My buddy "Denpa Wave Chick Saki" co-wrote this with me. Enjoy!
"Galinda, I drew your bath. Are you ready to get in?" Elphaba poked her head into the bedroom from the bathroom. "Galinda?"
The blonde looked up from her vanity, giving her a small smile. "Huh? Oh yeah, I'm ready. Thanks, Elphie."
The green woman raised an eyebrow before she approached, her legs throbbing dully. "Are you all right?"
"Yeah. Of course I'm fine."
Elphaba leaned down, hesitantly putting her arms around the blonde's shoulders in a way that was almost awkward. Unsure if this was allowed, she said, "Are...are you sure?" You can tell me..."
Galinda smiled softly up at her. "No, it's alright. It's not like I have anything to be afraid of. It's just a bath, right?"
And then Elphaba understood. "Galinda, she isn't here...do you want me to go in with you?" She darkened. "I-I mean not in the water...but in the room...I wouldn't stare, of course, but just to...make sure nothing happens? Would that make you...feel better?"
"I can do it, Elphie. I'm a big girl. I can take a bath on my own." The blonde slowly stood and made her way to the bathroom. After walking through the door, her eyes fell on the tub full of water, and she froze in fear. Her mind overflowed with exact flashes of what she had seen and felt earlier that day...the water washing into her mouth...the brunette's hands clasped over her throat...Sarima's enraged face through the ripples...
Elphaba followed, watching her. When she saw Galinda stop, she came up behind her, putting her hands on her arms gently. "Galinda...?"
The blonde was staring wide-eyed at the tub. "I...I can't do it."
"Yes, you can..." The green woman took the blonde's hands gently and turned her around. "Just look at me, Glin. I'm not going to let anything happen to you...you can hold onto me the whole time."
Galinda looked down, clenching the green woman's hands. "P-promise?"
"I promise. I won't let go. I'll stay right here." The blonde nodded, pulling her over closer to the tub. With a blush, she turned away from her, letting her robe slide to the floor before slowly slipping a foot into the tub. Elphaba looked away when the blonde stripped down and held her hand tightly, only looking into her eyes. "It's all right, Galinda. I've got you..." She clenched her eyes shut, forcing away the images from her mind for the moment, instead thinking about the green woman in front of her. Galinda was finally able to make herself sit fully in the tub, curling her legs up to her chest. The green woman sat on the edge of the tub, still holding the blonde's hand. "Hey...are you all right?" she said, gently cupping the side of Galinda's face. "Look, I'm right here. It's just the bath tub..." She held a bar of soap out to the heiress. "See? Just like always."
Galinda took the bar of soap from her with a sigh. "I know. I just...I can't stop these images from flashing across my mind..." She started to wash herself.
"I understand...and this may sound unhelpful, but try not to think about it, all right? Think about...Fae sleeping on my dress. How am I supposed to wear it now, right? She growls every time I try to move her." She gave the blonde a crooked grin.
Galinda couldn't help but crack a smile, giggling. "I think that means she likes you, Elphie. Do you want me to get it back for you?"
"It means she likes my dress. Hopefully she hasn't marked it as her own, if you know what I mean." Elphaba gave her another smile. "And if I really want it back, I'll move her myself...maybe not terribly gently, but she will be moved."
"You better not hurt her, Elphaba." She dunked her head under the water as quickly as she could, not wanting to bring back more flashbacks. "Besides, it's only the boy dogs that pee on things to mark them. Fae's a girl, silly."
"Feh. Details...and of course I wouldn't hurt her. You know me; I love all the animals...Animals...all of them."
"I know you do. I'm just joking with you." She gave her a smile. Galinda soaped up her hair before quickly washing it out again.
"Ah, yes. This 'joking' that you enjoy so much," Elphaba said, but she was smiling. She readjusted her glasses, still forcing herself to focus only on Galinda's face. "A-are you almost done?"
The blonde nodded. "Yeah...Can you hand me a towel, please?"
"S-sure." The green woman stood up and grabbed a towel, holding it out and turning back to the blonde.
"Thanks." Galinda took the towel from her, turning away from her, as she stood and wrapped it around her. She stepped from the tub, using the towel to dry away any water on herself.
