Love Lessons

by G3LPH13LOVER

Summary:

Elphaba meets Galinda during finals seasons at Shiz, and learns what it means to be loved the correct way.

———

Or Galinda offers to teach a very shy Elphaba how to be “popular” and in exchange Elphaba tutors her.

———

Modern Gelphie AU

Notes:

This idea came to me a few days ago and it was all I could think of…

Probably gonna be about 10 chapters max or around 50k words. Whichever I reach first I suppose.

Chapter 1

Raindrops fell against the otherwise crystal clear glass of the library at Shiz University just after the thirteenth hour, accompanied by a gentle cast of moonlight. The large book filled building had an ancient charm about it that pulled in even the most hesitant onlookers. Deep chestnut shelves with rusted gold lining below curved ceilings, and walls that featured eighteenth century murals. The ladder being Elphaba’s favorite quality of the building’s.

She was often here, studying—sitting…

The library was her most beloved place on campus. Here, between the rows of shelves—entranced in the multitude of lives within the pages—she was never herself. Her solitude wasn’t interrupted by curious stares or malicious words as it was every time she dared to step out in public. In the library, she could hide away and pretend, just for a moment, that she wasn’t the odd showgirl for Shiz student’s entertainment. Inside of these four walls she was Elphaba Thropp… intelligent, quick-witted, beautiful, loved, and accepted.

She sat crisscrossed on the ground between the shelves of the history section. It was finals season and she was determined to maintain her straight-A streak. This course was one of her favorites because it challenged her to see things from perspectives that rivaled her own. It seemed simple enough to do, yet it was a skill most people lacked. Especially when it came to sharing spaces with the green girl.

Elphaba, however, was used to the immediate hatred for what they did not understand. Her existence should be impossible, and therefore it was wrong.

She was wrong.

Rhetoric that had been repeatedly burned into her brain by way of her abusive father. Despite the damage his hands cost her over the years, his words created scars that went much deeper than any physical injury she sustained at his hands ever could. It was because of him that she seldom ever fought back against her torturers all through her childhood, and struggled to do it in adulthood. Instead, she learned to endure—to take whatever it was people did to her without making a fuss about it.

She walked with a fragile confidence, always one excruciating interaction away from running back home to her apartment. While the library was comfortable for her, the apartment she’d been renting for the last four years was her safe place. The only place she could truly lock herself away in to spare the world of the uncomfortable sight of her.

It’s the same reason she always chose to sit between the aisles in the library instead of at the tables meant for sitting. Others were at those tables, even if it was just one person, it was still one more than would ever be kind to her.

This particular night, there were a few people utilizing the quiet space. One of whom was currently weeping from what Elphaba could hear. The girl had been crying for the better part of the last ten minutes and Elphaba was growing more annoyed with the distraction.

She slammed the textbook in her lap shut and shoved it in her worn purple backpack she’d gotten freshman year at Shiz. After pushing herself to her feet to investigate the noise, she poked her head out from the aisle.

The culprit— a small blonde haired girl with her head down on the table. Elphaba watched the girl’s shoulders hitch with every sob. The annoyance she felt disappeared to morph into pity. She reached around her back to grab the pack of tissues she kept inside her backpack. She understood what it was like to cry in public and she had always hoped someone would check on her when she did, of course that never happened. She was forced to clean herself up, and wipe her own tears with the added step of applying a cream for her water allergy.

With the tissues in her hand, she hesitantly came out of her hiding spot with the intentions of giving them to the crying girl, but the closer she got two things plagued her mind:

The crying girl was Galinda Upland, resident it-girl at Shiz University.

And…

No one ever reacted pleasantly to her appearance, and this probably wouldn’t be any different.

Her hands became sweaty, but she quickly dried them on her pants hoping to avoid the allergic reaction. She was out in the open now, anyone could see her. She felt totally vulnerable, but the sliver of a chance that Galinda would appreciate the gesture kept her feet moving tentatively towards her.

Galinda’s sobs were low and Elphaba could see that she had two notebooks and a textbook out on the table. Perhaps finals season was also agonizing for those who didn’t care about their grades too. Everyone knew Galinda’s priorities at Shiz were being captain of the cheerleaders, leading the fashion club, and attending every single party on campus and off. She was the popular girl of popular girls, she got special treatment from the dean, and every boy and girl hung off the perfectly manicured tip of her finger.

So, seeing her in the library, apparently defeated, came as a shock to Elphaba. She slid the tissues on the table near Galinda, then scurried off towards the exit. She could offer support… from a distance, but she couldn’t set herself up to be laughed at or gawked at.

“Hey!”

Elphaba kept walking. Surely, she wasn’t the person being screamed at. No one ever called after her.

“You, with the purple backpack!”

Correction—no one ever called after her… until now.

And, of course, it was the last person she’d want to have a conversation with. She and Galinda would never mix. They came from different worlds. Galinda was born with a pink spoon in her mouth, and Elphaba came into the world kicking and screaming, already disadvantaged.

She stopped in her tracks, slightly afraid to face Galinda. She didn’t mean to cause a stir—she never did.

“Hi! Thank you for these,” Galinda said from across the room once Elphaba faced her. “This whole finals thing has really got me all jumbled up.”

Elphaba braced for Galinda’s realization of her verdigris. The inevitable gasp, scream, or run away from her.

Galinda opened up the tissues and wiped her eyes. Then she stood up and flipped her hair behind her shoulder as if she’d practiced this very action from birth. If Elphaba hadn’t seen it with her own eyes, she’d never believe this same girl was just sobbing one minute ago.

“I’m Galinda,” she said with her hand outstretched.

Elphaba’s mind stopped working. Did Galinda mean for her to touch her? She took a step back for good measure.

“It’s rude to leave someone waiting, you know.”

Galinda’s confidence intrigued Elphaba, but not enough for her to speak just yet. She spent most of her time at Shiz not speaking because it never went well when she did, and after being told for years that she should just “shut up”, she didn’t really see the point of it anyway.

But Galinda Upland was relentless…

“Hello? Aren’t you gonna say something? Or are you gonna keep staring at me creepily?”

Elphaba opened her mouth and closed it twice before she pulled the courage to speak from within herself. She hid her hands in the sleeves of her dark green hoodie, instinctively. Then she brought her right hand over her mouth to shield what she could of herself from prying eyes. “You’re welcome.”

Galinda nodded, satisfied. “What’s your name?”

Elphaba’s eyes shifted to the table next to Galinda. Her nervousness became evident by the way she tapped her foot on the worn carpet. “Elphaba,” she mumbled.

“W-what? I can hardly hear you,” Galinda said, taking an assured step forward.

Elphaba stepped back… into the way of the window’s light stream. The moonlight exposed the very thing she was trying to hide in the darkness.

Galinda gasped and moved back. Surprising to no one, certainly not Elphaba. This whole interaction was going exactly as she knew it would.

But still… it stung.

Her head dropped and she felt like everyone was watching her. To disappear would be easier than to sit here and be picked apart visually. She turned on her heels and headed for the exit once again.

No matter how many times people recoiled at the sight of her, it affected her all the same. She felt ashamed of herself and unworthy of occupying the same space as those who judged her. She pulled out her gloves then pushed through the library doors only to be caught in the whipping wind and harsh rain. Pulling her hood over her head, she shuffled down the stairs as quickly as she possibly could. Lucky for her, the rain was dropping in the same direction she was walking which meant she was able to stay covered.

“Hey! Wait up!”

Oh for Ozsake, she thought to herself. There was no way that little Galinda Upland in the mini skirt and tank top was chasing after her in the rain well after midnight. She soldiered on, hoping that Galinda would get the hint and leave her.

“Hey!”

She kept going towards her car, trying to get her keys from her bag before she arrived at her car door. Then she heard a shriek from behind her under the sound of the quick pelts of rain hitting the ground. Her head whipped around to see Galinda on the ground with her books spread around her and her backpack open. The feeling of the rain against her face stung. She would pay for this when she got home and had to combat an allergy flare up.

She hurried over because no matter how much social interaction unnerved her and her skin burned, leaving another girl in the rain, injured and alone was something she’d never do. She knew all too well the feeling of being utterly alone and hurt, and she wouldn’t wish it on anyone else. No one deserved to feel what she had, especially not Galinda who had technically been nice to her.

She crouched down next to Galinda, who was holding her ankle. It looked like her heel got caught in a crack and snapped. Elphaba grabbed Galinda’s books and put them back in her bag, sealing it with the zipper. Then she looked at the soaked girl in front of her. “Are you okay?”

“I twisted it, but I’m fine.”

Elphaba watched Galinda stand up with a wince. Her injury looked painful, and the rain wasn’t helping this major inconvenience one bit. She felt even more awful given that Galinda was chasing after her when she hurt herself. “Do you live here?”

“A-across campus,” Galinda stammered as she held herself. She had begun to shiver.

The clattering of her teeth grabbed Elphaba’s attention. She looked into Galinda’s face for the first time since they’d been in such close proximity, and immediately understood why she was as sought after as she was. She was objectively stunning despite being soaking wet and freezing cold. She had the biggest brown doe eyes under fluttering eyelashes, and a sharp jaw structure. Her nose was a little red from the coldness, but the color only contributed to her natural beauty. Elphaba couldn’t help but stare.

“You left before I got your name,” Galinda said.

Elphaba pulled her hood down further. “I didn’t think you wanted to know it after—”

“You startled me.”

Elphaba didn’t react. “Get home safe.”

She started to walk to her car.

“Hey! D-do you think you could give me a ride?” Galinda asked. “It’s just- my dorm is on the other side of campus. I walked here thinking it would be a nice way to clear my mind and well… you know,” she waved her hands around above her head.

Elphaba scoffed at the girl’s astounding lack of awareness and general precaution. “You don’t even know my name. I could be a kidnapper.”

“Well are you?”

Elphaba shrugged, “Maybe… Do you still want a ride?”

Galinda giggled.

Elphaba’s breath caught in her chest at the sight of Galinda’s dimple. She looked positively adorable when she smiled which Elphaba knew from seeing her around on campus, but up close her beauty was disarming. She was flawless in every sense of the word.

“Yes. I still want a ride nameless green girl.”

Elphaba unlocked her car door, taken aback by the mention of her skin. The reminder that she was different hung between them as they both got into her small car.

Elphaba started the engine and turned the heat up.

“What is your name?” Galinda asked again. “You have to actually tell me this time.”

“It’s Elphaba.”

“Elphaba,” Galinda repeated. “I like it.”

Elphaba’s lips turned up in the slightest, the smile didn’t quite come across, but she did feel something close to happiness for the compliment. She had never received one before. She wondered what it was like to have someone enjoy a feature of hers so much that they felt compelled to tell her.

Even though it was her car, she felt nervous to talk. This was the first time she drove anyone around in it besides her younger sister Nessarose.

“T-thank you. You’ll have to tell me where to go.”

“Make a right up here,” Galinda instructed. “So… are you like… sick?”

Elphaba sighed. She expected that it would come up at some point… It was exhausting having to explain her existence to everyone who asked. “No. I was born this way. It’s not contagious. It won’t rub off on you, and I don’t know why I’m this way.” The words left her mouth dryly and prepared. It was the same spiel she gave to everyone. It was curt and informative. It covered the most asked bases and didn’t overshare what people didn’t care to know.

“Oh! Well what year are you? Keep straight,” Galinda said.

She just moved on without a care in the world. There were no funny remarks or rude questions. She was completely satisfied that Elphaba was just green…

Elphaba stuttered, “Fourth.”

“Were you studying for finals too?”

“Yes.”

“It’s so confusifying isn’t it? I can never come up with the right words for Linguistics class and the numbers get so mixed up in my head for math.”

Elphaba snickered, “Confusifying? That’s not a word.”

“No word was a word before it became a word,” Galinda rebutted. “And don’t make fun of me, it’s rude.”

That stopped Elphaba entirely.

Galinda was absolutely right, making fun of people was rude.

“I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay… What are you studying?”

“Advanced History.”

“Oh, advanced huh? Are you any good at writing essays and math with letters?”

Elphaba chuckled, “Yes.”

“Must be nice, turn left here,” Galinda instructed.

They pulled into the parking lot in front of Galinda’s dorm room.

“Thank you, again. I’ll try to cry quietly next time,” Galinda joked as she got out of the car with a limp.

Elphaba laughed softly, then waved goodbye. She watched Galinda walk into her building before she pulled away. How Galinda could remain so cheerful after crying, falling in the rain, and having so much trouble with her class was a mystery to Elphaba. Just one of those things would send her into psychosis.

She admired Galinda’s resilience.

She found her to be more interesting personally than she came across publicly. While she was very bubbly and assertive, she was also curious and seemingly harmless.

Despite the rising purple skin and pain she was feeling, Elphaba drove herself home with Galinda on her mind.

———

The next night, Elphaba packed her bag to retire from the library. She was exhausted after a six hour study session. This history class was taking up every bit of her free time. She had a thirty page essay due on a topic she was only mildly interested in. Nonetheless, she gave it her all just as she did all her other lessons.

As she walked through the shelves, she noticed a flash of pink disappear around the corner. Then she heard quiet mumblings of dissatisfaction. When she turned, she was met with Galinda filing through books.

“Oh, Elphaba! Hi!”

“H-hi,” Elphaba hesitated.

“Look, it’s all better now,” Galinda said, wiggling her ankle around in the air.

Elphaba smiled. She was happy that Galinda wasn’t hurt long term.

“Do you understand this book place language?”

”Huh?”

“I’m looking for a book, but I can’t seem to find it. This place is so… odd.”

Elphaba bit her lip, awkwardly. She could help Galinda and risk making a fool of herself as she so often did, or she could just deny her and leave. As much as she wanted to take off out of fear, something about Galinda looking at her with so much hope bolted her feet to the ground. She couldn’t turn away from her no matter how hard her mind screamed at her to do just that. “It’s sorted by genre, then the author's last name.”

Galinda nodded and focused back on the shelf. She used her finger to search the spines until she landed on one. “Found it! Thank you.”

She whirled past Elphaba back to that same table she was at yesterday and Elphaba watched her helplessly in awe of her. Galinda wasn’t like anyone she’d ever come in contact with before. She had no interest in her skin condition and even less in bullying her for it. Her gaze didn’t linger on Elphaba’s body and when she did look at her it was out of genuineness rather than malice. She had asked the usual questions, but she didn’t press Elphaba to reveal more than she wanted to.

It was weirdly comforting for Elphaba and she found herself wanting to talk to Galinda more. She walked over to Galinda’s table, unsure of why.

“You said you were good at math, could you help me?” Galinda asked. “It’s just- this stuff does not make sense to me at all.”

Elphaba glanced down at what she was working on. “Um it’s because you’ve got the order wrong.” She looked to Galinda for any signs of anger at her redirection, but there was none. Galinda was focused on the page. “Move this here and this one over two,” Elphaba said.

Galinda erased and rewrote the problem as Elphaba suggested, and then she was able to work it out. She squealed with excitement, “I did it! Thank you!”

Elphaba smiled. Galinda’s excitement was radiating off her body and so infectious. It made Elphaba want to help her more. “You didn’t really need me.”

“Of course I did, silly! You're good at this, sit,” Galinda commanded with a gentleness in her voice. It wasn’t a question, but the statement left room for Elphaba to reject her if she chose to.

The rejection never came. Elphaba sat down across from her as a precaution. She didn’t want to ruin her good luck or push the universe for more grace. The fact that Galinda was even willing to be close to her was more than enough for her.

Galinda worked through more problems with Elphaba’s help. She asked non-school related questions every few minutes, but nothing too personal. In their short time together, she’d found out that Elphaba lived off campus and had a job though she wasn’t sure what. She also found out that Elphaba was a bit of a recluse and was now trying to convince her to go out.

“There’s something for everyone here. You just haven’t found your thing yet! I could help since you helped me with my math.”

Elphaba’s covered hand came over her mouth again. Galinda’s offer was enticing, but entirely out of reach for her. She could love every club and organization that Shiz had but it wouldn’t change the fact that no one would want her in those spaces. “I-I shouldn’t. Thank you for offering though.”

“Oh pleeaaseeee, just try one! I’ll go with you,” Galinda begged with her bottom lip poked out.

“Galinda, that’s very kind of you, but I’m not a people person.” Elphaba continued, “People don’t receive this well.” Elphaba waved her hand across her face.

Galinda frowned, “So! You can’t hide away forever.”

Elphaba scoffed, “You literally jumped away from me when you saw me.”

“Because you startled me. I’d never seen a green person before… and now I have.”

“No one will be as kind as you,” Elphaba confessed. The awkwardness filled her body and regret ran through her. She should’ve never said that. It revealed too much about how she saw the world.

“It’s settled! I’m gonna teach you how to live a little.”

“Gal-”

“No arguing, here,” she said, pushing her phone towards Elphaba. “Put your number in.”

“What?”

“How else am I supposed to contact you if I don’t have your number? We could keep meeting here at late hours, but I have no plans to be here after finals. So, you should probably just give me your number.”

Elphaba looked down at the phone then back up at the beautiful girl in front of her who was somehow interested in spending time with her. None of this felt real and she struggled to wrap her head around the facts.

Two days ago, she was content to be completely alone (or so she told herself), and now she had the most popular girl in school asking for her number. This had to be a cosmic joke—or a prank! Definitely a prank.

“Galinda, if this is some joke so you can get everyone a laugh please just leave me alone.”

“This isn’t- I’m not joking. You helped me so I want to help you, that’s all.”

Elphaba sighed. She wasn’t sure if Galinda was telling the truth or not, but saying no to her felt more anxiety inducing then just agreeing. She typed her number into Galinda’s phone and slid it back to her. “I won’t feel right if it’s just you wasting your time on me.”

“It won’t be a waste, but if it makes you uncomfortable, then you can keep helping me with my studies, and we’ll call it a deal.”

Elphaba nodded, “Mutually beneficial.”

Galinda’s lips curled upwards and her dimple indented her cheek. Elphaba was mesmerized in an instant. She was pleasantly nervous and terrified of this arrangement, but getting to see Galinda’s face repeatedly seemed worth the trouble. “Elphie, now that we’re friends, I’m gonna make you my new project!”

The nickname caught Elphaba off guard. It was perky, but she didn’t mind it. It felt like Galinda. “Oh you really don’t have to do that…”

“I know! That’s what makes me so nice!”

Elphaba laughed, but rushed to cover her mouth.

“Stop doing that. You have a beautiful smile,” Galinda said as she reached over the table to pull Elphaba’s hand away from her face.

When Galinda’s fingers slid into Elphaba’s hand, her heart nearly jumped out of her chest. Galinda’s touch felt innately right on her skin. Her lips parted so she could suck in the breath she forgot to take. Then before she knew it, the warmth of Galinda’s hand was gone and her palm felt unnaturally cold. The regular temperature of her body was no longer warm enough.

“This is the part when you say ‘thank you’,” Galinda said, playfully.

“R-right. Thank you.”

“Oh, this is so exciting! Are you free tomorrow?”

Elphaba nodded. She was free most days. She had only her classes and work, neither of which took up her entire day.

“Well, then,” Galinda started, gathering her things. “We have a lot of work to do. I’ll text you. Bye Elphie.”

Elphaba waved her off and watched her leave.

What the hell just happened? She asked herself with a soft smile on her face.

Chapter 2

Summary:

Galinda introduces Elphaba to Pfannee and Shenshen. Then the girls spend time together where Elphaba shares something personal with Galinda.

Elphaba flopped down onto the pile of clothes thrown haphazardly on her bed. She had never experienced anything like this before. She was excited to see Galinda again today and wanted to look nice for the occasion. She was familiar with nervousness, but not with positive anticipation for something. She’d woken up early to get a jump on her day, went to class, and rushed back home to get refreshed and changed for Galinda.

Now, post shower, and only in undergarments, she was trying to figure out what to wear. She looked through the pile, deciding against the long sleeve top, the short sleeved top, the long sundress, the cropped tank top, and v-neck top along with about ten other tops. It wasn’t until she came across a purple knitted sweater that she stopped searching. She loved this sweater! It was warm and fairly fashionable. She paired it with black jeans and purple sneakers.

She took a moment to survey herself in the full body mirror in her bedroom, then she grabbed her bag and headed out the door.

Meet you in ten at the cafeteria! Galinda texted.

Elphaba loved the message as she got into her car.

———

Once she was in the cafeteria, her anxiety skyrocketed. It was the middle of the day which meant most of Shiz was here eating and without direct instructions on where Galinda would be, Elphaba was left to stand awkwardly in the large room. She gravitated towards the wall near the entrance and slid her hands up in her sleeves.

“Hey, there you are,” Galinda said, walking through the threshold!

“Hi,” Elphaba said. Her focus drifted back to the cafeteria, where the dirty looks had already begun. She’d caught three people already who looked disgusted with her. She wanted to shrink into herself and disappear from everyone’s view.

