she felt with Galinda inside of her.

Galinda added one more then pushed in further.

“G! Oz!”

Galinda just shushed her and sucked the already bruised skin on her ass while she rubbed her thighs. “You’re doing so good.”

“So,” she kissed her ass, “so,” then the other side, “so,” she spread her legs even more, “so good, baby.”

Elphaba whimpered and gripped the picnic blanket as Galinda sped up inside of her. Her thrusts weren’t particularly hard but they were fast. She knew Elphaba probably didn’t know how to explain to her how to pleasure her, so it was up to her to pay attention to Elphaba’s reactions. She curled her fingers, trying to find her g-spot.

“There!”

Galinda pushed on the same spot again and Elphaba cried out. “Please, don’t stop! Please! Oz, please!”

“Okay, baby. You don’t have to beg me. I’ve got you.”

Elphaba felt so cared for and at ease that a tear slipped from her eyes. She buried her face in the blanket as Galinda fucked her from the back. Her mind could only focus on the pleasure oozing from between her legs.

“G- Galinda, I’m-”

Galinda’s hand came around to hold Elphaba’s stomach so she could have more grip to fuck her a bit harder to push her over the edge.

“You want to come? Is that what you’re trying to say, darling?”

Elphaba just groaned into the blanket and reached back for Galinda’s hand.

“Aww baby, I’m here.” Galinda held her hand. “I’m right here.”

Then Elphaba shuddered in front of her. Her back lost its arch and she tried to push her legs closed. Galinda quickly released her hand to keep her legs open while she fucked her through her orgasm.

“That’s it baby, let go.”

Elphaba moaned and cried out while the feeling of reaching her peak buzzed through her body.

Galinda soothed her through it, whispering encouragement into her ears, and rubbing her back. Then Elphaba stopped moving entirely.

“You okay?”

Elphaba moaned.

“Gonna take that as a yes,” Galinda giggled. “I’m gonna pull out.”

Elphaba reached for her again.

“I’ll go slow,” Galinda reassured her as she held her hand again.

Elphaba released a breath she didn’t know she was holding when Galinda pulled out of her.

“Oz… That was so much better than the books,” Elphaba said with an exhausted laugh as she rolled onto her back.

Galinda leaned over her to kiss her lips, it was already her new favorite thing to do. “How much of that do you think Pfannee and Shenshen saw?”

Elphaba sat up in an instant, “I hope none!”

Galinda giggled as she watched Elphaba hurry to redress herself.

“Aren’t you gonna change?”

Galinda bit her lip. “I’d rather watch you do it first.”

Elphaba flushed as she buttoned up her shirt. “You’re insatiable.”

Chapter Text

“Mr. Thropp,” Galinda said, looking him up and down.

“Miss Upland,” he said, just as disapprovingly.

Galinda was in the foyer of the Upland house, having just walked through the door. She was doing her daily check in with her parents when to her great disdain, there stood Frexspar Thropp, in the foyer, on his way out.

He looked behind him to make sure Highmaster and Larena weren’t around, then he turned towards Galinda.

He was far too close for her liking.

“I know you’ve seen her,” Frex whispered down to her, using his height to his advantage.

Galinda cleared her throat and crossed her hands across her chest. She wouldn’t be bullied by anyone and certainly not Frexspar. “You know she isn’t infected.” She stepped closer to him, now. Her gaze was piercing, “Why are you lying about it?”

Frexspar chuckled, then grabbed her arm to pull her even closer, “Careful girl… or her wickedness will spill all over you.”

Galinda yanked her arm away but met him with an equal amount of conviction. “If she has any wickedness inside of her it comes from knowing you!”

Frexspar leaned back and took a slow, calculated deep breath. He seemed impressed with her assuredness but annoyed that she had stood up to him. “You shouldn’t speak to your newest councilman that way, Miss Upland.”

He flung his jacket off the coat rack near the door and the air swung into Galinda’s space, then he went out the front door without so much as a glance back.

Galinda scoffed and rolled her eyes. She hated that man with every fiber of her being. If she could throw him out beyond the wall, she would do it in a heartbeat.

“Momsie? Popsicle?” Galinda called out.

“Pumpkinnn,” Popsicle said as he appeared in the living room.

“Hi, Popsicle,” Galinda said as she gave him a quick hug.

“How’s the cabin, huh? I’m sure you’re so lonely, with Fiyero so busy these days.”

Galinda shrugged. She couldn’t tell him that she was perfectly fine with Elphaba most of the time. Sure, she missed Fiyero, but she had someone who served as a wonderful distraction for her. She did, however, want to know how he was doing. “How is he?”

“He’s showing great promise! A spot will open soon for Guard Leader, and if he continues down this path it’ll be his.”

Galinda smiled, that was good. He was okay. Now she could focus her attention on getting everyone to see that Elphaba wasn’t infected.

“You know, Pumpkin… The two of you will look amazing as the leaders of Oz. I just hope I’m still here to see it.”

He pulled her into another tight hug that she was much less invested in this time around.

“I should go find Momsie!”

“Oh, she has a cough! Could you grab the medicine that’s on my desk and give it to her? I meant to, but Frex stopped by to discuss some things and I lost track of time.”

Galinda nodded as she made her way to Popsicle’s study.

His desk was a mess, papers everywhere. Most of them looked diplomatic and boring.

Blah, blah, Melina…

Melina? Elphaba’s mother?

She picked up the very delicate piece of paper. It looked as if it had been stored away for years, the corners were frayed and it was yellowing.

She started to read out of curiosity.

Dear Mister Upland,

I do believe I am in possession of someone that is of great importance to you. My daughter, Elphaba Thropp.

You see I would be more than willing to turn her over to you on her eighteenth birthday as it stands she’s untouchable as a child. However, it’s been brought to my attention that my other daughter, Nessarose, the beautiful one, has been talking to children on the playground, including your Miss Galinda, about the state of her sister.

And well… There have been whispers that Nessarose and I may be infected as a result of our living situation. Of course, I can confirm firsthand that Elphaba is not infected, so I am prepared to bargain with you.

If you assist me in making sure these rumors cease to exist, by say, explaining to the right people that Nessarose is still grieving her mother and her stories are just that— Stories. Then I will hand over Elphaba to you when the time comes and stand in your corner as you become an Ozian savior. You’ll have the favor of Oz for as long as you live should you be the man who eliminated the infected within the walls.

Just something to think about…

My best, Frexspar Thropp

Galinda’s breath hitched. This whole time he was putting on a show for Oz… She couldn’t believe Popsicle would intentionally have an innocent girl killed in exchange for something as minute as public favor! There were plenty of other ways to win the favor of Ozian citizens that didn’t involve killing people.

And how could Frex just send Elphaba to her death? What kind of father was he!?

Galinda folded the letter up and shoved it in her pocket.

———

“Elphie! Where are you?” Galinda barreled through the front door to see Pfannee and Shenshen watching a movie on the couch and Elphaba at the dining room table doing a puzzle.

“What’s got you so riled up, my sweet?”

While she would normally blush at the pet name and make Elphaba say it again, there was no time for that. Elphaba needed to see what her father had done.

She pulled the letter out and placed it on top of Elphaba’s book.

“What’s this?” Elphaba said, pushing her glasses up on her nose as she picked it up to read it.

Galinda watched her intensely, checking for any signs of discomfort or sadness, but there were none. Elphaba remained stone faced the whole way through. Then, when she was done, she set the letter down and continued on her puzzle.

“Wha— That’s it? Aren’t you upset? Don’t you want to scream because I do! How could they? A—”

Elphaba pulled Galinda down into the seat next to her. Her voice was calm and collected, “This isn’t shocking to me. Two people who hate me decided to kill me… Sweetness, that’s the most predictable thing they could’ve done.”

Galinda was pleasantly confused at Elphaba’s dismissal of this news, but she also found it hot that Elphaba was so nonchalant about it. She seemed so at ease and in control, it made Galinda want to take her right then and there.

“He’s also the newest councilman,” she added.

Elphaba did have a reaction to that. She closed her book and faced Galinda. “How the hell did he get your father to agree to that?”

Galinda shrugged, ”He also knows that I’ve been with you… Are you upset?”

Elphaba sighed but shook her head.

Her silence was killing Galinda. “What? What are you thinking?”

The last thing Elphaba wanted was for Galinda to be in any danger because they were spending time together, but the fact that Frex hadn’t gone public with what he knew, and had been given a political role struck her as odd. What was the motivation for Frexspar wanting that job and more importantly why had Highmaster given it to him? That didn’t make any sense to her given what she remembered about her father’s feelings towards Highmaster. “There’s something going on there.”

Sixteen years ago…

A very tiny Elphaba sat cross legged on the floor in the living room, fiddling with a small goat figurine. It was her favorite for some odd reason… What three year old had a toy goat? She had always been an odd child with her green skin and affinity for silence.

She heard a knock at the door and then her father started to scream. She looked through her large framed glasses that had a little rope connecting from both legs around the back of her head so they wouldn’t fall from her face. Her hair was in two buns on top of her head and she wore her green hoodie and black leggings.

She was waiting for her mother to come back from the kitchen so they could play together. She’d promised her she would play whatever game Elphaba wanted when she finished dinner, and put Nessarose, her newborn baby sister, to sleep.

“…Mr. Upland, please! She has no infection!”

Her father was upset… Very upset.

Elphaba’s eyes drifted from where her father was yelling, a usual occurrence in their home, to where her mother peacefully hummed in the kitchen. She could see through the kitchen door because it was double paned with a sort of blurred glass material. She wondered when Melina would notice the commotion.

“…It’s already done.” She heard the man arguing with her father say.

Then Frex ran past her towards the kitchen. He dragged Melina by her arm trying to take her away somewhere.

“Frex, honey, what’re you doing?”

There were so many men in blue uniforms. Her parents looked scared which made her scared too. She got up to her feet and reached for her mom.

Always her mom.

Her mom tucked her in every night, played with her during the day, and never yelled at her.

The men were shoving her father away from her mom. Everyone was screaming. She hated the noise, so she covered her ears with both her hands, never letting go of the toy goat, and began to cry.

“It’s alright, child,” her mom said as she picked her up and cradled her to her chest.

“Ms. Thropp, please put the child down.”

“This isn’t fair! You can’t do this,” her father yelled while he was being held on the ground.

Her mom kissed the top of her head, still as calm as stillwater, then she put her down.

Elphaba had little tears poking out from her bottom lash lines. She was no longer crying but curious as to what was going on. She looked up at her mom who bent down to wipe her tears away and cup her chin. “Never let them break you, child.”

The last thing she said before they took her away.

The last thing her mother ever said to her.

Elphaba watched as the men took her mom away, leaving her with her father who didn’t love her. Even at three she knew that. He never played with her, hardly looked at her, and when he did acknowledge her, it was to yell at her and tell her she was doing something wrong.

He turned to her angrily. She remembered because his face was so red it reminded her of the tomato she ate earlier that day. He grabbed her by the arm harshly and dragged her to her room.

“This is YOUR fault!”

He released her hard and she fell to the ground with a thump!

“She’s gone now, and I’m stuck with you!”

Elphaba didn’t say anything. She never did.

“Don’t come out this door!”

And then he slammed it shut!

The loud sound startled Elphaba. She flinched and then backed herself into the corner where her doll house was. She started to play with the goat and the other toys she had with tears still in her eyes.

“I am going to kill Highmaster if it’s the last thing I do!” She heard her father yell before she tried to tune everything except her toys out.

Her mom would come back and play with her just like she promised.

Turned out…

That was the only promise she’d ever broken.

Galinda softly pulled Elphaba’s glasses off of her face so she could kiss the single tear that was in her eye away. Elphaba sometimes told her small stories about her childhood, but it was rare and she never went into much detail. She often did so with a blank look in her eye, never tears like this time.

With Galinda so close to her, Elphaba instinctively turned to look at her. They shared a delicate kiss.

“I’m so sorry. My father is awful, I know that now,” Galinda said softly into Elphaba’s mouth before she laid another kiss against her lips.

“It’s not your fault, and besides I didn’t tell you that to make you hate your father,” Elphaba said as she pulled away slightly. “My father was adamant about killing yours, and that never changed as long as I lived there. I don’t think he’d suddenly just change his mind.”

“You think he would still kill Popsicle?”

“He would do anything to avenge my mom’s death… He loved her with everything he had…,” she trailed off then lifted her eyes to look into Galinda’s. “It’s how I knew, even at three, that he didn’t love me.”

Chapter Text

Galinda curled around Elphaba’s sleeping form in their bed. She took comfort in knowing that Elphaba was safe with her, even if just for the day. Every day was something different, something annoyingly challenging, or just plain terrifying. She tried not to think about how many times Elphaba has almost died in her lifetime and how close she’d come three times in the last few months they’ve spent together. She clung to her tighter; her fingertips pushed into Elphaba’s waist. She listened for her heartbeat, a clear sign that she was still here. The only thing that brought her peace on days when Elphaba’s apparent mortality got into her head was the concrete proof (like her beating heart under Galinda’s head) that she was okay.

Galinda’s mind drifted to Popsicle and this newfound (to her anyway) evil streak. She didn’t understand how the same man who swung her around until her stomach hurt from giggling and chased her around the backyard until she grew tired could be so power hungry and outright murderous. She couldn’t hate the part of him that she grew up with. Her Popsicle… But she despised Highmaster Upland, leader of Oz. That version of him she didn’t recognize at all. He schemed and plotted to kill someone she cared about and he did it while smiling in her face and calling her pumpkin.

She could never admit to him what she felt for Elphaba now. She could no longer guarantee that she wouldn’t be next on his list of people to sacrifice for “the good of Oz”.

“Your nails have been impaling me for fifteen minutes now,” Elphaba said groggily from beneath Galinda.

She released her grip with a quiet apology.

“My stomach is greatly appreciative,” Elphaba said as she sat up in bed with Galinda doing the same. “Plans for the day?”

She sighed and rubbed her eyes. “Momsie is sick. I’m going to check on her.”

Elphaba hummed, slipping her hand into Galinda’s. “She’ll be okay. She has the best doctors at her fingertips.”

And that was true. The Uplands had access to every doctor in all of Oz because of their status. The privileges that were awarded to them now felt gross to Galinda. They didn’t deserve it, Popsicle was a horrible leader. The people of Oz needed to know, but those very same privileges made it so she could take care of Elphaba. Selfishly, she knew there was nothing she could do because Elphaba was far more important to her than unveiling her father’s mischief.

Overwhelmed with her feelings, Galinda didn’t respond. She just held Elphaba’s hand tighter.

She needed more though.

She kissed her, hard, and without warning. Her arms wrapped around her neck and she straddled her lap.

“Galinda, slow down,” Elphaba tried between kisses.

“Need a distraction,” she whispered into Elphaba’s mouth.

Elphaba’s hands came to rest on her hips under her nightgown. She stopped kissing Galinda’s lips to kiss the hinge of her jaw delicately as she pulled Galinda’s gown farther up until it was off of her entirely. Her own was discarded quickly after as they both laid tangled in each other.

With Elphaba now on top of Galinda, she asked, “How do you want me?”

Galinda took her hand and pushed it down between her legs that spread open under Elphaba’s. “I want to only feel you.”

Elphaba kissed her fiercely. She tried to pour all of her support and care for Galinda into it as she let her fingers slide across Galinda’s clit. Her other hand palmed her breast and pinched her nipple until she became a moaning mess.

She could feel the wetness slipping out of Galinda’s opening, coating her lips. She quickened her pace.

“Yes! Oz, Yes! E- El—”

Elphaba took her time kissing all over Galinda’s chest leaving a trail of her saliva behind as she went along. She replaced her hand with her mouth around Galinda’s nipple starting with sucking on it, then she opened her mouth wider to run her tongue across her entire areola. Galinda arched into her touch with her eyes squeezed shut and her mouth wide open in ecstasy.

She took the same amount of care with the other and then continued to kiss her way down Galinda’s body.

Galinda’s stomach convulsed against her lips as she trailed over her belly button.

“You’re close already?” Elphaba said proudly with a sly smile.

“Oh hush! Just f- finish,” Galinda stuttered.

Elphaba pushed two fingers inside of Galinda and that seemed to shut her up entirely. Her hands rushed to Elphaba’s head pushing her down and her own head came up to watch.

The first swipe of Elphaba’s tongue on her clit sent Galinda into a frenzy, but the ones that followed took her out all together. She could no longer hear anything going on around her, solely focused on how Elphaba’s fingers fucked her and how her mouth sucked every part of her. The feeling of her clit sliding in and out of Elphaba’s mouth made her want to beg her to never stop. To keep making her feel this good until she couldn’t take any more, then she’d just tell her to continue anyway.

She pushed Elphaba’s face so far into her pussy, that she was sure her nose was playing some part in the intense feeling she was feeling. Then, like the obedient student that she was, Elphaba followed Galinda’s previous instructions with ease, and curled her fingers right against her g-spot.

“Fuck! Do. Not. Stop. D- D- Please! Oz, fuck me!”

She knew that Elphaba was probably smiling into her and oh so proud of herself for getting such a reaction out of her, but she didn’t really care about the ego boost she was providing. Her fast approaching orgasm was the only thing in the world that mattered to her right now.

Elphaba’s fingers slid in and out of her at a pace that had Galinda shuddering and thrusting into her. Elphaba’s free hand held her down by the waist then her tongue started to move in quick flicks across the very tip of her clit.

“I’m coming! I- I’m-” Galinda spasmed. Jolts of pleasure ran through her whole body. Her toes curled, her legs shook, and her stomach clenched. She had Elphaba trapped between her thighs and her hands, and kept her there until she rode her orgasm out. Her head dropped back on the pillows as her mind cleared of any and everything. There was only Elphaba’s body and her own.

Elphaba pulled away from her with a positively wicked look in her eyes. She wiped Galinda’s cum from her face with the back of her hand and leaned over her to capture her lips in a messy kiss. They both moaned into each other’s mouths and touched any part of one another they could.

“Your turn,” Galinda whispered into the air between them.

“I’m okay, my sweet. This was for you,” Elphaba said as she moved off the bed.

“Come back.” Galinda held her arms but Elphaba used them to pull her up and out of bed.

“You have your mother to visit. Come shower with me.”

“Well that’s one way to kill the mood,” Galinda said as she let herself be dragged to the adjoining bathroom.

———

“It’s good to see you, darling,” Momsie breathed out with the minimal air she had in her lungs at the moment. She had a horrible cough and the chills. “You only drop by every couple of days. I feel like I see—” interrupted by a loud cough, she continued, “See your monkey more than you.”

Galinda sat at her bedside, periodically handing her warm tea to combat her sore throat. “I know, I’m just so busy these days with living on my own being the responsible adult that I am,” Galinda said, tossing her hair to the back.

Momsie smiled as if she was going to laugh but another aggressive cough came out instead, this one followed my many more. Galinda helped her sit up in bed as the coughing fit continued for a few more seconds.

“Oz, Momsie, that can’t be good.”

“Ssshh, I’ll be fine. The doctor already visited today. The medicine has me feeling a bit loopy, but it’s nothing to worry about,” she said, brushing Galinda off. “Now tell me about the cabin.”

Galinda couldn’t help the smile that crossed her face when she thought about who was waiting for her back home. “I love it! It’s perfect!” The excitement radiated off her in a way that left no room for questioning.

“Hmm,” Momsie started as her eyes fluttered closed.

Galinda rubbed Momsie’s hands softly trying to urge her to sleep, more than happy to just let her rest.

But of course, Larena, as all mother’s do, took pride in knowing all her daughter’s business. “And how are your friends doing?”

“Oh well… As you know, Fiyero hasn’t been around much… But Pfannee and Shenshen are good!”

Momsie smiled knowingly. The next words out her mouth took Galinda by such a surprise that she began a coughing fit of her own. “I mean the green one?”

Galinda’s heart rate accelerated to a pace she was sure meant she was dead— Or dying! Definitely dying! She rose to her feet to try to catch her breath and to attempt to bring the conversation back into her control. She took a deep breath, “S- sorry. Your cough must be contagious.”

“Must be,” Momsie said with her eyebrow raised.

“I don’t have any green friends, Momsie. The medicine is making you all funny.”

“Darling, I’ve known for quite some time now. Your righteous indignation gave you away. And well… Frexspar.”

Galinda, who had been avoiding Momsie’s eye contact for the last few seconds, looked at her like she’d just said she too was talking to goats. When did Frexspar talk to her mom? And what did he say? She was fairly sure she could guess, but she wanted to know exactly. “What are you talking about?”

“Come… Sit,” Momsie said with her hand outstretched.

She continued after Galinda was seated again on the edge of the bed, “You aren’t a child anymore, but you are my child.” Momsie’s hand came to rest on Galinda’s cheek. “She’s who you have fallen for.”

Galinda backed away as her eyes returned to the floor. She wasn’t even sure what she felt for Elphaba, so how could Momsie be so sure? She knew she wanted to be there for Elphaba and protect her and touch her. Oz… she wanted to touch her all the time, but what Momsie was insinuating felt far different from how she saw it. “No.”

“Galinda, your father doesn’t know.”

But that wasn’t what was bothering her. “You want me to get pregnant. I heard you.” Galinda tried to keep her voice as neutral as possible even though she wanted to scream.

Larena took a second to breathe and to give Galinda a little time to adjust to the conversation they were about to have. “I was wrong. I was trying to be a good wife and I forgot that you needed me too.”

Galinda hadn’t looked at Larena still. She was putting on a brave face because Larena was right, she wasn’t a child anymore. She didn’t want to need her Momsie anymore. She had someone to protect and her own place to live and soon her own life, free of Ozian politics and people with murderous tendencies. She hated that she could feel the tears filling her eyes up and she hated that she craved her mother’s hold even more. “I don’t want to have Fiyero’s child.” Her voice was so small, so quiet.

“But you want the girl to live?”

“…Elphaba.” Galinda said her name as if it was worth a million dollars. She said it with pride and a level of love she wasn’t ready to admit she had.

“Then listen to me, my darling. Frexspar is blackmailing your father.”

Galinda sniffed, but focused her attention on Momsie. Elphaba was right, there was something going on.

“He knows that you’ve been with her, and he threatened to tell everyone if he wasn’t given a councilman seat and resources for his other daughter.”

“Nessarose.”

Larena nodded, then coughed. “Your father needs an heir.”

Galinda rolled her eyes.

“Give him an heir and watch him give you anything you could ever want.”

Galinda was stunned. She had only thought of this idea in passing, but now here was her mother suggesting she sacrifice her child for Elphaba’s life. The rage boiled inside of her again. Why did her parents have such little regard for their own grandchild? And why did they think she would ever agree to this? Did they think so little of her too?

“You want me to give him my child and in exchange he’ll lift the order on Elphaba?”

“There’s no other way.”

Galinda’s rage simmered down and turned into desperation and despair. She was becoming overwhelmed with her options and frustrated with this whole situation. Elphaba didn’t deserve this but neither did her child. “She's not how everyone thinks she is. She’s kind a- and she would never hurt anyone. She does puzzle books and she likes poppies,” Galinda said through tears. If she could just get her Momsie to understand that Elphaba was a good person then maybe they could come up with another idea. “Sometimes she’s clumsy if she doesn’t have her g- glasses and she’s a horrible cook.” A sad chuckle escaped Galinda’s throat. “But she means well. She’s thoughtful and gentle… with me.”

Her eyes met her mother’s. She wanted her approval more than anything. She knew she would never get a traditional relationship with Elphaba. They would never be able to have dinner together or spend time together as a family, but she could tell her mother how happy she was. She had to try, for Elphaba.

“She loves the color black even though I try to tell her that she would look amazing in other colors. I even painted her nails pink…” Galinda got lost in the memory of that day. The first day she’d ever come close to laying her lips on every part of Elphaba. “She hated it, but she pretended she didn’t b- because she knew it made me happy… She’s surprisingly good at pool. We’ve played in the cabin on nights when neither of us can sleep.”

Galinda poured everything she had into telling her mother about Elphaba. How human she is and how harmless she is. “S- she sometimes can’t sleep because of how scared she gets at night. The Oz guard… And the townsfolk… And sometimes her father… P- please Momsie.” Galinda wiped at her tears. Her voice shook with every word she said, but for Elphaba she would fight through anything. It didn’t matter if she lost her voice completely, she would just write what she needed to say.

“She sounds lovely, dear.”

Galinda smiled. Her nose and eyes were red from all the crying, but Momsie was right, she is lovely.

———

“Do you want to talk about it?”

Galinda was curled up in Elphaba’s arms. She’d come back immediately after leaving her parents house and started to cry as soon as she walked through the door.

After a few failed attempts at asking Galinda what was wrong, Elphaba simply scooped her up and brought her to their bedroom where she was currently holding her and running her hand through her hair.

“Momsie still thinks I should have Fiyero’s child, but now she wants me to use it to bargain for your life.”

Elphaba’s hand stopped moving. “No.”

Galinda sat up with a sniffle. “I don’t want to either, but I don’t want you to die.”

“You’re not sacrificing your child for me. I won’t let you.”

Galinda wanted to be on Elphaba’s side. She wanted to say with one hundred percent certainty that she wouldn’t do something drastic for Elphaba’s life, but a small part of her thought she could get away with it. That if she had to have the child to trick Popsicle, she would. She wouldn’t let her child be sucked into the illusion of Oz, but she would let Popsicle believe she would. Then she’d find another way.

Elphaba’s hand came to rest on her cheek, pulling her out of her thoughts. “You’re not, Galinda. So, whatever you’re thinking, stop it.”

“You can’t die, Elphie. Y- you can’t.” Galinda’s voice was shaking. She was losing her grip on her emotions. Everything felt so big and so real. Elphaba could die. Her child could be forced into a role they don’t want. She could lose her entire life and everything she’s ever known. It all was one mistake away from happening.

She started to sob. “P- promise… You won’t die.”

Her words were panicked. She reached for Elphaba to be closer. She needed to feel like they were inseparable because maybe then Elphaba would be okay. If she could guarantee that they would always be together, then she could save her. Or they could die together… She wasn’t sure which one she preferred.

“Galinda…”

“No! No! Elphie, say it! I- I need to—” She grabbed at Elphaba’s cheeks. “I need to hear you say it.”

Her mascara ran down her face and snot was taking up the space between her nose and upper lip, but she didn’t care. She didn’t have to be perfect with Elphaba and that was the very same reason why she needed her to live. There was no other person in the world she would dare be imperfect with except her.

No one else she could ask all her dumb questions and get a straight answer.

No one who would let her dress them up in what was probably their least favorite color for a mock fashion show.

No one who would put up with all her dramatics and still want her.

No one who would hold her all night even though her body ran hot and deal with her stealing the blanket.

There was no one else who could actively be in danger every single day because of her family and still want to be with her, holding her through an emotional breakdown.

“Okay, okay. Ssshhh, I promise,” Elphaba said. “I promise.”

Galinda calmed then, but she still held onto Elphaba. She leaned her head against Elphaba’s chest with a tight grip on her shirt. Elphaba’s arms surrounded her and kept her safe from her own feelings. She relaxed under her touch because she knew that for right now she still had Elphaba.

“I got snot all over your shirt,” Galinda said.

Elphaba’s hand came up to her temple as she kissed the top of her head. “I have to do laundry anyway.”

Galinda leaned up, still holding onto Elphaba with a look of uncertainty in her eyes. “Will you kiss me?”

Elphaba looked down at her with absolute certainty, “You never have to ask me that.”

And then she did. She kissed Galinda with everything she had. She didn’t care about the snot or the mascara or that Galinda’s tears were everywhere between them. She only cared that she conveyed to Galinda that she was here and that they would keep trying until they couldn’t anymore.

“I’m a mess,” Galinda said when they parted.

“You are, but it’s okay. I’m a mess too.”

Galinda shook her head softly. “You’re kind of the most put together person I know.”

Elphaba snickered. “Oz, we’re doomed.”

Galinda laughed then. She still held onto Elphaba’s shirt, but her mind was distracted and she was no longer crying.

“How about we invite Pfannee and Shenshen over?” Elphaba suggested. She wanted to keep Galinda’s mind off her inevitable death. She knew that she’d lied when she promised her she wouldn’t die, and she would be eternally sorry for when the promise was broken.

But she hoped that maybe Galinda would forgive her one day.

———

Frexspar stood in the bushes just outside the cabin. He’d followed Galinda from her house, determined to catch her in the act. The councilman seat wasn’t enough, he wanted more. Nessarose needed more.

He snapped pictures of Galinda, Pfannee, Shenshen, and Elphaba through the window.

Highmaster would have no choice but to give him whatever he damn well wanted now.

———

“Drink! Drink! Drink!”

Pfannee and Shenshen cheered as Galinda chugged a red cup full of cheap liquor. They were on their third game of the night, and all considerably drunk except for Elphaba who had yet to lose and be forced to drink.

“Woo,” Galinda hollered as the liquor burned her throat.

Elphaba laughed at her reaction from where she sat on the pool table in the upstairs den. The others were standing around the drink table in front of the large window that was allowing for the moonlight to shine through to help illuminate the dimly lit room.

“What’re you laughing at, miss ‘I’ve never drank before’?” Galinda questioned, wobbling her way over to her not-girlfriend.

Elphaba scooted to the edge of the table, prepared to catch Galinda when she arrived. She enjoyed playing the games with Galinda and her friends, and she loved feeling like she was a part of something. However, none of that even came close to how she felt having Galinda seek her out and choose her to sit next to while they played, or hold her hand while she contemplated her next move. Galinda made sure she felt included even in her drunk state.

“Did you hear me laugh? I don’t think I laughed,” Elphaba joked with Galinda now leaning against her. Her nimble, perfectly manicured fingers locked around Elphaba’s waist and she lifted her head obviously requesting a kiss.

“Ugh get a room,” Pfannee said with mock disgust.

“Jealous much? It’s not my fault you’re single and lonely,” Galinda rebutted while she turned so that her back was pressed against Elphaba’s front. With a raised eyebrow, she pulled Elphaba’s arms around her shoulders.

“Last time I checked you were also single,” Pfannee quipped.

Elphaba cleared her throat, “How about some pool?!”

This conversation was drifting into territory she and Galinda hadn’t ever discussed. They liked each other a lot, that much was obvious, but Elphaba would never ask her to enter a relationship with her given that she was going to die at some point… Soon.

She wanted to be Galinda’s girlfriend. She longed to be able to say Galinda Upland was hers, and show her off to everyone who would listen, but that just wasn’t in the cards for them.

“Pool, yes! Losers take three shots. Actually winners take three shots too! You know, let’s just all have three shots to start the game,” Shenshen said with a grin plastered across her face.

“I second that,” Pfannee agreed, nodding and already pouring the shots.

Elphaba pushed her glasses up as she hopped off the pool table, careful of Galinda’s wobbly state.

“Mmm, Elphieeeee,” Galinda whined for no apparent reason.

“Yes, my sweet.”

“Kiss.”

“Please, no more,” Shenshen said. “My eyes hurt.”

Galinda took the opportunity to make a show out of it just to further annoy Shenshen. She pulled Elphaba in by the neck and kissed her way from her jaw to her lips.

“Ga—” Elphaba started, but her lips became occupied with Galinda’s. She felt her cheeks heat up with a shade of green saved for when she was thoroughly embarrassed like she was in this moment. She was very new to kissing and even newer to doing it with an audience.

When Galinda pulled away, she grabbed the pool stick from the table and bent over right in front of Elphaba. “How do you play this game anyway?”

“U- uh— Well… Y- Uh,” Elphaba stammered. Between Pfannee and Shenshen’s very vocal opinions and Galinda’s very short mini skirt, she was caught in the middle of a hard place.

“Oz, be horny later. Drink now,” Pfannee said as he brought the cups over for Galinda and Elphaba. “And put on underwear next time!”

Galinda stood up instantly and Elphaba slid over to block Pfannee’s view. “Galinda,” Elphaba yelped! She hadn’t even noticed that Galinda wasn’t wearing anything under her skirt because she found it hard to focus with Shenshen and Pfannee giving her looks of (lighthearted) disapproval.

Galinda perched on the tip of her toes with a hand on Elphaba’s shoulder for balance to grab the cup from Pfannee’s hand. Without a second thought, she threw it back, then handed it off to him.

“Somebody’s feeling bold,” Shenshen said from near the drink table as she threw her fourth shot back.

“Bold enough to go commando.” Pfannee waved his finger in both girl’s faces.

“Oh Oz,” Elphaba mumbled as she dropped her head in her hands.

“We’ve gotta get you out of that shy shell of yours,” Pfannee said, dragging Elphaba’s hands down.

“Hey! No touching,” Galinda yelled and pulled Elphaba back into her body.

“Sweet—”

“No one is trying to steal her from you!”

Shenshen laughed in the corner.

“Just play the stupid game,” Galinda said with an arm around Elphaba’s waist.

“Elphaba, girl, you should have a talk with her about the possessiveness, it’s not cute,” Pfannee teased.

Elphaba turned towards Galinda, “Swee—”

“I swear if you actually take his advice I will go put panties on right now, and they’ll stay on all night!”

Elphaba’s lips slammed shut and she shrugged in Pfannee’s direction.

“Pussy whipped,” Shenshen cackled as she began to set the game up.

“At least take the shot if you’re not gonna keep your girl in check,” Pfannee said.

The shot that was still in Elphaba’s hand. She was nervous… She didn’t want to end up like her father when he got drunk. What if she yelled at Galinda? Or became unusually mean? She didn’t want to hurt Galinda or make her so angry that she doesn’t want her anymore. She was more than happy to be the sober friend in the group and just watch them all have a great time. She was having fun as she was, soberly.

“Well c’mon, you’re the only one who hasn’t,” Shenshen said as she chalked her stick.

“W- well shouldn’t one of us stay sober, you know, to help the others?”

“We’re already home, it’s fine,” Pfannee urged.

Galinda in her blissfully drunk state hadn’t noticed that Elphaba clearly had something on her mind. She chimed in, “Elphie it’s fun! Try it!”

“I just—”

“Drink! Drink! Drink!” The group chanted.

Elphaba wanted to continue being included. She didn’t ever want to be casted out again, but she was terrified. She wasn’t sure if the bigger risk was drinking or not drinking. Did she want to be the oddball out or potentially be the one who ruined the fun night that was meant to distract Galinda from her worries in the first place?

“E- Elphie?”

She heard Galinda call out to her.

“It’s okay.” Galinda’s hand slipped into hers. “You don’t have to, I’ll drink it. Let’s just play,” Galinda said with a soft smile as she slipped the drink from Elphaba’s hand.

She was grateful that Galinda saved her from having to make a decision because she wasn’t sure she really could. She snapped back into reality to everyone being unphased with her moment of unclarity except for Galinda who was watching her especially closely.

“I’m fine, promise,” she whispered to Galinda.

That seemed to satisfy Galinda as she focused her attention on the game. “So Elphie and I versus you two!”

“No, Elphaba and me versus you two,” Pfannee said without an ounce of seriousness.

“Absolutely not! What a horrendible idea!” Galinda slid in between Elphaba and the pool table. “You’re supposed to be gay, stay away from her.”

Elphaba laughed hard behind her. “You are kinda possessive.”

Galinda frowned, “Fine, be on his team then.”

She moved to go to the other side of the table when she felt Elphaba pull her back with more force than she would usually use when reaching for her. She pulled her so hard that their bodies practically slammed into each other. Galinda’s tongue sprung out to slide across her lips and her bottom lip caught between her teeth. Elphaba’s hand closed around Galinda’s chin as she pulled her into another heated kiss.

“Oz, just have the room,” Pfannee said as he set the pool stick down. “I’ll be in my room if you actually want to play after this.”

Shenshen followed behind.

“Elphie!?”

“You were gonna walk away,” Elphaba said shyly, back to her usual self. “I panicked.”

Galinda hummed. She was stuck between the table and Elphaba’s body. “It was hot.”

Elphaba flushed.

Galinda took Elphaba’s hand in her own and slid it under her shirt.

“There’s no door!”

“They’re in their rooms, it’s fine.”

“But what if they have to pee?”

“They better not because one of us is about to be bent over this table.”

Elphaba’s breath hitched.

“You two are disgusting! Clean the damn table when you’re done,” Pfannee shouted from behind the closed bedroom door.

“Stop listening! You’re disgusticified!”

“Oh Elphie! Oz, Elphie,” Shenshen mocked Galinda’s moans.

“Yes, Elphie, pleaseee,” Pfannee joined in.

Elphaba laughed so hard she snorted.

“Elphie! That’s not funny,” Galinda said, softly smacking Elphaba’s chest.

“You are kinda loud, my sweet.”

Galinda held Elphaba’s hand in place just under her breast with the most devious look Elphaba had ever seen in her eye. “So I’ll be quiet this time.”

“No bra either…,” Elphaba noted.

Galinda made quick work of pulling her top over her head, “And now no shirt.”

Elphaba took Galinda in. Oz, she’s perfect. And drunk… Unfortunately, very, very drunk.

“You’re drunk.”

“So?”

“I can’t.”

Galinda frowned which Elphaba absolutely hated. She looked so disappointed and so divine all at the same time. Elphaba lifted her by the waist and sat her on the pool table.

Galinda looked up at her through her lashes, “You’re so pretty.”

Elphaba pushed her glasses up on her nose. Lately, she had felt fairly good about herself. Galinda seemed to genuinely be attracted to her and her body was typically desirable based on the books she’d read on the topic, but none of that ever compared to how good she felt about herself when Galinda looked at her like she was and said the words to her.

“Just one kiss please, Elphie,” Galinda begged. She leaned back on her hands and perched her feet up on the edge of the table that was slightly higher than the part her ass was on. With her legs as wide open as they were, her skirt parted to reveal her slightly fuzzy and already glistening center.

“J- just one,” Elphaba said as she leaned down to kiss Galinda’s now swollen lips. She tasted like liquor and cherry scented lip gloss. Elphaba sucked on her bottom lip so entranced by how soft her lips were and how Galinda’s nipples felt against her own that she didn’t even question the shift in Galinda’s body until she heard it… The wet sounds of Galinda’s soaked pussy, sounds she’d come to know very well. She pulled away to see that Galinda’s fingers were deep inside of herself. “Galinda!”

“You didn’t say I couldn’t fuck myself… And besides, the innocent thing doesn’t work on me anymore.” Galinda’s eyes never left Elphaba’s face. She focused on her full lips and the look in her eyes that said she really wanted to fuck her but was holding back.

Elphaba couldn’t form words. She hadn’t a single word to say that could describe how badly she wanted to touch Galinda nor how she wanted to bury her face between her legs and take in every ounce of her cum.

“Come here,” Galinda said between small moans. She took Elphaba’s hand and slid it up her body once again except this time she continued past her nipples and to her neck. “Close it.”

“Wh- What?”

“Close your hand, Elphaba.”

Galinda’s hips were moving with her thrusts into herself. “Choke me, already.”

“But what if—”

“Oz, Elphie, I’ll tell you if it’s too tight. J- just do it, please.”

And so she did. Elphaba’s hand closed around Galinda’s neck. She applied pressure in her fingertips but that’s as far as she allowed herself to go.

“Yes! Oz!”

Elphaba removed her hand from around Galinda’s neck to cover her mouth. “You said you’d be quiet!”

That only turned Galinda on even more. Her eyes fluttered. She was fucking herself so good she didn’t even have a response for Elphaba. Her fingers were slamming into herself while her hips met her fingers halfway.

Elphaba realized that Galinda was enjoying her telling her to be quiet and while she wouldn’t fuck her while she was drunk, she could help her fuck herself. “Good, stay quiet, my sweet.”

Galinda moaned into her hand.

“Do you want me to put it around your neck again?”

Galinda practically cried with how good she felt and how fast she nodded her head. She mumbled a quiet please and inhaled sharply.

“Are you gonna stay quiet if I take my hand off your mouth?”

Galinda removed her fingers from herself to rub on her clit aggressively. The quick changes between penetration and stimulating her clit gave her an intense jolt of pleasure. So, she did it again. She’d thrust into her pussy fast, then take her fingers out and rub on her clit.

Elphaba’s hand came back around her throat and she let out the most loud moan she had so far.

“Oz! Galinda!”

Elphaba grabbed Galinda’s wrist to stop her movements and Galinda whined.

“No! Please, Elphie! I won’t do it again!”

“You were supposed to stay quiet…”

“Sorry, please,” Galinda begged. She looked pleasantly turned on. Her body was flushed from her chest all the way up to her cheeks and her pussy had turned a dark pink from the aggression she was using against herself. “I’ll be quiet!”

Elphaba looked down to see Galinda’s opening throbbing. She bit her own lip. This girl was everything she could have ever dreamed of. She was surely going to fuck her as soon as she sobered up.

Galinda’s pussy continued to throb just beneath both her own hand and Elphaba’s. She could feel the cum that was dripping out towards her perineum.

“I need it. Elphie, please let me finish.”

“Quietly, right?”

Galinda nodded, “Mmhm, I’ll be so quiet.”

“And if you don’t…,” Elphaba said as she bent down to blow cool air against Galinda’s clit.

Galinda whimpered, “I- I- I’ll stop.”

“Without cumming?”

“Mmhm.”

Elphaba let go of her hand and tightened her grip on Galinda’s neck. “Go ahead.”

Galinda’s fingers rubbed her clit with a newfound purpose. She wanted to please Elphaba. “Oz…,” she whispered. Her fingers dipped back into herself as if they’d never left.

Elphaba watched Galinda’s pussy continuously suck her fingers in and out.

“Elphie tighter!”

Elphaba’s eyebrow raised at the volume of Galinda’s voice. It was a warning.

“F- fuck. Sorry, b- but please.”

Galinda’s pussy was leaking at this point. Every thrust pushed more of the creamy fluid out her hole. Every time she removed her fingers to rub her clit, she rubbed cum everywhere. It was on her inner thighs, and her lips. Dripping down past her opening and smearing all around the space.

Elphaba could feel herself throbbing just from watching Galinda.

“Cu- cumming… E- El-”

Elphaba closed her fingers even tighter, making sure she wasn’t hurting Galinda, which she clearly wasn’t judging by how far back her head had dropped, and how open her mouth was. Her eyes squeezed shut as tears dropped out her eyes.

“Mm that’s it. Cum for me, my sweet.”

Galinda couldn’t help the moan that left her mouth or the repeated swearing.

“Yes, Elphie, fuck!”

“Oz, fuck!”

“Feels so fucking good!”

The sounds that left her mouth were almost as obscene as the ones her pussy made while she fucked herself through her orgasm. The sloppy wet sounds of her soaked hand slamming into her equally soaked pussy practically sent Elphaba over the edge right then and there.

When Galinda finished, her legs dropped down to hang off the table and her back came flush with the soft green fabric beneath her. Elphaba’s hand was still around her neck as she was too busy watching Galinda thrust into herself slowly.

Galinda’s free hand came up to Elphaba’s around her neck. “Mm, that was hot. You should take control more.”

Elphaba wasn’t listening. Far too gone in Galinda’s pussy to hear her praises.

“Elphie!”

“Huh?”

Galinda giggled. “You like it that much, huh?”

“I don’t think I’ve ever liked anything more.”

Galinda pulled her hand out of herself slowly, making sure to gather as much of herself as she possibly could. Then with the hand that was on Elphaba’s, she pulled her down by her shirt and slid her cum-covered hand into her mouth.

Elphaba moaned around her fingers as she licked every inch, in between Galinda’s fingers, and around her knuckles. She made sure her hands were covered in her saliva and only saliva by the time she was done.

“I can go again.”

“You’re joking,” Elphaba said. She knew Galinda had a much higher sex drive than she did, but after that she was confident she’d be done for at least an hour.

“So serious,” Galinda said as she slid off the table then turned around so that her ass grazed Elphaba’s clothed pussy. She then undid the zipper on her skirt and let it drop to the ground.

“Oz, Galinda…”

“What?” Galinda looked back at Elphaba as she bent herself over the table. “You’re tired of watching already?”

Elphaba’s eyes drifted to Galinda’s opening that was just as pink on the inside as it was on the outside. Galinda pushed her ass out towards Elphaba so that she could slip her hand between herself and the table.

“F- fuck, yes,” she moaned as her fingers entered herself again. “I- I’ll be quick, p- promise.”

Elphaba, still speechless, ran her hand over Galinda’s ass then up her back as Galinda pushed herself into Elphaba’s front.

“Mmm Elphie, I’m yours. O- only yours.”

Mine…

Elphaba let the words flow through her body.

Galinda started to use her hips to chase her fingers which meant she was repeatedly slamming herself into Elphaba. With her free hand perched on the table for balance, she let her head fall back.

Elphaba could just see the side of Galinda’s boob moving with her body as she just stood there and let Galinda use her for her orgasm.

“G- grab my hair.”

“My s—”

“Please, Please! P- Fuck. Please.”

Elphaba, lost in her own desire, did as she was told. She took Galinda by the hair and wrapped it around her fist.

“Now p- pull.”

Elphaba tightened her grip causing Galinda to lift. Only her fingertips touched the table as she fucked herself with her legs spread. She switched to rubbing her clit given that with the force Elphaba was using, she could hardly get her hand far enough down to enter herself.

“Y- yes!”

“This is okay?” Elphaba asked.

“Y- yes, Oz! Yes, please don’t stop.”

“Then keep quiet.”

“O- okay,” Galinda muttered between moans. “Ffffff- fuckkkkk.”

Elphaba knew that the elongated words meant Galinda was close. She tugged a bit harder. Then she remembered that Galinda did request that she be more controlling. “Ask me if you can cum.”

Galinda whimpered. “C- can I? I need—”

“Can you what?” Elphaba asked, pulling Galinda so hard that her head was touching her shoulder.

“Ah, fuck! Can I cum? Pleaseeee, Oz, please!”

“Hmmm,” Elphaba pretended to contemplate. “I don’t think I heard you, my sweet.”

Galinda was a leaking, moaning mess at this point. She was properly fucked and hardly coherent. “C- cum. Can I cum? P- please…”

“Nope…”

“Elphieeee, I can’t hold it.”

Galinda rubbed her clit so hard, her legs started to shake. Elphaba’s other hand came around her waist to help hold her up.

“Okay, my sweet, you can cum.”

Galinda forgot all about their deal. She moaned and whimpered as her finger rubbed across her sensitive clit again and again, and with Elphaba’s hands in her hair and across her waist it came as no shock to her when her pussy started to squirt all over the side of the pool table and down her legs.

She moaned even louder as her stomach clenched under Elphaba’s touch. She reached for Elphaba’s hand to ask her to let go, which she did, but Galinda’s fingers didn’t stop. She only bent forward now and squeezed her legs shut as she fucked herself through another orgasm.

Cum continued to squirt out of Galinda’s overstimulated body until Elphaba grabbed her hand.

“Not on the table! We have to clean that, Oz!”

“F- fuck! You’re lucky I was already done. Don’t you know better than to interrupt a woman’s orgasm?” Galinda panted, with one arm still between her legs and the other on the table for purchase.

Elphaba released Galinda’s hand and backed away to assess the damage. There was a puddle on the wood floor where Galinda stood and the wooden part of the pool table had droplets of Galinda all over it. “I cannot believe you literally came on the pool table.”

Galinda bit her lip, still recovering, “It’s your fault. You told me to cum.”

Elphaba flushed. She did technically tell Galinda she could cum. And she did like having the power while they had sex for the first time.

But still! The pool table?

“You’re confined to bed sex only,” Elphaba joked, as she pushed her glasses up yet again. Then she walked off to the closet to get a towel and cleaning supplies to clean up the mess before Pfannee and Shenshen came out and had yet another reason to call them gross.

“The bed can’t contain this, and you know it.”

———

”Frexspar, what is it that you want now?” Highmaster said, clearly annoyed with being called away from his bed at this hour.

He just made it to the top of the staircase of the three story building they were currently inside of. It was under construction and only consisted of half finished walls and concrete flooring.

Frexspar stood across the room with a file in hand. “I want to be the next leader of Oz.”

Highmaster laughed, disrespectfully. The kind of laugh that told someone ‘fuck you’ and ‘you’re beneath me’ without even having to say a word. His laugh echoed through the empty building. He turned to leave, “Goodbye, Frexspar.”

“I have proof now.”

Highmaster glared at him. “Proof of what?”

“Our daughters… Close.”

“Close?”

Highmaster began to walk towards Frexspar. His annoyance was entering irritation territory. Frexspar was a continued thorn in his side from the very first day he and Melina were granted access beyond the gates of Oz.

The moonlight came through the large soon-to-be windows and casted a dark shadow of Highmaster across the floor.

Frexspar closed the distance between them as he handed the file over to Highmaster. “I have multiple before you get any ideas.”

Highmaster opened the file to see pictures of Galinda leaning into Elphaba as they played a game with Pfannee and Shenshen in the living room of his cabin. There were also pictures of Galinda kissing Elphaba’s cheek, and Elphaba’s arms around Galinda as they laughed together. It was clear they were more than friends according to the pictures.

While the pictures weren’t great for Highmaster, he was more concerned with how Frexspar got them. He knew the man was ambitious, but following his child was unacceptable. “You followed my daughter?” The question was purely rhetorical.

“How I got them doesn’t matter. You lose, Highmaster. I’m next up in Oz, or you lose the title now.”

Frexspar’s confidence only added to Highmaster’s growing rage. He didn’t like being strong-armed or blackmailed, and certainly not by a man who had gone out of his way to follow his child to get one up on him. He was a danger to Galinda and that was the only thing going through his mind when he lunged at Frexspar.

With his hands around Frexspar’s throat he fought him to the ground. Frexspar gasped and clawed at Highmaster’s hands but in the end, the Upland won, yet again.

A voice came from the stairwell, “Highmaster?”

Chapter Text

“Galindaaaa! Give them back,” Elphaba yelled as she chased Galinda around the living room in pursuit of her glasses.

“Nope! You’re just gonna do more boring puzzles if I do,” Galinda responded as she rounded the corner of the couch with Elphaba hot on her heels.

Elphaba could’ve caught her a long time ago, but she secretly enjoyed watching Galinda feel so proud of herself and hearing her fit of giggles. She chased her down the stairs, around the couch and the coffee table, and was now chasing her back up the stairs.

