A/N: I was about to post this as the next chapter of Past Colwen Grounds but then I realised I wrote it from Glinda's perspective not Elphaba's oops. I guess I'll have to think of something else for that. Anyway, here is a new oneshot that I have been sort of halfheartedly working on for a while. It was all based around one line that I liked, and somehow I eventually managed to expand it a bit. But! This is the first (implied) Fiyeraba fic I've written! So we'll see how it goes...
And suddenly a high-pitched shriek rang out into the depths of the abandoned cornfield. When Glinda looked up, Elphaba's face was contorted into a curious expression. It was as if she were laughing, and yet not. Each contour of supposed humour on her face seemed to be forced, so that the smile was more a grimace; and the humour was more a pained expression.
It made Glinda do a double-take, seeing her former friend like this. She was well accustomed to Elphaba's emotions; she knew her pretences, her motivations. Elphaba was no mystery to her, right? They had been inseparable. But this was something she just could not quite make out.
"What?" It came out softer than she had intended it, but Elphaba took no notice, instead composing herself with a shallow breath.
"It's just that last night was filled with so much love, that I thought for a moment I had forgotten how to hate."
And somehow these words seemed to finally pierce through her icy exterior. What about them, it was hard to say; the way they contrasted with her reputation, perhaps. Elphaba was known to all in Oz as a supposed Wicked Witch, filled with anger and hate; not a single ounce of love in her veins. And yet, looking at her now, she could see neither anger nor hate, just a pure brokenness that split Glinda's heart. She had thought she had been able to ignore the rumours, but it seemed some of the Wizard's propaganda had been scraped into her consciousness, and she had almost forgotten the way Elphie led from her heart.
She had almost forgotten Elphie entirely.
So she looked again. This time differently. Elphaba had mentioned love - was she in love? How could that be? It wasn't the Elphie she knew. But now it all seemed to rush over her in a surge of realisation: this was not the same Elphaba that she had seen in the throne room only the day before. This was not the same Elphie that had flown away from her that day in the Emerald City. This was a subtly different version of the woman she had once known so well; it was evident in each little outward detail.
Her eyes had a subtle new glint to them, that gave her a sort of ethereal look; her hair was hanging loose down to her waist, a subtle breeze blowing it in erratic paths around her. She could almost understand why people were so frightened of her; she was a truly commanding presence, now with a glint of distinction. She was unreachable, and no longer just metaphorically.
And this Elphie. This Elphaba with a significant lack of awkwardness, with her newfound grace. With her dazzling emerald skin. Despite the rumours that had seemingly infected her, it was not at all difficult for Glinda to believe that this Elphaba could be in love.
This Elphaba who was on top of the world even when the world dragged her down. This Elphaba who took pride in her rebel status. Who could not be tamed.
Whose true feelings were locked away in a box somewhere, that no one could ever uncover completely.
It was almost like the final puzzle piece slipped into place. Elphaba was free. Truly, utterly.
And that fueled Glinda's envy to a brand new high.
