Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Glinda woke up with the sun warming her face. I can’t believe I forgot to close the curtains, she thought, mind still groggy, but then her brain wired up and something clicked. She opened her eyes quickly, wanting to make sure that it wasn’t all a dream. When she did, she found green eyes staring back at her: Elphaba, her Elphie. There, alive, face also covered by the sun.

“You’re really here, aren’t you?” She said with a raspy voice.

“Yes, as I keep reminding you.” Elphaba smiled. “Did you sleep well?”

“Oh, like I haven’t slept in years, Elphie.” She smiled as well. “You’re beautiful like this.”

“Like what?”

“With the sun in your face, it reminds me of when we were at Shiz.” She said, mind drifting away to memories, both real and the ones she saw in other worlds.

“Yeah, we did have a lot of sunlight in that room…” Elphaba said. “You’re beautiful like this too.” Although Elphaba’s words were kind, Glinda suddenly sat up with a terrified face.

“Oz, Elphie! I must be a poor sight right now! Last time I looked at myself, the situation was dire.” She ran her fingers through her golden locks, trying to make her messy hair presentable. Elphaba giggled.

“You look amazing, my sweet.” Elphaba moved so she could place a soft kiss on Galinda’s clothed back. She still wore the pink, torn gown.

After the overwhelming reunion, Elphaba and Glinda didn’t quite know what to do next. They wanted to talk about everything and nothing, to enjoy each other's touch, but what they did was all that the exhaustion allowed them: they lay in bed and fell asleep. Elphaba set the Grimmerie aside, took a cloth from above Glinda’s nightstand to clear the blood from her face, and that was it. The dry blood from her injuries was still covering other parts of her skin, but even so, Elphaba did find her beautiful, how could she not? But it did hurt to see Glinda like that, bruised and weak, all because of an attempt to bring her back. It stung. It was one more pain for her to carry, but knowing that she got there in time brought comfort. Her actions led someone she loved to put herself in danger, but this time she was able to avoid the worst. Her magic had done some good, finally. Saving Glinda didn’t atone for all, but maybe it meant that she would have been able to save Nessa too, if given the chance.

“You’re drifting away, love.” Glinda’s voice pulled Elphaba out of her thoughts.

“Sorry, it’s just… a lot.” Elphaba said, then she remembered. “And we also have some things to talk about later, after I take care of you.” Glinda still believed that she was there because of the spell, of course, and she couldn’t let the woman believe in a lie forever. She would tell her the truth and accept whatever reaction came from it. Elphaba had prepared for that, although she didn’t expect to find Glinda as she did. Knowing what Glinda went through thinking that she was saving her and then having to hear that she was alive all along… It wasn’t going to be an easy conversation, but she was tired of running away.

“Take care of me? I should be the one spoiling you!” She pouted. “But, to be honest, I do feel quite awful, Elphie. Everything stings.” She looked at the bloodied, torn fabric of her dress. “It’s crazy how I don’t even remember doing all of this.”

Elphaba sat up as well, taking Glinda’s hands and holding them softly.

“It’s not your fault, the Grimmerie… We can’t truly control what we do under its influence, powerful magic can cause more damage than good.” Elphaba said.

“But the good makes it worth it.” Glinda said and smiled. Magic brought her Elphie back, after all.

“Yes, maybe it does, my sweet.” Magic almost doomed Glinda, but also saved her. Should Elphaba be grateful for it? She knew this would be a question that would curse her mind as long as power ran through her veins.

…

Elphaba left the bathroom with everything she could find to help with Glinda’s wounds. Her love was still sitting in the bed, waiting for her.

“I think these will do…”

“Wait, I’m taking a shower first, I need to clean all this blood.” Glinda said, putting her feet on the ground. When she got up, she felt a slight dizziness. Elphaba dropped the supplies she carried on the bed and went to help the woman steady herself.

“You okay?” She asked, holding Glinda’s waist.

“Yeah… I guess all the enthusiasm made me forget how I’ve been lately.” She said, not quite wanting Elphaba to see her that way, but not being able to hide from her either.

“Don’t worry, you’ll be well soon, I’ll make sure of it.” Elphaba helped her into the bathroom, going slowly so Glinda wouldn't overdo it.

“Do you need help with the dress?” Elphaba asked when she released Glinda from her hold.

“Oh, I…” Glinda tried to reach the zipper on the back, but her joints ached as she did it. Elphaba noticed her pained wince and approached her again.

“Here, let me do it.” She unzipped the pink gown and started to undress Glinda carefully. Some bruises were sticky, attached to the fabric, and she made sure to avoid putting her into any more pain than she already was.

Elphaba left Glinda only in her underwear, a simple white matching set made of cotton. She crouched down to the floor and gestured so Glinda would raise her legs to get out of the dress, and she did, leaving the ruined thing discarded on the floor. When Elphaba rose up again, Glinda was avoiding her gaze, cheeks warming up. Elphaba noticed it.

“Do you want me to leave?” She asked, not looking at Glinda’s body.

“It’s not like you haven’t seen me before… This just isn’t how I expected our reunion to be… I have looked better.” She felt vulnerable, too vulnerable.

“I told you, you look beautiful, my sweet.” She paused, cupping Glinda’s face so she would meet her gaze. “I love you. I don’t expect you to look like anything other than how you already do. I just want to see you healthy again… You have no idea how good it feels to see you just as you are.”

“Aren’t you a charmer, Miss Elphaba?” She said with a soft chuckle, a way to mask all the emotions and insecurities that overwhelmed her, but the pink flush on her cheeks was something she couldn't hide. Elphaba just caressed them, feeling their warmth under her fingertips.

“So, do you want me to leave?” She asked again.

“Not really, just wait for me here. I’ll call you if I need any help scrubbing the blood or if I feel too dizzy.” Elphaba helped Glinda out of her underwear, and then watched as she entered the shower, noticing a dark purple bruise on her back that almost made her flinch.

Elphaba waited as Glinda showered, using the time to wash her face and brush her teeth with a spare toothbrush she found inside Glinda’s cabinet. She wondered how long it would take for her to be fully healed. Most cuts didn’t look deep, she believed some of them had been done by her nails, but there were deeper bruises. It almost looked like Glinda had grazed something that scratched her skin. It’s good that she doesn’t remember how she got them, she thought. The woman studied her reflection in the mirror. The time she had slept was enough to give her strength back, and, somehow, even after the shock and the effort to perform the spell, she already looked better than she did when she stared at herself back at the cabin. Although she was still broken in many ways, she didn’t feel disgust towards her own image, but something kinder: understanding, perhaps. A moist face with wet golden locks around it suddenly joined the reflection.

“Oh, we look cute together!” Glinda said, tying a pink towel around her body.

“Can’t argue with that.” She turned to face her. “Everything alright?”

“Yes… I’m still able to clean myself alone, at least.” Glinda said as she walked towards the door, leaving a trail of wet footprints on the floor. Elphaba followed her closely, making sure that she wouldn't fall if she lost her balance.

“Good, but it’s okay if you need help. You know that, right?” Elphaba said, and then it was time for Glinda to be the one to turn back and face her.

“Elphie, we’ve known each other for so long now, even if we haven’t always been on the same page… Don’t let that moment in the bathroom make you think that I don’t know how to act around you. I’m not scared to trust you… and I hope you feel the same.” She spoke with a seriousness that took Elphaba by surprise, and also made her guilty for not having been completely honest with Glinda yet, but she needed to make sure that the woman would at least be taken care of if she decided to send her away and tell her to never come back.

“I… I do, Glinda” And it was the truth.

“Good.” She said, and walked towards the wardrobe to open a drawer and put on a pair of panties, keeping the towel around her body. “So… how are we doing this exactly?”

“What?”

“You, tending to my wounds.”

“Oh, of course.” Elphaba grabbed the things she got from the bathroom earlier: an antiseptic solution and some cotton balls. “It will have to be enough for now.” She sat by the edge of the bed, and Glinda did the same, untying the towel from her body and using it to wrap her hair, ignoring the pain she felt with the movement.

“I feel sore and stiff all over.” she said.

“Too much magic can do that, but don’t worry, it will fade fast.” Elphaba examined her body, analyzing what every bruise needed. Glinda was beautiful as ever, but she didn’t let her mind wander. Elphaba moistened the cotton with the antiseptic and made sure to disinfect all wounds.

“Isn't that unnecessary since I just left the shower?” Glinda asked, following Elphaba’s movements with her eyes.

“I guess it depends on the kind of soap you use… In any case, it won’t hurt to be extra careful.”

“It does, a little.” Glinda said. Elphaba stopped and looked at the soft smile she had on her face.

“I’m sorry, Glinda. I’m trying to -”

“Hey, Elphie. It’s fine, really. It’s just a little sting, I’m not made of glass.” She giggled, amused by Elphaba's concern and tenderness.

“I know… but tell me if it’s too much, okay?” She asked before resuming her actions.

“Okay.” Glinda answered.

Elphaba continued paying individual attention to every wound. Luckily, her initial assessment was right. Most of them weren’t that deep, but she had scratches on her sides that tore beyond the skin. Glinda looked at Elphaba as she observed them.

“These will be very annoying to deal with. How do you think this even happened?” She asked Elphaba.

“I have no idea, it looks like you’ve scratched yourself… badly.”

Glinda looked around.

“I don’t think there’s anything here that could do this, unless…”

“Unless what?”

“Unless I had been dragged around, right? Let’s say, by the pull of a very strong force, like, hmmm, a tornado.” Glinda said while her face looked like she had just realized something amazing, but that she wouldn't share just yet.

“I… guess?” Elphaba thought it was odd for her mind to associate being dragged with a tornado, of all things, but it was a plausible option.

“You’re right, Elphie. Magic can be powerful, indeed.” She paused. “Is it done?”

