My buddy "Denpa Wave Chick Saki" co-wrote this with me. Enjoy!
It was the sound of Irji wailing that woke Sarima for the third time that night. She sat up, casting a somewhat envious glare at her still sleeping husband.
"House could be on fire and you'd still be asleep…" she muttered, getting out of the bed and walking over to the crib. The brunette reached inside and lifted her son into her arms, bouncing him gently as she walked down the hallway.
"I don't understand…I already fed you twice…what can the problem possibly be this time?" Of course Irji didn't reply, but grabbed a handful of his mother's hair, a small smile on his face.
Sarima sighed, her frustration ebbing away. Anger just wasn't an emotion she felt. In fact, she hardly felt anything now, except numb. The task of raising a baby seemed daunting, and she just felt tired at the end of every day. She even felt years older, last year seeming to be a different lifetime. Elphaba…the green woman was nothing more than a memory.
She's much happier with Galinda anyway…happier than I could ever make her.
Irji let out a gurgle and Sarima looked down at him just in time to see a glob of some unknown liquid on the front of her nightdress. She sighed; it was time to resume her duties of motherhood.
A sleepy "morning" greeted the brunette as she stood at the stove. She didn't look up from the breakfast she was making, but instead she slid it onto a plate a few moments later and set it in front of her husband.
"Thanks," Fiyero said with a yawn before picking up his fork and beginning to eat. Sarima sat down across from him, a hand to her forehead. "Are you going to eat?"
"Not hungry."
"Again?" Fiyero lowered his fork. "This is the third morning. I don't think this is very good for you-"
"Please spare me your lectures." Sarima stood up upon hearing Irji's cries, moving to retrieve him. After picking him up, she sat in a chair beside the window, looking outside.
"Are you going to class today?" the blonde asked, coming into the bedroom and disappearing into the closet.
"What do you think?"
"I'll take that as a no." By now, Fiyero had grown used to the brunette's behavior, and though he tried, she remained indifferent. He buttoned up his shirt, as he said, "You could hire someone to-"
"No…mothers raise their children. That's how it is. I'm fine."
The prince emerged, zipping up his pants. "I'll bring you something for lunch," he said, kissing her on the cheek and rubbing Irji's head before he grabbed his bag and left.
Sarima let out a sigh, letting the top of her robe fall and baring her torso, feeling Irji latch onto her. The brunette closed her eyes and slipped into the familiar numbness that distracted her from the pain she kept locked inside.
"Galinda...a-are you sure you're not nervous about going to class?"
"Why would I be nervous?"
Elphaba looked down. "W-well, I...I just...what if people...find out...?"
"Find out about what?"
"About...what we did...how we...touched each other..."
The blonde chuckled. "Elphie, nobody will be able to tell."
"How do you know? What if they can? What if...what if they notice how I'm walking different? What if they're like Animals and they can...I don't know, smell it!"
"Relax, already. Nobody can smell it, silly. And they won't notice how you're walking either...it's not that bad."
"How can I relax? We had sex! People will find out, I just know they will!" The green woman continued with her rant, her voice getting higher as she soon forgot to inhale.
"Well, if you keep yelling like that, then all of Shiz will hear you."
The green woman paused, taking a deep breath. "I'm staying in this room for the rest of my life."
"Oh, no you are not. I won't allow it. You are going to go with me to class right now, and you're going to act like nothing happened."
"No, I can't...let go, Galinda!" Elphaba resisted against the blonde. "Don't make me face them!"
"You have to eventually! Elphaba, look at me." She turned the green woman's face to look straight into her eyes. "Trust me when I say that this is all in your head. Nobody will notice anything. They won't know anything or be able to put two and two together. And, no offense, but let's face it...nobody besides me really cares enough about you here to actually wonder why you're walking funny or acting a little different." She chuckled.
Nobody will come for you because no one cares enough. No one wants you.
Elphaba looked down. "Y-you're right..." She sighed, picking up her bag. "Let's go then."