Elphaba kept her back to the blonde, her face turning dark green, when she realized she could see Galinda's reflection in the mirror. Her eyes went to the floor, as she said, "I...I'll be leaving now." She turned, her gaze still down and not realizing Galinda was right behind her at that moment. The green woman ran into her, knocking them both to the floor. Elphaba looked down, and her face grew even darker as she realized she was on top of the heiress. "I-I'm sorry! Are you all right?"
Galinda blushed furiously, clutching her towel close to cover herself. "I...I'm fine..."
The green woman nodded and pushed herself up slightly. Even when she was flustered, the blonde was still beautiful. Before she could stop herself, Elphaba leaned down and kissed her gently. "I...I apologize...for not asking."
"You...you don't need to ask, Elphie."
"Are...are you sure? Because before, you...you asked me, and I just wanted to make sure."
"Yes...I'm sure. I...I love you and you can kiss me as much as you'd...like..." She blushed.
Elphaba blushed as well. "I...um..." She stood up, offering her hand to the blonde.
"Th-thanks." She took the extended hand, standing up. Galinda quickly left the bathroom with another blush, heading into her closet to slip on her nightdress.
The green woman rubbed the back of her head, her blush darkening as she said, "I-if there's nothing else you need, I'm going to turn in for the night...so fresh dreams." She headed for the bedroom door.
"Goodnight, Elphie. Sleep tight." The blonde went over to her, going up on her toes to give her one last kiss. "Nighty night."
Elphaba inhaled softly at the kiss, running a hand through golden curls with a slight smile. "I...yes...fresh dreams...again..." The green woman left, heading to her own room and slipping into her nightdress before climbing into bed, extinguishing the lamp and drifting off as the full extent of the day sunk in.
The blonde turned away with a smile, humming lightly to herself. She brushed through her hair before blowing out her candles and climbing into her own bed, quickly falling asleep.
Not even two hours later, Galinda jerked awake, frightened. She sat up in her bed, shaking, and looked around the room. Wh-why must I be cursed with this memory? I don't want it! I don't want to sleep every night, haunted by visions of being drowned... She quickly wiped away the tear that was trickling down her cheek, finding that she longed for the comforting embrace of her love. The blonde slid out of her bed, making her way down the hall and slipping into the green woman's bedroom, whispering, "E-Elphie...?"
The green woman in question awoke, sitting up and rubbing one eye. "Nnn...Galinda? Is something wrong?" she asked, her voice heavy with sleep.
"I..." She looked down at the floor. "Can I...um...sleep with you?"
Too tired to fully register what the blonde was saying, Elphaba nodded with a yawn. "Sure..." She patted the bed beside her with a sleepy smile.
"Th-thank you..." Galinda slipped under the covers, curling up on the other side of the bed. Elphaba settled back down, putting her arms around the blonde and holding her close before she drifted off again. Galinda melted into her warmth, feeling any trace of fear flow away immediately. She whispered under her breath, "I love you, Elphie..." before she drifted off into a peaceful sleep.
As the first rays of sunlight came filtering through the window, Elphaba stirred, looking down and seeing the blonde in her arms. She smiled slightly before she leaned down and kissed her forehead gently, pulling her the tiniest bit closer. Galinda sighed happily, smiling in her sleep, as she curled closer to the green woman. Elphaba couldn't help but smile at the blonde's antics, holding Galinda a little tighter, still not quite sure if she fully believed the events from the day before had happened...that she and Galinda were actually...
When the blonde finally stirred, she gently kissed the green shoulder in front of her before quickly pulling back in shock. "I...I didn't mean..." She stopped herself, taking a deep breath before looking up at Elphaba with a blush. "Did yesterday actually happen? Or was it all just a very vivid...and wonderful dream?"
The green woman leaned down to kiss the blonde softly. "If it was a dream...then perhaps we should never wake up," she said, leaning down again to kiss Galinda's shoulder. "There...now we're even."
Galinda wrapped her arms around the green woman, burying her face in her neck. "I'm so glad it was real..."
"So am I...I didn't think we would ever..." Elphaba didn't finish, as she held Galinda close.
"Me neither..." The blonde stayed like that before pulling away slightly to look up at the green woman. "So what would you like for your birthday, Elphie?"
"My birth...h-how...wh-who told you about that?" she asked, her face immediately turning dark green.
Galinda chuckled. "I'm the heiress to Oz. It's not too hard to find out your birthday, silly."