“I thought that it would be easy to start off with something like lunch, but we can go somewhere else if you want,” Galinda suggested.

“U-um I-” Elphaba was growing more frazzled with every second she stood in this room. More people were coming in, heightening her worries. She worked hard to keep her emotions in check, but she was very close to having a full blown panic attack.

Galinda, sensing her uneasiness, slipped her hand into Elphaba’s. “Come on,” she said, pulling her out of the busy building.

Elphaba felt awful for Galinda having to be near her in such a state. “Sorry… This is a bad idea. You should go with your friends instead.”

Galinda dismissed Elphaba’s suggestion. “We’re friends, too, right?”

Elphaba tried to come up with a response, but she couldn’t. Galinda’s hand was still in hers and now that her panic subsided, she could focus solely on Galinda. She looked stunning. Her hair was in a half up half down style and the sun caught her golden tresses effortlessly. It almost looked as if she shined in the light. She wore a pink tube top that left a sliver of her stomach showing, and light wash skinny jeans.

“Okay, you've got to start talking to me,” Galinda stated. “It’s hard to form a friendship if you don’t talk. Are you like this with your other friends?”

“…I don’t have any friends.” It hurt Elphaba to say the words aloud, but it was her truth. She had no idea what went into a friendship because she never had one.

“Boyfriend then? Or girlfriend?”

Elphaba shook her head.

“Hmm, well you have me now... First rule of friendship is that you have to talk to each other.”

“Talking is not really my thing.”

Galinda’s hand came up Elphaba’s arm to hold onto. Then she pulled her along gently. “Why?”

“No one listens when I do.”

“I’ll listen,” Galinda said. “Whenever you want to talk, call me and I’ll listen to you.”

Elphaba’s chest went warm. Such kindness had never been granted to her before. There was no part of her that ever believed anyone would do more than tolerate her, definitely not offer to listen to her talk. “Why are you being so nice to me?”

“You were nice to me first,” Galinda said matter of factly. She said it without thinking about it. So earnest and quick that Elphaba actually believed that to be her motivation.

“And these… lessons you want to give me… they won’t change something so obvious. I think I’m a waste of your time.”

“Would you stop saying that, Elphaba! We hardly know each other, but I can already tell we’re going to be great friends. You’re not wasting my time…”

“I’m green.”

“And so I shouldn’t like you because of that?”

“I would understand if you didn’t.”

“Then why don’t you understand that I do… like you? You seem like a perfectly fine girl.”

“Everyone loves you… and everyone hates me. I’m social suicide.”

“Public opinion is easily swayed.”

Galinda was always so sure of herself. She never let someone else’s opinion change hers, even if her opinion was that “the green girl should be socially accepted”.

Being with her felt easy for Elphaba. Her usual worries remained, but lessened. Galinda strengthened the hopeful part of her brain that told her that she could have friends and she could have a lover one day. The very part of her that had been shoved down and kicked out of her as a child.

She hated this part of herself. Her life up until now had been exactly as Frexspar, her father, said it would be. She was lonely, forced to live a life hidden away because her appearance was too much for the world. He told her that it would always be this way and that the one person who could ever love her died when her mother did.

“You have your work cut out for you,” Elphaba said quietly as they walked.

“I love a challenge,” Galinda cheered. “What kind of stuff do you like to do?”

“I like to read and write and walk in the garden.”

Galinda pulled out her phone and started typing words that Elphaba couldn’t see. Her fingers moved diligently on the small screen.

“What’s that?” Elphaba asked.

“I’m planning our next lesson.”

“Is that what we’re calling this? What about your next tutoring session, huh?”

Galinda groaned dramatically. “Are you free tonight? You could come to my dorm.”

Elphaba nodded. She contemplated for a few seconds on what she was going to say next. She thought that tandem studying would be a good idea, but she didn’t want to overstep with Galinda. “We can study together i-if that’s okay with you?” Then she braced for a negative response.

“Perfect! I’ll get us snacks!”

Pleasantly surprised, Elphaba grinned to herself. She hadn’t noticed that Galinda was also smiling… at her smile.

“Oh look, there’s Pfannee and Shenshen,” Galinda said, pointing up ahead. “They’re my best friends, you have to meet them.”

Elphaba pulled her arm back. She had no idea what to expect from Galinda’s friends.

“Elphie? It’ll be fun, c’mon. Just try to be confident and they’ll love you.” After a beat of silence Galinda tried again. She took Elphaba’s hand and leaned into her as if she was telling her a secret. “Confidence can be faked. Just follow my lead.”

Elphaba swallowed as she let Galinda pull her over to her friends. They were talking to each other under a tree and hadn’t seen Elphaba yet.

“Friends! Hi! How was the meeting today?” Galinda asked, fully inserting herself into their conversation.

“It was—” The girl started, then she looked over to Elphaba.

An uncomfortable warmth crept up Elphaba’s neck to take residence in her cheeks. Why was being looked at so embarrassing?

She stared back at Galinda’s friends waiting for them to say something more, something hurtful. There was no way she’d get lucky again with two more nice people.

“Galinda who is that? And why is she green?” The boy asked, moving backwards.

Under any other circumstance Elphaba would’ve walked away by now, but she remembered what Galinda said… She pulled her shoulders back and lifted her chin up.

“That’s rude, Pfannee! This is Elphaba, she’s my friend.”

“Your friend is sick, and probably contagious,” Pfannee added.

“Um… I’m neither,” Elphaba said somewhere between her normal speaking voice and a mumble in a sad attempt to speak up for herself.

Pfannee’s lip turned up in disgust, and Shenshen just continued to stare at her. She stepped away from the group, but Galinda’s hold on her hand tugged her back.

“Oh my God, relax! She’s just as normal as you and me, but probably smarter. She’s tutoring me,” Galinda said with a satisfied toss of her hair. Elphaba could see that in her mind she’d solved the problem of her friend’s unacceptable behavior.

“Tutoring you,” Shenshen repeated. Then she burst out laughing. “You’re letting her tutor you?”

Galinda frowned. “Why is that funny? She’s very smart.”

This was a sick humiliation ritual. Elphaba, bound by Galinda’s grip, just sat there and let these people tear into her. Her waterline filled with unshed tears and her throat went dry. Galinda’s compliment fell on deaf ears because she was too busy trying to not be here anymore. The faux confidence she’d been displaying disappeared as her shoulders slumped and her gaze moved to the ground. Her stomach started to throb and she found herself tugging at Galinda’s hand.

With a raised eyebrow, Pfannee started, “It’s just… she’s—”

But Elphaba didn’t care to be taunted any longer. She finally pulled herself free of Galinda’s hold and all but ran away. She heard Galinda call after her, but it was rush hours at Shiz so she could easily lose her in the crowd. She weaved through the sea of young adults with her head down and movements swift.

The tears she had been holding back dropped the second she fell into the seat of her car. She wiped them away before they fell all the way down her cheeks, but hissed at the burning feeling in her fingers. Life had been so cruel to her that she couldn’t even cry without hurting something. A regular human way to regulate emotions, and she couldn’t do it. She rumbled around in the arm rest for the cream she kept in there for emergencies like this one. She took a deep breath then applied it to her fingers and just under her eyes.

As she calmed herself with more breaths and a sip of water from her canister, her phone chimed.

I’m sorry about them. I didn’t think they’d react that way. Forgive me?

Elphaba reread the message three times before she threw her phone into the passenger seat and drove away. She wanted to believe Galinda, but her brain wouldn’t let her. It told her that Galinda wanted that to happen. She wanted to see her hurt just like everyone else.

———

When Elphaba arrived at her apartment, she dropped her bag by the door, kicked her shoes off, and headed straight for the fridge. Ice cream always did the trick when she felt vulnerable and weak. She pulled out the mint chocolate chip treat and dug right in with a spoon. Perks of living alone.

Her apartment was a nice size. The kitchen was updated and minimally decorated. The living room was spacious with lots of natural light. She had one and half bathrooms and her bedroom was down the hall.

It was exactly enough for her.

She took the ice cream over to the bay window to people watch. She lived close to campus so there were always people around her place, and being on the third floor gave her a great view without having to deal with people looking back at her.

She dipped into the ice cream and watched all her peers with their friends, laughing. Probably enjoying the Friday night because they could. She imagined they were going out to a party or some sort of activity that friends did together. Elphaba didn’t quite know what that looked like, but her imagination was vivid and she longed for that experience.

She was twenty two and had only ever held hands with a girl she met a few days ago. She’d never had any romantic prospects. She spent everyday alone at school and came home to more of the same.

While it was sad, she tried not to think about it. She focused on what she could change: her studies.

Her phone chimed again.

Are we still on for tonight?

Elphaba sighed. Dragging this out would only hurt her more in the long run. She thought Galinda was genuine those nights in the library, but out of the haze of the late hour, she wasn’t sure what she thought. Sometimes her mind was her worst enemy. The facts and her anxiety started to feel like one.

She texted Galinda back, We should stop this. Thank you for trying.

Galinda’s response came right away, Rule number two: never give up.

God, this girl would be the death of her. She was so persistent in all her jumpy, pink glory.

Elphaba replied, Your friends laughed in my face…

They're idiots! Please just give me one more chance.

Elphaba shifted her jaw. One more. Fine.

———

When the time came for Elphaba to knock on Galinda’s dorm room door, her hands decided they would refuse to move. So, there she stood, in the hallway of the girl’s dormitories, looking like a lost puppy. She looked down the vast hallway to her left to see girls all dressed up, definitely going clubbing. They hardly paid any attention to her, too busy taking selfies. She envied them. Their biggest problem was choosing the right angle. They had no idea what real struggle was.

She cleared her mind, then forced her hand to the wood of the door.

Galinda opened it in an instant! She had a huge grin on her face and was dressed in a comfy lounge set. “Elphie, you came!”

“You asked me to.”

She dragged Elphaba inside the average sized room. She had a twin sized bed parallel to the wall with a dresser at the foot of the bed. On the wall across from her bed was a desk and closet. She had a pink mini fridge in the corner with a microwave sitting atop and a snack cart. Everything was decorated in pink and perfectly placed.

Elphaba didn’t move past the doorway. She didn’t want to mess any of Galinda’s stuff up. It all looked brand new and polished meanwhile Elphaba had laundry from a week ago sprawled across her bedroom floor.

There were textbooks spread on the ground and a speaker playing soothing music in the background. The sun was setting and due to the pink hue of Galinda’s curtains, the lowering light came into the room a soft pink shade.

Galinda sat crisscrossed on the floor. “Elphie, I’ve been stuck on this one f— What are you doing back there? Come on,” Galinda said, patting the floor next to her.

Elphaba just couldn’t seem to get used to the way Galinda welcomed her. She’d never had someone try to include her the way Galinda had over the last few days. “S-should I take my shoes off?”

“If you want.”

Elphaba looked down to see Galinda was only wearing socks, so she followed suit by removing her shoes. She silently cursed herself for not wearing matching socks today.

“Are those rubber duckies on your sock?” Galinda said, giggling.

Elphaba flushed, “They were my sisters!”

Galinda pretended to believe her, but continued to giggle softly. She patted the spot next to her again and this time Elphaba took the hint. She quietly unpacked her backpack so she could do some studying of her own, but not before she helped Galinda with the problem she was stuck on.

She hadn’t even realized how far into Galinda’s space she’d leaned until she looked over to her to see if she understood and was met with direct eye contact. Galinda’s brown eyes softened under the light and Elphaba noticed she wasn’t wearing any makeup. She could see the natural pink tint of her lips- not that she was looking there. That would be unprofessional of her as Galinda’s official tutor.

But if one was to be looking there then they would see that Galinda’s lips were a little puffy, but perfect for her face. She must’ve applied chapstick or something because they looked shiny but not tinted. Elphaba wanted to reach out and touch them with her fingertips—her scarred fingertips. She killed the idea in her mind before it grew legs. Galinda would never let her do that.

“What happened to your face?” Galinda whispered in the small space between them.

Elphaba was so lost in Galinda’s face that hearing her voice startled her a bit. She brought her fingers to her face and remembered that she’d cried earlier today, and it took hours for a flare up to go down. She probably looked like a monster to Galinda. She backed away and focused on her own work. “It’s nothing.”

“It looks painful,” Galinda said. She scooted closer to Elphaba, right into the space Elphaba had just carved out between them. Galinda’s body fit there perfectly.

Elphaba didn’t say anything and she was far too afraid to attempt to look at Galinda again. She could see her knees from her line of sight but that was it.

Galinda reached, slowly, for Elphaba’s hand. “It’s here too…”

Elphaba’s eyes followed her hand—Galinda’s hand. She brushed her fingertips across the marred skin of Elphaba’s fingers where the water from her tears had been. The skin was raised, purple, and welted. She knew they hadn’t been that way when she last saw Elphaba.

“Elphie, did you burn yourself?”

Elphaba was truly terrified of confessing her allergy to Galinda. She’d managed to get away with it the first night they saw each other because it was dark and her hoodie and gloves had protected her from the bulk of the damage, but here there was no escaping. Galinda would keep asking until she figured it out.

The last time people found out about her allergy, she’d had a water bottle poured on her, sink water flicked on her, and was “accidentally” pushed into a fountain. Teenagers were cruel and each time resulted in flare ups so bad she could do nothing other than cry in pain for hours until it ended. Her allergy wasn’t deadly thus far, but it could derail her entire day if the flare up got bad enough. Sometimes the cream and the oil wasn’t enough, so she’d just have to wait it out.

“No…,” Elphaba breathed out.

“What happened then?” Galinda asked again. With one hand still holding Elphaba’s, the other came up to her cheek. Galinda brushed her knuckle over the welts under Elphaba’s eyes tenderly.

For a second, Elphaba let herself believe that someone cared for her. The confession tumbled out of her after that, “It’s an allergic reaction.”

Galinda hummed. “To what?”

Elphaba forced herself to look at Galinda because if this was when Galinda would finally be disgusted with her, then she wanted to remember the seconds before. The way she looked at her before her view of her changed. Even if it wasn’t disgust, it would surely be pity and somehow that was just as bad. “Water.”

Galinda’s eyes drifted over Elphaba’s injuries. The wheels in her brain were moving, trying to come up with a logical explanation for what Elphaba had just revealed to her. “All water?”

Elphaba nodded.

“But the rain that night?”

“I flared up, you just didn’t see it.”

“You ran back in the rain for me,” Galinda realized. “You knew it would hurt you and you did it anyway.”

Elphaba looked back down to her books with a shrug. “You were hurt too.”

Galinda enveloped her in a hug faster than Elphaba could process what was happening. Galinda smelled divine and her arms felt so comfortable around Elphaba’s neck.

But Elphaba wasn’t sure what to do. Hugs were things she’d seen others do and watched on TV, not something she herself ever received. Her arms were at her own sides until she dared to touch Galinda.

It felt so wrong to lay her injured hands against Galinda’s ribs. She knew she wouldn’t hurt Galinda, but what if she rejected her touch? What if the second Elphaba touched her she snapped back to her senses? Elphaba pulled her fingers away just as soon as they’d brushed against Galinda’s shirt.

She expected Galinda to let go by now, but she hadn’t. Her hold was as tight as ever around Elphaba’s neck. As if she’d read Elphaba’s mind, Galinda whispered, “I’m not letting go until you hug me back. I could do this all night.”

I won’t stop you… Elphaba thought to herself.

She looked straight ahead into the mirror against the wall near Galinda’s bed. There she was on her knees, with Galinda fully leaned into her. She could feel the ghostlike breaths Galinda took on her neck and the press of Galinda’s chest against her own. She surveyed the scene for a little bit longer, content to stay like this.

She was sure the scene looked crazy from afar. She and Galinda hugging on the floor under a pink and orange sky with soft music playing in the background, jumping into something neither of them could explain just yet. She’d just confessed something to Galinda, practically a stranger, that she kept from everyone out of fear. How was it that something that’s so hard to face in her day to day life felt so easy to share with Galinda?

Elphaba’s hands touched Galinda’s sides gently with a touch so featherlight she wasn’t sure Galinda felt it until her breath hitched. She pulled away again.

“It’s okay, Elphie. Hug me back already,” Galinda reassured.

Elphaba tried again. Her hands tested the boundaries of Galinda’s body before sliding around her back and locking. Galinda arched into her touch and squeezed her harder. The feeling was indescribable and oh so intoxicating. She wanted to keep it with her forever—bottle it up and wear it around her neck like a badge of honor with a sign that read Galinda Upland hugged me.

She felt like she’d just entered a sacred club.

She felt untouchable.

“See, harmless,” Galinda said as she pulled away. “Can I ask you about your allergy? You know, in case there’s an accident when we’re together.”

How thoughtful…

Elphaba nodded.

“Hmm… Can you drink water?”

“Yes, but I have to be careful. If it spills on my face…”

Galinda nodded and asked another, “Can you shower?”

Elphaba gulped. The question brought up years of bullying for her that she hadn’t ever addressed. Years of kids calling her smelly and telling her to go shower. Years of throwing soap at her and scattering whenever she entered a room. She could bathe, but not the same way everyone else could. She was perfectly clean, probably more than the average person because of her deep rooted fear of smelling bad. “You’ll think it’s gross,” she finally got out.

“No, I won’t… but you don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to.”

Elphaba looked back into the mirror. Her smile was gone. The places Galinda had been stung with the reminder of how she felt a few minutes ago. Now there was no warmth within her. “I use bathing oils.”

“What’s that?” Galinda asked as she adjusted back to the crisscross position.

“It’s a medical oil that cleans my body the same way soap and water does for you. Then I use a special salt to remove dead skin.”

The room went silent. Ashamed was an understatement for what Elphaba felt. Her body tensed and suddenly the room was too small. She rushed to her feet. “I should go.”

But Galinda didn’t let her go that easily. She ran to the door to block the exit. “Why do you always do that? Try to run away when I ask you things.”

Elphaba tried to grab her shoes but Galinda stood in her way. She picked up the shoes and hid them behind her back.

“Galinda give me my shoes.”

“No! Not until we finish talking.”

Elphaba reached around Galinda’s back but she raised the shoes in the air. Then when Elphaba reached up for them she put them behind her back again. “Galinda!”

“Elphaba!”

“Give it!”

Galinda jumped on her bed in a fit of giggles. The sound lessened the tension in the room. Elphaba chased after her. In her heightened emotional state, her inhibitions took over. She bounced on the bed with Galinda as she reached for her shoes again.

“Noooo,” Galinda squealed when Elphaba almost got the shoes from her. “Stop trying to ditch me.”

Elphaba plopped down on the bed, pleasantly out of breath. “I wasn’t trying to ditch you.” It was mind boggling to her that Galinda thought she would even consider ditching her. She wanted to be friends with her, but it would take time for her to get used to.

Galinda dropped down next to her. “I wasn’t going to make fun of your allergy,” she said, handing Elphaba her shoes. “You can go if you want.”

Elphaba fiddled with her dry, bruised fingers. Galinda had eased her worry with two sentences. She didn’t want to leave. She was actually having fun even though the conversation was tough at first. She felt proud of herself for sticking through it and she was grateful that Galinda pushed her out of her comfort zone. “I still have to turn you into a math whiz,” she said, playfully nudging Galinda. Another thing that was way out of her comfort zone, but she went with it.

Galinda grinned, “I have one more question if that’s okay.”

“Go for it,” Elphaba said, with a newfound confidence.

“How do I stop one of your allergic reactions?”

The question took Elphaba by surprise because it implied that Galinda would help her if she had one while they were together. She looked into her eyes and at her lips for the smile that indicated she was joking, but it wasn’t there. Galinda looked as serious as ever.

Elphaba crawled over to her bag and brought it back to the bed. “In here,” she said, opening the small section at the front. “I keep my cream. It doesn’t stop a reaction, but without it the process is much more painful and long. It keeps the pain manageable and I’ll be okay within a few hours.”

“Do you have more of this cream?”

Elphaba nodded, “At home.”

Galinda smiled softly. Then she moved back to her books on the floor and Elphaba followed behind her. They’d studied in comfortable silence for a while until Galinda came across another problem she couldn’t get.

“Is this right?” She asked with her lip between her teeth.

Elphaba looked over, “Close, try it again. Remember that order I told you about.”

Galinda nodded and did as she was told. “How about now?”

Elphaba looked over the work while Galinda waited with bated breath. “Looks good! Good job!”

Galinda bounced to her feet with a cheer! She went over to the speaker and turned the music up. “Let’s dance!”

“What? No, I think I’ll j-”

“Did you think that was a question?” Galinda smirked, pulling Elphaba up to her feet. She took her hands, careful not to squeeze too tight on her injuries and swung their arms together while she danced.

Elphaba watched Galinda jump around her and she loved how carefree she looked. Galinda bounced anywhere that would hold her weight. Elphaba became obsessed with how Galinda looked when she danced. Her eyes were closed and her hips swung while her hands roamed around her petite figure.