“Well, more or less. I would like to bandage some of these up, just so they wouldn't be scraping on your clothes, but I couldn't find anything to use.”

“Yeah… I didn't really expect to need bandages, but I can ask the staff to get some when we go down for breakfast.

“We?” Elphaba asked.

“Yes, why not? They won’t say anything.” Elphaba’s heart ached as she remembered the article in the newspaper, full of gossip shared by people that seemed to work close to Glinda.

Glinda noticed Elphaba’s concerned look.

“I can go down first and tell them to leave me alone after they prepare the food, don’t worry.” She paused, having just realized something. “Oh, Elphie! I’m not really sure if it’s even time for breakfast, it must be the afternoon already!”

“Oh,” Elphaba remembered how she had left the camp early in the morning, but they couldn't have slept through the whole day. “You're probably right.”

“Oz! I had a meeting to attend, and with the governor of my hometown! This is career suicide. Someone should have woken me up!” She was truly distressed.

“Maybe there’s still time, although I don’t think you should be putting on those tight dresses with these bruises.”

“You’re right, maybe there’s still time…” Glinda rose from the bed. She grabbed her pink silky robe that was hanging at the bedframe and put it on, then she opened her drawer in search of the wrist clock she kept inside, but she froze when she found her most prized possessions: Elphaba’s green bottle and her pointy witch hat. The diary where she kept a record of her memories with the woman she loved was also there, to maybe be revisited one day.

“Oh, that’s right.” She said, setting her responsibilities aside for a moment. “I have some things that belonged - no, that belong to you, Elphie.”

“To me?” Elphaba didn't mind seeing Glinda change the subject, both because she really thought the woman should rest and because, selfishly, she just didn’t want her to go.

“Yes…” Glinda took both items from the drawer and walked towards Elphaba, handing them to her. “They kept me good company while you were, well…”

She didn’t finish her sentence, and a moment of silence passed between them. Elphaba took the hat and the bottle, while Glinda went back to quickly grab the clock and check the time.

“Humm, too late to go, but still early enough to politely reschedule for tomorrow. I'll get in touch with the governor’s office.” She turned back to Elphaba, who still held her old belongings in hand and looked at them as if they were ghosts. “Are you okay, Elphie?” Glinda asked gently.

“You kept them.” When Elphaba left the trapdoor, she knew Glinda had taken her things, because she looked around and couldn't find them. Still, she didn’t expect that she would have held on to them, which was probably a silly thought, since she knew how much the woman cared for her. Glinda approached her again and sat by her side.

“Of course I did. They were all I had left of you… I hope I haven’t damaged anything.”

“No, not at all.” Elphaba took a deep breath and met Glinda’s eyes. “Glinda, there’s something I must tell you.” She looked and sounded serious, and it worried Glinda. Was she upset with something? Was seeing what she had done to herself too disturbing, and now she wanted to leave? She knew her Elphie wasn’t one to let things be, to avoid conversations and confrontations, but she didn’t want her fantasy to end. As much as Glinda felt like the most joyful person alive, their reunion wasn’t happening as she expected. She certainly didn’t plan to spend her first hours with Elphaba after so long being patched up, making the woman worry about her health, and now, to have even this imperfect and yet perfect moment taken from her…

“Oh, and I’ll hear it gladly, Elphie, but I have to reschedule my meeting. It will be quick. You can wait here, I’ll bring some food back too, and then we can have some breakfast in bed!” She suddenly remembered the time. “I guess I should say lunch.” She smiled, shoving the rising anxiety down.

“I… Okay, but don’t you need my help? I don’t want you to hurt yourself.” Elphaba wanted to just say the truth already, throw it all out in the open and deal with the consequences, but she did want to get Glinda to eat something before, so she would simply have to swallow her guilt for a little longer. Being close to Glinda once more was some kind of new beginning, but she held in her hands the proof of her past self, as real as the woman sitting by her side. Glinda could be offering her a chance to start over, but she couldn’t dive into it as if the past didn’t exist. Right now, she deserves the truth more than I deserve her love, she thought.

“Don’t worry, Elphie. There’s people all over this palace. Also, maybe you’re right to be careful… We’ll have to discuss later how we are going to integrate you back into society!” She said the last part with too much enthusiasm. It would be another fun project, just like when they were roommates at Shiz, but if she thought back then that it would be difficult, now it would certainly be even worse. Now Elphaba wasn’t just seen as an unpopular girl, but as a witch, a terrorist, a dead terrorist. She would really have to bring her biggest assets to do what she once promised Elphaba that she wouldn't do: clear her name.

“I don’t really know if I’m ready for that.” She should have known that Glinda would want her to live a normal life, but there was a lot to consider, including her work in the woods. It would have to be another serious conversation to have, supposing that Glinda would still want to talk to her after hearing the truth.

“Then I’ll make sure that you will be, Elphie! But I really should go now.” She got up. “See? I’m getting better already, no more dizziness. You must have magical hands!” She said cheerfully.

“I just cleaned your injuries, Glinda.”

“Exactly my point, you should have been a doctor!” Glinda paused, her joyous expression shifting for a moment. “You will wait for me, right?” She said, lowering her voice to a more serious tone that was still tender, but held the remnants of an old fear.

“I’m not leaving you again, Glinda. Not if you don’t want me to.” Elphaba said, seeing right through her. Glinda smiled.

“Okay then. I won’t take long.” She walked towards the door carefully, as if really testing whether the dizziness would come back. When her hands reached the handle, she turned back and met Elphaba’s eyes. “Elphie, I really don’t want you to go.”

“Then I’ll stay.”

…

Glinda came back with a large, fancy tray filled with food. When she entered the room, struggling to handle the door, Elphaba got up and held the tray to help her. It had everything a person could need, and a large amount of it: grains, fruits, vegetables, pasta, fancy cheese, eggs… It looked as if Glinda had taken everything she could find. There were also two plates, cups filled with some kind of juice, and the required cutlery, all pieces made of the fanciest material.

“You can put it above the bed, Elphie. The sheets are dirty from all that blood, anyway.” Glinda said, closing the door. Elphaba did as Glinda suggested and sat where she had been before.

“I’m starving!” Glinda said, joining her. She took a plate and filled it up with a variety of food. “I didn’t bring any meat because you didn’t used to eat it, I don’t know if you’re okay with the eggs and the cheese…”

“I’m okay if the Animals are not being, you know…”

“Oh, it’s a completely ethical process, Elphie! It’s actually from a farm run by the Animals themselves, I keep a close eye on the working conditions.”

“Then it’s fine.” Elphaba took the other plate. She was starving as well. “Thank you, Glinda. Did you manage to reschedule the meeting?”

“Yes, the governor is a family friend, you know? We go back years, but he can be a harsh man. Luckily he was in a good mood. I just told him that I wasn't doing very well and we could meet tomorrow, first thing in the morning.” Glinda said as she started to eat with an appetite she hadn’t felt in months.

“That’s good, and are you really feeling okay to meet him tomorrow?” Elphaba did the same, finally giving her body the meal that it had needed for so long.

“Of course, I’m feeling better, way better. It’s mostly the pain now, and that isn't enough reason to stay away from duty. Oh, and I did ask the staff to get the bandages and also some medicine, they will bring it later.”

“Then I’ll patch you up when they do.” Elphaba said.

They spent the next minutes eating in silence, not because of some sort of awkwardness or lack of something to talk about. They were simply too engaged in emptying the tray with a voracity that would make an outsider think they had been starving, which wouldn't be too far from the truth. The few hours they spent together in bed were the first time since they departed that both women had finally slept peacefully, and now it was the same with the food, and they were fully aware of it, of how they needed that reunion to find any reason to do basic things that once came so easily. It probably wasn't healthy to need someone in order to be able to function, but it was less about needing to be together and more about needing to feel the weight of guilt and regret slowly leaving their shoulders. After all, they did spend years apart before, and it didn’t stop them from taking care of themselves, maybe because there was always the hope that they would meet again. Even so, Elphaba was still very aware of the conversation she would need to initiate as soon as they finished, and maybe things would soon derail again.

After they ate, Elphaba left the tray on the floor by the bed, at a safe distance so they wouldn't step on it by mistake. When she looked at Glinda, she noticed how the woman already seemed better, as if the food was already bringing her the strength her body needed.

“That was good.” Glinda said. “I’m full for days.” She added dramatically, taking a comb from her nightstand to fix her hair, which was already half dry.

“Me too…” Elphaba said, gathering all of her courage to prepare to see Glinda’s soft expression shift once she heard the truth. “So, about the conversation I mentioned earlier…” There was something inside of her that didn’t want to let her keep facing Glinda, but she fought it. She deserved to be looked in the eye.

“Yes?” Glinda’s heart raced, she didn’t know what to expect from Elphaba. Part of her wished that a full stomach would have distracted her from whatever she felt that needed to be said, but she also wasn't about to silence the woman whose voice she waited so long to hear again just because she was scared of a rejection or something worse. Glinda noticed how Elphaba shifted on the bed and fidgeted with her long nails, as if she was also worried about what she had to say.

“I have something to tell you, something to confess, and it’s not going to be easy to hear… or to say.” She felt as if Glinda’s gaze ripped right through her skin. She looked vulnerable again, almost scared. Elphaba continued, trying to be as kind as one could possibly be under such circumstances. “Maybe you will hate me when I’m done, and I’ll accept it if you do, even if that’s not what I want, of course. I just want to say before anything that I love you, I wasn’t lying when I said it earlier. It probably took me too long to realize it, and definitely too long to show and say it, but I do, and because I love you, I have to be honest, even if it breaks your heart, my sweet.”