“Come onnn! I can hardly see without those,” Elphaba complained as she made it up the stairs.

It was morning time so the sun was in the perfect place to shine through the den window, and both girls were still in their pajamas. Elphaba wore pink silk pajama pants (courtesy of Galinda, of course) with a black tank top that had now risen enough that her fine stomach hairs were on display, and Galinda wore a lacy pink gown that stopped in the middle of her thighs. She did, however, have on green socks that weren’t helping her grip against the wood flooring.

“No more puzzles,” Galinda chanted from the opposite side of the pool table as Elphaba. “Do I look like you?” She asked as she put the glasses on her face. “Oz, you’re blind!”

“Galindaaaaa,” Elphaba screamed and resumed their chase.

“You didn’t answer my questiioonnn,” Galinda sang as she ran around the table.

“You’re not green, you literally can’t ever look like me!”

Galinda stopped and held the glasses behind her back. “Is that a challenge? I can look like you!”

Elphaba’s hand slid around Galinda’s waist while the other tried to grab the glasses from her. “It’s a fact not a challenge.”

Galinda kept moving her hands and switching the glasses between the two to stop Elphaba from grabbing them. She then held the glasses in the air and took a step back. “Oh look, I’m Elphie,” she put the glasses on, “and I’m moodified and I hate pink,” she recited with her best scowl.

“I do not sound like that!”

Galinda hopped up on the pool table, struggling a bit given her new blindness that came with glasses that were not meant for her.

“Oz! Galinda, what’re you doing? How are you not hungover?” Elphaba made sure to stand directly in front of Galinda on the ground, in case she tripped.

“Miss Thropp, how do you feel knowing you have the adorablest, prettiest, most scandalocious little girlfriend in all of Oz— No, the world!?” Galinda finished with a toss to both sides of her hair and a leg out.

Elphaba froze for a split second. Galinda was so unphased by what she’d said, Elphaba thought she hadn’t even realized she said it. She opted for not bringing any attention to it out of fear that it was an accident, but Oz… She loved the sound of it. “Two of those aren’t even words!”

“That doesn’t make it not true,” Galinda said, pulling the glasses off her face and waving them in the air. “You want theeseeee?”

Elphaba tilted her head to the side disapprovingly. “Yes, obviously. That’s why I’ve been chasing you.”

“I’m prepared to bargain with you…”

Elphaba scoffed and rolled her eyes. She did everything she could to pretend that she was as annoyed as possible, but she couldn’t help the smile that spread across her face. Galinda was adorable, and she absolutely was pretty, and even though Elphaba only tentatively knew what Scandalocious meant, she was sure she was that too. “Bargain? For my own glasses that you stole under the guise of morning sex?”

Galinda nodded enthusiastically. “I demand one make-out session andddd,” she thought for a couple seconds, “breakfast together, outside!”

“I would’ve done that without having to chase you! Oz!” Elphaba tugged on the insides of Galinda’s knees to lower her down into her arms and Galinda happily followed her lead. She wrapped her arms around Elphaba’s neck and locked her legs around her waist.

“I can’t see much, but you look beautiful,” Galinda said into what she thought were Elphaba’s eyes.

“Mmhm, princess… Give me the glasses so I don’t roll us down the stairs.”

Galinda giggled at Elphaba’s grumpiness, but did as she was told. She gently placed the glasses on Elphaba’s face and used her pointer finger to slide them up the bridge of her nose. “There. Perfect!”

Elphaba breathed out, “I cannot believe you made me chase you.”

“You owe me,” Galinda said as she made a kissing face.

Elphaba laughed then softly pecked her lips.

“Hey! I said make-out session, not just one kiss!”

Elphaba turned so that she could sit Galinda on the edge of the pool table, just as she had last night. Although, as much as she enjoyed that, the cleaning process was not as fun.

Galinda stared at Elphaba for a second, just taking her in. She loved everything about Elphaba’s face, especially her full lips and freckles. She felt like she could stare at her forever and then she remembered she could be making out with her.

She leaned in and slotted her lips between Elphaba’s and got an immediate response to the kiss. Galinda tightened her arms around Elphaba’s neck just as Elphaba pulled Galinda in by her waist.

Galinda pushed her tongue between Elphaba’s lips, hoping to deepen the kiss, but unfortunately for her now raging libido, they were interrrupted.

The bell rang out.

“No! No! No! Popsicle go away,” Galinda complained as she dropped her head onto Elphaba’s shoulder. “What if I just don’t go?”

“Then we won’t know if I’m in more danger or not,” Elphaba said as she pulled away.

Galinda sighed, “Fineeee. I’ll go change and see what it’s about.” She hopped down from the table only to be stopped by Elphaba grabbing her jaw and pulling her into one more heated kiss.

“I’m not going anywhere, my sweet. I’ll make-out with you whenever you want.”

Galinda stopped her whining then. It made her feel warm and cared for inside when Elphaba reassured her without prompt. She hurried to put clothes on and rushed out the door in an attempt to be gone for as few minutes as possible.

———

“In an unfortunate accident last night, our newest Councilman, Frexspar Thropp passed away. His last wish was for us to join together as a community and find the infected within our walls,” Highmaster said from the stage in the town square with Larena to his left and Morrible to his right. The Oz Guard were all around the grounds and people seemed to have some sort of sadness at the news.

Frexspar is dead… Galinda thought to herself. She would have to tell Elphaba…

“Galinda?” Nessarose called from behind Galinda. They were at the very back of the crowd, a few paces behind the crowd and away from the prying ears of the Oz Guard.

“Nessa… I—” Galinda was about to say she was sorry for her loss, but she wasn’t. Not really. Frexspar had done awful, unforgivable things to Elphaba.

Luckily for her, Nessarose didn’t care to hear what she had to say. “Tell my sister this is her fault! She’s killed both of our parents!”

“Excuse me?”

“Don’t play dumb, my father knew you were with her. He showed me pictures and told me he was taking them to your father… And then he was dead…”

Galinda gulped. It didn’t seem unlikely to her that her father would have something to do with Frexspar’s death.

But even if he had, she couldn’t let Nessarose think she was right. “Nessa, you’re grieving and making up stories which seems to be your sole talent.”

Nessarose scoffed, “I hope the Oz Guard kills her.”

Galinda’s head snapped around. Nessarose had no right to wish death on her sister. She was part of the reason this whole mess was even happening. She stood over Nessarose, and in an instant became furious. She placed both hands on either side of Nessarose’s chair and spoke directly in her face, “If she dies and I find out you had something to do with it, I will make it my personal mission to end you.”

Then with a calculated smile, she stood up straight, smoothed out her dress, and turned away from Nessarose with a dismissive wave of her hand.

———

Galinda had been waiting for her parents to walk through the door for almost half an hour. She needed to know if Popsicle had done what Nessarose was insinuating. If he had, it would only confirm her beliefs that he wasn’t the same man she knew, and she would want nothing to do with him. If he hadn’t, then she wanted to know what actually did happen so she could tell Elphaba the truth, she deserved to know.

“Pumpkin,” Highmaster said as he walked through the door.

“Did you kill Mister Thropp?”

Larena coughed behind him, her sickness still lingering.

“Pumpkin, that’s no way to greet your father.”

Quite frankly Galinda didn’t care to share pleasantries right now. She asked again, “Did you?”

Highmaster sighed as he entered the living room where Galinda stood with her arms crossed. “You are hardly in a position to demand answers from me. You’re with her, I’ve seen it with my own eyes.”

“So what, are you gonna kill me too?”

Highmaster waved her away, “Nonsense, Galinda. I haven’t killed anyone.”

Galinda squinted her eyes then looked to Momsie who was avoiding her eye contact. “You’re lying.”

“It’s none of your business,” Popsicle said, growing more red by the second.

“It’s Elphaba’s!”

“Oz, the girl… She's at the cabin, right?”

Galinda froze. It never crossed her mind that if Frexspar had actually given Popsicle pictures of them, he would know exactly where to find Elphaba.

“…Maybe I should send the Oz Guard over there right now. You can’t protect her.” He shrugged nonchalantly.

But she could… There was one thing she knew she could do to guarantee Elphaba’s safety. She panicked, “I’ll have Fiyero’s baby!”

Highmaster’s eyebrow raised. “That’s my girl.”

“B- but I need time— And you need to insure that no one will harm Elphaba.”

“I will publicly announce that your girl toy has been confirmed to not be infected, but that her green skin is a result of her mother’s infection.”

“That’s a lie, Po—” Galinda knew it would crush Elphaba to hear the lies about her mom even if they saved her own life.

“That’s the story, Galinda! Or she dies…”

“Okay! Okay! Fine! She stays with me at the cabin, and no one is allowed to harm her, put that in your speech!”

“As you wish, I will urge to the people that any prejudice action against her will result in a visit from the Oz Guard.”

Galinda nodded shakily.

“And for your end of the deal… It’s been clear for some time that you don’t want to lead Oz. So, an heir… You have two years.”

Galinda looked over to Larena who only nodded towards her, encouraging her to agree. She was going to save Elphaba’s life, but at the expense of her child and there was nothing she could do about it.

“Okay.”

———

“Elphie?”

“In the kitchen,” Elphaba called out.

Galinda started to squeeze her fingertips, a nervous habit she picked up in adolescence. “Could you come here for a clock tick?”

“A what?” Elphaba questioned as she poked her head around the cabinets. “I need a dictionary for all your made up words.”

A muted smile crossed Galinda’s face as she outstretched her hands for Elphaba to take. Her mind was on a rollercoaster she wanted so badly to get off of. Her eyes were glossy and she could hardly focus on anything at all.

“What’s the news, my sweet?” Elphaba asked as she reached Galinda and took her hands.

Galinda sighed. “It’s a lot…”

Elphaba lifted Galinda’s chin with her finger then kissed her softly. “I can handle it.”

Galinda’s voice shook, “O- okay… Your father is dead, mine killed him, so I offered him my child for your life.” The words flew out of Galinda’s mouth as if saying them faster would change their meaning.

Elphaba pulled away from Galinda’s hold and took her glasses off her face. She wasn’t particularly angry that Frexspar was gone, she had written him off from her life a long time ago. Highmaster, on the other hand, was a growing problem. It seemed as if his sole mission was to eradicate the Thropps. Then there was Galinda. Her child’s future was gone all because of her. Elphaba couldn’t help but feel the guilt rising in her chest at the thought of Galinda offering her child up to save her life.

After a full minute of silence, Elphaba spoke, “I’m sorry. I could turn mys—”

“No,” Galinda stated, firmly! “Don’t ever say that again.”

Galinda took Elphaba by the hands again and sat them both down on the couch. “It’s already done. The order on your life will be lifted and I have two years to have Fiyero’s child… There’s no point in dwelling on it.”

“Why did you do it? I told you not to.”

“Because your father showed Popsicle pictures of us. He must’ve followed me back here. Nothing was stopping Popsicle from sending the guards here, I had to do something!”

Elphaba didn’t say anything. She was caught between feeling horrible for what Galinda’s life would look like because of her and accepting that she didn’t have to hide forever. Both thoughts felt wrong.

And even worse, she wasn’t sure that she and Galinda could stay together now. How was she supposed to explain to everyone that she was having Fiyero’s baby and dating Elphaba?

“We just have to wait for Popsicle’s announcement,” Galinda said.

“This is all wrong,” Elphaba mumbled. “I- I never meant for a—”

Galinda could practically feel the anxiety and fear radiating off Elphaba’s body. She’d started to grip Galinda’s hands and the rise and fall of her chest quickened with each second. “Elphie, it’s okay. Try to calm down, darling.”

Elphaba shook her head. She felt helpless and guilty— So guilty for something she technically hadn’t done, but was happening because of her. She felt the heat in her body grow until it reached her eyes and manifested in the form of tears right on the brim of falling. She tried to listen to Galinda’s voice telling her to calm down and control her breathing. She gave all her attention to monitoring her own breaths with the help of the small, rhythmic squeezes Galinda was giving to her hands.

“I- I’m okay,” Elphaba managed.

“That’s right, you are. You don’t have to hide anymore and maybe it won’t be so bad…”

A lie Galinda told to make Elphaba feel better, or to make herself feel better. She wasn’t sure which of them needed to hear it more nor which of them the words helped more. She repeated the mantra in her head:

It won’t be so bad…

It won’t be so bad…

It won’t be so bad…

Once Elphaba calmed and Galinda got a hold on her thoughts, they sat wrapped in each other’s embrace on the couch. There was no need for any more words to be spoken between them, reassuring or otherwise. They’d reached a silent understanding that what they both needed was the other one, so they clung to one another. Galinda’s arms locked around Elphaba’s waist with her head laying firmly against her chest, and Elphaba held her hand to Galinda’s head, laying soft kisses against her skull every time her own head got too loud. A reminder that for now they still had each other and that was enough for this moment.

———

The sun was setting over the cabin carrying a warm breeze through the field and in the back doors of the cabin. Elphaba was on her knees in the poppy field, picking at the flowers to take inside as she did every week to fill the various vases around the house. Galinda stood above her, watching her more than the field. She could see how this whole thing had taken a toll on Elphaba in such a short amount of time. Even after laying together on the couch for a while, Elphaba still needed to do something else to ease her mind. Galinda was the one to suggest the poppy field and Elphaba nodded in agreement, and now here they were…

“I want to sneak back to my house. Now that he’s gone, I want to see if there’s more of my mother’s things I can take,” Elphaba said, still focused on picking the perfect flowers.

“If we wait until Popsicle makes the announcement, we don’t have to sneak.”

Elphaba shook her head. “I want to go now.”

Galinda got down on her knees next to Elphaba. She pulled her braids behind her back so she could see her face. She wanted to just take Elphaba in her arms again and tell her that everything was going to be okay over and over until she finally believed her, even if she was struggling to believe it herself.

“You’ve barely said a word to me about how you’re feeling about all of this.”

Elphaba’s fingers moved methodically against the poppies, swiping and pinching for no apparent reason. She hadn’t actually plucked one in about ten minutes or so. She turned away from Galinda seemingly to look at other poppies.

With Elphaba’s back to her, Galinda felt like she couldn’t get through to her. She wasn’t sure how to fix this for either of them, and unlike Elphaba, she was no good at hiding her feelings. Tears dropped out her eyes as she placed a hand on Elphaba’s back.

She choked out, “Please don’t push me away.”

Elphaba continued to probe the field for a few more seconds before she stopped and sat upright on her knees. She took in a strong breath then waited a few more seconds in silence. Her voice was low and airy, “You don’t have to help me, but I’m going.”

Galinda wiped at her tears then moved into Elphaba’s eyesight. She cupped her cheeks to force their eyes to meet. “You’re not alone anymore. I’m right here, just talk to me, Elphie,” she pleaded out of pure desperation. With each passing second she was losing Elphaba. She hadn’t shown any real emotion or said anything that indicated she felt one way or another about her father’s passing.

Elphaba tried to see Galinda, but the tears she’d been holding clouded her vision as they fell. Her chest felt impossibly tight as if she could only take shallow breaths because she physically couldn’t hold any more air. Her fingers squeezed around the poppies she had been looking at. “I- It’s my fault…,” she whispered out.

“No, it’s not. None of this is your fault,” Galinda reassured her while her thumbs swiped across Elphaba’s cheeks. “It’s Popsicle’s fault and it’s Frexspar’s fault.”

“She was killed because of me a- and so was he. It’s only fair that I’m next.”

Galinda’s hand guided Elphaba’s face back in her direction with a small amount of force. Just enough so that Elphaba couldn’t fight her but not enough to hurt her. Never enough to hurt her. “Listen to me, you haven’t done anything wrong. It’s Popsicle who’s responsible for all of this,” Galinda said as she looked right into Elphaba’s tear filled eyes with tears of her own. “It’s alright. It’s gonna be over soon.”

Elphaba leaned forward but quickly pulled her body back. She wanted to be in Galinda’s arms again, but she’d already taken up so much of her kindness and required so much of her reassurance, she didn’t want to bother her for any more comfort. She could get herself together, she had no choice.

Of course, this is Galinda Upland she’s hiding from. Galinda Upland who’d spent so many hours learning Elphaba’s habits and routines. So many hours spent memorizing every small thing her body did in case there was a time just like this one. Elphaba was prone to pulling away and going at it alone, but Galinda was even better at pulling her closer.

So when she noticed Elphaba’s body lean away hers so slightly she almost missed it, she didn’t let her get far before she pulled her back in. She held her by her jaw and the nape of her neck as she kissed her lips. Then her tear soaked cheeks and the tip of her nose. “You’re okay, darling. Let’s go get your mom’s stuff.”

———

“Okay, so I’ll get Nessarose to the front door and you sneak in the back,” Galinda said as they approached the Thropp household.

“Mmhm,” Elphaba said with her hand locked in Galinda’s. She was covered head to toe in black clothing as she always was when she came into town.

She hadn’t been back home in over a year. She expected to feel sad or hurt, but instead she felt angry and annoyed. She shouldn’t have to sneak back into her own house to get things of her dead mother’s so she could remember her. She focused on Galinda telling her none of this was her fault and that everything would be okay as she snuck in her childhood home through the back door.

Once she was inside, the memories flooded her senses. It smelled exactly the same and looked just as it did when she was thrown out. It reminded her of a museum, not a thing out of place and not an ounce of feeling anywhere.

She turned to go down the hall towards her parents’ bedroom but stopped just outside the door of her old room. Her hand grazed the door handle…

“If you come out that room, I’ll make sure you never move your feet again.”

She yanked her hand away at the memory of Frexspar’s threat and channeled her energy back on where her mom’s things would be: the master bedroom closet.

Elphaba rifled through some boxes in the small room as quickly as she could. She knew Galinda probably couldn’t hold Nessarose at the door for much longer.

“Your girlfriend is a terrible staller,” she heard Nessarose’s voice say from behind her.

“Nessa,” Elphaba said, standing up. Her natural instinct was to smile at her baby sister, but that didn’t feel like quite the correct reaction in this instant.

“Get out,” Nessarose said with a scowl on her face.

“I just want some of mom’s stuff. I don’t want to cause any problems.”

Nessarose scoffed, “Problems? Our parents are dead because of you!”

“Hey! Don’t talk to her that way.” Elphaba wasn’t sure how Galinda got in the house, but it meant everything to her that Galinda didn’t just leave her. She could’ve just waited outside or left her entirely, but she didn’t. She came in after her and defended her.

“Galinda this is between me and my sister. You should be so lucky I haven’t called the guards yet.”

Elphaba let out a breath of relief. Then she noticed a necklace on the dresser near the bedroom door. Her mom’s thin, gold chain, lined with emeralds. It was perfect.

“You’d be wasting your time. They won’t so much as look your way when they realize I’m here,” Galinda rebutted while Elphaba grabbed the necklace.

Elphaba took Galinda by the hand and headed for the door. She had no interest in listening to any more of what Nessarose had to say and even less interest in being anywhere near the Oz Guard.

Nessarose rolled herself down the hallway after them. “You always were naive like mom. I guess that makes me daddy’s little girl.”

Elphaba brushed the comment off as she and Galinda left the place that’s caused her more pain and trauma than any other place on Earth.

“Are you okay?” Galinda asked.

“Mmhm,” Elphaba said, bringing Galinda’s hand up to her lips to kiss. “She’s j—”

The alarm bell blared out.

Elphaba shoved the necklace in her pocket then girls made their way over to the square. They hung back in the shadows of the tall buildings given that Highmaster still hadn’t made the announcement yet, Elphaba was still at risk.

“Good evening Ozians,” Madame Morrible started. “Oz needs you. The infected are getting worse at our border. Mister Upland has found it in your best interest that the Oz Guard mandatory summons goes into effect immediately.”

Elphaba squeezed Galinda’s hand as the crowd roared and booed. She was hit with a strong wave of deja-vu coursing through her veins. Her eyes scanned the crowd for any threats or anyone that seemed suspicious of her and Galinda.

“Simmer down, citizens. In addition to the summons, our hospitals are no longer performing standard births. Only those of you who are in dire need, and are incapable of a home birth will be admitted into the hospital.”

“This is bullshit!” The girls heard someone in the crowd yell. Galinda grabbed onto Elphaba’s arm with her free hand.

“You can’t do this!”

“Down with Oz!”

Elphaba braced against the wall of what looked like an old barber shop. The crowd was growing more angry with every second. People were screaming, fighting, and knocking things over.

“Get Highmaster out here!”

Elphaba felt Galinda tense around her arm at that person’s words. She had to get her back to the cabin where it was safe before this got any worse.

The sun had fully set now and the only form of light was coming from the street lights.

“Come on,” Elphaba said as she began to take Galinda back in the direction they came from, but a group of people ran across the alleyway lighting the trash can on fire.

“Elphie?” Galinda said, her voice laced with fear.

“Okay, this way,” Elphaba said as she pulled Galinda close to her. They turned the corner and started to move down the street in front of them.

The sounds of glass shattering and people shouting filled their ears. There were thousands of people running past them and breaking things all around them. Elphaba watched a man smash someone’s car window right next to them. She shielded Galinda from the glass with her own body. The glass sprayed everywhere but she was covered head to toe and less likely to be injured than Galinda whose skirt didn’t even come to her knees.

“Elphie!”

“I’m fine. Are you okay?”

Galinda nodded in her arms.

Flames erupted on the street, in the grass, and in buildings. Trash cans were tipped over, and people were looting wherever they could. Galinda looked on with horror in her eyes. This wasn’t the Oz she knew. Ozians were peaceful and never rioted. They said ‘good morning’ to each other on the street and offered their neighbors pastries. They didn’t burn buildings up and steal from each other.

“Galinda?”

She closed her fingers around the fabric of Elphaba’s shirt as she watched her home be destroyed by its own people.

“Galinda!”

“Huh? Sorry. What?”

“Come on,” Elphaba said.

They picked up the pace at the end of the block. The Thropp house was on the other side of town as the forest, which meant that they’d have to walk through the middle of town to get back home because the side streets seemed to be just as bad.

Elphaba held onto Galinda as they ran across the street. “Watch the curb,” she said as they crossed. She knew that Galinda wore a pair of heels that weren’t ideal for running, so she made sure to find them the path with the least amount of debris on the ground.

“Fuck Highmaster,” a woman yelled out!

Elphaba pulled Galinda in as they ran through the carnage. People were on the ground, injured, begging for help. Then there were the people who were having too good a time burning things down and shoving things to the ground.

“E- Elphie, I’m scared,” Galinda said near Elphaba’s shoulder.

“I’ve got you, promise,” Elphaba said.

Across the way, in front of them, there was a man who was kicking another man on the ground. Then he’d started to hit him with a bat repeatedly.

“Oz, he’s going to—” Galinda started, but Elphaba pulled her into her chest to hide her eyes from the murder happening right in front of them.

Elphaba’s hand held Galinda’s head against her chest firmly as she watched the man be beaten to death. He was helpless on the ground, squirming around trying to get away. For a split second she wondered what he had done to deserve such a brutal death, but then Galinda started to cry into her chest and the only thing of importance to her became getting Galinda to safety.

She felt the world begin to spin around her while she held onto Galinda. There were people everywhere, nowhere was safe. Thousands of raging adults surrounded them, all with a fury in their eyes and anger in their hearts. She couldn’t say that she disagreed with the outrage, but this wasn’t the way to get results.

“This way,” she said to Galinda.

They ran down another street, but were met with an angry mob storming the very same street. About one hundred or so people came down the street in the opposite direction, running straight towards them. Elphaba gripped Galinda’s hand and pulled her along as she ran back the way they came.

“I can’t go that fast, Elphie,” Galinda screamed from behind Elphaba.

The crowd was approaching faster than Elphaba could get Galinda away.

“Ow,” Galinda yelled! Her foot had gotten stuck in a crack in the ground. Elphaba released her hand out of fear that she’d hurt her.

When she looked up, the crowd was heading straight for them. She reached for Galinda but she was too late. At full speed, people ran right over Galinda and shoved Elphaba to the ground.

“Galinda?!”

Elphaba tried to get to her, but the people kept coming, she curled herself into a ball and covered her head until they’d gone. Then she hurried to her feet to check on Galinda.

“My sweet? Galinda,” Elphaba called out to her. She dropped down her knees where Galinda laid on the ground. Her clothes had track marks all over them and she was bleeding from her mouth. Elphaba could see her breaths were shallow and she had bruises forming on her arms. “Galinda, open your eyes!”

Elphaba nudged her limp body. “My sweet, please!”

She wiped at the tears forming in her eyes then picked Galinda’s fragile body up from the ground. “I can fix this. I’m gonna get help.”

Elphaba carried Galinda down the back streets, sticking to the walls in case another crowd came through. She headed to the Upland house, the one place she knew there’d be a doctor. Her arms burned under the weight of Galinda’s full body, but she didn’t care. She held her close to her chest and made sure her head was supported as she went. Her ankle ached from being stepped on by the crowd and her knee had a bleeding scrape on it, but Galinda still hadn’t opened her eyes. The blood on her lips had dried now, but no matter how much Elphaba called out to her and begged her to wake up, there was no response.

Elphaba pushed the gate to the Upland house open with her back then carried Galinda up the long walkway. The order on her life hadn’t been lifted yet which meant that she had no idea if she would be killed for being here, but she was willing to take the chance to get Galinda some help. She set her down gently on the porch then banged on the door and stepped off the porch. Her face was covered in dirt and tears while she waited for the door to open.

“Come on. Come on. Come on,” she whispered to herself. It felt like years before the door opened. “Please! Help her!”

Larena looked down at Galinda with a gasp, “Doctor! Get the doctor!”

Elphaba cried out, “I’m sorry. I- I couldn’t— They were too fast. She—” Her cries interrupted her own words. She clutched her chest as she gasped for air.

Larena was over Galinda’s body while they waited for the doctor to come. “My darling girl. It’s okay. Momsie’s here.”

Elphaba calmed herself and took more steps back. Each one hurt more than the last. She hated that she couldn’t stay with Galinda. She didn’t want her to wake up afraid and she knew how much Galinda didn’t want to go back home. Elphaba decided she would apologize for this for the rest of her days if she had to. She wouldn’t blame Galinda if she never forgave her. She should’ve tried harder or carried her down the street. Those stupid fucking heels might have costed her everything.

A guard finally came to pick Galinda up and take her inside. Elphaba couldn’t tell who was crying harder between herself and Larena. She wiped at her face as she watched Galinda be taken to safety.

Larena stood in the doorway then looked out to Elphaba who took another step back. The way Larena looked at her felt knowing. She could do nothing other than look back at her with a silent plea take care of her. Larena gave Elphaba one last glance before the group of people turned the corner of the street with weapons and fire lit torches in hand. When Elphaba looked back towards Larena she was gone. Elphaba took a breath then ran out the gate.

With Galinda no longer holding onto her, she ran fast. She took every shortcut she knew and was able to push through the small crowds she did run into. Her ankle was screaming at her to stop but she couldn’t. Once she was in the forest, she slowed down, but never came to a complete stop. Her heart was pounding in her chest and her hands were clammy. She fumbled around in her pocket for the key to the cabin as she came up the driveway.

“She’ll be okay. She has to be,” she said to herself as she entered the cabin.

———

“She says that she misses you and other disgusting things I don’t care to share,” Pfannee said to Elphaba as he popped a grape in his mouth.

For the last month, Pfannee, Shenshen, and Chistery had been going back and forth between the cabin and the Upland house to deliver messages between the girls. Galinda suffered a fractured rib and a bruised sternum, along with other scrapes and bruises. She’d been given bed rest by the doctor so they hadn’t been able to see each other. With Galinda injured for the last couple of weeks, she hadn’t been able to pressure her father about keeping up his end of the deal. Granted he hadn’t sent anyone for Elphaba, but he hadn’t lifted the order either. From what Pfannee and Shenshen had told her, Highmaster kept saying that this wasn’t the right time but that he would do it soon.

Elphaba’s ankle healed up nicely making her thoughts the most annoying part of her days. Without Galinda, she was alone most of the day. Pfannee, Shenshen, and Blue kept her spirits up, but they weren’t here all the time, and she was growing jealous of their ability to see Galinda.

Blue sat in her lap while Pfannee and Shenshen sat around the table.

“She’s mostly healed now. You’re lucky you didn’t have to see her at her worst,” Shenshen said.

Elphaba knew she meant well, but she would’ve gladly sat with Galinda for every second of every day that passed. She would’ve held her hand and wiped her tears away when she cried. There was nothing she wanted more than to be with Galinda at her worst and to help her become her best again.

“Yeah…,” was all Elphaba had to say.

“Elphaba, stop moping! She’s fine,” Pfannee said with another grape between his fingertips.

“You saved her,” Shenshen said in support.

Elphaba sighed. “But I didn’t protect her in the first place.”

Blue nuzzled into Elphaba’s chest and she rubbed his back. They had become so much closer in the last month. They often talked about, or rather Blue teased her about, her relationship with Galinda.

“Do you think she’s mad at me?” Elphaba asked.

Blue rolled his eyes and shook his head.

They were walking down the poppy field. It had only been a few days since Galinda woke up, and she hadn’t said much.

“Well why hasn’t she said anything yet? You asked her, didn’t you?”

Blue nodded, then made a heart with his hands and pointed to Elphaba.

“She loves me? Yeah yeah she didn’t actually say that.” Elphaba pushed the thought out her mind.

She watched Blue sign, “You are hopeless”.

“Heyyy, I’m not hopeless! Whatever,” she said with a chuckle as she leaned down to nudge him.

Blue laughed with his hand over his mouth then signed, “Both love each other. Both blind”.

The knock at the door startled the group, but Blue jumped off Elphaba’s lap to run to the windowsill. He looked out then started to bellow and bounce up and down.

“What is it Blue?”

He signed, “princess”.

Elphaba’s breath left her body as she sprung to her feet.

“What? What is it?” Shenshen asked.

“He said Galinda’s here,” Elphaba cheered from the door. She yanked it open to see Larena and Galinda.

“Hi!” Galinda smiled.

Elphaba’s eyes bounced between Galinda and her mother. She wasn’t sure what she was allowed to do or how she was supposed to respond.

“It’s okay. She just wanted to make sure I got here safely,” Galinda reassured Elphaba as she reached for her hand.

Elphaba focused on Galinda. She was here, and she was okay. “Hi, my sweet. You're supposed to be on bed rest.”

Galinda playfully pouted, “Are you not happy to see me?” She leaned into Elphaba’s arms before she could respond.

“Of course, I am,” Elphaba said while she held Galinda to her chest. She placed a kiss on her head but her eyes never left Larena. She felt awkward showing Galinda affection with her mother there, but she missed her touch far more than she cared about her own embarrassment.

“I feel a lot better,” Galinda turned towards her mother, “Momsie, I’m fine now.”

Larena nodded. “Elphaba…”

“Momsie,” Galinda warned.

Larena’s hand raised in the air to silence Galinda. She finished, “You carried my daughter through that… mess.”

Elphaba nodded.

“Thank you.”

Galinda beamed. She looked between her Momsie and her Elphie, and for a moment she let herself think of how they could be. Elphaba to her right and her Momsie to her left… They could walk in the field together and have dinner together, and maybe, if she was especially lucky, they could even have a movie night or go out in the town with each other.

Her thoughts were interrupted by Elphaba’s hand locking around her waist. She longed for this feeling for the last month, Elphaba’s long nails and tight hold against her stomach.

“I would’ve protected her with my life,” Elphaba said to Larena.

Larena smiled softly. “I will make sure Highmaster lifts the order.”

Galinda jumped out of excitement then turned to Elphaba and kissed her with a squeal.

Elphaba pulled away slightly, “Your mom—”

But Galinda just kissed her again and again. After five or so small pecks, she ran into Larena’s arms. “Thank you, Momsie. I’ll keep up my end of the deal, you can tell him that.”

Elphaba gulped. She still hated what Galinda had done and she hated Highmaster for making her, but Oz she was so happy to have Galinda back with her.

Larena said her goodbye to Galinda and then they made their way into the cabin where Pfannee and Shenshen greeted Galinda.

“Hi, Chist!”

He jumped into her arms to hug her.

“I never get hugs like that,” Elphaba joked.

“Probably because you call him Blue,” Galinda rebutted.

“W- What’s wrong with Blue?” Elphaba’s lips parted in confusion.

“What if I called you Green?”

Elphaba’s mouth slammed shut. She had a good point. “So Chistery it is.”

Galinda giggled. “I won! I actually won an argument for once!”

Elphaba scoffed. “We were not arguing. We were talking.”

Galinda released Chistery to wrap her arms around Elphaba’s neck. She shook her head tantalizingly slow, “Miss Thropp are you incapable of admitting defeat?”

Elphaba’s mouth watered. “N- no? No. No, I just want you to get the facts right.”

“Are you nervous?” Galinda teased her as she pulled her in for a kiss.

“You two have half an hour. Then I’m banging on that door and we’re all spending time together,” Pfannee said as he dragged Shenshen up the stairs.

“And stay off the furniture,” Shenshen added as they disappeared.

Galinda giggled then pulled Elphaba by her collar into their bedroom.

“Galinda, I don’t think you’re clear for sex…”

Galinda shrugged, “You’ll be gentle, won’t you?”

Elphaba closed the door behind them. “I don’t want to hurt you.”

Galinda sat down on the edge of the bed with Elphaba standing over her. Her eyes dipped low and she bit her lip. “You won’t… You never have.” Then she looked up into Elphaba’s worried eyes, “I trust you.”

Elphaba nodded then crashed their lips together. She’d been deprived of her lifeline for a whole month. Galinda’s lips were something of a savior for her. They eased all her fears and soothed her pain with the lightest touch. Galinda’s fingers locked in the braids at the back of her head as she dragged Elphaba down on top of her.

Their heated makeout session continued for a while until Elphaba sat up and pulled her top off. Galinda followed behind her and took it one step farther by ridding herself of her skirt, panties, and shoes too.

She had a bruise across her rib that was fading but still caught Elphaba by surprise. “Oz, Galinda…”

“It’s okay. I barely feel it anymore,” Galinda said while she reached for the button on Elphaba’s pants.

Elphaba stopped her hands then leaned down to kiss her deeply again. She poured her desire to protect Galinda into it and sealed it with her need for her to know that she would forever be regretful for that night.

Galinda pulled away from the kiss. “If anything hurts, I’ll tell you.”

“Promise?”

“Mmhm promise,” Galinda said as she tugged Elphaba’s pants down. She kissed her through her panties.

Elphaba hummed in response. “Take them off.”

“Mm bossy,” Galinda said with a smirk. “Whatever you want.”

Once Elphaba was free of the rest of her clothes she pulled Galinda’s head back up. “I’ve missed you, my sweet.”

Galinda kissed just under Elphaba’s belly button. Then she lowered her lips to the curls that covered her beating vagina. “I missed you more.”

Elphaba sighed into Galinda’s touch. “Impossible.”

Galinda’s tongue slid between Elphaba’s lips and found her clit with practiced ease. “Very… Possible…”

Elphaba’s hand came to the back of Galinda’s head, holding her against her flesh with desperate determination. Galinda’s tongue lapped around Elphaba’s clit and down towards her opening.

“Spread your legs,” she requested, but Elphaba didn’t move. “Elphie?”

Elphaba’s hand came around Galinda’s neck earning a moan from the blonde. She then guided Galinda by her neck to turn around. She positioned her so that she was bent over the bed.

“Too rough?”

Galinda whined, “No… Perfect.”

“Good, my sweet.”

Elphaba leaned over Galinda to place kisses from the back of her neck and down her back until she was forced onto her knees to keep going. She used one hand to part Galinda’s ass and the other ran up and down her pussy to get her as wet as she could.

Galinda moaned each time Elphaba’s fingers came over her clit. She tried to rock her body back but Elphaba held her in place. “Relax. This is my time with you.”

Galinda moaned into the bed. Nothing turned her on more than Elphaba taking control during sex. She knew that Elphaba was still getting used to having control in any aspect of her life, so on the days when she did command her in the bedroom, Galinda didn’t object. She simply let her do whatever she wanted and let her mind let go of everything except the two of them.

Elphaba slipped two fingers in Galinda.

“Oh Ozzzzzz,” Galinda groaned out.

“Sssshhh you’ve taken more,” Elphaba said as she put her face between Galinda’s legs.

“Elphie! T- that feels so good,” Galinda cried out as she felt Elphaba’s tongue licking around her entrance while her fingers thrusted into her.

Galinda’s moans were all the motivation Elphaba needed to keep going. She pushed her fingers in faster and licked every spot she could get her tongue in.

Galinda gripped the blanket and started to rock against Elphaba’s hand, this time successfully. Her mouth had fallen open in her blissed out haze and she began to drool onto the bed.

Elphaba added a third finger. “You’re so tight, my sweet. Don’t tell me you haven’t fucked yourself at all in the last month?”

Galinda shook her head as best she could. “N- no. Oz!” Elphaba’s pace was making her lose her train of thought. She could feel Elphaba’s knuckles pushing against her opening. “I waited for y- you.”

“Did you?” Elphaba teased her as she looked up to make sure Galinda was okay. “You didn’t put your fingers inside of yourself not even once?”

“Nuh-uh,” Galinda choked out.

Elphaba pushed into Galinda harder. “Are you sure?”

“F-fuckkkk! Yes! Y- yes, I’m sure!”

Elphaba stood up to grab Galinda’s neck while she fucked her from the back. “Because you know you’re mine, right, my sweet?”

Galinda whimpered. Her face was still on the bed but Elphaba’s hand was squeezing her neck, urging her to respond. “Mmhm yours. I know.”

Elphaba curled her fingers and added a fourth.

Galinda’s hand reached back to push Elphaba away.

“Too much?”

“I- I can’t,” Galinda panted out.

“Tell me to stop,” Elphaba said while she slowed her pace just in case.

Galinda didn’t say anything, she only groaned and gripped the blanket tighter with her other hand.

Elphaba smirked then pushed all four of her fingers back into Galinda’s soaked cunt. She pushed down on where she knew Galinda’s g-spot was, and was met with Galinda screaming out profanities.

Fuck!

Yes, Elphie!

T- there, fuck me, right there!

Elphaba released Galinda’s neck and slipped her fingers into her mouth. Galinda groaned out as her eyes rolled back into her head. Elphaba fucked her even faster. She could feel every inch of Galinda’s warm and wet insides. She was so soft and smooth as she clenched around Elphaba’s fingers.

“I’m gonna- Oz! I’m cumming!”

Elphaba looked down at Galinda, whose mouth was around her left hand and pussy clenched around her right. She watched her rock back and forth, flushed pink, and desperate to be fucked. Galinda’s hand gripped Elphaba’s wrist to push her fingers in her mouth further.

“Somebody’s sooooo needy today,” Elphaba said.

Galinda’s body jerked and her legs squeezed shut but Elphaba didn’t stop. She knew Galinda would cum again if she kept going so she did. She let go of Galinda’s mouth to push her back down so she could fuck her harder.

“Unh! Elphie! Fuck yes! I’m yours!”

“Say it again,” Elphaba commanded.

“I’m yours! O- only yours!”

Elphaba grabbed a fistful of Galinda’s hair and pulled gently then harder once she heard Galinda whimper at her touch. “Beg me.”

“F- fuck! Please! Elphie, please keep fucking me,” Galinda begged as she held herself up with her elbows. “I- I need you. I’ll do a- anything.”

“Good,” Elphaba said while she hit Galinda’s spot again and again. “Anything I say, isn’t that right?”

Galinda could hardly speak now. The orgasm was approaching in fast waves. Her clit was throbbing and her legs started to shake. “Y- yes, baby!”

“Cum for me.”

More drool dropped out of Galinda’s mouth as she let go. Elphaba’s fingers were slamming into her while she twitched under her hands. She could hardly move with Elphaba’s hold on her hair which only fueled her orgasm even more.

“I- I’m— Ozzzz! Yes! Fuck yes!”

Galinda’s screams were loud and desperate as she came for the second time.

Elphaba released Galinda’s hair and she fell flat against the mattress. Her hold on the blanket loosened and Elphaba began to bring her down with quiet words of encouragement and slow thrusts. She rubbed Galinda’s back and laid a kiss on the back of her shoulder.

“You okay, my sweet?”

Galinda whimpered as her eyes filled with tears.

Elphaba panicked. She pulled out as gently as she could and flipped Galinda around so that she could look at her face. “My sweet? What’s wrong? What hurts?”

Galinda covered her face with her hands as she cried. “I- I’m okay, promise.”

Elphaba pulled her hands away and kissed all over her face. “You’re crying… Tell me what I did…”

Galinda shook her head. “N- not your fault. It was just really nice.”

Elphaba relaxed as she laid down next to Galinda. “Oz, I thought I hurt you.”

Galinda curled around Elphaba’s arm. “No.”

Once her tears subsided, she rolled on top of Elphaba. “Your turn, and don’t tell me ‘no’. You need to feel good too.”

No part of Elphaba was going to deny Galinda. She craved her touch so much over the last month, she’d dreamt of this moment time and time again.

Galinda kissed across Elphaba’s chest, taking her time to get every piece of skin. She loved having Elphaba this way, under her, ready to be ravaged. She took a pointed nipple into her mouth and sucked on it with a fervor.

Elphaba moaned quietly. She felt Galinda’s hand pinch the other nipple at the same time. “G- Galinda!”

Galinda smiled into her tit then switched to the other one to suck on it as well. “Too bad you’ll never know how good it feels to suck on your nipples.”

Elphaba giggled. “I know what it feels like to suck on yours and that’s more than enough for me.”

Galinda pulled away with a dopey grin plastered across her face. “Tell me how it feels.”

Elphaba flushed, “W- well… It feels like heaven.”

Galinda kissed down her stomach, “Just heaven?” She teased.

“B- better than heaven,” Elphaba rushed out!

Galinda ran her hands over Elphaba’s stomach hairs, “You’re never allowed to touch these, you know.”

“W- what? The hair?”

Galinda hummed into Elphaba’s skin. Then she slipped a finger into Elphaba without warning. She only pushed it in to the first knuckle because she knew Elphaba always needed more time than her to get adjusted, but she still wanted to surprise her.

“Oz, Galinda!”

Galinda grinned into Elphaba’s clit then started to lick it with a ghost-like touch. Barely there, and certainly not enough to get Elphaba to her peak.

“Don’t tease me, my sweet,” Elphaba whined.

“But you look so pretty when you want me to fuck you.”

Elphaba groaned as her fingers tangled in Galinda’s hair. She could feel every breath Galinda took against her exposed skin and every puff of air pushed her closer. Galinda’s tongue resumed its flicking across her clit, but this time at a speed that made Elphaba squeeze her eyes shut. Galinda pushed her finger all the way in when she felt Elphaba relax.

“Can I add another?”

Elphaba moaned.

“Come on baby, use your words.”

“Mmhm.”

Elphaba was already squirming under Galinda. She was so sensitive after having fucked Galinda the way she did. She knew she wouldn’t last long and Galinda knew it too.

“Stay still for me. Can you do that, baby?”

Elphaba whimpered, “I can try.”

“Good. You’re so good,” Galinda cooed then started to push a second finger inside. Elphaba’s legs instinctively opened and bent at the knees, trapping Galinda’s head between them.

“Make me cum already,” Elphaba demanded.

It thrilled Galinda the way their dynamic could change so fast during sex. One minute she’s whispering coos of encouragement into Elphaba’s cunt and the next she’s been pushed to suck on her clit. She buried her face into Elphaba and sped up her pace.

“Mmmmm,” Elphaba hummed. “C- close.”

Galinda sucked Elphaba’s clit into her mouth and bobbed her head while she pushed her fingers in and out.

“Mmyes! Yes! Y- yes! Oz!”

Galinda switched between licking and sucking until she felt Elphaba’s legs tighten around her head. Then she took Elphaba’s clit into her mouth and sucked hard while she found her g-spot to fuck relentlessly.

“G- Ga- Oh my- Fuuuckkk! I’m cumming!”

She felt cum gush out of Elphaba onto her hand while she clenched around her so tightly. She knew right then and there that these sheets couldn’t be saved.

Elphaba’s legs gripped her head rendering her unable to say anything even if she wanted to. She continued to suck and fuck Elphaba until she went limp under her.

“You’re so good at that,” Elphaba panted, out of breath.

Galinda bit her lip. “I know!”

Elphaba laughed. “Of course, you do.”

Galinda climbed back up Elphaba’s body to lay flat on top of her.

“That’s where you choose to lay?”

Galinda nodded against her chest. “Mmhm most comfortable place ever.”

Elphaba was going to argue some very factual point about her body being mostly bones but Galinda’s shampoo filled her nose and suddenly she didn’t want her to ever move. She never wanted to not have Galinda clouding every single one of her senses. She was so full of Galinda Upland that she wouldn’t dare to imagine a life where she wasn’t so lucky.

“Five minute nap then we’ll go entertain the animals, and Chistery,” Elphaba said.

Galinda burst out laughing, “That was funny. You’re funny!”

“Thank you, my sweet.”

Chapter Text

“Do you want medicine?” Elphaba asked Galinda who sat in her lap with her arms around Elphaba’s neck. They were on the couch in the den watching Shenshen destroy Pfannee in pool.

“Mm no, I’m okay,” Galinda said, nuzzling closer to Elphaba.

“You’re sure you’re not in any pain, my sweet?” Elphaba asked. She was still worried that Galinda hadn’t been completely truthful with her earlier, during their somewhat aggressive sex.

“Mmhm. M’ okay.”

Elphaba ran her hand along Galinda’s thigh. She was unbelievably warm and she smelled amazing. After the sex, they’d taken a “five minute” nap, and then showered together. Galinda washed her own hair with her floral shampoo and dressed in a shorts and tank top, both pink of course. Elphaba did her own shower routine and let Galinda pick out her pajamas: shorts and a crew neck.

“You’re bad at this game. Like very bad,” Shenshen said as Pfannee missed another ball.

“Taunting is rude,” Pfannee replied!

Galinda laughed then rose to her feet. “Are we really gonna spend all night in here again? We used to be fun…”

“What do you suggest we do?” Shenshen asked.

“Well… there issss a costume party happening tonight,” Pfannee said with the pool stick in his hand.

“It’s summer…,” Elphaba noted.

“A party! Oz! How thrillifying,” Galinda exclaimed! “And now Elphie won’t be bothered. It’ll be so much fun!”

“My sweet, uh technically your father still hasn’t publicly lifted the order,” Elphaba said with a finger in the air.

“Logistics, darling. If anyone messes with you, I’ll just tell Popsicle and he’ll sort it all out. We have a deal, remember.”

Elphaba loved Galinda, she’d realized quite some time ago, but Oz her naivety wasn’t her favorite thing about the girl. She loved that Galinda loved her parents, but sometimes it blinded her from the reality of things. Her father didn’t care about whether Elphaba lived or died, no matter how many times he told Galinda white lies about keeping Elphaba safe. Galinda had a certain childlike outlook on life that often kept Elphaba alive during the early days of their growing relationship, but it wasn’t doing her much good right now.

“Oh pleaasseeee, Elphie! It’s a costume party, so no one will even know you’re you if that helps,” Galinda suggested.

“It does not, but thank you for trying.”

“Come on Elphaba, we’ll all be there with you,” Pfannee tried.

Elphaba looked around the room to see the faces of three very desperate people who wanted her to attend a party she very much did not want to go to. The most beautiful of those faces being Galinda’s; the only one she simply couldn’t refuse. “Fine.”

Galinda bounced on her feet. “Yay! Oz this’ll be so fun! Everyone go get dressed! You,” she pointed to Elphaba, “Come with meeee,” she sang.

Once they were in the bedroom Galinda began to rifle through the closet flinging clothes all over the place.

“Where is it? I know it’s here!”

Elphaba pushed her glasses up. “What are y—” A pair of shorts landed on her head, ending her sentence abruptly.

“Here it issssss,” Galinda said as she turned to face Elphaba. “Oh my Oz,” she giggled at the sight, “I’m sorry, Elphie.”

“It’s quite alright, my sweet… You are aware I have nothing t—”

“Don’t tell me you have nothing to wear… because you could wear this,” Galinda smiled as she pulled a pointy black hat from behind her back.

“What is that? That thing is awful.” Elphaba tilted her head as she surveyed the hat.

“Hey! My granny made this hat!”

“It’s still ugly,” Elphaba said.

“Okay, fine! It’s hideoteous.”

”So your plan was to make me wear it!?”

Galinda pondered before answering, “It’s the only thing I have in your color.”

Elphaba shook her head in disbelief and adoration. “Well I mean my costume would be the fact that I’m green, right? Because they don’t know what I look like anyway. So maybe I just wear normal clothes.”

“What! No! I would know,” Galinda frowned.

Elphaba stepped closer to her. “Yes, my sweet, you would know.” She kissed Galinda’s cheek, “But it’ll be our little secret.”

“Secret?” Galinda questioned as her eyelashes fluttered with Elphaba’s breath so close to her neck.

“Mmhm, just for us,” Elphaba whispered against her jaw as she laid another kiss there.

“O- okay,” Galinda stuttered.

“How does black jeans and a hoodie sound?”

Galinda pouted, “It sounds like what you wear everyday.”

Elphaba’s finger curled under Galinda’s chin to bring her dejected gaze back up to ber own eyes. “It doesn’t matter what I wear, we’ll be there together, my sweet.”

Galinda leaned into Elphaba’s touch. “Will you wear one of my hoodies, at least?”

Elphaba smirked. “Would that make you happy?”

Galinda nodded enthusiastically!

“Okay, pick one.”

Galinda skipped back into the closet with a new mission. Elphaba couldn’t help but admire the girl throwing around articles of pink clothing in front of her. She watched in awe of how utterly perfect Galinda was even after everything she’d been through in the last couple of months… Finding out her father wasn’t who she thought he was, being told she had to procreate by her parents, and being trampled in a riot, yet somehow here she was, just as excited and bubbly as ever to take Elphaba to this costume party.

Galinda decided on a bubblegum pink cheerleading costume for herself and a hoodie in the same color for Elphaba. She pulled her hair up into a high ponytail and did light makeup that complimented her outfit.

“Your turn!”

Elphaba smirked, “You know usually when you say that to me, I get something really good out of it.”

Galinda’s jaw dropped at Elphaba’s eroticness. “This is good, darling! I get to do your hair!”

