A.N. For Valentine's day, the only thing I was given (I gave it to myself, which ain't sad I swear) was this one-shot. I was going to post this at midnight, and yeah maybe three hours early is a bit bad, but honestly I wanna fucking sleep. It's not worth it. So here. Have it early. You're welcome.
And please don't worry pals, I'm not bitter about my lack of an actual social life at all...
...I have Gelphie. Enjoy. -Gillies
Elphaba's private session with Madame Morrible had ended that evening on a sour, sweaty, frustrated note. And while it was definitely later than the tired ol' Thropp would have liked, the sun had only just began to fester in its low perch with twinges of blossoming pink tracing its crown like scratches of oil paint. The small brass clock read with snobbish placidity, 6:23.
She dumped her heavy coat in front of the door, her outerior clothing shedding off her like water. And she squinted to see clearly in the sheen of nebulous dim-lightedness.
Elphaba shuffled further into the dorm, picking up her feet and tilting her chin up - she had no reason to be afraid, or really, squeamish; after all, she lived there.
The dorm was empty, filled with a choking stench of the fruity, flowery candles that were situated closely packed and burning with fervor on the table. Beneath her green feet she felt the softness of rose petal skins, their red and pink hues peeking through her toes as she trampled over them in her investigating confidence. On the floor beside the plush couch was a toppled over bowl of strawberries smothered in dark chocolate. The berries were shriveled a little from the moisture.
Beside that small yummy infliction of the carpet, the room seemed quiet, smoky if not peaceful, devoid of any signs of intruders or struggle. Elphaba drew out of the living area, biting the inside of her cheek. She mechanically pushed farther open the slight ajar bedroom door, entering the room to find it just as dark and as silent as the rest of the apartment. Except, not quite as empty. She could feel the sadness wafting through the cloud of love's fragrance, she could hear the tiny sniffles coming from the larger of the two beds, emitting weak and yet so heart-wrenching from beneath pillow and blanket.
"Galinda?"
"Go away,"
Perhaps some day before she would have hesitated in the doorway, pausing with fright to only run away for selfish reasons. But she and Galinda were friends now, and - and friends didn't leave the other in a time of need.
Elphaba sat down the edge of the bed, unable to sit closer to the trembling curve in the sheets; still her legs tensed for the moment she'd give in and bolt, as she taught herself to do. Gently, plowing through the wavering, Elphaba laid a hand on Galinda's - back? When the petite blonde moved not an inch, Elphaba's shoulders relaxed, her fingers slid against the lavish fabric of her comforter. "Galinda...?"
Unsure of what to say, the green girl lapsed mute, hoping her presence was enough to satiate the upper Uplander. No one had told her ever how to help girls her age, the only lessons she had ever received before Shiz were the strict regiments that were required for Nessie's well-being. And, though when she was younger she did often, Nessarose hardly ever let her emotions betray her in such a way anymore.
Under the dark barrier, her friend shifted, still tearful but without dramatics - maybe she'd tired herself out already, which worried Elphaba somewhat. How long has she been crying?
"He's a complete nincompoop, Elphie. I hate him. I hate him."
Oh, she was talking! Now, that being a good thing was yet to be revealed. Scooting closer to hear better, Elphaba frowned in offence, apphrension buzzing faster than she would have expected, anger burning to a engulfing wall with not so much as a warning or explanation. "Who?" She said despite all of her understanding.
Galinda threw back the layers of her blankets, and Elphaba pulled her hand back from the shocking realization that it had been resting, petting the blonde's upper stomach. "Fiyero," Galinda growled, her make-up completely ruined and her eyes puffy red. "I hate him so much, Elphie, that - that stupid -! Arrgh!"
She started to cry again, but this time she cried mad, cursing and crying and spitting and maybe even a little bit dying. "He - he was s'pposed - to - take me on a date! But does h-he remember?! Of course not, Elphie, he's a male, he doesn't remember things like this!"
Galinda shouldered past green shock, slipping off the mattress to rush to the mirror, crying no longer. She swiped aggressively at frozen tears on her cheeks, sucking in a wet breath.
"He's not coming, I know Elphaba. Don't look at me like that." Elphaba looked down at her lap. "But you never know, I mean, crazier things have happened before on Lurlintine's day, the most magical day of all days - the romance is practically suffocating!" She breathed again, running her hands through her hair.
Oh. It was Lurlintine's day already?
"Well it doesn't matter if you ask me, he can go and party with his friends if he wants to - I mean, I've only been waiting for this perfect date on the perfectes day ever since I was 4 -and-a-third summers old.."
"Galinda," Elphaba dared to glance upward, her voice calm and her face a grassy field of inexpression.
The blonde twirled on her heels, looking somewhat normal again. "What?" She said, low and heartbroken. She pouted her lip, crossed her arms and looked away.
In that moment so many words and feelings passed and pressed against Elphaba's closed lips, aching against her teeth and clawing desperately for escape, swelling inside her in hopes of tearing down her barricade...
But before she could allow anything to surpass her lips, Elphaba rocketed off the edge of the bed and disappeared out of the doorway. The suddenness torn a gasp from Galinda, her hands snapping to her chest in a reflexive desire for protection, but before she could sigh out agitated relief and yell a scold after the green whirl, her roommate was back, passing a card into her palm.
Why she was so uncertain, so unsure of opening up the little red piece of glossy paper, Galinda didn't know. And because of her hesitating mind, she lifted her eyes away from the affection in her grasp to look upon her friend, her best friend. "Elphie? A-are you..." Do you want me to open this? To pry open myself your secret Lurlintine's day present and expose you to someone so... Me?
She seemed to have completely forgotten about Fiyero, thought Elphaba.
Chisery had climbed out of his nest in the closet and was in Elphaba's arms, coddling and cooing his name in sweet song. "Its for you, Galinda." She said from where she sat on the bed, once again. Her usual vacancy of face was oftentimes frustrating to the blonde, but for once she was thankful.
With a small nod Galinda scurried over to sit beside her fellow Shiz student, chittering on and on about things so insignificant they gained volumes of importance in Elphaba's heart. She unfolded the card with childish glee, and when Elphaba glanced up to catch her expression, she involuntarily caught her mindless words too:
"...is the first Lurlintine's day card I've gotten!"
"What, like ever?" Elphaba blurted out, shock cloaked in green skin.
Galinda's sentences wavered and crashed, a long-malfunctioning plane of prater. "Uh, oh yeah. My upland family doesn't believe in Lurlintineism. My father always said it ruined a girl - and they always kept me home from private school today." Galinda shrugged, smiling as if it didn't bother her all that much. "What about you? Elphie, your sister believes in the Unnamed God, aren't you gonna get in trouble for this? Ooh, it's so scandalicious!"
Elphaba had to let go of Chistery and planted her hands down on the bed, for Galinda was hopping and squealing and clapping, shaking the entire wood contraption. "My mother was the one who started it - though my father disapproved greatly, he could never say no to her - and every year Nessa and I gave each other cards and candy. This year... Since you're pretty much my first friend, I decided... I thought I should... While I was getting Nessa one I -"
Galinda grasped Elphaba's hand and pulled her unintentionally rough, into a crushing hug.
"Thank you, my Lurlintine!"
A.N. Happy Valentine's day, sports fans. *salute*