Glinda was doing her best to keep herself calm. She was good at that, at pretending that everything was alright, at smiling even when it felt like there was no ground underneath her feet, but this was different. With Elphaba, it was always different. Their relationship was too real for her to be able to hide everything behind a fake smile. She still hadn’t been able to process everything that she had seen in those realities. It all felt too authentic, even if she knew it wasn't, and there were also her memories that until recently caused her so much pain, her regrets for not saving Elphaba, for everything that happened with Nessa and the aftermath of it… If she was to be honest, she also hadn't been able to process seeing Elphaba again either, even if it was something beautiful, everything that she wanted the most. Her mind was a mess, but Elphaba’s presence did ground her, even if it didn’t fix all that needed fixing, and she hoped she wouldn't lose it again. Glinda took a deep breath and kept herself silent, waiting for Elphaba to continue.

“The last time we saw each other, after I told you to hide and waited for the child to come to me…” Elphaba watched as Glinda furrowed her brows. She didn’t expect Elphaba to want to talk about that, of all things, but she supposed that it did make sense. “I had prepared for it. Not exactly for how things turned out… I never expected you to show up, and that did make things more difficult. I didn't want you to see any of that, or to have to live the aftermath of it, but still… I had a plan, and I executed it.” Elphaba kept looking at Glinda to make sure that the woman was following, even if she was unusually silent and seemed frozen in place. “I executed it perfectly… I hid… I hid inside a trapdoor, and I -” Before she could continue, she saw the change of expression that she feared so. Glinda looked as if she had been slapped in the face. Her mouth fell slightly open, and her eyes were big with shock.

“Are you saying… No, that can’t be right.” Glinda said with a softness that hurt Elphaba deeply. She didn’t sound angry… She sounded fragile, broken.

“I’m saying exactly that, Glinda… I escaped that day, and I made sure that everyone believed that I died, it was the only way… or at least that’s how it felt then, I would probably do things differently now, not that it matters.” Glinda didn’t say anything, so she kept talking. “Like I said, I didn’t expect you to show up, to see and hear all of that… It took me by surprise. If I’m being honest, seeing you almost made me give up, but I couldn't. The whole thing had blown out of proportion, they wanted to see me dead, so I gave them what they wanted under my own terms. If I simply ran away, I would have all of Oz looking for me forever, so I did it.”

“I… I don’t know what to say to that, Elphaba.” She looked at her hands, her nails in an irregular shape because of all the scratching and hurting she inflicted on her skin. “What am I supposed to say?” Suddenly, all the worries she had just a couple of minutes before dissipated. They all seemed too small, even childish. “You have been alive all along… I mean, you know the Wizard is gone and Morrible is in jail, right? I’m sure you have been keeping yourself informed, as you always did… I understand, but at the same time I don’t. You could have come back… you could have told me then, I would have helped you. It can’t be easy to do all of that alone… I don’t know what to feel.” Glinda spoke with a calm she didn’t know where it came from. She wasn’t angry, maybe because she had gone through too much exhaustion to feel anything that intense, she just felt… confused. She heard the words and understood them, but it didn’t feel like they were actually hitting her yet.

“I know, I do keep myself informed, but I don’t know… I have been working undercover, living in the woods and helping the Animals. I guess I didn’t feel like it was safe yet to come back… or maybe I was too scared to face you.” Elphaba knew there was something else she had to say, and she hoped that Glinda would understand it. She had been surprisingly kind so far, more than she should be. Maybe she had gotten used to hearing shocking news after so many years working for the Wizard, and also her time being a politician. “You mentioned being alone… I actually had some help… Fiyero’s help.” Glinda’s face shifted to something different, a different kind of hurt.

“Oh, I see.” Glinda said, fighting back the sudden urge to cry. Of course he was alive as well, and of course Elphaba would choose him, in the end. It wasn’t jealousy. She knew Elphaba never belonged to her or anyone, and that wasn’t an issue. It was a different kind of pain, the pain of believing that Elphaba may never have shared the same feeling she did, or believing that she did, but still chose to count on him instead of her, as if her love wasn’t enough, as if she wouldn't have the courage to risk it all for her… but how could Elphaba know she would have done it? And how could she let Elphaba know she would if Elphaba never mentioned her plan? “So, he lives too. I’m glad… he was a good friend.” She paused, looking at Elphaba while still holding her tears back.

“Yes, he’s changed, but alive.” She noticed Glinda furrowing her eyebrows again. “The only way I found to keep him from dying was through a spell… I meant to keep him from harm, but magic can be tricky… He turned into a scarecrow.”

“That’s… unexpected.” She wondered how a person could even live as a scarecrow, but as much as she cared for Fiyero, she was too selfish to think further about that after everything she had just heard. “I would have given you everything, you know? Maybe I didn’t when we were young, but that was years ago. If you had told me your plan, I wouldn't even think twice before helping you… but I guess I’m glad you haven’t been alone.” Like I have been, she thought, but it didn’t feel right to say it out loud and start an ugly and bitter discussion, things were complicated enough as it was.

“I know that now, but back then… I don’t know. I’ve always trusted you, Glinda, I hope you understand that, but you were away from me, living in this palace, working close to everyone who wanted me dead, and I know you didn’t want me dead, but Fiyero was there, he had already turned against the Wizard… It felt like a reasonable thing to do, and I know how this must sound awful. I’m not proud of what I’ve done, trust me, there hasn’t been a day in which I don’t regret not telling you.”

“And still, you haven’t thought about even sending me a letter? You didn’t have to show up here, you could have just given me a sign. Don’t tell me you think everyone is so focused on you to be keeping an eye out at all times? Trust me, people really believe you’re gone… as did I.”

“Glinda, if you don’t hate me already, you’ll hate me for saying this, but the truth is that I really thought you would be happier not knowing.” Glinda laughed, a pained laugh of disbelief.

“You thought I would be happier thinking the woman I love was dead? I’m sorry, Elphaba, but you’re smarter than that.” She let her tears fall, finally.

“Yes, I did. In fact, I truly believed it until yesterday, when I heard you hadn’t been well, and that’s why I came. I needed to check on you. You have the most important job in Oz, you live in a palace, you have everything a person could want… I was foolish, I thought that this was what you wanted, that you would maybe grieve a little, but then you would build a life for yourself, find someone else, and -”

“Find someone else?” Glinda decided that if Elphaba was allowing herself to be honest, then so would she. “Not all of us move on so quickly, Elphaba. When I said I loved you, I meant it, and I meant only you.”

“Is this about Fiyero? Glinda, he’s a scarecrow, and whatever he and I had once had was never even close to what we shared, you know that! I love you.” She couldn’t blame Glinda for doubting her feelings, but she wasn’t going to let that idea become a truth in her head. “Since that night we had, in this same room, it has only been you, and even before, when I was with Fiyero, it was also you in my thoughts. When I kissed you back then, the day I ran away from this city, it was the first kiss I ever had, and from that moment I knew I only wanted you, but things… they changed, and suddenly it felt like we would never be together again, but you have never left my heart, not once, not even when I was angry with you. You can hate me as much as you want, I can’t say I didn’t give you enough reasons, but that won’t make me love you less.” Elphaba felt her own eyes filling with tears. She just wanted to hold Glinda, to kiss her, but she knew that now her touch would probably not be welcomed.

“I would never hate you, Elphie. I love you too much, and I have hurt and failed you before as well, this is just… a lot.” She sniffed and wiped her tears. “You must be thinking this is just me being jealous, but it’s not that… I just thought I had given you enough reasons to trust me, but at the same time I was away from you, living here and yes, I know how it must have looked like, but I’m not that vain, you know?”

“I know, you have proved this to me repeatedly, and I did trust you. I trusted you to rule Oz, to do the work I could never do, and you have been doing it. This place is better because of you, the Animal’s lives are better because of you… In a sense, you had a part in the plan as well.”

“Oz, Elphie…” Her tears began to stop as she made the choice to trust Elphaba’s words. “This is a mess.” Elphaba wiped her own tears and let herself laugh at the madness of it all. Glinda was right, it was a mess.

“So… the spells never did anything, right?” Glinda said. “I should have known that my magic wasn’t that great.” She thought that changing the subject slightly would help more than insisting on old pains.

“I’m so sorry about that, Glinda. If I had known… The pain I have caused you… I’ll never forgive myself for that. I’m glad I got here when I did, that spell is not what it seems. The Grimmerie is full of riddles and inconsistencies, it would never have worked, not as you probably imagined. It doesn’t really bring anyone back or change the current reality, it only allows you to create new ones, relieve the past…”

“Oh… I guess I shouldn't have messed with things that are beyond my reach.”

“I wouldn't say they are beyond your reach, you did manage to use the spell as intended, it just… exhausted you, as it usually happens with this kind of magic. You can read the Grimmerie, you can travel through memories and different realities… that’s impressive. I can only imagine everything you have seen…”

“Thank you, Elphie. Maybe I’ll tell you one day, when I’m not mad at you anymore.” Glinda said, and she meant it.

“I would like that…” Elphaba said, and they shared a moment of silence, calming themselves, going over everything that had been said. Eventually, Elphaba rose from the bed and went inside the bathroom. Glinda watched as she entered and quickly came back.

“Here.” She handed Glinda a nail clipper. “I found it earlier when I was looking for the bandages. You should cut your nails, these rough edges may hurt you.” Glinda looked at her hands again. Elphaba was right, some of her nails were even broken.

“You’re right, they do look dire.” Glinda took it from Elphaba’s hand, not really minding when their hands touched. It was true, she could never hate her, but she also wasn’t going to pretend that everything was fine. She spent months depressed, feeling like her whole world had ended. She had too much to think about.

“Do you want me to do it?” Elphaba asked, sitting with her legs crossed in front of her.

Glinda didn’t have a reason to say no, so she nodded and handed the nail clipper back to Elphaba, who gently took her hands, still wet from tears, and carefully clipped her nails, evening them out and making sure they would grow in a nice shape if Glinda wanted to wear them long. They both stayed quiet, steadying their heartbeats and minds, enjoying how they could still share a moment together even with all the pain, and silently hoping that it wouldn't be the last one.