"Um...okay then." Galinda was a little taken aback by the sudden change in her girlfriend. She picked up her own bag and held her hand out to Elphaba. "Hold my hand until we reach the quad?" The green woman smiled slightly, taking the blonde's hand, but her gaze remained on the floor as they walked. "Elphie?" Galinda pulled them to a stop. "You know I didn't say that to upset you...right?"
"Wh-what?" Elphaba looked at her, brow furrowed slightly. "Sorry, I was...thinking."
"Are you sure? You looked like you were upset...not thinking."
"Upset about what? What were we talking about again?"
The blonde couldn't help but give a soft chuckle. "Nevermind. Let's get to class."
"I'm sorry..."
"It's fine, Elphie."
Before she realized it, Elphaba said, "Well I'm sorry that I can't be as confident and happy as you!" She twitched slightly.
The blonde stared at her in shock. "Wh-what are you saying? I didn't mean it like that..."
"I...I don't know...I'm sorry...that came out of nowhere." She gave the blonde a small smile. "I'm not mad at you...let's get to class."
"I...okay..." Galinda held her bag a little tighter, turning to head toward class. Right before they reached the quad, Elphaba leaned in to kiss to the blonde quickly before she pulled her hand away and resumed walking. Galinda blushed, but she couldn't hold back a small smile. She walked next to Elphaba silently.
A few moments later, Elphaba looked at the blonde, saying, "This is where we part. Have fun my sweet, and I'll see you later." She brushed a strand of hair from Galinda's face, her face darkening, before she fled quickly.
The blonde blushed again, giving her a small wave goodbye before turning and heading to her own class.
Around lunchtime, Elphaba found herself waiting outside Galinda's classroom for the blonde. When the blonde came out, she gave her girlfriend a smile. "Hi, Elphie. How would you feel about going to lunch with me right now? I'm super hungry."
"That would be why I'm waiting for you," Elphaba replied, smiling slightly, as the two began walking.
"Well then I'm glad that you know me well enough to be there right on time." She giggled.
"You know me: always punctual."
"Thank Oz for your punctuality."
When they reached the dining hall, Elphaba turned to the blonde to say, "I'm going to get a salad...I'll meet you at the table, alright?"
"Okay, Elphie. I'll save us a spot." Galinda quickly found an empty table and sat down in one of the seats, hanging her bag on the back of it.
"Would you mind if I sat here?" Boq asked, sliding into the seat across from the blonde. "I hope not, because I'm already sitting."
Galinda giggled. "As long as you pull up another seat. That one was for Elphaba."
"O-oh...so things are...going well?"
The blonde smiled. "Yes. Things are going quite well actually. You're still the only one who knows though."
The munchkin beamed. "And I promise to keep it that way for you!" He reached over to take her hand. "Galinda, I...I really am...happy for you."
"Thank you so much, Boq. You truly are a wonderful friend." Galinda gave his hand a friendly squeeze.
This was the scene Elphaba came upon. Something inside her stirred, and her tray fell from her hand, clattering to the floor. All she knew was that he was touching Galinda, and suddenly she was leaping at Boq, grabbing the munchkin and throwing him to the floor, holding him there by his throat.
"Sweet Oz! Elphaba, what are you doing?" Galinda jumped out of her seat, pulling on the green woman to get her off of Boq.
Elphaba shoved the blonde away, even though a voice inside her screamed, "What are you doing?"
"E-Elphaba..."
At the sound of Boq's strained voice, Elphaba realized what she was doing. She quickly released him, falling back. "I...I'm so sorry, Boq...I didn't..."
The blonde picked herself off the ground where she'd fallen, rubbing her bottom with a slight wince. "Elphie, what in Oz was that about? You could have killed him!"
"I...I'm sorry..." The green woman turned and fled, scuttling into a corner once she reached their room, hands covering her face. "What's wrong with me...?"
Galinda quickly gathered up their things. "Boq, I am so so so sorry about what happened. I'll talk to you later. I need to figure out what's wrong with her." She ran back to their room, quickly dropping their bags on one of the couches. "Elphie?" The blonde finally found her in the corner of their bedroom, and she kneeled down in front of her. "Elphie, what's wrong?"
The green woman looked away from her. "I...something isn't...right..."