“Elphie, dance!”

“You’re so much better at it than I am.”

Galinda pouted, “Pleeeaaseee.”

Elphaba chuckled with a glint in her eye. Galinda made it so easy for her to drop her guard and think with her heart instead of out of anxiety. She did want to dance even if she was bad at it.

Galinda pulled her in and spun herself around in Elphaba’s arms. She wrapped Elphaba’s arms around her neck as she pressed her back into Elphaba’s front. Her head dropped back on Elphaba’s shoulder as they swayed to the music together.

Elphaba looked back in the mirror one more time, and her smile had returned.

There would be plenty more battles for her to fight, but today she took the small victory.

She continued to smile with Galinda in her arms, music in her ears, and confidence in her heart.

Notes:

This is so self indulgent 😭 but hey wtv I gotta distract myself from life somehow…

Chapter 3

Summary:

Galinda teaches Elphaba a very valuable lesson.

Notes:

Thank you for all the sweet comments on the first two chapters!! ❤️ I really wasn’t sure how this would be received because it really is kinda plotless in comparison to my other work, so it’s nice to know there’s an audience for it.

Enjoy the girls being all adorable with each other 🫶🏾

In the two study sessions that followed, Elphaba found it increasingly more difficult to leave Galinda’s room at the end of the night. Her hands moved a little slower when packing her bag and her feet carried her around in circles before finally stepping out of Galinda’s dorm room. Just being near Galinda gave her the confidence to say things she normally wouldn’t. Her humor had a dedicated time to shine and her witty sarcasm flourished every time Galinda was next to her.

When she entered Galinda’s room at the start of each session, Elphaba lost the version of herself the world knew and found the one she truly wanted to be. Their time together became her favorite parts of her days.

She stood at the entryway of the botanical gardens, wearing a flowy sundress and sandals. Her hair was pulled into a fishtail braid and her sunglasses were perched on her head.

The sun was high in the sky, committed to its job of keeping the beautiful garden alive. Elphaba was more than excited to bask in the sunlight and get inside the garden with Galinda.

Today’s lesson was meant to help Elphaba realize “something positive about herself”, or at least that’s how Galinda pitched it to her. After a lengthy conversation where Elphaba did everything she could to prove to Galinda that some things just couldn’t be fixed, she finally agreed to the outing.

“Boo,” Galinda exclaimed, coming up behind Elphaba and wrapping her arms around her toned waist from behind. “You smell good! And wow… you look amazing!”

Elphaba did what she could to hide the smile tugging at her lips, but her now deep green cheeks gave her away. “Thank you,” she said without being reminded that was the proper response to a compliment this time. “You look very pretty,” Elphaba rushed out, opting to look at the flowers around the grounds instead of at Galinda.

The blonde wore a white crop top, a pink maxi skirt, and white platform sandals. Her hair was straightened with a pink headband atop her head.

But what caught Elphaba’s eye was the way her skin glistened—actually sparkled. Once again, her effortless beauty rendered Elphaba speechless.

“Thanks, Elphie! Let’s go, I have a surprise planned,” Galinda cheered as she linked their arms.

Once they were inside the garden, Elphaba’s focus shifted to the many displays of flowers within the greenhouse section of the garden. The bright colors and wavy directions of the flowers reminded her that unlike herself, flowers were free—bound by absolutely nothing at all and unapologetically themself. She wanted to be a flower, a poppy to be exact.

She wandered off on her own, to a corner where the longer flowers were. They wound around vines and sprawled up the glass walls to drape down from the ceiling. She looked up to admire the gentle sway of the plants above her head, mesmerized.

“You fit right in with them, you know,” Galinda said from across the way.

Elphaba looked down the plant covered aisle to see Galinda at the end with a camera in hand. She looked ethereal in every sense of the word. The way she commanded every space she occupied reminded Elphaba of a Greek Goddess...

Aphrodite: Goddess of beauty and love—

Synonym for Galinda Upland, courtesy of one Elphaba Thropp.

“How so?” Elphaba asked, hoping Galinda wasn’t going to make the overused joke she thought she was.

“They’re beautiful and so are you,” Galinda said with a calm smile. Then she disappeared behind rows of flowers.

When she could no longer see Galinda, Elphaba smiled. Naturally, her hand did what it always did and without Galinda there to remind her not to, it slipped her mind to correct the action.

But that didn’t negate the fact that Galinda’s words felt like the sunlight that seeped into Elphaba’s skin. They nourished the fragile trust between the girls with each syllable.

Elphaba let her fingers caress the petals of the orange roses in the front of her, careful not to cause any damage. Much to her surprise, Galinda hadn’t had the same idea. She came from behind a huge bouquet with a light pink poppy in her hand.

“Elphie, come on,” she whispered as she pulled her out the greenhouse and into the rows of botanical perfection.

“Galinda wh- Did you steal a flower?”

Galinda pushed her finger against her lips, “Shush! Let’s go!”

She took Elphaba’s hand and ran down the aisle of flowers, covered by a vine awning.

Elphaba could see only the back of Galinda—her hair flowed in the wind with precise sways as she ran, and she giggled the whole time. She was clearly enjoying being a criminal and making Elphaba her willing accomplice.

Galinda pulled Elphaba around a corner and down another aisle until they came to a rounded section of the garden.

“G-Galinda, what’s this?” Elphaba asked at the sight of the tripod setup in front of her.

“It’s your photoshoot! Come,” Galinda said, padding over to the tripod to put the camera she brought on it. When she turned around, Elphaba was still near the entryway… “Elphie?”

“No pictures…,” Elphaba said, partly disoriented.

“We don’t have to show them to anyone. They can be just for us,” Galinda suggested as she approached Elphaba.

“But I’m not-”

“Yes, you are,” Galinda interjected because it was evident what Elphaba was going to say. She let her thumb slide over the back of Elphaba’s hand for a few seconds while Elphaba took in the scene. Then she raised the flower she’d stolen to tuck into Elphaba’s braids just above her ear. “You’re so beautiful, Elphie. You just need a little help to see it.”

Elphaba took a deep breath in… Then she moved carefully across the space to right in front of the camera.

“Just look around, Elphie. How could anyone not feel pretty surrounded by all this beauty? I think it’s impossible,” Galinda said, referencing the garden and chuckling at herself.

And Galinda was right, Elphaba thought, but not because she followed her instruction and looked around.

No, she looked only in one place and found all the beauty she could ever want.

And Galinda looked back to her equally enamored and floored by the beauty in front of her.

Elphaba usually struggled to ask for what she wanted. She found the act to be downright horrifying and tried to avoid it whenever she could, but there was no part of her that only wanted a record of herself on this day. She wanted to have some physical reminder that Galinda was real—that this was real because in the darkness of another lonely night, when her mind told her lies about her worthiness, she could remember that Galinda disagreed.

Galinda thinks she’s beautiful.

Galinda wants to be her friend.

Galinda believes in her.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words…

Well… Elphaba had a whole novel she intended to tell.

“C-could you- Would it be okay if-”

Galinda waited patiently as she always did while Elphaba worked up the courage to speak. She came over to where Elphaba stood and looked her directly in the eye, so she couldn’t hide.

“Slow your mind, and ask me,” Galinda said.

Elphaba nodded and focused on what she knew to be true: Galinda was not her father. Galinda wouldn’t yell at her for asking a question. Galinda wouldn’t hit her if she did something wrong.

Galinda was for her.

Her gift from the universe to fix what she thought would be broken forever. In such a short amount of time, she’d come to depend on Galinda—to long for her presence. She no longer believed her life could be one that she lived alone because she experienced Galinda, and would never forget how much she made her feel in so little time.

Although Elphaba’s voice was small, she still managed to get the question out, “Could you take some with me?”

Galinda rose to the tip of her toes and nodded excitedly. Then she hurried over to Elphaba and took her jaw in both hands. She stood there, with Elphaba’s face in her hands, looking into her eyes as though they were the moon reincarnated.

Elphaba’s pupils dilated and her lips parted.

Then Galinda smiled and leaned closer into Elphaba…

The older girl was sure she’d stopped breathing. Her heart rate accelerated and her eyes fluttered shut. The weight of Galinda’s gaze proved to be too much for her—

Too open…

Too vulnerable…

Too accommodating…

Too understanding…

Things like this weren’t supposed to happen to her. Girls like Galinda weren’t supposed to touch her, and Elphaba wasn’t meant to like it.

But she did.

She was growing addicted to it—to Galinda.

Galinda’s lips grazed her cheek. Then the corner of her lips ever so tenderly. Then her nose.

When Elphaba opened her eyes, she could feel Galinda all over her face… little traces of her left behind in the form of cherry scented lipgloss.

The unexpected intimacy of this moment caused a small smile to appear on Elphaba’s face that grew when it was met with one from Galinda. Then, before they knew it, they were both giggling like elementary school girls.

Galinda finally released Elphaba’s face which left room for Elphaba’s hands to fill the space.

“Don’t,” Galinda said, back to her gentle but stern ways. She pulled Elphaba’s hands away from her mouth to reveal her full lips. Although, that wasn’t what Galinda was after…

“Sorry, it’s a bad habit.”

“Taught to you by who?”

The only person meant to protect me in this world, Elphaba thought.

She didn’t want to damper the mood with another sad story, but Galinda had asked… and she didn’t want to disappoint her either. She was less afraid of confessing secrets to Galinda given how positively she reacted to the others, but the pit in her stomach still grew at the thought of releasing what small bit of power she did have over to Galinda.

Maybe it was close proximity with the girl she was starting to fall for…

Or the intoxicating tranquility the life around her bloomed with…

But Elphaba found herself almost compelled to tell Galinda everything she wanted to know.

“My father… He told me that my smile was hideous because of my gap,” Elphaba mumbled, with her head angled towards the ground.

No one will ever love you with a smile like that. You’ll be alone forever. She remembered him saying before she’d even turned ten years old. She’d been hiding her smile ever since.

Galinda’s gentle fingers pushed Elphaba’s chin upwards. “He’s wrong… So, so, so wrong…”

Elphaba smiled, with her mouth closed. A conscious decision she and Galinda both knew she made on purpose.

“Smile, Elphaba.”

She wanted to shake her head and run, but honestly she thought Galinda would beat her to the exit again. She did look towards it, but Galinda’s fingers guided her gaze back where it belonged, on her.

Galinda whispered, aware of the fragility of the moment, “You’re stunning, Elphie. Smile... I want to see it.”

Want…

No one ever genuinely wanted anything from Elphaba… They took from her and forced her, but the pure desire that Galinda spoke from was unnatural and foreign to Elphaba’s ears.

Galinda wanted to see her smile… just because.

So she did…

It was awkward at first, and a little crooked, but no less beautiful.

Her gap poked out between her full lips and Galinda smiled back at her with a smile just as perfect. “There you are, my Elphie.”

Elphaba’s stomach fluttered from such a kindness being shown to her.

Then the outdoor space they were in was infiltrated by butterflies of all shapes and colors. Elphaba gasped because she’d never seen so many and Galinda looked around in awe.

“Come here,” Galinda said, pulling Elphaba close to her and leaning her head on her shoulder.

But what Elphaba neglected to see was that Galinda set the camera to record when she placed it on the tripod. It had been recording their entire interaction. “Smile, and I better see that gap!”

Elphaba laughed wholeheartedly as the camera captured them just as they were… perfect.

———

“…So I put the four here and divide by one point thirty five. Then I can multiply this and solve for the variable,” Galinda said from her desk, looking up to Elphaba for confirmation.

Elphaba had been teaching her this concept for the last two days and she finally felt like she was getting the hang of it.

“That’s right! Look at you, math whiz,” Elphaba said, perched atop Galinda’s desk with her legs crossed. “I’m so proud of you.”

Galinda flushed, but tried to hide it by leaning her head on Elphaba’s legs. “No more math for the night. Let’s have fun!”

“And what do you suggest?”

Galinda’s hair was so enticing against Elphaba’s legs. Her fingers ached to be tangled in the thick, blonde tresses. She bit her lip before letting her fingers dance around the fine hairs on Galinda’s hairline, and when Galinda didn’t object, she moved to the base of her head.

“Head massage? Yes, please,” Galinda said as her eyes closed.

Elphaba’s nails scratched Galinda’s scalp in all the right places and all the right ways. She was surprisingly good at massages. Galinda’s quiet moans, however, were a pleasant addition. She found herself memorizing all the places that got the loudest moans to revisit every few seconds.

“How do I get you to do this forever?” Galinda joked.

Elphaba clicked her tongue. While this was lovely, she couldn’t help but feel like she wasn’t doing enough for Galinda. There was nothing she could do to repay Galinda for all that she’s done for her, but helping her with a few math questions and giving her a head massage certainly wouldn’t suffice.

“Galinda?”

“Hmm?”

“What is your life like outside of school?”

Galinda sat up, “Well… My Momsie and Popsicle are happily married, far away from here! Thank God! I love them, but they love me a little too much.”

Elphaba chuckled. That seemed like a wonderful problem to have.

“I’m an only child, and sole inheritor of the Upland wealth.”

“So a princess?”

Galinda laughed at the black and white description of her life. “Well, I don’t own a crown, but that can be arranged!”

Elphaba snickered and hopped off the desk to roam around Galinda’s room that she’d been in so many times now. She never grew tired of Galinda’s trinkets and knick knacks. The things that made Galinda feel the most like herself were all in this room waiting for Elphaba to uncover. Galinda had equestrian ribbons, and a ballerina jewelry box that played music. There were gymnastics medals hanging from the corner post of her bed, and a sewing machine off to the side of her desk with little drawings of clothes next to it.

“What’s this? You design too?” Elphaba inquired.

“God, don’t look! That one’s not done,” Galinda said, snatching the paper before Elphaba could get a proper look at it.

“I wanna seeeee,” Elphaba said, leaning over Galinda.

“You’ll see it at the fashion show! You’ll come, won’t you?”

Elphaba nodded. She wouldn’t miss it even if she had to sit in the very back, covered head to toe! She would be there for Galinda, just as she’d been for her. “Do you have anything I could see now?”

Galinda bit her lip, then ran over to her closet. She pulled out a lace dress that cinched around the waist and flared out around the feet. It reminded Elphaba of a mermaid, it was gorgeous!

“Galinda, you made this? It’s so pretty!”

“Yes, for the show. I haven’t decided who’ll wear it yet, though. Being in charge of a fashion show is a lot of work,” Galinda said, putting the garment back where it belonged.

“I’m sure… Oh, show me your walk! I bet you look as pretty as the models on TV!” She plopped down in the chair at Galinda’s desk.

“Prettier than them, Miss Thropp! Thank you very much,” Galinda said, her voice filled with charm and charisma. She scurried over to the door with her back to Elphaba. Then she lifted her shoulders and proceeded to walk effortlessly up and down the open space in her dorm room. She stopped to pose with her hand on her hip and to do a little twirl before taking a bow.

Elphaba clapped and cheered as if it was the real thing. Galinda’s commitment to something she loved and was so good at made Elphaba want to support her in any way she could. She stood up from the chair, “You’re going to be a famous designer some day, and I’ll get to say that I knew you before you were famous.”

Galinda laughed, “Maybe! Or maybe I’ll be an architect! I don’t know yet.”

“You like architecture?”

“Mmhm, let me show you something. Hand me the laptop please,” Galinda said.

Elphaba grabbed Galinda’s laptop from the desk, but when she touched it, the screen woke up. She hadn’t meant to read it, but she did.

Galinda’s last search was about causes of allergic reactions and death rates.

Galinda quickly took the laptop from Elphaba’s hands, but the tension had already risen between them like a solid wall.

Why would Galinda want to know how many people die from allergic reactions? Elphaba’s anxiety skyrocketed. Her first thought was that Galinda intended to hurt her—that this whole thing had been a ruse. Galinda didn’t mean any of it, and Elphaba was just a joke to her.

“Elphie, I can explain,” Galinda said, shutting the laptop.

“What is it? You planned to throw water on me and see how long it takes me to die? Or dunk my head in a pool and record how I drown?

“What? No! Never!”

Elphaba walked over to where her shoes were, slipping them on with ease. “I don’t even care. This was a mistake.”

“Elphaba, I wasn’t looking it up to hurt you! I was just scared, okay!”

Elphaba scoffed. What was there for Galinda to be scared of? She wasn’t the one with the medical condition after all! “Whatever…”

“Elphie, I just wanted to keep you safe. That’s why I looked that up. I also looked up how to prevent the flare ups and what to do if you didn’t have your cream, but were in pain.”

Elphaba’s eyes locked onto a paper clip on the floor near Galinda’s bed. She focused on that rather than her overwhelming emotions right now. What Galinda said could very well be true, but it could also be a lie. She could be a very good liar…

But deep down Elphaba knew that wasn’t true. Galinda had never given her any indication that she was deceiving her. She presented as honest and caring over anything else.

So why did Elphaba feel like crying?

Why was it that Galinda’s kindness affected her more than cruelty?

Maliciousness was common. She knew what to do with that and how to handle it. She could turn evil into motivation for her studies, and use it as fuel to do better for herself even if she had to do it alone.

But kindness… She didn’t even know where to begin to process that. Her heart longed for something she never even experienced until a few weeks ago.

She hiccuped, trying to hold her tears back. She didn’t want to lose Galinda. She wanted her to like her.

“No, don’t do that. Please, don’t do that,” Galinda said, rushing over to Elphaba’s side. “I’m sorry, okay? If it makes you uncomfortable that I looked it up, then I won’t anymore. Just don’t cry.”

The apology for something so innocent pushed Elphaba over the edge. The tears fell from her eyes before she could stop them, fast and in abundance. They just kept coming…

“No, no, ssshhh,” Galinda cooed as she wiped Elphaba’s face. “It’s okay. Let me wipe them for you.”

The more she cried, the more she could see the fear in Galinda’s eyes, and in turn the worse she felt. This spiraled out of control because she couldn’t get a handle on her emotions.

The welts were forming, she could feel the burning starting already. The pain was something that took her by surprise every time. She would never truly get used to it.

Galinda wiped at the remaining wet spots on her face. “Please, just breathe. Don’t cry, darling. You’re hurting yourself.”

Elphaba let herself be pulled to Galinda’s bed. Crying often took a lot out of her because of her allergy, and her vision was blurring because of the inconvenient placement of the welts.

Galinda rushed over to her windowsill where she pulled out a small stash of Elphaba’s cream.

“H-how do you have that?” Elphaba stammered between hiccups.

“I stole it from your jar. You can be mad at me for it later, but I’m not sorry for making sure that I had some in case of an emergency… like right now.”

Galinda came back over to sit next to Elphaba on her bed. She dipped her finger into the cream and took Elphaba’s face in her free hand. “Close your eyes, I’ve got you.”

Elphaba let out a small whimper, but let her eyes fall shut. She was terrified to entrust her safety into someone else’s hands, but she was really tired and in pain.

“I’m going to apply it now,” Galinda warned her.

She rubbed the cream gently into Elphaba’s wounds until it was fully blended in her skin. Then after a soft caress of her healing cheek, Galinda kissed the top of her head… and each of her eyelids. “You’re okay now. Stay here for the night.”

Elphaba groaned in protest, but Galinda’s careful hands eased her back on the bed and removed the shoes she’d just put on.

It wasn’t really safe for her to drive home with her vision impaired anyway, but she’d never stayed anywhere that wasn’t her home before. She wanted to sit up and tried to do so, but her arms caught Galinda’s as she reached for something to help her up. “I’m scared. I can’t see.”

There was a sacred vulnerability in the tone of her voice. It was almost as though she was pleading with Galinda to have grace for her. She was completely at her mercy right now and that was more terrifying than anything they’d done together up until this point.

“I’m right here. Tell me what’s scaring you?”

“I-I can’t see… and I’m n-not home.”

Galinda rubbed soothing circles on Elphaba’s knuckles. “I wish I could understand how frightening this is for you, Elphie… but I won’t let anything hurt you. Not even your own tears.”

Elphaba squeezed Galinda’s hand as she laid there, helplessly in her bed. Her face throbbed and ached still so much. She whimpered in agony.

“Sssshhh, I’m so sorry… Do you want me to lay with you?”

That sounded so comforting—so needed… No, wanted. Elphaba wanted Galinda to hold her, and given that she was in an excruciating amount of pain she wouldn’t deny herself of something so minute as being held.

“Please,” she whispered.

Galinda crawled into bed next to her and slid her arm under Elphaba’s head.

As if they’d done this a million times, Elphaba curled into Galinda’s body. Her warmth helped distract her from the pain and the touch of Galinda’s fingertips against her cheek was more medicine than any cream could be.