…

It was night. The sky was full of stars, and the moon was full, illuminating the woods. Elphaba flew above the trees, already lowering the broom so she could land at the camp. She wore her hat and carried her mother’s bottle inside her pocket, close to her heart.

Glinda needed space, and maybe so did she. A lot had happened in too little time, their whole lives had suddenly changed, as it usually happened every time they found each other, and there was much to think about: how to let go of the past, to learn to live without guilt and regret and move forward, hopefully together, at last. Elphaba, in particular, had a lot to consider. Should she just forget the woods and go back to living a full life? Would the people of Oz really allow her that?

She landed by the tents. The place was clear, with all the torches and the bonfires that kept it warmer lit up. It was also empty, as usual at that time. Few Animals traveled by night, when they showed up late, it usually meant an attack or another urgent matter. Inside the cabin was bright, probably Fiyero checking things at the office, as he commonly did before going to bed.

Elphaba moved towards it, carrying a weird feeling that the place that she had grown used to suddenly seemed completely foreign. The idea of spending another night in the cold and waking up to herbs and small fruits for breakfast was now something that caused discomfort. She thought about how little it took for her body to desire comfort again, just a couple of hours in Glinda’s room. But it wasn’t just that, it also felt strange to go back because she wasn’t the same person who had left, in a sense. She found and almost lost the person she loved in less than a day. She saw Glinda hurt, both inside and out, because of her, and it wasn’t something easy to carry around, but she also saw her smile… Her calm expression while she slept with the sun in her face… Things were never easy between them, there was always something to keep them apart. They were never allowed much time, but now, it was different. Now they could actually be together, when they were both ready. She felt truly alive, with all the happiness and sorrow that it entailed, and to be alive was to want, to hope, to imagine… Elphaba was filled with all of it, and she had no intention to bury it down and go back to the life she had been living. When she opened the door, Fiyero was already waiting for her.

“I saw you landing, very smooth. I told you it would come back to you.” He said.

“Yes, once a witch…” She closed the door and left her broom leaning against the wall, by the entrance.

“Nice hat, by the way. Very familiar.”

“It’s a long story.” She said, taking it off to look at it once more.

“One with a happy ending?” He teased.

“It isn't over yet, but I’ll tell you in the morning.” She moved towards her room, but turned around before entering it. “Did anything happen?”

“Nothing out of the ordinary… It may shock you, Elphaba, but the world doesn’t fall apart just because you finally decided to do something for yourself, for once.”

“I hope you’re right… Goodnight, Fiyero.”

“Goodnight, Elphaba. Sweet dreams.” He said.

That night, she dreamed that she was still a child, grabbing bugs in the garden and showing them to Nessa, giving their species names that were made up just so she would look intelligent, so her sister would admire her, and then they laughed and laughed and laughed about all the silly things that she couldn’t remember when she woke up in the morning, for they were secrets said in a language that only kids were allowed to hear. The bed was still rough and cold, but inside, she felt warm.

…

The camp was filling up as usual when Elphaba left her bed, and Fiyero was waiting for her in the office, adding new information to the board. She went through her morning routine and joined him.

“Good morning.” She said, already walking towards her desk. “There really isn't anything of concern?”

“No, I was just adding some new routes to the map, courtesy of those Crows that passed by yesterday.”

“Well, I’m glad they’ve decided to help.” She sat down, but her mind was elsewhere completely. She wondered whether Glinda had woken up already, if she had been taking care of her wounds…

“You don’t seem very focused today… So, are you going to tell me anything?” He said with a curious look.

“I… It was very different from what I expected.” Elphaba said, wondering how much she should allow herself to share, not because she didn’t trust Fiyero, but because she felt as if it was still too soon to put into words everything she was feeling and thinking.

“But good?” He asked, pulling a wooden chair and sitting close to her.

“Yes, just… messy, maybe?” She paused, but then decided to continue once she saw the look on his face and realized that he wouldn't settle for so little. “That whole thing about her being drunk… She was actually using magic, powerful magic. It was making her sick.” Fiyero faced her with a surprised look.

“Magic? Well, she did take a lot of lessons from Morrible when we were working for the Wizard, but she never shared much about it with me. I didn’t know she was powerful.”

“Yes, it surprised me as well… she used the Grimmerie.”

“So, your level of powerful?”

“I guess so, I don’t really know how to measure my own magic or anyone else’s.” Elphaba proceeded. “She was using a spell that was draining her strength and giving her all sorts of side effects… I was able to help her, but she is still recovering.” She said, the feeling of guilt slowly crawling under her skin.

“Poor Glin, but at least you got there in time.” Fiyero said with a sympathetic look. He did care for her.

“Yes… Then we talked, I told her the truth… She reacted better than I expected, but she was hurt, of course. Still is.”

“But did you have a fight?”

“No, not at all, it wasn’t like that. She just needs some time to process everything, we both do. You see, she only used the Grimmerie because of me.”

“I see.” He noticed how Elphaba seemed distant, with the expression her face usually held when she was overthinking. “You know, you two have gone through a lot already, I’m sure you’ll find a way to be together, and I’ll be rooting for you.” He said sincerely.

“Thank you, Fiyero. I hope so too… It’s weird. We are not estranged, quite the opposite. We both love each other, but I guess we just need to learn what to do with our feelings and find out where to go from here after everything that happened.”

“Yes… and if I know you, you’re probably drowning in guilt right now.”

“I don’t know. There’s guilt, but I also feel good about having gone there and told her the truth. I guess I’m trying to not let any bad feelings cloud my senses, as they have done before…” She said, remembering something. “You know, I had this beautiful dream with Nessa.” She said, with a faint smile forming on her lips.

“Oh, do you want to tell me about it?”

“It wasn’t anything big, you know? We were kids, and we were just playing and laughing, being silly… It’s the first time since she passed away that I had a good dream with her, not the usual nightmares.” Elphaba said.

“So, what does that mean? That you’re finally forgiving yourself?”

“Could be, or maybe it’s just a dream, nothing else.”

“Many such cases.” He said. “Still, I’m happy for you.”

Elphaba smiled and looked up, towards the board.

“Do you like being here? Doing this work, I mean.”

“It beats hanging on the field any day.” He joked, but then realized she meant it. “I care about the Animals too, Elphaba.”

“I know you do, but you don’t have to dedicate your life to something you don’t want because you think that you owe me, because you don’t.”

“Are you about to fire me?” He said, back to his usual demeanor.

“No, Fiyero. I’m saying that if you believe so much that I’m right in leaving these woods and finding something more to live for, then you should let yourself do the same. I’m not abandoning the camp or the Animals, no matter what happens with Glinda, but that doesn't mean hiding in here forever. Isn’t there anything you want to do?” She asked.

“I…” He stopped for a moment, searching for an answer. “I’m not sure, Elphaba. This body… I’m not sure if I know yet how to exist in it, and I try not to think about it too much. Force of habit, perhaps.” He smiled softly. “It’s difficult to think about what I want to do when I’m still figuring out what I can do, but thankfully Ozians are quite accepting of a scarecrow who can walk and talk… Green skin really seems to be where they draw the line.” He said, and Elphaba chuckled.

“Okay, then… but do let me know if you figure it out. I’m here for you too.” She said, squeezing his shoulder softly, to avoid messing up the straw.

“I know, Elphaba. I know.”

…

Glinda’s morning was eventful, as usual. She woke up still feeling sore, but her bruises were already looking much better. She went through her routine, making sure she looked pristine. Glinda wasn't unaware of the recent rumors about her that circulated among Emerald’s City finest. She knew they thought she was a drunk, and she feared that something like that could taint her reputation. Not because she actually cared about it at this point in her life, but because she still had a job to do. Elphaba lived, but her duty to her memory wasn’t something that could be simply put aside. Her love told her about the camp in the woods. It was commendable, but the power and influence that Glinda held was too relevant to jeopardize, she knew that. Politics were necessary, and there were very few people she knew that could be in her place and actually bring change, so she had to keep doing it. It was never pleasant or easy, but that morning in particular was harder to face than others.

Glinda had spent a whole day away from work, things had already piled up, and she couldn't give the people even more reason to doubt her commitment to Oz, so she had no option but to show up with a smile on her face, as if she didn’t wear bandages under her dress and as if her mind wasn't anywhere but there. She couldn’t stop thinking about the past day. Elphaba was alive, which was everything she ever wanted, but she was alive only because she fabricated a lie. Part of Glinda was more angry at herself than at Elphaba. They had spent months living together, they shared a bathroom. Glinda knew that Elphaba wasn’t sensitive to water, and yet she never questioned the event surrounding her death. Why would she? Elphaba had screamed and disappeared, with her hat left behind in a pool of water. It never crossed her mind that Elphaba could have come up with a plan. She was so taken by her emotions that she didn't let her mind wander and doubt. Also, she never imagined that Elphaba would keep something like that from her, even if they weren’t as close as she wished they were back then.

It was overwhelming to see her again and learn the harsh truth from her lips after months of grieving and self-hate. Her feelings were conflicted. She had loved Elphaba back then, and the feeling hadn’t changed, but she couldn’t lie to herself. It all stung as much as her bruises did. Glinda did understand why Elphaba did it, what pained her was the woman keeping the secret for so long, knowing that the people who could actually do her real harm were gone. Elphaba left for the woods after Glinda asked for some time alone, but before she did, she mentioned having a couple of Birds who worked closely with her, helping her to keep in touch with what happened in the city. Couldn't she have sent a letter through them? Something short, just to let Glinda know she was alive? No one noticed her both times she visited the palace. Couldn’t she have done it sooner? Was Elphaba really planning on never telling her? It was also difficult to believe that Elphaba had done it all so she could live a happy, perfect life. Did she really believe that Glinda’s feelings for her were that easy to shove down and forget? Her mind raced as she picked up the files that she was meant to present to the governor of Gillikin the day before, making sure that everything was right so she wouldn't give anyone one more reason to distrust her work.

