And I'm back! Sorry for the long wait, folks! Performances and Christmas took a lot out of me, but it's finally here. Enjoy!
"Liir."
Fiyero leapt from his perch on the mattress and rushed to the door. He slammed it open and Elphaba's hand shot out to catch it before it could hit the wall. The Witch cursed silently as she glared at her imbecile of a husband.
"Daddy, what's happening?" cried the little boy as Elphaba picked him up and pressed the back of his head to keep him silent against her breast. The move had been a tad bit too rough and Liir exclaimed in protest.
"Mama, that hurts!" He shouted at her before she gave him an intimidating glare.
"Quiet, you." Elphaba snapped at him. Liir's mouth shut in response and he said no more.
"Elphaba, get to the kitchen. I'll hold them off." Fiyero picked up a pink-shaded umbrella to the stand that was closest to him.
"An umbrella, Fiyero, Sweet Oz, you are stupid. Some good that'll-"
"Just go!"
Elphaba, irritated by his irked tone, turned towards the kitchen with Liir still silent in her thin arms. Before she could leave, however, Fiyero grabbed her shoulder and looked at her.
"I love you," He whispered, kissing her cheek.
"That's nice," Elphaba answered, her voice disdainful as she silently moved towards the kitchen; Liir starting to tremble from quiet fear.
"Mama, what's goin' on?" whimpered the boy, trying to unlatch his head from the woman's tight grip.
"Nothing, darling, just be quiet." She retorted, placing the boy under the table and tip-toeing to the swinging doors.
The room had grown so silent that Liir could hear his mother's shallow breathing and Elphaba could hear her own heart beating rapidly.
Fiyero neared the door with umbrella in hand and a fear in his heart. He peered out of the small curved window at the top of the front entrance door and was utterly shocked. The prince quickly unlatched the lock and threw the door open.
"Glinda?"
Fiyero almost couldn't believe what he was seeing, but she was here before him, ridiculous dress and all.
"Fifi!" Before he knew it, she launched herself at him, cuddling into his strong chest. Fiyero stumbled backwards, awkwardly shutting the door as he did so.
"Daddy, who is dis?" asked Liir as he ran into the living room, quickly followed by his hesitant mother.
"Elphie?" Glinda pushed Fiyero away and rushed for her best friend, engulfing the taller woman in a tight hug. Elphaba, after a while, forced Glinda away and held her out at arm's length.
"How did you get here?" Elphaba inquired of her, worried that her spells were satisfactory. The house was well-hidden with her spells and the fact that the Ix Forest surrounded them.
"Fiyero invited me!" She squealed as Elphaba sent her husband an aggravating glare. But as the Witch turned around, she could see that Glinda had a hidden depth within her eyes. A longing of some sort.
"Fiyero, watch Liir. We have some important things to catch up on," Elphaba told him coldly, offering her arm to her best friend. Glinda gratefully took it without hesitation, her heart uplifting as she did so. The taller woman took her to the master bedroom and closed the door.
There was an awkward, tangible silence as Glinda sat on the bed and Elphaba stood at the door with her arms crossed, like a hunter stalking her prey.
"So you and Fiyero?" Glinda's seemingly happy mood dissipated and her face turned solemn.
Elphaba nodded as her fingers interlocked, a puzzle of green sticks. "I thought that perhaps you would know. And you, with that Chuffrey fellow.'
'He's nothing, Elphaba. He never has been," the blonde answered quickly, awkwardly twisting the gold wedding band on her thin finger.
"I see." Elphaba nodded slowly, her mouth opening to speak again before Glinda cut her off.
"It's not the same, Elphaba. You know that." The Witch's breath caught in her throat.
"Things are very different," She agreed, "Nothing's the same."
"But you've taken a lover." Elphaba seemed almost amused to watch Glinda's flabbergasted reaction.
"I-well, I-" Glinda seemed dumbfounded and the least bit angry. "You can tell?" Her voice was a ghost of a whisper.
"Your neck. Your husband doesn't seem like a man who would give you such a bite."
"Yes, well… Things are different, Elphie. You said so yourself."
"So I did." Elphaba affirmed, ending the topic.
"Your son is cute," Glinda complimented, absentmindedly picking at the bodice of her dress. She mentally slapped herself. That little boy was the last thing she wanted to hear about.
Elphaba snorted, rolling her eyes. "Fiyero wanted him." That was all that she could say.
"And you didn't?"
"I have no want or a need for a child."
And that was that.
As Glinda stood to leave, in response to the silence of the hook-nosed witch, Elphaba spoke up.
"Why are you here?"
"I just wanted to see you again," answered Glinda, her gaze never leaving the oak door.
"Why?"
"It doesn't matter anymore, Elphie. It's just like you said: things have changed." Glinda told her quietly, opening the door as Elphaba nodded in agreement.
"Yes, my dear, they have."