Galinda’s touch soothed parts of her the water hadn’t ever tarnished. While Elphaba thought it was her body that was at the mercy of Galinda Upland, it was her psyche that would bear the weight of the acceptance that flowed from Galinda and into her. She breathed slower—calmer when Galinda caressed her cheek, and the throbbing weakened. Every now and again she whined, but Galinda silenced the pained noises with soft kisses on her nose.

They were so close to each other that neither of them dared to move out of fear of disturbing the other one. Elphaba’s arm draped lazily over Galinda’s waist, although she couldn’t remember when she’d put it there.

Galinda’s eyes never moved from Elphaba’s face; not even when Elphaba opened them just a bit.

“You’re staring,” Elphaba said, lowly. The only other noise in the room was the quiet whipping of the nighttime air on the other side of the open window. The room was fairly dark except for the lamp on the desk and the led lights Galinda had around the room, set to pink, of course.

“You’re so beautiful, Elphie… and so strong. I’m in awe of you,” Galinda whispered into Elphaba’s mouth. It wasn’t intentional, but it wasn’t unintentional either. They seemed to fall into space together naturally and comfortably.

“Don’t be. I freaked out,” Elphaba said, wanting so badly to turn away, but it would only hurt her more.

Galinda’s hold on her cheek grew firmer when Elphaba twitched under her praise. “I thought you weren’t trying to ditch me?” Galinda said as a sad attempt at a joke.

“N-never,” Elphaba replied.

“I wasn’t ever going to use that information to hurt you.”

“I believe you.” Three little words. So simple to say, and meant everything to a teenage Elphaba. They were the only thing she wanted to hear after being chased around with water bottles and pelted in the head with soap. She wanted to hear those words to validate what she knew she was going through. Not a single teacher, advisor, parent, or even adult in her life ever said it to her though. And overtime she started to believe that she was the problem—that she’d done something to deserve the bruises she was awarded for being different.

But now, with this girl in front of her… the most special girl she knows she’ll ever have the pleasure of experiencing, Elphaba thought of something entirely new.

She thought that everything happened for a reason, and it was because of those moments in her life that she was lucky enough to be here with Galinda. She scooted closer, so close that their lips weren’t even a full inch apart.

The breath between them was warm and heavy.

“Beautiful girl,” Galinda said, trying to find Elphaba’s eyes even though they were in plain sight.

Defeated, “Don’t say that, please.” It was still hard to hear when she knew how atrocious she probably looked with huge welts on her face.

“It will never not be true, so I’ll never stop saying it… Even if you get mad at me,” Galinda said, still stroking Elphaba’s cheek.

Elphaba only whimpered in response.

“Ssshhhh, you’re okay,” Galinda said.

She tilted her chin up ever so slightly. So gently that when her lips met Elphaba’s, there were still breaths being exchanged between them. Galinda’s exhale became Elphaba’s inhale…

Galinda’s kiss was tender and filled with an unimaginable amount of care. She used her hand to encourage Elphaba to kiss her back, but she was in no rush.

Elphaba’s mind slowed down. Galinda had the most soft lips in the entire world, and while she was so happy to finally be kissing the girl that plagued her thoughts every night—the very girl that put her dream girl to shame…

She had one non-Galinda related thought going through her head currently, he was wrong!

Frexspar was fucking wrong!

She wasn’t incapable of being loved. She could smile and have someone like it.

She started to giggle into Galinda’s mouth.

“G-God, sorry! I-I’m sorry,” she managed between laughs.

“What’s so funny? Am I that bad of a kisser?”

Elphaba shook her head as best she could. “It’s just- what my father told me hurt me for a long time, but now I think that maybe he lied.”

Galinda smirked, “I’m that good, huh?”

“You’re so cocky,” Elphaba joked back.

But Galinda’s laughter subsided and the tone of the room changed once more, “Elphie… I meant everything I said. You’re stronger than you know,” Galinda said, then pulled Elphaba into another soft kiss, still conscious of her injuries both external and internal, and prepared to help her heal all of them.

Elphaba’s eyes fluttered shut again, with her head tucked into Galinda’s chest and her heart in the palm of Galinda’s hand, they fell asleep together… eternally wrapped in each other’s embrace.

Chapter 4

Summary:

The girl’s make a big decision about their relationship.

Notes:

I went through soooo many iterations of this chapter it’s actually insane how many different versions I have 😭

I wanted to lean more into how Elphaba would deal with her feelings and body’s reaction to Galinda because eventually there will be smut.

Anyway, here’s 8k words of undoomed gelphie yearning.

The feeling of something—two somethings—soft and covered in a subtle tackiness repeatedly pecking various parts of her face woke Elphaba from her sleep. As she came into consciousness, she felt a light weight on her chest and a scent that was so blatantly Galinda filled her nose. Galinda’s hair fell over Elphaba’s face as she continued to lay kisses all over it. She opened her eyes and scrunched her face up to hide the smile that was beginning to appear.

“Oh good, you’re up!” Galinda had more energy than should be humanly possible at what felt like an ungodly hour of the morning to a half awake Elphaba.

Elphaba grumbled, still the victim of an ongoing kiss attack.

Galinda cupped her cheek to hold her in place for what would’ve been an official ‘good morning’ kiss, but Elphaba shoved her away. She hit the mattress with a soft thud.

Elphaba rushed to roll out of the bed, tripping over the blanket in the process. “I haven’t brushed my teeth yet. I don’t think you wanna… you know,” she said, after stumbling to her feet.

Galinda pouted that adorably irresistible pout of hers that was becoming Elphaba’s kryptonite. She crossed her arms and sat up on her knees. “So?”

Elphaba started towards the door, avoiding Galinda’s face in the process. “Let me just go-”

“No! Elphieeeee,” Galinda whined as she rose to her feet. “Kiss!”

Elphaba chuckled at the scene before her. Galinda’s hair frizzed around her head and the strap of the nightgown she must’ve changed into sometime after Elphaba fell asleep slipped off one of her shoulders. She stood in the middle of her bed, pouting because Elphaba wouldn’t kiss her with morning breath.

It felt unreal. Elphaba never imagined anyone, especially not Galinda Upland, would want her anywhere near them with morning breath—any breath really.

And Galinda looked unequivocally unattainably beautiful. The kind of beauty that felt like she won the genetic lottery—she had a one in eight billion chance to be the most beautiful girl in the world and somehow she won. In Elphaba’s eyes, Galinda was truly an enigma of beauty and kindness.

Far more beautiful than Elphaba felt she deserved to have in her life. So, kissing her with morning breath and potentially disgusting her was not an option.

She remembered last night and how Galinda managed to calm her and make her feel safe enough to express how she truly felt. Not to mention, she kissed her… twice! A fact Elphaba was trying not to freak out about. Kissing Galinda was already her favorite thing to do… after brushing her teeth.

“Come back. It’s too early to go out there,” Galinda said, waving in the door’s direction. Then she outstretched her arms for Elphaba to come into.

“No kissing… on the lips,” Elphaba said as a precaution.

Galinda dropped her arms and her pout turned into a look Elphaba deeply recognized: uncertainty. She stopped looking directly at Elphaba and her fingers tangled within each other. Elphaba could see there was something she was hesitant to say, so she waited the few seconds it took her to work up the courage to speak, understanding completely how frightening it can be.

Her voice was small, and a little raspy, “Elphie, did you not like what I did last night? Because I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable. I just—you were scared and I wanted to show you that you didn’t have to be… not with me anyway… but if you didn’t like it, I’m so sorry. I won’t do it again,” Galinda rambled nervously.

Elphaba came up to the edge of the bed, right in front of Galinda whose hands were now behind her back. Elphaba bit her lip while she contemplated her next move.

She wanted to reassure Galinda that she enjoyed the kisses because she did… very, very much, but reassurance wasn’t her strong suit. It was an entirely new concept to her in reality; only being shown to her by Galinda.

She hesitantly raised her hands to rest on Galinda’s thighs given that they were the body part most close to her face that was acceptable to touch. Then she craned her neck upwards to see Galinda already staring down at her. “I liked it a lot. I want to do it again, but after brushing.”

Galinda smiled with a twinkle in her eye that Elphaba credited to the sunrise peeking through the pink curtains. “Sooooo, more kisses later then?” Galinda confirmed and Elphaba nodded.

“More kisses later,” Elphaba repeated.

Galinda cheered and wrapped her arms around Elphaba’s neck. Then, what Elphaba hadn’t been prepared for, was her to lock her legs around her waist. Elphaba reflexively caught Galinda by her upper thighs, so she could hold her upright.

Galinda buried her head in Elphaba’s neck, laying kisses there as well.

Elphaba laughed at the new feeling, and the eagerness of Galinda to kiss her. The laughing, however, was short lived. Ending when Galinda tilted Elphaba’s neck to the opposite side so she could kiss the junction of her neck. The kisses weren’t just pecks anymore. She sucked Elphaba’s neck and soothed it with her tongue.

Elphaba breathed out, pleasantly turned on, but a little afraid of what came next. She sat them down on the bed as Galinda continued to bruise her neck, unbeknownst to them currently.

“Ga-” Elphaba started, but the words got lost in a moan. With Galinda straddling her hips and touching every inch of her neck, she could hardly think straight. She found a particularly sensitive spot, and Elphaba’s head rolled back.

Galinda nudged her down on her back, offering a quick respite. Then she started on the other side of Elphaba’s neck. It wasn’t until Galinda arched into Elphaba’s body that the throbbing between her legs that told her she was in dangerous territory began. Once again, less haphazardly this time, Elphaba pushed Galinda away.

“What? You said no kissing on the lips,” Galinda said with mischief in her eyes. She bit her lip and let her hands run across the expanse of Elphaba’s upper chest.

Elphaba was pulsing around nothing now, and the burning had started. She flexed her hips to combat it, but Galinda took that as her sign to dislodge herself from Elphaba’s waist. The shame rose within her. She just wanted to be normal for once. No one else in the world felt actual pain from their arousal. They could explore their sexuality as freely as they wanted to, and here she was declining the girl of her dreams because of her allergy—abnormality. It was only a matter of time before Galinda grew sick of the reactions and left her to be alone again.

“Elphie?”

Elphaba sat up, suddenly uncomfortable in yesterday's clothes and too constricted in her jeans specifically. “Sorry.”

Galinda, on her knees, wrapped her arms back around Elphaba’s neck. She became a magnet, tethered to Elphaba, overnight. “What’s wrong? Too much?”

Elphaba shrugged, too embarrassed to confess. “I should go. I have class.”

Galinda’s hold tightened around her. “No, you’re doing it again. Tell me.”

Elphaba’s mind wandered back to previous experiences telling Galinda her truths, all positive experiences in hindsight. She could do this—she wanted to. She took a deep breath, exhaling slowly. Then she told her the truth. “It hurts when I’m…”

Galinda untangled herself from Elphaba, focusing on what she had to say.

But reality is often distorted by a traumatized mind. So what was as innocent as Galinda repositioning to further listen, was received as rejection to Elphaba. The words caught in her throat and she felt repulsed by herself. She squeezed her legs together as the burning intensified. “Nevermind.”

“What? No, tell me. Is it something I did? What hurts?”

Elphaba shook her head. She tried to bring her mind back to what was real and tangible…

Galinda hadn’t expressed anything negative towards her.

Galinda still wanted to know what was bothering her.

Galinda was patient with her, always.

The small push she needed came when Galinda took her hand and kissed the back of it. “I want to know what’s going through your head right now. Maybe I can help.”

“When you touched me, I got—I liked it… but my allergy…”

Galinda squinted, clearly wracking her brain before the realization dawned on her. “Oh God—I’m sorry. I didn’t even think of that. You must be so uncomfy.”

A wave of relief washed over Elphaba. She almost smiled from the intensity of her feelings being validated. She swallowed a breath she didn’t even know she was holding and watched as Galinda sprung to her feet.

“Here’s your cream,” she said, handing Elphaba the jar. Then she popped open her closet and pulled a pair of leggings on. “Stay. Apply that. I’ll be back in a few. I’ll knock.” She slipped on the cutest fuzzy bunny slippers and left Elphaba in her dorm alone.

Elphaba smiled, finally. “That wasn’t so bad,” she mumbled to herself.

———

After she successfully dried herself off and applied the cream, the pain dropped significantly. Galinda was still gone, but Elphaba didn’t mind. She was happy to be in her space, and for them to still be on good terms after she pushed her away twice.

In her boredom, she started to wander around the room. Galinda had photos everywhere. Elphaba recognized Pfannee and Shenshen, and felt something between anger and shame. She remembered how unpleasant it was to meet them, and how she didn’t stand up for herself.

There were many pictures of Galinda with a brunette boy who she knew to be Fiyero Tigelaar, captain of the boys fencing team, and a really attractive brunette girl with tan skin.

She also noted the pictures of Galinda with her parents, Elphaba assumed. She looked just like her mom! It seemed like Galinda and her parents were very close and loved each other very much. Elphaba felt the pang of jealousy within her. Galinda was so lucky to have a mother who was alive and a father who actually smiled when he saw her. Elphaba accepted some time ago that she would never have a familial bond unless it was from a child.

But even that was far fetched. No one would want to be with her that way, and rightfully so. She, too, would be mortified if her child came out green. For that reason alone, she understood why her father treated her the way he did, but that didn’t make it hurt any less.

“Elphie?” Galinda’s voice came through the door alongside a hard knock.

Elphaba rushed over to the door. “Hi- what’s this?”

Galinda walked in with a tray in hand that she set down on her bed. “This is breakfast. I figured you’d be hungry by now.”

Elphaba looked over the tray to see fruits, eggs, pancakes, toast, and two sausages wrapped in a napkin.

Galinda noticed her staring at the sausage. “Oh, those are for me. I had them put them on the side because I noticed you don’t eat meat when we’re out. You can have them if you want though.”

Elphaba smiled bashfully. Galinda paid such close attention to her, it unnerved her in the best way. “You’re right. I’m vegetarian. You noticed.”

Galinda nodded, “Mmhm. Can you grab juice from the fridge, please?” She asked as she crawled into bed, near the wall.

Elphaba pulled out two apple juices and kneeled in front of the bed.

“What are you doing? Come up here.”

“I still have on yesterday's clothes. I feel better down here.”

Galinda wasted no time crawling across the bed and dropped down to the floor with Elphaba. She tugged the tray down and sat it between them. “You did sleep in the bed already, but I’ll sit with you down here.”

“Yeah, sorry about that. I can wash your sheets for you.”

Galinda waved her away, “It’s fine. I’m the one who brought you to bed anyway.”

But Elphaba insisted, “Let me wash them tonight, and bring them back tomorrow… as a thank you then.”

“If you want,” Galinda said with a shrug.

They ate together comfortably for a few minutes as the sun made its way to the middle of the sky.

“So how are you?” Galinda asked.

“What?”

“You know… last night was a lot. Are you okay? Do you feel any different after having a reaction like that?”

Elphaba stuffed a pancake in her mouth. “Uh- not really. Once it’s over, I feel fine.”

Galinda nodded as she bit into a strawberry. “And… what about the reaction you’re going through now? Are you okay?”

Elphaba’s cheeks flushed. Galinda was essentially asking her if her vagina still hurt. It was totally invasive and yet so thoughtful of a question. “Um it stings a little, but nothing I can’t handle.”

“Is it always like that for you? Even when you’re—like if you…”

Elphaba’s eyebrow raised. “Go on,” she said.

“Sex,” Galinda finished.

Elphaba coughed and reached for the juice.

“Sorry, you don’t have to answer that. I don’t know what got into me.”

Elphaba adored how curious Galinda was and how sometimes she could be just as bashful as she herself was. It made her feel less outcast and more like a normal person. “It’s okay. And yes sex can be painful—I’m assuming. I’ve never done it, but the stuff before it definitely hurts.”

Elphaba looked down at the food, not wanting to see the look of pity or confusion cross Galinda’s face.

“It sometimes hurts even without the allergy,” Galinda confessed.

Elphaba’s eyes met Galinda’s. “It does?”

“Mmhm, but I’m sure it’s a different pain than you feel.”

Elphaba pulled a piece of toast to her mouth. It was oddly refreshing to openly talk about all aspects of her allergy with someone else and not have them be weirded out, but it was also anxiety inducing to have that person be the one who caused the reaction.

The one thing she was very sure about after having had this experience, was that she was definitely attracted to Galinda.

———

Elphaba stared at the tumbling of Galinda’s pink sheet in the dryer. The motion (and sound) tickled her brain just the right way. After leaving Galinda’s dorm after breakfast, she came home to get ready for class, went to said class and work, and was now back at her apartment watching Galinda’s bedding get clean.

She pulled her phone out of her pocket to check the time: 7:00pm.

And a message from Galinda, Busy tonight?

Her first thought was how strange it was that Galinda wanted to see her again in the same day, but she didn’t let that stop her from replying with a smile.

Does watching your laundry count?

Galinda replied, No! You’re coming to a music festival with me! Get dressed, I’m coming to get you...

Elphaba snickered at the message and sent her address.

She walked down the hall to her bedroom to find something to wear.

After much deliberation, she decided on a long black skirt and a long sleeved top with her sneakers. It was simple and would keep her warm if it got too cold at night. She wore her hair in a half up half down style and a few silver rings on her fingers. Lastly, she threw her bag over her shoulder. It was only big enough to hold a wallet and her phone, but it was perfect for the occasion.

———

Elphaba waited for Galinda outside of her apartment. She’d gotten too antsy inside from the excitement of seeing Galinda again.

Galinda pulled up in a pink convertible to no one’s surprise. She stepped out and into Elphaba’s view looking as though she was handpicked by some celestial being. She wore a white rippled mini skirt with a pink corset top that hugged her body in all the right places.

“Hi,” Galinda cheered, pulling Elphaba into a hug. “Am I allowed to kiss you now?”

“If you want,” Elphaba responded. She figured it was better to leave it up to Galinda.

“I do want,” Galinda said, taking Elphaba by the cheeks and pecking her lips. “You look pretty.”

Elphaba’s whole body went hot under Galinda’s praise. It was starting to take on an entirely different meaning. What was once just shallow words of convenience started to become believeable truths. Even if she was still a long way from seeing herself the way Galinda did, she believed that Galinda meant what she said.

And she remembered exactly what to say to make Galinda smile, “Thank you.”

“Good,” Galinda praised again, planting another kiss on her lips.

Admittedly, it was a little awkward kissing Galinda, like her mind was too busy trying to make sure she was doing it right that she forgot to focus on actually feeling it.

“You’re pretty too,” she said with her eyes still closed from the kiss, and intending to mimick Galinda’s words, but not realizing what slipped out had a completely different meaning.

Galinda exclaimed, so full of herself in the most endearing way, “I know!”

Reeling from the confidence boost of kissing Galinda, Elphaba reached for her hand. “Let’s go.”

She led her to the driver’s side of the car to open the door for her. Then she got in on the passenger’s side and they were on their way.

“Soo, festivals… Do you always go?” Elphaba asked for no other reason than just wanting to talk to Galinda. That seemed to be her motivation for doing a lot of what she did these days.

“I’ve been to a few! It’ll be the perfect opportunity for your next lesson,” Galinda finished with a grin on her face. She practically buzzed with joy!

The way Galinda’s excitement radiated off her body was the most innocently charming trait Elphaba was glad to be able to witness. “What exactly am I learning today?”

“Well we mostly only spend time together-” Galinda put one hand on Elphaba’s shoulder, “Which I love! But I think it’s time you meet other people. You know, make other friends!”

The prospect of knowing other people felt so farfetched Elphaba hadn’t even considered it. While she’d made a lot of progress by knowing Galinda, there was still a part of her that felt Galinda’s positive reaction to her presence was accidental or a fluke. “And you think this’ll go well?”

“Mmhm. You’ll see! Everyone will love you once they get to know you.”

Elphaba smiled softly to herself. Her worries lessened with Galinda so confident about her receiving a positive reception. Besides, even if everyone else hated her, Galinda didn’t and that was enough.

She was enough.

———

“Wow, this is a lot of people,” Elphaba said, shutting the car door behind her.

There was a huge field filled with food vendors, game booths, and stages for the musical acts. At least ten thousand people were in attendance by the looks of it which was nine thousand nine hundred and ninety nine more than Elphaba was comfortable with.

She watched Galinda hand her car keys to the valet in typical Galinda Upland fashion: extravagant.

“Oh I see Fiyero and Milla! Let’s go,” Galinda chirped. She took Elphaba by the hand and ran along towards her friends.

“Who?” Elphaba asked, slightly anxious about meeting new people. On the bright side, the sun was setting so her verdigris would become less of a problem in about half an hour, but that didn’t change the fact that it was one currently.

“My friends! You have to meet them.”

She looked ahead at Galinda’s friends who were so comfortable with each other. They were laughing and looked as if they genuinely enjoyed being around one another. Elphaba’s feelings of being othered resurfaced and suddenly this seemed like a bad idea again. “Are they like the others because I think I’ll just hang back if-”

“No,” Galinda interrupted. “No one is going to treat you that way again.”