"What isn't right?"
"I...I don't know...something is wrong...with me..."
"There isn't anything wrong with you, Elphie. Why would you even think that?"
"I attacked Boq...I snapped at you this morning...something is wrong with me..."
The blonde shrugged. "So you're a little moody. Who cares? Are you about to...um...you know...start your...cycle?"
"My period doesn't do this to me!" Elphaba looked at the heiress, grabbing her shoulders and shaking her. "Why can't you accept that something is wrong with me?"
"Because I love you, Elphie." Galinda gently stroked the side of her face. "And I think that all of your nerves about people finding out that we made love is just confusing you right now, and it's making you very moody."
Elphaba twitched again. "I...I hope you're right..." She fell against the blonde with a sigh. "How can you be so patient with me?"
"Because I would rather be patient and keep you than get angry and lose you."
Elphaba wrapped her arms around the blonde. "I love you...please don't leave me..."
"I won't ever leave you, Elphie. I promise."
"Thank you..." Elphaba pulled away. "So, um...is Boq...all right?"
The blonde looked down, embarrassed. "I don't...know..."
"W-what do you mean?"
"Well...I kind of ran out of there before really checking. I was more worried about you, honestly."
Elphaba smiled slightly. "I...I suppose I should be flattered."
"But he looked alright. Just a little...shocked."
"Understandable...I don't know what happened. I just...reacted before I realized what was happening."
"Why did you attack him, Elphie?"
"I don't know! I wish I did..."
"It's alright. I'm sure he will forgive you."
"But what if it happens again?" Elphaba looked from her hands up to Galinda with wide eyes. "What if...I attack you?"
"You won't. I know you won't, Elphie. You're not that kind of person. What happened in the cafeteria was just a fluke. It will probably never happen again. You're just overwhelmed by everything that's been going on lately, that's all."
Elphaba sighed. "You have too much faith in me..." She looked at the blonde. "I...I have to go apologize now, don't I?"
"It would be the right thing to do."
Elphaba sighed again. "Can't I just avoid him for the rest of my life? That would be so much easier."
"No, you can't, Elphie. Come on."
The green woman groaned, but allowed Galinda to lead her to Briscoe Hall, where another boy went to fetch the munchkin. "How mad will you be if I run away now?"
Galinda looked at her sternly. "Don't even think about it." Boq arrived and Elphaba looked down.
"Can I help you?" he asked. Elphaba winced, looking everywhere but at him.
The blonde elbowed her gently. "Elphaba just wanted to apologize for what happened."
The green woman let out a low grunt. "Y-yes...I'm sorry for...I haven't exactly been feeling well lately…"
"Thank you, and it's all right. I forgive you." Elphaba just nodded, her gaze never leaving the ground.
Galinda nudged her again before shaking her head. "Perhaps we can take you out to dinner or something to make up for it?" She smiled at him.
"O-oh...you don't have to do that."
"Yeah, Glin, we really don't have to do that," Elphaba said, giving the blonde a pointed look.
"I insist, Boq. It's the least we can do after she...lost her temper."
"I'm right here, you know…"
"W-well...I suppose…" The munchkin smiled.
"Yes, I know you're right here, Elphie. You're the one who's supposed to be making up for what you did, not me. Remember?"
"You said to apologize! You didn't say anything about a threesome date!"
"For Oz's, sake Elphaba, it's not a date! It's just lunch with a friend." Elphaba made a face, crossing her arms and looking away, muttering angrily under her breath.
"Did you...want to go right now?" Boq asked.
"How about we go in an hour or so? I don't have my things with me."
Boq nodded. "All right...I'll see you then."
"See you soon, Boq." Galinda slid her arm under Elphaba's and led her back to the dorm, giving a small wave back at the munchkin. "You know, there wasn't any reason for you to be so rude."
"I wasn't being rude. I was being myself. So sorry if it bothers you," Elphaba all but spat.
The blonde stared at her in shock, stopping mid-step. "Why are you so upset?"
"I...I don't know...I told you something is wrong with me..."
Galinda softened, taking the green woman's hand in both of hers. "Elphie, you know you can talk to me right?"