“We didn’t agree on that,” Elphaba said.

“Oh pleaaseeeee! I’ll be quick.”

“Again, usually those words are fun for me,” Elphaba said as she sat down at Galinda’s vanity.

“I’ll say them again for you when we get back and you can have all the fun you want with me then,” Galinda offered as she ran her fingers through Elphaba’s braids.

———

“Sexy cheerleader, love it,” Pfannee said as Galinda gave him a 360 view of her outfit.

The top of her costume was cropped while the bottoms were a mini skirt, all based on a generic cheerleading uniform. She wore white garters and bubblegum pink pumps to match.

Pfannee and Shenshen were the classic devil and angel duo with Shenshen going as the angel, obviously.

“Elphaba you’re…?” Shenshen questioned.

“Me. I’m me.”

“Isn’t she adorable?” Galinda asked, aimed at no one really. Then she grabbed Elphaba by the cheeks and kissed her hard, leaving a pink lip stick mark on her emerald skin.

Elphaba flushed without even the faintest of ideas that Galinda had marked her.

“Let’s go! Shenshen drive,” Galinda cheered!

The group piled into Shenshen’s very modest car. Pfannee took the front because he was sure that if Galinda let go of Elphaba for more than a singular second she’d spontaneously combust or something very close to it. The short car ride was filled with friendly conversation and lighthearted jokes.

The destination was the huge football field that took up the space behind the high school. The party, however, was open to all ages despite its location. With Oz being such a small town, there were very few venues for a party of this caliber.

They parked the car on the street a few blocks away because there was no parking any closer. It seemed like everyone in Oz was at this party.

“Eek! Pfannee you’re the best! Isn’t this so much better than playing pool for the hundredth time?” Galinda exclaimed. She was clearly the most excited to be out of the cabin.

Elphaba held Galinda’s hand, trying to focus on anything except for the sheer amount of people that would be at this party. So many opportunities for her to be caught off guard. All it took was one person to question her and she’d have to fight for her life yet again. She didn’t want to ruin Galinda’s night, but she wasn’t sure she could go through with this anymore.

“Galinda…,” she whispered as they approached the large field.

“Yeah!”

“I can’t. I’m sorry,” Elphaba said as she pulled away from Galinda.

“W- wait! Elphie, what’s wrong?”

Elphaba shook her head then stuffed her hands in her pockets. “I just can’t, okay. There’s too many people.”

“Uh you guys go ahead,” Galinda said to her friends. “Elphie and I will meet you.”

“Galinda didn’t you hear m—”

“Yes, I heard you.” Galinda pulled Elphaba from the middle of the sidewalk to the small wall that guarded a street garden- or used to anyway.

“Nice costume,” a girl shouted at Elphaba as she walked by.

Galinda sat on the small wall and pulled Elphaba to stand between her legs. She waited patiently for Elphaba to deem the area safe as she looked around a few times, then she confessed, “The crowd makes me a little nervous too.”

Elphaba looked down at her. “Then why are you so excited to be here?”

Galinda hummed as she ran her hands up Elphaba’s thighs. “I don’t want to stay locked away forever because something bad happened to me.”

Elphaba understood her, but she was used to being locked away. It was this that was odd for her. She’d never once in her whole life been outside without being covered head to toe and staying out of the way of prying eyes. Now here she was with her green on full display, in the middle of a damn sidewalk. There was nothing (besides losing Galinda) that terrified her more.

“I’m meant to be locked away, you’re not,” Elphaba said.

“Elphaba Thropp,” Galinda said firmly, standing up. “You are meant to be admired and gawked at. People will wish they were as beautiful as you when we get in there.”

Elphaba rolled her eyes and dropped her head. Galinda was biased, extremely and completely so.

“Don’t do that! Listen to me,” Galinda demanded with a hand on Elphaba’s chest. “You deserve to live freely, Elphaba… And besides you have me, no one’s gonna mess with you.”

Elphaba chuckled. If there was one thing she could count on, it was Galinda ending her words of encouragement in a compliment for herself framed as more encouragement. “Okay. I’ll do it, but you can’t leave me in there.”

Galinda nodded, “I wouldn’t dream of it!”

“I’ll help you too… If you get scared, I mean,” Elphaba said nervously. She pushed her glasses up on her nose.

Galinda’s dimple came out when she smiled at Elphaba. She was so enamored with everything Elphaba Thropp related, it was all consuming. “Promise?”

Elphaba nodded. “Promise.”

Galinda locked their hands and led Elphaba to the entrance of the field. Their hands were stamped upon entry given that they weren’t of the legal drinking age, but she didn’t care because she knew Pfannee snuck a bottle in for them.

The field was packed nearly from end to end. Just as Galinda guessed, everyone was out tonight. People of all ages occupied space on the field as the music blared and the stadium lights shined different colors. The bar was to the left of the entrance with a line all the way down the field and there were tables set up to the right. The makeshift dance floor was straight ahead and while Galinda would’ve loved nothing more than to start dancing right away, she needed some liquid courage.

“Do you see Pfannee?” She yelled down to Elphaba. Her heels made her slightly taller which she was enjoying very much.

“Uhhhhh,” Elphaba’s eyes scanned the crowd. “There!” She pointed Pfannee out, raiding the food table, of course.

Galinda pulled Elphaba along, past some very drunk people who were having a great time dancing to the pop beat that filled their ears. “Pfannee, give me the bottle,” Galinda screamed to him.

“You have to taste this,” he said, shoving a very mediocre slice of cheese in her mouth.

“Oh my Oz, you started without us,” Galinda complained. “Give me the bottle!”

Shenshen, who was just next to Pfannee looking at him disapprovingly, pulled the bottle out of her boot and handed it to Galinda. “He was fired from bottle duty. I’m sure you can figure out why,” Shenshen said.

Galinda took a big swig of the warm liquor then another one for good measure. She looked over to Elphaba, who seemed just as nervous as she was last time. “Still don’t wanna try?”

“What does it feel like?”

Galinda shrugged. “Really fun! Unless you drink too much, then sick.”

Elphaba contemplated. She really wanted to enjoy normal teenage things like getting drunk for the first time, but Frexspar’s drunken voice rang out in the back of her mind.

He’s fucking dead and still making my life miserable, she thought to herself.

“Why not?” She grabbed the bottle from Galinda and took a gulp. “Oz! That’s—” She was interrupted by a coughing fit.

Galinda laughed, “You okay, darling? It does bite a bit.”

“Yeah! You should’ve mentioned that!”

“Let’s dance,” Shenshen cheered!

Galinda pulled Elphaba along to the middle of the crowd, with Pfannee and Shenshen next to them they all started to dance with each other. Pfannee jumped up and down in his super drunk state. He was screaming the words to the song as if his life depended on it, and Shenshen was laughing hysterically at him as they spun around in a circle. Galinda turned to face Elphaba and began swaying her hips in rhythm with Elphaba’s.

“Wooooo,” she yelled out! “Are you having fun?”

Elphaba got close to her ear to respond because she could hardly hear her, but the close proximity only fueled the side of Galinda that they usually kept locked in the cabin. She turned again so that her back was flush with Elphaba’s front, then she grabbed Elphaba’s hand to wrap around her waist as she danced some more.

“This is great,” Galinda exclaimed while her head dropped back to Elphaba’s shoulder. She was seeing so many things and feeling even more. The bass boomed through her body and Elphaba’s hand on her bare stomach made something thrum deep within her. “Elphie, kiss me!”

Elphaba let her free hand roam up Galinda’s neck as she kissed her in the position they were now. The angle was definitely off, but neither of them seemed to care. Galinda moaned into Elphaba’s mouth which she felt rather than heard. Then before she knew it Galinda had turned around and was pulling her in by the back of her neck. Her mouth fell open as she let out a moan of her own.

“Galinda?”

She broke away from Elphaba to look in the direction of her name being called. “Yero!”

He was dressed as some sort of scarecrow. She ran into his arms for a brief hug then she was back with Elphaba in an instant. “I haven’t seen you in forever,” Galinda exclaimed!

“I know, I’ve been so busy,” he yelled.

“You’ll have to tell me all about it later. Dance with us,” Galinda cheered.

Galinda pulled Fiyero a few steps over to where Pfannee, Shenshen, and Elphaba were dancing, and strategically placed herself in the middle. All of her friends were happily bouncing and swaying around her while she spun around in the middle. She felt extremely giddy and drunk out of her mind.

“Yoooo are you her? Sick costume,” a boy asked, breaking Galinda’s trance.

When she stopped moving, she realized he was talking to Elphaba.

“Let’s get a pic,” he said as he pulled Elphaba into him, but Galinda wasted no time pulling her back.

“Back off! Don’t touch her,” Galinda screamed at the guy.

“Woah calm down, Galinda,” Fiyero said as he pulled Galinda and Elphaba away from the boy. “You should probably go somewhere else,” Fiyero said to him.

“Are you okay, Elphie?” Galinda asked.

“Y- yeah I’m fine. Can we sit?” Elphie requested.

Fiyero led them through the crowd to the tables where he made sure everyone was seated with a water bottle. His rank with the Guard meant he couldn’t drink in case he was called to work at any time which made him the perfect designated… Everything!

Galinda got up from her seat opting to sit in Elphaba’s lap instead. Elphaba thoughtlessly wrapped her arms around Galinda’s waist and rested her head against her back.

”Look Elphie, Nessarose is here.” Galinda pointed to where the other Thropp sister sat at the other end of the table they were sat at.

Elphaba’s head turned to see her sister, then promptly turned back towards Galinda. “Let’s just ignore her. I really would rather not be berated tonight.”

Galinda didn’t argue or say anything at all. It was completely Elphaba’s decision to speak to her sister or not, and Galinda had no intentions of doing anything other than supporting her. She kissed Elphaba’s forehead and placed her hand over the one that was holding her waist.

“Let’s get a picture,” Shenshen said from her side of the table. She reached her arm out as far as it would go so she could get everyone in and then snapped the photo with an old camera she brought along, also in her boot.

The rest of the night went smoothly with the group enjoying everything the party had to offer. They snapped more pictures, took more shots (until Fiyero cut them off), and danced until their feet all hurt.

“I’m starved! Elphieeeee, can we make burgers when we get back?”

Elphaba snorted, “You want to put one of us next to a hot stove after this? My sweet—”

The light shut off interrupting her.

“Helloooooo,” Pfannee slurred.

Elphaba felt Galinda grip her hand. She looked around to see that not only did the lights on the field go out, but all the surrounding lights in Oz were out.

She quickly whipped her head around to where the wall lights would’ve been if they were on…

“Galinda!”

Before she could even respond, someone yelled, “The power’s out at the wall!”

Then Elphaba felt the crowd move. They were all so tightly packed that no one person could barely move without moving another. She knew better than to wait in shock this time. With her vision blurry and shaking, she pulled Galinda out the crowd and towards the fence.

“Galinda, are you okay?”

Galinda’s grip on Elphaba’s arm was impossibly tight. It was pitch black and people were screaming and running, just as they were last time. She felt the fear rise within her and all the drunkenness leave her body as she stood cocooned between Elphaba and the fence. She whimpered, “I- I’m okay.”

“Take your heels off right now,” Elphaba demanded of her.

“O- okay,” she bent down and unsnapped her heels, bringing them back up in her hands.

Elphaba kicked her sneakers off. “Put these on.”

“Those are yours, Elphie. You can’t walk in my heels.”

Elphaba dismissed her as she looked around as best she could while everyone ran frantically around them. “Put on the shoes. I’m fine.”

As much as Elphaba wanted to be comforting with Galinda, she had only one thought and it was to keep her safe and not have a repeat of the last time. She learned from her mistakes and wouldn’t ever make them again. She turned back to make sure Galinda was putting on the shoes (she was) and then she surveyed the crowd again. It was still too thick for her and Galinda to safely make it through.

An automated voice boomed over the stereo system, “The infected protocol is now in place. All citizens must redirect to the silo.”

“G- Galinda what does that mean?”

Galinda froze in her arms.

“Galinda!? Talk to me! What is that?” Elphaba tried to break her out of her fear.

“It means the infected are here.”

Chapter Text

“Here like within the walls?” Elphaba questioned as a way to process what she already knew. Her brain needed time to catch up to her current reality, and said time was given to her in the form of an utterly useless and rhetorical question. She didn’t even bother to wait for Galinda’s response, she didn’t need it, “O- Okay! Okay. We’re okay. The voice said get to the silo? There’s a silo?” Elphaba’s confused face looked at Galinda’s terrified one. No one had ever told her about a silo, she only knew what it was because she read a book about the end of the world once.

The infected protocol was taught in school, a place Elphaba was never allowed to go. Each year, for one day, every student in Oz was forced to hear about the protocol and what to do if and/or when the automated system was triggered. Galinda, of course, seldom paid attention during this time because “her Popsicle would never let the infecteds over the wall”.

Galinda gripped the lining of the pocket of the pink hoodie of hers Elphaba was wearing. “Yeah, it’s uh- It’s near the cabin.”

Elphaba felt her body being pushed into Galinda’s, sandwiching her between the metal fence. She used all her strength to push herself backwards against the onslaught of people trying to get past them and out the exit gate of the field.

“Oz, I’m sorry,” Elphaba said. “But that’s on the other side of town.”

“Do you think people are dying out there?” Galinda’s eyes were glossy and her hands shook in Elphaba’s pocket. There was no doubt about the terror that radiated off her small, now shivering body.

“I don’t know, my sweet, but I know that you are not dying today. So don’t worry about that. Let’s get you to the silo,” Elphaba reassured her with a kiss to her forehead.

Elphaba surveyed the dark, crowded area again. There were people everywhere, in all directions, and there were no lights whatsoever to help anyone see anything. They would have to join the crowd in getting out through the exit gate.

“My sweet?”

Galinda stopped her anxiety ridden staring to focus on Elphaba.

“We have to go out with them,” Elphaba said calmly.

Galinda tensed beneath her. The idea of willingly joining a crowd just like the one that trampled her a month ago while not being fully healed seemed worse than being infected. Her mind filled with all the different ways she could be reinjured or injured in an entirely new way. Maybe she’d break a leg this time or even worse- a nail!

“Do we have to?”

The crowd pushed up against Elphaba again. “Yes! We do, right now!”

She turned Galinda around so that Galinda’s back was flush with her front and wrapped her hand around Galinda’s waist. “I’m right here, my sweet,” she whispered into her ear as she pushed them into the crowd.

The sheer force of thousands of people forcing their way out of a gate meant for one person, two at the most, catapulted them forward. Elphaba’s hold tightened around Galinda, whose hand gripped Elphaba’s for dear life. They started to take the required small steps, given the lack of space, to get out of the gateway as fast as possible. Elphaba’s feet were stepped on countless times, but she hardly felt the pain, so focused on getting Galinda out of the manic crowd.

Once they were through the gate, Elphaba took Galinda by the hand and they ran down the street in the direction the others were running.

Without much light besides a few flashlights here and there, Elphaba could hardly see where she was leading Galinda, nor could she see if she was about to step on something that could potentially puncture her unprotected feet. Still, there was no way she could’ve done any better in Galinda’s long forgotten heels.

The automated voice rang out again over Oz again, “Silo capacity ten percent full.”

Elphaba panted, “How many people does it hold?”

Galinda’s hand was starting to sweat in Elphaba’s despite how she prided herself on never sweating.

A true lady never sweats, an obvious lie she told herself as a child.

“U- uh eight thousand maybe nine,” Galinda stammered. “I can’t go much longer.” She stopped all together.

During last year’s census, Oz had a population of over ten thousand which meant over two thousand would be left to deal with the infected along with the Oz Guard. Two thousand lives left for dead while the others sought out shelter in this silo.

“My sweet, we can’t afford to take long breaks. Get on my back,” Elphaba offered, bending down.

Galinda hesitated then hopped on, wrapping her arms around Elphaba’s neck. “Where’s everyone else? What about Nessa?”

Elphaba bit back a groan of frustration. She didn’t want her sister to die and she knew she probably wouldn’t make it to the silo in time without a car or help, but she had someone else to think about. Someone who actually treated her like a decent human being and took care of her on plenty of occasions. Galinda was her first priority and that wouldn’t change for anyone, any time soon.

“I don’t know, my sweet. I’ll get you to the silo and come back.”

“What? No! No coming back, you’re staying with me,” Galinda panicked from her place on Elphaba’s back.

“What about Pfannee and Shenshen and Fiyero?” Elphaba asked.

“Fiyero will protect them,” Galinda said more to herself than Elphaba. He had to.

Elphaba’s pace began to slow down along with the others around them who they’d been inadvertently running alongside for several blocks.

“Silo capacity fifty percent full,” the voice sounded.

“We have to go faster,” Elphaba panted out with Galinda on her back.

“You’re tired, I’m fine,” Galinda said as she dislodged herself from Elphaba’s back. “You want a turn?”

Elphaba snickered, “No, thank you. You have trouble lifting your own laundry basket.”

Galinda pinched her arm and locked her own around it all in the same motion. “Last time I offer you a piggy back ride!”

Their playful banter was interrupted by a shriek. The kind of shriek that gets the attention of every single ear that had the displeasure of hearing it. Both girl’s heads whipped around in the direction of the sound. The crowd momentarily stopped and then the pace picked up even faster than they were going before. Suddenly, there was a newfound energy spread across the horrified citizens of Oz.

“She’s infected,” someone screamed out!

“There’s more,” Elphaba heard another voice say.

“Galinda, run! Don’t look,” Elphaba said as she pulled Galinda’s arm away from hers to grab her hand instead.

The girls ran for half a block with the sound of bloodcurdling screams behind them. Someone was definitely being mauled to death in the distance.

Galinda tried to focus on the road ahead of them, but her curiosity got the best of her. She turned around just for a moment…

A shriek of her own cut through the air as a man covered in blood charged at her. He was screaming for help with his arms outstretched, but his aim was off. He just barely missed Galinda as she was pulled forward by Elphaba. He was looking for something, or someone to grab onto having been momentarily blinded by the blood rushing down his face.

“E- Elphie! His face!”

“Don’t look,” Elphaba repeated.

“Elphie, there! Look,” Galinda screamed as she pointed ahead of them. A group of infected were headed straight for them. They ran as if their limbs were only half attached, stumbling around and reaching for anything within their grasp. Their clothing was minimal and what they did wear was ripped to shreds. Blood oozed out of parts of them neither girl could clearly see, but they heard the low groans and defiant mumblings the creatures made.

“This way,” Elphaba said, pulling Galinda across the street towards an alleyway, an idea many other people also had as they weren’t the only ones headed that way.

“No!”

Elphaba’s hand tightened around Galinda’s while she tried to slow down to go in another direction. “I know you’re scared, but we can’t stop or we die.”

Galinda shook her head rapidly as tears started to downpour from her eyes. “B- but last time—”

Still moving at a reasonable pace, Elphaba replied, “I know, my sweet. Trust that I’ll never let that happen to you again.”

Galinda squeezed her fingers and decided to do just that. She would trust that Elphaba wouldn’t let her get trampled again because the alternative was currently following them down the alleyway with a certain look of destruction in its eye. Galinda kept looking back while Elphaba led her through the alley. The infected, just one, was looking back at her. It was a woman in a torn up dress. Her hair was matted and she was extremely dirty. Covered more in dirt than blood, Galinda was thankful for.

Elphaba led them around a corner and back down another large street. The crowd here was almost as bad as the other street, but that meant they had less of a chance at being caught. While Galinda hated the density of the crowds, Elphaba knew better. She knew how easy it was to lose someone who was chasing you in a crowd like this one. She thrived in these types of situations. She was unfortunately very used to this exact scenario: running for her life in the midst of an Ozian crisis, that is.

“Aren’t you scared?” Galinda asked while they jogged at a pace just quicker than a speed walk. “You don’t seem like you are at all.”

“This isn’t much different than how my life has gone as of late,” Elphaba said honestly. She was always scared because being scared was her natural state of being. There was always some threat for her to worry about, someone who wanted her dead, some rule that outlawed her existence. None of that was new to her, but having Galinda with her was. So if there was some small part of her that was scared for a reason other than her usual reasons, it was because she feared she wouldn’t be able to keep Galinda safe. Not because there were more people trying to kill her. In truth, it was refreshing that she wasn’t the only one being hunted right now.

———

They picked up the pace into a jog as they headed for the silo just a block in the distance.

“Wait! What about Chistery? He’s at the cabin,” Galinda worried.

Elphaba cursed under her breath. She could see the silo from here, but she couldn’t leave Chistery— She wouldn’t. “Okay, you go to the silo, and I’ll go get him.”

Galind tilted her head in disbelief and shook it with disapproval. “No! No, we go together.”

With her hands on Galinda’s shoulders, “I’m not letting you do that. I’ll be fine. I’ll run.”

“Elphie, no! You could die.”

“Exactly why I don’t see the reason both of us need to be in danger, and even without the infected my life would be on the line anyway.”

“Horrendible reasoning.”

Elphaba chuckled at yet another made up word.

“Not funny!”

The automated voice blared through the air, “Silo capacity eighty five percent full.”

Elphaba took a breath then cupped Galinda’s cheeks, hoping to get through to her. “My sweet, please. The faster I go, the faster I’m back.”

Galinda’s eyes begged her not to go and her hands gripped her arms out of desperation. She was terrified of what could happen and even more terrified of not being there with Elphaba if it does happen. The thought of Elphaba being alone again when she promised her she wouldn’t be and given how awful it was the last time they were separated, this was the last thing Galinda wanted to agree to.

“My sweet…”

“O- okay! But you have to come back!”

“I will,” Promise.

———

After Elphaba watched Galinda walk into the large steel doors of the silo at the end of the road, she headed straight for the cabin. It was a three minute run from the silo that she handled with no problem. She fumbled the key out of her pocket and burst through the doors.

“Chistery!”

His padded footsteps hurried towards the front door.

He signed “Princess?”

“She’s in the silo. Safe.”

“Silo capacity ninety percent full.”

“Stay here,” Elphaba yelled as she ran to her bedroom!

She grabbed a backpack from the closet and began to throw in clothes and other essential things Galinda would need. She knew how anxious Galinda could be without her things and because they didn’t know how long they’d be in the silo she wanted to ensure that she was as comfortable as could be. She also managed to put on another pair of her sneakers and snag a change of clothes for herself. She zipped up the backpack and ran back for the front door.

“Come on, Chist! We have to go!”

They were about halfway through the run when the voice rang out again, “Silo capacity ninety five percent full. Warning: doors closing.”

“Chistery faster!” Elphaba was out of breath, but pushing herself to go even harder with Chistery hot on her heels.

There were other people alongside them as they closed in on the silo, all trying to get to the only safe place in town.

“Elphaba!”

Her head whipped around to see Pfannee and Shenshen running towards her and Chistery. She was now about a hundred or so feet in front of the silo doors. She was close enough to see Galinda waiting for her.

A scream caught her attention. She turned around to see a little girl being chased by an infected. She turned back to Galinda then bent down to Chistery. “Here. Take it to her,” she said as she put the backpack on his shoulders.

“Leave you?” He signed.

She nodded, “I’ll be right behind you.”

Then she ran back to the little girl.

“What are you doing?” Pfannee asked as he and Shenshen finally caught up.

“Get to the silo. Galinda’s there!” Elphaba kept running to the girl who had fallen at some point. The infected was closing in on her. She was curled into a ball, covering her head.

Elphaba kicked the infected in the stomach, knocking him a couple feet back. In haste, she pulled the girl to her feet. “Run!”

When she turned back, the infected was charging her. She side stepped and then kicked him in the back, to the ground. Once he was down, she stomped on his head for a few more seconds.

“Silo capacity ninety nine percent full. Warning: doors closing now.”

She looked back up to the doors which were in fact sliding closed.

“Elphie! Run,” Galinda screamed from just within the silo doors.

There were at least thirty people closer to the door than Elphaba, but she started to run with everything she had in her. Her chest rose and fell while panic flowed through every inch of her body. She had to make it. There wasn’t any other option. She had no idea where Fiyero was— In fact they had hardly seen the Oz Guard while they were running to the silo. She had no desire to be on her own again, without Galinda and the comfort she provided.

The doors were almost closed and Elphaba was still fifty feet away. Galinda was screaming, Chistery was bouncing up and down, and Pfannee and Shenshen clung to one another.

Elphaba knew that even if she didn’t make it, everyone she loved was safe and taken care of. Chistery had gotten the bag to Galinda and that was enough for her. The last fifty feet felt harder than the entire journey to the silo. She couldn’t breathe and the cold night air hit her face with every hurried step. She pushed on as best she could.

———

“Silo capacity one hundred percent full. Doors closed.”

Chapter Text

Elphaba’s first seconds in the silo were a blur.

The door slid shut with a thud and she released a shaky breath. Then Galinda was in her arms. They held onto each other as if this was their last moment together. Elphaba buried her face in Galinda’s neck to take in her airy scent she craved every second of the day.

“You made it,” Galinda whispered into Elphaba’s ear as she pulled away just enough so they could look into each other’s eyes, but not nearly enough away to leave any sort of personal space between them.

Just behind Galinda, Elphaba could see the little girl she saved. Now having a better look at her, the girl was probably about thirteen or so with brunette hair and a blue and white plaid shirt on with jeans and red sneakers. She smiled at Elphaba and mouthed “Thank you”.

Elphaba returned the smile then gave her attention to Galinda. “That wasn’t fun.”

“No, I’d have to agree. It most definitely was not fun,” Galinda said with a sigh.

Elphaba’s arms were lazily around Galinda’s waist now as she took in the new place. The silo was a large cylindrical bunker built completely out of concrete and metal. Much like Oz above ground, it was rusted in some places and worn out in every other place. Just through the door there was a large empty space that led to a spiral ramp that lowered some fifty floors down.

Elphaba walked to the concrete banister that guarded this floor's circular walkway from the hundreds of feet in open space on the other side. Elphaba peered over it to see thousands of Ozians moving down the ramp to various floors. There were guards everywhere giving directions and leading people around.

With Galinda’s hand in her own and Chistery just behind them, Elphaba walked over to a wall with a general directory on it.

Floor 1:
Ozian Government official offices

Floor 2:
Ozian officials housing

Floors 3-30:
Civilian Ozian housing

Floor 31:
Mess halls

Floors 32-39:
Markets, Shops, & Businesses

Floors 40-49:
Silo equipment, Electrical, & Trash

Floor 50:
Prison, etc.

Elphaba’s fingertips grazed the last line of the slightly indented text etched into the stone. Prison, etc.

She wasn’t sure what “etc.” meant in this instant, but she was sure it would’ve been where she would be sent should Highmaster not keep his word, or if anyone discovered that she wasn’t just green for the party.

Galinda’s hand tightened around Elphaba’s.

“Elphaba girl what is your obsession with almost dying?” Pfannee appeared behind them.

Elphaba scoffed, “Almost dying is obsessed with me, not the other way around.”

“I for one would like neither of you to be obsessed with the other,” Galinda chimed in and softly kissed Elphaba’s cheek. “Oh! Where’s Fiyero?”

“We lost him when he went to help Nessarose,” Shenshen said with a shrug. “Poor girl, I hope she’s okay.”

Elphaba visibly tensed. She didn’t feel great about leaving her sister for dead, but she didn’t exactly regret it either. “I should go find her, right?”

Galinda rolled her eyes. “She doesn’t care about you, Elphie.”

Elphaba paused. That was technically true, sometimes. She and Nessa’s relationship was never easy, but she could understand why Nessa treated her the way she did. She was so young, only doing what she had seen been done to Elphaba.

I guess that makes me daddy’s little girl, Elphaba remembered Nessa saying when they were in their parent’s bedroom. She knew Nessa loved their father deeply, perhaps more than anyone else in the world. She knew she’d do anything for him…

“Oh Oz…,” Elphaba mumbled to herself as the realization dawned on her. While she and her sister were estranged today, they did grow up together and they do know each other quite well.

“What?” Galinda asked.

“I need to find Nessa! You stay with Pfannee and Shenshen. I’ll find you,” Elphaba rushed, dropping a hurried kiss to the top of Galinda’s head before scurrying off in the crowd.

If she was right Nessarose would be on her way to find Highmaster. To get her revenge for Frexspar’s death. The directory said the Ozian officials were housed on the second floor, so that must be where Highmaster was— where Galinda would be soon enough.

Elphaba shoved her way down the packed ramp.

“Keep it moving,” a guard said as she made it to the second floor opening of the ramp.

“I need to speak with Highmaster,” she said with her shoulders back, displaying the perfect picture of confidence.

“He’s not taking visitors right now.”

“If you could just tell hi—”

The guard’s hand slid to his waist as Elphaba grew more agitated.

“Hey! She’s fine, let her through!”

Elphaba looked up to see Fiyero. She smirked at the guard as she walked right past him. “Thanks.”

“Yeah.”

“Have you seen Nessa? Or Highmaster?” She asked with her hands deep in her pockets.

“Nessa rolled away a long time ago, but Mister Upland is somewhere on this floor.”

Elphaba nodded awkwardly. She and Fiyero weren’t really friends, but they weren’t strangers either. They spent time together with them both being close to Galinda, but outside of her they hadn’t much reason to see one another.

Elphaba took off down the hall. Each room was marked with a general use:

Oz Guard housing

Councilman housing

Treasurer housing

And so on until she came across the one that would be of use to her: First family housing

Elphaba turned the handle which was unlocked; a safety issue she would worry about later for Galinda’s sake. What she saw on the other side of the door was unlike anything she’d ever seen before. It presented as a large penthouse accompanied by a fabricated city view. The walls were a deep yellowish beige, the furniture was surprisingly modern and whimsy, and the windows were gold framed. Crafted to perfection. In the living room there was a conversation pit with circular orange couches embedded into the floor. The dining room featured a glass table, gold lined with white chairs. There were too many flower bouquets to count, all with at least one pink flower. Whoever designed this place carefully handpicked each detail.

“This was sitting under Oz the whole time,” Elphaba mumbled in disbelief. Oz above ground (and just outside the penthouse door) was practically crumpling, and yet here she stood in a room that should be on the cover page of an interior design magazine. It didn’t make any sense.

She shook herself out of her thoughts and started down the hall.

“Highmaster,” she called out.

The next room she found herself in seemed to be Highmaster’s office. It was sizable with a large bookcase and a brown desk and chair. There was also a table right in the middle of the floor with a couch behind it against the wall.

On top of the table of a piece of paper curled around the edges, yellow, and frayed. Elphaba read:

The Emerald City

A map.

With Oz in the bottom left corner, the map depicted an entirely new city. Across a field, a river, and a mountain range. This Emerald City was drawn out. It was, however, bordered by a wall just as Oz was.

And near the bottom right corner was another civilization, Munchkinland.

There were other cities undiscovered by Ozians, unbeknownst to everyone except her… and Highmaster she assumed. Elphaba’s mind was having trouble adjusting to this new reality. Ozians weren’t the only people left. Others existed and there was a map to get there. Maybe a place where she won’t be turned away and outcast. She could be happy in Munchkinland or The Emerald City! She could roam the streets and have her own house. Maybe she and Galinda could be together and start a family.

She let herself have all the fantasies she wanted just this once.

And then she folded the map up and shoved it in her pants pocket. She had to talk to Highmaster and she had to tell Galinda.

Her father was a liar in a whole new way. He’d deceived everyone yet again, Galinda included.

But Nessarose… Oz she was sure Nessa was somewhere plotting on how to kill Highmaster. While that would be favorable for her Highmaster was the only person who could lift the order on Elphaba’s life because Oz only listened to him, and she needed him to do so before she made any major moves.

In her distracted state, she hadn’t heard anyone come into the room. When she turned to leave something hit her in the head forcing her to the ground. The pain was palpable as she screamed out.

“You are a constant pain in my ass,” Highmaster grimaced.

Elphaba stumbled to her feet upon realizing who it was that had hit her.

“It’s honestly embarrassing that of all the people in Oz, my daughter fell for the Ozdamn worst one.”

Elphaba cradled the back of her throbbing head with her hand. She was seething. “You are a liar!”

Highmaster’s nostrils flared. “Watch your mouth, little girl.”

“You should watch your lies,” she countered. She took a calculated step towards him. They were but a foot apart now. “I know your secret. You have no real power,” she whispered into the space between them with no fear in her voice. There wasn’t an ounce of hesitation.

“In case you are unaware Oz is in crisis right now. The order will be lifted when the Oz Guard handles this minor situation,” Highmaster said dismissively.

“And what about The Emerald City and Munchkinland.”

Highmaster’s tall, lanky body went cold.

Then he lunged at Elphaba! He took her by the throat and forced her to the ground before she had the chance to fight back. She clawed at his hands and wiggled beneath him. His eyes bulged out of his head and the veins in his neck popped. She figured this must’ve been the last thing her father saw too.

“G- Galinda,” Elphaba managed. “Won’t forgive you.”

Highmaster squeezed tighter as he still loomed over Elphaba’s body. “She won’t know it was me.”

Elphaba whimpered. Her head was pounding and she felt impossibly warm. She needed air. She grabbed at Highmaster’s face, his neck, anything she could to no avail. “She… Knows,” she cried out.

“Sir!” Fiyero bursted through the door. “Sir?” He repeated once he saw what was going on.

“I’m handling something,” Highmaster said as he continued to deprive Elphaba of oxygen.

Her eyes fell shut even though she continued to fight him weakly.

“Stop it! Galinda loves her,” Fiyero defended as he pulled Highmaster off of Elphaba’s dying body.

“If you love something you let it go,” Highmaster screamed at him.

Elphaba gasped for air and pulled herself under the table and to the other side of it. She coughed and panted while she tried to take in as much air as she could.

“Sir with all due respect…”

“Shut up!”

“I’ll go willingly,” Elphaba shouted. She didn’t even know when she decided, but she had. It would be better for Galinda this way because no matter what eventually Highmaster would win. He was stronger, more powerful, more connected, more dangerous. She could fight all she wanted but he’d catch her one day. He obviously had no intention of lifting the order anytime soon and who knew how long this whole thing would last.

Elphaba shuffled to her feet. “If you kill me she won’t ever forgive you. She’ll never give you an heir. So I’ll go. I won’t tell anyone about Munchkinland or The Emerald City!”

“The what?” Fiyero chimed in, confused.

“I won’t tell anyone other than Fiyero about Munchkinland or The Emerald City,” Elphaba added.

“Oz you children are idiots,” Highmaster said disapprovingly, with a shake of his head.

“She has a point though. Besides I know what you’re asking of her, and you should know I won’t ever sleep with her if she doesn’t actually want me,” Fiyero said to Highmaster.

Elphaba tried to gauge a reaction from Highmaster but there was none. He just stood there angrily.

“Give me the map and let me take my chances. I’ll make her believe I’m choosing to go, and in return you leave her alone about an heir. Her child is her child. All of Oz will love you for getting rid of me,” Elphaba offered in a last attempt to get Highmaster to see things her way.

“Wait a minute, you want to go out to these other cities alone?”

Highmaster spoke, “You’re free to join her. You’re of minimal use to me now.” He then focused his attention on Elphaba. “If you speak to my daughter after leaving Oz I will kill you. And don’t think because I’ve failed up to this point that I can’t. I spared you for your entire childhood and again for my daughter’s sake. If you contact her, you die.”

Elphaba nodded. She knew this was the best case scenario for Galinda. She wouldn’t have to give up her child. She would have a future even if Oz wasn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Besides, what if these new cities were just as bad? At least here Galinda was safer and comfortable. She would learn to move on after Elphaba was gone. She would fall in love and have the most beautiful family after all of this was over.

After Elphaba was out of her life.

———

The three of them spent the next half hour hammering out all of the details of how Elphaba and Fiyero would pull this off. Elphaba would convince Galinda that it was her idea and that it was best for them. Highmaster would call a meeting and Elphaba would be forced out of the silo with Fiyero as an escort. Outside the silo doors, they would take Fiyero’s car beyond the walls of Oz and towards The Emerald City.

According to Highmaster, getting across the field was easy enough, and there was a bridge across the river. The mountains were marked by a road and after that it would be plain as day how to get to The Emerald City because the road would be paved in yellow brick all the way.

Elphaba wanted so badly to tell Galinda what was going on and bring her along, but she knew she would never make it out of Oz. Highmaster would have her killed on the spot and Galinda would have to watch. Leaving Galinda behind wasn’t ideal, in fact she would think about it for the rest of her days. She would always remember her sweet sweet girl, covered in pink, and drowning in optimism.

Elphaba found Galinda in the mess hall with Chistery. The room was huge with a buffet style setup and plenty of seating.

“Elphie! There you are! You were gone so long,” Galinda said as she pulled Elphaba down to sit next to her.

“This food is not great but being chased by infecteds will really make you not so picky,” Galinda rambled. “Oh what’s wrong? Your eyes and your neck…”

Elphaba’s eyes were already stained red. They told on her before her words could. And her neck had budding dark green bruising. Chistery offered her her green hoodie from the backpack across the table. She smiled softly at his version of comfort. She pulled the pink hoodie over her head to switch it for her own.

“You should have this back,” she spoke softly as she handed the pink hoodie over to Galinda.

“W- why? You look so pretty in it.”

Elphaba hummed quietly. “We should find somewhere quiet to talk.”

Galinda nodded. “Chist, go find Pfannee and Shenshen. Stay with them.”

With a nod he hopped off the chair to do as he was told.

They walked silently back up to the floor of the Ozian officials housing. It was much quieter here as not many people were allowed to be on this floor. Galinda led her into a random apartment. Since the silo hadn’t been used in so many years, most things weren’t fully set up yet including housing. The apartment was very small and… unsurprisingly concrete. It was nowhere near as fancy as the penthouse but it was quaint and cozy. Galinda pulled them over to the couch.

“What is it? You’re upset. Where did you go?”

Elphaba sighed. She didn’t want to have this conversation even though she agreed to do just that less than an hour ago. How all of this escalated so quickly she had no idea. She only meant to find Nessa, not uncover… this! And now she had to effectively break Galinda’s heart. Even though they hadn’t said the words to each other it was abundantly clear how they felt about each other.

“J- just try to understand, my sweet,” Elphaba said as her hand came to rest on Galinda’s knee.

“Understand what? You’re scaring me, Elphie.”

Elphaba took Galinda’s hand in her own as if she was holding a precious gem. A gem so fragile even a finger too rough would shatter it. She brought Galinda’s fingertips to her lips to kiss each and every one. “I have to go, my sweet,” she whispered into Galinda’s palm.

“Go where? I’ll go with you,” Galinda offered as her other hand moved to hold Elphaba’s cheek.

“You can’t. I went to your father…”

Galinda pulled her hand away and Elphaba felt as if she took her heart with it. Her cheek felt cold and hardened without Galinda’s hand to bring her warmth.

“Why did you do that? I was handling it,” Galinda shouted!

“D- don’t yell. Please don’t yell.” Elphaba squeezed her eyes shut. She didn’t want her last moments with Galinda to be filled with her shouting at her. She wanted to remember how much they loved each other. How soft Galinda was with her, so she wouldn’t think she made it up twenty years from now. If Galinda would be the only person in her life to ever show her kindness then she didn’t want to ruin the memory in its last moments. “I’m going to go beyond the wall.”

“No! No you are not! Why would you even say that!” Galinda stormed to her feet.

“My sweet…”

“Don’t call me that right now! Elphaba—”

Elphaba flinched at the lack of the nickname she’d become so accustomed to. “You can’t stop me, I’m going. Your father has agreed to stop forcing you to bear an heir in return.”

Galinda shook her head and began to pace. She wrung her fingers over and over as she walked the small living room time after time. “I- I don’t want you to go.”

Elphaba smiled sadly. “I don’t want to leave you either.”

“Then don’t! There’s other ways,” Galinda begged through her tears. “We were doing it! He was gonna lift the order.”

Elphaba wiped at her own tears then stood to meet Galinda in the middle of the floor. “No he wasn’t, my sweet. If he was, he would've done it already.”

Galinda couldn’t breathe. She felt the air being sucked out of her lungs with each breath she tried to inhale. The walls were closing in on her and her head started to pound relentlessly. She wasn’t prepared to lose the girl she was in love with. She would never be prepared to lose Elphaba. She would never accept her being gone and she’d never forgive her for just leaving her behind. “So you’re just going to go… Just like that?”

Her sadness had returned to anger.

“I have to. I can’t let you give up your child for me.”

Galinda frowned with tears running down her face. “What am I supposed to do without you, huh? You expect me to just go on living without you?” Galinda stepped into Elphaba’s space. She shoved her as hard as she could which wasn’t very hard given her emotional state. “I refuse! I’ll just follow you out there!”

Elphaba didn’t react. She knew Galinda’s intent wasn’t to hurt her. “No you won’t. The Oz Guard will stop you.”

“I hate you!”

Elphaba pushed her lips together to hold in her hurt. If Galinda needed to hate her to heal then she would let her even if it destroyed her to hear. The tears that dropped from her eyes burned. They actually felt acidic and wrong. She shouldn’t be crying right now. She should be enjoying being a teenager with Galinda introducing her to all the things she missed as a child. They should be out in the park with huge smiles on their faces and instead they’re here.

“I could never hate you,” Elphaba breathed out.

“I would never do this to you,” Galinda yelled as she delivered another shove to Elphaba’s shoulders only this time she was caught at the forearms.

“Stop it. I’m not doing it to hurt you. I’m trying to protect you,” Elphaba said.

“I don’t need protecting! I didn’t ask for that.”

“The beauty of protection is that sometimes you don’t have to ask for it to receive it. Sometimes you’re lucky enough to have people who care enough about you that they’d do anything to protect you.”

Galinda shivered under Elphaba’s hold and then she folded into her with a loud cry.

Elphaba caught her before she hit the ground. “I got you. You’re gonna be okay. I promise you will be.”

Galinda clutched at her chest as she sobbed in Elphaba’s arms. This was so unfair. Things like this weren’t supposed to happen to her. Everything she ever wanted she was given except for the thing— person she wanted more than anything else.

“I- I can’t. You can’t Elphie! I need you.”

Elphaba led them back to the couch, pulling Galinda into her lap. “Do you remember what I said when you asked me what I wished for as a child?”

Galinda thought back to that day that seemed like it was years ago now. They were only getting to know each other then.

“Elphie, did you ever dream as a child?”

Taken aback by the question, Elphaba craned her head down towards Galinda. “Mostly about toys I guess.”

Galinda sat up, giggling. “No, silly! I mean what did you imagine your life to be like? Did you ever wish for something really bad?”

“Oh…”

Galinda waited patiently for Elphaba to regain her footing and get her words together. She wouldn’t push, she never did.

“Love.”

Galinda’s head tilted in confusion. “You want a husband?”

“Oz, no!”

They both giggled like primary school aged girls.

“You know… What you have. A family and friends. People to love who will love me back. They won’t be afraid to touch me and won’t think I’m diseased. They’ll be kind to me and won’t h—” hate me… “I dreamed to know what it feels like to not be so afraid all the time.”

“I r- remember,” Galinda choked out.

“You are the reason that dream came true,” Elphaba whispered into the top of Galinda’s head. She stroked her hair slowly as if to memorize every strand and its place.

Galinda looked up into Elphaba’s eyes. “Please don’t go.”

“I have to, my sweet.”

Galinda laid her head back down on Elphaba’s chest. Her nails dug into Elphaba’s arm as she let her eyes flutter closed. “I won’t ever move on. I will never love anyone else.”

And while it wasn’t a direct confession, it was more than enough for Elphaba.

Galinda loved her.

And she loved her back.

“I will never forget you,” Elphaba responded. “I want you to love so many more people. I want you to have a big beautiful family and I hope that maybe you’ll tell your kids about me. I hope that you tell them only good stuff. Not that I’m clumsy or that I can’t cook. Oh and definitely don’t tell them about that time with the shampoo in the shower!”

Galinda’s sad giggles vibrated Elphaba’s chest. “I’m gonna tell them everything! Especially how you’re practically blind but refuse to get more than one pair of glasses, and how you do like a million puzzles a day.”

Elphaba’s hand slid up and down Galinda’s arm. She was content to know that Galinda wouldn’t let the memory of them die. “They’ll think I’m so lame.”

Galinda sat up. “No! They’ll think you’re the loveliest girl ever, I’ll make sure of it. They’ll know how you always took care of me and how perfect you are.” Galinda cupped Elphaba’s cheeks and pulled her in for a barely there kiss. It was so gentle, so loving that she couldn’t help but start to cry again the second their lips brushed. “I’m so scared, Elphie.”

Elphaba kissed her harder then. She kissed her as if it could erase her pain and make her less scared. She tried to pull every ounce of hardship Galinda was facing into her own body through their lips.

“What if I just don’t let go?” Galinda whined.

“Eventually someone will find us and they’ll tell your father and the Oz Guard will—”

“Okay, okay. No more. Don’t say it,” Galinda weeped.

“I promise you’ll be my last thought. The only one I have.”

It was true. At some point, when Elphaba took her last breath, Galinda would be the last thing she thought of. She would focus so hard on Galinda that no other thought would ever have the chance to steal her final moment.

Chapter Text

“How long do we have?”

“A couple hours, I think,” Elphaba said sadly. She and Galinda were spread across the couch in each other’s embrace. It was unclear who was holding who despite Galinda being on top of Elphaba. Their limbs tangled together making it hard to decipher where one girl ended and the other started.

An uneasy quietness filled the small apartment. The fast paced movement of Oz stopped at the door— Here, time stilled. Even if only for “a couple hours”… Galinda clung to every second, every touch. She could stare at Elphaba for days straight and it would never be enough time to remember all that she had to offer. Each freckle Galinda counted would sprout two more the next day, and every shade of green Galinda looked at was never quite the right one. None of them compared to the intricate emeralds that combined to make what she thought was the most flawless color she’d ever seen.

She slowly lifted to straddle Elphaba’s thighs. Then with a leisurely inhale, she spoke, “Can you take your hoodie off please?”

Elphaba nodded with no stall. She didn’t even care why Galinda’d asked her to. There was nothing Galinda could ask of her that she wouldn’t do at this moment. Her gentle hands moved to hold Galinda by the waist while she sat up.

With the hoodie off, she waited for Galinda to tell her what to do next, or move. She did neither right away. Galinda’s eyes traced over Elphaba’s face as though she’d never seen it before. Her gaze was invasive and deliberate. She took her time taking in the features she thought she knew well, but had quickly come to realize she didn’t know nearly enough.

“Shirt please?” Galinda asked lowly.

Elphaba pulled it off with ease. She was left bare from the waist up.

Galinda’s eyes didn’t lower to her breasts as they usually did, instead they continued their slow movement across Elphaba’s jaw and neck. She watched Elphaba swallow a gulp. Her lips parted as her emotions filled her body to its peak. Her hands raised, seeking out Elphaba’s skin for comfort but stopped midair. Her own hands felt poisonous and foreign. She felt like if she touched Elphaba, she would disappear. She pulled her hands against her own chest.

“My sweet… I’m still here.”’

Galinda squeezed her eyes shut, but the tears came anyway.

Elphaba’s careful fingers slid up Galinda’s thighs. She knew her well enough to know what it was Galinda was asking of her before her emotions stole her away. She moved slowly to give her the time to reject her touch if she didn’t want it.

The rejection never came.

Elphaba’s finger glided beneath Galinda’s skirt. Her skin was soft and Elphaba’s touches were featherlight. There was no hurry and no fear in her touches. She knew their time was limited but Highmaster had done enough controlling of her life. This, she would do at her own pace. She would go as slowly as she pleased and nothing would take this away from her or Galinda.

Her knuckle grazed over Galinda’s covered center and her other hand took Galinda by the neck.

Galinda’s hand sprung out to capture Elphaba’s wrist. Their eyes met.

“Please be gentle,” Galinda whispered because that was all her tortured throat could manage at the moment. “I just want you.”

Elphaba understood. Her hand softened around Galinda’s neck, used only to pull her in for a heated kiss. Their lips met with practiced ease and comfortability. Both of Elphaba’s hands moved to Galinda’s bottom to hold her while she stood up. She led them to the bed behind the couch and sat Galinda down on the edge. She tried to pull away from the kiss but Galinda whined into her mouth and leaned in. Elphaba’s hand came to her jaw to pull her away slightly. In the same motion, she leaned over Galinda to unzip the cheerleading costume top for her.

Galinda took the opportunity to wrap her arms around Elphaba’s waist and lay her head just under her breasts.

Once the shirt was unzipped and Galinda’s back was on full display, Elphaba ran her hands down Galinda’s spine. She waited patiently for Galinda’s hold on her to loosen. She didn’t want to rush her. She wanted her to know they had as much time as they wanted. She didn’t hear when Galinda started to cry again but she felt her hand unwrap from her waist to wipe at her eyes.

“I’m s- sorry.”

“It’s okay, my sweet. Don’t apologize,” Elphaba reassured. “You want to continue?”

Galinda looked up, “Yes.”

One side of Elphaba’s lips lifted into a half smile. She held Galinda’s cheeks to steady her for the soft kiss she laid on her forehead. Then she took the loose top in her hands to be discarded on the floor.

Galinda unbuttoned Elphaba’s pants and pushed them down for her to step out of. She smiled at the sight of Elphaba in front of her, in nothing but black underwear. Her pointer finger hooked under the seam to drag those down as well.

“Beautiful.”

“Second to you, sweet girl.”

Galinda reluctantly stopped touching Elphaba to hurriedly pull the rest of her own clothes off while Elphaba properly removed her shoes, then her pants and underwear from around her ankles. Once they were both done, Galinda scooted back on the bed, reaching out for Elphaba the second she got comfortable.

Elphaba wasted no time joining her at the top of the bed. Their lips found each other as though they had magnets in them that only worked for each other. Their hands tangled in the other’s hair and their legs crossed between one another’s. Galinda felt her whole body burn with desire and longing. She already missed Elphaba more than she ever thought possible. With Elphaba in her arms, touching every part of her, she treated this moment as if it was already gone. She mourned Elphaba’s lips as she kissed them and craved her touch even though she had it all over her.

Elphaba ended their makeout session to lay kisses on Galinda’s face. She kissed her stained cheeks and her pink nose. She kissed where her dimple dented her skin and along her jaw. Then she moved down to her neck while her hand traveled the expanse of her body from as far down as she could reach along her thigh, all the way up to her pointed nipple.