…

The meeting with the governor went better than Glinda expected. Having friends in high places really paid off. The man was pleased to see her, bringing up memories of when she was just a shy kid who would always hide behind her mother when her parents visited his house. She apologized for the rescheduling, saying that she had been too unwell and it wouldn't be fair for him to hold a conversation with someone who wasn't in the best mindset for it, and he just said that he was glad that she was feeling better. Politically wise, things weren’t as easy at first. The man could be inflexible, and she needed approval to put in motion a set of projects that would implement the sewerage in the poorer regions around the Gillikin state, but some of the changes would require her people to work in areas that fell under the governor’s jurisdiction. Luckily, she was able to persuade him by saying how, in the long run, the project included an investment in local commerce, which would bring more people to the region, and he would have his share of profit with taxes from all the new residents and tourists. He left her office with a handshake, and she got the signatures she needed, but it didn’t feel half as rewarding as seeing Elphaba’s face after so many nights of despair. The rest of the morning went as usual, with more meetings, but with less important people who didn’t pose her a direct threat, but whose needs she had to appeal to if she wanted to maintain her position.

In the spare moments she found for herself, away from other politicians, staff, and guards, she reminisced about the moments with Elphaba: how the woman had that guilty look on her face when she took care of her bruises, how she handled her hands with such care while she clipped her nails… How she finally got to hear how I love you sounded coming from her lips. It felt as if every touch from Elphaba said I’m sorry, and she knew it to be true. They both shared a habit of making poor decisions and disappointing each other, but never past a point of no return. Glinda knew that Elphaba would never lie about loving her. She kept from saying it for so long for a reason, but her actions were confusing. Sure, Fiyero had been there for her, but it wasn’t as if he hadn’t been indirectly working for the Wizard as well. Were they so different? Maybe she meant what she said about Glinda having her part to play in the plan as well, and play it she did, fantastically so.

The truth was, no soreness that Glinda felt towards Elphaba was strong enough to keep her from wanting to be with her. She was hurt, but she ached for her. Glinda regretted asking her to leave the past day. It was true that she needed space, from a rational point of view, but her heart didn’t want it. She wanted to fall asleep alongside Elphaba again and wake up seeing the sun on her face once more, but it didn’t feel right to simply dive into what her heart wanted and ignore the side of her that was still trying to make sense of everything. She had spent months grieving someone who had chosen to leave her and then weeks drowning in illusions of bringing her back. Still, knowing that the woman was alive made every grievance feel so small, even if it probably shouldn't. Hadn’t Elphaba forgiven her for worse?

Glinda paced around her office. She recalled those moments they shared that only existed in her memory, all fabrications of her illusory magic and the Grimmerie’s spell, and how every time she woke up she wanted them all to be real. They would never be kids back at Shiz again, but they could finally create memories that weren’t just rushed kisses and touches in between moments of despair. Would it be so wrong to give in to what she really wanted, be naive, and follow her heart for once? Back then, she wanted to get in the broom. What good did it do to ignore her desires and not do so? She wondered if she was even capable of carrying one more regret without finally destroying herself.

Glinda noticed as a distressed-looking Pigeon landed at her office’s windowsill and held his gaze towards her, as if waiting for something. She walked towards her desk to grab a piece of paper and a pen while Elphaba’s words echoed in her mind like a prayer, louder than any of her doubts: I love you, I love you, I love you.

…

It was late afternoon when Elphaba landed on Glinda’s balcony. The sun was but a fading orange light in the cloudless sky, and the air was warm and heavy. She adjusted her clothes and her hair after coming down from the broom, making sure everything looked just right. She received Glinda’s letter with a level of excitement that her loyal feathered messenger wasn’t used to seeing. Elphaba expected Glinda to take at least a couple of days to contact her again. She told her exactly how she could do it, gave her faint descriptions of her agent’s appearances and their usual locations, and hoped that Glinda would make use of it, and how thankful she was that she did.

Dearest Elphie,

Do you know how difficult it is to make sense of my restless thoughts while your Bird friend is spying on me?

If you can and wish to, I’ll be at my room when the sun sets, and it would delight me if you could come to say hi. That is, if I haven’t scared you away. Don’t write back, I have taken a liking to uncertainty lately.

Yours truly,

Glinda.

P.S.: Do give the poor thing a vacation, he looks terrible.

Her handwriting hadn’t changed a thing: it was still flowery to an extent that would look fake coming from anyone else, but it had Glinda’s name written all over it. Elphaba kept the letter in her pocket to make sure that it was real: a secret and precious invitation.

Before Elphaba could approach the door, it opened suddenly, and Glinda came out of it wearing a light pink dress. It was long and it fit her body nicely, but it was made of a soft fabric, not pressing hard against her probably still sore skin, differently from her usual gowns. Her hair was completely down, not even a pin, and her face was freshly washed. The woman’s eyes grew wide when she saw Elphaba.

“Oh, Elphie! I didn’t expect you so soon.” She said. “I was just opening the door to let some air in, and Oz… I haven’t even done my hair, and my makeup, and -” Glinda said as she ran her hands through her golden locks, looking distressed. Elphaba giggled, amused by the sight of her and her usual flair, free from the hurt that clouded her eyes the past day.

“You look gorgeous, my sweet.” She noticed how Glinda’s bare face turned pink. She scanned Elphaba up and down. It was quick, but she noticed. Elphaba wasn’t wearing anything different from her usual: her long dark coat, and underneath a pair of pants that embodied her frame. It was made of a heavy fabric that looked like leather, always cold to the touch, and on top of it all, the hat. “Am I too early?” She asked.

Glinda looked up to the sky, noticing how the sun was already setting.

“Not at all, I must have lost track of time… Oh, Elphie.” She stood by the doorframe, dealing with a slight disappointment of seeing her plan not go as expected. “Will you come in?”

“Of course, Glinda.” She approached the door, and Glinda waited for her, so both of them would get inside together.

Glinda’s heart was beating so fast she swore Elphaba could hear it. The woman had gone over everything she had to say countless times, and yet, now that Elphaba was there, looking great and walking around with confidence, she felt less assured. It didn’t help that she wasn’t ready, feeling too bare, as if she had just gotten into war without anything to arm herself with. But it was her Elphie, after all. If there was anyone in the world she could let herself be this open with, it was her, and she had just seen her in an even more vulnerable state just the day before.

“I mean it.” Elphaba said.

“What?” Glinda was pulled from her thoughts.

“I mean that you look gorgeous.” She said with a dangerous look in her eyes.

“Oh, Miss Elphaba! Don’t look at me like that, I called you here so we could talk.” She said, trying to hide a flush and a treacherous smile.

“Of course, my sweet. I don’t know what gave you the idea that I’m here for anything other than that.” Elphaba said with a smirk, happy that they seemed to be back to the banter they used to have before everything that happened, but she wasn’t foolish. She knew that there was much to be discussed yet. Still, it felt good seeing Glinda react like that at something she said.

“So…” Glinda sat at the edge of her bed. “You’re not going to stay in the woods forever, will you?”

Elphaba didn’t move, waiting to see where the conversation would go before approaching Glinda. She had asked for space just the day before, after all.

“Is this about making me a functional member of Ozian society?” She asked.

“Well, yes.” Glinda paused, she had prepared for this. “Look, Elphie. You’re alive, that’s a fact, and you deserve to come and go as you please, you can’t hide forever.” Her voice was filled with compassion. “These people don’t deserve you, that’s true, but it isn’t about them. You’re so smart, talented… it’s not right for you to just… disappear.”

“These people marched singing about how much they wanted to kill me not even a year ago, Glinda.”

“As I said, they don’t deserve you, but one thing you learn as a politician is that they can change their minds very quickly, Elphie. At first, there was so much resistance towards my position. Sure, a lot of people already looked up at me, but they didn’t necessarily believe I had what it took to rule Oz, but a couple of speeches and smiles, and there it was! They love me! At least for now…” She noticed how Elphaba seemed unappeased. “My point is that, just like they loved the Wizard, then me, they could love you too, it doesn’t take much. So much happens all the time… Soon, everything that happened those days will only be a faint memory to them. You can have a normal life, Elphie.”

“Glinda, I never had a normal life, and that was before I was The Wicked Witch of the West. I appreciate your concern, and I understand your point, but what you want will not happen.” Elphaba said.

“Listen, Elphie. I’m not telling you to give a speech or something like that. We would start slow. People already know about the Wizard’s misdeeds, they know Morrible is in jail for the part she had in everything… If the Ozians know that those two were wrong and that you opposed them, then that can only mean that you were the one fighting for goodness all along! I could start by doing what you asked me not to do: clearing your name, telling them how you were actually fighting for everything our new government stands for, and then, when they feel comfortable with the idea, and you as well, you can try to show yourself in public, like at events, in a controlled environment. You won’t be alone, of course. I’ll be with you.” Glinda said, words coming out of her mouth faster than she planned.

“So your plan is to manipulate the people of Oz, and then go on dates with me?” She said, crossing her arms and finally approaching Glinda.

“I didn’t say any of that!” Glinda said with a pout. “Sharing the truth is not manipulation.”

“You forgot to deny the date part.” Elphaba found Glinda’s irritation amusing.

“Oz, what’s with you today? Did you drink something before coming here?” Glinda asked. “This is serious, Elphie.”

“Glinda, I know it is… it’s just…” She sat down by Glinda's side, but still kept some distance. “What difference does it make if they accept me or forgive me? Why is any of that important for you?

“Why? Elphie, I don’t want people to keep thinking that you’re some kind of monster. Do you know how many awful things I’ve heard about you these past months? And do you have any idea of how much it hurts? I never said anything, never even looked the other way, and that’s because I would never break my promise to you, but now it’s different. I want them to see you for who you are, and I want you to live a full life, and I want to…” She stopped to take a deep breath.