Elphaba couldn't meet her gaze. "I know...I just...I don't know what's happening. It's like...I'm my old self again...the tiniest thing just makes me angry."
"Why do you think you're reverting to how you used to be?"
"I don't know. Maybe I'm just...overprotective of you. Now that we've...um...you know, I don't...want to share you. I'm sorry...I know I'm being horribly selfish."
Galinda gave her a smile and continued leading her back to Crage Hall. "It's not selfish at all, Elphie. In fact...it's rather flattering that you think so highly of me to not want to share."
"Well how can I not? We...we shared an...intimate moment and...I just love you so much. It's so new for me...and I don't want to lose it...or you."
"I know exactly how you feel. I've never ever felt closer to someone than I have with you since we...you know. If I had my way, I would never leave the comfort of naked cuddles with you. They make feel safe and connected with you. But we can't, Elphie. We have to get up every morning, get dressed and go about our day. I have to deal with leaving you to go to your classes and to help Doctor Dillamon, but I do it no matter how much I may want to keep you all to myself."
"I...I know all that. It's just..." Elphaba sighed. "You don't have to worry...about anyone coming after me. But you...I see the way every man looks at you. My fear of losing you is greater than my fear of water...and every day, I wonder 'will she find someone better?'. And it's...just...so terrifying..."
Galinda opened the door to their room and pulled the green woman inside before closing it. She reached up to cup the side of Elphaba's face, bringing her down for a lovingly gentle and lingering kiss. "I love you, Elphaba Thropp. Do you think I don't notice the way people always look at me? I do, but it doesn't matter to me." She added quickly, "And not for the reasons you're thinking. It's not that I like the attention or that I like leading people on. It's because of you." Galinda kissed her again. "From the beginning of last summer and on, I have wanted and will only want one person to look at me like that...Your love is all I care about, Elphie. Everyone else doesn't matter to me."
Elphaba pulled the blonde into a tight embrace. "I love you...so much...and I promise, you're the only person I will ever look at that way." She kissed the blonde's neck, running her hands across her back.
"So do you promise not to attack anybody else out of jealousy?" She smiled up at her girlfriend.
"I...I promise..." Elphaba leaned down to kiss the blonde, holding her close.
Galinda gently stroked the side of her face. "So how about we make good use of our time and get some cuddles in before we meet Boq for dinner?"
"That sounds like an excellent idea..." Elphaba undid the blonde's dress, pushing it away from her body, before she picked her up and headed into the bedroom. "I assume you want to cuddle on the bed?"
Galinda held close to her, softly kissing her neck. "As long as I'm with you, we could cuddle on the desk for all I care." She chuckled.
"That seems a little uncomfortable..." Elphaba reached the bed and laid the blonde down gently, holding herself over her. "Well...we have an hour...what now?"
The blonde reached up to slip off Elphaba's dress with a smile. "Now you come down here and join me."
The green woman moved to lie beside the blonde, taking her into her arms and kissing her forehead gently. "This is highly inappropriate Miss Galinda, lying naked like this together."
Galinda giggled. "Well, we've done things more inappropriate than this..."
"I'm sure I don't know what you mean," Elphaba said, leaning in and kissing the blonde's neck as her hands ran down the smooth skin of her back.
"Mmm...sure you don't..." She smiled and cuddled closer to her.
After the time had passed, Elphaba sighed. "Can't we just cancel this...dinner date?"
"No, we can't. That would be rude and unfair to Boq." The blonde sat up. "Come on. We can cuddle some more as soon as we get back."
"Noooo...Galinda..." Elphaba pulled a pillow over her head. "You know how I feel about...going out in public with...people."
"We made a promise, Elphie." Galinda got out of the bed and went into her closet to slip on a dress.
"You made a promise...I was fine leaving it at 'I'm sorry'..." Elphaba sat up with a sigh, before she reluctantly stood and slipped her dress back on.
"They're just normal people. No different than me."
"Oh, they are different. I'm not in love with any of them."
Galinda rolled her eyes with a smile. "Well besides that, of course. It's just dinner with a friend. Come on, Elphie."