Galinda moaned under Elphaba’s touches as she tried to keep this forever. Her nails dug into Elphaba’s back as she arched into her. “Elphie…”

Elphaba’s mouth replaced her hand to take Galinda’s nipple in her mouth. She licked around her light colored areola followed by a quick suck. With Galinda’s nipple being tended to in her mouth, her hand drifted between Galinda’s legs. She rubbed her from top to bottom a few times to give Galinda time to come back to her. She could feel that Galinda had gone somewhere in her mind not too long ago. Somewhere far off and hopeful, but she needed her here. If this was all they had, she needed Galinda to do it with her.

When her finger first slipped between Galinda’s folds, she was met with an immediate warmth and wetness.

Galinda gasped, “Please.”

“No begging, my sweet. I’m gonna give you everything. I promise.”

Galinda’s hands stopped tearing into Elphaba’s skin to cover her face. Elphaba’s gentleness and certainty frightened her even more than she already was. Tears poured from Galinda’s eyes, hidden from Elphaba’s view.

“It’s okay,” Elphaba whispered as she took Galinda’s hands away from her face. She hated how her tears left traces of sadness behind to stain her perfect face. “We’re okay.”

Galinda continued to cry. She tried to pull away from Elphaba’s hold, to hide away again, but Elphaba’s hand occupied the space of her cheeks before she could. Elphaba guided their faces together. There was nothing she could say to change the way Galinda was feeling, but she could make sure she felt completely cared for and positively adored in addition to the fear and sadness. Elphaba pushed her tongue against Galinda’s lips that parted in an instant. She sucked on Galinda’s top lip as they both moaned in ecstasy.

Galinda’s hands fell to Elphaba’s chest, “Touch me again.”

Elphaba’s hand tentatively lowered to squeeze Galinda’s breasts again then slid between her legs once again. Galinda opened for her, giving her all the power to do as she pleased. Elphaba’s fingers circled her clit as their mouths explored familiar territory.

“F- feels good,” Galinda stopped kissing her to breathe out, but that very same breath was inhaled by Elphaba. She took in everything Galinda gave out. When she cried, Elphaba wiped her tears. When she exhaled, Elphaba inhaled. When she pushed away, Elphaba pulled her in. As hard as Galinda ran from their new reality, Elphaba reminded her that this was all they had now. She didn’t let her hide away or get lost in the pain of the future.

Elphaba’s fingers gathered all the wetness around Galinda’s clit to push inside of her with a single finger. She knew Galinda wouldn’t react largely because this wasn’t enough to garner much feeling, but it was enough to let Galinda know that she was here.

“More,” Galinda whined and Elphaba obliged. She slipped a second and third finger into Galinda’s hot body. Her walls were so soft and welcoming. Galinda clenched around her, pulling her fingers deeper inside.

“You’re so perfect, my sweet,” Elphaba cooed into Galinda’s skin.

Her fingers began to pump gently, just as Galinda asked her to be.

Galinda grounded down around Elphaba and started to rock her hips for more. She cupped Elphaba’s cheeks to give her a quick peck. Then she pulled away so that they could see each other’s faces while Elphaba pleased her. Galinda felt her body tense in ecstasy with every pump Elphaba gave her. Her mouth dropped open with a loud, sultry moan, but her eyes stayed locked on Elphaba’s. Their bodies moved in unison as if they were one.

“C- close,” Galinda stuttered.

“Cum for me,” Elphaba stated, somewhere between a command and a question. It was unclear who led who at this moment. Both girls gave just as much as they received. What Galinda took from Elphaba’s fingers, she gave back with her eyes. Elphaba would be perfectly satisfied to stop here with Galinda looking at her as if there were only them. That’s all she’s ever wanted anyway.

If she knew the last nineteen years of pain would lead to this moment, she would do it again without complaining. She would do it over and over just to have Galinda for the short time she did. In less than a year Galinda had changed every cell in Elphaba’s body and made her new. She allowed Elphaba the freedom to be whomever she wanted with no judgement even if Elphaba hadn’t figured out who that person was yet. It was because of Galinda that Elphaba had the confidence to stand up to Highmaster and the strength to go beyond the wall.

“I’m cumming!”

Galinda’s thighs trembled, her back arched, and her mouth fell open while her eyes rolled to the back of her head. Her body convulsed as her hand came to grab Elphaba’s flexed bicep.

“Y- yes! Oz!”

“Good, my sweet. You’re so pretty like this,” Elphaba praised in her ear.

She brought Galinda down with slow pumps then circles around her clit while she rode out the aftershocks.

Elphaba kissed Galinda’s shoulder and chest until her pants turned into quiet breaths. Then she let her eyes close with her head on Galinda’s chest. She was content like this— Content to let this be it for them.

Galinda, however, wasn’t done. She rolled Elphaba off her then sat up to move on top of her. She lined their centers up with her left leg bent against Elphaba’s right, and her right leg bent against Elphaba’s left side. She lifted Elphaba’s leg to hold while she rolled her hips creating erotic friction between them.

Elphaba’s eyes rolled back immediately. Galinda’s clit against hers felt like heaven. Her hands cupped Galinda’s perky breasts and once again their eyes met. With Galinda above her, nipples in hand, and looking her dead in the eye, Elphaba knew she wouldn’t last long. Her clit throbbed; she ached to cum.

She whimpered louder than she intended to when Galinda hit a particularly good spot.

“There! Don’t stop,” she pleaded. Her hands dropped to Galinda’s waist to pull her harder into her own body. Galinda leaned over her, using her breasts for support.

“Cum.” The direction was unwavering. It wasn’t as gentle as they’d been up until this point but it wasn’t abrasive either.

And so she did.

Elphaba’s orgasm hit her hard. Her body tried to curl up, but Galinda’s hands on her chest stopped her midway. Her tongue poked out of her open mouth as she jerked with her eyes somewhere in the back of her head. She felt the waves wash over her and the aftershocks come just behind them.

She could do nothing more than moan and whine while Galinda kept going. Her hips didn’t stall until Elphaba physically stilled her. She rocked into Elphaba’s clit one last time before going limp against her chest.

Elphaba’s tears poured out now that she had done what she intended to in making sure Galinda was cared for.

Galinda held her as best she could while she cried against her chest. She had only just accepted that what she felt for Elphaba was love. A deep rooted, thought out love that she wasn’t sure she’d ever get to experience.

The only sounds in the room were their shared sobs and the eery creaking of such an old building.

Eventually their tears did subside but they never let go of each other. They both knew what came next.

Neither of them were ready for the end of what had only just begun for them.

———

“People of Oz! While our city is at war outside of these doors, we can still find peace within. There has been a terror within our walls for almost two decades… But today her reign ends,” Highmaster projected across the crowd.

He stood in front of the silo doors with Larena to his right, Elphaba to his left and Fiyero to hers. The crowd surrounded in front of them; people packed in to see the spectacle they’d waited years for. The Oz Guard stood between Highmaster, Elphaba and Fiyero, and the crowd.

Elphaba stood with her shoulders back and chest out with the backpack she packed for Galinda tightly around her shoulders. Galinda’d told her to take it because she would need it more. So while she was absolutely terrified, no one in Oz would get the satisfaction of knowing.

Except for Galinda whose eyes never left hers. Their eyes had been locked since the moment Highmaster paraded her out in front of the crowd. Chistery held onto Galinda’s legs and Pfannee and Shenshen comforted her while they watched.

Galinda made no effort to hide her feelings. She didn’t care about the reprecautions anymore. She was in love and wouldn’t hide it any longer, even if it was too late. Despite feeling like a coward for not doing so sooner, she stood in the front of the crowd with tears running down her face.

“Elphaba Thropp will die today. While we can’t have a traditional reckoning, we can send her beyond the walls of Oz. Let her be torn to pieces by the infected she shares a lineage with,” Highmaster continued.

Galinda took a step forward, disgusted by her father’s words, but Elphaba motioned for her to still. She wanted to scream the truth and steal Elphaba away, but Elphaba asked her not to.

Besides… Elphaba was right earlier, it wouldn’t matter.

“Any last words, girl,” Highmaster finished.

Elphaba took in the crowd before her. Thousands of people happy to watch her die. None of whom even knew her beyond her name. Out of the corner of her eye she spotted Nessarose. She looked stone faced; cold.

It was then that Elphaba realized there was nothing more she could do in Oz. No matter how she fought, someone would always want her dead. This was the best decision for her.

Her only chance to live an actual life even if it meant giving up the best thing to ever happen to her. It was foolish of her to think someone like her could ever have Galinda forever anyway. Their days were always numbered.

Elphaba sighed deeply. She tore her eyes away from Nessarose and back to Galinda. “I won’t try to convince any of you that I’m not what you say I am… You wouldn’t believe me anyway. So I’ll just speak to those who gave me a chance. You guys were kind to me when no one else was and I’ll forever be indebted to you for that…,” she paused to get a hold on her emotions, then she continued, “To the girl who found me and changed me forever, you have been my favorite part of each day. My waking thought and you’ll be my last. You didn’t do anything wrong. You are everything to me.”

Galinda let out a low sound of pain. A cross between a whimper and plead. She clutched at her chest. “E—”

Elphaba cut her off before anyone realized it was her that started to speak. “Don’t let the memory of me stop you from living. You still have a wonderful life ahead of you, my sweet.”

And then she said it…

The one thing Galinda ached to hear for the last few months. The words she dreamt about when Elphaba was away from her and while she laid just beneath her body.

“I love you.”

Highmaster motioned for the guards to begin the process of opening the door while others stood ready to defend the silo should there be a hoard of infecteds at the door.

The tension filled the room to its brim while Elphaba stared directly into Galinda’s eyes with a gentle smile across her face.

The doors began to slide apart.

“Warning: doors opening,” the automated voice boomed through the room.

It was pin-drop silent. No one knew what would be on the other side of the doors. Everyone braced.

Then Galinda broke free… She pushed past the guard.

“Galinda,” Highmaster yelled!

The guards chased after her, but she was already in Elphaba’s arms.

“Please don’t! Elphie! Please,” she begged and cried into Elphaba’s shoulder. “I need you.”

Highmaster commanded, “Get her away from her, NOW!”

The crowd erupted into noise, some cheering, some shouting profanities.

Fiyero rushed to Elphaba and Galinda to give them more time. He stood between the other guards and the girls. “Just give them a second.”

“Tigelaar, move,” Highmaster shouted!

“Sir, a second.”

Galinda’s arms tightened around Elphaba’s neck while Elphaba rubbed her back.

“My sweet, I don’t want anyone to harm you. You have to let go,” Elphaba whispered into the space between them.

Galinda shook her head, unable to form words just yet.

The guards were past Fiyero now. They grabbed at Galinda’s body.

“Back off! She’s going,” Elphaba said with fury in her voice.

Still Galinda held onto her. “I- I love you too,” she said into Elphaba’s hair.

Then she did the one thing she said she never would…

She let go of Elphaba.

The guards grabbed her by the arms while another grabbed Elphaba.

She was ushered towards the open door but her eyes stayed with Galinda.

Galinda tugged at the guard’s holds. She pulled and fought against them until Elphaba was outside of the silo. She screamed and pleaded with anyone she could.

“Popsicle, please!”

“Elphie come back!”

“Momsie!”

She cried and screamed until she could no longer see through the tears and her voice strained. She watched Elphaba as she and Fiyero turned away from her to start their journey beyond the wall.

“Fiyero! Stop! Don’t go!”

“Warning: doors closing,” the automated voice rang out.

“No! Please! Let me go! I need to go!”

Galinda’s screams echoed through the concrete building. The people of Oz watched as she thrashed against the guards. Pfannee and Shenshen attempted to calm her, but there was no use.

“Elphieee,” she cried out. “Come back! Please come back!”

“Doors closed,” the voice said.

The slamming of the doors seemed to only fuel Galinda’s hysterics more. She dropped to her knees utterly destroyed. Every part of her ached and burned. She crawled over to the door in a rush, yelling at anyone who would listen.

“No, no, no! Open the doors! Open them!”

“If anyone opens those doors, you die,” Highmaster commanded. Then, without a care in the world, he walked away.

The crowd had begun to disperse, no longer interested in the green girl or Galinda’s cries.

“Please, open them,” Galinda begged lowly. No had even heard her. There were no guards left to listen.

She curled up against the door, trying to remember what Elphaba had felt like. Her smell and her skin. Even though she’d just had her in her arms, the memory would never compare to the real thing. She would never feel how she did when Elphaba was with her ever again. There was nothing she could do to change it.

Larena stepped towards Galinda. She knew Galinda cared for Elphaba, but she had never understood the extent to which their love prospered until this very second. “Darling, there is nothing more to be done here.”

Galinda ignored her. She held herself as she rocked back and forth to soothe her broken heart. She was sure she’d run out of water in her body soon with all the tears she’d already cried. She felt numb and every part of her body buzzed. She squeezed her eyes shut hoping that none of this was real. That maybe if she tried, she could wake herself up and Elphaba would be there with her. Maybe she was just hallucinating or having a really intense dream. She refused to accept that she was gone. She couldn’t be.

She made a silent vow to herself to never love ever again. To never give herself to anyone else so that she would never feel this excruciating hurt ever again.

I love you, Elphie. Only you.

Then her mind went blank, her eyes shut again, and her body went limp against the concrete…

Chapter Text

Just as planned, Fiyero’s car was waiting for them at the end of the road. The tension between them was just as thick as the tension on the other side of the silo doors.

Fiyero glanced over at Elphaba who seemed nonchalant, or checked out, he wasn’t sure which. “Don’t be afraid. The Oz Guard secured the wall about an hour ago, but—”

Elphaba interrupted, a new anger within her, “I’m not afraid.”

He hesitated, “R- right. Well just saying. They swept for infecteds so we won’t be bothered until we get out the wall.”

Highmaster was told an hour ago, just as Fiyero said, that the wall was secure and the infected protocol could be dismissed. However, the plan was already in place and everyone was already contained, so he saw fit to keep everyone in the silo until Elphaba was handled.

As they walked, Fiyero felt increasingly awful for what Elphaba and Galinda were going through, and what Elphaba had been through in her life. “I’m sorry about all of this. It isn’t fair.”

Elphaba rolled her eyes. Her interest in hearing Fiyero’s apologies was nonexistent. She would never get the sound of Galinda screaming for her out of her mind. It was all she could hear.

“Okayyy, not a talker,” Fiyero responded to himself.

“Let’s just get to the Emerald City,” Elphaba said dismissively as she reached for the handle of the car. The door opened with a pop and she slid in the passenger side. Unfortunately, she did need Fiyero for the trip because she had never learned to drive.

“You know we have to at least try to get along for however long this trip is,” Fiyero said as he got in and started the engine.

“We most certainly do not need to get along. We need to have an understanding. Both of us are here because we love Galinda. That’s it. I’ll do my best to make sure you don’t die, and you do the same for me,” Elphaba continued, “Then we’ll go our separate ways.”

Fiyero nodded… This was going to be a painfully long trip.

———

Galinda woke in what was supposed to be her bedroom in the silo penthouse. It was pink and perfectly her, in theory, but in practice it was all wrong. She hated everything about this room, it was too much her, not enough of Elphaba. Their room in the cabin was a combination of both of them. Elphaba’s things were sprawled all around; her glasses on the bedside table, her shoes tucked under the bed, and her puzzle book laid lazily across their bed. The bed that featured black and pink pillows while the bathroom was filled with products that Galinda would never use, but Elphaba loved.

Their room at the cabin was perfect even when it was messy. This room was wrong without a single thing out of place.

“Careful, darling,” Larena said from the side of Galinda’s bed. “You hit your head when you passed out.”

Galinda’s eyes fluttered as she adjusted to the light. Upon seeing the lack of Elphaba in the room, she turned away from her momsie and curled in on herself. She had no desire to speak to or even look at anyone right now. She would much rather be unconscious than to feel the pain she felt as a conscious person. The ache in her chest hadn’t dulled in hours.

“Your friends are outside, I’ll send them in. You should talk to them,” Larena suggested as she headed to the door. Before she left, she continued, “I am sorry that this happened, my girl… But you will move on. It will hurt less one day.”

Galinda frowned, but didn’t speak. There was nothing to be said, no amount of days that would ever heal her heart. This pain was palpable and unchanging; it was the kind of pain that lingered on until the problem was resolved or until the person passed away. Elphaba was gone; the problem would never be solved which meant Galinda would feel like this until she took her last breath.

Chapter Text

- Ten years after Elphaba’s departure -

Galinda Arduenna Upland divorces Guard Captain Fiyero Tigelaar, the newspaper that Highmaster read from his seat on the couch in the living room of the Upland house said.

He grumbled, dissatisfied.

Galinda walked into the house with a hand on her slightly bulging belly. She paid no attention to the grumbling heap of man on the couch before her. They hadn’t spoken in days after she’d uncovered yet another one of his lies.

Fiyero came in behind her with the look of a lost puppy in his eye. “Darling—”

“Shut up,” Galinda interrupted.

“Dear, you have to understand those were dire times in Oz. We were all just trying to survive,” Larena said as Galinda walked past her.

“I don’t have to understand anything. There is nothing you or anyone else can do to change my mind!”

“Pumpkin, it was all her idea,” Highmaster tried to justify as he rose to his feet. “She came up with the whole plan.”

Galinda stopped in the doorway. She was headed somewhere she’d forgotten all together after hearing her father’s pathetic excuse. He had no shame and he would never change. “She was a child! You forced her away! You sent her to die,” she screamed! Her finger pointed at him with a purpose.

“Sir, she knows everything,” Fiyero interjected before Highmaster embarrassed himself with more lies.

One week ago, Galinda found his copy of the map that Elphaba found in the silo ten years ago. He had fallen asleep with it out and when she came into his office looking for a pen, she noticed the colored paper sitting right atop his desk…

“Is it real?” She asked him in disbelief.

He stammered, “I- It’s— It’s old.”

She shook her head. They’d been married for almost a decade and while the marriage wasn’t perfect, she didn’t hate him. He helped her pick up the pieces after Elphaba died, and he took care of her while she healed her heart to the best of her abilities.

The days that followed Elphaba’s departure were far more difficult than anything she’d endured up until that point. Once the silo was opened, things went back to normal for everyone else, but she struggled to survive. She failed to do the most basic of tasks like brushing her teeth and getting out of bed. Pfannee and Shenshen were her lifelines for that first year while Fiyero was presumed dead along with Elphaba.

Then by some miracle, Fiyero returned. He said that Elphaba didn’t make it, and that he narrowly escaped the infecteds. He told her that he and Elphaba became friends over their time together and that he missed her just as Galinda did. In their shared grief, they became stronger together. They were married almost exactly a year after the day Elphaba and Fiyero left, and shortly after that Fiyero made Guard Captain. Galinda complied with her father, too hurt to fight him any longer. He did keep his promise of not pressuring her about an heir, but their relationship never truly mended after Elphaba was gone.

Now today, a decade later, here she stood staring at her husband as he told her how he’d been lying to her for years.

“I didn’t ask if it was old, I asked if it was real.” But she knew the answer just from how he stuttered to spit it out. “I- Is she—”

She wanted, no, needed to know if that specific part of his stories was also a lie. If he’d let her spend the last decade of her life grieving the girl she loved for no reason. She thought they understood each other better than that. She never thought he’d shut her out in the most painful of ways.

Elphaba’s death haunted her every single day. There wasn’t a single one that passed without Elphaba coming to her mind. She spent countless hours looking at old pictures from their time in the cabin and especially how happy they looked at the costume party right before her life changed for the worst.

“She was alive the last time I saw her,” Fiyero mumbled.

His words stole the air from Galinda’s lungs. It was as if they played on a loop; his mouth stopped moving but her ears didn’t stop hearing what he said.

She’s alive.

She’s alive.

She’s alive.

“What did you do?” Galinda asked more as a plead. Her eyes filled with tears for all the missed years. Time she could’ve spent with Elphaba, gone.

“We had a plan. Mister Upland would leave us alone about an heir and Elphaba would go out to the Emerald City. I didn’t see the point in staying. You didn’t want me… Not really.”

Galinda held her stomach. The last person in her reach who hadn’t spent their time lying to her resided inside of her own body. She was two months along, and just yesterday she was so happy to be a mother and raise Fiyero’s child. Today she loathed that he was the father of her baby.

“W- when was the last time you saw her? Tell me everything!”

Fiyero sat down on the edge of the table. “We stayed together in the Emerald City. Then I came back. She was fine when I left.”

He spoke so nonchalantly. As if because he left her alive, Galinda shouldn’t be angry with him. He completely grazed over the fact that no matter how he spun it, he HAD left her.

“You just left her there alone? Why?” Galinda wrung her fingers. His story wasn’t making sense to her, but the idea that Elphaba had been alone for all these years tore at her heart.

“I just did, okay!”

He was lying, she knew it. She now knew exactly what he looked like when he was lying to her because everything he said was a lie. “Stop lying! Tell me the truth! You’ve lied to me enough!”

“She was pregnant!”

Galinda froze. Her lips parted in disbelief. This day just kept getting worse. “S- she was— You left her like that?”

“I was afraid, okay? I couldn’t be a dad at twenty.”

Galinda’s eyes darted to Fiyero’s. She assumed Elphaba had gotten pregnant by someone else, not him. He slept with the woman she was in love with…

“Galinda, listen to me. It was only once. We weren’t in love or anything. It just happened, and you and I weren’t together. I didn’t think I was ever coming back,” he said as he stood and reached for her.

She pulled away before he even got the chance to touch her. “You slept with her. S- she slept with you?” Galinda said to herself. “You left her after.”

Fiyero tried again to reach for her, this time successfully. “It was a long time ago. It meant nothing.”

Galinda yanked herself away from his hold yet again. “It doesn’t mean nothing! She has your child! A child you don’t even know and now I have one just like her!”

Fiyero was speechless. He wasn’t proud of it, but he was young. They were all so young and confused. “She wasn’t alone. The people in the Emerald City accepted us. We made friends and we were doing okay before I—”

“Before you left her to raise a child alone? I can’t believe you!” Her hand dropped to her stomach, protectively. She wanted nothing to do with him anymore. There was nothing he could say to make her love him half of how deeply she loved Elphaba. “You’re going to take me to her, and then I don’t want you anywhere near me.”

After Fiyero’s initial confession, Galinda sent for the divorce papers. She wouldn’t go near Elphaba married to anyone else and she needed time to get everything in order. Fiyero told her the trip to the Emerald City was a few days long, but that the infecteds were everywhere outside of the wall. He tried to convince her the trip wasn’t safe, but she didn’t care in the slightest.

“What do you think I have you for?” She rebutted after his pleads for her to just think about it fell short.

“What if I die?”

“You didn’t the first time,” she countered.

She had so many more questions that needed answers…

How long had these cities existed?

How long did Popsicle know?

Did they ever plan to tell her truth or were they just going to let her think Elphaba was gone forever?

Were they even trying to unify the cities?

But none of them compared to the one question that plagued her mind in the week it took for the day to arrive when she would set out to find Elphaba…

Would Elphaba even want her still?

———

In the living room, Galinda was still furious. She didn’t see the purpose of talking to either of her parents. They had failed her as the first people in this world who were supposed to protect her. Instead they’d been the main contributors to her turmoil. They’d lied to her and set out to hurt her and the people she loved, and she was fed up with it. As a future mother herself, she promised to herself (and her child) that she would never be that kind of parent. She would do any and everything to keep her child safe and happy. The Emerald City was now the only place she intended to raise her child; even if Elphaba shunned her she wouldn’t stay in Oz.

“Chistery, in the car,” Galinda ordered. The monkey, a little slower and larger than he used to be, made his way past her and out the door.

“Pumpkin, please.”

“Darling, you need to think about this.”

Her parents begged, but it was as though her ears were tuned to a channel their voices never reached. She ignored them with practiced ease and turned towards Fiyero. “We’re going now.”

He nodded submissively. There was nothing he could do and he wouldn’t dare fight her on anything else. He wanted to make it up to her… and Elphaba. Besides, he didn’t hate the idea of having all of his children in the same place. While he wasn’t ready to be a father ten years ago, he certainly was now. Though he knew he didn’t deserve either of his children or their mothers.

Galinda walked to the door. She thought about sparing her parents a second glance, but decided against it. She did love them more than anything at one point in time. Now they were completely different people, all of them. She wasn’t the same girl was ten years ago. She knew real pain now, and real loss. She had a life to protect, and two more she hoped to add to that list if they allowed her to.

Perfectly on time, Pfannee and Shenshen arrived at the Upland house in another car. After Galinda told them everything Fiyero told her, they invited themselves along.

The three of them were closer than ever as their lives took on hardship and after hardship. Pfannee’s parents passed away and Shenshen fell out with hers. Now with nothing tying any of them to Oz, they went in search of new beginnings.

With Fiyero driving, Galinda in the passenger seat, and Pfannee, Shenshen, and Chistery in the back, the group set out beyond the walls of Oz. The trunk was filled with their suitcases and they kept a bag of snacks and other things they needed for the ride in the backseat.

As they arrived at the wall Fiyero spoke to the guards, but Galinda wasn’t listening. While her family had lied to her, Oz was still her home. The only place she’d ever known. She looked out the window, taking in the place she’d come to have a love/hate relationship with. Oz had given her so much and made her the woman she was today, but it had taken just as much.

Once they were cleared by the guards, the door to the wall lifted and they drove through.

“Here’s to new beginnings,” Pfannee said with a shot raised.

“Where did you even get that?” Shenshen asked.

Galinda smirked. Her friends truly were her saviors as of late. Pfannee never failed to make her laugh at something stupid, and Shenshen’s blatant disregard for his ego and quick remarks kept Galinda entertained.

“Alright guys, we need to discuss what to do if infecteds get to us…,” Fiyero said.

The next hour was spent with Fiyero explaining the most boring fighting tactics Galinda had ever heard. He showed them where he had weapons stashed in the car, and how to use them if they needed to.

“This is so boring. What happened to just running?” Pfannee suggested.

“Some of us are pregnant!”

“Mmm right…,” Pfannee shrugged. “No shots for you!”

Galinda chuckled. Her annoyance with her parents was lessening now that they were no longer affecting her life. While she did have a new threat, not having Popsicle looming over her like a dark cloud was a relief.

As they drove, she let her mind think of every possible way she could see Elphaba for the first time in ten years. She thought of all the ways Elphaba would embrace her and all the ways she’d let herself melt into Elphaba’s touch. The tightening in her chest that felt so normal to her now disappeared. She was going to see her Elphie again, she was sure of it.

Chapter Text

The hot, late summer sun beamed across the Emerald City. The trees were wonderfully green with small bits of orange and the grass tickled the spaces between Elphaba’s toes as she watched Liir, her nine year old son, cannonball into her best friend Milla’s backyard pool. This was his fifth time dragging her from her spot on the shaded back porch to get a close up view of his “amazing trick”. His little, curly blonde head of hair— a genetic mystery to Elphaba— popped up through the cool waves followed by his now tanned head.

“Did you see that Mama?”

Elphaba smiled from ear to ear. He was the absolute joy of her life these days. “I did, sweetheart. It was spectacular!”

He grinned, then continued to splash around with Rikla and Clarinda, the ten year old twin daughters of Milla and her husband Boq.

Elphaba and Milla met some years ago when Elphaba was struggling as a newly single mother, in a new place, and deathly afraid of how she’d be further received in the Emerald City. While no one shunned her or made her feel outcast for looking different, she was hesitant to put herself out there despite how badly she craved community. Not to mention, she missed Galinda terribly in the early days. Less so now that Liir served as a pleasant distraction, but still enough that she thought of her often. She hoped Galinda was doing well without her and that she’d started to live a better life. She told herself that her decision to leave was for the greater good and they’d both be grateful she did so eventually.

Unfortunately, she never did feel quite that way. Every year, on the anniversary of the last day she’d seen Galinda, she felt awful. She sulked around for years on that day until Milla finally asked her why she was so distraught.

After confessing the truth she hadn’t spoken of to another soul, she felt better having gotten it off her chest. She told her as much as she could at the time which included Highmaster’s threat to kill her if she ever spoke to Galinda again. Milla listened to her attentively and didn’t make her feel bad for her choice or shame her love for Galinda. She held her while she cried and told her reassurances that it wouldn’t always feel that way.

Now every year on that day, Milla made it a point to take Elphaba out. They’d gone to nightclubs, bars, parties, fancy restaurants, and done crazy things like parasailing and scuba diving. Milla was just the right amount of dare devil to ease Elphaba out of her comfort zone.

“Kids! Snack time,” Milla called through the kitchen window.

Elphaba watched all three children barrel into the house with their wet feet creating little puddles on the floor. She followed behind them into the duplex apartments. She and Liir lived in the one connected to Milla’s, so they often came over or had Milla’s family over.

Milla’s home was incredibly cozy. The beautiful chestnut brown wood flooring paired nicely with the cream colored walls and was accentuated by the exposed wooden ceiling beams. Through the back door was the kitchen and dining room. Past that was the living room with the front door being to the left, down a short hallway.

Milla’s house reminded Elphaba of the picturesque family home she’d read about as a child. She loved spending time here and being around another family with kids Liir’s age.

“Liir, eat your food then we need to go home,” Elphaba said with a kiss on his head.

He pouted and made his big brown eyes even larger than they already were. He knew his pout was his mother’s weak spot. What he didn’t know was that he looked exactly as Galinda did when she pouted. Every time his lips bent downward in that adorably dramatic pout, she remembered the girl she fell for a decade ago and hadn’t quite gotten over.

“Sweetheart, you know we have things to take care of today,” Elphaba reminded him. She folded her arms against her chest and tilted her head in his direction.

“Oh, Rikla! I’m getting a bigger bed today! It’s gonna have a ladder,” Liir cheered from the table as he shoved a chip in his mouth.

Elphaba was just grateful he didn’t fight her today. She swore she birthed a fish in human form. Liir was always begging her to go in the pool or to the beach. His baths were always extra long unless Elphaba timed him, and as a younger child he was caught flicking around sink water on multiple occasions.

“Bigger bed, huh?” Milla nudged Elphaba from behind.

“Oh, yeah. He’s been asking for a loft bed so he can be ‘in the clouds’ when he sleeps,” Elphaba said with a chuckle. “It’s an early birthday present.”

“How exciting for him. You know… that day is coming up…,” Milla said quietly.

Elphaba knew exactly which day she was talking about and it wasn’t Liir’s birthday. The ten year anniversary of her departure from Oz… and Galinda. Milla had been pestering her about what they should do for the big ten. Her “tenth year in the city” as Milla referred to it.

“I dunno. How about dinner this year?”

Milla cackled, “Yeah right! We are going out and enjoying your decade of being a city girl! I think that makes you official now!”

Elphaba laughed with a hand over her mouth. “Is that what I am now?”

Milla was going to reply but Boq came into the kitchen interrupting her. He dropped a kiss on her cheek and two more atop his children’s heads, then he fist bumped Liir. “Hey Elphaba!”

“Hi Boq!”

He smiled at her in return then faced the kids around the table. “How was the pool, kids?”

The room erupted into cheers and stories about flips and how they could touch the bottom. Elphaba unconsciously began to smile seeing Liir so excited. He loved being around Boq given that he hadn’t had a father of his own, well, ever. Elphaba was grateful that Boq offered to do things with Liir, the things she had no interest in doing like building treehouses and playing rougher sports. Liir was the kind of child that wanted to try everything. He never grew tired and never ran out of energy for all of his hobbies. Last year the treehouse was all he could talk about, this year it’s swimming! Elphaba looked forward to each and every one of her kid’s interests over the years even if the constant practices and driving him to so many places exhausted her. She would take being exhausted while Liir enjoyed himself over fighting for her life any day of the week.

———

“Who decided the road should be yellow anyway? What a horrible choice. It clashes with the grass,” Pfannee said facing the window of the car.

Their trip to the Emerald City was fairly uneventful besides Pfannee’s horrible singing and Shenshen’s annoyance with said singing. Galinda mostly stayed silent for the drive while she processed how quickly her life was changing again. The last ten years felt like she was merely surviving. Her life felt like it belonged to her parents and the people of Oz rather than to her. She went through the motions everyday and rarely complained. She didn’t see the point without Elphaba. It would never feel any better no matter what she did because she’d never get her back, or so she thought.

The wall that guarded the Emerald City was just ahead of them. Galinda perked up in her seat with a renewed energy. She was so excited to see Elphaba and settle into her new life where she didn’t have to be anything for anyone. This was her second chance, her real chance at a wonderful life. She wasn’t eighteen anymore and thirty was right around the corner. She felt rushed to get her life together even more now that she understood how fragile life was. Things change on a dime and you can lose people before you even get the chance to love them…

Fiyero pulled up to the man guarding the gate into the Emerald City. “Hello, sir. We’re looking for entry into the city. We’re from Oz.”

“Step out of the vehicle,” the man said. He waited for the five of them to do as he said, then he searched the car while the other guard held a thermometer looking thing up to all of their heads, even Chistery’s!

Galinda was thoroughly confused but did as she was told. When the man held the device up to her head it made a clicking noise which seemed to satisfy him as he moved on.

“Clear,” the first guard shouted! “Welcome to the Emerald City. Have a lifetime of fun!”

Once they were all in the car again, the gate lifted and Fiyero drove them inside the city.

Galinda had never seen anything quite like it. Grand was an understatement. It was nothing like Oz, far better in every aspect. The streets were clean, nothing was crumbling, and the people all smiled. As they drove along the road, Galinda’s eyes surveyed as much as they could. She wanted to take in every single little thing around her. The buildings were huge in stature with sleek, modern designs. There were so many cars on the road, more than in all of Oz were on this one road.

“Okay, we were definitely birthed in the wrong city,” Pfannee said, pointing out the window at a man with a sequined suit on. “I need to know everything about him!”

“Are you already plotting on your next victim?” Shenshen teased as she also took in the new place.

“Don’t be upset because you haven’t gotten laid since we were at Shiz,” he countered!

Galinda was too busy wondering which of these buildings Elphie was in to listen to the bickering going on behind her. Chistery pushed up to the front seat to sit in her lap. He was by no means a small monkey anymore, but Galinda didn’t mind. He made sure to be careful of her belly and put most of his weight on the dashboard rather than her legs.

He signed to her, “E-L-P-H-A-B-A?”

Galinda grinned like a little girl at the mention of her name. “Yes! We’re going to see Elphie!”

Chistery clapped and hooted. Elphaba leaving affected him just as it had Galinda. He was just as ecstatic to see her again after so long. He signed, “Happy.”

“Me too, Chist,” Galinda agreed, delivering scratches to his back. “So where is she?”

Fiyero shrugged, “I dunno. I’m headed to where we lived back then.”

Galinda nodded. It felt like a good place to start. From what she could see, the Emerald City was hundreds of miles larger than Oz. Elphaba could be anywhere (although if there was a book place, she was prepared to sit there until Elphaba inevitably showed up if she had to). She was determined to find Elphaba before the sun set.

It took them about half an hour to get out of the actual “big city” part of the Emerald City before they came to a more suburban area where not a single thing was out of place. Galinda watched children play outside with balls and jump ropes and parents watching after them from the porches. She wanted that life with Elphaba and the baby she was carrying. She hoped that Elphaba would accept her this way and that she wouldn’t be too upset that Fiyero left her to give a child to Galinda instead.

“What are those things they have in their hands?” Pfannee asked. “That’s like the hundredth one I’ve seen.”

“Oh those are phones,” Fiyero started. “They’re cool! We’ll need those to stay in contact with each other.”

Galinda’s interest peaked. She bit her lip out of curiosity. “Could we contact Elphie with them?”

Fiyero nodded, “We’ll need her phone number first.”

The next minutes were spent with Fiyero updating the others on all the modern technology he could think of. He covered phones, computers, the internet, and advances in medicine.

Galinda’s mind was pleasantly spun. The opportunities were endless here. All she had to do was get a phone and contact Elphie, it sounded easy enough.

Fiyero rounded the corner to the house he and Elphaba stayed at a decade ago. It was small and not very modern. The exterior was paneled wood and red brick with a large red door. He parked on the road and then got out of the car.

Galinda followed behind him, not willing to let him be the only one taking the charge. She also didn’t fully trust him anymore, so it was best that she go with him to hear and see things for herself.

Fiyero knocked on the door.

“Hello?” A short haired, plump, woman came to the door.

A woman that wasn’t Elphaba, Galinda thought sadly.

“Hi Miss! I was told my friend lived here once. She’s uh well… Green… Do you know where she went after living here?” Fiyero asked

The woman smiled, “You mean Elphaba!”

Galinda cheered, “Yes! Elphie! You know her?”

“Mmhm she moved up north. Not sure where though, sorry.”

“Thank you Ma’am! That helps us out a lot,” Fiyero said as he turned away prepared to go back to the car, but Galinda remained.

“Have you seen her lately? How is she doing?”

The woman chuckled, “Uh it’s been a while. She and Liir are the cutest little things! That kid is something else.”

Galinda drew a breath in. Liir…

Elphaba had a son.

Fiyero listened from the sidewalk, wracked with guilt. This random woman knew his child better than he did. He would never forgive himself for missing out on ten years of his child’s life. He wouldn’t miss anymore.

“Thank you,” Galinda said, then walked to the car to relay the news to her friends.

———

Later that day, after they checked into a hotel, Galinda was having trouble staying still. The last thing she wanted to do was stay cooped up in the room while Elphaba was somewhere out there. Fiyero had taken them all to set up their phones and after an hour of fooling around with the screen, she had a pretty good handle on how it worked. She programmed Pfannee, Shenshen, and Fiyero’s numbers in and sent them a text that she’d be going on a walk.

She set out under the setting orange sun to somewhere she was unsure of. The hotel was in a unique neighborhood with the tall buildings from the downtown area mixed in with brownstones and traditional suburban houses as well. There was a light breeze in the air that pulled her flowy pink dress with it.

She walked around for about a mile before she came across a man handing out flyers outside of a grocery store.

“Miss! Miss! Try out a wizomania show?” He offered.

“Wizomania? What’s that?”

The man laughed at her, but stopped once he realized she was serious. He handed the flyer to her. “You’re new here? Wizomania is the party that never stops! There’s shows, food, shops, and a beach party.”

Galinda raised her eyebrows and rubbed her belly. “How many people go?”

“Everyone goes to have a lifetime of fun,” the man exclaimed.

She recognized the phrase from the guard who let them into the city. Then she looked down at the flyer and there it was plastered across the top. She found it odd that this place had a slogan, but who was she to complain on her first day?

The flyer featured many activities and addresses of places that would be hosting events. The beach party piqued her interest. Laying out in the sun in front of a backdrop of waves sounded amazing to her.

“Thank you, sir!”

“No problem! Welcome to the Emerald City!”

Galinda continued her walk to nowhere with the flyers folded up inside of the pocket of her dress. As she walked there was a family ahead of her that caught her attention. A dark haired, dark skinned woman walked beside a white man with bright orange hair. They had two girls between them with tan skin and the same hair as the man. The girls looked identical to each other and talked to a boy about something she couldn’t quite hear. The boy had curly blonde hair and wore a green shirt. He was jumping around in excitement about whatever the girls said to him.

The picture made Galinda smile. Her heart ached to be in the place of the woman, next to the love of her life (Galinda assumed) with their children happily bouncing between them. The boy screamed out, “Clarinda,” as he laughed! “Rikla, look at what Clarinda did!”

The girl looked over and then laughed along with him. Galinda couldn’t quite see what was so funny but she didn’t mind. She watched for a few seconds, but they were rounding a corner and she was far enough from the hotel.

She heard the boy yell, “Mamaaaa!”

But she had already turned around with no idea that if she’d waited just two more seconds she would’ve had everything she wanted.

———

Elphaba caught Liir as he ran into her arms. An oof escaped her as he plowed his small body into hers. “Thanks Milla for watching him while I handled some things.”

“He’s the best! See you tomorrow Liir,” Milla said with a wave.

“Bye Aunt Milla!”

“Don’t forget about the beach party, Aunty Elphaba,” Clarinda reminded her.

“I wouldn’t dream of it, Rindy,” Elphaba said with a wink.

“Beach party wooooo,” Liir cheered as he bounced down the street a step in front of Elphaba.

Elphaba glanced back at Milla then something caught her attention from the corner of her eye. A woman in a pink dress that blew in the breeze far down the block. The shade of pink reminded her of the one person she knew that would love that dress. She would’ve surely told her about it if she was still in Oz, but that was a different time. This woman wasn’t that woman, and now she felt weird for staring at a stranger as she walked down the street.

“Mama, hurry! It’s almost time for dinner,” Liir said as he yanked on the car door handle.

“Hey! Stop the yanking. What do you want for dinner hmm?”

Liir pretended to contemplate, “Hot dogs!”

Elphaba knew he’d say that. He always did no matter the weather, day, or his mood. There wasn’t a single instance where a hotdog wouldn’t be all that Liir wanted to eat. “One day you’ll never want a hotdog ever again.”

“Never! Hotdogs everyday,” Liir said as he hopped in the backseat.

“Seatbelt,” Elphaba reminded him because he always seemed to “forget”. She looked back in the rear view to make sure he put it on then started the engine to drive them home.

———

The next day, Elphaba and Liir did go to the beach party around noon. She set up the green and pink umbrella and the chairs while Liir built a sandcastle a few feet ahead of her. The Woodsmans were already set up next to her with their beach tent and picnic basket. Milla was a stickler for organization so of course her setup was perfect.

Elphaba fumbled with the chair. It just wouldn’t open the way she needed it to.

She heard a snicker come from behind her.

“Are you laughing back there, mister?”

Liir covered his giggles with his hand. “Sorry. I won’t look anymore.”

Elphaba stood up to protect her dignity. She dropped the chair and opted to sit on the chair that had cooperated with her. “No chair for you then.”

Liir shrugged, “I’m gonna go swimming. I don’t need a chair.”

“Not alone. Ask Boq if he will go with you,” Elphaba said with a pointed finger. While she loved her child deeply, large bodies of water stopped being a place she wanted to be some years ago. Even though there were no other threats to her physically (so long as she didn’t speak to Galinda), she still had trouble accepting it. She did what she could to shield Liir from her inner turmoil but sometimes he caught her having what he considered an abnormal reaction to things.

She watched him step his way over to Boq to plead with him to take him to the water. Elphaba knew Boq would never say no to him, but that she’d pay for this with an emergency playdate which was really their code for “they need to have sex with no kids around”.

As Boq followed Liir down to the water, he looked back at Elphaba with a look of mock hurt in his eyes. She couldn’t help but burst out laughing.

“He is gonna get you back for that,” Milla said with a smile.

“Oh I know it.”

An evil look crossed Milla’s eyes… “Watch this.” Then she turned to her girls, “Why don’t you girls go join daddy and Liir. He said he’ll take all of you for ice cream in a bit.”

The twins jumped up with no hesitation at the mention of ice cream. They ran the whole way screaming for Boq and waving their hands in the air.

Elphaba cackled then. “That was so much worse than what I did.”

Milla shrugged, “He helped me make them. He can get them ice cream. It’s Wizomaniaaa, the party never stops, right?” She said the last part with a roll of her eyes.

The Wizomania trope was pounded into the heads of the people of the city from the moment they’re born. It wasn’t an exaggeration, the Wizomania festivities went on year long and quite literally never stopped. They just turned from child friendly to adult-like when the sun went down. There was never a dull moment in the Emerald City for a child… or their parents.

“I like it. There’s always things to do,” Elphaba said. She had told Milla a bit about Oz over the years. How closed off and out of touch with the rest of the world it was there. She told her all about the lack of progression in comparison to here and how Oz was ruled with an iron fist. She didn’t like to share pieces of her past often, but she recognized that she would never garner truthful relationships if she never opened up. It was a learning curve that she was still learning, but she loved it here and she loved Milla.

The women chatted for a few more minutes about their kids and their lives until Liir interrupted them.

“Mama! Need my jacket. We’re going to get ice cream,” he said as he pointed down the beach to the ice cream stand. She pulled his hoodie out from their bag for him to throw on.

———

The group arrived at the beach a bit after noon after finally finding parking near an ice cream stand.

“Yesssss, this is where I belong,” Pfannee said, putting his golden sunglasses on.

Fiyero carried a backpack full of beach supplies while Shenshen carried the food. Pfannee carried nothing other than his own stuff and Galinda carried nothing while Chistery followed behind them.

“Just when I thought you couldn’t get more insufferable,” Shenshen panted out.

“This is so cute! We can take pictures,” Galinda exclaimed. Pictures had become everything to her over the years. They’re what kept her going when she felt like she couldn’t go anymore. She looked at pictures of Elphaba until her eyes forced themselves shut from exhaustion.

As they started their journey down the beach, Galinda spotted that very same family she’d seen yesterday. She remembered the girls Clarinda and Rikla. They looked just as happy as they did yesterday and the boy bounced with just as much excitement. She watched as they got in the line for ice cream.

She smiled softly to herself as the boy ran up to the sign to point to the one he wanted. He was so happy to get ice cream it warmed her heart, but when the boy raised his arm she caught sight of something she didn’t think she’d ever see again…

Over the elbow of the boy’s green hoodie, sewn in the fabric of his jacket, was pink stitching… Her pink stitching.

“Fiyero! That’s him!”

“W- what?” Fiyero said, half listening to her.

But she was already gone. She ran up to the boy without thinking about how it would look to anyone else. “Hi! What’s your n—”

“Excuse me?” Boq interrupted her.

“H- hi! I’m sorry. It’s just that your son—”

“Oh he’s not my dad,” Liir corrected. “He’s Boq!”

From a distance Shenshen caught sight of the interaction, “What on Earth is she doing?”

“Ahhhh, well… Bick! This little boy… Where’s his mom?” Galinda asked even though her eyes were already scanning the area for Elphaba.

“Galinda,” Fiyero called out to her. “You can—”

“Liir, where’s your mom? Did she give you this hoodie?” Galinda asked, sidestepping Boq to get closer to Liir.

“It’s Bick— It’s Boq,” the frazzled man corrected. He then placed his hand gently on Galinda’s shoulder to usher her back from Liir.

A scream rang out, “Liir Thropp!”

Galinda’s head moved in the direction of the screaming before she even realized it was doing it. Elphaba was sprinting over to them looking more flawless than she had ever seen her look before. The years had been more than kind to her, Galinda was thankful for.

She wore a black one piece bathing suit with a loose fitted, black, sheer top over it and flip flops. Her hair was pulled back in a fishtail braid that was only braided halfway down the length of her hair. The ends curled just as she remembered from all those years ago. Elphaba was far more toned now and her jaw was sharper than before. Her face still featured a mirage of freckles Galinda wanted to get a closer look at, and her lips were just as full as they were when she was a teenager.

“Liir, come here!”

“E- Elphie,” Galinda called out to her. She stepped towards Liir in an attempt to get to Elphaba, but she pulled him away. The quick motion startled Galinda and her hand flew over her belly protectively.

“Elphie,” she called again because maybe Elphaba hadn’t heard her the first time. She had yet to look into Galinda’s eyes too. “It’s me, Galinda,” she tried.

But Elphaba only glanced at her before taking Liir by the hand and rushing away with him.

“Elphaba!” Galinda knew she’d heard her, but she didn’t understand why Elphaba was ignoring her. Her heart shattered right there on the spot.

This was her worst case scenario.

Elphaba had heard her, had looked right at her, and decided she didn’t want her anymore. She felt the tears start to well up in her eyes.

She followed after them with Fiyero hot on her heels.

“Galinda maybe—”

He tried to stop her but she yanked away from him. “Don’t touch me, Fiyero!”

She sped up to catch Elphaba. When her fingers finally reached Elphaba’s shoulders the speed with which she stopped and turned towards her frightened Galinda. Elphaba pulled Liir behind her as if to shield him from a potential threat. Another thing Galinda didn’t understand. She would never hurt him. She thought Elphaba would know that no matter how much time went by.

Elphaba opened her mouth as if she was going to speak, Galinda would’ve sworn she was going to, then she rushed Liir to what Galinda assumed was their car. She didn’t even get the chance to react before Elphaba pulled off without saying another word to her.

The tear that dropped from Galinda’s eye burned. She wiped it away with a hurried swipe, then pushed past her friends and the onlookers back to the car. She didn’t want to go to the beach anymore.

She wanted to go home… Only her home had just driven away from her.

Chapter Text

Elphaba sat manspread on her couch where she’d been for the better part of an hour. Her foot tapped the ground relentlessly and she chewed her lip until the soft skin started to tear.

Galinda was here…

In the city…

And she looked… stunning.

She was also pregnant, a fact Elphaba couldn’t just skip over.

And Fiyero! He just popped back up with Galinda in hand as if he didn’t abandon her and Liir. Did they think she was supposed to turn her entire life around for them? Was she just supposed to welcome him into their child’s life after everything?

Her feelings ran wild in her mind. She felt one thing one minute then another the next. The only consistent thoughts she had was that she wanted to know what it felt like to kiss Galinda again and she felt awful for turning away from her the way she did. She did everything she could to not look Galinda in the eye because she knew she’d give in on the spot, and she couldn’t do that. She had Liir to protect.

Even with ten years between them and miles of land, Highmaster was still ruling over her life.

However, this was something she wouldn’t chance. If Highmaster’s threat was credible, Liir would be left parentless in her death. A death that was completely avoidable though painfully so.

“Knock knock,” Milla said as she walked through the threshold and down the short hallway. The layout of Elphaba’s house mirrored her own with the only differing aspect being the way they decorated. Elphaba’s house was more modern with plenty of dark furniture and deep tones. The flooring and ceiling beams were light wood and the walls were white. When Elphaba first moved here, she wasn’t a very big fan of the padded cell look so she opted for darker furniture to offset the brightness.

“Hey, Mil…”

Milla plopped down on the couch next to Elphaba with a look that said tell me everything.

Elphaba looked away from Milla because her lingering gaze was more than she could handle right now. “She’s actually here and I can’t even talk to her.”

Milla’s hand rested against Elphaba’s thigh as a show of support.

“He’s here too… I don’t know what I feel, Mil.”