"Nnn...I don't...no one's ever...my birthday is no big deal..." Elphaba looked at the blonde. "I already have you: I don't need anything else."
"But, Elphie, I want to get you something. Oh! Can I throw you a party?" She grinned up at her.
Elphaba's face turned pale green. "No. No parties, Galinda. I don't want you to get me anything."
"Why not?" The blonde stuck her lip out in a pout.
"Because I am not...a social person, and parties are very...social! Besides, who would even come?"
"B-but why can't I even get you something?"
The green woman sighed, cupping Galinda's face. "Does it really mean so much to you?"
She nodded. "Yes. I want to get you something for your birthday."
"Fine. Then feel free to get me something." Elphaba sat up, stretching.
"Yay!" The blonde smiled. "So is there something in particular you want?"
"Ah, that's the challenge isn't it? You wanted to get something for me. Now you have to figure out what it is." Elphaba grinned back at her.
"Oh, you're no help." She stuck her tongue out at the green woman, but she was smiling. "I suppose I'll just have to make do."
"I'm sure you can manage." The green woman swung her legs over the edge of the bed, inhaling sharply at the pain. "S-so...what's the agenda for today?"
Galinda got out of the bed as well with a frown, circling around it to kneel in front of Elphaba. "The first thing on my agenda is to renew the spell I cast on you." She muttered the words to the spell, her hands hovering over Elphaba's wounds. When she finished, she looked up at her. "Please tell me when it starts to hurt again. I don't want you to be in pain."
Elphaba gave her a small smile. "Th-thank you, but I'm fine...you don't have to keep...um..." The green woman got to her feet, feeling slightly unsteady, but she caught herself. "So besides me...what else?"
The blonde thought for a moment. "Well, we could take Fae to get her shots. I don't want her to be in pain, but I don't want her to get sick either."
"That's probably a good idea." Elphaba made her way into her tiny bathroom, picking up a bottle of oil. "Um, I...I'm going clean up."
"Alright. I should probably go get ready for the day anyway. I'll see you soon then, I guess?" She made her way to the door.
"Y-yes...I guess you will..." Elphaba already had her back turned to the door as she pulled off her nightdress, beginning to rub the oil into her skin. The blonde left the room and returned to her own. She slipped into a dress and sat at her vanity to fix her hair. The green woman finished and slipped on her gray dress, putting her hair into its usual tight braid, as she made her way into Galinda's room. "Did I leave my boots in here last night? I can't find them..."
Galinda looked around. "I don't think you did. I haven't seen them." She thought for a moment, a smile spreading on her face. "Just a second. I may know where they are." The blonde moved to kneel beside her bed, giving a chuckle when she looked under it. Galinda crawled halfway under the bed.
"No...please no." Elphaba kneeled beside the bed as well, crawling under the opposite side.
The blonde pulled Fae out from under the bed, taking one of the boots from her and handing it to Elphaba with a slight cringe. "Well, the laces are a little chewed up now, but the boot seems to be just fine."
Elphaba smacked her head on the bed frame, as she sat up, taking her boot from Galinda, the other in her hand. "Galinda, I swear to Oz..." she muttered, slipping on her boots and giving Fae a scowl, as she laced them up.
"Oh, come on, Elphaba. She's just a puppy. She doesn't know any better yet."
"Well, she'd better learn soon! I don't have the money to replace these, and your father isn't exactly generous." Elphaba stood up.
"I'll get you new ones, Elphie. I promise. It was my fault that she got them in the first place."
The green woman sighed. "It's not your fault...and I don't need new ones. I'm sorry." She rubbed the back of her head. "Are you ready to go?"
Galinda quickly went into her closet, slipping on a pair of shimmery flats before coming back out with a nod. "Yup. I'm ready." She held the little puppy in her arms, as she walked out the door. Elphaba followed the blonde out, summoning their carriage and opening the door, holding her hand out to Galinda with a slight smile. The blonde took the outstretched hand, stepping up into the carriage and returning the smile. The green woman followed her inside, closing the door as the carriage started off.