"Fine...I'm coming..." Elphaba stood at the door. "Are you ready? Let's get this torture over with..."
The blonde grabbed her purse before heading out the door. "Don't be such a drama queen."
The green woman followed. "I am not..." She kept her gaze down, as they made their way to Briscoe Hall.
"Yes, you are." Galinda waved at Boq with a smile when she saw him coming to meet them. Elphaba scowled at her, flicking the blonde's ear. Galinda threw a look back at her. "Stop it!"
"I only did it once!"
"Then don't do it again. For Oz's sake, you're acting worse than a child."
"I'm not even doing anything!" Elphaba protested, putting her hands up in defense.
"Are we ready?" Boq asked upon reaching them.
The blonde nodded with a smile. "Yes, we are. Aren't we, Elphie?"
"Yeah, sure..." Elphaba crossed her arms, looking away.
Galinda laughed when Boq said something funny, as they were leaving the restaurant. "I'm so glad you agreed to come out with us, Boq. We had a wonderful time tonight."
The munchkin smiled. "Thank you for inviting me. I enjoyed myself as well."
"I'm about ready to puncture my ear drums. Does that count as enjoyment?" Elphaba added.
The blonde lightly smacked her on the stomach. "Well, perhaps we should do this again sometime." She was about to say goodbye when a voice interrupted the conversation.
"Well, if it isn't you three..." Fiyero walked up to them with a big grin. "What are you guys doing out and about?"
"Hey, Yero. We just finished eating dinner."
"Oh? Sounds...fascinating. How about you all join me, Crope and Tibbet? We're heading over to the Philosophy Club. Want to see what the big deal is about the place, you know?" He chuckled, shrugging his shoulders.
"I've heard about that place...but are you sure we should go?" Boq said.
"I don't like where this is headed..." Elphaba said, her eyes narrowing.
"I don't see why you all are so reluctant to go. I think it's just going to be a big let down, honestly."
Galinda thought about it. "Why not, you guys? It sounds interesting."
Elphaba made an uncomfortable noise. "Galinda...I'm not so sure about this..."
"It...could be fun," Boq said. Elphaba sighed, knowing she was outnumbered.
"Oh, come on, Elphie. You can't knock until you've tried it. Like Boq said...it could be fun." She took the green woman's hand before turning to Fiyero. "Alright. We're in."
The group hailed a cab and piled in, night settling as they reached the club. Upon getting out and entering the dimly lit building, Elphaba felt highly uncomfortable again. "I really don't think this is the best idea..."
"Let's just try it." She gave the green woman's hand a gentle squeeze. "If we don't like it, then we'll never come back to this place ever again, okay?" Galinda took a drink from her glass of wine that a server was passing out to their group.
The green woman nodded, refusing to drink any alcohol. Soon enough, the assembled were swept through a pair of oak doors into a sort of theater-in-the-round room, with a space for the public divided into six stalls. The room was dark, and the ceiling lost in it. Elphaba clutched Galinda's hand, determined not to be separated from the blonde, even when the men became separated in the mix of people.
Though Elphaba had refused to drink, Galinda hadn't. She ended up far past "tipsy" by the time they went into the theater. The blonde leaned heavily against Elphaba, giggling. "Elphie, why so serious?"
The green woman held her close. "I knew this was a bad idea..."
A hooded dwarf appeared onstage, and the room grew silent. He motioned towards different stalls, and soon Fiyero and a Tiger had joined him. The dwarf looked at Galinda and gestured for her to join as well. The blonde skipped over to him, still giggling.
"Galinda, no!" Elphaba tried to stop her, but Galinda was already onstage with the others. The Tiger paced on all fours while the dwarf passed a smoking vial under the acolytes' noses, helping them out of their clothes.
Galinda was far too drunk to care at all that she was standing in front of all these people completely naked. She watched as the dwarf tied Fiyero down in a bowl-like chair. When he came and pulled her over to the chair, helping her to lay on top of the other blonde with her back to his front, she didn't argue, simply watching in fascination. The dwarf opened her legs and tied them to Fiyero's, also pulling the princes arms to wrap around her chest, tying his wrists together so his hands lay on her breasts.