“To…?” Elphaba said, looking gently into Glinda’s hesitant eyes. “You can say it, my sweet. I won’t run away, never again.”

“I… I want to be part of it, of your life. That is, if you would like that. But it cannot happen like this, having these secret meetings, hearing people curse your name, pretending that I don’t have all of these feelings inside me... I want to be with you, finally. I don’t care that you lied to me. I’m not going to pretend it’s okay, but it seems so small, close to the joy of having you again…” Treacherous tears coated her eyes. “Oh, Elphie. I love you too much, I always have, since that ridiculous first time I saw you and made a fool of myself… Would you stay?” She could barely hear her own words, her body too aware that this was it, the moment that could change everything.

Elphaba gave her a smile so sweet that she could be the one to actually melt. It was large, teeth and all. Then, she got closer, till their sides were touching. Glinda tried to hide a shiver when she felt the heavy fabric of Elphaba’s coat against her naked arms, but Elphaba noticed it anyway. She took Glinda’s hand in hers, feeling how it trembled slightly.

“Glinda, I only left yesterday because you asked me to. You have been the only thing in my thoughts since then. I wondered when you would want to see me again, and I thought it would take so long… I wasn’t sure if you would ever want to be with me, even with all the love we share.”

“Trust me, Elphie. I did wonder about it, but it didn’t feel right to shove my true feelings aside just to insist on an anger that isn't there, and whatever hurt I still hold is something that only you can heal, I’m afraid.” She chuckled, and a tear fell from her eyes. “Oh, you would laugh at me if I told you all the silly things I think about when I imagine the two of us finally together, I’m worse than a delusional teenager.” She wiped away the lone tear.

“What? You think about us getting married, having five kids, and living here until we get weak and old?” Elphaba said, caressing her hand, which was slowly steadying.

“Oh, Elphie. Don’t flatter yourself.” Glinda laughed, for it wasn’t far from the truth. “Five seems excessive.”

“Whatever you say, princess.” Elphaba noticed the sudden change in Glinda's expression. She almost froze in place, cheeks even more flushed than they had been before. She could swear her breathing had found a new rhythm right then.

“Everything alright?” Elphaba asked with a grin on her lips.

“Oh, Elphie…” She hesitated for a brief moment. “You know, when I was traveling between realities, or however you want to call them, you - a version of you, called me exactly that once.” The flush in her cheeks spread through her collarbone. Remembering that brought back other memories and feelings.

“Really? And did you like it?” Elphaba teased, her grin turning into a dangerous smile.

“I…” Glinda paused, trying to ignore the heat that was taking over her body. Their conversation wasn’t over yet. “Must I answer that?” She pouted.

“No, there are always other ways I can find out.” Elphaba said smoothly, and Glinda did her best to not look too desperate.

“Oh, Elphie. You’re too silly.” Glinda said, pretending she wasn’t affected by it.

“But it works on you, so I have to say you’re the silly one, my sweet.” Elphaba closed the distance between them, her breath warming Glinda’s face. “Can I kiss you?”

“Wait, Elphie.” Elphaba stayed put, looking her in the eyes. “I can’t do this without an answer. Will you stay? I mean, really stay… be together?” She asked, almost whispering.

Elphaba remembered how it felt weird coming back to the woods, like she should be somewhere else. She didn’t have to choose between Glinda and helping the Animals, not anymore. Both of them had the same goal, through their own means, and a love that was too rare to let go.

“I told you, Glinda. I’m not running away. Yes, I’ll stay, and I’ll indulge your plan to salvage my reputation… but in my own terms, and in my own time, okay?” She cupped Glinda’s warm cheek.

“Of course, Elphie.” She smiled. “That’s all I wanted.”

“So, can I kiss you now, princess?” Elphaba said, putting an extra flair into the pet name.

“Yes, Elphie. Always.” She whispered, feeling her body aching for more than just a kiss.

Elphaba met her lips. It was familiar now, they knew how each other's skin felt under the touch, how their mouths tasted, but it still caused the same amazement as their first kiss, which was merely a rushed graze of lips, so many lives ago. Both women knew each other too well and wanted too much, so they didn’t take their time. They had a whole life ahead for that. They gave in to the burning desire, turning the kiss into a hot meeting of tongues and soft moans. Elphaba felt how Glinda tried to get closer, brushing their legs together, so she moved her hands to Glinda’s waist and pulled her body into her lap in a quick and effortless motion that made the other woman whine.

“Oz, Elphie…” Glinda said, breathless, feeling the wetness that started to pour as soon as she saw Elphaba in her balcony coating her panties. She tried to get her thoughts together while Elphaba buried her warm mouth on her neck. “You know… in a sense, the spell did work.” She said, using the advantage of her position to take Elphaba’s hat off and throw it in the same bed where she had spent so many nights holding it against her nose. Her words distracted Elphaba, who met her eyes.

“What do you mean, my love?” Elphaba asked, her voice revealing her desire as much as the rest of her body.

“I mean that you did come back to me.” Glinda said, smiling brightly. “Maybe not as I expected, but you did.” Before Elphaba could respond, it was her turn to capture her green lips, kissing her deeply as she slowly rocked her hips, trying to get some of the tension out by rubbing against Elphaba’s thighs. She moaned once Elphaba took control, biting her lower lip softly and lifting one of her legs slightly so Glinda could grind against it easier.

“Oh, Elphie…” She moaned once their lips parted, lowering her head so she could spread kisses around Elphaba’s neck and the area of her collarbone that was exposed. “I missed you so much, my love.” She said with a breathless voice. “I’m not going to last long.”

Elphaba raised Glinda so she could pull her dress’s skirt to her waist, and she heard the woman whimper in frustration with the loss of contact. The sight of Glinda’s uncovered legs and her moist lace panties that barely hid anything made her throb, but she ignored it for now, she wanted to feel Glinda falling apart in her hold.

“Please, Elphie.” Glinda pleaded, consumed by frustration while all of her senses were overtaken by the need to be taken over the edge.

“Shhh, I got you. Let me just…” Elphaba started to pull Glinda’s panties down, almost moaning at the sight of her pussy. She was drenched, and there was a string of wetness that held on to the fabric as she pulled it down, challenging her to taste it. “Is this all for me, love?”

“Yes, Elphie. Just for you.” She looked down, noticing how Elphaba couldn’t take her eyes off her throbbing pussy. The sight of Elphaba’s desire was making her even wetter. She could feel her walls changing around nothing in desperation.

In a rush, Elphaba pulled the fabric with a little more strength, and the thin waistband ripped.

“Oh… Sorry, Glinda.” Elphaba said, not looking very sorry at all. She glanced up to meet Glinda’s wanting eyes.

“That was so fucking hot, Elphaba Thropp.” She pulled her into a kiss and lowered her body again, pulling the remaining part of her underwear to the side.

Glinda closed her eyes, overwhelmed with pleasure. She felt as Elphaba moved her hands to her hips, guiding her movements. The feeling of her clit against the texture of Elphaba’s leatherlike pants was perfect. She moved easily against the fabric, which was already coated in her wetness, letting her body take all that it could get.

“That’s it, you’re so good, princess…” Elphaba said breathlessly, and Glinda whined with the praise, burying her head on the woman's neck and feeling her orgasm approaching. “Such a good girl for me.” Glinda came with a broken moan, her whole body shaking. She felt Elphaba’s arms around her, holding her tightly as she trembled. They stayed like that until Glinda came down from her high, slowly moving to face Elphaba.

“Hey, you.” Elphaba said with a soft smile on her face. “Was that good?”

“Amazing, Elphie.” Glinda held her forehead against Elphaba’s. “I can’t believe I can feel your touch again.” She said, feeling her heart full.

“I’ve barely touched you, my sweet.” Elphaba grinned, feeling like the luckiest person in Oz just by having the woman she loved like this, completely unfolded in her arms. “I want to taste you. Can I?” She asked, feeling Glinda’s body shift slightly as she said it.

“You are planning on letting me touch you tonight, right?” Glinda pouted, separating their foreheads.

“Of course, Glinda.” Elphaba said, biting her lip as the memories of the first and last time they had sex sent shivers straight to her core. “But I have a lot to atone for, don’t you agree?” She said with a smirk on her face.

“Hmmm, I guess you’re right.” Glinda said, getting up from Elphaba’s lap, her legs still feeling weak from her orgasm. “Although I do want to see you.”

Elphaba stood up as well, facing Glinda. She unbuttoned her long coat and let it fall on the ground. Glinda followed her movements with wide eyes. Underneath the coat she wore just a black tank top that clung to her shape, leaving little to the imagination. Her arms were surprisingly toned for someone so skinny.

“Oh…” Was all that Glinda managed to say. “Were you like this the last time we were together?”

“You mean my shape?” Elphaba chuckled, surprised that Glinda thought that she looked fit, considering how poorly she had been taking care of herself in the past months. “Probably better, it’s a shame we never turned on the lights”

“Don’t say that, Elphie. It was perfect.” Her memories from that night started overlapping with other memories, from another life. “You want to know something funny?” She asked while Elphaba unbuttoned her pants.

“What?”

“In one of those realities I… well, we had sex.” Elphaba paused her movements and looked at Glinda, very interested.

“Oh, that’s unexpected.” She said.

“Is it? I thought it was probably something common…”

“I mean, it’s not like we have that much information about people who have used the spell in the first place, and not everyone would be comfortable sharing moments like that.”

“You’re probably right… I was just remembering because it was back at Shiz, and when I woke up I kept thinking about how I wished we had really been together then… I know it’s silly, but still…

“It’s not silly, Glinda.” She cupped her face. “I think about it often, too. About how much time we lost bickering, although that was mostly your fault.” Elphaba said, raising her brows.

