Chapter Text
Elphaba Thropp did not break. Yes, she had her moments. But, as a whole, she was able to keep her stress levels under control.
But currently, with Galinda constantly screaming at her, and her work load increasing massively, she was on the edge.
She was making coffee in the break room, when Pfannee approached her.
“Hey, Elphaba. Would you be able to take this case—“
And that.
That pushed her over the edge.
She snapped.
“No! No, I cannot! I’m currently working on seven cases. Seven, Pfannee! We’re only supposed to do two at a time!“
Hearing the commotion, Galinda stood and waltzed over from her table, instantly cupping Elphaba’s face, pulling her down so their foreheads touched.
“Elphie, calm down. He was only asking—“
Elphaba cut her off with a scoff, already moving out of her grip.
“My sweet, you don’t get it. Everyone keeps piling their cases on me! And you, I know you’re—I just—“ Elphaba cut herself off with a groan, her breaths coming quicker and her mind spinning. With one swift motion, she turned and left. Her legs carried her to the bathroom, where she moved to the end stall, before her body collapsed and she curled up on the grimy floor.
Sobs and whimpers tore through her throat. Right now, she just wanted her girlfriend. Not the Galinda who shouted, and yelled, and couldn’t keep her emotions under wraps. The Galinda who was soft, and nurturing, and held her when she was vulnerable.
She tried to take deep breaths, yet it wouldn’t work. She was hyperventilating, making her panic even more. Tear streaks stained her cheeks, and she didn’t bother to wipe them. It was no use, she couldn’t stop crying anyway.
Before she knew it, a familiar scent enveloped her, pushing the door open and pulling her to her chest, cradling her as if she were something precious.
Galinda cooed softly into her ear.
“I’m right here, baby. I’ve got you.” She ran her fingers through Elphaba’s braids, continuing her rhythm to ground the girl.
“Let’s take some deep breaths, okay? Just like this.” Galinda demonstrated a very exaggerated deep breath, and Elphaba copied.
And after a long moment, Elphaba’s heart slowed down. Now becoming aware of her surroundings, she tucked herself tightly into Galinda’s neck.
“There you go. My sweet, sweet girl. Now, would you like to tell me what all that was about?” Galinda gently ran her hand up and down Elphaba’s back, never faltering. She knew how much Elphaba needed the contact.
“Can we move out of the bathroom first? It’s—It’s disgusting here.” Elphaba sniffled, nuzzling further.
Galinda giggled, before moving to help Elphaba stand.
She guided Elphaba to her office, sitting them both down on her plush pink couch, and allowing Elphaba to calm down under her touch.
Elphaba rested her head on Galinda’s shoulder, fingers playing with the hem of her skirt, trying to find the right words.
And Galinda, always patient, waited. She didn’t push. Didn’t pry. Just waited until Elphaba was ready to talk.
With a sigh, she began. “Everyone just keeps giving me their cases, as if I’m the one to go to when they don’t want to do their job anymore. It’s so overwhelming, Galinda. I’m working on seven different cases!” Her eyes started welling up again, “A-And then, when you have an outburst, and you yell at me. It’s so hard to not feel like I’m failing. I can’t do my job and I can’t even keep you happy.”
The green girl was sobbing again, hiccuping as she adjusted, moving to the other side of the couch. She didn’t deserve to be near Galinda. Not when she was like this.
And Galinda?
Her heart shattered.
She immediately followed, forcing Elphaba into a tight hug.
Elphaba cried into Galinda’s chest, feeing nothing but sorrow and guilt.
“Elphie. You’re not a failure! Not to me, not to anyone!” Galinda declared, planting kisses all over Elphaba’s face. Her damp cheeks, the tip of her nose, her furrowed brow line, her temple, and finally, her lips.
“I love you. So much, darling. I promise I’ll try to keep my emotions in check. You shouldn’t bottle this all up, you know I’m always here, baby.”
Elphaba nodded weakly. “I love you, too.” She whispered, kissing Galinda’s cheek.
“How about, you talk to Fiyero about your work load. He’ll help, I’m sure of it.”
Elphaba’s brows knit together, “Galinda, Fiyero has not been my biggest fan, as of late. I’m sure you know why, but, I don’t think he’ll care if I’m a little busy.”
And the face Galinda pulled, told her everything she needed to know.
“If he refuses to help you, I’ll just have to go to the board. Then we’ll see who isn’t whose biggest fan. I’m prepared to take him down, Elphie. So, set up a meeting, please.” Galinda finished with a sickly sweet smile. Almost sarcastic.
Elphaba cleared her throat. “Of course, dearest.”
“Well, I do have my own case to work on. So if you’ll excuse me. And—Actually, you should excuse yourself and go talk to Fiyero!”
Elphaba chuckled, shaking her head. But, she did as her girlfriend pleased, and walked down the looming corridor to her boss’ office.
She tapped on the door, too afraid to knock any louder, and entered once she heard a ‘come in’.
Fiyero glanced up briefly, before returning his focus to his computer.
“Hi. Uhm, hey. I just wanted to talk about how much work I have right now. I’m working on seven cases, and everyone keeps giving me theirs—“
“Well, it seems like you need to learn how to say no.” Fiyero cut her off coolly, still not sparing her a second glance.