When Elphaba saw what was happening, she inhaled sharply. "All right, that's enough!" she shouted, jumping onto the stage. She started for Galinda, only to be seized by the dwarf and yanked back with surprising strength.
"Let X be the Unnamed God," the dwarf said, gesturing to Fiyero. "Y is the Fairy Queen Lurline, who helped the human race. And Z is the witch Kumbricia, the death god."
Elphaba felt her clothes being torn from her body, though she fought. She yanked herself free and lunged for Galinda again, fumbling with the restraints that held her to the prince. "I told you this was a bad idea!" she growled. The blonde didn't reply, too engrossed in what was happening.
"Let us see if they exist tonight..."
Elphaba had almost freed her when she was yanked back again, thrown down onto the floor. Before she could react, she saw the Tiger standing over her, and she was tied to the underside of his belly, though she struggled.
"And the Dragon of Time in his cave..." The Tiger was hit smartly with a riding crop, and he moved forward, his head positioned between Galinda's legs. The dwarf let a salve run down the two blondes' bodies before handing the riding crop off to the heiress.
Underneath the Tiger, Elphaba continued to struggle, letting out noises of frustration. This was a bad idea, such a bad, bad idea! She'd never forgive Fiyero for this!
"Such are the variables of our equation. So now, let the true, clandestine study of knowledge begin."
When Galinda woke late the next morning, she rolled over with a moan, putting a hand to her pounding head.
Elphaba sat on the edge of the bed, having not slept all night. Her knees were pulled up to her chest, and she stared ahead with a blank expression, the memories of last night still haunting her.
The blonde sat up, noticing her dress. Why am I still wearing this? She looked around dizzily. "Elphie?"
"I told you it was a bad idea...why do you never fucking listen to a word I say?"
Galinda's brow furrowed in confusion. "Wha- what are you talking about?"
"Last night...that was awful...but did you listen to me? No, you listened to Fiyero, since he's led you down so many good paths thus far!"
"Huh? What happened last night?"
"I don't want to talk about it."
"Elphie, tell me what happened."
The green woman closed her eyes. "You and Fiyero...were tied together...naked. I tried to help...but then I was pulled into it. My clothes were taken off...I was naked in front of all those people...violated..."
"Sweet Oz..." Galinda's jaw dropped. "I am so sorry..."
"Don't fucking start with me..." Elphaba finally turned on the blonde. "Why don't you ever listen to me? You say you love me, and then you let this happen? I was exposed in front of everyone! You always choose everyone over me! I can't take it anymore!"
"I didn't...I'm sorry...you're right..." She looked down at her hands in her lap.
"NO! YOU DON'T JUST GET TO SAY YOU'RE SORRY!" Elphaba grabbed her by her shoulders, pushing her against the headboard. "I went through hell for you once at the Ozdust, and I thought you learned your lesson, but you didn't! You chose Fiyero over me AGAIN! Do you love me or not?"
"I-t wasn't for him. I just...I wanted to have fun...b-but then it wasn't fun and..." The blonde burst into tears. "I'm sorry...I don't...deserve you..."
"You're damn right! But you didn't answer my question!" She slammed Galinda back into the headboard, feeling her anger finally taking control. "Do you fucking love me or not? I want to hear you say it to my face!"
"Y-yes! I do!"
"AGAIN!" Elphaba struck the blonde, before she could register what she was doing.
Galinda cried out in pain, starting to sob, as she brought her arms up to protect herself. "I love you!"
"Then why don't you fucking show it?" Elphaba hit her again, though the blonde's tears caused something within her to stir. "So say it again!"
Galinda fell to the side from the force of the hit, and she curled into the fetus position. She tried to reply, but her sobs made her choke on the words.
The green woman looked down at her, breathing hard. It was then that she realized just what she had done. "Oz...Galinda...I'm so sorry...I told you...something is wrong with me!" She got off the bed, not trusting herself around the blonde. Galinda didn't move from where she lay crying on the bed, unable to get over the shock of what happened. Elphaba wanted to comfort her...but she was afraid of hurting the blonde again. "I haven't changed...please forgive me!" The green woman ran from the room, ignoring the dark clouds that had formed in the sky.