Elphaba’s mind calmed and her stomach went hot. Galinda always had this unexplainable effect on her. It was hard for Elphaba to stay an introverted cynic when Galinda was spouting optimism and inclusivity at her every second they were together. She still had the memory of meeting Galinda’s other friends in the back of her mind, but the whole point of this thing with Galinda was to get her out of her shell, so she wanted to at least try again… for Galinda.

“Galinda! Hi,” the girl from the picture in Galinda’s room, Milla, said.

“Hi, Mils,” Galinda said, hugging her.

“Where’s mine?” the boy who Galinda called Fiyero asked with a smile.

“Hi Yero,” Galinda greeted, hugging him next. “Hi guys,” she continued, waving to the four other boys.

Elphaba stood off to the side. She pulled her sleeves over her hands while she waited for whatever was to come next, good or bad. Galinda continued greeting her friends for what felt like hours, but was really another minute at most.

“Galindaaaaa,” a voice from behind them shouted. Elphaba’s head whipped around to see Pfannee and Shenshen approaching the group. If she could’ve hidden herself away she would’ve. She hoped they wouldn’t be in attendance, but so much for that.

What she hadn’t expected was to see Galinda tense in their presence.

Shenshen spoke, “Girl have you been avoiding us? We haven’t seen you in forever!”

They walked right past Elphaba as if she wasn’t there at all. Luckily for her, she was used to the feeling of being ignored, so this really didn’t bother her.

“I’ve been busy,” Galinda said with a dryness in her voice.

Pfannee responded with something Elphaba failed to hear because Milla started to come closer to her. “Hi, I’m Milla! Galinda’s friend,” she said with her hand outstretched.

Elphaba looked down at it in shock. Dont make it weird, she told herself. This was her chance to have a fresh slate with someone. “H-hi, I’m Elphi-Elphaba,” she stuttered. Then she nervously put her hand in Milla’s.

“Oh Elphie, where are my manners? That’s Milla! This is Fiyero,” Galinda said, pointing to the boy. “And this is Boq, Avaric, Crope, and Tibbett!”

Elphaba swallowed hard. This was more people than she’d ever been introduced to in her twenty two years of being alive.

“Hey!”

“Hi!”

“Nice to meet you!”

And other greetings filled her ears.

And then silence followed.

“Elphie?” Galinda whispered to her.

“Huh? H-hi, I’m Elphaba,” she hesitated out of fear and more nervousness.

“I love your rings,” Milla said, grabbing Elphaba’s hand again.

Elphaba blinked at her. This was so weird…

People could have a totally normal reaction to her…

“Thanks,” she replied quietly.

“Boq and I will go snag a spot near the stage before they come on,” Avaric said as he and Boq shuffled away.

Elphaba turned towards Galinda. “Who are they?”

“Oh, the band! The boys love them, but I’m forgetting their band name.”

Elphaba nodded.

“I’m hitting the games! Tibs, let’s go,” Crope said.

“Oh Elphie and I will come too. Wait up,” Galinda said, locking her hands with Elphaba’s. “Meet up at the stage at 8:30,” she shouted to the others as they followed after Crope and Tibbett.

Elphaba glanced back to see Milla and Fiyero waving them off. Then she turned forward.

“See that went good!”

“Well,” she corrected.

“Aren’t you my math tutor?” Galinda joked and Elphaba snickered.

She felt more at ease with just Galinda. “I like to think I’m your academic advisor!”

Galinda laughed wholeheartedly. “You can be whatever you wanna be to me.”

Elphaba’s stomach fluttered. Whatever she wanted…

The possibilities were endless… but only one seemed desirable.

Whatever came after friends.

Friends who kiss? Friends who do more than kiss? Elphaba wasn’t sure, but her thoughts were interrupted by Galinda yanking her arm.

“I want that monkey! Let’s play this,” Galinda exclaimed.

The monkey in question was huge and blue! It was the prize for this game that Elphaba was almost one hundred percent certain was impossible to win. It was a flimsy ladder attached to the base of a bounce house. The objective was to climb all the way up the ladder and ring the bell, except the ladder flipped with weight unevenly distributed on top of it. So, unless she or Galinda had the balance of a pageant girl, they weren’t going to win.

“That looks hard,” Elphaba said, honestly.

“It’s a fair game. Five year olds can do it. Just tryyyy, pleeaaseee,” Galinda begged, wrapping her arms around Elphaba’s waist and kissing her jaw.

Elphaba unintentionally started to look around for dirty looks. As if being green wasn’t attention grabbing enough, having a girl as beautiful as Galinda kissing her couldn’t have been a pleasant sight for an onlooker to see.

“Please. Please! Pleaseeee,” Galinda continued.

“Okay, okay. I’ll try…,” Elphaba said reluctantly—mostly to appease Galinda. She pulled some dollars out her bag and went up to the gentleman working the game. “Uh hi. We would like to play.”

His eyes widened once he saw her, but he responded with a smile, “Sure, two dollars!”

She handed him the money, then handed her bag to Galinda. “If I lose a limb, you owe me one.”

Galinda chuckled, “You can have all of me.”

Being punched in the chest would’ve left more air in her lungs than what Galinda just said. Her cheeks went dark green and her hands felt clammy, and if that wasn’t enough, Galinda then kissed her cheek.

“Good luck!”

She was determined to win this Goddamn monkey for Galinda now. She could only imagine how happy Galinda would be… and how many kisses she’d get as a thank you. She sized up the ladder which was already leaning to one side.

“Go Elphie,” Galinda cheered from behind her!

Okay, I can do this, she thought to herself before grabbing the second lowest rung on the ladder to straighten it. It’s just physics.

The second she put her weight on the ladder, it started to shake. She widened her grasp on the rungs and placed her feet close to the corners to maintain a level position.

“You’re doing great,” Galinda shouted!

She made it about halfway when she noticed Pfannee and Shenshen watching her out of the corner of her eye. She tried to focus on the task at hand, but they’d started to giggle which made her feel self-conscious and like an idiot. She must’ve looked ridiculous up there. Her head turned towards them and she lost her balance, falling onto the bouncy base of the game.

She quickly scooted off the game. “Sorry. I can’t do it,” she said to Galinda, stealing glances at Pfannee and Shenshen.

Galinda followed her eyeline and frowned. “Hey!” She’d started to storm after her so-called friends.

“Galinda! Ga- What are you doing?” Elphaba said, chasing after her.

“What is your problem?” Galinda asked as she came face to face with Pfannee and Shenshen.

“What?” Shenshen replied, confused.

“Why do you keep bothering her?”

“We aren’t. We were just watching,” Pfannee replied, still snickering.

“No, you’re being cruel for no reason!”

“Galinda, you can’t be serious. She’s green,” Shenshen argued.

“She’s a person! A kind one!”

“Galinda, it’s fine. Let’s just try the game again,” Elphaba said as she tried to get Galinda away from her friends.

“It’s not fine! Stop treating her like she doesn’t have feelings!”

Shenshen started, “We weren’t-”

“Yes, you are,” Galinda screamed!

“Galinda,” Elphaba said, finally getting her attention. “People are staring. I’m fine.”

“Okay, okay,” Galinda said, still bright red with anger.

“Galinda…,” Pfannee tried.

“Unless you’re about to apologize, I don’t really care what you have to say,” Galinda said, then walked away.

A mix of shame for having been the cause of a scene and relief for having been defended so fiercely flowed through Elphaba. It didn’t feel great to be the reason Galinda fell out with her friends, but seeing Galinda have her back created a confidence in her.

“Should we- Do you wanna try again?” Elphaba said, breaking the tension.

It took Galinda a few seconds of calming down to reply, but when she did, it was as though the argument never happened. “Yes! They ruined your turn, try again.”

Elphaba pulled two more dollars out of her bag that was around Galinda’s body to hand to the attendant.

This time, more focused, she used the same method of widening her stance to have better balance. She went one limb at a time until she was back at the halfway mark. She could hear Galinda cheering for her—motivating her.

“Go Elphaba,” she heard Crope yell!

“She’s doing it,” Tibbett followed up.

Elphaba smiled, feeling a little overwhelmed with the people below her wanting her to win, but so filled with joy even after what Pfannee and Shenshen did. She continued up the ladder rung by rung until she was close enough to ring the bell.

“Oh my God! You did it! Elphie, you won,” Galinda cheered and bounced as Elphaba let go of the ladder and climbed to the ground. Galinda jumped in her arms as soon as she could, holding her tightly by the neck and with her legs locked around Elphaba’s waist.

Elphaba couldn’t help the way her lips curved upwards and her stomach fluttered again and again. Galinda was still praising her in her ear, whispering little encouragements that felt like they were just for them.

You're amazing.

I knew you could do it.

You’re the best.

Then she pulled back, still in Elphaba’s arms. Her hands came to Elphaba’s cheeks and she kissed her excitedly. Their lips fit together effortlessly and with an ease that felt like they’d practiced this a million times. Elphaba inhaled sharply, shocked that Galinda would kiss her this way in front of so many people, her friends included.

But God, it felt so good.

A little too good…

She felt a throb between her legs and reluctantly pulled away and set Galinda down on her feet. “I can’t believe you did that,” she said just loud enough that only Galinda could hear.

Galinda bit her lip bashfully, “I’m sorry, I got so happy! I wasn’t thinking. Are you mad?”

Elphaba shook her head, “No, are you embarrassed?”

Galinda mimicked the motion. “No.”

“Woooooooow,” Crope said, coming over to them. “Hot!”

Galinda laughed and Elphaba looked towards the ground with an embarrassed smile.

“Ladies, what prize do you choose?” The game attendant asked.

Galinda looked to Elphaba. “Well you did win. You choose.”

“The monkey, please,” Elphaba said.

“Galinda you neglected to tell us you and Elphaba…,” Tibbett insinuated.

Elphaba waited for the stuffed monkey, very happy to have an excuse to not be a part of the conversation happening behind her. She and Galinda hadn’t really talked about the new aspect of their relationship given that it’d only been a day.

“That’s because it’s none of your business,” Galinda said firmly, but not harshly.

“Oooo, fiesty. You must really like her,” Crope joked.

With the monkey now in her hand, Elphaba turned around to see Pfannee and Shenshen coming over to the group.

“Elphaba,” Pfannee started, but Galinda stepped between them.

With the monkey in one arm, Elphaba laid her hand on the small of Galinda’s back as a silent message to back down.

“We just wanted to say that we misjudged you. We saw how happy you made Galinda, and she’s our friend and you’re hers… So we wanted to start over with you,” Shenshen apologized.

Elphaba could see how unimpressed Galinda was, but one thing she’d learned over the last few weeks was that everyone deserves a second chance. She would never want to make anyone feel rejected, even if they weren’t the nicest to her from the start.

“It’s okay. We can start over,” Elphaba said with a smile. Truthfully, she still intended to keep her distance from them, but she was still reeling from making out with Galinda and winning the monkey for her. She didn’t want to waste another second on anyone that wasn’t her. “Where to next?” She asked Galinda.

“We should probably head to the stage, it’s almost time,” Galinda said back with a smile.

The others agreed and the group made their way over to where Avaric and Boq were at the barricade. Galinda intertwined her hand with Elphaba’s and led her to their spot.

The stuffed monkey was on the ground between Galinda and the barricade, and Elphaba stood behind Galinda.

“What kind of music does the band play?” Elphaba asked, right in Galinda’s ear.

Galinda reached back for Elphaba’s cheek as she leaned her head to the side to kiss her chin. It was becoming quite clear that Galinda had found a new hobby that she loved. “Rock, I think,” Galinda said, shrugging. “I just tag along because the boys ask me to.”

Elphaba snickered.

As the night went on and the band came out, Elphaba found herself enjoying the experience. The music wasn’t too bad, and Galinda dancing against her body served as a pleasant distraction anyway. Everyone was having a good time and getting along. She actually felt like these people enjoyed having her there with them.

Most importantly to Elphaba was that Galinda had a huge smile plastered across her face for the rest of the night. At one point in time, she pulled Elphaba’s arms around her waist.

Despite the cold, her skin was really warm and Elphaba liked the feeling of being able to freely touch her. She did notice that every once in a while one of Galinda’s friends would look at them and smile, but she could tell it was more of them being happy that Galinda was happy as opposed to them making fun of her.

Overall, Elphaba had a fantastic night and was wonderfully wiped at the end of it. Galinda, however, was not tired and asked if she could stay at Elphaba’s. They ended up going back to the apartment to retire for the night.

———

Galinda laid across Elphaba’s couch with her head in her lap, and a bowl of ice cream on her stomach. They’d already finished a very late dinner and were halfway through some action movie both of them were hardly paying attention to.

“This movie is so bad,” Galinda said, lifting the ice cream filled spoon to her lips.

“Pick a different one then,” Elphaba replied.

Galinda sat up, much to Elphaba’s dismay, and set the bowl down on the wooden coffee table. “No, I don’t want to watch a movie.”

Confused, “Then what do you want to do?”

Galinda shrugged, “I don’t know yet.”

She got up and walked over to Elphaba’s vintage, mid-century record player. It was a little worn on the edges and the cabinets below the built-in player were dull, but it made sense that Elphaba would have one. It sat against the wall a few steps behind the couch and was surrounded by two big plants.

Galinda crouched down and opened the cabinets where Elphaba kept all the records. She sifted through the many old declarations of love and creativity pressed into vinyl. “You love old songs,” Galinda stated as an observation.

“Mmhm.” Elphaba had always gravitated towards music as an outlet for her emotional expression. What she couldn’t say, she could sing. Feelings she couldn’t identify explained perfectly through three minute melodies and rhythmic beats.

She walked over to the lamp to flick it on, then the sliding balcony doors to grab the little stick that flipped the blinds. She opened them just enough so that the city lights came through, creating darkly shadowed stripes on the polished floor. Then she bent down next to Galinda and grabbed her favorite Jazz record.

“I like this one a lot,” she said, taking it from the cover and carefully placing it on the turntable.

The soothing sound of the saxophone in the background always calmed her when her mind went a mile a minute. It transported her to a different world where she could be whoever she wanted to.

But right now, she stayed completely present, opting to be nowhere else.

“I like it, too,” Galinda said, taking Elphaba’s hand. “It feels like you.”

“Me? I’m not as special as this song. I’m just… me,” Elphaba said, dismissing that idea that she could ever compare to something as wonderful as this song.

Galinda shook her head. “You’re special to me.”

Elphaba pulled her hand away, too close to actually believing Galinda’s words.

But Galinda was stubborn. She pulled her in by the waist instead. Then she wrapped her arms around Elphaba’s neck and rested her head on her shoulder. “One day you’ll believe me.”

“How can you be so certain?”

“Because I’ll say it so much that you have no choice.”

Elphaba let her hands fall around Galinda’s waist gently, and she started to hum to the music.

Galinda perked up, “You can sing! So can I!”

“No, no- I can’t. Not really.”

“Yes, you can! I heard it in your hum, but I won’t ask you to. You will when you’re ready,” Galinda said with a shrug. Galinda’s hands came to Elphaba’s chest, just above the part of her that was a dead giveaway to how much she wanted Galinda. Her eyes dropped to Elphaba’s lips then back up to her eyes.

Elphaba wondered why she was looking at her that way and when she’d grow bored and look away. She looked everywhere except Galinda’s face, but Galinda didn’t seem to care. “Your eyes have so many shades of green in them. They’re so pretty,” Galinda finally said, after much examination.

Yet another compliment that unnerved Elphaba. Galinda said them so effortlessly as if they were all well-known facts—almost in a mundane way. They flowed out of her like it was nothing.

But to Elphaba they meant everything. They all carved out a new space in her heart. “Thank you.”

“You’re wel-”

The ringing of one of their phones served as an unwelcome interruption. Elphaba let go of Galinda to go into the kitchen to see whose phone it was.

The name ‘Momsie’ flashed as the device vibrated.

“It’s your mom.”

“Send her to voicemail,” Galinda said.

Elphaba clicked the power button twice to do as she was told. Then she looked back over to Galinda who was swaying to the music with her eyes closed. She looked so peaceful and beautiful with the dim lights of the nighttime backlighting her.

The phone dinged again and before Elphaba could relay the message to Galinda, her lock screen stole her breath. It was Elphaba with a butterfly on her finger, a flower in her hair, and a huge smile on her face. She had never seen herself so genuinely happy and obviously carefree.

And Galinda had it on her phone to showcase… The same phone she took with her everywhere, every single day. Every time she opened it, there was Elphaba.

It was unfathomable to the older girl. Her own lockscreen was just black because she couldn’t imagine why anyone would want to see her everyday, but Galinda chose to willingly. She went through the footage of them that day, picked this exact moment, and decided that she wanted to see it multiple times a day. It was hard to grasp, but so rewarding of a concept:

That Elphaba could be seen everyday and not be turned away from in disgust.

“What?” Galinda said, walking over.

She wrapped her arms around Elphaba from behind and peeked over her shoulder.

“You did this… on purpose?” Elphaba asked, quietly.

Galinda looked down to the screen in Elphaba’s hand, grip tightening around her waist. “Yes, because I like looking at it.”

“But you’re not even in it…”

“But you are and that’s enough,” Galinda said, lifting Elphaba’s arm so she could hug her from the side. Elphaba’s arm enveloped Galinda while she held the phone in her other hand.

Galinda’s delicate fingers unlatched from Elphaba’s waist to turn her chin towards her. Then she leaned in to kiss her. Elphaba’s eyes shut instinctively and she put the phone down on the counter. This kiss was just as gentle as their first ones, but not as hesitant. Galinda’s head tilted and she used a bit more force against Elphaba’s lips as she pulled her in closer.

Elphaba moaned softly into Galinda’s lips. As much as she was enjoying the feeling of Galinda’s lips slotted into her own, she knew that very soon this would become a painful problem. She pulled away against every desire in her body. “That’s really nice, but maybe we should get ready for bed.”

Galinda groaned, “Noooo, not tired yet.”

“It’s two in the morning,” Elphaba said, sitting down on the stool at the kitchen island.

“One more kiss then,” Galinda pleaded, placing herself between Elphaba’s open legs. “I promise I’ll go to bed after.”

Elphaba craned her head upwards to see Galinda’s face. She wanted to kiss her all night, but she couldn’t. Her body reacted too easily to Galinda’s touch. It was too easy for her to want Galinda and too easy for her to give into those very same wants. “Galinda, if I kissed you again, I’d be creaming myself all night after.”

Galinda giggled at the wording and once Elphaba realized what she said, a look of mortification crossed her face.

“Oh my God! Not that way- Stop laughing,” she said, pushing Galinda away gently, and laughing at herself.

The low jazz music filled the air around them as Galinda stepped back into Elphaba’s space, claiming it as her own. She rested her arms lazily on Elphaba’s shoulders and looked down at her through long eyelashes. “I could do it for you.”

Elphaba smiled off to the side. “You’re such a flirt.”

“Only when there’s someone I want,” Galinda said, taking Elphaba’s chin to turn her face back towards her.

Elphaba sighed to calm down her raging libido and out of slight frustration with her allergy. She wasn’t upset though, she couldn’t be with Galinda looking down at her with so much desire in her eyes. “I’m no good at flirting, but if you want awkward charm I’m your girl.”

Galinda tilted Elphaba’s head upwards. “What if I just want you to be my girl?”

Elphaba’s stomach fluttered, a common occurrence as of late. This could not be real—there was no way. She had to be dreaming—or in a coma! Definitely a coma!

Galinda Arduenna Upland was in between her legs asking her to be “her girl”… This was the stuff of dreams! The kind of dreams that felt absolutely unattainable.

Elphaba’s mouth opened and closed twice before words actually left her mouth. “I’m sorry what?”

Galinda chuckled and leaned down, closer to Elphaba. She made a little sound that almost sounded like a moan, but that couldn’t be it… Then with the hottest lower octave Elphaba thought she’d ever heard, she said, “I said… be…,” Galinda moved her lips to Elphaba’s ear. “My girl.”

“Could you say that one more time because I think I misheard you. You want me t-”

Galinda cut her off, “Yes, I want you.”

“O-okay,” Elphaba stuttered.

“Well don’t sound so excited about it,” Galinda said, sarcastically.

“No! No, I’m sorry! I am really happy. I just- Are you sure? Maybe the adrenaline from the concert hasn’t wore off yet or-”

Galinda held the bottom of Elphaba’s face in the palm of her hands. “Elphie… I like you a lot. We spend almost everyday together, and I really hate when you leave my dorm or have to go to class… or work. I know what I want, just think about it.”

Elphaba rushed out, “I don’t need to think about it. If you’re sure you meant to ask me, then my answer is yes! I want to be…,” your girlfriend, but the words died in her mouth. She couldn’t say it aloud. What if that wasn’t what Galinda meant by “my girl”?