“Can’t deny that.” Glinda said, remembering her teenage foolishness. She took a deep breath. “You want to know something even funnier? In the dream - I mean, reality, I was this experienced person, and you were, like… learning. But in truth…” She hesitated.

“In truth…?” Elphaba said. “You know you can tell me anything, right?”

“I know… In truth, you’re the only person I have ever been with. Sexually, at least.” Glinda said, regretting it the moment the words left her mouth, because she knew that knowing it would shift Elphaba’s whole perspective about the memories of that night.

“You… really?” Elphaba asked, she seemed surprised. “I would never have guessed… You should have told me, I would never have left you like that, and -”

“Elphie, don’t. I’m tired of regrets, both mine and yours. But I have to say I’m proud that you didn’t notice. I thought I was too desperate.”

“Well, you were, but that’s not something bad.” Elphaba kissed her cheek. “It’s not like I’m the most experienced person either. I wish I could say that you were my first time. Being with someone you love is just… different.”

“Yeah… I wonder… Do you think those realities just cease to exist without me there, or do they have a life of their own? What if there are Galindas and Elphabas together just like we are now, but somewhere else?”

“I don’t know, Glinda, I don’t think so… Other worlds? Yes, but how can a person exist in two different places?”

“Maybe not a person, but a manifestation of them, a feeling, a shadow… but I guess you’re right.” Glinda said, leaving her doubts aside to focus on the gorgeous woman right in front of her. “Sorry for the digression, Elphie. You were just about to get naked for me, right?” She asked, pulling Elphaba by the waistband of her pants.

“Now you’re feeling bossy?” Elphaba asked with a smirk in her lips.

“Elphaba, I rule this land. I am bossy.” She saw Elphaba raise an eyebrow. “You just get to see my vulnerable side as well. You’re welcome, by the way.”

Elphaba took off her pants and boots, and Glinda helped her with the tank top. She stood only in her black panties, and Glinda let herself admire her full body, something she wasn't able to do the first time they were together, both because of the dark and because they never fully undressed.

“You’re so beautiful, Elphie.” She said, cupping Elphaba’s breasts and pressing her hard nipples with her thumbs.

Elphaba’s hands went to the straps of Glinda’s dress, pulling them from her shoulders. When she uncovered the woman's torso and noticed the bandages around her waist, her face changed to a concerned expression.

“Oz, Glinda, I completely forgot. Did I hurt you earlier?” She asked almost desperately, looking around to see if there were any bloodmarks in the fabric.

“What? No, I didn’t feel anything at all.” Glinda answered. “To be honest, I had completely forgotten about it.”

“Can I check, just to make sure it’s alright?” Elphaba asked.

“I guess…” She said, trying to ignore her renewed arousal. She knew that Elphaba wouldn't want to keep going without making sure that she was okay first.

“I see the cuts have healed.” Elphaba said, checking her arms.

“They have?” Glinda looked at them as well. “Oh, I guess they have. They did look way better in the morning, still…” Although they were only nail scratches, she found it weird that they didn’t leave even a faint scar. The only one remaining was the one on her face, caused by the fall.

Elphaba started to remove the bandage, and once she did, she looked startled. The ugly scratches had disappeared. She turned Glinda around, holding her by the waist, and the same had happened to the purple bruise she had on her back.

“That’s… unusual." Elphaba said. “Was it like this in the morning?”

“I mean, I didn’t check my back, but everything else was still there, although it looked much better already.” Glinda noticed how Elphaba had her forehead frowned, trying to make sense of it all. “What’s on your mind?” She asked.

“I’m just trying to find an explanation, that’s all.”

“You know, I don’t even believe all of those were real, at least not the ones on my sides.” Glinda said, already anticipating Elphaba’s curiosity.

“What do you mean by real?”

“To keep it short, something happened in one of the realities that would explain the bruises, I think they may have manifested in my body when I came back, but then they disappeared.”

“Is this why you asked about a tornado yesterday?”

“Exacly, it all sounds crazy, I know.”

“Well, it does… but magic can be quite nonsensical at times…” Elphaba kept it to herself so she wouldn't sound arrogant, but she did wonder whether her magic could have played a part in healing the wounds. She was used to helping injured Animals, after all.

“I mean, that’s good news, and I think we should stop losing time now.” Glinda removed the rest of her dress, the remaining part of her panties, and her heels, leaving them on the floor with Elphaba’s clothes.

“So, what does your atonement look like, Elphie?” Glinda asked mischievously.

Elphaba was still curious about Glinda’s magical healing and everything that it could possibly mean, but all her questions faded when she saw Glinda fully naked in front of her. Elphaba took her by the hand and guided her to sit back at the edge of the bed. Glinda waited anxiously for Elphaba’s next step, feeling the anticipation heightening her desire.

“Open your legs for me, love.” Elphaba said, and Glinda obeyed promptly, leaving her swollen clit and her wet folds exposed. When Elphaba dropped to her knees between her legs, Glinda could swear she stopped breathing.

Their gazes met for a moment, asking and giving permission, and Elphaba buried her face in Glinda’s pussy, drowning in the smell and in the taste of it. Glinda fought to keep her eyes open and watch as Elphaba moved her tongue just right through her folds, drawing moans from her lips. She brought one hand to Elphaba’s braids, putting them together to hold as a ponytail, and kept the other one against the bed to support her weight.

Elphaba looked up, straight into Glinda’s eyes, gave her a long lick, from slit to clit, and her lover's head fell back. Elphaba had to hold on to her trembling thighs to keep her body in place.

“Elphie…” Glinda closed her eyes and let herself be completely taken. She felt as Elphaba pushed her tongue inside her opening and heard the lewd sound of her swallowing the wetness that poured from it. “I’m so close, Elphie.” She managed to say in between moans.

When Elphaba moved her tongue up and started focusing on her clit, Glinda’s back arched, and Elphaba’s hold was the only thing that kept her legs in place as she came with a high-pitched sound that the palace staff had most certainly heard. Elphaba kept licking and sucking until Glinda was almost on the verge of tears, then she slowly retreated and crawled above her, leaving a trail of soft, wet kisses on the path from Glinda’s pussy to her mouth, taking her time to taste every bit of skin she found on the way. Glinda’s eyes were still shut when she went from her neck to her slightly open mouth.

“You’re okay?” She asked after kissing Glinda’s lips, her mouth and chin still glistening with the woman's arousal. Glinda smiled and nodded, slowly opening her eyes to face Elphaba.

“I love you so much.” Glinda said, cupping Elphaba’s face. “So, so much”. She captured her lips in a deep kiss, tasting herself on her tongue. “Please, never let go of me.” She said when their mouths parted, eyes still teary from both her strong orgasm and the emotion of being in the arms of the woman she loved.

“I won't, my sweet. Not for as long as you want me.” Elphaba said, with a soft smile on her face. Her eyes were also full of emotion. She didn’t want to ever be anywhere else but by Glinda’s side.

“I’ll want you forever. You know that, right?” Glinda said with a sweet grin on her face.

“Then I’ll never leave.” Elphaba kissed Glinda’s neck, and she could feel herself start to want her touch again. After everything, all the longing and the grief, Glinda couldn't get enough, but she also had other ideas roaming through her head.

“Elphie?” Glinda asked, already melting on Elphaba’s arms.

“Yes, love?” Elphaba said, words muffled against Glinda’s skin.

“I want… I want to taste you too.” She said, biting her lip to suppress a moan.

“Now?” Elphaba asked, pausing her kisses.

“Yes, please.” Glinda said, eyes dark with anticipation. “I want you to sit on my face.” She added, face blushing.

“Oh.” Elphaba had a wicked smile on her lips. “Is this your bossy side showing up again?”

“This is my side that really wants to fuck you, Elphie.” She replied. “So… is that something you would like?” She asked, heart racing to hear a yes.

Elphaba answered by grabbing one of Glinda’s fancy pillows and putting it carefully under Glinda’s head.

“There, so you’ll be more comfortable.” She said, and Glinda bit her lower lip. “Can I move up?” She asked, and Glinda just nodded.

Elphaba took her panties out and threw them on the floor, and Glinda felt her pussy throb at the sight. When she moved up and positioned herself above Glinda’s mouth, she looked into her lover's eyes before lowering her body, as if she was waiting for permission, but Glinda was too distracted by the sight and the smell of Elphaba’s glistening pussy to return the gaze. She moved her arms to Elphaba’s legs and lowered the woman herself, kissing and nibbling at her thighs. Elphaba responded with a gasp of surprise that turned into soft whines as soon as Glinda’s lips got closer to her aching pussy, her warm breath already touching her folds.

Before burying her face where she wanted the most, Glinda finally looked up, and she couldn't decide whether Elphaba’s eyes full of desire or her breasts hanging right above her were a more pleasurable sight. She moved her hands to Elphaba’s ass, adjusting her position so the woman would be right where she needed her, and gave a wet kiss to her clit without breaking their eye contact. Elphaba’s body jerked at the sudden touch. She closed her green eyes and brought her hands to her own breasts, which made Glinda moan against her core, sending vibrations through her folds.

Glinda moved her mouth like she was starving, tasting every bit of flesh she could and drinking every drop of cream that Elphaba fed her. She kept looking at the woman she loved, seeing her twisting dark green nipples around her fingertips, and how she wanted to be the one to do it. Glinda wanted to be able to touch all of her body at once, bring her to the edge over and over again, let her feel how much she desired her, how much she loved her, and how she would give her anything, everything. She closed her own eyes, letting herself drown in the taste and smell of Elphaba, letting her moans guide her movements. Glinda alternated between licking and sucking. She wanted to feel Elphaba’s walls contracting against her fingers, but the position made it difficult. Something to try later, she thought.

Glinda’s concentration was interrupted when she felt warm fingers caressing her throbbing pussy, and her eyes shot open. Elphaba had her spine turned, and she used one of her hands to rub Glinda’s aching clit.