“Actually, I do say no. But, they overwrite their cases and assign my name on to it—“
“To me, it seems like you need to work faster then. Get through your cases quicker.” He finally looked up, and nodded towards the door, dismissing Elphaba.
Little did they know, Galinda was waiting on the other side, and burst right in.
“Fiyero. If you refuse to help your employee, I’ll go to the board. Explain how you’re a terrible boss. I mean, we all know they aren’t the fondest of you, after the incident with Jaely.”
Elphaba looked at her, confused. Who in Oz was Jaely? Galinda mouthed, ‘I’ll tell you later’, before shifting her attention back to Fiyero.
Fiyero sighed, defeatedly. “Alright, take a seat.”
Elphaba sat opposite him, whereas Galinda lurked in the corner, supervising.
And just like that, Elphaba was back down to only one case. As the girls were leaving, Fiyero said, “If you have any more trouble, come to me and I’ll sort it out.”
Elphaba nodded, muttering, “Thank you,” as they left.
Once the door clicked shut behind them, Galinda bumped their shoulders.
“I told you he’d help!” She beamed.
“Only because you threatened him!” Elphaba chucked.
Galinda shrugged, “It worked, didn’t it.”
Elphaba just shook her head again.
Galinda spun so she was walking backwards, allowing her to look at Elphaba fully.
“Oh! By the way, we’re going out for dinner tonight. You deserve the break.”
Elphaba’s breath hitched. This was her Galinda. “Yeah. Yeah, okay.”
Galinda hummed, leaning in to place a chaste kiss on her girlfriend’s lips, until a very distinct cough broke them apart.
Milla stood two feet away, hands on her hips and her eyebrows raised.
“Please remember your environment the next time you decide to be in each other’s mouths, thank you.”
Galinda tutted, rolling her eyes as she walked into her own office. But instead of working on her case, she googled the nicest restaurants in the Emerald City, and booked a reservation.
———
The restaurant Galinda had booked was…Extravagant, to say the least. It was a five-star place, with the most gorgeous architecture in all of Oz. The only down side—the prices. Because, fuck, it was expensive. But, to Galinda? Elphaba was worth every penny, so, she didn’t care much.
They had a small table for two in the far corner, surrounded by candlelight and dainty decor.
Galinda was dressed in a tight pink maxi dress, allowing her bump to be on full display. Reminding everyone that she was Elphaba’s. And, although her feet were swelling, she still wore her signature heels, which glimmered in the soft light.
Elphaba wore a suit. A fucking suit. All dark tones and sharp lines. When Galinda saw her, she actually choked. This was her girlfriend.
Well, not just her girlfriend. Her baby mama too.
When they reached their table, Elphaba held out Galinda’s seat for her, tucking her in expertly, before rounding to her own chair.
“My love, you do realize just how expensive this place is, right?” Elphaba questioned, taking in the beautiful patterns carved into the walls.
“I do, Elphie. But, I’ve been very snappy with you lately, and you deserve this. Because, I’m sorry.”
Elphaba glanced over at her Galinda, smiling softly. What did she ever do to deserve this. To deserve her.
“Pick out whatever you want, my treat.”
“Okay.” Elphaba whispered, trying to keep her tears at bay.
Dinner ran smoothly after that. Elphaba had, in fact, ordered one of the most expensive meals on the menu, intending to still pay half. Galinda took her card and shoved it into her bra, forcing Elphaba to allow the blonde to pay fully.
They discussed a range of topics. About the baby, and possibly moving to a bigger place, so they had more room for her. About whatever antics their dumb friends were getting up to lately. Office gossip which Elphaba had seemingly missed out on. Any time the conversation happened to drift back to work, Galinda perfectly steered it away, interrupting with new impulse ideas or ‘remember when’s.
And as their date came to an end, Galinda stole Elphaba’s car keys.
“I’m driving!” She yelled, already pulling the seatbelt over her rounded stomach, and moving the seat closer to the pedals.
Elphaba stood dumbfounded on the sidewalk for many moments, before scoffing and climbing into the passenger’s side.
“If you even so much get dust on my car, you will be paying compensation.”
Galinda giggled. She knew how much Elphaba cherished this car. For whatever reason.
The drive back consisted of Elphaba’s voice raising when Galinda drove too fast, or got too close to the curb for Elphaba’s liking. She didn’t yell, just went very high-pitched, a look of terror in her eyes.
“Elphie, really, I drive well. You’re just too dramatic!” Galinda declared with an eye roll, as she unlocked the apartment door, and allowed Elphaba to step in first.
“My sweet, you are never driving my car again…” Elphaba’s words dissolved as her breath hitched.
Somehow, Galinda had decorated the apartment with candles and rose petals, which led a pathway to their bedroom.
“Gal—How did you—“ Elphaba’s eyebrows furrowed in confusion. They had been together all night.
“I may have had a teensy bit of help from Milla. I told her what I needed doing and clearly, she exceeded our expectations.”
Elphaba laughed, pulling Galinda close and kissing her gently. No heat or fire. Not yet. Just pure love and adoration.
When they pulled apart, they stayed close, foreheads touching.
“You spoil me.”
Galinda smirked, “Of course I do.”
Elphaba hummed, already pulling Galinda back to their bedroom. “I love you.”
“I love you, too, my perfect girl.”