“My girlfriend,” Galinda reassured her. She swiped her thumb across Elphaba’s chin softly. “Look at me and say it.”

Elphaba looked up, but her voice was still small as if she was waiting for Galinda to change her mind. “I want to be your girlfriend.”

Galinda squealed, “Please, let me kiss you!”

Elphaba laughed as her worries floated away. She was a girlfriend… actually a girlfriend! “Okay, just one,” she said with a weakly authoritative finger out towards Galinda.

Galinda grinned so largely, Elphaba was sure her face would get stuck like that. Galinda connected her lips with Elphaba’s a little awkwardly given that they were both smiling, but that didn’t stop both girl’s stomachs from fluttering again and again. She took Elphaba’s top lip between hers and began to suck on it softly. Elphaba moaned as Galinda leaned into her body. Her hands dropped to Elphaba’s chest then slid against the base of her neck.

Elphaba felt herself becoming more aroused. “Okay, okay! We have to stop,” Elphaba said, pulling away.

But Galinda was quicker. She kissed the corner of Elphaba’s lips, her cheeks, her nose, and her forehead with so much passion and excitement, Elphaba could do nothing other than laugh.

“Gal- Okay! Okay! Galinda,” she cried out with laughter as Galinda continued.

Elphaba’s hands came to Galinda’s ribcage to try to get her away, but Galinda curled inwards with laughs of her own.

“You’re ticklish,” Elphaba noted as she flicked her fingers against Galinda’s sides.

Galinda screamed, “Stop it,” through laughs.

“Nuh-uh, my turn now,” Elphaba said, trapping her between her legs to tickle her some more.

“Elphie, p-please,” Galinda begged, laughing hysterically. “O-okay!” She squirmed and wiggled until she broke free of Elphaba’s hold. She took off down the hallway towards Elphaba’s room.

“Hey, come back,” Elphaba yelled, chasing after her.

“No, my stomach hurts!”

Elphaba caught her at the edge of her bed, and they fell over. She pinned Galinda’s arms above her head while she straddled her waist. “Say ‘sorry’,” she joked.

“Never,” Galinda said, defiantly.

“You’re trapped.”

“No, I’m fine here,” Galinda replied with a lip bite. She arched upwards into Elphaba’s hips.

Elphaba snickered and rolled her eyes. “You’re like a horny teenager.” Then she rolled off of Galinda to lay next to her.

“I can’t help it. My girlfriend is just so pretty,” Galinda said with a hand on Elphaba’s stomach. She slipped it just under the hem of Elphaba’s shirt and rested her head on her own fist.

Elphaba quickly adjusted to hearing Galinda call her ‘girlfriend’. She loved it already, and she would do anything to make sure she was a good girlfriend to Galinda.

Galinda rubbed circles with her thumb across the bottom of Elphaba’s stomach. The tone of the room shifted from silliness to a quiet intimacy. Galinda’s fingers moved slower and Elphaba looked at her with curiosity. “Elphie… I know I have more experience than you when it comes to this sort of stuff, but you should know that I’ll never be mad at you for telling me it’s too much or you don’t like something I’m doing.”

Elphaba’s breath hitched. She had been so worried about disappointing Galinda since the day they met and especially after they kissed the first time, but now she didn’t have to. Galinda understood her inexperience and didn’t see her allergy as a negative. She felt so relieved and so connected to her. She lifted her hand just in front of Galinda’s cheek. She wanted to hold it as Galinda had done to her so many times, but she was still afraid.

“It’s okay. Touch me,” Galinda whispered. “I’ll never not want your touch.”

Elphaba exhaled and let her hand come to Galinda’s face. Galinda hummed and leaned into her touch. It made her feel so wanted and so normal, she became addicted in an instant. “You can tell me the same.”

Galinda smiled, “I know… I’m happy that you said yes.”

But there wasn’t a single universe where Elphaba didn’t say yes.

It would always be a yes… without hesitation, and dipped in a hope for their future together that Elphaba had only ever dreamed of.

Notes:

I contemplated making them drag out their situationship era lmao, but I felt like they needed to be gfs for Elphaba to gain that last little bit of trust she needs before she agrees to undress (both physically and emotionally) for Galinda.

Plus, this whole thing is fast burn anyway so fuck it we ball 😭

Chapter 5

Summary:

Elphaba supports Galinda at her fashion show, and Galinda returns the favor.

Notes:

So apparently this chapter is 6k words… don’t know how that happened 😭

But enjoy!

Elphaba hummed an upbeat tune while she tended to the potted plant on the balcony. She mindlessly pulled weeds and readjusted roots while she thought of the sleeping girl in her bed. In the time since becoming Galinda’s girlfriend they somehow managed to spend even more time together, alternating between spending the night in Galinda’s dorm room and Elphaba’s apartment. There hadn’t been a single day that passed without them seeing each other at some point before noon and going to bed together, wrapped up in one another.

Just knowing that Galinda was waiting for her at home made the problems of Elphaba’s day seem less substantial. The stares bothered her less, the whispering didn’t send her into a panic, and she started to care less about what people would say when they saw her in public. The only thing that mattered was that Galinda was there with her showering her with kisses and compliments until—well, it hadn’t ended yet.

But Elphaba didn’t feel as undeserving of the praise as she once did. She accepted that the things Galinda said to her had the possibility of being true.

She could be beautiful, just as Galinda so often told her.

She smiled as she worked. The morning sun heated up her back, but not enough for her to start sweating just yet. It was warm with a light breeze and defined clouds floated along the piercing blue sky.

A grumbling noise came from inside the apartment. Elphaba looked up to see Galinda in one of her oversized shirts with a serious case of bedhead, and dragging the throw blanket that’s usually sprawled across her bed behind her. She chuckled as Galinda noticed her and plodded over to the open balcony door.

“Good morning,” Elphaba greeted the grumpy girl.

Galinda wiped at her eyes and swallowed a yawn. “You weren’t there when I woke up.”

“Oh, yeah. I woke up early and thought I’d get a start on the day,” Elphaba said, pushing dirt around the plant pot. “Plant needed some work and I’ve been putting it off.”

Galinda grumbled and dropped the blanket in the doorway before making her way over to Elphaba. She set herself down in Elphaba’s lap to straddle her, paying no attention to the fact that Elphaba wasn’t in the ideal position to be sat on—on her knees with dirty gardening gloves on.

“Gal- It’s a mess out here.”

Galinda groaned, wrapped her arms around Elphaba’s neck, and buried her face in her neck.

“Somebody’s grumpy this morning.” Elphaba removed her gloves to rub Galinda’s back, another thing she’d grown more comfortable with was initiating physical contact.

“Woke up alone, I’m allowed to be grumpy,” Galinda complained into Elphaba’s neck.

Elphaba patted Galinda’s thighs. “Gonna stand, hold on.” Obviously, Galinda wasn’t going to let her finish her garden work, but Elphaba didn’t mind.

She pushed to her feet with Galinda attached to her as if she was an extension of her body. Once she was upright, Galinda’s legs tightened around her waist. Elphaba’s hands secured around the swell of Galinda’s bottom as she carried her back inside,

“Back to bed!”

“No, to the kitchen,” Elphaba countered, walking through the living room. “Hungry?”

“For food?”

She laughed as she set Galinda down on the island. “Yes, for food—actual edible food,” she added.

“Hmmmm,” Galinda pretended to think. “Yes!”

Elphaba nodded and attempted to untangle herself from Galinda to make breakfast, but Galinda pulled her back by the waistline of her jeans. When she came back to the space between her legs, Galinda trapped her. “Aren’t you forgetting something?”

“Of course, how could I?” Elphaba said, playfully rolling her eyes.

“Must’ve slipped your mind,” Galinda whispered as she pulled Elphaba in. “I forgive you,” she continued just before laying a soft kiss on her girlfriend’s willing lips. “Never gets old,” She finished after her lips were free again.

“Now can I make you something to eat? You have a big day today.”

Galinda nodded. “I know! I’m a little nervous.”

Elphaba tilted her head downwards with a reassuring smile. “You’ve been preparing for this fashion show since before I met you. You’re gonna do amazing.”

Galinda hopped off the counter with a grin. “You’re coming right after work, right?”

Elphaba smiled, pulling food out of the freezer. “I wouldn’t miss it for anything. I’ll be there cheering you on the loudest!”

———

The rest of the morning and early afternoon went by fairly smooth for Elphaba. She dropped Galinda off to campus, so she could go to class and prepare for the fashion show. Then she went to her own class and work shortly after.

Unlike a usual shift, this one was spent thinking about seeing Galinda every second of the agonizing time she was clocked in. When the time finally came to leave, she rushed out the door. She wanted to get flowers for Galinda to congratulate her on what she knew would be an amazing show. Once that was done, she got into her car to see her girlfriend.

The fashion show took place in a huge empty room with a T shaped stage elevated about a foot off the ground. The lights were dim and the place boomed with people and the murmuring of talking. Elphaba took a deep breath to steady herself then moved to the front to find her seat. Galinda told her there’d be a reserved seat front row for her with a little green heart drawn in the corner of the reserved sign.

“Elphaba!” Milla waved at her from a few feet ahead and beckoned for her to come over.

Elphaba liked Milla… much more than Pfannee and Shenshen, but that was a very low bar by any standards. She had been nice and nonjudgmental at the festival and actively tried to include Elphaba, so for that reason Elphaba smiled and made her way over to Milla.

“Hey, Galinda told me to look out for you.”

“Hi,” Elphaba said, sitting in the seat that was labeled just as Galinda described.

“Have you seen any of the pieces?”

“Uh… yeah! Just one,” Elphaba reminisced on the lacey dress. She couldn’t wait to see Galinda in it and watch her do something she loved.

“You’re blushing,” Milla teased, harmlessly.

Elphaba’s hands flew to her cheeks to hide the color there. She decided changing the subject would be a good idea, and she was more than happy to make a new friend in the process. “Have you seen any?”

Milla nodded, “Of course! She tells me everything… like how much she adores you.”

Elphaba scrunched her lips trying to suppress the grin that attempted to cross her face. She didn’t expect Galinda to talk about her outside of their little bubble of happiness—she didn’t think she’d want to nor did she see the benefit of doing so. She wasn’t the kind of girl to be paraded around, but Galinda absolutely was. If Elphaba had people of her own she’d surely talk about Galinda every chance she got. She cleared her throat. “Well I adore her too!”

Milla chuckled, “I can see that. You’re very bad at hiding it.”

But how extremely lucky Elphaba felt to have someone she liked so much that she physically could not hide it. Her face involuntarily morphed into pleasure when Galinda was around, or mentioned… or thought about. “That obvious, huh?” Elphaba joked.

Milla nodded, “Yes, but it isn’t a bad thing. She really really likes you. So, as one of her best friends, it’s my job to tell you that if you hurt her-”

“That will never happen,” Elphaba interjected. “I have no intentions of ever doing that.” Nothing and no one could ever make her turn on Galinda or want to cause her harm. She was dedicated to her and strengthening their relationship.

Milla shrugged as the lights dimmed even more. “Good!”

Galinda waltzed out onto the stage in a simple white tank and jeans. “Good evening, Shiz University! Thank you for coming out to our show. I won’t keep you waiting long, but it was my honor to put together the spring show for you…”

Elphaba listened as if Galinda was the only person in the room. She fell victim to Galinda’s beauty before she even opened her mouth. Every time she looked at her it felt like she was being reintroduced to her physicality. Somewhere in the middle of Galinda’s speech, Elphaba became lost in admiring her. They’d made eye contact a few times and Galinda winked at her which made her knees go weak, but she couldn’t look away.

“…So again thank you for coming, and welcome to the show,” Galinda finished and walked off the stage behind a curtain. The crowd applauded, Elphaba undoubtedly the loudest. Then the show began…

The models walked down the catwalk one by one, a few paces after each other in beautifully put together ensembles. It blew Elphaba’s mind that Galinda designed all these outfits. Every one was perfectly crafted and impeccably showcased. Elphaba looked down to make sure the flowers were okay and when she looked back up Galinda was there in the center of the stage.

The lacey dress, now fully completed, somehow enhanced an already perfect canvas—clinging to Galinda’s small curves. It truly (and literally) was made for only her. Galinda’s expression and makeup were neutral, and her hair was pin straight. She waited another second with her hands on her hips, then she began her descent down the walkway. Elphaba waited excitedly for Galinda to walk past her so she could see the girl up close. When that time did come, Galinda broke her focus to look over to her and blow a kiss. Elphaba couldn’t stop her smile, nor did she want to this time. Her eyes followed Galinda’s every move until she was out of her sight.

She heard Milla snicker next to her. “You two are sickening.”

Elphaba tensed a little, not picking up that Milla was joking, but her focus fell back to Galinda when she’d come out again for the final walk.

When the show was over, Elphaba followed Milla backstage to congratulate Galinda.

“Elphie,” Galinda squealed!

“Hi, you were amazing,” Elphaba said as they approached one another. “These are for you!”

Galinda smiled, taking the pink bouquet from her. “Thank you. You’re so sweet.” She laid her hand on Elphaba’s cheek and pecked her lips.

“You look beautiful, and the other pieces…,” Elphaba made a face of approval. “You’re magical.”

“I agree,” Galinda said with a nod and a chuckle. “So, you liked it then?”

“Loved,” Elphaba corrected.

“Galindaaa,” Fiyero yelled with some of Galinda’s other friends cheering behind him. “Phenomenal show!”

Crope whooped and Tibbett started the applause that followed.

Elphaba watched the room erupt into praise for her girlfriend. She was awestruck and so fully immersed in all things Galinda. She knew how hard Galinda worked for this show; she deserved every bit of praise she was receiving right now. The room felt so filled with love, and for the first time Elphaba felt like she belonged in it.

“Hey, Elphaba! You must be so proud of her,” Boq said, standing next to her.

She nodded, “The proudest!”

Elphaba stood off to the side while Galinda worked the room. She took pictures with everyone and received so many flowers Elphaba wasn’t sure where they would put them all.

Galind came over to Elphaba very flushed and glistening. “Everyone is gonna head to the after party. I have our outfits here, so we can change.”

“After party?” Elphaba questioned. She thought they’d just go home and be together… alone.

Galinda’s arms circled around her waist. “Did I not tell you? It must’ve slipped my mind. Will you please come? I want you there.”

How could she ever say no to that? Elphaba would go anywhere Galinda wanted to simply because it was her asking. “Where do I get changed at?”

Galinda cheered and led Elphaba to a large dressing room. There was a vanity, a coffee table, and a couch inside. On the couch were two outfits: a soft pink cocktail dress and black, wide legged romper that cinched at the waist.

“Do you like it? I’m sure I can find you something else if you don’t.”

Elphaba smiled, “It’s perfect.”

“I know you don’t like to show your arms much, so I have a jacket for you too.”

Elphaba felt overcome with emotion at Galinda’s attention to detail. She’d never been so attended to—so cared for… It was a wonderful feeling to be listened to and taken into consideration without asking for it.

“Unzip me?” Galinda asked, turning her back to Elphaba who pulled the zipper down.

Galinda slipped the straps off her shoulders.

“You’re not wearing a bra,” Elphaba noted.

“I couldn’t. The dress is too tight,” Galinda said nonchalantly, reaching for the cocktail dress.

Elphaba’s hands became clammy and her eyes followed Galinda—parts of her anyway. Despite all the time they spend together, they’d never actually seen each other naked, and in Elphaba’s case, she’d never seen anybody besides herself naked. Definitely not the girl she was undoubtedly attracted to.

Elphaba bit her lip as she let her eyes devour Galinda whole.

Galinda continued to strip and change without a clue that her girlfriend was silently very aroused at the sight of her.

Elphaba sat down on the couch to start removing her shoes, but having Galinda above her did nothing to quell her growing arousal. Finally, she gave in and closed her eyes.

“Elphie?”

“Hm?”

“Why are you squeezing your eyes shut?”

“You’re naked. Do you want me to have an allergic reaction right now?” Elphaba answered honestly.

Galinda chuckled and dropped down in Elphaba’s lap in nothing more than her underwear. She leaned into Elphaba’s ear, “A little makeout session never hurt anyone.”

Elphaba’s hands fell to her hips. “It quite literally does hurt me,” Elphaba joked. “But… I do have my cream.”

“Open your eyes, please,” Galinda requested and Elphaba obeyed. “Have you ever tried putting the cream on before you get… you know.”

Elphaba shook her head. She’d never thought of using the cream as a preventative measure rather than a reactionary one. “You think that’ll work?”

“I think it’ll give me enough time to properly work you up without you being in pain,” Galinda said, pecking Elphaba’s lips. “Try it. If it hurts too much, we’ll skip the after party.”

“You wanna be late to the party to makeout?”

“I’d miss the party entirely if it meant I could have you all night,” Galinda breathed out against Elphaba’s neck.

“Worth a shot,” Elphaba agreed.

Galinda slid off her lap to allow her to grab the cream. Elphaba was going to ask Galinda to turn around while she applied it, but Galinda had already shut her eyes by the time Elphaba was ready to apply it. “Tell me when to open.”

Elphaba pulled her pants and underwear down and carefully applied the cream between her legs. She also rubbed some on her neck anticipating that Galinda would want to kiss her there. Then she put her clothes back in place. “Done.”

Galinda’s eyes opened enticingly slowly and she wasted no time climbing back in Elphaba’s lap to straddle her. “Ready?”

Elphaba nodded.

Galinda leaned in to capture her lips in a slow kiss while her hands slipped under Elphaba’s loose top. Her hands ran along Elphaba’s defined abs and just under the swell of her breasts. Elphaba moaned into Galinda’s mouth at the touch. Having Galinda on top of her with her tongue in her mouth felt heaven sent.

Galinda raised her hand to tilt Elphaba’s head, so she could bruise her neck with her mouth. She quickly found Elphaba’s favorite spot to be sucked on and closed her mouth around it to be pulsed between her lips.

“Gal- Ah,” Elphaba moaned.

Galinda’s lips moved around Elphaba’s neck easily while the hand that was under her shirt rose until it met her hardened nipple. Galinda pulled away. “This okay?”

Elphaba exhaled, caught up in the feeling of Galinda’s hot mouth on her. “Y-yeah.”

She was nervous—very, very nervous, but she wanted to do this with Galinda. Obviously, not to have sex with her for the first time in a dressing room… but she wanted to at least know that she could do it without the pain being too much.

And so far, it wasn’t. In fact, she wasn’t in any pain at all.

Elphaba rested her hands on Galinda’s thighs which she took as encouragement to start grinding into Elphaba's lap.

“God,” Galind moaned! She rocked her hips against Elphaba’s thigh while she pinched Elphaba’s nipples under her shirt. Elphaba tightened her hold just realizing after Galinda’s head fell back that she was using her thigh for her own pleasure. She watched Galinda’s perky tits bounce in her face as she slid back and forth across her thigh. The image made her squeeze her legs together anticipating the burning to start, but it didn’t.

“E-Elphie! Feels so good,” Galinda panted.

And as much as she wanted to see Galinda come undone on top of her, she didn’t want it to be now. She stilled Galinda’s hips and pulled her in for another kiss. Their tongues fought for dominance until Elphaba gave in with a loud groan. While she did put cream on her vagina, she didn’t think to do it around her lips where Galinda’s saliva would surely cause a reaction. So, reluctantly, she pushed Galinda away.

“More, please,” Galinda begged, trying to lean back in.

Elphaba laughed softly. “You’re gonna make my face welt with your tongue.”

Galinda pouted, “Ugh! One day I will figure out how to dry my mouth so I can kiss you forever.”

Elphaba smiled. She took note of how Galinda offered to change herself rather than her allergy. She made it seem like her perfectly natural mouth was the issue as opposed to Elphaba’s abnormal allergy.

Galinda fell into Elphaba’s body with her head resting on her shoulder, and Elphaba made mindless lines on her back with her fingertip. Galinda’s bare bosom was pressed against her in the gentlest way. “How do you feel?”

Elphaba shrugged, “Fine. There’s a little buzz, but I wouldn’t say it’s painful.”

Galinda perked up, “So, it worked!”

“I guess it did,” Elphaba said, half excited for the possibility of becoming closer with Galinda and half scared of how their relationship could change once they have sex.

Galinda jumped off Elphaba’s lap exhilarated! She bounced around the room squealing! “I can finally show you how I feel about you!”

Elphaba’s head twisted with confusion, “You do show me, all the time.”

Galinda came back over to the couch, tucking her legs underneath her. The nudity was no longer a distraction for Elphaba, she wanted to know what exactly Galinda meant. “I know, but I see how you look at yourself when you think I don’t notice. I want to show you how much I love your body just like the rest of you.” Galinda’s fingertips ran up and down the length of Elphaba’s neck.