It didn't take long for them to arrive at the veterinarian office, and Elphaba held the door open, as they walked in. Galinda went up the woman at the front desk, signing Fae up for her shots. After being told it would be about a five or ten minute wait, she moved to sit in one of the nearby chairs, gently petting the white furball in her arms. Elphaba stood beside the blonde, arms crossed, as she looked around the office, looking down when felt something tugging on her dress, discovering that it was Fae. She pulled her dress from the puppy's mouth. "What is it with you and chewing on my clothes?"
The blonde giggled, softly "tsk"ing the puppy. "It just means she wants you to play with her, Elphie."
"Fine." The green woman looked around before taking a toy off a shelf and holding it out to Fae. "Look, chew on this instead." Galinda set her on the floor and giggled when the puppy greedily took the toy in her mouth, jumping back in fear when it squeaked. The little white furball pranced around the toy, dodging in every once in a while to examine it again. Elphaba couldn't help but smile, as she watched the puppy, occasionally squeaking the toy with her foot. She moved to sit beside Galinda, flirting with the idea of holding her hand. The blonde leaned her head against Elphaba's shoulder with a smile, enjoying the puppy's happy little yelps. The green woman's face darkened slightly, and she hesitantly brushed her fingers across Galinda's hand, squeaking Fae's toy again and accidentally kicking it a little ways away. "Oops..."
Galinda playfully slapped her shoulder with a giggle. "You mean green thing!" She looked up, when she heard her name called by the doctor. The blonde picked up the puppy, the toy still in her mouth, and carried her through the door to the doctor's room. She gently set Fae down on the table. Elphaba followed the blonde, standing beside her and playfully trying to pull the toy from Fae's mouth. The puppy gave her a little growl, using her full weight to pull back on the toy.
The doctor looked down at a paper in front of him. "Well, it looks this adorable little thing hasn't had a single one of her shots yet, so there will be quite a few of them." He started to fill syringes with the vaccines that Fae would need. "Luckily this will be the only time she needs any shots for a while. Can I get one of you to hold her down for me? If she moves around too much it could hurt her."
Galinda could only stare wide-eyed at the syringes lined out in front of her on the table. Memories of her childhood flashed across her eyes. She was back in Doctor Gerald's office getting shot after shot after shot. "I...um, Elphaba, c-can you...do it, please?"
The green woman heard Galinda's voice shake, and she looked at her. "Hey...are you all right?" she asked, putting an arm around the blonde and giving her a small squeeze. "Everything will be fine. Remember, it's only a moment of pain..." Elphaba moved to gently hold onto Fae, looking at the doctor. "Ready."
The vet quickly administered the shots, soothingly speaking to the little puppy when she gave a small yelp. Galinda couldn't make herself watch any of it. She kept her gaze glued to the floor. "There we go. All done." He gave Fae a little pet on the head with a smile. "That's a brave little puppy you got there, Miss Arduenna. Just play with her for a few minute, and she will forget it ever happened."
The blonde gave him a half-smile. "Thank you, doctor. You're very good with animals. If anything ever happens to Fae, I'll be sure to send for you."
He bowed his head with a smile. "It will be my honor to serve you, though I do not hope that your little friend gets sick and needs me in the first place." He gave her a little wink, trying to lighten the mood.
Elphaba picked the small puppy up, allowing her to lick her face before handed her off to Galinda. "Yes, thank you," Elphaba said to the doctor, before she turned back to Galinda, placing her hands on her arms. "Are you all right? I kind of lost you for a few seconds there..."
Galinda have her a small smile before heading out of the room. "I'm fine, Elphie. I just...zoned out a little. You don't need to worry about it."
The green woman followed her. "Galinda..." she started, but she chose not to pursue it, shaking her head. She opened the door to the carriage, following the blonde after she got in.
Galinda coddled the little puppy in her arms until they reached the palace again. She stepped down out of the carriage and set Fae on the ground, watching her prance around in the grass. She turned back to the green woman. "Would you care for a walk, Elphie?"
Elphaba stepped out of the carriage. "I...s-sure." She gave the blonde a small smile, approaching her.
Galinda started off down one of the pathways to the garden, making sure to keep her eye on the little white furball that bounced in and out of bushes excitedly. "Well, I'm glad she's feeling alright again." She smiled.
"She's only a puppy; she recovers quickly." Elphaba tried to fall in step beside the blonde, but her long legs prevented that, so the green woman was left awkwardly trying to shorten her stride.
Galinda giggled. "Well, I suppose you're right about that."