“Are you sure? Because I think you know exactly what you feel, but for some reason you aren’t saying it aloud,” Milla said knowingly. She had this way about her. She always knew what Elphaba needed even when Elphaba didn’t know herself. Perhaps that’s why they’ve become such good friends.

Elphaba’s voice was low as though the volume would change what she was about to say. “I still love her. I always will.”

Milla smiled softly, “I know.”

Elphaba angled her body towards Milla now. Saying the words after so many years did help. She’d always known how she felt about Galinda, but she wanted to try to have a new life. Over the course of the last decade, she met people— men and women— who were her type on paper, but the encounters never panned out. There was always something wrong with them: feet too big, hair too short, nails the wrong shape. None of them would ever be her. She went as far as a multitude of one night stands and a few very short lived… arrangements, but after a while she got bored.

Countless nights were spent thinking of Galinda before she fell asleep. Sometimes (most times) while she fucked herself into oblivion to forget. She called out Galinda’s name hoping that one day it would be her hands inside of her again. If she focused really hard she could almost feel Galinda’s lips intertwined with hers and her warm breath coat her neck.

And then she orgasmed and the fantasy was over.

“She’s so beautiful, still.”

“Do you want to tell me about her?”

Elphaba couldn’t help the smile that tugged at her lips. Just as she’d said the last day they saw each other, Galinda hadn’t done anything wrong ever. None of this was her fault. So for that reason, Elphaba never grew to resent her. She always kept her tucked away in the corner of her mind that was just for her where nothing could ever harm the memory of them.

“She was perfect back then. Annoyingly optimistic, but so perfect…,” Elphaba’s words came out slowly as if she thought about every single word before she said it. Too afraid to misspeak or misinform. “She was the most bubbly person I’d ever known…”

“Ahhh so like Liir?” Milla asked.

Elphaba smiled sadly with a nod. She was exactly like Liir by some miracle. She always felt like Liir was the world’s way of keeping her and Galinda together even when they were apart. Liir did so many things that reminded her of Galinda, it was probably why she had such a hard time telling him no.

“They would like each other very much, I think. She would want to smother him with kisses and she’d definitely embarrass him, but Oz… He would adore her.”

“What about you? What do you want?”

Elphaba released a rough breath. That was a loaded question. She wanted Galinda, that much was abundantly clear. She wanted to keep Liir safe. She wanted to live to see him grow up and get married.

But still… She wanted Galinda…

It was easy to ignore how she felt when Galinda was away and she didn’t have to see her or be so close to her that she could smell that Galinda never changed her scent. The same airy scent from when they were teenagers filled Elphaba’s nose the second she was within five feet of Galinda.

“It’s safer to stay away from her.”

“Safer for who, Elphaba?”

“Liir. I’m going to do what’s right for him no matter what.” Despite all the indecision she felt, Liir was her first priority. He was the part of her that she would never sacrifice. She just hoped Galinda could understand, especially now that she had a piece of herself to protect.

“Okay. I support whatever you decide,” Milla said.

“Why does that feel like you’re urging me to do the opposite of what I decided then?”

“Really? It feels that way?” Milla said with a cheeky grin across her face. “Hmm… Must be your paranoia.” She shrugged playfully.

———

Galinda rubbed her belly absentmindedly while she waited for the baker to bring her cupcake to the front counter. After the beach yesterday, Shenshen suggested they not dwell in the hotel room all day. She looked up a cute little bakery not too far and they all piled in the car to check it out. The others had already gotten their stuff and were waiting for her just outside the bakery.

“Upland,” the baker shouted!

“Thank you,” Galinda responded, grabbing the strawberry cupcake and heading for the door.

She was seconds from pulling the handle when she saw Pfannee jump for joy and skip down the street. She looked through the glass to her left and saw that he was skipping towards Elphaba.

For a city as big as this one was, she was grateful that for some reason she kept running into Elphaba. All that meant was she had more opportunities to change her mind and make her talk to her.

She couldn’t hear what Pfannee was saying to her, but Elphaba looked so happy to be talking to him. Then Shenshen and Chistery joined them. Elphaba’s smile reached her ears when Chistery embraced her.

Galinda pushed out the doors, hoping to get her chance to speak with Elphie, but was sadly mistaken.

Elphaba looked up at her, actually, for the first time in a decade. When Galinda’s eyes met Elphaba’s shining green ones, she became content to just have this with her. She didn’t need to push for a conversation when their eyes spoke volumes.

Elphaba reluctantly tore her eyes away from Galinda to tell something to Shenshen that Galinda couldn’t quite hear. Pfannee smiled and Shenshen nodded at whatever Elphaba said. The curiosity was killing Galinda…

Her head tilted but she never stopped looking at Elphaba. She took a step forward, but Fiyero’s hand caught her arm.

“She’ll run again if you do that,” he whispered to her.

She knew he was right. It hurt her to think that Elphaba would turn away from her, but the fact that she hadn’t yet was enough motivation for Galinda to keep trying. She would fight for them until she couldn’t anymore, or until Elphaba told her to stop (at least then they’d be talking to each other).

Once Elphaba finished whatever it was she was telling Pfannee and Shenshen they came back over to Galinda and Fiyero.

Galinda couldn’t help but continue to stare at Elphaba. She never wanted to look anywhere else ever again. Elphaba looked like she belonged here. She was much more confident and had grown into her style. She matured over the years but still looked like the girl Galinda fell in love with. While Galinda knew she loved that girl, she wanted to get to know this version of Elphaba even though she was sure she was already in love with her too.

She raised her hand to wave, or really just hold it in the air in Elphaba’s general direction. The wave got lost in translation between her thoughts and distractedness.

But Elphaba raised her hand back.

Then she smiled softly.

Galinda’s breath caught in her throat. She hadn’t expected Elphaba to acknowledge her at all.

As Elphaba turned to walk away, her hands came behind her back and she held up the numbers 1-4-3 close to her body. It was subtle. Barely there for anyone who wasn’t looking for it, but Galinda saw it.

- 10 years ago -

“Elphieeeeee! I went to the book place and I found thiiiissss,” Galinda sang as she skipped down the poppy field to where Elphaba sat under a tree. She had a large red book in hand that read, “Sign Language, Hand signs, and codes for dummies”.

Galinda leaned down to give Elphaba what was meant to be a quick kiss but turned into something much more heated when Elphaba pulled her down to straddle her lap. Galinda dropped the book down next to them to free up her hands to touch Elphaba’s neck.

Elphaba’s hands wrapped around Galinda’s waist while she pushed her tongue between Galinda’s lips.

“H- hey! I- I got,” Galinda stammered. “The b- book.”

“I’ll be quick,” Elphaba said as her lips started to bruise Galinda’s neck.

“F- fuck! Okay, quick,” Galinda said with closed eyes and shaky breath.

Elphaba’s hand slid beneath her skirt and between her legs. Galinda was already wet from their kissing that had only lasted thirty seconds max.

“Already, huh?” Elphaba teased.

“S- shut up,” Galinda stuttered when Elphaba’s free hand came up to choke her neck.

Elphaba’s fingers circled her wet clit then she started to move them in a back and forth motion. Galinda’s hips rocked instinctively and she dropped her head back.

“So gooood,” Galinda moaned.

“Tell me how good?” Elphaba said as she watched Galinda’s nipples grow hard through her thin top. She wished she had more hands so she could finger fuck Galinda, choke her, and lift her shirt. But alas she was just a mere two handed mortal who would have to settle for two things at a time.

“F- feels s—”

Galinda was cut off by Elphaba ramming two fingers inside of her. A sharp gasp left her mouth as her hips pushed into Elphaba’s fingers harder.

“I’m sorry what did you say, my sweet?”

Galinda whimpered, “S- said— I—”

“C’mon princess full sentences,” Elphaba teased as she tightened her hold on Galinda’s neck. She pushed a third finger inside of her and quickened her pace.

Galinda’s hands reached for the one around her neck to brace herself. She held onto Elphaba’s arm while she slammed her hips forward, matching Elphaba’s thrusts into her.

“Cum,” Galinda cried out.

“My sweet girl, are you gonna cum for me?”

Galinda nodded as best she could while her pussy felt like it was going to implode. Elphaba’s fingers hit her spot time and time again and she felt pleasantly restrained under her somewhat aggressive hold.

Galinda’s cries grew louder, her moans sharper, and her thrusting harder until her ecstasy overflowed out of her body.

“Elphieee! F- fuck! Yes! I’m yours,” she screamed out as her knees tried to close from the intensity.

Elphaba felt Galinda’s cum coat her fingers, and she couldn’t wait to taste them. She pumped into Galinda a few more times until her hips slowed and her breathing calmed. Then she pulled her fingers out and sucked them all at once.

Galinda’s eyes lowered at the sight of Elphaba with three fingers shoved in her mouth and her cum leaking out of her mouth. Elphaba had started something she couldn’t finish…

“Inside, now,” Galinda ordered.

Elphaba shook her head defiantly. “What’s this book you brought me?”

Galinda raised her eyebrow. Two can play that game. She tucked her skirt in on itself so that her glistening pussy was on full display, then she grabbed the book. “Well it has sign language so we can talk to Chistery more.”

Elphaba looked down at the book, intrigued. She started to flip through the pages, actually reading and learning what she deemed useful.

Galinda watched her truly enamored, but also extremely horny. She pushed Elphaba’s glasses up on her nose then kissed her cheek and jaw.

Elphaba released a quiet moan. Her focus was still on the book, mostly, but Galinda was doing a great job of sucking on her neck and squeezing her tits.

“Wait, my sweet, this is cute,” Elphaba said as she came across a particularly charming hand signal.

Galinda leaned up. “What is it?”

Elphaba smiled and held up the numbers 1-4-3 with her hand.

“What does it mean?”

Elphaba’s smile became larger. The gap between her front teeth became visible and Galinda couldn’t help but smile back at her before she even knew what the signal meant.

Elphaba didn’t say anything in response, truthfully she was too afraid to admit how she felt to Galinda. Instead she rose to her feet with Galinda in her arms…

“You’ll have to read it to find out,” she said as she walked them back in the cabin fully prepared to have Galinda again and again until one of them grew tired.

The page that she neglected to read to Galinda read:

1-4-3: I love you

Chapter Text

In the days that followed, Galinda spent an ungodly amount of time pestering her friends about what Elphaba said to them the other day on the street, but much to her dismay they stood firm in their decision to not tell her. They simply repeated that she would find out eventually and dismissed her. The anticipation was eating her alive, but she had much more pressing matters to deal with.

This hotel found a new way to annoy her everyday. It was too small, too blandly decorated, and lacked enough pink for her liking. She felt like she was going crazy being confined to the space, and it didn’t help that she was now throwing up every morning.

Fiyero tried, each day, to help her with her sickness, but she pushed him away, sometimes shouting profanities at him. Pfannee and Shenshen offered him sympathetic looks and Chistery pretended not to hear, but her malice was getting to him. This living arrangement wasn’t working for any of them anymore.

“Oh, oh! Look at this one,” Galinda exclaimed, showing her phone to her friends and… whatever she considered Fiyero to be.

The small screen displayed a high rise condo in the thick of town. It was large, far more space than one woman could find use for (even with a baby on the way), and had a wonderful view of the city from just beneath the cloud line.

The condo had an elevator into a foyer serving as the front door. The kitchen had all white appliances and countertops with gold trim. The living room was a half step down from the rest of the home with a beautifully crafted modern fireplace built into the wall. There was also a dining room, bathroom, and small home theater on the first floor. The second had three bedrooms each with their own bathroom, and an open space.

The pictures looked flawless from what Galinda could tell and the space felt like somewhere she could enjoy living. She’d already made up in her mind which room would be the nursery and how she could turn the open space on the second floor into a library for Elphaba. The third room would be Liir’s, obviously. So it was perfect.

“A home theater? And people say money can’t buy happiness. I disagree,” Pfannee said as he took the phone to see the home once more.

“Leaving us here for dead? What kind of friend are you?” Shenshen joked with a soft elbow to Galinda’s arm.

Galinda chuckled, then patted the mattress under her. “You see this thread count is way too low for any human to sleep on, and besides the baby thinks this condo should be his or her new home.”

Shenshen’s hand found the bump of Galinda’s still growing stomach. “Do not use my future niece or nephew against me… But seriously, it looks perfect for you,” she finished with a smile.

Fiyero, who’d been listening from the corner of the room, finally spoke, “I guess that means you really don’t want my help?”

“I do not,” Galinda said, annoyed. If she couldn’t trust him to tell her the most basic of information then how could she trust him to help her raise a child?

Pfannee looked between the ex-couple awkwardly. “Well… I need to go rouge my knees. Shenshen join me,” he said, bolting to his feet and dragging Shenshen with him out the door.

“Look Gal—” Fiyero started.

The door shook open again. “Chistery, come,” Pfannee said.

Chistery signed, sarcastically, “Thank you.” Then swung out the door behind them.

With everyone else gone, Fiyero continued, “Galinda, I understand what I did was wrong. Really… I’ve beat myself up over it.”

“Good. When is it my turn?” Galinda quipped with an eye roll. Then she brought her hand forward as if she was assessing damage to her nails. There was none, a fact both of them knew.

“It’s my kid too. I want to be there. I’ve already missed one—”

Galinda’s eyes darted over to Fiyero. “And who’s fault is that? Don’t blame me for your stupidity! It was your horrendible decision to leave Elphie and your son. Now you expect me to just trust you again!? You lost that luxury the day I found that map!”

She pushed herself up from the bed and placed her hand on the underside of her stomach. Her irritation with Fiyero grew every second she spent looking at him. “You can’t even support either of your children. Maybe you should focus on THAT before you try to strong arm me into including you in the life of a child you deceived me to conceive!”

“Galinda! Galinda, we’re not done,” Fiyero yelled behind her as she grabbed her bag and stormed out of the hotel room.

He was so stupid… And thoughtless! He did only what served him and didn’t think about how she or Elphaba (or Liir) would feel about his actions. Galinda swore thinking was a skill he lacked. It was as if he acted purely off the desire to wreak havoc on her life. She knew years ago that he harboured insecurities about her relationship with Elphaba. She understood why back when they were teenagers; she had cheated on him, and she still wasn’t proud of doing that. Galinda noticed the hard glances and how it seemed like he tolerated Elphaba to please her in the beginning, but she thought he had gotten over that after Elphaba returned from over the river. They seemed better… Obviously, that wasn’t the case.

His insecurities cost her ten years of a life with Elphaba. Ten whole years of laughs and experiences together that she could never get back, and well… ten years of amazingly good sex. Not to mention, the sex life she was subjected to, with him, paled in comparison. She often found herself drifting off to her time with Elphaba in the cabin while Fiyero’s dick was inside of her. She all but screamed Elphaba’s name out when the memory of them brought her to orgasm.

And in the dark of the night, during the year she was alone without either of her lovers to comfort her, when her hands were all she had to bring herself pleasure… Elphaba was the only one she thought of. Not that she’d even tried to think of another person.

Those nights were arguably the hardest. She’d grow needy and have no other choice but to relieve herself. Then with Elphaba on her mind, she would hit her peak only to finish and be reminded that there was no one next to her to whisper sweet nothings in her ear. Elphaba’s hands weren’t there to bring her back gently nor to bathe with her after, and the reminder of her loneliness led to tears without fail. So, she’d fall asleep with Elphaba on her mind, tears in her eyes, and the remnants of her orgasm still on her fingers and between her legs.

Once she made it to her car, a bubblegum pink Porsche she’d picked up yesterday from the dealership, she dropped into the low seat with a huff. Truthfully, it hadn’t dawned on her how inconvenient the lowness of the car was for a soon to be very pregnant woman until after she was off the lot. She only saw a pretty, pink, fast car that would get her to where she needed to go in style.

And given that her credit card still worked, she had access to her family’s fortune built off of the Ozian political gain of her father, and their many business pursuits that followed suit. It did worry her that Popsicle would cut her off eventually, so she knew she didn’t have long to make any financial decisions she needed to before he did— If he did.

She pulled out her phone to set up an appointment to view the condo. There was number next to the listing that she called.

“Hello? Emerald City Real Estate, may I ask who I’m speaking with? And the nature of your call?”

She cleared her throat, “Hi! I’m Galinda Arduenna Upland and I would like to tour your condo on Poppyview street.”

The voice on the other side, a man, hesitated.

“Hello? Are you there?” Galinda asked in the silence.

“Yes! Does this afternoon work for you?”

Galinda squealed, a habit that followed her throughout the years. “That’s perfect! This is so thrillifying! Thank you! See you soon.”

The line clicked.

Now with her own place on the horizon, Galinda started to think about how she would get Elphaba to talk to her and why she was even avoiding her in the first place.

Her thoughts were interrupted by a grueling growl of her stomach.

“Someone’s hungry,” she said as she rubbed her belly to soothe the baby.

She started the engine and headed to, well, she wasn’t sure. Back in Oz, you could drive around the town once and you were sure to find somewhere to eat with little to no effort. Here, in the Emerald City, there was an overwhelming amount of options to choose from and she hadn’t a clue where any of them were.

After a few minutes of scrolling on the GPS, she came across a restaurant that looked like she’d enjoy it. It was flashy and trendy. The kind of place that only higher ups or people who knew people were granted access to.

It was on the bottom floor of a skyscraper in the middle of the city. The design of the building was impeccable and complimented the Greek theme of the restaurant flawlessly.

Galinda was, after all, a licensed architect (in Oz anyway). She enjoyed laying out the design and overseeing the construction of structures. She liked to think that she was responsible for making pretty buildings for everyone to enjoy. It started as a way to distract herself from the pain she felt after Elphaba left and to help Oz look better.

Her first year at Shiz was difficult with her depression the worst it ever was, but she had Pfannee and Shenshen to help her stay on course. After school, she did years of working in the field gaining experience, and then passed the licensing exam.

She was responsible for the construction of multiple buildings and a campaign to “Move Oz into The Future”. She loved her job and she loved the fact that she didn’t have to rely on Popsicle for money even though the family fortune did help. She made good money on her own, but she also loved making outlandish purchases (hence the pink porsche and the inevitable purchase of the condo). So naturally, she spent Popsicle’s money on the crazy stuff and her own on the more “regular” things, like groceries…

As she drove down the populated and exciting streets of the Emerald City, she couldn’t help but admire how far advanced the architecture here was. They used in abundance, techniques and designs that were only budding ideas in Oz.

She arrived at the restaurant and luckily found a park just in front of the building.

“Oz, this is amazing,” she mumbled to herself as she got out of the car to admire the work. She stood on the street with her neck craned up to get a look at the skyscraper in all its glory. It went well past the clouds; she’d never seen a building this tall before.

“Beauty isn’t she?” A light skinned man said as he approached her.

He was thin, but built like an athlete. He wore a fitted black crewneck with black jeans and a belt that looked simple, but Galinda could tell it was expensive. Along with the gold chain around his neck and the loafers on his feet. His hair was slicked back and his eyes were hazel which Galinda appreciated. She couldn’t deny his attractiveness and he was correct, this building was beautiful.

“The pillars are a nice touch, and the stone voussoirs… I mean someone put some serious work into this place,” she rambled.

The man chuckled, then nodded as if he was impressed. “You know your stuff.”

“I should. I’m an architect.”

“Ahh, that makes sense. Though none of the ones I’ve met are as beautiful as you,” he said with a smirk.

While his flirting didn’t move her by any means, but she did appreciate the compliment. She would never disagree with anyone calling her beautiful. “How nice of you to notice!”

He snickered and rubbed the fine hairs along his jaw. Much like Galinda, he came off as someone who knew their power in the world. Her dismissal of his flirts didn’t deter him or seem to wound his ego. He liked the game she played, that much was clear to her. “I notice lots of things. What brings you to my girl?”

Galinda’s face furrowed with confusion, “Huh?”

“The building… I own it… I’m Chuffrey,” he said with his hand outstretched. “You haven’t been here before. I would’ve noticed.” He winked at her.

“Galinda Upland.” She shook his hand with a soft smile. “I’m new here…”

That seemed to amuse him. His mouth opened like he’d just found a pot of gold. “You’re from beyond the wall?”

She nodded, "Unfortunately, yes.”

“Well, welcome to the Emerald City where we have a life—”

“Lifetime of fun,” she finished for him. “I’ve been told… Many times.”

He laughed wholeheartedly. “We do say it a lot, you’ll have to get used to that... So, you’re here to feed the little, or for the fun stuff?” He said with a nod to her belly.

Her tank top rode up just a bit to reveal the bottom of her stomach. She quickly zipped up her jacket out of nervousness. She was still getting used to being pregnant and talking about it with people who weren’t in her direct circle. “Uh food, but now I’m interested in the fun stuff.”

“It’s a law office.”

“Above a restaurant? How peculiar,” Galinda said.

Chuffrey’s head tilted left then right as if he was considering that the choice may have been peculiar as Galinda thought. There was no denying the oddness of the setup, but there was also no denying that lawyers got hungry and clients were willing to bend more with liquor in their system. “What you call peculiar, I call a goldmine.”

“So you’re a lawyer and a business owner?”

“I do many things, and you’re an architect from somewhere mysterious. What brings you to our wonderful city?”

“Oh you know, chasing after a love and running from my problems,” Galinda said as a joke, but Chuffery didn’t seem to receive it that way.

“Well, Miss Upland, love is worth the effort, and problems are fixable.”

Galinda took in his words. He was right, again… Elphaba was absolutely worth the effort.

“You should give me a call if you’re looking for work. I have plenty of things in development that could use fresh eyes,” he said as he handed her a business card. “Oh and try the lobster tail, it’s divine. The baby should have wonderful taste.” He shot her one last smile, then walked away.

Galinda watched for a few seconds as he left with his business card in hand. He wasn’t like the average person here, but he was nice enough and she did need the work. She didn’t plan to live off Popsicle’s money forever. At some point she would need to provide for Elphaba, Liir, and the new baby.

She turned back to the restaurant with an assortment of food on her mind when her eyes caught sight of that gorgeous green that she’d only ever seen when she looked at one specific person.

Elphaba pushed open the doors with a briefcase in her hand. The slight breeze blew her braids back from her face and the long trench coat she wore blew with them. She had a pair of tailored slacks on and a white button up with the top two buttons undone.

Against her better judgement, Galinda abandoned the restaurant to speed walk to Elphaba who hadn’t noticed her yet. She wanted to call out to her, but she didn’t want to give her the time to run again. Her plan unfortunately fell through when Elphaba turned towards her at the sound of her pink pumps hitting the ground behind her.

“Please don’t run,” Galinda blurted out.

The first thing she noticed was that Elphaba no longer wore her gold glasses and somehow she looked even more beautiful without the thin frames hiding her face from Galinda’s view. With the sun hitting Elphaba’s skin, Galinda could see all the little green dots littering her cheeks, much more than she had all those years ago. The urge to reach for her, to start counting each and every new freckle entered Galinda’s body. “I- I just want to talk.”

Elphaba looked back at Galinda with the same glint in her eye she did as a teenager. She looked at her as if she held the answers to all her problems. Her head screamed at her to keep walking and ignore Galinda. She was actively putting Liir in danger of being parentless with every second she stood in front of Galinda and let her talk. She’d thought long and hard about Highmaster’s threat, but she couldn’t shake the fact that he knew exactly where to find her. He knew for a fact that she was either in Munchkinland or the Emerald City, and he had a full battalion at his fingertips. She often wondered if he had spies here watching her. Maybe someone was relaying the message that she had seen Galinda multiple times back to him right now.

Unlikely? Probably.

But paranoia was a bitch and it had its claws in her.

“O- okay. You don’t have to talk to me even though I don’t know why you won’t…”

What? Galinda didn’t know about Highmaster’s threat. Elphaba assumed Fiyero told her. She thought that at the very least Galinda was aware why she was avoiding speaking to her, not that Galinda thought she just decided one day to never speak to her again.

She wanted to open her mouth to tell Galinda why, but Liir’s little voice rang out in her head. She couldn’t do anything more than what she already had.

She tried to walk past Galinda, but Galinda caught her by the arm.

Elphaba’s mind went completely blank. She could only feel Galinda’s manicured fingertips against her jacket and wish that she wasn’t wearing it. Oz, she wanted to know what Galinda’s hands felt like on her skin again. She blinked a few times to bring herself back from the distraction, but Galinda was still there… holding onto her arm.

“Please, Elphie… I don’t know what I did to make you hate me,” Galinda said out of desperation. “But I’m sorry. I’ll do anything to fix it. Just tell me what I did.”

Nothing… You haven’t done anything wrong, my sweet, Elphaba replied in her head. As if this couldn’t get any worse, Galinda thought it was her fault. Despite how hard Elphaba tried to make her understand that it wasn’t her fault with her words in the silo.

Elphaba’s free hand clenched into a ball. She pulled away from Galinda’s hold. She didn’t do it roughly, and she hoped Galinda understood that she wasn’t upset with her. She started to walk towards her car, but she glanced back at Galinda and jerked her head forward.

Elphaba’s car was a few paces ahead, a white bronco lined in black. Galinda watched her open the passenger seat and lean forward to do something she couldn’t see. Then she dropped a piece of paper on the ground and got in her car to drive away.

Once she was gone, Galinda rushed over to pick up the discarded paper. It was a note that read:

It’s not your fault, my sweet, but I have to protect my son.

Text this number to find out everything.

Galinda pulled her phone out with a quickness. She programmed the number in and texted it:

143 🩷

———

Elphaba had gotten to the light at the end of the block when her second phone lit up with the message from Galinda. The message made her feel giddy and warm inside. While it wasn’t great that Galinda thought she had something to do with why Elphaba wouldn’t talk to her, it helped tremendously that she still loved her after all the years.

In her moments of doubt, Elphaba feared that Galinda would forget about her. Some days that thought brought her comfort because it meant Galinda wasn’t hurting over her choosing to leave the silo, but other days, when her mind was a battlefield, it made her feel like whatever they had didn’t mean as much to Galinda as it did to her. These days didn’t come immediately after their separation, but in the years that followed. After time ran its course and Elphaba could barely remember what Galinda looked like, her mind tried to ruin the memory of them and it had been so long since she saw her that she believed it.

Of course, no feeling lasts forever, good or bad.

Elphaba’s actual phone rang and Milla’s face popped up. She answered the call then looked back to the road while her phone sat in the holster on the dashboard.

“Hey, El! How was the meeting with the lawyer?”

Elphaba exhaled. She hadn’t even gotten the chance to think about the meeting. “Uh it was fine. Thank you for agreeing to take Liir if something happens to me. It means everything to me, really, Mil.”

She could hear the smile on Milla’s face through her voice. “You don’t have to thank me. He’s my nephew! I love him like he was my third little monster.”

Elphaba chuckled.

“Sooooo, how’re you feeling about you know who?” Milla asked.

“I saw her again a bit ago…”

“And?”

“I gave her my number, but I didn’t talk to her. I still feel like her father has his claws in the city too… Oh! She said something really weird. She said that she didn’t know why I was ignoring her.”

“What?! She doesn’t know! Oh El, you have to tell her!”

“I know, I know. It would be cruel of me not to, but why didn’t Fiyero?”

“Honey, remember… he left you and my nephew. He was never an honorable guy. He probably just wanted to get in her pants… obviously he succeeded.”

“Oh Oz! You think the baby is his?”

“Well, isn't the other friend gay?”

“Pfannee is definitely gay, yes… Of course Fiyero got her pregnant, asshole,” Elphaba cursed. She really tried these days not to for Liir’s sake, but this warranted it. All of this was so confusing. Galinda loved her, but she was pregnant by Fiyero who left his child to go back to live a life with Galinda… Did Galinda know about Liir the whole time? Did she know that Elphaba was alive and choose to stay away for all the years? And why was she here now?

“Honey, you still there?”

“Y- yeah, Mil. Just got lost in thought for a second.”

Before Milla could respond, Elphaba heard Liir’s voice in the background. “Is that my mama?”

“Yes, you wanna talk to her?”

Then he was louder, right in her ear. “Hi mama!”

“Hi Liiry! You having fun with the twins?”

“Uh-huh! We just built a lego tower and ate lunch.”

“Ahh a tower! My little architect!”

“Hey Rikla, come back here! Sorry, mama gotta go.”

“I love you, my love.”

“Love you too, mama.”

The line clicked just as her second phone chimed again. Elphaba picked it up at the red light.

I’m sorry.

Elphaba “loved” the first message then replied, Don’t be.

Can you tell me why you won’t speak to me?

Elphaba was going to respond, but the light turned green. She tossed the phone to the side and continued driving home.

———

Galinda huffed. Elphaba wasn’t responding to her which seemed to be their new normal. There was a time when Elphaba hurried to be near Galinda and now she rushed away at the sight of her. It was beginning to be infuriating and Galinda was losing patience.

She texted her again, ???

Elphaba responded, finally, Highmaster threatened to kill me if I talked to you.

Galinda was expecting something shocking, but Popsicle being behind everything was the least shocking outcome. At the root of all her problems was her father, it never failed. He was a continued thorn in her ass.

You really think I’d let him do that to you?

There was no way in hell, pregnant or not, that Galinda would ever let Popsicle get close to Elphaba knowing what she knew now. The anger rose inside of her with a quickness.

She texted again, Please let me fix this.

It took a minute but Elphaba responded, Liir is my first concern. He needs me. I’m sorry.

She couldn’t let Elphaba give up on them—

There was so much more left to their story. They still had years together to live and experiences to share. Galinda felt with every inch of her body that she and Elphaba were meant to be with each other until they died and then again when whatever came next happened.

Give me to the end of the day to fix this. Then can we talk, please?

Galinda watched the typing bubbles appear and disappear three times before Elphaba’s message came through.

Okay.

———

Galinda had a plan. It was quickly conceived as she walked into the building for the tour of the condo and filled with many outcomes, but it was all she could think of at the moment. Just like Oz, the Emerald City was guarded by a wall which meant there was only one way in and one way out. One thing she learned from Popsicle that rang true was that everybody had a price, and the guards at the wall were no exception.

After the tour, Galinda was given the keys to the condo on the spot and was told she could move in today which meant she officially had a place to live, a car, and a job on the horizon. Elphaba was the only thing she couldn’t figure out.

With no response from her still, Galinda continued on with her plan. She stopped at the bank to withdraw cash from her account and drove to the gate at the wall where the guards would be.

She wasn’t sure of anything except that this could go very wrong, and could be very dangerous for her and the baby. Then Elphaba crossed her mind. Thoughts of them together with their kids happily playing in the backyard plagued her head. She wanted that more than anything.

She rolled her window down as she approached the guard.

“Ma’am?”

“Hi! Is the Guard Captain on duty? I just have a question for him?”

The man walked over to a small booth that Galinda couldn’t see inside of. Then, much to her dismay, Fiyero walked out in full uniform.

Oh Oz…, Galinda thought to herself. She’d seen him some hours ago and now here he was parading as a guard. At this point, his secrets and lies went on for miles. Nothing that he did surprised her anymore. She didn’t care to scream at him and exert herself trying to get through to him. He was of little importance to her when she was so close to having Elphaba back.

“Galinda… What are you doing here?”

“I could ask the same of you!”

“I got a job. You said I should focus on providing for my kids, so that’s what I’m doing.”

While she wanted to be upset at him for keeping yet another thing from her, he was technically right (something she would never admit aloud). He had gone and done exactly what she asked of him and in record time. Though she didn’t care how he pulled this off so fast. She had one goal in her mind and now she could achieve it without having to spend any money. She only wished he told her before she wasted her gas driving to the wall.

“For once you’ve done something right.”

“Did you come here to insult me?”

“I didn’t even know you would be here, don’t flatter yourself… But since you are… You need to tell me if anyone from Oz tries to get in the city.”

“Galinda I—”

“I know about what Popsicle said to Elphaba, and I know you neglected to tell me. So before you tell me another lie, you should think about your kid that I’m carrying.”

His mouth went dry.

She continued, “If you want me to even consider letting you see the baby then you need to tell me everything about who’s coming in and out of this Ozdamn gate!”

Fiyero nodded, “Fine… W- what about Liir?”

Galinda chuckled, dryly. “That’s up to Elphie, but I wouldn’t hold your breath.” She rolled the darkly tinted window up and sped away.

Once she came to the red light, she texted Elphaba, I've taken care of Popsicle’s threat for now. Dinner?

When Elphaba’s message came through, Galinda felt her body buzz with excitement. She’d sent an address to a restaurant and the time they were supposed to meet. This felt unreal. Galinda dreamed of seeing Elphaba again, of having her all to herself for so long.

She read the message three more times to be sure she wasn’t making it up. Then she “loved” the message and headed to the hotel to pick out the perfect outfit for dinner with her Elphie.

———

“I cannot believe I just listened to you,” Elphaba said to Milla from the dining room table. She dropped her head in her hands while Milla chuckled, amused.

“Oh please, you know you wanted to see her again. I just helped you get there quicker.”

“Of course, I want to see her, but—”

Milla interrupted before the spiral could begin. “But she said she handled it right?” She shrugged.

Elphaba nodded.

“And you believe her? Do you think she’d put you in danger?”

The response came quickly, “No! Never!” Elphaba was skeptical of many things, but Galinda wanting to hurt her wasn’t one of them.

Milla came over to sit next to Elphaba at the table. She placed a comforting hand on her thigh. “Okay, so then talk to her. Try to figure it out… You love her and she’s here…”

Elphaba glanced over to Liir happily chasing Clarinda around the couch. His laugh echoed across the room; it was her favorite sound next to Galinda’s giggles. They both held a half of her heart and took it along with them without even having a clue. “He needs me…”

“Hey! He has a whole army of people ready to protect him from any harm, and so do you,” Milla reminded her. “If you want your girl, go get her. You deserve love, Elphaba.” Then she placed a soft kiss on Elphaba’s cheek and pulled her up.

“What would I do without you?” Elphaba rhetorically questioned with a smile.

“Sulk and make terrible decisions,” Milla joked. “Now go! Pick something cute to wear and let me and the kids judge!”

Elphaba laughed as she walked out of the dining room to head for her bedroom. She watched Liir play as she passed with two thoughts in her head:

She would do everything in her power to ensure that he kept that big, dopey grin on his face for the rest of his life.

And…

Milla was right, she deserved love.

Chapter Text

Elphaba stood in front of the full-length mirror in her bedroom, satisfied with the outfit she’d put together after twenty minutes of going through her closet. She decided on a dark purple tailored vest that had black stitching and buttons with a matching pleated skirt which stopped in the middle of her thighs. Under that were green tights that matched the color of her skin. The knee high boots she wore were pleather and all of her jewelry (a chain, rings, and a bracelet) were silver. Her hair was pinned on either side so it wouldn’t be in her face, but it ran, curled, down her back.

She threw her small purse over her shoulder, sprayed herself with her favorite poppy scented perfume, and made her way down the stairs to get everyone’s opinions.

“Be honest,” she said as she came into the living room. She did a shy spin then waited for their responses.

“Wow, mama! You look so pretty,” Liir said as he shuffled up from where he sat on the floor to give her a quick hug.

“Thank you, Liiry!”

“Hot! Very hot,” Milla said with a wink.

“What about you girls? How do I look?” Elphaba asked her nieces.

“So pretty,” Rikla cheered.

And, “I like it,” Clarinda added.

While most of Elphaba’s clothes were tailored given that she was on the shorter end, so she really had no choice unless she wanted to walk on her pants everyday, this specific set accentuated her curves and left her defined arm muscles on full display. The vest pulled in around the middle and the skirt flared below the waist.

“Yeah?” Elphaba asked just to be sure she looked good enough to sit at dinner with Galinda, who would undoubtedly come looking flawless.

Milla nodded enthusiastically. “If she doesn’t appreciate this look, I will!”

Elphaba laughed. Milla truly was her biggest cheerleader since she arrived to the city.

“Who are you going to see, mama?” Liir asked with his arm still lazily around Elphaba’s waist.

“Uh just a friend I haven’t seen in a while,” Elphaba replied. Although referring to Galinda as a friend felt wrong coming out of her lips.

“You’re stuck with me until she gets back, kid,” Milla said.

“Ice cream for dinner?” Liir questioned with a pout across his face.

“Absolutely not,” Elphaba said.

“Of course,” Milla shooed Elphaba away. “She won’t be here to stop us later.”

“Yaaaay,” Liir cheered and returned to the floor with the twins. “Have fun mama.”

Elphaba rolled her eyes knowing this was a battle she’d lose. Milla and Liir were a united force against her; both with huge sweet tooths. “If he’s up all night. He’s staying with you,” Elphaba joked, then she bent down to kiss the top of his head and she blew a kiss to Milla and the twins next. “And I will, my love. I love you all. See you in a bit.”

———

“This makes me look bloated!”

“Honey, you’re pregnant. Bloated is your new normal,” Pfannee said as Galinda threw yet another pink shirt at him.

She was on the tenth outfit because each of the nine before either made her look too boring, too bloated, too thin, too much like a try hard, or not enough like a try hard. There was not enough pink or too much pink. The white dress made her feel like she was going to a wedding, but the black one felt funerallike.

None of them were perfect and she needed to be perfect for Elphie. Anxiety coursed through her veins about how Elphie would perceive her.

How would she feel about the pregnancy?

Would she be open to giving them a real shot?

Galinda had so many questions she wanted answers to, but she wouldn’t even get the chance to ask them if she couldn’t find something nice to wear.

“What about this one?” Shenshen asked.

The dress in her hand was a soft pink with flowers all over it. It had a deep V-neck and V-shaped waistline. The bottom flowed beautifully down to the ground which was perfect because Galinda hadn’t planned on wearing very high heels today.

Galinda took the dress from Shenshen then shimmied out of the skirt she was wearing to try the dress instead.

She looked at herself in the mirror over the dresser. “This works!”

Pfannee, relieved that nothing was being hurled at him, handed Galinda a golden bracelet and fastened a thin gold chain around her neck. The necklace sat wonderfully between her now plumper and exposed breasts.

“Aren’t I to die for?”

“Didn’t Elphaba already try that?” Shenshen replied, jokingly.

“Shut it!” Galinda placed her hand on her belly and gave herself another look. “What do we think about my hair?”

“We think you look beautiful from head to toe,” Pfannee said.

Galinda’s hair was parted to the side and curled on the ends. It was nothing out of the ordinary for her, but it felt too simple. She wanted to “wow” Elphie, to remind her that she was still desirable with child and after ten years.

“You’re gonna be late if you keep dwelling,” Shenshen said. “She’s going to think you’re just as perfect as always.”

They then shared a loving look with soft smiles. “She better,” Galinda said.

She felt oddly nervous to finally get to speak to Elphaba freely— Or really at all, after so much time. In a perfect world, she’d already have Elphaba and Liir with her and they’d all be a big happy family. Elphaba would help her with the stuff she could no longer do when her belly gets too big and Liir would teach the baby all the stuff he knew she and Elphaba would disapprove of like where to hide snacks and how to get what he or she wanted. Despite not knowing Liir at all, there was no part of her that could reject any part of Elphaba and he was half of her. So, naturally she assumed she’d love him with everything she had just as she did Elphaba.

Galinda said her goodbyes to her friends and got in the car to drive to the restaurant. From the pictures she saw when she searched up the address Elphaba sent, it looked beautiful… And expensive. The place was covered in plants and fancy flower arrangements. There was a wine cellar built into the wall and a marble bar. The seating was a mix of standard tables, booths, and couches.

As a girl in Oz, Galinda knew she was accustomed to the finer things in life, and that she was extremely privileged to have been given the things she was, but this was another thing entirely.

After she parked the car, she started to feel that nervousness creep back inside of her. She’s the same girl you knew, just older, she told herself. There was nothing to be nervous about, it was Elphie she was talking to.

She took a deep breath then walked into the restaurant. The lights were dim; a sort of orange-yellow that was only achievable through an insane amount of color grading in movies… and in this restaurant.

“Hello, ma’am! Welcome in! Do you have a reservation?”

Galinda smiled at the hostess, choosing to ignore that she’d called her ma’am when she wasn’t even thirty yet! “I uh- Maybe? Try Thropp.”

“Galinda?”

Her head whipped around to see Elphaba standing just a few feet behind her, in an absolutely stunning outfit. She looked incredible from top to bottom. “Hi!”

Elphaba smiled. “Hi.”

Galind wanted to reach out to touch her. Her fingers tingled with the feeling of Elphaba’s skin pressed into her own, but she wasn’t sure if Elphaba would want that and she really didn’t feel like being embarrassingly rejected yet again.

“Thropp, yes! I can take you to your table. Follow me,” the hostess said as she grabbed menus and led the women to a secluded corner in the back, near the floor to ceiling windows.

“After you,” Galinda said with her arm outstretched.

Elphaba smiled again softly then followed the hostess to their table. She took her seat and dropped her purse around the corner of the chair.

Galinda could hardly focus on anything except Elphaba. She sat down and immediately picked up the menu to hide the redness she felt creeping up her chest.

Act normal! What is wrong with you? She internally berated herself. She was never this uncool around Elphaba.

“Excuse me, miss? Can I have a cocktail please?”

“Uh, aren’t you pregnant?” Elphaba said with her eyebrow raised.

“Oz! Yes, sorry. W- water would be nice,” Galinda stammered. Her palms were starting to sweat and she hadn’t a clue where to look.

Elphaba smirked over her menu. She noticed Galinda’d started to tug at her fingertips. “Galinda?”

“Hm?” Galinda replied a bit too eagerly.

“It’s just me, you know… You can relax,” Elphaba said with that same calming tone Galinda’d heard so many times before, and just like those times, her whole body settled.

She took a slow breath. “Sorry. I guess I’m a little nervous.”

Elphaba chuckled, “It’s totally fine. This is a lot.”

Galinda nodded. “Yeah…”

“Congratulations by the way,” Elphaba said to break the ice.

“Oh, thank you!”

“You’re gonna be a wonderful mother.”

Galinda’s body went warm at the praise. “Any advice?”

“Uhhh don’t let them have ice cream for dinner no matter how much they beg. They’ll never sleep and you’ll regret it.”

Galinda laughed. She could only imagine Liir hanging onto Elphaba’s body begging her for ice cream way past his bedtime… She wished she was there to see it with her own eyes, and maybe to sneak him some when Elphaba wasn’t looking. “Noted.”

The waitress appeared with two waters in hand.

“Thank you!”

“Thanks,” Elphaba said.

“So you like this place. It’s fancy…,” Galinda said as she looked around.

Elphaba’s face furrowed in confusion. “Galinda Upland complaining about the fanciness of something. I never thought I’d see the day.”

“I- I’m not complaining. I think it’s great! I just didn’t take you for the type to be here. You’re more of a dive bar and wings girl,” Galinda defended.

Elphaba’s mouth dropped open as she feigned hurt with a hand over her chest. “Dive bar chicken wings are splendid, Miss Upland. You should try the ones downtown,” she pinched her fingers together and brought them to her lips. “Chefs kiss!”

“I’m sure Pfannee will drag me along at some point.”

“Same old Pfannee. Gotta love him,” Elphaba said as she sipped her water.

There was an obvious elephant in the room that even the pleasant small talk couldn’t hide.

“You’re not the same though,” Galinda said quietly.

Elphaba sighed. She knew the conversation was about to get a whole less pleasant and a lot more serious. “No, I suppose, I’m not.”

The waitress came back to the table. “Are you ladies ready to order?”

Elphaba looked at Galinda who nodded.

“I’ll have whatever your best seller is,” she said. Honestly, she didn’t care about the food. She cared about finishing her conversation with Elphaba before she slipped away again.

“I’ll have the pasta, thank you.”

They handed off the menus then a silence came over the table. Neither of them seemed sure where to go from here. There was an awkwardness from having been apart for so long.

“When did you find out about me?” Elphaba blurted out. Might as well rip the bandaid off. “I mean did you always know?”

Galinda shook her head, “No. I found out just over a week before I came here. I would’ve come sooner if I had known.”

Elphaba nodded slowly.

“Why do you ask?”

Elphaba looked up from the glass she’d been absentmindedly twirling her straw in, to Galinda’s hopeful brown eyes. They were exactly the same as she remembered. Big and so full of a hope that she wasn’t sure she’d ever possess to the degree Galinda’s eyes did.

“I guess I just… Well…”

And there it was. That subtle shyness Galinda was so fond of. The way Elphaba would always avoid her eyes and her voice would shrink to just above a whisper.

She echoed Elphaba’s words back to her, “Elphie… It’s just me.”

“I thought maybe you were staying away on purpose.”

The silence that came over the table this time wasn’t awkward at all. It was Galinda taking a few seconds to process that Elphaba truly thought she’d ever not come for her. That there was any part of her that would willingly spend time away from her— To be clear, there was not. Such a section of her being didn’t exist and never would. She would find a way to permanently attach herself to Elphaba if she could.

“I would never! I could never!”

“So Fiyero really didn’t tell you…”

“Oz no! The idiot… He doesn’t tell me anything these days,” Galinda said with a flick of her hand.

“He told you nothing?”

Galinda sucked a gulp of water through the straw then said, “I found the map… So of course he confessed then. He said that you and Popsicle made an arrangement and that—”

“What?”

While Galinda knew (circumstantially) that Liir’s conception meant nothing to Fiyero, she didn’t know if Elphaba did have feelings for him. “…He said that you two slept together only once, but that it didn’t mean anything.”

Elphaba burst out laughing, “He’s right! It was only once and we were alone in a new place.” Her tone shifted to seriousness, “We had become friends, kinda… Mostly I think we both missed you and found you in one another. He told me that he took my hoodie to throw in your face and that he didn’t mean to take something I cared about… And well… he was very handsome and I hadn’t had much attention of that kind except from you.”

“Oh, Oz! My ears,” Galinda said as she rolled her eyes and raised her hands to cover her ears. “Please leave the details out.” She continued in a hurry, “Unless he was better than me!”

Elphaba giggled and Galinda’s heart started to beat faster on the spot. She was proud of herself for making Elphie laugh the way she used to. “I’ll tell you if you tell me,” Elphaba said with a shrug.

“Of course not! He’s dead to me now!”

Elphaba laughed again. “He is the father of your child isn’t he? Or maybe you have a new lover I shouldn’t assume?”

“He is… unfortunately. I’ve subjected my child to the bloodline of an idiot.”

Elphaba snickered. “Well so have I.”

Galinda panicked. She hadn’t meant to offend Elphaba or insult Liir. She wasn’t thinking fully when the words left her mouth. “No I didn’t mean— I mean I’m sure Liir is a great kid.” She dropped her head in her hands; defeated. “I’ve messed this all up haven’t I?”

Although Galinda didn’t see it, too busy hiding away out of embarrassment, Elphaba smiled at her. Her lips curved upwards ever so slightly, completely enamored with the girl she once knew. Then, with the gentlest of touches, her hands came to both of Galinda’s wrists across the small table.

“You remembered his name…,” Elphaba said softly. She hadn’t expected Galinda to remember, but it meant the world to her that she did.

When Elphaba’s fingers touched Galinda’s wrists, she felt instantly at ease. Elphaba’s fingertips rubbed along her skin slowly as she pulled Galinda’s hands away from her face.

Galinda was fucked.

And she knew there wasn’t a thing she could do about it. Just the simplest of touches sent her into a frenzy of internal panic and longing. She wanted Elphaba’s hands everywhere with her mouth up right up against her ear as she whispered sweet nothings over and over to her.

“Yeah. It’s a great name.” Really? Great name? That’s the best you came up with? Galinda said to herself.

Elphaba retracted her hands much to Galinda’s dismay. “He’s a great kid. Not at all an idiot by way of genetics.”

“Oz, I’m so sorry…,” Galinda apologized; mortified.

“It’s fine, really. Fiyero can be very infuriating. I get it.”

Galinda couldn’t bear to waste another second of her time with Elphaba on Fiyero. She wanted to know as much as she could about who Elphaba was now. “Will you tell me about your new life?”

“What do you want to know?”

Galinda shrugged, “I dunno. Everything I guess.”

Elphaba ran her hand over her arm as she thought. “Okay… I had Liir almost as soon as I got here. He’s almost ten now. His birthday is coming up and he’s very excited! He’s the best kid ever. Very energetic and so so sweet.” She paused to take a sip of her drink. “Perhaps I’m biased though… I have a great support system here with Milla. She’s been my anchor for the last few years.”

Milla? Who the hell was that? And why did Galinda feel suddenly rageful at the mention of her name?

“Milla? Who is that?”

Elphaba, seemingly blind to Galinda’s jealousy, answered happily, “She’s my best friend!”

Galinda’s heart cracked. She was supposed to be Elphaba’s best friend. “Oh…”

“I started to ramble. I’m sorry.”

Galinda shook her head, “Nonsense. I’ll always want to listen to you talk… What do you do for work?”

“I’m a child psychiatrist.”

Somehow that job made perfect sense to Galinda. She hadn’t a clue what the difference between a psychologist and psychiatrist was but she was fairly certain it meant Elphaba helped kids with their feelings, and that was the most perfect job she could think of for Elphie.

“That’s amazifying!”

Elphaba laughed. She misssd this. “You still do that.”

“I haven’t changed much,” Galinda said.

Elphaba had this whole life here with Milla and Liir, and her important job. She wore personally tailored clothes, something Galinda could spot from a mile away, and had this new confidence in her walk and eloquence in her personality. She had taken on an entirely new life and left Galinda behind.

She felt stagnant in comparison. She went to Shiz, got into architecture, was married and divorce… Now here she was pregnant by her ex-husband, in a new place totally confused on what to do next, and half dependent on her Popsicle’s money. It was hardly a fantasy life.

“Well, your turn! Tell me about you. I’m sure there’s a lot I’ve missed!”

“I’m an architect— Or I was… I’m divorced and… single. Oh, I did buy a condo here! But that’s really it. Far less entertaining than your life.”

Elphaba noticed the shift in Galinda’s tone this time. She wasn’t used to self-deprecation coming from her, but she understood. She had plenty of moments of self-doubt and comparison to the people around her that only ended in more negative things she had to say about herself. She wouldn’t let Galinda go down that path. Especially, while she was so emotionally vulnerable. “Stop that, you’ve just moved to a new place. Give yourself time to adjust and take it all in.”

“I know. I just never thought I’d be divorced before thirty and handling a pregnancy on my own.”