Knowing Galinda saw how little she thought of herself made Elphaba feel something akin to shame and embarrassment. She wasn’t supposed to ever see that side of her—no one was.

Galinda continued, “Elphie, just because we figured out a way to be with each other that doesn’t hurt you, doesn’t mean we have to do it right away. We can keep kissing until you’re ready to do more.”

Elphaba took Galinda’s hand to kiss her knuckles. “Thank you, but it’s not that. I mean—I’m not ready for that… but I guess I’m not used to someone paying such close attention to me.”

Galinda leaned in to peck her lips then her cheek. “Well now you have someone who does, so get used to it because I’m not going anywhere,” Galinda said, smiling.

Elphaba laughed. “Oh, you’re gonna be one of those crazy girls that stalks me?”

Galinda giggled. “Mmhm! I’m never letting you go,” she said, leaning in again to have Elphaba’s lips on her once more. “Mm after party now…”

———

The nightclub was filled with people celebrating the success of the fashion show and Galinda’s peers from Shiz. Strobe lights set the scene while pop music blared through the sound system. The place was packed from front to back, but everyone seemed to be enjoying the night. The bar pushed out drinks to those of age, and the food counter kept everyone fed and happy.

Elphaba was on the dance floor with Galinda in her arms dancing.

After their heated makeout session, Elphaba had started to feel a little more burning between her legs and on her neck, but she didn’t want to leave the party, and she could manage it at this level. Galinda made sure to check in with her constantly, almost annoyingly so. Elphaba reassured her at least five times in the last hour that she was okay. She was so grateful that Galinda cared enough about her to worry, but she didn’t want to taint her big night.

They’d both had one drink of which the effects were dwindling. It was enough to make Elphaba loosen up to the point that she’d done pretty well on her own when Galinda got pulled away by someone wanting to congratulate her. For Galinda, however, the drink came and went—not that she was complaining. She had enough adrenaline and excitement coursing through her body that she didn’t really need the liquid courage.

“Hey, you two, say cheese,” Milla said with her phone up.

Galinda stopped grinding against Elphaba to hold her face and kiss her cheek for the picture. Elphaba smiled closed mouth, but not because she disliked her smile… she wasn’t even sure she did dislike it anymore. It made Galinda so happy when she smiled that she couldn’t possibly hate it.

She smiled closed mouth because she wanted to.

“Got it!”

“Thanks Mil, send that to me,” Galinda shouted to her.

“Hey, ladies,” Fiyero said as he danced in their direction.

Elphaba’s head whipped around, “Hi.”

“Hey, Yero,” Galinda added.

“You look very lovely tonight,” Fiyero said to Elphaba who hadn’t realized he was talking to her until he tapped her.

“T-thanks,” she stuttered.

“That’s enough of that,” Galinda interjected. “ Go find another girl that’s not mine,” she continued, now in between the two.

“Is that jealousy I smell?” Fiyero joked with her.

Galinda smirked…

She walked behind Elphaba and took her by the neck to lay kisses on the hinge of her jaw and down her neck. Elphaba’s eyes fluttered closed and she exhaled a heavy breath. Then Galinda looked up to Fiyero, “Jealous of what? I already won.”

Elphaba, caught between the two and a little tipsy, put her hands up in surrender. “She’s right. Sorry.”

Fiyero laughed as he took Elphaba by the hand to twirl her around. Then he took Galinda in his other hand and twirled her too. “I’m really happy for you,” he said to Galinda.

She smiled in Elphaba’s direction as she spoke to him, “Thanks, but I still win.” Then she took Elphaba by the waist to finish their dance together.

“Lovebirds on the dance floor,” Crope cheered!

While Elphaba loved that Galinda was so loved by her friends, the attention was becoming a lot for her. She whispered to Galinda, “I’m gonna go get some air. I’m fine, don’t worry. It’s just stuffy in here.”

Galinda frowned, sad to be parting, but kissed her cheek anyway. “Okay, find me when you come back.”

Elphaba squeezed her hand, then headed for the door. It was a great party, but space was becoming more limited as the night went on. She’d only heard of how crazy Galinda’s parties could get in passing, but being at one was a whole other thing. She squeezed through the crowd as best she could while people shoved and danced around her. She was almost to the door when someone crashed into her back, hard. Their drinks spilled down her back and because she wore a romper the wetness spread from her back down her legs through the fabric. She yelled out! With such a substantial amount of water hitting her, the reaction was instant. She pushed out the doorway and onto the street to catch her breath.

The cold air on the street did nothing for the growing pain she felt. She ran down the street to her car, hoping to grab her cream, but she realized she left it on the couch in the dressing room. She silently cursed herself and took a deep breath. It’d been years since she was left to have a reaction without medicine.

“Okay, breathe…,” she mumbled to herself. There was no way she was leaving her girlfriend’s big party, and she didn’t want Galinda to end it early because of her. So, she planned to sit in her car until she could manage the pain. She went through half an hour worth of breathing exercises, she tried different positions, walking down the street, and distracting herself all to no avail. The pain only increased… Her back felt as if it was on fire and her legs hurt to stand on. All of her efforts went to not crying from the excruciating pain.

But no matter what, she couldn’t ruin Galinda’s big night.

A very painful hour passed with no sign of relief. She was miserable.

Her phone rang, Galinda.

“Hello.”

“Elphie, where are you? You’ve been gone for so long.”

“I’m f-fine. In my car.”

“What? Your car? Why?”

“Just needed air,” Elphaba said, holding back a groan and tears.

“I’m coming.”

“No Galinda d-”

The line died before she could finish. She should’ve known better than to tell Galinda where she was. Now she had to convince her that she was actually fine which was a lot harder to do face to face.

She saw Galinda, heels in hand, running down the street.

Elphaba opened the passenger side door, “I’m fine.”

Galinda plopped down in her lap. “What’s wrong?”

Elphaba faked a smile. “Nothing. There’s just a lot of people in there.”

Galinda squinted her eyes, trying to get a reading on what Elphaba was not telling her. She grabbed hold of her shoulders, but quickly recoiled at the feeling of something wet on her upper back. “Elphaba…”

“I’m fine,” Elphaba rushed. “Really!”

“Lean forward,” Galinda ordered.

“I’m fine! Go back inside. It’s your night,” Elphaba said, taking Galinda’s hand for just a second before she pulled it away. There wasn’t an ounce of joking or anything other than seriousness in Galinda’s face.

“Elphaba Thropp! Are you having a reaction right now?”

“N-no,” Elphaba lied and horribly so. With Galinda’s added weight on her legs, she felt close to passing out from the pain.

Galinda rolled her eyes and forced her hand between Elphaba’s back and the seat. She felt the wetness and grew visibly more upset. “Yes, you are! Elphie, why didn’t you tell me? How long have you been like this?”

Elphaba shrugged. She felt so small.

Galinda took her chin between her fingers. “I’m
upset that you lied to me, not for any other reason.”

“I’m sorry, I didn’t want you to worry about me.”

“I’m your girlfriend, I’m always gonna worry about you. Where’s your cream? Did you use it?”

Elphaba shook her head, “I don’t have any.”

Galinda gently tugged Elphaba forward to get a look at her back. Elphaba yelped out in pain!

Galinda apologized profusely and kissed her head. Then she saw Elphaba’s back filled with raised purple welts and bruised worse than anything she’d ever seen. “Elphie! This is bad! We’re going.”

Elphaba panted out. She grabbed onto Galinda’s wrist to stop her from moving. She could hardly talk at full volume, so focused on the pain. “M-my legs too.”

“Your legs are wet?” Galinda asked for clarification.

Elphaba managed a nod. Her breathing quickened as the burning intensified. She groaned in pain.

“Okay, I got you. I’m gonna get you home,” Galinda said, laying a kiss to the top of her head. She grabbed the key from the cup holder and got off Elphaba’s lap as gently as she could. She made sure Elphaba was properly in the seat before shutting the door, and going to the driver’s side.

The drive to Elphaba’s apartment was fairly short, but Elphaba made pained noises the entire time. Her breathing was labored and she sniffled a few times.

Galinda parked the car and helped Elphaba the whole way inside. She got her onto her bed and rushed into the bathroom for the cream.

Elphaba cried out and arched her back as a wave of burning coursed through her. “It hurts!”

“I know, baby,” Galinda said, the pet name slipping out effortlessly. She reached for the zipper on the back of Elphaba’s romper, stopping just before pulling it. “Can I undress you?”

Elphaba groaned. A weak “no” leaving her lips. Galinda couldn’t see her this way—not for her first time. She must’ve looked so undesirable.

The pain skyrocketed again and the tears fell before she could stop them. “Ah,” she screamed in pain!

“Elphie, you can’t do it on your own. Let me help,” Galinda tried.

“N-no. You can’t—ugly.”

Galinda paused. She set the cream down on the bed and used both her hands to lift Elphaba’s face. “You are not ugly. You are having an allergic reaction and need to let me help you. I don’t care about how you look, I care that you’re not in pain.”

Elphaba took in quick, sharp breaths. Her eyes fluttered. Then another flash of pain shot through her body. “Ahhhhh! It hurtssss,” she wailed and cried.

Galinda wiped her tears. “Baby, the romper is wet, that’s probably why it hurts so much. You have to take it off.”

Elphaba’s fists closed around the fabric of Galinda’s dress. The pain was making her sweat which she was also allergic to.

Galinda felt her damp skin. She ran to the thermostat in the hallway and lowered it as far as it would go. The AC kicked in, circulating cool air to dry Elphaba off. Then she went into the bathroom and grabbed a towel to dry what parts of Elphaba she could.

“Elphie, I’m gonna take the romper off.”

Elphaba tried to push her away but she was too weak to do it successfully. “D-don’t.”

Galinda was torn between doing something Elphaba asked her not to and doing what was best for her. “Trust me, please. I need to get this off of you. I’m not going anywhere like I told you earlier.”

Elphaba let out another loud cry and started to sob into Galinda’s stomach.

“Okay, I’m sorry. It’s coming off,” Galinda decided.

She reached behind Elphaba and pulled the zipper down. She lifted Elphaba’s upper body from against hers as gently as she could to pull the fabric from her shoulders until it pooled around her waist. She also unclipped her bra because it was just as wet as the romper.

Elphaba’s arms flew to cross her chest protectively.

“I won’t look, I promise, but it has to come off. What if you lay on your stomach so I can put the cream on your back?” Galinda suggested.

Elphaba nodded. She wasn’t opposed to this method because it meant Galinda wouldn’t see more than she had to.

Galinda was just thankful they came to an agreement, and she could lessen Elphaba’s suffering. She helped Elphaba lay down through her low groans and slow movements.

Once she was settled, Galinda pulled the romper the rest of the way. “Elphie… your underwear are wet too…”

Elphaba knew what she was asking, and she really hated the idea of Galinda seeing any more of her ruined like this. She wanted her to look at her and like what she saw.

But this pain was unlike any she’d felt before… untreated and unmanageable.

“Lights,” Elphaba whispered through sad whimpers.

“Okay, I can do that,” Galinda reassured her. She wiped the dampness from her brow and kissed her hairline before walking over to the light switch to flick it off. “Elphie, would you feel more comfortable if I stripped too? It’s just an idea, you can say no.”

Elphaba sniffled and shivered under the cold air. Her body was in a state of panic; hot from the stress of the reaction and cold from the low temperature of the thermostat. Not to mention the emotional turmoil of having to strip for the first time in front of another person… even if there was no other way to stop the reaction. “Y-yes,” she mumbled.

Galinda shedded herself of the cocktail dress and her underwear, willing to do anything to keep her Elphie as comfortable as humanly possible right now. She laid a gentle hand in Elphaba’s braids, then pulled them to the side. “You’re gonna be okay,” she whispered.

Elphaba tried to control her breathing as she closed her eyes. When the cream met her back it was cool and granted a small bit of relief upon contact. She knew that it took some time to kick in, so her strife wasn’t over yet, but the coolness did help. She could feel that Galinda was being as gentle as she could, and her hand was shaking. This had to be scary for her as well. She couldn’t imagine seeing Galinda go through a pain so profound she could barely hold herself up.

Even in her own pain, she wanted to make sure Galinda was doing okay. She reached her hand out and mumbled, “Hold.”

“Hm? Oh.” Galinda took Elphaba’s hand while she continued to rub the cream on her back.

Eventually she made her way downwards over Elphaba’s bottom and down her legs. She made sure Elphaba knew exactly where she’d be touching before she did, and she didn’t let her hands linger. She rubbed the cream in all the welts and bruises and moved back up Elphaba’s body.

Elphaba’s loud screams turned into quiet whimpers and then silence. Every now and again she’d groan, but for the most part she hadn’t enough strength to do much else.

Galinda tried to let go of Elphaba’s hand to give her some space, but that set her off. She had technically told Galinda not to undress her, but she wasn’t upset that she did. She knew that she wouldn’t be able to help herself and she trusted Galinda more than anyone else in the world. She needed the small amount of physical contact between them to remind her that she would be okay. She whined and tightened her hold.

“Okay, I won’t go. Let me just get on the bed,” Galinda said softly.

After Elphaba showed her approval by letting go, Galinda climbed into bed and sat up against the headboard. “Come here, baby,” she said, pulling Elphaba gently into her lap.

“Oww,” Elphaba complained, but didn’t stop Galinda from repositioning her. She rested her head on Galinda’s shoulder with her legs on either side of Galinda’s. She felt so overwhelmed with everything going on, but she didn’t want to be anywhere else besides in Galinda’s lap, skin to skin.

“Mmmm,” she quietly mumbled as she arched her back into Galinda to combat a throbbing pain.

Galinda felt utterly useless while Elphaba made pained noises on top of her. She’d done the only thing she knew to do. So, she did the next best thing. She began to hum a lullaby her momsie sang to her as a child. The airy tone in her voice filled Elphaba’s ears and lulled her into a calmer state. Galinda’s voice was a pleasant distraction.

Her hand came up to Galinda’s chest so she could feel the soft vibrations there while her head remained on her shoulder.

Galinda continued to hum while she rubbed Elphaba’s thighs and her lower back in a way that didn’t hurt her further.

Soon the pain dulled and Elphaba fell asleep to the soft melody.

Galinda hummed for another half hour after Elphaba’s little snores started. She wanted to be sure that she was fully asleep before stopping.

And she wanted to be sure that she wouldn’t get caught confessing a truth she’d never spoken aloud before…

“I love you… so much.”

Notes:

Dunno how Elphaba’s water allergy became such a big part of this fic, but here we are. I’ll try to stay away from it for the next chapter tho to give her a break from the pain.

Chapter 6

Summary:

Galinda and Elphaba have a serious talk and have some bonding time.

Notes:

I loveee this chapter! They’re just soooo 🥹

Anyway here’s 5k words of adorably loving gelphie just for you 🤲🏾

Galinda’s melodious hums eased Elphaba’s mind into consciousness as her body pressed into Galinda’s—still in the same position they fell asleep in. Elphaba blinked a few times as she remembered the unfortunate events of last night. A deep rooted guilt coursed through her veins, starting from the pit of her stomach, but second to the intense embarrassment she felt from being naked.

She pushed up from leaning against Galinda’s body to straddle her waist with her arms crossed over her chest. Their eyes met—a subtle uncertainty evident in both their gazes.

“Good morning,” Galinda began, breaking the silence.

Elphaba swallowed hard… she remembered what Galinda had seen of her, and how fitful she’d acted in the haze of her pain. She frantically removed herself from Galinda’s lap to throw on a t-shirt from the pile of clean laundry she’d neglected to fold in a timely manner.

Once dressed, mostly, she had a hard time turning back towards Galinda. Her arms found their way back across her chest because while she was covered by the t-shirt, she felt even more naked than before.

“Could you look at me? We should talk,” Galinda said, as gentle as ever. Her calmness was a nebulous notion in the mind of the girl who’d only known anger after a reaction as severe as the one she’d put Galinda through last night. So used to being verbally harmed after the physical distress her body inflicted upon itself that when her girlfriend’s hand settled on her shoulder, the pressure startled her and she flinched. “Elphie?”

With her body still turned away from Galinda and the fragility of her psyche unveiled, Elphaba’s voice came out cracked and small, “Are you gonna break up with me now?”

Galinda’s response wasn’t quick or rushed which most certainly would’ve calmed Elphaba’s worries in an obvious way. Instead, Galinda reached down into the same pile Elphaba had to find a shirt for herself. Then she moved over to the edge of the bed and patted the space next to her. “Come sit, please.”

Elphaba, tortured by the memories of her past, sat next to Galinda with her arms still across her chest—soothing her own pain as she’d taught herself to do as a young child.

She could see Galinda looking at her from the corner of her eye, but her own stare focused on the ground.

“I’m not breaking up with you. I don’t want that,” Galinda finally clarified. “But… we do need to talk.”

Elphaba exhaled an anxiety filled breath. “Okay.”

Galinda reached for Elphaba’s hand, but never quite made contact. Her fingers flexed before she brought her hand back into her own body. “Are you okay? How do you feel?”

Elphaba shrugged. Physically she was fine, and that was all that mattered. “I’m well.”

Galinda sighed, “You lied to me…”

Elphaba shifted her jaw to hold back the emotions she knew she wasn’t ready to deal with. “I’m sorry. It was your big night and I didn’t want you to end it early for me.”

Galinda didn’t hesitate this time when she reached for Elphaba. She pulled her braids out of her face and let her thumb glide across the hinge of her jaw repeatedly. “Thank you for wanting me to enjoy my night, but you come first. Don’t lie to me about your reactions again.”

Elphaba nodded. “Okay, I won’t.”

“And…”

A pause.

Elphaba turned to look at Galinda because of the abrupt stop. “What?”

“I knew that the romper was making it worse for you, but you told me not to take it off… and I did anyway. I’m sorry for that.”

Elphaba recognized herself in the expression on Galinda’s face. She felt guilty when she shouldn’t. That was the difference between them. What Galinda did was to stop Elphaba from harming herself, but what Elphaba did only put Galinda through torture. Her reactions shouldn’t be Galinda’s responsibility and she didn’t want Galinda feeling guilty for trying to help her. “I’m not angry at you for taking it off. You were helping me and you were worried.”

“What do I do if that happens again?”

“It won’t because I won’t lie to you like that again.”

“But if it does?”

Elphaba could see the conflict in Galinda’s eyes. She must’ve beat herself up over this all night. Elphaba wanted to offer her some form of relief. It wasn’t often that Galinda needed reassurance from her, at least not this early in their relationship, so Elphaba didn’t waste any time giving it to her. “Then you take it off.”

What Galinda did wasn’t from a place of hatred and Elphaba knew that. It made her uncomfortable to be seen that way, but unfamiliarity is often uncomfortable.

And Galinda ensured that she was as cared for and as comfortable as she could be in the situation they were in.

“Okay,” Galinda nodded once, confidently. Back to herself. She took Elphaba’s hand in her own to kiss her knuckles. “See, talking about it doesn’t have to be scary.”

Elphaba smiled, filled with solace by how easy that really was. There was no screaming, no hitting, no insults towards things she couldn’t control, and no throwing things—completely unordinary and totally foreign… but so welcomed. “How are you? I’m sure that frightened you.”

Galinda slid her legs over Elphaba’s thighs to solidify some physical contact between them—a lifeline that has yet to fail them. “I always get scared when you react, even if it’s just something small. I’ll have to get used to it I suppose.”

Elphaba rested her hands on Galinda’s knees, feeling less exposed and no longer needing to cover herself. “My allergy isn’t fatal if that makes you less worried.”

“It doesn’t,” Galinda said, chuckling. “You should never be in pain.”

The warmth that resulted within Elphaba’s body colored her cheeks a deeper green. “Neither should you.”

Galinda scooted herself close enough to Elphaba to bring their lips together with a kiss.

“Elphie, I have one more suggestion. Just so that if something like that happens again, you’ll feel more comfortable with me.”

“What is it?”

Galinda wrapped her arms around Elphaba’s neck to twirl the curls at the base of her skull that’d slipped out of her braids. “What if we shower together? You’d get used to seeing me naked and being naked with me. It doesn’t have to be sexual.”

Elphaba smirked, “Not sexual, huh?”

Galinda shook her head, honestly. “I’m serious. We can just get used to being there with each other.”

Elphaba’s fingertips danced along Galinda’s upper thighs painting useless patterns on her bare skin. She didn’t understand how being unclothed together couldn’t be innately sexual. The idea that vulnerability existed in ways other than expressing tormented truths escaped her.

But what she did understand was that Galinda was trying to strengthen their relationship, and that was something she would always want to do. There wasn’t a thing she wouldn’t do to be closer to her, even if that meant trying a method she didn’t understand.

“You do know you shower with water, and I physically can’t, right?”

Galinda chuckled, “Yes, I know that. Show me what you do when you bathe.” She untangled herself from Elphaba and pulled her towards the bathroom.