"Of course I am." The green woman looked at her. "Did you doubt me?"
"I would never do such a thing, your great wiseness." She gave her a low bow, grinning.
Elphaba made a face, pushing Galinda lightly. "Don't degrade yourself, your blondeness."
"Oh, of course I would never degrade myself, your wiseness. I am far too egotistical to do so." She skipped ahead with a giggle.
The green woman grinned, chasing after her. She caught the blonde in a hug, pinning her arms to her sides. "What was that? I didn't quite catch it."
"I said I'm far too full of myself to ever degrade myself." She laughed, trying to free herself.
"Ah, so you finally admit it." Elphaba turned the blonde around, leaning in quickly to kiss her. "Never though I'd hear that."
"And I never thought I would be kissing a beautiful woman with green skin, so I guess that makes us even." She reached up to give her another quick kiss before pulling away, smiling. "But shame on you, Miss Elphaba. What if somebody saw that? The scandal it would cause." She grinned.
The green woman's face fell. "I...I didn't even...I'm sorry!" She turned away from the blonde, crossing her arms, as she continued to walk.
"Oh, Elphie...come on. Nobody saw. You know that you can't see this far out into the gardens from the palace, and there isn't anybody around out here to see."
"Y-you don't know that. If anyone finds out..." Elphaba paused, looking back at her. "I'm sorry...I wish I could be the person you deserve instead of just...a low-class servant."
The blonde looked down. "Please don't...I fell in love with who you are...not your social status."
The green woman approached her, taking her hands gently. "Galinda, I know. I just...I can't lose you just because others won't...understand."
"I was only joking when I said that, though..."
"I know...This is just very new for me. I've never...felt this way about anyone before. I've lived with you for fourteen years, and I wanted nothing more than to get away, and now...I can't stand to be away from you."
"I know how you feel, Elphie. I feel the same." She made a point to look every direction around them to make sure nobody would see when she reached up to give the green woman a gentle, slightly lingering kiss. Elphaba pulled the blonde closer, putting a hand to the back of her neck. She deepened their kiss hesitantly, her other hand coming to rest on the small of Galinda's back.
The blonde welcomed the kiss, her own hands resting on Elphaba's upper arms. She pushed herself further up onto her toes so she could reach the green woman better. Elphaba moved to wrap her arms around the blonde, lifting her slightly with a smile, so she wouldn't have to stand on her toes. "The height difference could prove to be troublesome..."
Galida giggled. "It's your own fault for falling for such a short girl."
"I couldn't help it. Your size made you all the more appealing."
"I know. I'm pocket-sized Galinda. I'm great for entertaining on long trips or on the go, because I fit in your pocket."
Elphaba smiled. "That's an adorable image...but I wouldn't stow you away. I love your pretty face far too much." She kissed the blonde again, lifting her slightly again.
"Awwww. Well, aren't you just the nicest thing?" She returned the kiss, only ending it when she suddenly felt her shoe snatched off her foot. Galinda pulled away from Elphaba, running after the little white furball. "Oh, no you don't, Fae. You're not going to ruin my shoe too!"
Elphaba laughed, chasing after the two. "Now you know how it feels!"
The blonde finally cornered Fae. She dove to the ground, only to hae the puppy jump on top of her. She laughed, looking up at the puppy. "Is this what you wanted, you silly little puppy? You just wanted some attention?" With a giggle, she started rolling around in the grass, playing with Fae.
The green woman watched the two, leaning against a tree as she did so. "If I have to compete with this little footstool for your attention, things may get complicated..." She stooped down to take the blonde's forgotten shoe.
"Of course, you come first, El-" Galinda looked up at her, noticing the shoe in her hand and eyeing her suspiciously. "What are you doing with that?"
"Me? I'm not doing anything." Elphaba spun the shoe on her finger innocently before grasping it in her hand. "Just...holding onto this for you."
"I'm watching you, Elphie."
The green woman grinned. "I can't imagine why," she said, taking a step back, and then another.
"Don't you dare." She started to get up, setting Fae on the ground next to her.
"What? Oh, you mean run away?" Elphaba took another step back.
"Elphie..." She watched the puppy make her way over to the green woman, bouncing up to try reaching the shoe in her hand. Galinda giggled. "See? She doesn't want you to run off with it either."