“I didn’t think I’d ever be allowed to walk the streets freely, but I do now.” Elphaba said, trying to find Galinda’s eyes. “And I have a son who I adore. Another thing I never thought I’d have. Life changes quickly, Galinda. Just because you struggle with it today doesn’t guarantee that you will tomorrow.”

Galinda smiled at Elphaba’s reassurance.

“Now tell me how you plan to keep your father from making my kid parentless.”

Right… The whole reason this dinner was even happening…

“Fiyero is a guard here. He’ll tell me if anyone from Oz tries to come here.”

Elphaba’s eyes flickered for just a moment. “And you trust him to tell you the truth?”

“I trust that he wants to be in this baby’s life. If he lies to me again, he’s never seeing his kid.”

Elphaba laughed incredulously. “You’re okay with using your kid as a pawn?”

“I don’t see it that way. I’m doing whatever I have to to protect you and Liir.”

“We were fine…,” Elphaba said sternly.

“Oz, you’re upset…”

“I’m not upset, but my kid isn’t a chess piece. I don’t see how you think it’s fine to use yours as one.”

“I’m no— That’s not what I’m doing.” It was Galinda who was offended now.

“What if when they’re older, they ask about him? What if they want to see him?”

“What if Liir?”

“Hey! Don’t!”

Galinda threw her hands up in surrender. “It’s a fair question, I think. Doesn’t he ask about his dad?”

“No.”

“You never bring him up?”

“No.”

Elphaba had closed herself off in an instant. Galinda’s slight irritation at Elphaba’s accusation dissolved when her answers changed to one word. “Elphie… I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you. I just— I’m not using my kid that way, but you can’t expect me to not do everything I possibly can to get you back.”

“You want there to be an us again? There was hardly one before…”

Elphaba’s words stung, but what Galinda had come to realize was that this new Elphaba was even more blunt than teenage her, and that was something she’d have to get used to. “Of course that’s what I want. That’s what I came here for. I never actually broke up with you.”

“You never actually asked me out.”

Galinda dropped her head. That was true. She hadn’t had the chance to properly ask Elphaba to be her girlfriend back then, and it haunted her for years. There was never a label for them that fit. To each other they were so much more, to their friends they were just friends, and to everyone else they were nothing.

“I should’ve.”

“You should’ve.”

“Would you have said yes?” Galinda asked tentatively.

“Faster than you could’ve even finished the question.”

Galinda’s cheeks turned bright red. “And if I asked you now?”

“Hmmm…,” Elphaba took a second to think. She wanted Galinda, but she also barely knew her now. She was open to the idea of them being together, but not before she was sure that Galinda’s life (her father) wasn’t a danger to the life she created for herself and Liir. Even though she didn’t fully agree with how Galinda went about making sure Highmaster wasn’t a threat, she knew Fiyero well enough to know that he was harmless. He wasn’t ready to be a father back then but he had wanted to be one some day. If Galinda believed that her threat to keep their child away from him was convincing enough for him to obey her then Elphaba would choose to believe that with her.

When the silence became too much for her, Galinda blurted out, “Oz! Do you have a girlfriend? Or boyfriend? Have I completely insulted you again?”

“No, my sweet.” The pet name slipped out absentmindedly. Elphaba’s eyes scanned Galinda’s for any sort of uncomfortableness, but of course there was none.

Galinda’s lips parted slightly out of shock.

Elphaba cleared her throat, “I’m single. And I’d say that we should probably get to know each other… A-and Liir would have to like you.”

“Oh, he will! And so will you… again,” Galinda squealed!

Elphaba shushed her just to say she did, there was no real authority behind the action. She loved watching Galinda get so excited and she was intrigued by her confidence in Liir taking a liking to her. “Come to his birthday party. Bring everyone except Fiyero. He’s not welcome.”

Galinda nodded. She wouldn’t intervene in Elphaba and Liir’s relationship with Fiyero when hers with Elphaba was so shaky. “Don’t think I’ve forgotten that you called me your sweet by the way.”

Elphaba playfully rolled her eyes, “Oz…”

“I liked it by the way… And you should know that I’m never gonna give up on us. I promised you I’d never leave you once, and that’s still true.”

Hearing Galinda reiterate a promise she made ten years ago made Elphaba more emotional than she intended to get when she agreed to this dinner. Galinda was just as optimistic and charming as she was as a teenager only it was twice as infectious ten years and one adorably protruding belly later. While Elphaba didn’t know how far along Galinda was, she assumed it was early given that her bump was small enough to be considered period bloat. She only knew Galinda was pregnant because she’d already adopted the mannerisms of a pregnant woman. Elphaba felt an influx of gentleness and care run through her as she looked at Galinda on the other side of the table, smiling at her as if she’d just given her everything.

And maybe she had.

Galinda always did have a knack for seeing things in a way Elphaba never could. So, maybe this dinner was just the beginning of the second half of their story.

Elphaba couldn’t help the words that left her mouth next. With so many things still undiscussed, and even more challenges to come… Somehow Galinda’s hope had rubbed off on her and she found herself wanting to stay here all night to talk about any and everything.

The fear she had of Highmaster’s threat fell to the back burner with Galinda’s eyes at the forefront of her mind. She wanted to give this a real try and believe that they’d figure out the rest of it together as they’d done in the past.

“You’re so beautiful… Still… No time could ever take that away from you.”

And she meant just that because she knew without a doubt that, at some point… when time had really run its course… and Galinda was wrinkled with gray hair and eye bags… when she needed a little extra help getting places and her speech slowed from the old age…

She knew that even then… Galinda would still be the most beautiful woman she had ever seen.

———

The rest of the dinner was spent with great food, mindless small talk, and subtle flirts between both women. Galinda was pleasantly full and Elphaba packed the remainder of her food up to go to be placed in a bag with the food she’d ordered for Milla’s family as a thank you and Liir because she knew he’d want some.

“Will you ladies be paying with cash or card?” The waitress asked.

“Cas—” Galinda started.

But Elphaba finished, “Card.”

“Elphie, I can—”

“But you won’t,” Elphaba cut her off again. She pulled out a black wallet that looked as if she’d had it since she came to the city. It hardly closed and no longer zipped.

Clearly, she’d been too busy or didn’t care enough to get a new one.

She pulled out a black card and handed it to the waitress who tapped it against the card reader. Galinda was thoroughly impressed with how far Elphaba had come in just a decade. From homeless and outcast, to being the owner of a black card with a family and so many people who cared about her. It was fascinating to Galinda and she wanted to know every little detail about how this woman who sat before her came to be.

After the woman handed her card back, Elphaba thanked her and gave her a one hundred dollar bill with a smile. Then she turned to Galinda, “Ready?”

Galinda nodded and followed her to the front of the restaurant. The nighttime breeze chilled her the second the glass door swung open. She covered her arms with her hands as best she could (which wasn’t very well) because in the haste of not wanting to be late, she didn’t bring a jacket.

Elphaba noticed Galinda’s shivers but was momentarily distracted by the pink Porsche parked right in front of the restaurant. She chuckled because of course Galinda had bought the most flashy car on the lot.

“What?” Galinda asked as she watched Elphaba laugh at her car.

“Real subtle.”

“Heyyy… It’s pretty!”

Elphaba laughed harder this time. “It is very pretty, and so you.”

Galinda nudged her shoulder softly. “Yeah well I’m probably gonna have to get a new one soon.”

“Oh yeah definitely… Unless you want to struggle to get out of this thing everyday.”

A comfortable silence fell between them. Elphaba looked at the car while Galinda looked at her. The city lights shined and the sounds of nightlife echoed all around them.

Elphaba took a breath then turned to look at Galinda. “Well… I guess I should probably—”

“Could you not go yet?” Galinda rushed. She wasn’t ready to say goodbye for the night and maybe she had a small fear of Elphaba disappearing again. She never could forget the feeling of seeing Elphaba again in the silo and thinking everything was going to be okay then being met with the worst news she’d ever received. The way her stomach ached for days after and how at the time she felt more nauseous than she ever had before. Of course, pregnancy nausea was another beast, but the nausea that came with grief was a close second.

Elphaba looked down at Galinda with the street light reflecting off her emerald eyes. She nodded, then took Galinda by the hand and pulled her down the street to her car.

Galinda didn’t question where she was being led or why, she didn’t care. Her hand was in Elphaba’s and that was all she needed for right now.

Elphaba clicked the button on her key to unlock the door, then with Galinda’s hand still in hers, she grabbed a green cardigan from the passenger seat. She reluctantly let go of Galinda to help her into the jacket even though she was perfectly capable of doing it on her own.

“Thank you,” Galinda said, grinning like a five year old.

Elphaba smiled in return. “How about a walk? There’s a great sweets stand not too far from here.”

“Sounds lovely,” Galinda responded. Her hand ached for Elphaba’s again, but she was too nervous to reach for her. She instead pulled the sleeves down past her hands. The cardigan engulfed her small body and smelled of poppies. Not quite the same way Elphaba smelled when she would walk in the field behind the cabin, but nonetheless it was a poppy scent.

“Dinner was great, by the way. I missed talking to you,” Elphaba said as they walked.

“I missed you.” Galinda made sure to emphasize that it was all of Elphaba she missed. Talking to her, looking at her, smelling her, feeling her, comforting her… There wasn’t a single aspect of Elphie that she didn’t adore and long for since the second the silo doors shut.

“Can I ask you something a bit personal?”

Galinda nodded. She would tell Elphaba everything she wanted to know.

“After I— When I was gone, how was it for you?”

Galinda sighed. She hated to think about that time in her life. She was incredibly depressed and she felt utterly alone even though she was surrounded by people. She didn’t want Elphaba to feel guilty. She also didn’t have any resentment towards her for doing what she did. “It was hard… I grieved you right up until I found out you were alive.”

Elphaba’s lips pinched together. “I’m sorry. I thought I was doing what was best for us at the time. And I was really terrified. I had just been strangled after all,” Elphaba said with a dry chuckle.

Galinda slowed her pace. “Huh? What are you talking about?” She folded her arms across her chest.

“Oh… Highmaster was going to kill me. He found me in his office with the map.”

“He put his hands on you…,” Galinda said.

Elphaba’s hand absentmindedly came around her neck as she remembered exactly what his hands felt like around her throat. She remembered how panicked she was and how she clawed at his hands. “Fiyero caught him.”

“You must’ve been so afraid… Elphie, I truly am sorry for everything you went through because of knowing me.”

Elphaba patted her bicep and Galinda wrapped her arm around Elphaba’s. “I never blamed you and I still don’t. It’s in the past now.”

And while that was true for Elphaba, it was new for Galinda. Her father was a murderous liar that she didn’t want to ever see again. She felt sad that her child would never know their grandparents but her sadness paled in comparison to the fierce protectiveness she felt alongside it.

Elphaba continued, “Are you angry with me for what I did?”

“What? Leaving?”

Elphaba nodded.

“No. I knew that you were trying to keep me from sacrificing something I really wanted.”

Elphaba let out a breath she didn’t even realize she was holding. “That’s good to hear. How’s the cardigan holding up?”

“Oh, it’s great! Very warm and really soft. Pink goes good with green!”

“Goes well with green…”

“It so does,” Galinda chirped.

They continued to walk and talk until they reached the street stand. Galinda ordered a cotton candy, the pink one, of course. While Elphaba opted for a churro. They sat on the bench next to the stand, facing the street.

“Mm so good,” Galinda said with cotton candy all over her mouth. She bit into it with her whole face, just like a child would. Elphaba watched, amused, as her face disappeared behind the large, pink fluff.

“It’s everywhere. You’re just like Liir,” Elphaba said, nonchalantly.

Galinda took another bite. “The baby loves it, too. I think it’s only you who doesn’t.”

“I’m the only one who probably doesn’t have a cavity…”

Galinda giggled, “The baby doesn’t have teeth so ha!”

Elphaba rolled her eyes and her hand came to rest on Galinda’s thigh. She was warm under Elphaba’s hold and with Elphaba’s hand so close to her center she felt the blood rush between her legs.

“How’s the churro?”

“Good! Though I doubt it's as good as you’re making that cotton candy look.”

“Probably not. Shame.”

Elphaba rubbed along Galinda’s thigh as if this was normal for her. As if they hadn’t ever been apart and she was never subjected to years without Galinda in her grasp. The action felt completely comfortable for both of them and desire inducing for Galinda. She’d always had a particularly high sex drive, but whenever she was near Elphaba she felt it on a whole new level. Her eyes drifted over Elphaba’s pointed jaw and her neck. She had to bite her lip to stop herself from getting lost in her incredibly horny thoughts.

When Elphaba took a bite of her churro, the way her full lips wrapped around the long stick made Galinda absolutely feral. She shifted her legs when her center started to throb and Elphaba retracted her hand.

“Sorry.”

“No, it’s okay. It was nice… Kinda felt like before,” Galinda said without tearing her eyes away from Elphaba.

“How about we agree to live in the now? We can’t get back the years we lost, but we can create new memories, right?”

Galinda finally put the cotton candy down. “Where’s this enthusiasm coming from? Not that I’m complaining— I’m not.”

“It’s a lot harder to be a cynic when you’re here and looking at me like you want to take me on this bench.”

Galinda choked on nothing. Had it been that obvious?

“Oz, you noticed that?”

“Galinda, I’m sitting right here and in case you forgot— I do know what that look means.”

Galinda’s neck and chest flushed, and she embarrassingly focused her eyes on the road in front of them. “Is it bad that I still think of you that way?”

Elphaba set the churro across her lap to free up both of her hands. With her left hand, she took the cotton candy out of Galinda’s hand and with her right she tucked her pointer finger under Galinda’s chin to bring her gaze back to her face. “No.”

Galinda’s heart rate accelerated and she swallowed a gulp. Elphaba was so close to her that she could feel her breath. “Do you think of me that way?… Even though I’m… you know?”

Elphaba’s eyes drifted down to Galinda’s lips, unashamedly. She hadn’t even tried to look anywhere else while she held Galinda’s face close to her own. “Yes,” she breathed out against Galinda’s lips. Her hand dropped around Galinda’s neck so she could pull her in closer. “Tell me to stop.”

“No,” Galinda said as Elphaba’s hand closed around her throat. It was painfully erotic to be sitting here with her ex-lover’s hand around her neck and the other somewhere near her lap. Her pussy was properly clenching around nothing now and even if she didn’t get to fuck Elphaba tonight, she was for sure going to fuck herself to the thought of it before she went to bed.

The sound of tires screeching broke Galinda from her lustful haze as she looked up to see a car driving way over the speed limit. The car drove past, splashing through a puddle just in front of them.

Galinda screamed and rushed to her feet.

“What an asshole! Are you okay?” Elphaba asked as she flicked her hands to attempt to get the dirty water off of her.

“I’m soaked! And not in a good way.” A lie because she was definitely soaked in a good way in addition to the dirty street water she was covered in.

Elphaba giggled.

“This isn’t funny, Elphie!”

Her giggles turned into full on laughter. How comical of the world to cockblock her in the most grueling of ways. She’d be scrubbing in the shower for at least an hour after this.

“Come on,” she said, taking Galinda by the hand to walk her back to her car.

“My cotton candy!” Galinda held up the empty paper stick.

Elphaba held her stomach from the pain of laughing. She couldn’t tell if Galinda seemed more upset about the water or that her late night snack was gone.

“Jerk,” Galinda screamed down the street!

“Oz, it’s fine. We were sitting right in front of the puddle. We should’ve known better.”

“No, he should be less of a jerk! What kind of person sees two women about to have the best kiss of their lives and ruins it!?”

“The best kiss of our lives, huh?”

Galinda reached out for Elphaba’s arm to hold onto. “Yes. I was about to change your life, Miss Thropp,” Galinda said arrogantly as she brushed off her dress.

Elphaba’s eyebrow raised. “I don’t doubt that.”

They arrived back at their cars shortly after. Galinda still wasn’t ready to let Elphaba go but her soaked underwear was becoming increasingly more uncomfortable and cold.

“Can I call you?” She asked.

“Let me see your phone,” Elphaba said.

Galinda pulled the device out of her purse and handed it over.

“There,” Elphaba said as she programmed her phone number in.

“I already had your number,” Galinda said, confused.

“You had the number to a phone I hardly use. Now you have the one I’ll be checking to see if you called,” Elphaba said with a wink.

Galinda’s cheeks burned. Elphaba’s ability to disarm her with quick remarks and sarcastic charm was as strong as ever.

Elphaba slotted her hand into Galinda’s and walked her over to the driver’s side of her door. She looked to make sure no cars were coming then clicked the button on the door that would open it automatically (with Galinda’s key in range). She then held the door open while Galinda got inside.

“Oh, your cardigan!” Galinda remembered.

“It’s fine. Give it back when you take me out again.”

Galinda’s smile practically went from ear to ear. She hadn’t messed any of this up despite the rockiness in the middle of dinner. She let Elphaba shut her in the car and waited for Elphaba to reach her own before she drove off.

She was sure she’d think about this night until the next time she saw Elphaba, and she was excited to tell her friends all about it. The wetness from the puddle didn’t even bother her anymore.

There was nothing that could anger her when she knew, at the very least, she was going to see her Elphie again.

Chapter Text

“Fuuuuuck! Elphie,” Galinda gasped as Elphaba pushed the hot pink strap fastened around her waist into her while she was bent over the edge of the bed. Her face was buried into the mattress to quiet her whines and her left hand gripped the sheet beneath her.

“I know, my sweet, but I think you can take it… Can’t you?” Elphaba asked with a certain flirtiness in her voice. The toy was of average length but quite wide in girth. She rubbed her hand up and down Galinda’s spine to calm the low noises she’d been making.

“I can’t,” Galinda said as she exhaled.

“Yes, you can, baby,” Elphaba cooed. Her mouth came to Galinda’s neck to kiss so she’d get more wet and stretch for her. She knew this toy would be a challenge, they both did, and they agreed that if Galinda squeezed her three times she’d stop. Luckily, Galinda hadn’t done that yet.

Galinda spread her legs open even more when Elphaba began to suck on her pulse point. Elphaba’s tongue was heaven sent, licking over every place that her teeth bit.

“Elphieeee!”

“El?”

“You’re stretching me sooo good,” Galinda cried out as Elphaba pushed into her deeper.

Elphaba sat up to spread Galinda’s ass cheeks as she pulled out slowly then pushed back in. She wanted to watch her dick disappear inside of Galinda and the cum that came out every time she pulled out.

“Elphieee! Pleaseee! I need you deeper!”

“Elphaba?”

“You want more of me?” Elphaba questioned, knowing full well what the answer was.

“Y-yes please! More! All of you!”

Elphaba pushed into Galinda until her hips were flush with Galinda’s ass, and then she pulled out and slammed into her again.

“Ah! Elphaba!”

“Elphaba!”

She jumped at the sound of her name being screamed. Milla sat to her left with a sandwich in her hand.

“Huh?” Her head swirled around. “Sorry. I was thinking… Thanks,” Elphaba said, taking the sandwich.

With a grin etched into her face, and her finger waving around teasingly, Milla questioned, “Mmm you were thinking about Galinda weren’t you?”

Elphaba scoffed, convincing no one, not even herself, “Psh no! I was thinking about something else!” She laid back on the picnic blanket beneath them and began to unwrap the meatless sandwich.

“One day you’ll learn how to lie but obviously that’s not today,” Milla responded.

They were out at the park with their children enjoying the hot weather. It was often much easier to just do activities together given that the kids were so close, and Milla and Elphaba could rotate watching them. It allowed them adult time together while the kids were distracted and a sense of having a larger family which Elphaba loved!

Boq was on the playground chasing the children around, so Elphaba and Milla hung back at the picnic blanket with glasses of wine and snacks. These were some of Elphaba’s favorite days; the ones where she could bask in the sunlight with her family and create memories. It was exactly what she’d dreamed of as a child— Well, almost exactly…

Galinda Upland infiltrated her dreams a long time ago and hadn’t left her mind since. As happy as Elphaba was with her life, there was a piece of it missing that she desperately wanted to get back no matter how hard she tried to forget. After dinner, hope sunk into Elphaba’s bones and took over. She started to daydream about Galinda and spending time with her the way they used to. She wanted to do so many things with her and show her an abundance of experiences she was sure she hadn’t had back in Oz.

The latest of those experiences being to bend her over the bed and fuck her until she dripped and begged.

Elphaba couldn’t get Galinda in that soaking wet dress out of her head. At the time she’d tried not to focus on Galinda’s pointed nipples through the thin fabric, or that just with a simple touch she had Galinda twitching beneath her, and not to mention Galinda’s breasts had grown (a pregnancy symptom Elphaba was eternally grateful for).

She bit her lip as she got lost in thought again…

“You’re incorrigible! Just call her,” Milla suggested.

Elphaba rushed up to a sitting position. “Doesn’t that seem too desperate? It hasn’t even been a week since I last saw her.”

“You’re basically a salivating dog right now. I’d say you are desperate!”

Elphaba contemplated with another lip bite. After that night of the dinner, she and Galinda had texted a bit, but not nearly as much as she wanted to. Galinda was busy furnishing her condo to perfection, and Elphaba had some sessions at work and Liir to look after.

“What would I even say?”

“This is fascinating to watch… You’ve never been this nervous about anyone else you’ve told me about,” Milla said, popping a chip in her mouth.

Elphaba blushed. She hadn’t been this nervous about anything since she was waiting to find out if the accelerated psychiatrist program would accept her. “Oz… Okay- Okay! I’m just gonna call her.”

Milla grinned, sipping her wine (disguised in one of those disposable coffee cups because the emerald city moms would freak if they knew she was having wine at the park with her kids).

Elphaba stared at Galinda’s contact in her phone for a few seconds. Then she pushed call and waited for Galinda to pick up.

One ring…

Two rings…

Three rings…

Voicemail.

Elphaba’s chest went hot. Why was being sent to voicemail embarrassing?

“Maybe she’s busy,” Milla said.

Then Elphaba’s phone lit up with Galinda’s name. She answered on the first ring…

“Elphie?”

“Hi!”

She could hear Galinda’s smile through the phone. “I’m sorry, I couldn’t get to the phone fast enough… How are you?”

Elphaba looked to Milla who gave her a thumbs up. She waved the distraction away playfully. “It’s okay! I’m good— Great! You?”

“Same!”

There was a beat of silence—

Galinda started again, “I’m sorry that I haven’t ca-”

Elphaba’s voice clashed with hers, “I know I’ve been busy lat-”

They both laughed nervously.

“You first,” Elphaba said.

“I was just saying that I’m sorry I haven’t called after dinner.”

“Yeah, I was starting to think you planned to keep my cardigan,” Elphaba joked, confidently. “Thief!”

Galinda giggled on the other end of the phone. “Me? Thief? Never! If I wanted to keep your clothes, I wouldn’t have to steal them. You’d give me whatever I asked for.” The flirtatious tilt in her voice had Elphaba’s flesh go warm.

“You sound sure.”

“I am.”

“What makes you think I wouldn’t make you work for it?” Elphaba flirted back. After all, flirting was one of her favorite games to play since moving to the Emerald City. Everyone before Galinda felt like a test drive for the real thing.

Galinda’s voice dropped and her speech slowed, “I was hoping you would.”

Elphaba could hear the sultry silkiness oozing through the phone. If Galinda was right in front of her, she’d have grabbed her by the neck and put her to work right then and there.

Milla nudged Elphaba. “Invite her,” she whispered.

Elphaba hit the mute button on the phone. “What? Here? No!”

“Oh come onnnnn! I’m dying to meet her!”

“Liir is here! I’m not ready for them to meet yet.”

“Elphie? You still there,” Galinda said.

Elphaba clicked unmute. “Y-yes! Mmhm. I do believe you were supposed to ask me out…”

Galinda bit her lip, a bit frazzled. She didn’t know where to take Elphaba, but she wanted to see her more than anything. “How about you tell me somewhere you want to go, and it’ll be my treat. You know far more exciting places here than I do…”

“How adventurous are you feeling?” Elphaba asked with a glint in her eye.

“Oh Oz…,” Galinda hesitated, but she knew deep down she’d say just what Elphaba wanted to hear.

“You know I wouldn’t let anything happen to you… or the baby,” Elphaba reassured her.

“I know. Okay- Send me the details. Does tomorrow work for you?”

Elphaba smiled, “Perfect!”

“See you tomorrow. Bye!”

“Bye!”

———

Galinda arrived at the destination very excited from what she’d seen when she searched up the address Elphaba sent. It was an archery course through the woods; a sort of pick your own adventure vibe. What that meant to her was that she and Elphaba would be alone in a secluded area for hours. Amazifying!

She stepped out of the car in a light pink long sleeve shirt (tucked into her pants) and pink army fatigue cargo pants. She had a belt fastened around her waist and boots with a small heel.

She loved a good themed occasion. Yesterday, when she found out where they’d be going, she overnighted a bunch of “tough clothes”, as she referred to them, to the condo.

“There you are,” Elphaba said from behind her. She wore a slightly cropped black tank and standard army fatigue cargo pants with black boots.

“Hi, we match,” Galinda cheered as Elphaba approached her.

“We do. You look amazing!”

Galinda smiled. “Thank you. So do you!”

“You know, I’m surprised you showed up after seeing what I picked.”

“I’m not thrillified to get dirty… again… but- well… I wanted to see you,” she said with her eyes pointed to the dirt.

Elphaba didn’t give her any time to overthink what she’d said before she replied, “I wanted to see you too. That is why I called after all.”

They shared soft smiles then walked into the building to do all the paperwork required to get out on the course. There was a very quick and very general training course about ten minutes long, then they were out the back door and into the woods.

Galinda took a breath, not really sure she’d understood everything she’d just learned. She was distracted by Elphaba being next to her and thinking of all the ways she could inadvertently scare her off.

“Feeling good?” Elphaba asked.

“Uh- Y-yeah. You first!”

Elphaba laughed. She could sense the anxiety coming from Galinda. “Come,” she said with her hand outstretched for her. She took the back with the bow and arrows from Galinda to sling around her own shoulder while they walked down the path to the first target.

Galinda happily put her hand in Elphaba’s.

“How many times have you done this?”

“Oh, so many! It’s quite fun and challenging,” Elphaba replied. This was one of the ways she’d clear her mind when life got especially rough.

“Hm, at least you’ve stopped with the puzzle books,” Galinda said with a shrug.

“Oh no! I have a collection of puzzle books just waiting for me back home. I’ll send you some pictures,” Elphaba said with a chuckle.

“Oh Oz! Elphie, give it up! It’s been years!”

The path went on for a few more minutes, then the first target came into view. It was bolted to a tree about twenty feet up ahead and very large in size. It was clearly meant for a beginner.

Elphaba pulled the bow and an arrow out of the bag, then set the bag down.

“I’m ready to be wowed,” Galinda said from beside her.

“Wanna up the stakes?”

“How so?”

“Hmm if I get three bullseyes you owe me one thing of my choosing.”

Galinda’s brows furrowed. “Like what?”

Elphaba shrugged nonchalantly, “I’ll know when I know.”

“Well what do I get if you miss?”

“What do you want?”

“A second date!”

Elphaba’s lips curled into a smirk. “I can do that.”

“Yay! We have a deal!”

Elphaba winked at Galinda then raised the bow and arrow, elbows angled perfectly, pulled back, and released the arrow barely glancing at the target.

Galinda’s eyes darted over to the target. There was Elphaba’s arrow, front and center.

Bullseye.

“That’s one,” Elphaba said, cockily.

“Not fair! That was really easy and you’ve done this before,” Galinda pouted.

Elphaba laughed at the adorable absurdity of Galinda’s tantrum. If only she knew that she knew exactly what she was going to ask for when she inevitably won this little deal they had.

“Your turn, princess.”

Galinda’s pouting stopped; she swallowed a breath. She hadn’t heard that nickname in so long it caught her completely off guard.

“Here,” Elphaba said, handing her the bow and an arrow.

Galinda took the foreign object and positioned herself as she’d seen Elphaba do. She looked back at her for confirmation that she was doing well, and was met with a look of encouragement.

“You can do it.”

Galinda looked back to the target and bit her lip. Her elbows weren’t in the perfect position and her legs weren’t nearly as far apart as they should be, but nonetheless she took the shot anyway. The arrow landed in the dirt a few feet in front of the target.

“You need more power and a few minor tweaks,” Elphaba said. “May I?”

Galinda nodded eagerly.

Elphaba came up behind her slowly. She gently held Galinda’s waist while she used her foot to push Galinda’s a step further apart. She could feel every breath Galinda took through the outward movement of her stomach. She let her hands linger for a while, happy to have Galinda in her grasp. Then she dragged her fingers up Galinda’s side until she reached her arms. Her fingertips grazed Galinda elbows as she brought them up to where they should be.

“Better?” Elphaba asked with her body pressed into Galinda’s back. Her lips were near Galinda’s ear and her right hand had came up hold Galinda’s that pulled the arrow back while Elphaba’s left hand dropped back to just under Galinda’s breast.

The soft press of Elphaba’s hand against her ribcage pushed Galinda’s body further into Elphaba’s. Then she felt Elphaba’s right hand pulling hers back to give the arrow more power.

Elphaba’s voice entered her head, “On the count of three let go…”

“O- okay.”

“One…”

Galinda felt the anticipation rise within her.

“Two…”

Elphaba’s hands felt so good around her body. She could feel this way forever.

“Three!”

Galinda let go of the arrow, just as she’d been told! She watched it soar through the air and land just below the bullseye.

“I did it! I actually hit it!” Galinda bounced happily with a huge grin plastered across her face. She turned to Elphaba and threw herself in her arms out of excitement.

Elphaba’s hands wrapped around Galinda’s body for no more than a second before Galinda pulled away.

When their eyes met, Galinda had a look of disbelief and mortification on her face. “I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to—”

Elphaba took her by the forearms. “It’s okay! You did it! That’s something to be very proud of!”

Galinda smiled again. “You helped.” She continued, “But only a little!”

Elphaba laughed while her body buzzed with the feeling of having Galinda in her arms. From then on she couldn’t stop looking at Galinda as they went through the course. Elphaba had hit a second bullseye, but after a while she let Galinda do all the shooting because she loved the excitement that radiated off of her when she hit them on her own. They spent at least two hours talking in between actually shooting arrows, so much so that the sun was now setting and they still had one more target to hit.

“Last one,” Elphaba said as she picked up the arrow and got into her stance.

“Good luck!”

The target was high in the air, swinging from a tree. Elphaba’s eyeline was disrupted by low hanging leaves and the disappearing sun. For once, she was unsure that she’d hit this one which meant she’d lose the bet.

She pulled back, lined up the shot, and released…

The arrow flew through the woods and clipped the bottom of the target.

“Second date! Woo,” Galinda cheered.

“You win,” Elphaba said as she began packing up the bow. “Let’s get you back home. I’m sure your feet are killing you.”

“Beauty is pain.” Galinda shrugged.

“Pregnancy is worse,” Elphaba joked.

“You didn’t enjoy yours?” Galinda said while they walked back.

Elphaba thought back to that time. Fiyero disappeared and she was left to do it all alone. She didn’t get the luxury of having someone help her when her feet ached, or someone to get water for her in the middle of the night when her back hurt so much she could hardly move. “It was hard.”

Galinda could see that there were things Elphaba was neglecting to tell her. Stuff that maybe she wasn’t even letting herself think about…

She slid her hand into Elphaba’s and locked her fingers. “Fiyero is a real asshole.”

Elphaba snickered, she wasn’t expecting that. “He’s not all bad.”

“How do you not hate him? Because I’m having trouble with it.”

The truth was that Elphaba did hate Fiyero at one point in time. She hated him for leaving her to raise their child alone and for pretending to be her friend then forgetting her like she didn’t matter to him.

Over time that hatred dissolved into indifference.

Once Liir was born, Fiyero became of no interest to her. She didn’t really want to share Liir anyway. Her love for him was completely selfish in the sense that she wanted to spend every second with him in the early days of his life. The parts of raising a newborn that most women dreaded like the feeding every few hours and the lack of sleep did have an effect on her, but she also loved being responsible for him. She loved knowing that if no one else ever loved her again, she would always have him. There wasn’t anything in the world that could ever drive them apart and he wouldn’t think ill of her the way everyone in Oz did.

He was her only blood family now (given that she and Nessa weren’t on great terms) and they would love each other indefinitely with or without Fiyero.

“Our situations aren’t the same. I can’t tell you how to feel about him, my sweet.”

Galinda sighed, “I know… He and I used to be such good friends. We told each other everything. I loved him very much…”

Elphaba squeezed Galinda’s hand. “And now?”

Sternly, “He lied to me— So many times. It was so unlike him… until it wasn’t. I was his wife for Ozsake! And he still lied to me!”

“I could understand it from his side... He was losing the woman he loved to someone else.”

Galinda shook her head. “No, that was before. And I felt bad about that… but after he came back, he should’ve told me the truth! Instead, he kept you from me, and fucked me until I ended up pregnant.”

Galinda’s vulgarity shocked Elphaba. The woman only really cursed during sex. This Fiyero thing was truly upsetting her.

“Still he had to know, and I don’t mean to sound cocky, but he had to know that you’d try to come here if he told you.”

“Why are you defending him?”

“I’m not really. I don’t care what you decide to do with him, but I don’t want you to carry this stress through your pregnancy, my sweet.”

Galinda pulled their hands close to her chest. “No more talking about him. This is my time with you.”

Elphaba nodded. “What are we doing on our next date?”

“Something relaxing! All this walking gave me the perfect idea,” Galinda said with a smile as they made it back to the building.

They returned the gear to the front counter and were now at Galinda’s car. Elphaba opened the driver’s door for Galinda.

And once again, Galinda wasn’t quite ready to let Elphaba go. “Wait! What were you gonna make me do if you’d won?”

Galinda was between the open door and the base of the car with Elphaba directly in front of her. She still had Elphaba’s hand in one of her own while the other absentmindedly landed on her own belly.

“Shouldn’t that be a secret?”

Galinda unconsciously pulled Elphaba’s hand closer to her, bringing Elphaba with it. “Of course not! You lost anyway. Tell meeee.”

Elphaba’s eyes landed just past Galinda’s head. “I was going to say you owe me a kiss.”

Galinda noticed a dark green creep up Elphaba’s chest and across her cheeks. “So ask me.”

“What?” Elphaba questioned even though she’d heard exactly what Galinda said.

“Ask me for a kiss.”

Elphaba’s green eyes met Galinda’s brown ones and she practically melted on the spot. Her heart pounded out of her chest and her hand started to sweat in Galinda’s. “Galinda… Can I-”

“Yes!”

Elphaba chuckled.

“Too eager?” It was Galinda who blushed now, too entranced by the woman in front of her to care.

Elphaba simply shook her head. With her free hand, she held Galinda’s jaw and let her thumb draw lines across her soft skin. Then she leaned into Galinda’s space, so close they could feel each other’s breath, but not nearly close enough. She whispered into Galinda’s mouth, “You’re perfect, still.”

And brushed her lips against Galinda’s in a kiss so gentle, so tender, that her whole body reacted. Her head twitched ever so slightly then Galinda slid her hand under Elphaba’s shirt and tugged her closer by the waist.

Their lips pushed into each other and Galinda let out a quiet moan before opening her mouth wider.

What started as a featherlight kiss quickly turned into a makeout session against Galinda’s car. Elphaba’s tongue touched every part of Galinda’s mouth but it still wasn’t enough, and Galinda’s hand explored all around Elphaba’s mid section. She could feel some of the raised moles on her back, and started to commit them to memory.

When Elphaba finally pulled away it was for no other reason than her lungs screaming at her for air.

“Wow,” she breathed out, still close to Galinda.

“Changed your life, didn’t I?” Galinda licked her lips, satisfied for now. Her hand rubbed Elphaba’s back mostly because she didn’t want to stop touching her.

“You have no idea what you’ve just done to me, my sweet.”

Chapter Text

Galinda’s phone flashed with a message, You still haven’t returned my cardigan, thief… 😉

She was walking out of the doctor’s office from her three month checkup appointment. There was nothing out of the ordinary going on with her or the baby, thankfully. Which meant everything was going according to plan for the day.

She woke up to a text from Elphaba confirming they were still on for their date this afternoon. She ate breakfast with Chistery, did some shopping for knick knacks, then went to her doctor's appointment.

Now it was time for her to meet Elphie!

She made sure to tell Elphaba not to wear any makeup and to dress in a way that was easy to undress. Of course, they’d dipped into some very flirty banter after Elphaba made a joke about Galinda undressing her.

Galinda smiled at her phone as she arrived at the spa! She’d planned a whole afternoon of relaxation and rejuvenation for them. She wasn’t far enough along in her pregnancy that anything other than her breasts hurt much more than usual, but Elphaba was right, Fiyero was adding unnecessary stress to her life and she figured that with her having an active (almost) ten year old, Elphaba could use the break too.

The spa was at the top of a large, winding hill in what would definitely be considered the “lavish” part of Oz. These types of places just seemed to follow Galinda wherever she went.

The sun shone high in the sky accompanied by fluffy clouds and a gorgeous clear blue hue. As Galinda walked the pristine stone walkway, she was extremely proud of herself for finding a gem like this. From what she could already see there was an infinity pool with lounge chairs and cabanas, a wine bar, and an outdoor hot tub.

“Hello, Miss Upland, welcome to the Emerald Resort and Spa! A glass of champagne for you?” The respectfully dressed woman greeted her with a champagne tray in her hand.

Galinda rubbed her belly, and smiled. “I wish, but sadly I can’t. Thank you!”

The woman nodded and led her along the way. “The rest of your party has already arrived and is waiting for you in the lobby.”

As they entered the large but very open building, Galinda was once again blown away by the interior design of yet another place. The resort had a very clean look with cream colored paint and stone accent walls. The ceilings were at least fifteen feet high and there was an exceptional amount of natural light coming through from the sun roof over the lobby.

Straight ahead of her was the front desk with granite countertops. To her right was the seating area, where Elphaba was. To her left, across an open space, was an indoor pool guarded by a glass wall. There were people floating and swimming laps while others relaxed in the lounge chairs.

“Hey, you,” Elphaba said with a champagne glass in her hand. She wore a simple black tank top and jeans. So easy to undress, Galinda thought to herself.

She smiled, taking in her flawless appearance. Elphaba’s hair was different… She wasn’t sure what the braids were called but they weren’t her usual ones. These ones went from the front of her head to the middle of the top of her head, each with their own parted section. They resembled rows on her scalp. The braids in the back flowed freely, although they were parted into squares as opposed to the miniature sections her microbraids had.

Galinda loved this look on Elphaba!

“Hi, you look so beautiful,” Galinda said as she wrapped her arms around Elphaba’s neck.

Her eyes fell closed comfortably while she took in Elphaba’s scent, and the feel of her arms wound tightly around her back.

“I just threw this on,” Elphaba said, pulling away from the hug.

“Your braids have changed,” Galinda pointed out, still fascinated by the new hairstyle.

Elphaba smiled, “Oh yeah! I had an appointment yesterday. What do you think?” She asked before doing a quick turn giving Galinda a view of the back.

“Wow! Beautiful!”

“My scalp hurts every time I raise my eyebrows,” Elphaba laughed. “So if this place is offering hot towels, I know exactly where it’s going.”

Galinda chuckled, “That helps?”

“Ozzzz, yes,” Elphaba moaned at the thought. “After a few days, it’ll loosen up though.”

Galinda took a mental note for the next time Elphaba changed her braids. “I hope the pain isn’t too bad.”

“Oh, it’s fine. I didn’t mean to sound so dramatic. Don’t worry about me,” Elphaba said with a reassuring smile. “So, what’s first? You’re in charge here…”

Galinda rose to the tip of her toes out of excitement. “Well, I was thinking we could start with massages to really get relaxified! Then I want to do a face mask on you and maybe we can try the mud baths! Oh, and we should probably dip in the hot tub, but obviously I’ll just stick my legs in. And I–”

“Galinda,” Elphaba said calmly. Her freshly manicured hand came to rest on Galinda’s shoulders. “Take a breath… You said you want to do the massages first?”

Galinda nodded, “Mmhm! I just get so happy about these things! Relaxation is the first step to beauty!”

Elphaba ran her hand down Galinda’s arm until she was holding her hand; the other still held the champagne glass. She threw the last little sips back, then set the glass flute down on the polished side table to let Galinda lead her to the massage room.

While she wasn’t in awe of the building the way Galinda was, she could appreciate how there was a consistent theme and how divinely decorated it was. Huge plants were scattered strategically around and shell-shaped, glass scones lined the hallway that they were currently walking down. The further they went, the further they got from the brightness of the main room. The lighting down here was moodier. They took an elevator down a level and when the doors opened, Elphaba felt like she’d entered an entirely new dimension.

Galinda squeezed her hand and squealed from excitement. “Elphie, come on! This is so great!”

Elphaba let herself be tugged along as they passed people doing all sorts of things, all wearing robes. Some were getting hot rock massages while some walked around with green masks on their faces. There were people in a sauna, melting their problems away, Elphaba assumed. There was a soft song playing lowly through the speakers in the ceiling that contributed to the calming feel of the room in addition to that moody, warm lighting she’d noticed earlier.

Galinda led her to a room in the back, that was large enough for a whole party of people, but only consisted of a few staff members and them.

“We have a private suite,” Galinda exclaimed!

Elphaba felt suddenly uncomfortable under such an enormous gesture. There was no doubt that she was well off, but that didn’t necessarily mean she was used to grand gestures. She spent her money sparingly and mostly on Liir. They lived in a modest home that she rented, she’d purchased her car used, and hardly ever splurged on things for herself.

“Galinda… This is…”

“Great!”

“A lot,” Elphaba mumbled.

Worry crossed Galinda’s face. Her excitement and extravagance had an adverse reaction to the one she was hoping for. She thought Elphaba would be happy to have a day of lounging, but she looked like she wanted to bolt for the door. “What’s wrong?” Galinda asked, hoping it wasn’t something she did.

“This must’ve been so expensive. I can’t let you pay for all of this.”

Galinda brushed Elphaba’s words off. “It’s fine! Popsicle’s paying for it! I consider it retribution for the years of torment, and you should too.”

“Your robes,” one of the attendants said as she brought over two robes. One baby pink one monogrammed: G.U., and another jet black one monogrammed: E.T.

“Galinda, you had them monogrammed! This is insane,” Elphaba said as she took the robe from the woman to inspect closer.

“Only the best for you,” Galinda said, grinning.

“How much was all of this? Seriously,” Elphaba replied.

“Doesn’t matter! C’mon aren’t you happy to have absolutely nothing to do…,” Galinda pleaded with her. She poked her bottom lip out and lifted her eyelids just enough to tug at Elphaba’s heartstrings.

Elphaba bit her lip. She could enjoy the free massages or argue with the girl who had the big brown eyes…

“Okay- Okay! You win—”

“I usually do,” Galinda said as she kissed Elphaba’s exposed shoulder, then skipped away to the changing room. “Come oonnnnn,” she sang out as she went.

Galinda went into the small changing room and pulled the curtain while Elphaba waited outside for her turn.

She heard Galinda make little grunting sounds and squeal, all of which she found to be positively adorable. She did, however, wonder what Galinda was doing that could warrant such noises. She turned towards the curtain prepared to ask if Galinda was okay, but her eye caught the back side of a practically naked Galinda.

Apparently, Galinda hadn’t closed the curtain all the way. Elphaba could also see the front parts of Galinda that her body wasn’t blocking due to the full length mirror in the changing room. She knew that she should’ve looked away to give Galinda privacy, but instead she looked around the room to make sure none of the staff could see what she did. Then she looked back to Galinda, who wasn’t paying any attention to her. Galinda was sizing up her belly with only her underwear on. Elphaba watched as Galinda tilted her head to the side as she surveyed the small bump, then she bit her lip.

Elphaba couldn’t control the way her tongue sprung out to wet her lips nor the clench of the flesh between her legs.

When Galinda turned to get a look at herself from the side, her breast and very hard nipple came into Elphaba’s eyesight. She inhaled sharply, perhaps too sharply because Galinda’s head shot up and their eyes met.

Elphaba didn’t move. She couldn’t. She was stuck between embarrassment at having been caught and the desire to get on her knees and taste Galinda. To drag the pink thong she was wearing down her legs and put her face into the flesh it used to cover.

Galinda didn’t seem bothered at all that Elphaba was looking at her. In fact, she did half of the work for her by pulling her underwear off right in front of her. She kept her eyes locked on Elphaba’s as she did and when she was done, she simply put her robe on, tied it closed, set her clothes to the side, and pushed the curtain the rest of the way open.

“Your turn,” she said as she stepped towards Elphaba. Then with a hand on Elphaba’s stomach, and their faces close enough to kiss, she whispered, “You could’ve helped me if you wanted a closer look.”

Elphaba looked down to Galinda’s lips— Lightly colored pink and oh so kissable. Then she cleared her throat in a failed attempt to snap out of the lust her body was feeling. “You should’ve asked for help if you wanted it.” She sauntered off into the changing room, making sure to pull the curtain all the way closed just to get under Galinda’s skin (flirtatiously).

When Elphaba emerged from the changing room, Galinda was pleasantly aroused. It didn’t take much for her to get this way these days. Especially knowing that Elphaba was completely naked under the robe and had liked what she saw when Galinda was changing.

“You missed the show,” Elphaba said with a wink as she walked past Galinda to the massage table where the masseuse was waiting for her.

Galinda followed behind her to the table right next to her. She laid down, then undid her robe in the front while Elphaba did the same.

“You aren’t gonna peek this time, right?” Galinda asked rhetorically. She didn’t care if Elphaba ogled her all damn afternoon.

“I haven’t made up my mind,” Elphaba joked back. She put her face into the hole in the table and Galinda did the same, then they both felt their robes being removed.

“Hot rocks?” The masseuse asked.

“Yes,” they both responded.

The massages started off fairly normal with their neck and backs being pushed into in a way that hit all the right spots. Galinda particularly enjoyed the massages to her legs while Elphaba loved the warmth of the rocks on her spine.

They were both so into the massages that they hadn’t really talked through it.

Once they were done, both women were handed their robes and sat up to get covered up. They both did so turned away from the other one out of respect, though they were both sure that aspect of it was out the window after what Elphaba witnessed.

“That was soooo good,” Elphaba said, rolling her fully untensed neck. Her body hadn’t felt this good since she was a child.

“Can I do a face mask on you now?” Galinda asked. It reminded Elphaba of how she used to pamper her at the abandoned house and then the cabin. She would never forget the very first time Galinda attended to the needs of her appearance… among other things.

While she knew she was going to let Galinda do the mask on her, she took pleasure in messing with her. “Don’t they have professionals for that?”

Galinda frowned. “Do you want a stranger poking your face or me?”

“Well I did just let a stranger massage my ass so…,” Elphaba said as if she was weighing her options.

“Elphaba!” Galinda berated her. “Just sit over there.”

Elphaba laughed but did as she was told. She walked over to the set of recliners that were in the back corner. Behind them, lining the walls was a thin, decorative pool. It had saucer lights on the bottom and little fountains that sprayed a single line of water which curved back down into the pool. The fountain provided the sounds of running water.

Elphaba sunk into the chair and leaned it back enough that her legs popped out in front of her. She heard footsteps that could only be Galinda’s coming over to her and setting something down on the table in between the recliners.

“Okay, keep your eyes closed,” Galinda said. “Can we have the room, please?”

Then Elphaba heard the shuffling of many feet; the staff, she assumed. “Did you really just make them leave?” She snickered because that was so Galinda Upland of her to do, commanding a room and all.

“Yes. I don’t want to share you all the time.”

Elphaba’s lips curved upwards. Galinda’s possessiveness turned her on. It was incredibly sexy of her to demand that everyone leave them… completely alone… in this absolute aphrodisiac of a space… while Elphaba could feel herself growing more wet…

She then felt the weight of Galinda on the recliner, and in her lap. Her hands flung out to feel Galinda’s thighs straddling hers, but her eyes remained closed. She felt the fluff of Galinda’s robe and the coldness of something on her face. “Oz, what is that?”

“The mask, silly. Now ssshhh your skin is gonna glow after this!”

Elphaba kept her eyes closed until Galinda was done, but her other senses kicked into overdrive. Her nostrils filled with Galinda’s scent while her hands latched onto Galinda’s waist. She felt around Galinda’s cute little bump, then started to move her hands upwards. It was then that she noticed that there was nothing obstructing her from moving her hands in this direction. Had Galinda untied her robe? Maybe she didn’t know it was open?

Confused, “Galinda—”

“Stop moving! I need to add one more finishing touch,” Galinda interrupted.

Then Elphaba felt Galinda’s hands push against her chest as her lips suddenly latched onto another set she knew well. She gasped, shocked, but Galinda used the opportunity to slip her tongue into Elphaba’s mouth.

Her fingers locked around Galinda’s sides to pull their bodies closer together. She could feel Galinda arch into her touch, then one of Galinda’s hands left her chest to lower between them.

“Elphie, I need to—” Elphaba’s lips around the pulse point in her neck cut her off. She moaned loudly. “Can I?”

“Can you what, my sweet?” Elphaba asked. Her eyes followed Galinda’s hand that was flat against her own core. “Oh!”

She looked back up to see that Galinda’s robe had fallen to the bend of her elbow and her whole chest was exposed and flushed. Her skin was moist and her eyes called out to Elphaba.

She pulled Galinda’s hand away from her body, and the face mask that had just been applied off of her face. “No, let me.”

With little effort, she clicked the button to straighten the chair and lifted Galinda, then sat her down in the seat. She dropped to her knees before her, ready to have her until she begged her to stop.

Galinda scooted to the edge of the chair and removed the robe from her body entirely. She was more than ready for Elphaba’s face to be in between her legs again.

Elphaba pushed her legs open and began to kiss and lick on the insides of her thighs.

Galinda’s hand found its way to Elphaba’s head, but she quickly opted to reach for her shoulder instead when she remembered that Elphaba’s head was a bit tender right now. “I want you so bad, Elphie,” she said, above Elphaba.

“You have me,” Elphaba responded before her hand grazed Galinda’s bald center. There was wetness slipping out from between her lips… Elphaba took two fingers to part Galinda for her to see all that she’d missed over the last decade.

