Boq hit the water with a resounding smack. Currents tore at his clothes, which he hadn't bothered to discard, as the munchkin searched desperately for Galinda. Whirlwinds of trapped air obscured his vision, making it difficult to spot the wavering blotch of pink a few feet away. Difficult, but not impossible. Boq clawed his way to Galinda's side and fastened an arm securely around her middle. Flailing desperately the munchkin slowly pulled his crush upwards. After what seemed like an eternity they broke the surface.
The blonde sputtered, coughing up mouthfuls of swallowed sea water as she bobbed in the current. "Are you ok?" Boq wondered, slowly paddling towards shore. He towed Galinda by an arm.
"I think so," she responded hoarsely. Moments later her twinkling blue eyes grew wide. "You saved my life."
"It was nothing," the munchkin muttered shyly, looking down. His cheeks were flaming.
"You're calling my life nothing?" Galinda hissed jokingly.
"No, not at all," Boq hastened to clarify.
"I was kidding," the blonde giggled, beginning to swim for herself. "How can I ever repay you?"
"Payment is not necessary," Boq insisted. They were within eyesight of Elphaba and Fiyero waiting worriedly on the beach.
"Would a kiss suffice?" Galinda suggested, totally ignoring the munchkin's declaration.
"Wh..what?" he gasped.
"You heard me," the blonde chuckled.
"Well um…I…err…"
"Are you saying you don't want to kiss me?"
"No…that's not what…I didn't mean…" Boq cut off when he realized she was teasing him again. "A kiss would be nice." In fact a kiss would be far beyond nice. It would be a dream come true. Not that he expected more than a friendly peck, but still.
When Boq reached the shallows he gently helped the blonde to her feet. Galinda smiled winningly at her rescuer before pulling him in for an earth shattering kiss. She pressed firmly against Boq's lips, drawing a rather surprised squeak from the munchkin. When Galinda pulled back he had a dreamily smitten look on his face.
/
Elphaba watched open mouthed as her best friend kissed Boq fiercely. It looked as though the munchkin was a bit too shocked to respond, but he definitely enjoyed it. Fiyero glanced at his girlfriend with an expression similar to someone who'd been unexpectedly electrocuted. "Well that was unexpected," he commented wryly.
"I'll say," the green girl responded with a smirk. She felt a surge of happiness for her best friend.
"Get a room you two," Paul shouted from a few yards away. After Galinda's near drowning Sam had led everyone down to the beach. The blonde blushed and jerked awkwardly away from Boq. Her cheeks were burning.
/
"So you like Boq," Elphaba observed when she and Galinda were alone in their bedroom.
"Maybe," the blonde responded.
"You kissed him."
"He'd just saved my life."
"It didn't look very spontaneous to me."
"It wasn't." Elphaba grinned at her friend.
"Why won't you admit that you like Boq?"
"Because I'm still in love with Fiyero," Galinda exploded, the truth finally bursting out. "Maybe I love Boq too, but leading him on before I'm totally over your boyfriend would be wrong." The green girl pushed aside a sudden wave of jealousy and pulled her friend into a tight hug.
"Galinda I'm sorry…"
"Liking Fiyero isn't your fault," the blonde whimpered. "Please don't blame yourself."
"I'll never cease to regret causing you pain," Elphaba pointed out. "You're my best friend."
/
Boq paused outside the bedroom door, reading to deliver a fistful of wildflowers to Galinda. He paused, hearing distraught voices inside.
"Why won't you admit that you like Boq?" Elphaba asked, her voice vaguely muted by distance.
"Because I'm still in love with Fiyero," Galinda exclaimed. The munchkin's face crumpled with hurt and he quickly walked away.
Sorry for the short chapter…