The green woman grinned before she scooped the puppy into her other arm, saying, "Now I have both," before she ran.
"Elphaba!" the blonde squealed, taking off after her. "Get back here!"
Elphaba laughed. "You have to catch me first!"
"You mean green thing!" Galinda turned down one of the paths in the garden, running faster and skidding out into another path just in time to intersect the green woman.
Elphaba couldn't stop in time, and the two collided, falling to the ground in a heap. The green woman smiled slightly, kissing the blonde on top of her. "Gotcha," she said softly.
"Actually it is I who got you." She grinned down at her, giggling when Fae tried climbing up onto Elphaba's head.
The green woman closed one eye to protect it from Fae's paw. "Well, everyone certainly appears to be enjoying themselves..."
"Yes. Yes, we are."
"I'm glad to hear it." Elphaba sat up, taking Fae into her arms before handing her off to the blonde. "Why Miss Galinda, now who's being the scandalous one?"
"I have no idea what you're talking about." Galinda got up, skipping away with Fae in her arms and a grin on her face.
Elphaba got up and followed them. "Of course you don't," she said. A slight grimace crossed her face, and Elphaba paused. "I might need to sit down soon though...my legs are hating me for moving so much."
The blonde turned to look at her worriedly. "I told you to tell me when it started to hurt again!"
"Galinda, it's fine, really. I just need to stop running around, that's all."
"No no no. I'm going to recast that spell again, as soon as we get back up to my room."
The green woman sighed. "Galinda, I don't want you to exert yourself. You've done so much already." Elphaba started for the palace, hesitantly holding out her hand to the blonde.
Galinda took her hand, holding Fae in her other arm. "It's a simple spell, Elphie. It really doesn't take that much out of me. I just want to help you in the only way I know how."
Elphaba shrugged. "W-well, I...I just don't want anything to happen to you," she said, as they walked. "Maybe I'm not your servant per say anymore...but it's still my job to protect you."
"Nothing will happen to me. I promise."
"I certainly hope that's true..." They arrived at the blonde's room, and Elphaba sat on the bed gingerly, slipping out of her boots. "Please don't let that footstool destroy my boots."
"I won't." Galinda took the boots, setting them on top of her vanity where Fae couldn't reach them. She returned to the green woman, kneeling on the ground in front of her. She muttered the words of two new spells, her hands very gently running along the wounds, taking the pain away as they moved.
Elphaba watched her, gripping the sheets, as she braced for any pain. "Galinda, I don't know if you should keep doing this...Perhaps it's best for my body to heal on its own."
The blonde finished the spells, leaning forwards to rest her forehead against the bed next to Elphaba's legs and closing her eyes. "You are healing on your own. I'm just relieving some of the pain."
The green woman sighed. "I...are you alright?" She placed a hand on the back of the blonde's head.
Galinda nodded. "Mhmm. Just a teensie bit dizzy...but it'll pass in a second."
Elphaba pulled the blonde up into a hug. "Thank you..." Her eyes drifted closed, as her chin came to rest on top of Galinda's head. The blonde's arms wound their way around Elphaba, as well, as she sighed happily. The green woman pulled Galinda down with her, as she lay back on the bed, one arm supporting her head while the other held the blonde close. "Nnnn...footstool stole my boot..." she muttered. Galinda giggled, but she didn't move, curling against the green woman. Half-asleep, Elphaba reached for a pillow and dragged it towards her, putting it underneath her head. "Don't laugh at me..."
"Too late..."
"You don't have to stay if you don't want to...no pain, but still need rest to recover...can't believe I might actually nap in the middle of the day..."
"I want to stay."
A wetness on her face woke the green woman up, and she opened her eyes wearily, pushing Fae away gently. "No..." She looked around, finding the blonde absent. "Galinda?"
The blonde in question, poked her head inside the room. "Well, I'm glad to see that you're awake finally." She grinned.
"Finally?" The green woman looked towards the window. "How...how long was I out?"
"Oh, just a few hours. It's almost dinner time now."
Elphaba sat up, rubbing her head with a yawn. "That's a few hours too many...I shouldn't be sleeping before dinner."
"Don't worry about it. It's my fault really. One of the possible side effects of that new spell I used on you was that it might make the injured person or the spell caster to be a little drowsy."