“Don’t make me wait any longer,” Galinda whined as she palmed and pinched her breasts. “Please!”

Elphaba moved her head to just over where Galinda wanted her… She looked up at her through her eyelashes, “You made them all leave for this didn’t you?”

Galinda nodded eagerly. Truthfully, she had really only wanted to spend the day relaxing with Elphaba, but then the changing room accident happened and suddenly all she could think about was Elphaba bending her over one of these tables.

Elphaba poked her tongue out so that it just barely touched Galinda’s clit. The touch was so minor, she couldn’t even really taste Galinda.

“P-please, Elphie! It’s been so long…”

Elphaba looked back down to Galinda’s soaked, pink pussy, and leaned forward to finally have a taste of her.

The ringing of her phone startled her back on her knees.

Shit…

“No, ignore it,” Galinda pleaded with her!

Elphaba picked the phone up from the small table to read Milla’s name.

Galinda glanced over to see who it was calling Elphaba. She hadn’t really done it on purpose, but upon seeing Milla’s name annoyance flowed through her.

“She has Liir. I have to take this,” Elpaba said as she rose to her feet. She gave Galinda a quick kiss then answered the call in the other direction.

Galinda frowned. She was so close to feeling Elphaba’s tongue on her clit and her fingers inside of her, but of course, Milla had to ruin it! Who was she to even be considered Elphaba’s best friend anyway? And to what degree did this so-called friendship go? She didn’t know her the way Galinda did, not really! No one did! And there was a time that she considered Fiyero to be her best friend and then they started having sex… Had Elphaba and Milla done the same?

Galinda bit her lip… She had a deliciously devious idea. She propped both of her legs up on the arms of the chair, opening her glistening pussy up for Elphaba— and really anyone who walked in— to see. She wanted to remind Elphaba that Milla would never be more important than she was. There was no one that could replace their bond nor any other pussy that was better than hers.

She started to rub on her clit as she looked at Elphaba on her call. Her robe was draped off of one shoulder, revealing Elphaba’s toned shoulder and the expanse of her neck.

“Yes, that’s fine,” she heard Elphaba say.

Galinda let out a soft moan at the feeling of her fingers circling her clit. She was so fucking wet and so turned on by Elphaba that she needed to have an orgasm before she left this room.

Elphaba was still focused on her call, too much for Galinda’s liking.

She dipped three fingers inside of herself, not bothering to give herself time to stretch because she was sure she could take anything right now. Her eyes rolled back and she cursed under her breath.

In her ecstasy she missed that Elphaba had turned back towards her.

“Ga—” She started, but Milla had said something she half heard, “Unh-huh okay.”

Her eyes followed Galinda’s fingers as she pumped them in and out of herself, each time her body flinched from the feeling.

Galinda opened her eyes to see Elphaba staring at her, slack jawed. What about Milla now? Galinda thought, proud of herself for gaining Elphaba’s attention over Milla.

Her palm had started to hit her clit just right and she was feeling like she was going to cum all over this recliner.

Elphaba recognized the look of Galinda just before she made a mess that would take at least twenty minutes to clean up properly.

She shook her head authoritatively, and mouthed “don’t” to Galinda.

“Yes, Mil, I’m listening,” she said while watching Galinda’s legs start to shake over the arms of the chair.

“I’m gonna— Don’t you wanna t—” Galinda stuttered. “T- taste me, Elphie?”

Elphaba could hear Milla on the other end of the phone, and she was no longer talking about Liir. She wasn’t sure when she stopped, but all that mattered was that she wasn’t now. “Let me call you right back, Mil. Bye!” Elphaba rushed her off the phone.

“I’m cumm—”

Then Elphaba’s mouth was on Galinda’s pussy to swallow every bit of cum that leaked out of her body before it hit the recliner. She held onto Galinda’s thighs while she followed the shaking and twitching of her body through her orgasm.

Galinda felt high off the feeling of her fingers, the palm of her hand, and Elphaba’s mouth.

Elphaba was able to catch Galinda’s cum between her mouth and the quick swipes with her hands she did of any droplets that tried to escape onto the recliner. Luckily, Galinda didn’t squirt as explosively as Elphaba knew she was capable of.

“You are so wicked, my sweet,” Elphaba said, wiping the liquid from her chin.

“I can’t help it when I’m with you.” Galinda exhaled out as she leaned into the chair drowsily.

“I can’t believe you did that. I was coming right back,” Elphaba said, standing.

“How was I supposed to know that? You left me for your best friend,” Galinda half joked— twenty five percent joked.

A second of recognition of a deeper issue flashed through Elphaba’s mind, but the knock at the door dismissed the thought.

Galinda tossed her robe back on and Elphaba pulled hers up properly.

The attendant poked his head around the door. “It’s time for your mud baths.”

Galinda nodded, a fake smile plastered across her face, “We’ll be right out. Thank you!”

“Aren’t we gonna disinfect the recliner? It’s the right thing to do,” Elphaba said as Galinda sauntered past her.

“Darling, it’s as you said, I planned for this. They’ll handle it. Now come… Our mud baths await.”

———

“This cannot be sanitary,” Elphaba said as she stared at the bath tub filled to the brim with warm mud, partly disgusted.

“It feels so nice thoughhhh,” Galinda said from inside the bath. Her head was against the headrest and her eyes were closed with cucumbers over them. She looked like one of those models in a magazine; the perfect picture of relaxation.

Galinda must’ve pulled some more strings with the staff to clear this room out too because they were, once again, the only people in it. Elphaba pulled a chair from a few feet over to behind the tub Galinda was in.

“W-what’re you doing?” Galinda asked, removing the cucumbers from her eyes. “Get in your tub.”

Elphaba shushed her with a soft kiss to her lips. “That thing is gross, but you should enjoy it… Just relax, my sweet,” she said, starting to massage Galinda’s shoulders.

Galinda sank a little lower in the tub and put the cucumbers back on her eyes. She felt carefree, almost as if she was floating. Elphaba’s touch was firm when she pushed into Galinda’s shoulder blades, but so gentle when she rubbed her neck and across her chest. She then felt Elphaba’s lips on her cheek and along her jaw. Her head tilted up and to the opposite side to give her more access. Elphaba dropped to her knees behind the tub to kiss along Galinda’s neck while she massaged her.

“E-Elphie… This feels really nice, but I think unless you’re prepared to have mud all over your face and fingers, you should slow down the kissing…”

Elphaba smiled as she delivered one last kiss to Galinda’s neck. “Fine. I’ll be good.”

“Who said anything about being good? If you wanna move the chair to the front of the tub, I promise I’ll be a great audience.”

Elphaba chuckled. Galinda had always been more sexually adventurous than she was. It was thanks to her that Elphaba had sex in as many places as she did and over (and on) many different surfaces. However, as inviting as Galinda’s offer was, fingering herself in this mud room was not something she wanted. “I’d much rather find a bed,” Elphaba said.

“That can be arranged,” Galinda responded.

Elphaba stood up, a smile crossed her face, and she thought about how charming Galinda’s eagerness was. She returned to her seat behind Galinda to let her continue to rest in the tub while she watched over her.

After a few minutes, Galinda told her she was more than welcome to go explore the resort, but Elphaba had no intentions other than to stay right here with her.

Another half hour went by before Galinda deemed herself “all mudded out”. Elphaba brought her a towel and waited for her to step out of the tub. While she was stepping out of the tub she accidentally grabbed Elphaba’s wrist instead of the towel in her hand.

Elphaba gasped, “Galinda!”

“Sorry!”

Elphaba pinched her lips together. Upset wasn't the correct word to describe how she felt about having mud on her arm, but she wasn’t ecstatic about it either. It was a harmless accident that Galinda had apologized for.

“Why do you think it’s so bad anyway?”

Elphaba handed off the towel to Galinda and took a step back. “It’s mud! It’s thick and gets stuck in places mud should never be,” Elphaba said with a shiver.

“Soooo, you would hate to be covered in it… Like I am?”

Elphaba nodded. “My worst nightmare.”

An evil grin appeared on Galinda’s face that had Elphaba backing away from her in an instant. “Galinda… Don’t,” she said with her finger out as a warning.

“But I just want to give you a hug!” Galinda’d started to walk towards Elphaba, giggling.

“Galinda, I’m serious! Don’t!” Elphaba half panicked. She started to move faster away from Galinda.

“Just one hug,” Galinda said as they broke out in a full blown chase around the room.

“No,” Elphaba screamed as she ran. “Spare me!”

Galinda giggled as she ran behind Elphaba, covered in mud, and leaving tracks with every step.

“Y- you’re making a mess! Think about the staff,” Elphie tried as she came around a table with Galinda on the opposite side.

“I will give them all a huge tip!”

“Or you could just stop!”

Galinda laughed harder, “Not until I get my hug!” She reached across the table to swipe at Elphaba who backed away and started to run towards the baths. She was pleasantly terrified of Galinda’s determination. However, she couldn’t help but laugh at the hilarity of the scene.

She ran around the bath Galinda was in, then the one she refused to get in. Galinda was hot on her heels with her arms out and ready to engulf Elphaba in her muddy madness.

“Elphieeee!”

Elphaba stopped when the door swung open. She turned to face Galinda who, although covered in mud, was still naked. She then opened her robe to accept defeat as Galinda flew into her arms.

The squishing sounds of the mud colliding with Elphaba’s body filled her ears.

“I’m so sorry, I didn’t realize this room was occupied,” the resort guest said as she left hastily.

But the damage was already done…

Elphaba was covered in mud with Galinda’s arms around her waist. She could do nothing other than hug the giggling woman in her arms back. It was either accept the mud or risk Galinda being seen naked like this, and despite her hatred for the mud, she felt like she made the right decision.

“You’re the worst,” Elphaba said, kissing Galinda’s forehead.

“I’ll make it up to you,” Galinda said, squeezing Elphaba’s waist.

———

”You totally boned in the spa!”

“We did not bone,” Galinda said, the word sounded funny coming from her mouth. The rolled her eyes at Pfannee as she gave her focus back to pouring them all drinks, and lemonade for herself and Chistery. She brought the glasses over to the stone coffee table in front of the rounded, white, couch in her living room.

Chistery signed, “Liar”, and started to hoot.

“I am not! Whose side are you on anyway?” Galinda exclaimed!

“Why are you so ashamed of your sluttiness?” Shenshen asked from her seat on the couch.

Galinda turned the knob that lowered the flames on the electric fireplace. Then she sat on the couch with one leg bent beneath her. “I’m not ashamed, we actually didn’t have sex.”

“But you almost did,” Pfannee said, grabbing his glass and taking a sip.

Galinda shrugged. “Almost doesn’t really matter now does it?”

“Oh, it totally does! How close are we talking?” Shenshen asked.

Galinda bit her lip just thinking about how close she’d actually come to cumming at the hands of Elphaba instead of herself.

“Oh that means close,” Pfannee added with a laugh. He clearly approved of Galinda’s recent sexcapades!

Galinda’s phone rang from the spotless kitchen island. She rose to her feet with a groan. “If one of you were a nice person— or monkey— you’d have offered to get that for me,” Galinda joked as she crossed the large open space between the half-step lowered living room and the kitchen.

A picture of Galinda and Elphaba smiling the night of their first official date lit up on her phone. Galinda hit the green button, happily.

Elphaba appeared with her braids in a low bun, in a black, crewneck sweater. “Hey, beautiful!”

“Hi!” Galinda blushed already.

“Hiiii, Elphaba,” Pfannee yelled from the couch, clearly tipsy.

Galinda flipped the phone around for Elphaba to see their friends.

“Hi guys!”

“Hey, Elphaba,” Shenshen greeted.

Chistery waved.

“Chistttt,” Elphaba cheered.

Then Galinda turned the phone back on herself. “What’s up?”

“Just wanted you to know that I found mud in parts of me I didn’t even know had crevices,” Elphaba said, chuckling.

“It wasn’t that bad! I was careful,” Galinda said as she headed towards the balcony.

One of her favorite parts of the condo was the floor to ceiling window wall. When the pale, pink curtains were pulled back, as they were now, and the moonlight illuminated the main rooms, Galinda felt like a storybook character. While she couldn’t fix the other things wrong with her life, she could absolutely enjoy the condo’s perks and the brand new decorations and furniture she’d worked hard on.

“Oh careful? You ran right into me!”

Galinda laughed wholeheartedly. She could hear some commotion in the background on Elphaba’s end as she slid the glass door to the balcony shut. While Elphaba was distracted, Galinda took the time to look out at the lit skyline. Hundreds of tall buildings and cars filled the space around her just under a dark sky and so many stars! She sometimes came out on the balcony to watch the fast paced life of the city from a distance. She listened to the honks of cars and the sound of the breeze whipping past her on particularly cold nights. She loved that even on the hard nights when she felt like crying forever, the city was there to pick her back up.

“Liir, do not fight me tonight!”

The raise in Elphaba’s voice got her attention.

“You know the answer… Please, go up to your room and get into bed.” Elphaba said to Liir, then turned back to Galinda. “Sorry. He’s been in a mood.”

“Oh, it’s okay… Wanna vent?”

Elphaba ran her hand over her face. “He thinks his bedtime should be later because he’s gonna be double digits.”

“Is that so bad?”

“Eleven at night? No way! He’s nine! He goes to bed at eight thirty, nine on the weekends… And even that is pushing it.”

Galinda snickered, “What does he even want to do so late?”

“That Ozdamn treehouse…” Elphaba sighed. “Boq helped him build it last year in the backyard.”

“Boq?” Galinda hadn’t recognized the name, but she did remember a Bick from the beach.

“Oh, he’s a friend. He lives right next door.”

“Well I don’t know how to solve your bedtime problem, but I do know that kids can be bribed. Offer him something else he wants instead…”

Elphaba contemplated, “Like ice cream for every meal….”

Galinda giggled, “That doesn’t sound too bad to the little one inside of me either.”

Elphaba rolled her eyes. “Am I gonna make it through the three of you meeting?” Referring to Liir, Galinda, and the baby.

“We’ll be on our best behavior,” Galinda joked.

A comfortable quietness hung between them once their laughing died down. Galinda watched her phone— really the woman on the other side— doing nothing at all and yet she looked stunning. Elphaba didn’t have to do anything except exist for Galinda to be putty in her hands.

“Think you’ll have time to squeeze me into your schedule one more time before his birthday party?”

Galinda’s face lit up just like the night sky at Elphaba’s request. “I’ll always have time for you and if I ever don’t, I’ll make it.”

Even backlit, Elphaba's gapped smile was Galinda’s favorite one to look at.

“Stop having phone sex and come gossip with us,” Pfannee shouted from the living room.

“I’m being summoned,” Galinda said, raising her eyebrows playfully. “You’ll send me everything?”

Elphaba smiled. “I will… Goodnight, my sweet.”

“Goodnight, Elphie.”

Chapter Text

Elphaba’s nose flared as she scowled!

Galinda hated every second of the way Elphaba was looking at her. She was desperate to get in Elphaba’s good graces again. “I’m sorry! When I have the baby, I won’t be this way anymore!”

Elphaba turned her back towards Galinda. “If I don’t want you now, what makes you think I’ll want you then?”

Galinda’d started to cry. The pain of being rejected left a scar on her heart. She knew that things were different now that she was pregnant. Her body was changing and she was unable to do things the way she used to be. Her belly was huge now with a dark line going down from her belly button, and stretch marks on her stomach and thighs. She’d been doing everything she could to stay beautiful for Elphaba— To remain desirable…

But she was, after all, nine months and ready to pop. It was hard for her to please Elphaba because she was always so tired and couldn’t be as active in their sex life as she was before. She thought Elphaba would understand… She asked her for some reassurance because she wasn’t feeling too great about herself, but her neediness had only upset Elphaba.

They got into an argument that was really just Elphaba yelling about how she loathed Galinda and wasn’t attracted to her anymore.

Tears ran down Galinda’s cheeks as she reached for Elphaba.

“Don’t touch me,” Elphaba screamed, yanking her arm out of Galinda’s grasp.

“P-please Elphie! It won’t be like this forever! I’ll do better! I can be all that you want again,” Galinda pleaded.

Elphaba looked at her with so much disgust and rage in her eyes. The look felt so foreign to Galinda and it stung more than anything.

The rage-filled woman was about to shout more profanities at Galinda when she suddenly couldn’t breathe. She clutched at her chest and gasped for air.

“E-Elphie? Elphaba! What’s wrong?” Galinda panicked. She reached for Elphaba’s shoulders to steady her. This time Elphaba didn’t pull away and her expression shifted to fear and desperation.

“H-help! Galinda!”

“I’m trying! What do I do? Elphie!” Galinda started to search for her phone to call an ambulance but she couldn’t find it.

Elphaba pulled at Galinda’s clothes as she fell to the ground. “Save me, Galinda. Don’t let me die.”

Galinda’s cries turned into fully panicked sobs now. Elphaba was dying right in her face, again! She dropped to the ground after her, letting out blood curdling screams!

“Elphaba! Don’t die! Stay with me!”

“You can’t go, Elphie!”

“Elphie, wake up! Please, stay!”

Elphaba clawed at Galinda desperate for her to help. She looked so afraid and so helpless as Galinda tried to keep her awake. Then her eyes fluttered shut and she went limp in Galinda’s arms.

“E-Elphie? No, no, no! Come back! We promised! Come back right now!”

Cries that weren’t her own filled Galinda’s ears… She turned towards the sound of a baby she recognized crying.

“M-my baby?”

The baby wailing somewhere off in the distance, Galinda couldn’t quite see. Her vision was blurry and when she looked back down to Elphaba, the woman had disappeared.

Startled, she flew to her feet expecting to feel her belly when she reached down, but there was nothing. Her stomach was as flat as it was before she was pregnant.

The baby’s cries became louder.

“O-okay Momsie’s coming! I won’t lose you too,” she said, wiping her tears away.

She’d failed Elphaba yet again, but she wouldn’t do that to her child. She could save them, she knew it. She started to run towards the sound.

It felt like hours passed and she was getting nowhere. Her legs ached but the baby was still crying, loudly. The loudest cries she thought she’d ever heard.

The cries echoed across Galinda’s mind until they drove her crazy. She screamed at no one, just out into the void. There was no one left to hear her anyhow. Her Elphie was so disgusted with her it’d killed her… She failed to save her… And her baby needed her but she couldn’t find them…

She wasn’t good enough for either of the people she loved the most in this world.

Galinda jolted awake, glistening with sweat, and tears lining her cheeks. Her chest pounded so hard she could literally hear it.

Bile rose up from her stomach…

She flung the fluffy pink duvet off of her overheated body and ran across her bedroom to the bathroom. The stark change from the clean cut carpet to the pink and white marbled tile froze her toes as she jogged over to the toilet to empty the contents of her stomach.

Her stomach tightened and loosened as she hurled. She pulled the hair tie from her wrist to tie her hair up in a loose bun.

Once she was done, the coolness of the tile comforted her against the heat within her body. She lowered her body to the floor and curled up in a ball while she cried. The nightmare had frightened her and the sickness didn’t make it any better. She wished Elphaba was here to help her feel better and to distract her from whatever the hell that dream was. They did have a standing date for tonight, but Galinda felt like maybe she should cancel.

Her hand rested protectively on her belly as she rubbed back and forth to soothe her stomach— the baby— she wasn’t sure which of them was the problem. She was used to the morning sickness, but this felt different. Her chest ached and her body felt tingly. While her stomach felt eerily hollow, not in a way that would suggest she’d lost the baby, but like she couldn’t really feel anything at all.

She’d started to breathe at a faster pace, but she couldn’t get enough air laying on her side the way she was.

She pulled herself up as her breathing increased.

“Ch-Chistery,” she screamed!

She whimpered between gasps for air. She was terrified; she didn’t want to put the baby in any danger, but she just couldn’t catch her breath. She was trying hard to breathe normally, but her lungs never felt like they got enough air.

Chistery swung into the bathroom towards her.

“P-phone… Dresser,” Galinda panted.

The rapid pace of the tears falling from her eyes blurred her vision, making it so much harder for her to even register where exactly she was in the bathroom.

“C-can’t. I can’t!”

Chistery came back with Galinda’s phone in hand. He took her by the hand and placed it inside her palm.

“Galinda?”

Elphie?

“My sweet, you’ve got to calm down. Can you lift me to your face?” Elphaba’s voice rang out from the phone.

Galinda crawled around on the ground until she found the tub. She leaned back against it to replicate the coolness of the tiles while still being able to be upright. Then she lifted the phone to her face.

“You’re okay. I’m here,” Elphaba cooed.

Galinda could see that the phone was on facetime, but she couldn’t see Elphaba very clearly. She felt embarrassed for allowing herself to be seen by Elphaba this way: snotty and panicked. How unattractive? Just like she’d dreamed.

Her breathing got worse. Her free hand came to close around the base of her neck.

“No, don’t do that! You’ve got to breathe slower, my sweet… Focus on my voice.”

Galinda did her best to listen to Elphaba’s words.

“I’m right here with you. You’re not alone. Take a deep breath…”

Galinda continued to take shallow, quick breaths and her tears hadn’t slowed. She felt like everything was crumbling around her. Elphaba surely wouldn’t want to deal with her like this after today. She was acting like a child, and Elphaba had spent enough time with children at work and home. The thought that this stupid, Ozdamned panic attack could cost her Elphaba only made it worse!

She was sobbing again.

Chistery began to hoot. He wasn’t used to seeing her this way and because she couldn’t see him, they couldn’t communicate in their usual way.

“Shit…,” Elphaba muttered on the other end of the phone. Galinda wasn’t able to hold the phone properly so she could only hear that Galinda’s panicking was worsening. “Chistery! Take the phone from her!”

Chistery came over and slipped the phone from Galinda’s hand. She didn’t react to it, she instead started to wring her fingers.

“Can you help her up?” Elphaba asked and Chistery nodded.

He got closer to Galinda and separated her hands. He then grabbed her by the waist, being careful of her stomach, and pulled her up using the tub for balance.

“Take her to the window,” Elphaba said.

Chistery and Galinda walked around the tub to the window, then Galinda sank to the ground again, still sobbing hysterically.

“Galinda, you’re okay, I promise. Can you tell me five things you see out the window?” Elphaba asked.

Chistery sat down next to Galinda and held the phone out so Elphaba could see her again.

“My sweet, I know you can. Tell me five things you see.”

Galinda coughed from all the crying. Her words came out broken, “I-I’m— S-sorry…”

“You have nothing to be sorry for, these things happen.”

“I t-tried! I c-couldn’t,” Galinda cried out.

“You couldn’t do what, my sweet?”

“Save you! I t-tried so hard!”

Galinda wasn’t making any sense to Elphaba. What did she mean? The silo? Had Galinda been harboring feelings about Elphaba leaving her that she neglected to tell her about? Or was this something else entirely?

Whatever the cause was, Elphaba had to tell Galinda whatever she needed to hear to get her to calm down. Then they could have an actual conversation about what brought the panic attack on. “You did save me. I’m here, see, look at me.”

Galinda rubbed tears from her eyes, desperately trying to see Elphaba to confirm that she had been able to save her.

“I-I did?” Galinda still stuttered, but she wasn’t hysterically sobbing anymore.

“You did. Now tell me what you see outside the window, sweet girl.”

Galinda shakily nodded then looked up. “U-uh the s-sky… A-and clouds.”

“Good. You’re doing great. Three more,” Elphaba said, trying to keep herself calm, so she didn’t scare Galinda even more.

Galinda’s stomach was flexing sporadically with her breaths, but she continued, “Trees… C-car.”

“One more…”

“You.”

While Elphaba wasn’t technically out of the window, Galinda could see her, so she took that as the fifth answer. “Now four things you can touch.”

Galinda inhaled, “T-the phone… Um Chistery… The b-bathtub… The floor.”

“Perfect. Three things you can hear.”

Galinda listened attentively. The condo felt so much more empty when she really quieted her thoughts to just listen. For a split second, it made her feel even more alone then she heard Chistery breathing next to her. “Chistery’s loud breathing!”

Elphaba snickered. She knew firsthand how loud Chistery was when he wasn’t even doing anything other than breathing. He always sounded like he was panting. “Mmhm.”

Galinda wiped her tears away. “The a-air conditioner and… your voice,” she said to Elphaba.

“Good, baby.”

Galinda’s stomach fluttered! She couldn’t recall a time outside of sex when Elphaba had ever called her that, and the fact that she had done it after seeing all that she did eased Galinda’s worries slightly.

“Can you tell me two things you can smell?” Elphaba asked.

Feeling much calmer, Galinda continued, “Chistery needs a bath and air freshener.”

Chistery hooted and nudged her. He signed, “Feel better? Afraid.”

Galinda nodded, “I do feel better. I’m sorry I scared you.”

He laid his head on her chest, signing, “Love.”

“I love you, too, Chist,” she said, rubbing his head and kissing it softly.

“Galinda, can you tell me one thing you can taste?” Elphaba asked her last question.

“My tears.”

It took Elphaba a minute to get her adrenaline in check. She hadn’t seen Galinda so frazzled and scared since her last day in the silo. She hated seeing it then and today was no different. “You scared me there for a minute.”

Galinda felt the guilt rise from the pit of her stomach. She bit her lip, ready for Elphaba to lay into her like her dream counterpart had. She was prepared to apologize profusely and do whatever she had to for Elphaba to accept her again. Her voice was still a little shaky and she couldn’t project, but she had to say something, “I’m sorry. You were probably busy.”

But the anger from Elphaba never came…

“Doesn’t matter how busy I am, if you have a panic attack, call me. And if I don’t pick up, call again. Call until I do pick up. Do you understand me?” Elphaba sounded so completely sure of what she was saying. She left no room for Galinda to question her or doubt that she was serious.

Galinda nodded— still very shaken up. “I haven’t had one of those in forever,” she mumbled with a shame Elphaba had seen so many times in clients in her voice.

“It’s alright. It happens. Chistery… Can we have a moment please?”

Chistery handed the phone off to Galinda and exited the bathroom, closing the door behind him.

“My sweet, do you want to tell me what happened?” Elphaba asked tenderly.

Galinda pulled her knees up to her chest and laid her head on them, facing away from Elphaba’s view. She didn’t want to explain that she’d had a nightmare and that’s what caused all of this. Children have nightmares and they move on after five minutes. Why couldn’t she just move on?

Elphaba heard her sniffle, indicating that she’d started crying again. “Galinda, look at me. Whatever it is I’ll understand. You don’t need to hide from me.”

Galinda wiped her tears again then turned back towards the phone, head still on her knees. “It’s so stupid. I feel like a child.”

“Well, you’re not. Adults have panic attacks. It’s nothing to be ashamed of.”

“I had a bad dream…”

Elphaba raised her head in understanding. Dreams can be traumatizing. Especially with a life like Galinda’s… And they can also be ways anxiety manifests. So whatever it was that Galinda had dreamed about that brought on a full blown panic attack had to be something that was bothering her deep down.

“I have them too, you know that.”

Galinda nodded. She remembered how much of a restless sleeper Elphaba was, but she hardly ever showed it. “You never freaked out how I just did though.”

“Don’t compare. You’ll drive yourself crazy that way… How about instead of going out tonight, we stay in? We can talk in person if you’re up for it and if you aren’t, then we can find something else to do together.”

Galinda smiled gently— it was barely there, but all she could manage. “You’re not totally disgusticified with me?”

Elphaba’s face contorted into confusion. She knew feeling like a burden and like your loved ones wouldn’t accept you could happen after a panic attack. She’d seen it firsthand at work, but it was so different coming from someone she cared about. Someone who was usually so cheerful and full of life— now reduced to a scared, ball of sobs. It was heartbreaking and frustrating that life could be so cruel.

“Of course I’m not! Never think that! I could never be disgusted with any part of you, Galinda,” Elphaba said with conviction. She needed Galinda to understand that nothing of this nature— very few things at all— could make her suddenly feel disgusted by her.

“You called me ‘baby’ before,” Galinda said, her smile broadening just a smidge.

“Oh you liked that, huh?” Elphaba teased her. It was good that Galinda was willing to joke with her after such a frightening moment.

Galinda nodded. “Will you come over later?”

Elphaba smiled, “Yes, I’ll be there! Send me your address.”

Galinda sniffled once more, then smiled in return. She was excited to host Elphaba for the first time even if she didn’t have the energy to show it just yet. She started to think about how she would make sure Elphaba enjoyed herself since they had to cancel one of their fun dates to stay inside. “Can we cook together?”

“My sweet, you know I’m a terrible cook,” Elphaba said, chuckling at memories of failed attempts to cook in the past.

“I know! I’ll teach you,” Galinda exclaimed.

At the sight of Galinda returning to her usual self, Elphaba could do nothing other than agree to embarrass herself in the kitchen to keep Galinda this way.

———

It’d been quite some time since Elphaba and Galinda hung up the phone. Elphaba had to return to work and Galinda wanted to shower because she felt gross after the events of the morning.

Elphaba was now in a session with a client, having playtime.

The girl Elphaba worked with was six years old and newly adopted. Her parents brought her here six months ago because she hadn’t been talking to anyone outside of her immediate family.

Elphaba slowly built a relationship with the girl over the last few months. She got her to answer questions sometimes verbally, but mostly by pointing to things and nodding or shaking her head.

Today, the girl was playing in the dollhouse quietly. Elphaba watched her closely looking for anything troubling or patterns that could be indicative of problematic situations. It was going well until the girl took the child doll and put it underneath the bed, then she took the parents in the hallway and started to shake them at one another.

“Sweetheart, can you tell me what’s happening right now?”

The girl just looked at Elphaba then returned to the dolls. She started to stomp the male doll’s foot, then she raised the female doll’s arms and shook them at one another once again.

“Are they fighting?” Elphaba asked as she crouched down next to the girl.

The girl nodded.

“And what’s going on here?” Elphaba asked, pointing to the doll under the bed. “She’s not fighting with them?”

The girl paused—

Elphaba had been trained to not let personal feelings affect a session. She knew better! But this little girl felt like a direct reflection of her as a child. Luckily, she’d been placed with a family who did love her and was able to afford to get her help, but Elphaba had a fairly good guess what the girl was acting out. Elphaba had it down in her file that the girl came from an unsafe home, but hadn’t shown any signs of remembering her life at such a young age.

“Scary,” the girl mumbled.

“Huh? Sweetie, what’s scary? These two?” Elphaba asked, pointing to the dolls in the hallway. “Or this one?” She asked, pointing to the doll under the bed.

The girl hesitated. Her finger hung in the air then she retracted it.

“It’s okay. You’re not gonna get in any trouble if you tell me.”

The girl put her thumb in her mouth. A coping mechanism for uncomfortability that could follow her into adulthood if the adults in her life didn’t get a handle on it now.

“Sweetie, which doll is scary?”

The girl held up the male doll in the hallway just as Elphaba suspected.

Elphaba felt for the girl. She just needed one more piece of information so that she could confirm that this little girl did remember exactly what had happened to her at her old home, and that’s what’s affecting her speech. “Is this one you?” Elphaba asked, pointing again to the doll under the bed.

The girl nodded.

“What is this!?” Frexpar yelled at Elphaba. It was one of those very rare occasions where he was blackout drunk and had wandered into her room to force her to feed him. Usually when he was drunk, he would just yell at her and shove her around, but not today. This time he’d dragged her to the kitchen after closing every blind in the house and told her to make him something to eat.

She was ten and hadn’t a single clue how to make anything that wouldn’t get her thrown around even more. She rushed over to the fridge to look for something easy; a TV dinner tucked in the corner of the freezer.

“Hurry up,” Highmaster yelled.

“Papa, look,” Nessarose ran into the kitchen with a drawing in hand.

Frexspar took it from her and looked it over.

Elphaba started to unpack the frozen dinner to set into the microwave. As she moved around the kitchen clumsily, she saw Frexspar smile out of the corner of her eye.

“This is great! You make me soooo proud,” he slurred.

A pang of jealousy fell through Elphaba. He’d never said anything remotely close to that to her once! He never smiled at her— He hardly even looked at her to begin with.

“What’s she doing?” Nessarose asked.

“The one thing she’s useful for.”

Elphaba held back her tears as she started the microwave. She knew already how little use she served around the house, she didn’t need him to reiterate it. Every time she tried to do something good, he came in and messed it up. When she did the dishes, he threw them across the room. When she swept the floor, he spilled more food over it. She once tried to clean the bathroom, but he told her that something as dirty as her would only make it worse. So, she retreated to her room where she couldn’t hurt anything or anyone.

The microwave beeped, and Elphaba took the plastic tray out. She grabbed a spoon and slowly walked over to where her father sat at the table.

“C’mon, now!”

She practically tripped over her own feet trying to get to him. She set the tray down then stood off to the side. Her pulse raced as she waited for him to take the first bite…

When the spoonful of mashed potatoes hit his mouth he immediately spit it out! “This is cold, you idiot,” he screamed at her!

She flinched. Then he launched the full tray at her. Covered in cold food, she ran into her room so he wouldn’t see her cry and get upset at her for that too.

She gently closed her bedroom door and locked it. She dropped to her knees and crawled over to the dollhouse in the corner. Her toys were the only things she had that would never hurt her and her only outlet for her feelings. In her dollhouse world, the mom never died and the dad was nice to the daughter. He didn’t throw things at her or make her cry. Everything was perfect there.

Too bad her life was the exact opposite.

———

Galinda leaned over the kitchen island, feeling much better than this morning. While some of the thoughts she was having did linger, they weren’t at the forefront of her mind anymore. That space was occupied by what she was going to make with Elphaba.

She’d searched up vegetarian dishes and came across a recipe for tofu broccoli over rice. It looked simple enough for Elphaba to feel comfortable making. Galinda bit her lip in anticipation, Elphaba would be arriving any minute.

Galinda walked over to the bar area in the living room, just to the left of the door to the theater room. There was a large mirror there where she could see if she needed to do any touchups.

Her hair was straightened and pinned back with pink clips on both sides. She did light makeup, making sure that her cheeks were rosy and her lips were plumped in a dark pink color. She opted for a simple maxi dress in Elphaba’s favorite color (black) because she didn’t want to seem like she was trying too hard, but she wanted Elphaba to like what she saw. She knew at the very least that if she went braless (which she did) her nipples would do most of the heavy lifting for her. Since they were cooking in her home, Galinda wore pink socks instead of her usual pumps.

She took one more look in the mirror, satisfied with her appearance. Then she dimmed the lights and hit the button that opened the curtains automatically. She’d already gone around the living room lighting candles and she had all the ingredients prepped for them so they didn’t have to wait too long to eat. Now all that was left was to wait for her girl to come up the elevator.

———

Ten minutes later, the elevator chimed and Elphaba walked through the threshold. She had a tote bag around her shoulder and a backpack on. She had on a pair of jeans that hugged her body in all the right places and an oversized knitted sweater in burnt orange. Her braids were curled on the ends, and still in the hairstyle from the spa.

“Hiii, you made it,” Galinda exclaimed!

Elphaba dropped her bags, happy to shed the extra weight and kicked her shoes off after having noticed Galinda wasn’t wearing any. Her socks were mismatched but Galinda didn’t seem to care for someone who took appearance very seriously.

“Hi, sweet girl,” Elphaba said, enveloping Galinda in a hug and then pecking her lips. She took Galinda by the hand and stepped back to admire her.

Mesmerizing, she thought to herself as she spun Galinda around.

She wore this dress as if it was made for her. It clung to her frame tantalizingly, leaving very little to the imagination. Galinda’s breasts were just as perky as ever (though much bigger) and her nipples were incredibly hard already. Elphaba’s tongue sprung out to swipe across her lip.

Galinda’s body felt warm under the silent praise of Elphaba’s sensual gaze. She came back into Elphaba’s arms for another hug, wrapping her arms tightly around Elphaba’s waist. “How was work?”

Elphaba laid repeated kisses on the side of Galinda’s head. “Fine.”

Galinda pulled away, “That’s all I get?”

Elphaba sighed at the thought of earlier today. The memories she’d worked hard to bury surfaced in the most unprofessional way possible. “You got something stronger than water?”

Galinda clicked her tongue, “That bad?” She wanted to hear what happened even more now. “Come on, you poor thing,” she said, taking Elphaba by the hand to the kitchen island. She pulled the beige stool out for Elphaba to sit in, then she leaned around her to kiss her lips again. She hummed into the gentle kiss as her hand came up to cup Elphaba’s cheek.

“Red or white?” She asked, rounding the corner of the island.

Elphaba became distracted by how comfortable Galinda looked in her kitchen, and how stunning she appeared in front of the backdrop of the white countertops and stone wall. If Elphaba knew anything about photography she would’ve pulled out her camera to snap a ridiculous amount of pictures of Galinda like this.

Her hair flowed down her back and her body looked so enticing while she reached up to grab the glasses.

She squealed, “Elphie! Help!” She was on the tip of her toes and still just half an inch short of the closest glass.

Elphaba chuckled as she came up behind her… She locked her fingers around Galinda’s waist, then lifted her into the air.

Her adorable scream turned into giggles while Elphaba held her in the air. “Got it!”

Elphaba lowered her to the ground gently and set her head down on Galinda’s shoulder. Her hand moved to Galinda’s belly to rub while she let herself enjoy being able to do small things like this with her. Galinda’s squeals and giggles of joy always made her feel so fortunate even when she had nothing.

“You know I thought that you’d just bring the step-stool,” Galinda said, pointing to the small stool against the wall.

Elphaba didn’t even care to lose a second of admiring Galinda to see where the stool was. Her eyes never left her, not that she could see much of her face from this angle.

But she had a great view of her bosom and stomach. Galinda’s hand came up to caress Elphaba’s cheek, mindlessly. “Scoot. Needa get the wine.”

Elphaba reluctantly took a step back…

Galinda walked past the refrigerator and made a right turn out of Elphaba’s view, but came right back with a dopey smile on her face. “What did you say again? Red or white?”

Elphaba chuckled because she hadn’t. “Umm red!”

“Okay, got it,” Galinda said, disappearing again. “I won’t forget this time,” she yelled from down a hallway.

Elphaba took a deep breath and looked around. This was her first time in Galinda’s home, and she was very excited to finally see the place in person.

Facetime didn’t do it justice at all. High ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows… Perfectly polished countertops and upgraded appliances… It looked pristine without looking lifeless. There were traces of Galinda all over… With pink throw pillows on the couch and pink flowers in vases around the rooms.

Even the artwork on the walls screamed Galinda— whimsical and bold, but so put together.

Elphaba walked over to the living room- the fireplace to be exact. There were three pictures in gold frames evenly spaced out sat atop it. The one on the left was of Galinda and Chistery, but Galinda had to be about twelve. Her two front teeth were slightly longer than the rest and her dimple was so deep. She looked exactly as she did today only with chubbier cheeks.

She moved on to the next picture of Galinda with Pfannee and Shenshen. They were all in cheerleading uniforms. Galinda was in the middle, laughing at something Elphaba wished she was there to hear, while Pfannee and Shenshen smiled next to her. She looked so carefree and happy, it made Elphaba smile.

The last photo Elphaba came to made her gasp softly. It was her and Galinda at the cabin… In the poppy field to be exact. Galinda’s hair was in two pig tails while hers was pulled back from her face. She remembered exactly what they were doing when this picture was taken because it’d always been one of her fondest memories with Galinda…

She was picking flowers and Galinda had come out to make her come inside because she wanted to have a fashion show with her. Elphaba declined, but of course, Galinda didn’t take that for an answer. She grabbed the pile of flowers Elphaba picked already and started to run with them. Elphaba chased her all through the field laughing so hard they both started to cry. When she finally caught her, Galinda giggled and pleaded with her to release her, but Elphaba swung her around instead. That’s when this photo must’ve been snapped.

There she was with Galinda high in her arms, laughing hysterically with a collection of poppies in her hand.

Elphaba’s finger grazed the photo… too afraid to ruin it with her touch.

Such a perfect memory immortalized in pixels and protected by glass…

“Pfannee took it from the balcony. I didn’t even know he was there…” Galinda appeared next to Elphaba, handing her a glass of red wine. “Did you?”

Elphaba shook her head. Galinda took her by the arm and laid her head on her shoulder. Together they looked at the photo of their younger selves.

“We were just kids then— with a whole lot to prove,” Elphaba said quietly.

Galinda squeezed her arm. “We were so happy even though everything was so broken around us.”

Elphaba smiled, “Yeah…”

“Come back to the kitchen. I do believe you were telling me about your day,” Galinda said, leaving Elphaba behind to glance at the photo alone for a few more seconds.

Elphaba stammered, “T-there’s a client who brought up some old feelings. That’s all…”

Galinda’s back was turned from Elphaba as she was washing a dish in the sink. “What kind of feelings?” She asked.

“Ones about my father,” Elphaba said with a shrug.

“Asshole,” Galinda muttered under her breath.

Elphaba chuckled. “He was that, yes.” She continued after a brief pause, “But I thought I dealt with the feelings about him, and how he treated me.”

Galinda turned to give Elphaba her full attention. “And now you think there’s more?”

Elphaba shrugged again, “I dunno, but I know he can’t affect my job like that again.”

Galinda nodded, listening.

“I need to be laser focused on my clients. They’re so young and they’re counting on me to help them. I can’t be caught up in flashbacks of a life I no longer care to dwell on.”

Galinda walked around the counter to where Elphaba sat at the bar stool. She lifted Elphaba’s chin up towards her with one hand and ran her hand up her chest with the other. “You’re amazing at your job. I’ve seen many accolades on the walls in your office, and I know how much you care about your kids. No one could ever take that away from you,” Galinda finished. She then leaned down to place her lips into the slots of Elphaba’s. She caressed her cheek with the back of her hand and Elphaba’s hands came up to squeeze her ass.

“Elphie!”

“What?! I was just-”

“Aht,” Galinda cut her off with a finger up. “Don’t bother lying.”

Elphaba squeezed her again and she playfully shoved her away.

“Come on, my horny little teenager. We have dinner to make,” Galinda said.

Elphaba pinched her sweater and waved it back and forth, suddenly feeling hot. “It’s hot in here.”

Galinda was about to ask if she wanted her to turn the air on, but Elphaba obviously had solved the problem on her own. She pulled the sweater over her head to set down on the stool.

Galinda’s mouth dropped open at the sight of Elphaba in a hot pink bralette. Her eyes darted down from Elphaba’s lips to her breasts. She looked to the left one; perfect, then the right one; also perfect.

Damn!

She bit her lip, hard.

“Who’s the teenager now?” Elphaba said, moving to behind the island with Galinda whose eyes followed her breasts.

“You did that on purpose!”

“No, I actually got hot.”

“I mean the bra,” Galinda said, smacking Elphaba’s chest softly. “Pink, really?”

Elphaba smirked… She had absolutely done that part on purpose. She knew the lacy, pink garment would get a rise out of Galinda.

She pretended to not know what Galinda was talking about, “What about my bra?”

Galinda scoffed, “Oh, just wash your hands!”

Elphaba did as she was told, only giggling a little in the process. Once she was done, Galinda did the same.

“Okay, we need to cut the broccoli into florets, slice the scallion, and grate the ginger and garlic,” she said, pulling out a grater from a cabinet under the counter. “Would you be a dear and preheat the oven to 425, darling?”

Elphaba looked at her dumbfounded. “Y-yeah.” She looked down at the foreign machine.

“Oz, Elphie… Click the up arrow,” Galinda said in the time Elphaba spent just looking at the stove.

“Right!” Elphaba clicked the arrow until the screen read 425. Then she clicked the start button.

“Cmere,” Galinda beckoned. She set the grater down on a cutting board and grated a clove of garlic as an example. “Do that with these,” she said, handing Elphaba more.

“You’re bossy in the kitchen,” Elphaba said.

“You never complained when you were screaming out my name,” Galinda said, smirking.

Elphaba picked up a pinch of sesame seeds from the bowl on the island and threw it at Galinda.

“Elphie!” Galinda screeched and threw a piece of broccoli at her.

“Oh yeah throw the broccoli at me, real mature,” Elphaba said giggling!

“You did it first! Now stop being a baby, and grate!”

Elphaba laughed at how such a small person could possess so much authority.

They chatted while they cut up the broccoli and other ingredients. While Galinda had drained the tofu and started the broth earlier, the rest of it was up to them now. That is if they could stop toying with each other for long enough to make the meal.

“How’s this?” Elphaba asked. She’d been told to break up the tofu into pieces while Galinda poured extra ingredients into the broth.

Galinda looked over, pleasantly surprised at how well Elphaba had followed her instructions. “Perfect, love.”

Elphaba tried not to react largely to Galinda’s praise, but she was a sucker for the words of affirmation from her lover. She felt her cheeks heat up on the spot.

Galinda leaned over to deliver a kiss to the flushed skin. “You’re doing so good.”

“So well.”

“Smart ass!”

Elphaba snickered. “Sorry.”

“Are you?” Galinda said, pointing a fork at Elphaba as if it was a threatening weapon.

Elphaba threw her hands up in surrender. “Yes, miss! Very sorry,” she pretended to plead with Galinda. “Put your weapon down!”

“No! You need to be whipped into shape,” Galinda said, poking the fork out closer to Elphaba. “I think I need to hear your apology again…”

Elphaba tried so hard to hold her laugh in, but Galinda looked so innocent in her socks pointing a fork at her with sesame seeds sticking to her dress.

“Miss Thropp, apologize!”

“Never,” Elphaba rebelled and charged Galinda.

“Ahh! Elphie, stop it,” Galinda giggled when Elphaba’s arms lifted her in the air and threw her over her shoulder.

“Who’s in charge here?”

“Y-you are,” Galinda giggled some more. She was hitting Elphaba’s back and wiggling around, but Elphaba had a firm hold on her.

“Unh-huh that’s right! Which means I can laugh all I want and throw all the sesame seeds I please!”

Galinda turned red from laughter now. “O-okay, okay! Whatever you want, just put me down!”

Elphaba smacked her ass, earning a loud squeal from her, then sat her down on the side of the island that faced the window.

“Elphie! Y—”

Elphaba’s lips silenced her. She stood in between Galinda’s legs as she pushed her tongue into Galinda’s mouth and gripped her breasts.

“Ahh, Elphie! I’m tender!”

Elphaba softened her squeezing, but continued her kissing along Galinda’s jaw.

“W-we have food to cook…,” Galinda stuttered out.

Elphaba stopped her kisses, “Fine… But when we’re done, I’m taking you to bed.”

“Deal,” Galinda said, hopping off the counter with Elphaba’s help.

Elphaba focused so hard on doing everything Galinda told her after that. She didn’t throw anything else and she actually tried to get the food cooked. Her mind was half in the kitchen, half in Galinda’s bedroom she was eager to christen.

She was on her best behavior for the next hour it took for them to finish the food.

“Elphie, this looks delicious!” She had just taken the hot pan out of the oven to set on the counter.

“Mmhm,” Elphaba said, her focus was on Galinda’s body, not at all on the food she’d spent an hour making.

“Elphie! Are you even hungry anymore?” Galinda asked with her head tilted.

“So hungry,” Elphaba said, closing the distance between them. She took Galinda’s lips in her own again and pulled her hands away from the pan of hot food. Galinda dropped the mittens she was wearing to the ground and wrapped her arms around Elphaba’s neck to deepen the kiss.

Galinda moaned into Elphaba’s mouth as she lost her appetite for the tofu and rice, more willing to try something else for the night. Elphaba lifted her and she locked her legs around her waist.

“Hold on, my sweet,” Elphaba said, walking over to grab her backpack.

“What’s in there that you need at this moment?” Galinda asked.

A grin broke across Elphaba’s face as she carried Galinda up the stairs. Galinda was thoroughly confused, but nonetheless, she told Elphaba which door was her bedroom.

Elphaba popped the door open and clashed her lips with Galinda’s again. She pushed Galinda’s back up against the wall to the right of the door and dropped the bag. She held Galinda up with her hands under her ass while Galinda’s tangled in her braids. Their kisses were sloppy and fast paced. It was a clear battle for dominance.

Elphaba pushed Galinda up higher in her arms, then carried her over to the couch in the northwest corner of the room. The couch was half angled towards the wall with a TV bolted on it and half towards the window.

Galinda’s back hit the couch with a soft thud. Elphaba climbed on top of her and started to lay kisses across her chest while her hand dipped under her dress to caress her thighs.

Elphaba was breathing hard, so consumed by Galinda she thought she’d melt away if she didn’t have her right away. Her kisses left trails of saliva in their wake but Galinda didn’t seem to mind. Her eyes were screwed shut until she felt Elphaba hook her fingers under the thin straps of her dress…

She watched as Elphaba uncovered her body, slowly— agonizingly so… She let her pull the straps down past her chest leaving her nipples to harden even more under the air conditioned breeze in the room. Elphaba continued to drag the dress down Galinda’s waist… past her hips… and down her legs until it was sprawled on the floor, no longer in the way.

She licked her lips seeing Galinda on her back, hair all spread out beneath her, and a desperate look in her eye. Her own nipples hardened and she felt that familiar twinge between her legs. “You’re gonna be the death of me,” Elphaba said, enticingly.

Galinda kept her eyes fixed on Elphaba’s as she pulled her knees up and flipped her underwear around her ass and down her legs. “Take your clothes off and come here,” she demanded from Elphaba, twirling her thong around her fingertips. The garment was once a light lavender all over but now was a darker purple in the middle where Galinda’s wetness had been.

Elphaba reached around her back to unhook her bra, then she unzipped her pants and pulled them down with her panties and socks.

“You come here,” she said back to Galinda, pulling her by her thighs to the edge of the couch. She removed her left sock then kissed her way to Galinda’s knee before doing the same on her right side.

Galinda wiggled her legs out of Elphaba’s grasp and sat up, thong still dancing on her fingers. With her free hand she pushed a finger between Elphaba’s legs to see just how wet she was for her— how desperately she wanted her…

Her fingers slipped around Elphaba with ease, even more so when she widened her stance. Elphaba leaned down hoping to capture Galinda in a kiss but was met with her panties being shoved in her mouth. Her lips closed around Galinda’s fingers and she started to suck.

Galinda’s other hand slid back and forth over her clit, working her up until she was a moaning mess. Then Galinda slipped her finger inside of her…

Elphaba gasped, almost releasing the thong from her mouth, but Galinda held it in and shut her jaw for her. Her hand closed around Elphaba’s neck, “If you drop them, I’ll stop.”