“You’re still dripping wet, princess.” Elphaba said with a breathy voice, moving her fingers lower, but careful to not hurt Glinda with her nails. Last time they had been together, they weren’t as long. Glinda moaned and kept her focus on Elphaba’s pleasure, but the feeling of her fingers did distract her. She was already so close, but she wanted to make Elphaba cum first, so she focused on her clit, sucking with such intensity that she felt Elphaba’s fingers faltering against her.

“Fuck, Glinda.” Elphaba moaned, her body moving against Glinda’s tongue. “You’re gonna make me cum.” She kept rubbing Glinda’s clit, seeing how her hips already moved erratically, wanting them both to finish together.

Elphaba came while she muttered something incoherent, legs shaking and pressing against Glinda’s face. She did her best to keep her fingers moving as her body filled with pleasure, and she was rewarded by the sound of Glinda’s moan against her sensitive flesh, her own body trembling. Elphaba removed her hand and lifted up, Glinda’s hands now barely putting any strength around her body. She moved lower, so she could lay down on top of her lover and embrace her. Glinda’s mind was still hazy, eyes closed, but she returned the touch and smiled at the feeling of Elphaba’s weight on top of her. They stayed like that, in silence, just holding each other, letting themselves drift off for a few minutes.

Glinda opened her eyes when she felt Elphaba move, and something inside of her twisted for a brief moment, scared the the woman would once again leave, even if she truly believed her, but the only thing she saw was Elphaba moving up on the bed, towards the headboard, and reaching out for her.

“Come, love.” She said, and Glinda’s fear disappeared completely. She took Elphaba’s hand and moved up, bringing the pillow with her. They lay down properly, covering themselves with Glinda’s fancy sheets, bodies as close as they could be, facing each other.

“That felt so good.” Elphaba said with a smile, and Glinda giggled, never happier.

“Oh, but I’m not done with you yet, Elphie. You’re two orgasms down.” Elphaba laughed, which only made Glinda’s heart fuller. How she loved the sound of her laugh.

“Oh, we are holding scores now?” She asked. “I was making up to you, remember?”

“Doesn't matter! I know this is a predicament, Elphie, but I’ll have to make you cum twice more so we can be even.” She laughed too, drowning in the joy of being silly with the woman she loved, finally.

“Such an awful prospect.” Elphaba moved so she could kiss her forehead, and Glinda just let herself be loved, feeling their limbs clinging to each other underneath the covers.

“Elphie… Thank you.” Glinda said softly.

“For what?” Elphaba asked, moving her head so she could look her in the eye.

“For this, all of it. For coming back for me, for wanting to be with me… For loving me, I guess.”

“Oh, Glinda, I -” Glinda cut her off before she could finish.

“Wait, Elphie, before you say anything. Those dreams, realities, however you want to call them, it all felt so real… I never want to be close to that kind of magic again… not that I need to now.” She paused, and Elphaba waited for her to continue. “I left the Grimmerie in the attic, hidden away. I’ll show you where in the morning. I’m not going to use it again, ever. I promise you. If you want, you can take it, of course, you know how to actually make use of it.”

“I don’t, Glinda, I never did either. The magic that comes from it…” Memories of her regrets invaded her mind, but only for a moment. “It always costs too much to risk it. Let’s keep it there, okay?”

“Okay.”

“Do you want to talk about what you have seen?” Elphaba asked, caressing Glinda’s cheek.

“Not really… maybe at another time. There isn't much to talk about, anyway. The tornado was the oddest thing, the rest was just… life?” She said, remembering both the moments at Shiz and the other reality, where she barely moved. “You must know that by now, but it was Morrible who caused that tornado, the one that…” She stopped, wondering whether it was right to bring it all up when they had shared such a beautiful moment together.

“I know, I received some information once I started the operation in the woods.” Elphaba smiled when she noticed the hesitation on Glinda’s face. “You don’t have to tiptoe around me, my sweet. I’m far from forgetting all the sorrows in my life, but I think there’s hope for me.” Glinda smiled too, feeling reassured. “You know, maybe your tornado did the same in the reality you were in. Maybe it brought you somewhere else.”

“Oh, Elphie. I was already in between realities, such a mess!” She said.

“I’m sure you were, but magic can be a tricky thing. Sometimes we think we understand something, but we don’t. Things don’t always happen how we think they do, time doesn’t always move forwards… It offers a never-ending maze that I don’t think anyone can fully decipher.” Elphaba said, and Glinda remembered the tall shelves of the library through which a younger Elphaba from another world dragged her around and how she felt as if the place had no end.

“But it is quite fascinating, isn't it, Elphie?” Glinda asked, eyes bright.

“As most dangerous things are, I guess.” She responded. “We should get some sleep, love.”

“Oh, I love when you call me that.” Glinda said with a smile on her face.

“You just love when I call you anything.” Elphaba teased.

“Maybe…” Glinda kissed Elphaba’s lips lovingly. “Good night, love. We have much to arrange in the morning, a whole new life, in fact… Who knows, maybe even a wedding!” She said enthusiastically. It wouldn't happen yet, of course, she just wanted to see Elphaba smile. But maybe, once things worked out…

“Good night, Glinda.” Elphaba replied with a smile. She couldn't believe she was there, with Glinda by her side, and that she wanted her to stay, to share a life with her. After everything, just like that, the life she thought that was over had turned into a dream. “I love you.”

“Oh, I love you too, Elphie.” Glinda replied before moving so she could rest her upper body on Elphaba’s torso. She fell asleep listening to her heartbeat: a reminder, a promise, a prelude.

…

Galinda woke up with the sound of the rain outside. She opened her eyes to face the white ceiling and slowly sat up, resting her back against the bed’s headboard. A faint noise of cutlery came from downstairs, together with the delicious smell of some homemade food. She rose from the bed, feeling better than she ever did before, and noticed a note on her nightstand.

Darling, in case you wake up, I went home with Dad to take care of some things. We’ve been having the strangest weather, but I’ll be back soon.

You have a visitor… I told her it wasn't necessary to come because I was going to take care of you, but she insisted. You know… I have nothing against her, truly. I just want you to be well, and happy. It was good finally meeting her, I guess I was the stubborn one in the end. She is just like you’ve told me, and I could see in her eyes how much she loves you. I’m glad you get to have that, because it’s not something that all of us can find, and you deserve it so much.

She promised me that she wouldn't leave your side, and she better not do it… I hope you’re awake when I get back, I miss hearing your voice.

Love,

Mom.

Galinda felt somewhat confused by the letter, for she didn’t really understand what the woman was even talking about, but she knew that her mom could only mean one particular visitor. The idea of her mom finally meeting her girlfriend when she wasn't present after months of rehearsing how things would go was more frightening than any of the other words that alluded to her maybe not having been well. Her mom was an uptight woman, overly protective and judgmental. She never minded that she liked women, but she did mind that she wasn’t dating a CEO from a very successful company, a politician, or some other type that was very rich and influential, although her girlfriend did have a good job. It was hard enough that she had to leave her dream behind so she could have a boring, successful life… The idea of having to date someone like that as well… She just hoped that her mother’s antics hadn’t completely scared her away. The sounds coming from the kitchen grabbed her attention. It had to be her. Galinda grabbed her robe, dressed it above her pink pajamas to feel warmer, and walked towards the stairs.

Galinda went down, the sound of the living room television now joining the noise. She glanced at it: some breaking news about an unexpected tornado in the area, but she had more important things in mind. She moved towards the kitchen, following the smell. When she entered, her heart warmed with the sight of the woman she loved opening the fridge, completely unaware of her presence. Her braids were tied in a high ponytail, and she was still dressed in the clothes she usually wore for work, minus her white coat that was discarded above a chair. Galinda rushed forward and enveloped her waist in a tight embrace.

“Galinda?” The woman was startled. “Are you okay, my love?” She said with a concerned voice, quickly turning around to check if everything was alright.

“Of course, Elphie. Why wouldn’t I be?” She remembered the words on her mom’s letter. Maybe something had happened, after all.

Her girlfriend's dark eyes moved around, checking her face, her body, everything, then, she inhaled, as if relieved.

“Baby, I’m so sorry I wasn’t here that day. I should have been here with you… I knew how anxious you were, I should have just skipped work and -”

“Elphie, it’s fine… I don’t know exactly what you’re talking about, plus, maybe this was all a sign for me to finally quit.” Galinda did remember the presentation, and she also remembered feeling dizzy, then nothing else. “What happened to me?”

“You… fell down, for some reason. The doctors said it must have been a panic attack… Your parents brought you to a different hospital, so I don’t know the details, but they said that there wasn’t anything wrong aside from a concussion…” She paused and took a deep breath, seeming too distressed. Galinda noticed how her eyes got teary. “I almost went crazy when I heard about you. I was on my shift when your mom texted me from your phone, but she didn't want me to visit you, she said that I would want to be your doctor and you already had a physician… She said that if I wasn’t here when it happened, I should just not show up at all…”

“Oh, Elphie, I’m so sorry. She can be a lot, don’t let this get into your head. You were working! You couldn't possibly imagine that anything would happen to me, and look!” She tossed her hair, which was too messy to fall charmingly as she expected, but Elphaba didn’t mind, smiling anyway. “I’m doing great!”

“I’m so glad, my love.” She sniffled, and a single tear fell from her eyes. Galinda kissed it away, her lips brushing Elphaba’s skin softly. She lingered for a bit, feeling how her girlfriend needed the touch.

“I really feel great, okay? You don’t have to worry about me.” Galinda said as she pulled back. She looked deep into Elphaba’s brown eyes, and, for a brief moment, she could swear she saw a flicker of green in them. Suddenly, memories from someone else came into her mind in flashes, and she opened the brightest smile.

“Oh, Elphie! I just remembered… I had the most wonderful dream!”