Soon after, the blonde finally regained control over herself. She made her way into the bathroom, eyes widening in shock when she looked in the mirror. Galinda tenderly touched the quickly darkening bruise on her cheek. "Why can't you see that I love you...?"
When it had started to rain, Elphaba wedged herself under some large exposed tree roots, watching the water run by. She pulled her knees up to her chest, burying her face in them as she began to sob. "I'm never going to change..."
Galinda dragged herself out of the bathroom, on the verge of tears again. When she happened to look out the window, though, she completely forgot about everything that had just happened. The blonde ran for the door, snatching up her umbrella on the way. "Elphaba!" She ran across the grounds, searching for her girlfriend. "Elphaba, please!"
The green woman could hear someone calling her name. She curled up tighter, not wanting to be found as she continued to sob.
After much searching, the blonde decided to try searching the wooded area nearby. "Elphaba!" She put up her hand above her eyes, trying to see through the pouring rain. "Please let me know where you are!"
Elphaba tried to muffle her sobs. "Please...just go back."
Galinda turned when she thought she heard something, squinting. "Elphaba? Where are you?"
"Don't...I hurt you!"
"I don't care! I forgive you, Elphaba!" she shouted back, trying to follow the green woman's voice.
"I don't deserve it! I'm not going to change...I don't trust myself anymore..."
"Elphie..." The blonde finally found her. She kneeled in front of the green woman, opening the umbrella and putting it over her. "I still trust you."
"NO! I'm broken, okay? I hit you! The woman I love...I hit you twice...you can't be with me...I'm broken..."
"What kind of girlfriend would I be, if I gave up on you the second things get hard? I want to help you, Elphie. I want to mend your heart."
"I don't think you can...I wish I could say you could...but I just don't know anymore. I tried so hard...I love you, Galinda, but I...I can't..."
"Let me try." Galinda gave her a smile, leaning in and kissing her softly as well. "I find that I'm rather good at fixing things and healing...what good are having those skills if I can't use them to help the woman I love more than anything?"
Elphaba finally looked at her, her face sporting red burn marks. "You would really give me a second chance...after what I did? You're not scared?"
"Scared? I'm terrified." The blonde dried off her hand on the small dry spot on her dress, reaching out to stroke the green woman's face. "I'm terrified more than anything of losing you."
Elphaba's eyes filled with tears again and she threw herself at the blonde in an embrace. "I'm sorry! I'm sorry...sorry...sorry..."
Galinda smiled, hugging her back before pulling away. "Let's get you back to our room, Elphie. I don't want you to get burned more than you already are."
The green woman nodded, standing with the blonde and walking with her back to the room. Upon arriving, she saw the bruise on Galinda's face and burst into tears again. "I'm sorry!"
"Don't...shhhhh..." She soothingly stroked her hair. "I'm fine." Galinda pulled her into the bathroom, gently stripping the wet dress from Elphaba's body with a frown. The blonde pulled away her underwear too, sitting her down on the edge of the tub, before she went to retrieve the bottle of oil. Galinda kneeled in front of her, gently applying the oil to the angry red marks covering the green woman's body. "You shouldn't have gone out..."
"I had to...I wasn't sure what I'd do..." Elphaba wrapped her arms around the blonde, pulling her close. "I know you love me...I was just angry...please, I would never doubt you."
"Don't!" Galinda quickly pulled away again. "I'm still soaked, Elphie. You'll burn yourself..."
"I deserve it! Please, I just want to be close to you..."
The blonde shook her head, quickly stripping off her dripping clothes and grabbing a towel. She dried off and wrapped it around herself, before she finally returned to Elphaba's embrace. "You're already hurt enough."
"This is nothing..." Elphaba pulled the towel off the blonde before bringing her close again. "Just...stay with me..."
"I promise...forever..." Galinda nodded.
"Thank you..." Elphaba kissed anywhere she could reach, holding Galinda all the tighter.
"I love you, Elphie."
"I love you too..."
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