Elphaba nodded obediently. She looked down to see Galinda’s fingers dripping with her slick. It was so embarrassing how easy she was for Galinda.

Her body started to jerk from pleasure… She rocked her hips into Galinda’s hand and craned her head up so that she could open her mouth without dropping the thong. Unfortunately, with her mouth so full, she could only groan and whimper as Galinda fucked her squelching pussy.

She found Galinda’s shoulder and used it to force her to her knees. Galinda happily dropped down to please Elphaba with her mouth. She added a second finger while she connected her lips to Elphaba’s clit. The fuzz on her pussy scratched her face a little but she didn’t care in the slightest. She sucked the engorged nub into her mouth and licked it while it was there.

Elphaba’s hand flew to Galinda’s head to urge her for more. She pushed Galinda’s head deep into her pussy and bent over her body. She felt another finger enter her, stretching her pussy farther than usual, Galinda spread her fingers inside of Elphaba.

Elphaba couldn’t help but cry out, “Oh fuck! Galinda!”

Galinda pulled away from Elphaba, “What did I say?”

But Elphaba was too far gone to play Galinda’s little power game. She grabbed a fistful of Galinda’s hair, pulling her head up. “Finish eating me out, and then I’m gonna fuck you.” She was as serious as a heart attack when she pushed Galinda’s head back into her pussy with no complaints. Galinda’s hands held onto her ass for balance.

Galinda started to bend her head back to get a better angle, but Elphaba took the opportunity to drop directly on top of her face. She was still standing but Galinda’s face was now right below her for her to use as she pleased. She moved back and forth across the face of the woman beneath her.

“Y-yes! So fucking good,” Elphaba screamed out. She continued to use Galinda for her pleasure even when her fingernails dug into her ass. “No breaks, keep sucking me!”

Galinda gasped! She was able to pull away for a second to get some air then it was back to work. She felt the pulsing of Elphaba’s pussy around her fingers and her cum dripping all over her face. She pushed into Elphaba harder and curled her fingers the way she remembered.

Elphaba started to shake instantly. She held onto the arm of the couch to hold herself up. “Mmhm, just like that!” She groaned!

Galinda’s lips tugged on her swollen clit and her tongue hit the side of it just right over and over. Elphaba’s orgasm hit her hard and fast. She cried out, “G-Galinda! Fuuuuuck! Baby, yes, baby!”

Galinda pulled out of Elphaba and sank to her knees with a string of cum still connecting her face to Elphaba’s pussy. She caught it with her fingers and looked up for Elphaba’s approval to suck it away.

Elphaba nodded. “Now you want to follow instructions? How convenient?”

Galinda basked in the taste of Elphaba’s desire for her. It made her so horny thinking about Elphaba getting this wet for her. “Was that good?” She asked with a painfully erotic and submissive look in her eye.

Elphaba groaned, “Up!”

Galinda rushed to her feet. “Are you gonna fuck me now?”

Elphaba crashed their lips together in another quick but heated kiss. Then she grabbed Galinda by the arm and across the room to her bed. She bent her over the edge of the fluffy piece of furniture leaving her legs spread open and her pussy glistening in the moonlight. Galinda’s head was angled out to the city and she wondered if the people who lived in the building across the street could see her like this… Spread open, soaked, and ready to be fucked into oblivion.

Elphaba delivered a slap to her ass, “Stay.”

“Okay,” Galinda obeyed. She secretly loved when Elphaba dominated her. Sometimes she just needed someone to help her forget her worries and to remind her that there was always someone who could put her in her place.

After a few minutes Elphaba came back…

Galinda felt her hair being tugged and she whimpered. “Ah! What did I do?”

“For some reason you think you’re in charge and you’re definitely not,” Elphaba said into her ear. Galinda reached back to push her away just to be disobedient, but her hand caught some sort of cloth around Elphaba’s waist.

“Elphie! Wh—”

Elphaba shoved her down on the bed again.

“Is that just for me?” Galinda teased… She turned her cheek so that she could see the hot pink strap around Elphaba’s waist. Her pussy clenched in anticipation. Finally she would be fucked by a dick that actually worked!

“Yep, all for you,” Elphaba replied, touching Galinda’s cheek gently while she stroked the dick between her legs.

“It’s so big…”

Elphaba licked her fingers then spread Galinda and started to rub her with the fingers that were moist.

“Mmm, Elphieeee,” Galinda moaned out. Elphaba loved hearing how Galinda sounded when she was fucking her. Her moans were high pitched with a certain growl in them that told Elphaba she was fucking her pretty pussy just the way she liked it.

Elphaba slipped two fingers inside of Galinda to test the waters…

“Unh! More!”

Elphaba pushed a third finger in; rougher.

Galinda’s hands tore into the sheets, “I want your dick!”

“Do you?… Beg me…”

Galinda bit her lip as Elphaba moved her fingers in and out. “F-fuck! I- Yes!”

“That doesn’t sound like begging to me. You can do better, my sweet.” Elphaba looked down to see that beautiful white cream she loved so much coming out of Galinda and onto her hands.

“Elphie! Please!”

Elphaba tugged on her hair again. “Please… What?”

“You’re gonna m-make me say it?”

Elphaba’s hand stilled and within a second Galinda was begging with every ounce of desperation she had inside of her. “Please fuck me! I want your dick in me! Please, Elphie let me have it!”

Elphaba grinned, “Do you think you can take it?”

Galinda sat up as best she could and nodded. “Y-yes.” Elphaba started to pump her fingers again. “Ozzzzz, I c-can take all of you!”

“If you say so,” Elphaba said nonchalantly. Then she pulled her fingers out and switched it for the appendage at her waist. She wasn’t very gentle when she pushed into Galinda, but she was attentive. She watched for the signs of discomfort, but saw none.

Galinda groaned beneath her. “So full!”

Elphaba pushed in until her hips met Galinda’s ass, then she slapped it again.

“Ahh! Elphie!”

She pulled out and slammed back in, then slapped Galinda’s ass again.

“Okay, fuck! Fuck!”

Again, she pulled out and slammed back in. She could feel her dick coming to an abrupt stop within Galinda before she delivered another hit to her reddened ass!

Galinda cried out, with tears of pleasure in her eyes, “You’re so deep!”

“Am I?”

“Mmhm, so deep,” Galinda said, as her hands came back to pull her ass apart. When Elphaba looked down she saw all the cum gathered around her dick at Galinda’s entrance.

“Fuck me, baby,” Elphaba said as she watched Galinda start to move back and forth along her shaft. “Mm just like that. Use my dick for whatever you want.”

Galinda moaned… Elphaba’s dick was much bigger than Fiyero’s and even if it wasn’t, she used it so much better. Galinda’s pussy took all of Elphaba in and pushed her back out, just to do it again. She felt her stomach flutter as the dick touched every part of her walls.

Then, without warning, Elphaba started to fuck her again. She thrusted into her at a wicked pace. Obscene sounds of Elphaba’s hips hitting Galinda’s ass and Galinda’s loud, erotic moans filled the room. After a while, Galinda went limp, but Elphaba knew she hadn’t cum yet.

“Galinda? You okay?”

Galinda exhaled, “D-don’t stop…”

And so Elphaba continued. She pushed into Galinda harder and faster. Galinda reached back for her but she swatted her hand away. Instead, she tugged her up by the hair, and with her dick still deep inside of her, she walked them over to the window.

Galinda’s hands flew out to stop her face from colliding with the glass. “Ah, Elphie!”

“Tell everyone what I’m doing to you.”

Galinda moaned so loud, she was sure the people on the floor below her heard. Elphaba bent her over, and plowed into her from behind. Galinda’s body jerked forward with each thrust so aggressively her boobs left imprints on the glass. “Y-you’re fucking me!”

“Mmhm that’s right! Only me!”

“Y-yes! Just you!”

Elphaba lifted Galinda’s right leg to get a new angle and that seemed to be just what Galinda needed. Her arm flew back to hold onto Elphaba and as she turned, they made eye contact.

“Hi baby,” Elphaba said while she continued to fuck her.

Galinda smiled, but a particularly good thrust turned her wholesome gaze into a blissful one. Her mouth dropped open and her tongue poked out as Elphaba used her. Elphaba watched her bounce back and forth between the glass and her until her eyes rolled back in her head, and it dropped back in ecstasy.

“Yeeeeessss! Elphieeee… I feel so good like this!”

Galinda’s body released an orgasm so profound she actually stopped thinking for a few seconds. She lost total control of her body and was depending on Elphaba to keep her upright. The leg that was in the air went dead in Elphaba’s arm and Galinda’s head rolled to the front of her body as drool dripped out her mouth.

“Look at you, my sweet… All fucked out because of my dick…,” Elphaba said as she lifted Galinda’s face while she kept going.

Galinda came back to reality with her hand out, latched onto Elphaba’s tit. She looked her dead in the eye as she continued to be fucked. “It feels so good!”

Elphaba thrusted harder, “Keep this leg up.”

She released Galinda’s leg to make fast circles on her clit.

Galinda gasped for air almost immediately. The rough penetration coupled with the fast stimulation of her clit sent her into a passionate frenzy. She looked back out to the city with her leg still raised and her pussy still being used however Elphaba wanted. The thought that, like Elphaba said, everyone could see her being fucked like this (and she imagined that Milla was one of those people) pushed her over the edge again. She growled and whimpered. Her pussy clenched, yet again, around Elphaba’s big, pink dick. Her legs shook uncontrollably and heat rose all inside of her, from top to bottom.

“Okay, okay! I’m done,” she screamed out as the aftershocks proved to be too much for her.

Elphaba pulled out, completely satisfied and feeling very accomplished.

Galinda looked back at her and started to laugh. “You fucked me like that on purpose!”

“Well, I sure didn’t do it accidentally,” Elphaba retorted. She pulled Galinda into her by the waist and delivered soft kisses all over her upper back and shoulders.

“That was worth the wait…”

“You’ve always been worth the wait,” Elphaba replied.

Galinda kissed her lips, then walked to the bathroom, hips swinging as she went.

Elphaba followed behind her like a hungry dog. She clumsily discarded the harness and strap once she entered the bathroom to see Galinda running a bath.

“I’m wiped,” Galinda said, yawning.

Elphaba joined her near the tub that was past the double sinks, walk in shower, and toilet. It was perched in the middle of the back half of the bathroom with huge windows covering the walls around it. She sat down on the edge of the tub and pulled Galinda into her lap. “Relax, my sweet. I’ll take care of you.”

Drowsily, “Don’t you have to get Liir…”

“He’s spending the night at his friend's house, my sweet.”

“So then you’ll stay, right?” The question was so innocent as it left Galinda’s mouth. There was no ulterior motive, no reason at all other than to have Elphaba with her for more than just a few hours at a time.

Elphaba swung her legs over the side of the tub with Galinda still in her lap, then she lowered them into the warm water. “As long as you’ll have me.”

Galinda smiled into her mouth as she kissed her tenderly. Then she jumped up, splashing water in the process, “You forgot the bubbles! It’s important for the best bath!”

Elphaba smacked her lips then laughed while Galinda squirted the liquid into the water around them and swished it around.

“There!”

“Did that make you feel better?” Elphaba teased her.

“Don’t mock me,” Galinda said, a twinge of hurt crossed her face.

Elphaba rushed to kiss her cheeks and the palms of her hands. “I wasn’t. Forgive me.”

Galinda settled in her lap, curled up, with her head in the crook of Elphaba’s neck. “It’s okay…”

Elphaba rubbed her back and looked out at the glorious view—

This was perfect.

Her kid was safe.

Her girl was in her arms.

And the view in front of her was spectacular.

“Elphie?”

“Hmm?”

“Are you serious about this… Me?” Galinda asked, still tucked into Elphaba’s body. She was too scared to move in case Elphaba’s words hurt too much, she could at least take comfort in her arms.

“… More than I’ve ever been and will ever be about anyone else.”

Galinda smiled softly, then another question plagued her mind. “And you’re okay with me being pregnant?… Truly okay with it?… I mean, do you think of me differently because of it?”

Elphaba shook her head and brought Galinda’s hand up to kiss again. “If you’re asking me if I’m prepared to raise kids with you, the answer is yes… But of course, I still need Liir’s opinion before I can commit fully.”

Galinda nodded. “I understand. He’s the most important person in your life.”

“One of them, yes… but I’ve been learning that there’s more than enough room in my heart for multiple people to occupy space in it.”

Galinda sat up, smiling. She kissed Elphaba’s lips. “I hope he likes me… I don’t think I can bear to lose you again, and I really do know I can be good for him and you!”

Elphaba ran her thumb across Galinda’s chin. She could see every drop of truth, love, and determination in Galinda’s brown, doe eyes. “I don’t doubt that, and I’m sure he’ll love you without a doubt. It’s just a matter of you two actually meeting.”

Galinda nodded.

She got the urge to confess more to Elphaba. All the things she’d never told anyone— The things that hurt too much to speak of before now.

She exhaled across Elphaba’s chest. “Earlier today… It was because you were so disgusted with me for being pregnant a-and—” She held back tears. “You died and I tried to save you, but I couldn’t.”

“Oh, my sweet girl…”

“And there was a baby, mine… Crying, but I couldn’t find it. I ran for so long…”

The tear she was holding dropped out, only to be swiped away by Elphaba.

“I just kept running, but I couldn’t find my baby.”

Elphaba kissed the top of her head and squeezed her body. Galinda shouldn’t have to deal with these thoughts. She didn’t do a single thing to deserve such heinous thoughts. Elphaba wanted to wrap her up and keep her in her arms forever. Far from any harm that could come to her and stuck in her protective embrace. The world was so cruel to people with the amount of unflawed optimism and endless hope that Galinda possessed.

“I don’t mean to overstep, but it sounds like you still have some feelings about what I did all those years ago and about parenthood…”

Galinda sat up, swiped her tears away, and squinted at Elphaba, “Are you doing your psychiatrist thing on me right now?” Her eyebrow raised.

Elphaba laughed, “You’re so cute, do you know that?”

“Yes! Lots of people know that!”

Elphaba laughed harder because Galinda was very serious. Her vanity was not something she joked about, clearly.

“Can we talk about my jumbled up head some other time?”

Elphaba nodded. “Whenever you’re ready.”

Galinda leaned back against Elphaba; both of them now enjoyed the cityline in the distance with their fingers intertwined against Galinda’s belly.

“Elphie, tell me a secret.”

“Oh Oz… A secret…”

“Mmhm, a good one too,” she said, enthusiastically.

Elphaba contemplated, “I miss my sister sometimes.”

“But she was so awful to you…”

“Not always. There were times when we were younger when she would sneak into my room and ask me about what book I was reading, or what toy I was playing with. She’d stay for a few minutes and in that time I actually felt like she liked me. I guess I held onto that over the bad stuff over the years… Or maybe I’m just messed up in the head, I haven’t figured it out yet,” Elphaba shrugged.

Galinda sat up in her lap to face her again, “You’re not messed up! Horrendible things happened to you and you chose to remember the good parts to cope. I think that makes you human. Not everyone deserves kindness, some people are truly wicked, but not you! You are the kindest, most deserving of love person I’ve ever met!”

Elphaba leaned forward to capture Galinda’s lips in a kiss, hoping it was enough to convey how emotional her words had made her, and how grateful she was to have her. “Your turn!”

Galinda sighed, “I’m terrified to mess the baby up.”

Elphaba kissed her shoulder, “All parents are. It’s what makes being a parent so hard.”

“I just don’t want them to hate me like I hate Popsicle.”

Elphaba clicked her tongue, “Impossible. You’re far too beautiful inside and out to be hated by anyone.”

Galinda wanted to believe her so bad. She wanted Elphaba’s words to just end all her anxieties about being a parent, but unfortunately, that wasn’t how it went. “I’m afraid I’ll die giving birth, or that the baby will—” Galinda’s mind wandered to the rules in Oz. The blatant disregard for mothers and their unborn children. So many of them died trying to start families, it terrified her to become one of those statistics.

She started to shake, Elphaba noticed. It started with her feet, then she’d started to shift her jaw, and wring her fingers. She had to calm her before this turned into another panic attack…

“Hey, hey! I’m still here, look at me,” she started.

Galinda locked her eyes with Elphaba’s. “I-I don’t wanna give birth alone,” she stammered; totally afraid.

“Stop it, you won’t be alone. I’ll be there. I promise, okay? And the chances of either you or the baby getting hurt are lower here than in Oz. We have technology and knowledge here that isn’t in Oz. So, don’t worry.”

Galind wiped her cheeks, “Will you hold my hand?”

Elphaba chuckled knowing that offering her hand to a laboring woman was more than a regular commitment. “I will absolutely sacrifice my hand for you and the baby.”

Galinda erupted into laughter. “Were you this scared with Liir?”

“Oh Oz, yes! My sweet, the fear never goes away. Just the other day he fell off the swings and came running to me in tears, bleeding. I went to get him a bandage, but I’d forgotten to restock the first aid kit. So, he had to wait with a towel on his arm for me to get some for him…”

Galinda laid her head back down on Elphaba’s chest, listening to her heartbeat and her words…

“I felt like a terrible mother, but kids are resilient and kinda brilliant.”

“It was an accident. You just forgot.”

“But I still failed in that moment, and guess what?”

“What?”

“He noticed how shaken up I was after I finally bandaged him up… He hugged me, then he said that he was okay and that I was the best mom for taking care of him.”

“So he didn’t even care about the first aid kit?”

“Nope. He only cared that I was trying for him.” Elphaba took Galinda by the chin so that she could speak to her directly, eye to eye. “All you have to do is try, my sweet. The anxiety and fear will always be there, but the adrenaline from needing to protect them, and the strength of your love for them will win every time.”

Galinda stared back at Elphaba—

She let her words sink in and flow through her— Let them unmask any more of her anxieties to be healed in the moment. Even if they came back, which they probably would, she took comfort in knowing she had this amazifying woman with her who could talk her off metaphorical ledges.

Galinda fell asleep not too long after with her head back on Elphaba’s chest, and her words in her heart.

Elphaba got them out of the tub and into bed. Galinda curled around her naked body like a little koala. She tangled their limbs in her sleep and their minds in her wake. Elphaba was never going to live another day without Galinda in her head, and her bed…

She laid one more soft kiss to Galinda’s head, then drifted off unsure of who held who, but knowing that it didn’t matter because they had each other, and they weren’t letting go anytime soon. 

Chapter Text

Galinda waltzed into her bedroom with her phone in her hand. Fiyero had been texting her nonstop. He wanted to know if she and the baby were okay, how the doctor’s appointments had been going, and something else Galinda neglected to read. She’d stopped reading the message blurbs about ten messages ago, assuming they were all in relation to their child.

Galinda rolled her eyes. She had no intentions of sharing anything with him for the foreseeable future, and today was going to be a great day for her that she wouldn’t let him ruin.

Today is Liir’s tenth birthday!

She was so excited to finally meet him and prove to Elphaba that she wanted to be with her, seriously. However, potentially meeting Milla filled her with dread and annoyance. She’d be lying if she said she didn’t want to see how Milla and Elphaba interacted with one another to assess how much of a problem she actually was, but mostly she just wished she didn’t exist entirely. Elphaba didn’t need a new best friend, she already had one!

Her thoughts about Milla came to a screeching halt when she opened up her photo gallery to decide which picture of herself to send to Elphaba. She thought it would be fun to remind Elphaba of what she already had (it didn’t at all stem from her current state of jealousy).

A tap on the glass window startled her. She looked up to see the window cleaner staring at her. He pointed to her, then down to the prints she’d left on the window a few days ago, thanks to Elphaba fucking her against it. Her cheeks flushed at what was very obviously the shape of her tits and hands pressed into the glass. The window cleaner laughed and winked at her, then continued to clean what he could from the outside.

Naturally, mortification should’ve been what she felt, but honestly it turned her on to think about the other night and finally being able to have Elphaba… all over her room. She couldn’t wait to do it again, all over Elphaba’s, and in front of Milla’s face. Maybe there was a window at Elphaba’s house that pointed towards Milla’s bedroom that would make for the perfect opportunity to show her who Elphaba valued most.

Galinda hit send on the photo of herself in nothing but Elphaba’s cardigan. It was open down the middle, hiding only her nipples, and she was biting her lip. She sent a message along with it, I think I’ll keep it, if you don’t mind ;)

Elphaba’s response came within the minute, That thing never looked that good on me, keep it forever! You’re insanely beautiful, my sweet!

Galinda smirked. Say it again, she texted back.

Then her phone lit up with a picture of Elphaba kissing her neck. She happily picked up the facetime call.

“You’re… Insanely… Beautiful…,” Elphaba repeated with words this time.

Galinda set the phone up against the mirror in the bathroom while she started curling her hair. “I am aren’t I?”

Elphaba chuckled, knowing that was a rhetorical question. “You are, my sweet. I love this bathing suit. I can’t wait to see you in it, in person.”

The bathing suit in question was a one piece with a cutout for her stomach. Her breasts sat high in the cups, and it was backless. It was the perfect amount of enticing for Elphie and respectful of a kid’s birthday party.

“I can’t wait to see you either! Oh! What should I get Liir? What does he like?”

“Legos! He’s quite the little architect, you two have that in common.”

While Liir wasn’t her child, she couldn’t help but feel connected to him. She wanted to be there when he was born, and help Elphaba through her pregnancy. Logically, she knew it wasn’t her fault she’d been robbed of the opportunity, but that didn’t make it hurt any less.

“Ah, got it! I’ll be there soon… and you are stunning,” she finished with a wink.

Elphaba tried to hold back her smile which Galinda could tell. It was nice to see that the shy Elphaba she once knew was still in there somewhere. “Bye, my sweet. Let me know when you’re here so I can help you.”

“Okay, bye!” It took everything in Galinda not to squeal. Elphaba had always been so attentive and caring, so that part wasn’t new, but Elphaba’s continued support of her pregnancy and just downright chivalry made Galinda fall even harder for her. It was sweet to have her car’s door opened for her, and get help with things that might be too heavy for her to carry. Not to mention, she got to see Elphaba’s muscles while she helped, so there truly was nothing to complain about.

———

“He’s having the best time,” Milla said, from the sliding patio doors.

“I know! I’m glad! All his friends came and so far there have been no mishaps. Fingers crossed,” Elphaba said. She was cutting up watermelons to add to the bowl of fruits that the kids had finished about fifteen minutes ago.

Music blared through the backyard as the parents of the neighborhood kids and Liir’s school friends mingled around the lawn. There was a cooler full of kid-friendly drinks, a table with spiked lemonade, plenty of food, and games all around the yard. Most of the kids, however, were a fan of the pool and stayed in it for the duration of the party.

“They’re gonna have the best sleep tonight which means fun for us!” Milla raised her eyebrows in excitement. “I can almost feel the orgasms already!”

Elphaba laughed. “You’re ridiculous, and besides I would never assume to be getting sex from Galinda tonight.”

Milla faked a yawn, “Boringgg! I’ve seen the way you get all lost in your head about her, I know how bad you want herrrr.” Milla waved her fingers in Elphaba’s face just as a younger sister would.

She hadn’t actually told Milla that she had slept with Galinda already. It must’ve slipped her mind between planning for today and well… being with Galinda. She bit her lip.

“Wait, wait, wait! Noooo,” Milla gasped. She knew her so well. “You did it already!”

Elphaba turned away to hide her grin.

“Elphaba Thropp! You didn’t tell me you slept-”

Elphaba dropped the knife to close her hand around Milla’s mouth. Some of the moms of Liir’s school friends could be a bit uptight and she worked very hard to fit in with them over the years. She didn’t need her sex life going around as gossip and potentially getting Liir kicked out of certain circles. “Would you shush! But, yes, okay.”

It was almost as though Milla was the one who slept with Galinda judging by how excited she was at the idea. She popped a watermelon into her mouth and leaned closer to Elphaba. “Tell me, how was it? Did she blow your mind?”

Elphaba’s chest flushed, fully visible given the black bikini she was wearing. She told Milla everything, but this she wanted to keep for her and Galinda. It didn’t feel right to share the details of their intimacy. “She’s amazing, but that’s all you get.”

Milla groaned, “Boooo! But fine, I understand you want to respect your long lost lover and whatnot... I’m really happy for you, El! This’ll be good for you!” Milla pulled her into a side hug.

“Thanks, Mil! I haven’t been this happy in a long time.”

The doorbell rang out.

“I got it,” Milla offered as she went to greet the next guests.

———

The door swung open and Galinda recognized the woman on the other side. It was the woman she’d seen before in passing.

“Hi, Galinda! I’m Milla, Elphaba’s best friend!”

Of course, she was totally gorgeous in her cute, red bikini! It was awful! She had the body of a model and bouncy brown curls. Galinda wanted to roll her eyes, but she wouldn’t do that on Liir’s day. She cleared her throat after looking Milla up and down, “Hi. This is Pfannee and Shenshen.”

Milla shook their hands and widened the door to let everyone in. “I can take your bags if you like?” Milla offered.

“No, thank you. We’re fine,” Galinda said, nearly cutting her off.

“My sweet,” she heard Elphaba call as she entered the living room. She looked breathtaking!

Galinda turned into the very same teenager she was when they met as Elphaba approached her. Her chest grew warm and she felt giddy inside. Elphaba enveloped her in a tight hug, then they shared a quick kiss.

“Still can’t keep your hands off of each other,” Pfannee said.

“Hi, Pfannee! Still obsessed with us,” Elphaba joked as she hugged her old friend.

“Hi, Elphaba,” Shenshen said with a genuine smile.

“Hey, I’ve missed you two,” Elphaba replied, hugging Shenshen. “You’ve all met Milla?”

They nodded, except for Galinda who averted her eyes. “Where should I put Liir’s gift?”

“Oh, I’ll take it and your bag. I told you to call me when you got here. I would’ve grabbed this all for you,” Elphaba said, taking everything from Galinda’s hands. “Come with me. Everyone is in the back, but Galinda I need to talk to you.”

Elphaba sat Liir’s birthday presents with the others and showed Pfannee and Shenshen to the festivities, then she took Galinda’s hand to lead her back inside. They turned the corner towards the front door and Elphaba planted Galinda between her and the wall.

She took her by the chin and pressed their lips together. “You look beautiful,” she whispered.

Galinda’s hands fell to Elphaba’s waist. “You’re hot,” she said as she raked her fingertips along Elphaba’s abs.

“Don’t know how I’m going to refrain from touching you all day,” Elphaba said, honestly—horny.

“Who says you have to?”

“I don’t know, the fifteen kids outside and their parents,” Elphaba said, kissing her again.

“Hmm shame.” Galinda traced Elphaba’s lips with her finger before pecking them.

“How are you feeling today? How’s the little one?”

Galinda rubbed her belly, “Good! No morning sickness, no kicking, nothing.”

Elphaba’s hand slid across the base of Galinda’s neck. “Are you two hungry?” She had one hand above Galinda’s head, on the wall, and the other one moved to twirl one of her curls.

Galinda’s first thought was to drop to her knees right there where she stood. Her labido was telling her to do the wrong thing and she wanted to listen to it. “Very… hungry.”

Elphab dipped her head down to kiss Galinda’s jaw… then her neck. “What do you want to eat?”

Galinda felt Elphaba’s hand slide down her body. Her nails left Galinda feeling a tingling sensation all the way down to her upper thigh where Elphaba’s hand currently rested. “I-I want-”

“Go on,” Elphaba breathed into her ear. She moved her hand closer to Galinda’s pussy as it grew wetter by the second.

“You.”

“Hey, El- Oh gross! Seriously! Nothing’s changed,” Pfannee said, making his exit just as hastily as he did his entrance.

Elphaba and Galinda jumped apart.

“You’re evil,” Galinda said to Elphaba, not at all concerned about Pfannee seeing what he did.

“I’m wicked, there’s a difference,” Elphaba said with a wink. Then she pulled Galinda in for one more kiss. “Are you actually hungry? I can make you something, my sweet.”

Galinda had yet to open her eyes after their kiss. She wrapped her arms around Elphaba’s neck, and buried her face there. “Can’t we just stay here forever?”

“Liir would most certainly come looking for me before we made it past the first hour,” Elphaba said, cradling Galinda’s head to plant a kiss on the top of it.

“Are there hotdogs?”

Elphaba snickered. Galinda really was just like Liir! “Yes, baby, I can get you a hotdog.”

———

“Now that you’re all fed, ready to meet him?” Elphaba asked Galinda as they sat on the couch in the living room.

Galinda nodded and let Elphaba pull her up from the couch and out to the backyard.

“Liir, come here for a second,” Elphaba yelled over the music.

“Mama, I’m swimming! Later,” he said and continued to splash around with his friends.

Elphaba walked over to the edge of the pool and kneeled down in front of where he was. “Now, my love. It will only take a second.”

Liir grumbled and climbed out the pool over the edge. “Yes, mom?”

Elphaba stood up and reached for Galinda’s hand. “Liiry, this is Galinda. She’s very important to me and I thought it was finally time you two met.”

“Hi, Liir, happy birthday! I’ve been waiting to meet you for a while. You’re very handsome,” Galinda said with a smile. She was more nervous than she’d ever been. He had to like her! She didn’t know what she’d do if he didn’t.

He seemed unimpressed. It worried both women. “Thanks,” he mumbled. He looked up at his mom, then down at Galinda’s stomach and their intertwined hands. “Can I go back now?”

“Uh, Liir that wasn’t very n-”

“Galinda!”

Galinda’s head whipped around to Pfannee. She was secretly thankful he’d interrupted the interaction. It hurt that Liir hadn’t been very receptive to meeting her. She let go of Elphaba’s hand to walk over to him. “What?”

“Answer your phone. Fiyero is asking for you.”

Galinda looked back over to Elphaba and Liir. She was speaking to him, probably telling him to be nice. “Uh he’s just asking about my doctor’s appointment. It’s fine. He’s dramatic.”

Pfannee nudged her to regain her attention. “Well at least tell him to stop texting me.”

“Y-yeah yeah okay.”

“Didn’t go well with Liir?”

Galinda sighed, “I don’t think so.”

He squeezed her shoulders. “He’s a kid and there’s a pool. Probably just need to try again another time.”

Shenshen giggled from her chair behind Pfannee. She was totally into whatever was going on on her phone.

“What’s she laughing about?” Galinda inquired.

“Oh she’s got a lover.”

“What?! Do tell,” Galinda exclaimed.

“Yeah, she’s not the only one,” Pfannee said.

“Oh my Oz! You two don’t tell me anything,” Galinda said, lightly shoving his shoulder. “Shenshen who is this mystery man?”

She looked up, “Huh? No one…”

“Oh sureeee! He has you up all night texting and talking,” Pfannee added.

“Which you only know because you’re also up all night texting,” Shenshen countered.

Galinda listened to her friend’s gossip and felt a little bad that she’d been so preoccupied with Elphaba that she hardly knew what was going on in their lives anymore. This move to the Emerald City affected all of them, a fact she’d forgotten somewhere down the line.

When she turned back around to find Elphaba, it was as though smoke blew out of her ears. Milla and Elphaba were dancing far too close to each other for Galinda’s liking. The redhead—Bick—from the beach was with them, but Galinda didn’t care. She only saw that Milla was touching her almost-girlfriend with a huge smile on her face.

Galinda wanted to storm over there and wring her neck. She was furious! Obviously, Milla knew who she was and what she meant to Elphaba, so this seemed like a calculated move.

Pfannee started, “Galinda?”

The more they danced, the more angry she became.

And then Liir and two little girls joined them. That anger she felt morphed into an intense jealousy and longing. They looked so happy together. Elphaba didn’t really need her, she thought. Liir hadn’t been as open to meeting her as she’d hoped and yet he was more than happy to be sandwiched between Milla and Elphaba dancing his little heart out. It didn’t feel great, and she wasn’t used to the feeling of rejection… even if it was mostly just anxiety rearing its ugly head.

She felt impossibly hot as tears started to form in her eyes. “I’m fine. I need cool air,” Galinda said to Pfannee as she walked towards the house. Elphaba probably wouldn’t even notice she’d gone.

She stayed in the front yard for the remainder of the party, hoping that Elphaba would come looking for her, but she never did. Pfannee and Shenshen tried multiple times to talk to her, but she insisted that she was totally fine. She went as far as to tell them that Elphaba had already checked on her, so they wouldn’t go bothering her.

Once the sun had begun to set, and the party was practically over, Galinda remembered that she’d left her phone out back. She reluctantly went back out to get it when she saw Milla cleaning things up.

“Oh, Galinda, there you are! You missed cake and Liir opening his gifts,” she said, far too happy for Galinda’s liking.

Galinda ignored her.

She hadn’t noticed that Elphaba had just come from the side gate into the backyard.

“I think Elphaba might’ve been looking for you. You should go find her,” Milla said, touching Galinda’s arm.

“Would you just leave me alone!?” Galinda practically yelled at her.

Milla looked completely shocked at the negative reaction. “I- okay. You’re kind of a bitch.”

Elphaba caught the tail half of the interaction.“Hey!”

There were still some guests lingering around and Liir wasn’t too far away. She didn’t want him seeing whatever this altercation was going to be. Galinda and Milla were quite similar, that’s probably why she gravitated towards the both of them. They were both incredibly stubborn and quite confrontational people. So, she truly had no idea how this was going to go.

“Excuse me? At least I’m not desperate for attention,” Galinda retorted.

Milla scoffed and pushed past Galinda.

In a split second decision, Galinda shoved Milla as hard as she could into the pool. She hadn’t meant to, not really, but Milla had touched her first.

The splash echoed through the whole yard.

“Oh shit,” Pfannee said, with a hand over his mouth.

“She’s so dead,” Shenshen added.

When the adrenaline from seeing Milla in the pool died down. Galinda’d realized the gravity of what she’d done.

Liir shouted, “Aunty Milla!”

“Mom,” the twins yelled in unison.

“Galinda, what the hell?”

Elphaba.

Everyone swarmed Milla as if Galinda was the one out of line. Elphaba rushed to the edge of the pool to bring Milla a towel to dry off on, and Boq made sure Milla was okay.

It bothered her. She hadn’t done anything wrong. Milla had been taunting her all day, and she pushed her first. It wasn’t Galinda’s fault that she got what she deserved.

With her phone in her hand, she turned on her heels and stormed off.

“Hey!” Elphaba yelled again just before Galinda could cross the threshold into the house.

Galinda met her eyes for the first time in hours. She hated how mad at her Elphaba looked. She felt bad that Liir had seen what she’d done and that she’d potentially disappointed Elphaba, but she didn’t regret shoving Milla. Besides, she was to be Elphaba’s partner, so why didn’t she immediately come to her aid? Maybe she should’ve been equally as mad at Elphaba!

“Go upstairs. Don’t leave,” Elphaba said to her, and every bit of anger she’d quickly conceived for Elphaba was nearly gone in an instant. She was definitely in trouble. The fact that Elphaba hadn’t yelled the command at her made it feel ten times worse. She was pissed off and rightfully so.

“Pfannee, Shenshen, did Galinda drive here?” Elphaba asked.

“No,” Shenshen answered.

“Good, she’s staying here for the night. The two of you can leave.”

Galinda hadn’t heard what Elphaba said to them, but she worried that it was her telling them that she didn’t want to see her again. She was halfway to the stairs when they caught up to her.

“Girl, you’ve done it now,” Pfannee said.

“Shut up,” Galinda replied!

“She’s mad,” Shenshen added. “She told us to leave you here for the night.”

Confused, “What?” She was sure Elphaba wouldn’t want to be anywhere near her. “Did she say why?”

Shenshen shook her head. “We’re not just gonna leave you though. You wanna come with us?”

Galinda contemplated. She could go home and give Elphaba time to cool off, disobeying her request entirely, and probably resulting in a very angry Elphaba at her front door once she was done cleaning. Or she could stay and deal with whatever Elphaba had to say, like an adult. “No, it’s fine. I’ll stay.”

“You don’t think she’d like… hurt you or anything, right?” Shenshen asked.

“Of course not! She’s just mad at me.” And that’s the real reason Galinda chose to stay. She knew that Elphaba wasn’t happy with her, but she wouldn’t ever harm her. If she knew Elphaba, and she did, she’d probably express her disappointment and tell her that she was in the doghouse. Or worse case scenario she’d end things with them and take her home.

But she’d never, ever lay a hand on her.

The hallway started to fill with people heading for the exit with Pfannee and Shenshen falling into the line after saying goodbye to Galinda. She moved halfway up the stairs so that she was hidden behind the wall as people passed the staircase to leave out of the front door. Milla and her family were the last to go.

“Goodnight, Aunty Milla. Sorry, you got all wet. Moms friend sucks,” Liir comforted Milla with a hug.

Galinda stepped further up the stairs. She felt horrible now. Her jealousy might have cost her one of the most important relationships she would ever cultivate in her life. Liir hated her and it was completely her fault.

“Yeah, I’m really sorry Mils, she shouldn’t have pushed you in, but you’re not blame free here,” Elphaba said, holding the door open.

“Alright girls, let’s go,” Boq said, ushering the twins across the walkway towards their own home.

“You’re seriously on her side? She was acting like a bi-”

“Liiry, upstairs, now,” Elphaba said. He’d seen and heard enough for the day.

He stomped up the stairs, not paying much attention.

“I was nothing but nice to her, but fine call me when you’re not so far up her pussy you remember you have real friends,” Milla said as she handed Elphaba her towel back and walked away!

Elphaba had just slammed the door shut when Liir noticed Galinda on the stairs.

“You ruined my party,” he yelled at her! “I don’t want you here!” Then he ran off to his bedroom.

Elphaba yelled after him, “Liir!”

But he didn’t stop. He slammed his bedroom door without another word.

Galinda was stunned. The first time he said an actual sentence to her and it was because he was upset with her. She looked down the stairs to see Elphaba staring back up at her. She didn’t know if she should leave or stay. It was apparent neither of them were her biggest fan right now.

Elphaba rubbed her temples, a headache had begun. “I uh- My bedroom is at the end of the hallway. Shower and put on a t-shirt. They’re in the top dresser. I’ll be up in a minute. I need to finish down here.” Elphaba was so calm, almost indifferent, which scared Galinda more than anything.

She nodded and went to find the bedroom.

———

When Elphaba came into her bedroom, finally, Galinda was on the bed with her knees pulled up to her chest and tear streaks down her face.

Elphaba sighed, and headed for the bathroom. She took a quick shower of her own and emerged in a tank top and shorts.

Galinda turned her head in the opposite direction, too embarrassed to meet her gaze.

“Do you wanna tell me why you did that?” Elphaba started.

“No,” Galinda mumbled. Why did it matter? Liir already hated her, there was no point.

“Galinda, I’m not really asking you.” She stood over Galinda, waiting for her response.

“Why are you even friends with that girl?” Galinda asked, ignoring Elphaba’s question.

“Because she was there for me when I felt alone… What does that have to do with you pushing her in the pool? What if she’d pulled you in with her? What if the baby got hurt? You were reckless, Galinda!” That calmness that Elphaba had maintained when others were around was gone now.

“The baby is fine! She’s the problem! She’s not good enough to be your friend!” Galinda held her arms around knees as Elphaba paced back and forth in front of the bed.

“I’m not gonna stop being her friend because the two of you got into an argument. This is my life!”

“I thought I was a part of it?! She ruined everything! Liir hates me now!” Galinda had started to cry again. She was going to lose Elphaba because of Milla. They didn’t even get a proper chance and apparently they never would.

Elphaba stopped in front of Galinda. “You ruined everything! You pushed her into the goddamn pool, Galinda!”

She stood up to meet Elphaba’s stance, “Why are you mad at me and not her? I didn’t just push her for no reason! She called me a bitch and she pushed me first! Just as you said, I have a kid to protect,” Galinda yelled at her as tears began to drop out of her eyes!

“Yeah, well so do I,” Elphaba screamed practically in Galinda’s face.

Galinda recoiled. Elphaba hadn’t ever been this upset with her before. She’d never yelled at her like this and never got in her face. It was frightening and frustrating that Elphaba didn’t pick her. She wasn’t even trying to listen to her side.

Elphaba ran her hand over her face and took a step back to put space between herself and Galinda. “I’m sorry for what I just did. I shouldn’t have, but this is all so overwhelming. It’s my kid’s birthday and he’s upset now because someone he doesn’t know, someone I brought into his home, is fighting with his aunt. You have to understand why I’m not happy about it.”

Galinda was sobbing now. Tears stained Elphaba’s t-shirt as she tried to wipe her eyes. She hiccuped, and the words came out broken and low, “W-why can’t y-you see it? S-she’s trying t-to take you f-from me!”

Elphaba furrowed her brows. What on Earth was Galinda talking about? She and Milla were purely platonic friends. She’d noticed that Galinda might have been harboring some jealousy towards Milla, but she didn’t think it was this deep rooted.

Then she remembered the dream that Galinda had and her fears that she would leave her—that Galinda hadn’t done enough to “save” her.

“You keep saying she’s your best friend, but I’m supposed to be your best friend,” Galinda said, using her arm to wipe her own tears. “I was… back then… but you never stopped being mine,” Galinda finished as though it was embarrassing to admit that she’d never stopped seeing Elphaba as anything other than her best friend—that she’d sometimes, when it was late at night and she couldn’t sleep, tell Elphaba about her day or update her about her life because she hoped that she was somewhere alive and thinking about her too. At the time she was just talking to the moon and wishing for a sign that she shouldn’t give up, but now she thought maybe it was better that way.

Elphaba felt awful for yelling at Galinda, now realizing that Galinda was insecure about their relationship, but still Galinda was a grown woman. She should’ve come to her if she felt like Milla was bothering her. “You’re my girlfriend for Ozsake, Galinda.”

Galinda looked up into Elphaba’s tired eyes, “I-I am?”

“If you want to be, yes.”

“I do!”

Elphaba walked over to where Galinda stood next to the bed. She took her by the elbows to pull her closer. “Okay, so then you’ve gotta stop it with the jealousy,” she said, trying to catch her eyes so she could wipe the remnants of her tears away. She tilted Galinda’s chin upwards, “If she or anyone else is bothering you, you need to come to me. Don’t try to deal with it on your own, especially pregnant.”

Galinda nodded, “I’m sorry, but she really did push me first.”

“And that’s exactly when you should’ve come to find me. I would’ve handled her right then and there. I still will, but now we’ve got a bigger mess to clean up with Liir.”

Galinda laid her head on Elphaba’s chest and tightened her arms around her waist. Elphaba was right, she knew that now. She got carried away in trying to keep Elphaba for herself that she’d missed that Elphaba was already only hers. She confessed against Elphaba’s chest, “Your relationship with her scares me.”

Elphaba ran her fingers through Galinda’s hair. “Why, my sweet?”

“Because she knows you…,” Galinda said, wiping at more tears as they fell.

“You know me, too…,” Elphaba reassured her.

“She knows the part of you that was stolen from me.” Galinda spent so many nights, every single night, thinking of what she and Elphaba could’ve been up to had they not been torn away from each other. And after finding out Elphaba had spent her pregnancy alone, she took on guilt for not knowing Elphaba was alive, and for not being able to understand her strife because she wasn’t there to help her through it. She could hear the stories a thousand times and it would never compare to being the one to care for her—to wipe her tears and help her through the pain. She never got to hold Elphaba’s hair back when the morning sickness came or take the rides to the grocery store to get whatever obscure snack she was craving. And when her belly became too huge, she didn’t get to help Elphaba put her shoes on or shave her because she couldn’t do it herself. “I’ll never really know what you went through in those years and I’ll never be able to say I was there for you through all that pain… but she can.”

Elphaba moved Galinda to the edge of the bed and sat next to her. “You know parts of me that she never will too.”

“I want to know all of you,” Galinda said, unwaveringly, and with Elphaba’s hands in her own.

“You will. We aren’t in any rush this time.” Elphaba brought her hands up to kiss her knuckles.

“What if you’re taken from me again?”

“Won’t happen. Don’t waste another second thinking about something that I will never let happen.”

“Don’t you feel like we’re running out of time? Cause I do. I think about it all the time and I always come back to the decade we lost.”

“… We have…,” Elphaba started. She kissed Galinda’s cheek and just below her eye. “All the time in the world, my sweet.”

“Make me feel it… please, Elphie,” Galinda said, her eyes never leaving Elphaba’s.

Elphaba nodded as if to tell Galinda that everything was going to be okay. There was a bigger problem festering with Galinda’s insecurity and Milla putting her hands on her that Elphaba knew she had to deal with, but for now she and Galinda were on the same page.

Galinda pulled the t-shirt over her head.

My beautiful girl, Elphaba repeated like a mantra in her head. She would never not be in awe of Galinda as a woman—a person. Such a resilient and fierce woman who she was falling deeper in love with every single day.

After taking off her own clothes, she pulled Galinda into a searing kiss, cupping both of her rosy red cheeks.

Elphaba broke their kiss to speak, “I need to get the—”

“Don’t. Just use your body.” Galinda continued, “You’ve always been enough for me, just you.”

Elphaba kissed her again as they scooted up towards the headboard. When Galinda fell back against the pillows with her hair spread beneath her and her body open and willing, Elphaba’s body tingled as adoration (and desire) flowed through her. Her hand found its way from Galinda’s legs, up her thighs, past her stomach, momentarily stopping to squeeze her breasts, then past her shoulders and down her arms to link their fingers.

Elphaba’s hands forced Galinda’s over her head as their bodies came flush with each other. Elphaba started to lay the softest trail of kisses all over Galinda’s neck…

“Y-yes,” Galinda muttered. The way Elphaba kissed her felt so familiar, but so completely new every time her lips met Galinda’s body.

Elphaba released one of Galinda’s hands to tease her nipple with little pinches and caresses.

“Unh! Ah,” Galinda moaned like music to Elphaba’s ears. That sound she would never tire of, and the feel of Galinda’s breasts pressing into hers would never go unappreciated.

She shifted slightly so that her thigh slotted between Galinda’s legs.

Galinda whimpered when she felt the pressure on her clit. Her hips pushed up into the feelings, wanting to keep it there as long as she could. “Elphie…”

Elphaba turned Galinda’s jaw so she could kiss her, but just before their lips met, “Use me for your pleasure…”

She flexed her thigh against Galinda’s warm core and was met with Galinda’s tongue in her mouth.

They moved in unison for a few minutes… Content to just feel each other—

Then Elphaba lowered herself to take Galinda’s hardened nipple in her mouth. She sucked her so well that Galinda pressed her head into the pillow and bit her lip to silence what would’ve been some very obscene and loud moans.

After giving the other one the same attention, Elphaba continued down Galinda’s body until she reached the stubble between her legs. She kissed around the damp skin and opened Galinda’s legs wider— opting to push them up towards her chest.

She swiped her tongue from Galinda’s throbbing hole up to her clit.

“F-fuck!”

Then she took her clit in her mouth to taste and suck on until Galinda became a shaking mess beneath her.

“I-I’m close!”

Elphaba pushed three fingers inside of her, and the leg she was no longer holding fell to the side, still widened.

“Oz! Elphie! So good!”

Elphaba pumped her fingers and sucked on her clit again and again. She hit Galinda’s spot with a curl of her fingers and licked her clit just right.

So intoxicated by the feel of Elphaba satisfying her every need, Galinda came. She thrusted into Elphaba’s mouth and creamed her fingers. Her legs closed around Elphaba’s head, trapping her into pleasuring her until she couldn’t take it anymore.

“Ahhhh baby, yessss,” Galinda said in total ecstasy.

When she finally released Elphaba, she wasted no time straddling Galinda and lining their soaking pussies up with one another.

“Elphie! I’m so sensitive,” Galinda panted out.

“I’ll be quick.”

Galinda hummed, still feeling the effects of her orgasm, “Kay.”

Elphaba leaned over Galinda, using her breasts for purchase, then began to rock her hips. It took her a few seconds to find the spot that she loved, but once she did…

Her mouth fell open as she looked at Galinda beneath her. The pleasure filled shocks that hit her every time her clit rubbed Galinda’s made her cry out.

“That’s it, love,” Galinda whispered to her while she held her face. “You’re close aren’t you?”

Elphaba nodded, squeezing her eyes shut to better focus on the feeling.

“Cum for me, darling…”

Elphaba tried, with everything she had, to stay upright when her orgasm hit, but the strength quickly left her body as she fell forward.

With Elphaba’s head on her shoulder, Galinda held onto Elphaba and pushed their hips together to help her through her orgasm.

Elphaba moaned and whimpered into her ear.

Then, her body stilled.

“Oz…,” she said, rolling off of Galinda.

“You’re welcome,” Galinda said cockily.

Elphaba nudged her playfully, “Oh please, you’re the one who should be thanking me.”

Galinda threw her leg over Elphaba’s and wrapped her arms around her waist. “Thank you.”

Elphaba kissed her forehead. “No more jealousy, right?”

“I can’t guarantee that. You’re just so sexy,” Galinda said with a smile.

“Flattery won’t work this time, my sweet. Promise me that you’ll come to me if someone is messing with you.”

“Ugh fine, I promise! I’ll try not to get so jealous even though women should just stay away from you, and yes, I will come to you if something’s wrong,” Galinda said, as serious as ever.

Elphaba snickered, knowing this was the best she was going to get from her girlfriend. “Good enough.”

Galinda’s phone dinged and Elphaba reached around her body to grab it for her. “It’s Fiyero.”

“Ignore him, he’s been bothering me all day. There! I told you, now deal with him, please.”

Elphaba laughed because of course Galinda would make a joke in the midst of them having one of the most serious conversations they ever have. Then Galinda got another notification and Elphaba read Fiyero’s message… “Galinda… you need to respond to him.”

Elphaba sat up and picked up her own phone. She had the same notification as Galinda. It read:

Breaking News: The Emerald City to unify with two other surviving nations by way of a train system.

Galinda opened her phone to see dozens of messages from Fiyero and missed calls. She called him, not caring what time of the night it was.

Fiyero sounded panicked, “Galinda! I’ve been trying to call you all day! Your parents are in the Emerald City! There’s going to be a unification.”

Oh, fuck!

Galinda’s eyes met Elphaba’s, both of them unsure of what came next, but knowing that it wasn’t going to be easy by any means.