2. Love

"How do I look, Fabala?"

Elphaba's expression is one of gentle patience as she strokes at a few strands of flyaway hair sticking out from beneath Nessarose's hairband. "You look lovely, my sweet. You always do."

Her sister is barely listening. Instead, she is eyeing herself in the mirror with dissatisfaction written all over her face, her eyes sweeping down and up and down again.

"Actually, I think I'll wear the pink dress instead." She turns to Elphaba with the expression that her sister finds impossible to resist — the slightest crinkle of unhappiness between her brows, lips pressed together in a petulant frown.

Elphaba only smiles and reaches into the closet for the dress in question. "Alright, Nessa. It's almost time though, so we'll have to be quick."

They finish the change just in time to hear the short, sharp rap on the door, and Boq's voice calling politely through the polished wood, "It's me, Miss Nessarose."

"He's here!" The younger girl turns to Elphaba with excitement shining in her eyes, but something in her seems to dim for a moment when her eyes fall on her sister, still in her plain blue Shiz uniform and jacket. "Oh, Fabala." The childhood nickname is all she manages to get out before she falls silent, and Elphaba raises a dark eyebrow.

"What is it, Nessa?"

"I've kept you with me for so long that you'll be late for the party now. You haven't even changed yet." She reaches out for her sister's hand, squeezing the slender green fingers in a silent apology.

"Is that all?" Elphaba chuckles and leans down to press a soft kiss to Nessarose's pale cheek. "I'll get there eventually, don't you worry about me. Besides, I think a certain Munchkin boy is still waiting outside for you."

There is silence for a long moment as the sisters look at each other, and then Nessarose wraps her arms briefly around Elphaba's neck, tugging her close. "Thank you, Fabala." There is a multitude of unsaid words between them, but the sentiments do not need to be exposed to air to exist.

Elphaba watches the Munchkin wheel her sister carefully away until the pair are out of sight. Her smile does not fade; she has something pretty to wear to her first party as well.

A/N: Ah, I forgot to mention they're not in chronological order, heh. Reviews are appreciated :)