"And how are you feeling? All right? No dizziness?" Elphaba stood and approached the blonde.
"Nope. It's all gone. But your concern is very sweet." She gave her a smile and held her hand out to the green woman. "Come on. Let's go to dinner." Elphaba took the offered hand, still trying to fully wake up, as she allowed Galinda to lead her downstairs. "This way, Elphie." Galinda pulled her through the doors out to the gardens.
"This...this isn't the way to the kitchen," Elphaba said, twisting to look back over her shoulder at the palace, as if to make sure what she was saying was correct.
"I know that, silly." Galinda turned to face her, stopping before turning down a pathway. "Now, close your eyes."
The green woman was a little suspicious, but she did as she was told. "Please don't walk me into a tree."
"I would never do that." She giggled, leading her down the pathway. Galinda stopped her when the reached a clearing, gently pulling away and backing up. "Alright...open your eyes."
Elphaba opened her eyes, her gaze falling on the picnic blankets, and the lanterns hanging from the trees. "I..."
"Are you surprised?" Nessa asked from where she was sitting.
"I...I don't..." Elphaba turned to look at the blonde. "You...?"
Galinda smiled. "Happy birthday, Elphie." The green woman couldn't find the words, so she instead pulled the blonde into a tight embrace, her face burying in Galinda's shoulder. "So do you like it?" The blonde hugged her tightly.
Elphaba nodded. "Y-yes...thank you..."
"I'm glad you do. Now, come on. Let's eat." She took the green woman's hand and led her over to the blanket.
Elphaba sat between the blonde and Nessa, looking down at the what was set out. "There's no meat...but wait...what will you eat? You're not as..." She didn't finish, looking back down and picking up an apple.
Galinda giggled, picking up some grapes. "Just because we eat meat doesn't mean that we can't go a single meal without eating it." The green woman didn't reply as she took a bite from her apple, looking up at a lantern.
"Oh dear, you seem to have put her off," Nessa said, smiling at the blonde.
Galinda smiled at her. "Whatever shall I do?" She waved her hand in from of Elphaba's face. "Oz to Elphie...where did you go?"
"Hmm?" Elphaba's gaze focused on the hand in front of her, and she followed it up the attached arm and to its owner. "I didn't go anywhere. I'm still sitting here."
"You were zoning out."
"I was not...I just wanted to hide my embarrassment."
"Ah. From calling us out on eating meat?" Nessa said.
Elphaba looked away again. "Perhaps..."
"There's no need to be embarrassed, Elphie." The green woman muttered some incoherent answer, purposely taking a large bite to occupy her mouth.
"Please don't choke."
"I'm not gonna," she coughed a few times, "choke..."
Galinda patted the green woman on the back. "Elphie, please don't die. I don't want to lose you because you choked on an apple."
Elphaba wiped her mouth with the back of her hand, looking at the blonde. "I'm fine..." She set the apple down. "Galinda, this is all amazing, but you...you didn't have to..."
"I know I didn't have to, silly. I wanted to." She reached over to give Elphaba a big hug. "But the best has yet to come..."
The green woman froze. "T-the best? There's more?" She looked down at the blonde.
"Mhmm. I'll be right back." Galinda got up and skipped down the pathway, returning a few seconds later holding two packages. She held them out to Elphaba. "No birthday is complete without presents."
Elphaba took the presents hesitantly. "I...um...wow..." She set one down, before she opened the first present. Upon pulling out the new boots, Elphaba smiled and said, "I see we are preparing for puppy training." Elphaba opened the second present, pulling out a navy dress.
"Your other one is so worn out...but I know you prefer function over form," Nessa said.
"Oh...thank you, Nessa." The green woman smiled and hugged the brunette. She looked at the blonde. "And thank you too...I'm sure the new boots will be exceedingly helpful over the course of the summer."
"You're welcome, Elphie. I'm glad you like them." She gave a smile.
"Yes...I do." Elphaba began to clean the mess up.
Galinda quickly stopped her. "Nuh uh. It's your birthday. You don't have to clean up anything."
"B-but...you already set it up. I can clean it up..."
"No, Elphie. You're not allowed to clean up anything."
The green woman sighed, before she sat back. "Fine..."
"It isn't that much," Nessa said, picking up where the green woman had left off. "I'm sure we can manage."