“Okay, first I set all my oils out on the counter,” Elphaba said, grabbing two from the shelf above the toilet to set on the vast countertop. “Then I set out my towel and take my clothes off. That’s all really.”

Galinda bit her lip, surveying the scene curiously. “So, then you just rub the oil on and wait for it to dry?”

Elphaba shrugged, “Pretty much. Sometimes I exfoliate too, but yeah, it’s not very exciting.”

Galinda pulled Elphaba into her by the waist. “So? I’m not looking for excitement.” She pecked Elphaba’s cheek. “The bathroom’s big enough for us both, if you’re open to trying.”

“O-okay, but,” Elphaba started with a finger up, “if it’s weird, I’m running out.”

Galinda giggled into Elphaba’s chest. “You’re so dramatic—more than me!”

“Impossible,” Elphaba rebutted. “You literally refuse to wear any outfit without pink in it.”

“So! I’m particular!” She tossed her hair over her shoulder.

“You’re dramatic.”

“And you’re stuck with me!”

“I’m not stuck. I’m a willing participant,” Elphaba said wholeheartedly, losing Galinda’s joke. She never wanted there to be any confusion, not even jokingly, about how she felt about Galinda. It was a special kind of agony to not know how someone you love more than anything feels about you. If someone asked her right now how her sister felt about her, she wouldn’t be able to answer and that haunted her every single day.

Galinda smiled and adorably leaned her head to one side, staring at Elphaba who was in her arms happily.

“What?”

Elphaba’s confusion only fueled her enamored grin. Her dimple poked into her cheek and it seemed as if her eyes widened. Elphaba felt an influx of positivity even though she hadn’t a single clue why Galinda was staring at her. She was fairly certain there was nothing on her face and oddly enough she didn’t think she was repulsive to look at. A feeling she only felt for the first time when she met Galinda that night in the library.

“Nothing at all,” Galinda said, still smiling. Then she turned towards the shower to turn it on.

Elphaba decided to let her curiosity remain in that state. She didn’t press Galinda for an explanation; she was content to let the stare linger between them. Galinda had done nothing other than be kind to her and she trusted that this was no different.

While Galinda fumbled with the temperature for her shower, Elphaba brought towels for both of them. One small one, and two large ones. She set them neatly on the counter; the two for Galinda closest to the shower and the other for herself on the opposite side.

When she looked over to Galinda, she had already discarded the shirt. She took in the flawless figure of her girlfriend before her. The ease with which Galinda moved around the bathroom felt beautifully domestic. Galinda moved as if this was their normal—a routine they’d perfectly crafted just for them…

Perhaps it would be.

One day Elphaba wouldn’t be shocked to see Galinda in her natural state, preparing to cleanse herself in what she hoped would be their shared bathroom because she would have seen it so much it was habitual.

But right now, it was nothing less than extraordinary.

Galinda pulled her hair into a messy bun while she waited for the water to heat up. She finally turned around to see what Elphaba had been doing while she set up her shower. “Thanks for the towels.”

Elphaba, still clothed, and half lost in a lust that threatened to erase the damage her body image issues inflicted on her aching libido, continued to stare. She’d only ever known the feeling of fearing her desire, but the way she wanted Galinda wasn’t frightening at all. It was something so honest and unshielded that she didn’t even question when Galinda came into her space and took her thighs in the palms of her hands. Her touch stalled just under the hem of her t-shirt while her eyes asked for access to something Elphaba kept hidden from all eyes, her own included.

Galinda’s decisive fingers warmed Elphaba’s skin up to her hips, but Galinda’s eyes stayed on hers. She slid her hand across Elphaba’s lower stomach; the lower part of her palm gliding across curls she’d one day (this day) fall in love with.

Elphaba inhaled.

“Can I take it off?”

“We seem to keep having this conversation,” Elphaba said, joking to ease the anxious anticipation she felt being under Galinda’s considerate touch.

Galinda smiled, “I’m always gonna ask when we do something new.” With her left hand, she pulled Elphaba by the small of her back even closer to her; flesh to almost flesh. And with her right, she followed Elphaba’s hairs to her belly button.

“Y-you can do whatever you want,” Elphaba breathed out. She’d never held such intense eye contact in her life. She felt as though Galinda’s eyes had already done the work her hands were taking their time with.

“Kiss me,” Galinda whispered, leaning in, knowing that Elphaba would never deny her. She slotted her lips between Elphaba’s and tightened her hold around her waist.

Elphaba cupped Galinda’s cheeks to deepen what was already a heat filled exchange between them. She moaned into Galinda’s mouth as they continued to explore the bounds of each other’s mouths.

“Lift your arms,” Galinda said, pulling away.

Elphaba blinked, licked her lips, and raised her arms above her head. The eye contact that had felt so new to her a few seconds ago became something she couldn’t stop. Galinda’s eyes showed her reassurances that her mouth would never be able to convey. There was an intimacy in understanding how someone felt because of the way their eyes told on them. The under-appreciated speaker of one’s face and the most honest part of the entire body.

Galinda’s determined fingers moved up Elphaba’s stomach. “Six, huh? Show off,” Galinda joked with a wink. The vibration of Elphaba’s laugh shook her hands as she continued to traverse the expanse of her mid section.

As Galinda moved higher, Elphaba’s breath stopped without her even realizing it.

Then Galinda’s soothing voice filled her ears, “Breathe, baby.”

And so she did.

How Galinda managed to bring life to parts of her she’d long killed was a mystery Elphaba would never be able to solve. Galinda could heal wounds that were patched over with bandaids, temporary solutions, with a single sentence and a kiss to Elphaba’s temple.

Galinda cupped Elphaba’s breasts, but didn’t squeeze. She made no effort to sexualize the act they were currently sharing because that wasn’t her intention in touching Elphaba. After a few seconds of holding Elphaba, she did lift the shirt over her head, leaving them both uncovered in more ways than one. She mumbled, “You’re beautiful.”

“Thank you, you are too,” Elphaba responded.

The room started to fill with steam, but the open door made it so Elphaba’s skin didn’t become clammy.

“Can I help?” Galinda asked.

Overcome with Galinda’s gentleness, Elphaba offered something she would never offer another soul. “Oil my breasts?”

Galinda’s lips curved upwards. “Which one should I use?” She asked, pointing to the oils on the counter.

“Whichever. Choose a scent,” Elphaba said, relinquishing the last small piece of self-consciousness she felt.

Galinda squeezed the poppy scented oil onto her hands.

“Rub your hands together. Then rub it on me,” Elphaba directed. She pulled her braids behind her back and waited for Galinda’s hand to warm her body and cleanse her.

Galinda looked down at the glisten on her hands, satisfied with it. Then she placed her palms over Elphaba’s pointed nipples. Her breasts were the perfect handful for Galinda’s manicured fingers. She rubbed around in circular motions and spread the oil around Elphaba’s upper chest as well.

Elphaba took a satisfied breath. She hadn’t meant to moan when Galinda tugged on her nipples, but it slipped out.

“Too hard?”

She shook her head, unable to speak.

Galinda resumed the careful attention she was giving Elphaba’s breasts. She rubbed Elphaba’s nipples with the palm of her hand, and gave her one last squeeze.

Elphaba’s core began to clench around nothing which told her that Galinda had ignited something in her that would need to be stopped before it got too far.

But, God, how wonderful she felt with Galinda’s tender fingers tending to her.

She guided Galinda’s hands down her stomach, longing to feel her everywhere. And then she led them back up, over her breasts, and even higher up her chest.

Galinda relaxed her hands, letting Elphaba use them as she pleased. She let her guide them across her shoulder blades and up her neck.

Elphaba let out a quiet hum with low eyes. “You should probably take your shower.”

“I enjoy this much more,” Galinda teased.

“So do I, which is why we should stop… I didn’t put cream on,” Elphaba rebutted, still very obviously dripping with want.

Galinda groaned, “Fine, but tomorrow I want to do it fully.”

Elphaba smiled, “You can. I’ll be prepared.”

“Oh prepared, huh? I must be irresistible.”

Elphaba removed Galinda’s hands from her neck and stepped aside to lightly nudge her towards the shower. “Full of yourself, but yes, so sweet and definitely irresistible.”

“Mm sweet,” Galinda repeated, stepping inside of the shower.

“My sweet, yes.”

Galinda turned bright red in an instant. In her excitement, she stepped under the shower head rendering her unable to touch Elphaba again until she dried off fully. “Only yours.” Her voice was laced with a sultriness that went straight between Elphaba’s legs.

Elphaba dismissed her bashfully, “Focus on your shower!”

And Galinda did focus on her shower… for all of two minutes. Just enough time for her to get acclimated to the water and lather her towel up. Then she let her gaze drift back to Elphaba who was oiling the rest of her body. Galinda washed herself, only tearing her gaze away from Elphaba when she absolutely needed to, and being extra careful with the water.

Once they were done, Galinda sat on the edge of the bed, waiting for Elphaba to come out of the bathroom. She dried off her body thoroughly to ensure that she could touch Elphaba as much as she pleased without hurting her.

Elphaba came out to see Galinda sitting on her bed, legs spread, wiping at her already dry thighs. She stood between her legs, chuckling. “I think you’re good.”

“I have to be sure,” Galinda said, taking Elphaba by the thighs and planting a kiss on her stomach.

Elphaba smiled, tilting Galinda’s head up. “Thank you for caring.”

“You don’t have to thank me for that. It’s not hard to do.”

Elphaba looked deep into her eyes, trying to express how appreciative she was for Galinda’s attentiveness. “Yeah, I do. I want you to know that it means everything to me.”

“Well, you mean everything to me, so we’re even.”

Elphaba dropped her hand to Galinda’s jaw and leaned down slowly. She laid her lips against Galinda’s carefully, pouring every ounce of admiration and desire she had for Galinda into it. A boldness overcame her, “You said that the shower didn’t have to be sexual, but you didn’t say what came after didn’t have to be.”

Galinda, now leaning on her elbows, looked up at Elphaba. “Elphie… you’re sure? What about the cream?”

“I put it on in the bathroom, that’s what took so long.”

“You want to have sex?” Galinda asked bluntly.

“I-I want to touch you, but I’m not sure I’m ready to be touched back.”

Galinda nodded, “Okay, we can do that.” She scooted herself further across the bed so that she could lay comfortably. “Come here.”

Elphaba crawled on top of her, holding herself up just over Galinda’s body. “Is that weird?”

“Nope, it’s perfect for us right now,” Galinda said, confidently. “There are no rules on how we decide to be with each other.”

Elphaba leaned down to peck Galinda’s lips. “You’re good at that.”

“What?”

“Making me feel normal.”

Galinda’s arms snaked around Elphaba’s neck to keep their faces close. “Because you are normal, and perfect to me.”

“How do I start?”

“However feels natural to you,” Galinda said.

Elphaba placed another kiss on Galinda’s lips, lowering herself to her forearms and pressing into Galinda beneath her. She let her other arm rest on Galinda’s chest. Kissing Galinda felt like being rescued after being out at sea hopelessly for years. She only drifted aimlessly before Galinda, and now everything she did had a purpose.

She squeezed Galinda’s breast in her left hand and opened her mouth wider to deepen the kiss. She was convinced there wasn’t a single part of Galinda that wasn’t soft and comforting—every piece of skin she touched was softer than the one that came before it.

“Mm here,” Galinda said, turning her head away from Elphaba to encourage her to kiss her neck.

Elphaba kissed along the underside of Galinda’s jaw until she had no more left to kiss. Then she moved onto her neck while she let Galinda’s hand guide her downwards.

Galinda moaned when Elphaba’s lips locked around her neck. “Harder,” she moaned again.

Elphaba sucked Galinda’s flesh into her mouth.

“Y-yes, like that,” Galinda praised her.

Elphaba felt the warm flesh between Galinda’s legs and the pressure of Galinda’s hand pressing onto hers. She slipped her untrained fingers between Galinda’s lips and was met with a slickness she’d only ever felt between her own legs.

Galinda gasped when Elphaba’s fingers found her clit. “T-there!”

Elphaba lifted from Galinda’s neck to see how pleasantly aroused her girlfriend was. Her lips were swollen from their kissing and she was at least a full shade pinker than usual. Elphaba, however, wanted to see more. She lifted herself to straddle Galinda’s left leg while Galinda pulled the right one out to open herself up for Elphaba.

“Go faster,” Galinda directed.

Elphaba sped up the circles she made around Galinda’s clit, more than happy with the reaction she was getting. Galinda’s moans and the way she squirmed when the feeling was just right was the most sexy thing Elphaba had ever seen.

Galinda’s hand came over Elphaba’s again to lead her lower. She pushed Elphaba’s pointer finger to her entrance.

“Inside? Are you sure?” Elphaba asked, nervously.

“I’m so sure, go ahead,” Galinda reassured her with a lustful tilt in her voice.

When Elphaba’s finger entered Galinda, soaked and clenching, she wasn’t sure which of them gasped harder. She’d never felt something so inviting and blissfully warm.

“B-baby,” Galinda stuttered. “Add another,” she managed.

Elphaba, distracted entirely by how her finger disappeared inside of Galinda, pushed another finger inside of Galinda and felt how easily she expanded around the intrusion.

Galinda bit her lip and squeezed her own breasts, pinching her nipples in the process. With her other hand, she held Elphaba’s wrist to show her how to pump into her the way she liked. “C-curl your fingers upwards.”

As soon as Elphaba did, Galinda’s whole body spasmed.

“Are you okay?”

“Mmhm. It f-feels so good. G-go—go faster,” Galinda panted. She arched her back and rolled her hips as Elphaba’s fingers worked her.

“You’re so warm,” Elphaba verbally noted, more as an observation than dirty talk.

Galinda couldn’t respond. Her eyes rolled back and she let go of her breasts to wrap her fist around the cover beneath her. “Please, Elphie. F-faster!”

Elphaba used her free hand to hold Galinda still so she could thrust into her faster as she’d requested. She remembered to keep her fingers curled and watched curiously at how Galinda looked when she was close.

She wanted to memorize every single movement she made, so she’d know exactly how to please her in the future—if Galinda wanted her to.

Galinda’s free leg lifted higher as her stomach clenched and her mouth fell open. A loud moan escaped and her hand sprung out to catch Elphaba’s. She didn’t intend to stop her motions, only slow them for the aftershocks of her orgasm.

“You’re closing around my fingers,” Elphaba said while she still pumped.

“Because I just came on your hand,” Galinda clarified, pleasantly satisfied. Her legs closed, trapping Elphaba’s arm between her legs.

“Oh! So that was good then?”

Galinda chuckled and reached up to pull Elphaba into a quick, but heated kiss. She whispered into her mouth, “Yes, that was good. You’re a quick study.”

Elphaba pulled away, proud of herself for doing something out of her comfort zone that she really wanted to, and for being able to make Galinda happy. She slowly pulled her fingers out of Galinda, slowing even more when she groaned.

“How was it for you? Are you okay?” Galinda asked, once she was untangled from Elphaba and upright.

“I’m okay. A little buzz, but not too bad. Let’s get cleaned up,” she said, now standing with her hand outstretched for Galinda to take.

Galinda grinned and followed her back into the bathroom.

Elphaba dried the parts of herself that had become wet and reapplied the cream while Galinda decided to shower again.

This time, Elphaba wasn’t chased by anxiety. She didn’t mind that Galinda showered with the curtain open and watched her, nor was it uncomfortable for her to be naked in her view.

In fact, she was sure she was the one getting the better view between the two of them. She couldn’t help but mimic Galinda’s earlier actions of unashamedly staring at her girlfriend for absolutely no reason at all.

“What?” Galinda asked.

“Nothing at all,” Elphaba said, grinning.

———

Galinda scooted her head closer to Elphaba’s in a failed attempt to get more pillow space for herself. They were laying side by side, sharing one pillow—Elphaba’s pillow, despite the other four that were on the bed.

“Elphie, scoot overrrr! I don’t have any room,” Galinda whined and nudged Elphaba’s shoulder.

Elphaba, who up until now, had been ignoring Galinda’s movements because she told her before they started the movie to get her own pillow, continued to do so. She even started to whistle, just to emphasize how much she was not listening to Galinda.

“Elphie! Scoot,” Galinda tried again, this time poking Elphaba’s cheek. “Elphieeeeeee!”

But, of course, Elphaba couldn’t give in that easily. She sucked her cheeks in to hold back her laugh, and kept her eyes on the TV bolted to the wall in her bedroom.

“Fine, be that way,” Galinda pouted. Then she sat up and yanked the pillow from under Elphaba’s head. Her head fell flat on the bed with a soft thud, and Galinda placed the pillow under her own head nonchalantly.

“Galinda! Give me my pillow back,” Elphaba argued, reaching for her stolen pillow. “I told you it was too small to share, but you wanted to.”

Elphaba’s grabby hands locked onto the corners of the pillow, but Galinda flipped herself around and secured it between her own arms. “I wanted to shareeee! I didn’t think you’d take it all.”

“Unh-huh, give it back,” Elphaba said, yanking to no avail.

“No, it’s mine now,” Galinda countered, moving to a sitting position and pulling the pillow to her chest.

“You have a pink one! I bought it just for you,” Elphaba reminded her, grabbing the fluffy silk pillow that was on her side of the bed. This wasn’t their first time having this debate. Galinda was notorious for snatching anything of Elphaba’s she could get her hands on. She’d gone home on many occasions in Elphaba’s clothes after promising to bring them back, knowing she never would.

“But this one smells like youuuu,” Galinda justified.

“Too bad, it’s mine! Give it,” Elphaba said, starting a tug-of-war between the two of them.

Galinda giggled as she playfully fought her girlfriend for the pillow. “Elphie, stop it! Just use the other ones!”

Elphaba shoved Galinda down on her back and moved to straddle her for an advantage. “No, because you’ll take that too!”

Galinda rolled on her side and tried to crawl away with the pillow tucked under her, and Elphaba loosely trapping her.

Elphaba moved from Galinda to grab one of the other pillows, but when she turned back Galinda was trying to make her escape. She quickly grabbed her ankle before she got off the bed and dragged her back to the head of the bed.

“Give me my leg! Give me my leg,” Galinda shouted between laughs.

Elphaba couldn’t help but laugh with her. She truly was all the drama Elphaba could ever want in her life. “Give me my pillow and you can have your leg.”

Galinda sat up with her leg still being held hostage and smacked Elphaba on the top of the head with the pillow. “I don’t really need it, keep it! But this pillow is mine now!”

“Hey! Did you ju-” Elphaba grabbed another pillow and hit Galinda back. She released her leg to free up her other hand so she could continue her attack on her giggling girlfriend.

They were both on their knees now, pillows high in the air.

“We can solve this peacefully,” Elphaba offered.

“No way, I think you took one of my lashes off,” Galinda said, pretending to be angry. “This is war!” She went in for another hit, but Elphaba blocked it with her pillow.

Once Galinda’s pillow was down, Elphaba was left with the perfect opportunity. Only she miscalculated her own strength in comparison to Galinda’s… When she delivered the smack to her head, Galinda flew off the side of the bed.

Elphaba’s hand flew over her mouth to stifle her giggles. “My sweet? A-are you okay?” She stuttered between laughs.

Looking over the bed she saw Galinda sprawled out across the pile of laundry on the floor. Her laughter got the best of her and she erupted into a fit of giggles.

“Oh this is not funny! Come here,” Galinda said, pulling herself to her feet.

Elphaba jumped out of the bed and ran towards the living room. She saw Galinda out of the corner of her eye with a pillow in her hands. She could hardly contain her laughter; her stomach hurt from all the giggles. “O-okay G- You win,” she said, surrendering. “M-my stomach!”

No matter how hard she tried, she could not stop laughing so much that tears formed at the brim of her eyes.

“Elphie, lean over!”

“W-what?”

“Lean,” Galinda said, bending Elphaba at the waist. “Let the tears drop to the floor.”

So there Elphaba stood, in the middle of her apartment, bent over with a serious case of the giggles.

Once her laughing subsided, she was then blindsided by Galinda smacking her to the ground with the pillow. “Ha! Now I win!”

She’d started to laugh again, on the floor this time. She made sure to point her head downwards while her stomach squeezed with happiness. Before she could properly stand to retaliate, there was a knock at the door.

Galinda ran over to the door, sliding across the wooden floors in her socks.

Elphaba gathered herself and stood up to see who was there.

All the happiness she currently felt was pushed down to make room for dread that took its place…

“Father?”

Notes:

Even tho it isn’t explicitly stated to be a “lesson”, Elphaba definitely learned some things in this chapter, and made steps towards healing so I’m counting it! 😭

Also, probably gonna have smut in the next chapter! And knowing me, it’ll probably be very emotional 😭

And now Frex… ngl idk how reckless I’m gonna make him cuz I haven’t written the next chapter yet. I just wanted some drama lmfaooo