"Yup yup. We can do it easy." She smiled, helping Nessa pick things up.
The brunette placed the basket and blankets in her lap, saying, "I'll take it from here," before she headed back inside the palace.
"I could have done it..." Elphaba said, standing and looking at the blonde, offering her a verdant hand.
"But we didn't want you to. It's your birthday, Elphie. The day you get to relax and let others do the work for you, because the day is all about you." Galinda took the hand with a smile, standing up.
"I've never had a day be all about me...That seems a little selfish." Elphaba pulled her close, her face darkening. "Umm...thank you...for everything anyway."
"You're welcome...but your birthday still isn't over. I have a few more gifts for you. I just couldn't give them to you in front of Nessa." The blonde grinned.
The green woman's face turned darker. "O-oh? My curiosity has been piqued. Can...can I see them now?"
"We have to go back to my room first." Galinda took her hand, starting to pull her back towards the palace.
"Well, by all means, lead the way," Elphaba said, following the blonde, as she tried to remain calm, though her heart rate was increasing.
Galinda pulled her all the way back to her bedroom, shutting the door with a smile. She reached up to give the green woman a soft kiss. "There's one present." The blonde slipped away over to her vanity.
The kiss ended all too soon for Elphaba's tastes, and she turned, watching the blonde before following. "I see why that had to be private...but there's more?"
"Besides kisses, I have only one thing more for you." Galinda opened a drawer in her vanity and pulled out a small box, holding it out to the green woman with a heavy a heavy blush. "It's kind of a combination gift for your birthday...and for loving me..."
Elphaba took the box from her, opening it and feeling her heart skip a beat when she saw the necklace inside. The green woman pulled it out, turning the key over in her hand gently and noticing the lock of blonde hair tied to it. "Yours...?" Elphaba looked at Galinda, smiling, as tears formed in her eyes. "Thank you..." She slipped the necklace on, moving to run her thumb over one of the heiress' delicate cheekbones. "I won't ever take it off..." she breathed, as she leaned down to kiss the blonde.
Galinda gave her a small smile. "You alone have the key to my heart..."
The green woman placed her forehead against the blonde's. "Galinda, I...I love you..."
"I love you too." She went up on her toes to kiss Elphaba gently.
"Um...do you want to sit down so you don't have to...stand on your toes?" Elphaba asked, her face darkening.
"Sure." The blonde led her over to her bed, sitting down on the edge.
Elphaba sat gingerly, before she put an arm around the blonde, leaning in for a hesitant kiss. "Sorry, I...I haven't...I don't know if this is...proper procedure..."
Galinda gave a soft chuckle. "You're doing perfectly fine, Elphie..." She kissed her again, her own hand moving to cup Elphaba's cheek. The green woman's hands moved slowly to wrap around the blonde, pulling her closer into the kiss. Galinda gave a soft sigh of happiness. Her arms slid around the green woman's neck. Elphaba inhaled softly, moving back a little more on the bed and pulling Galinda with her, deepening the kiss and taking Galinda's sigh as a good sign. The blonde's hands stroked through Elphaba's raven hair, as her lips pressed against green ones.
Elphaba broke away to catch her breath, but stopped. This...this wasn't...she shouldn't...they shouldn't be... "I...I'm sorry..." she said, moving away from the blonde. "We...we should get ready for bed soon..."
Galinda frowned at the sudden lack of contact. She reached out to grab her wrist, stopping her. "Please don't go. I'm sorry that I took it too far, but...I don't want to sleep alone...just for one more night...can you sleep with me?" she asked, afraid of the nightmare coming back if Elphaba wasn't with her.
"It...it wasn't just you...and of course I'll stay if you need me. I'm just going to get my nightdress." Elphaba gave her a small smile, leaving to go into her own room to change and coming back a few moments later.
The blonde went into her closet to change. She paused, softy touching her lips and smiling, as she remembered the kisses she had shared with Elphaba that night. Galinda went back out into the room soon after, quickly running a brush through her hair. She crawled into her bed. The green woman slid under the covers beside the blonde, taking her into her arms and kissing her forehead. "Fresh dreams...my sweet."
"Nighty night, Elphie." Galinda drifted off to sleep almost instantly. Elphaba smiled slightly, before she closed her eyes, following the blonde in slumber.
Reviews are always welcome ^^