Big Gelphie moment! The first of many.


Now was one of those moments where Glinda wished Ama Clutch didn't know her as well as she did. It made keeping secrets from her hard, and lying to her even harder.

"And just where have you been?" Ama Clutch frowned the moment Glinda walked through the door, arms tightly folded across her chest. "I trusted you to be home two hours ago. You had me worried sick."

Glinda had been with Elphaba and had completely lost track of time. She had been doing a lot of that these past few weeks, especially when spending time with her new friend. "I'm sorry, Ama. I'll have better ti –"

"None of your excuses. Tell me where you were."

"I was… with a friend."

Ama Clutch paled as her jaw slacked. "Glinda Arduenna Upland, if you were out doing something improper with someone improper, I swear to Oz, I will –"

"It wasn't like that, Ama. I met a friend at the opera house, and we were talking, and she –"

Ama Clutch visibly relaxed when she heard 'she'.

"– lost track of time. I did, too, but she was the one with the pocket watch."

"Perhaps I should purchase one for you, as well." She took her charge's hands. "This isn't like you, Duckie."

"You always wanted me to spend more time with my friends."

Her companion sighed. "Yes, you're right. I did." She patted her hands. "At least you're safe at home now. And you can tell me about your new friend. Does she have a name, or are we referring to her as 'new friend'?"

She carefully selected what she could say. "Her name is Elphaba. She's from Munchkinland, but she doesn't talk about it unless under duress."

"You haven't mentioned that name before. Is she a new dancer?"

"No, she's…" She racked her brain for a truth that wasn't the whole truth. "She's part of the administrative staff."

"Oh. That's… interesting."

"She's nice. I enjoy spending time with her."

"I'd like to meet her."

Glinda hummed. "I will see what I can organize. She's swamped, and fits me in during her limited free time."

"She seems to have a lot of limited free time to fit you in."

Glinda blinked at her companion. Was that a hint of jealousy she detected in her voice? "I'm sorry for being late, Ama. Could we still have dinner together?"

Ama Clutch bit her lip. "I already ate, but I can have Igo warm you a plate. I'll sit with you, if you'd like."

Glinda smiled and agreed. She would have to be more careful now. She didn't mean to slip up about Elphaba, but she didn't have much of a choice. At least she didn't say anything incriminating.

Glinda was stretching in one of the practice studios, warming up for the evening performance. Her left leg was up on the barre, and she bent her torso forward towards it, then away, her right arm in the air as her left hand rested lightly on the barre. She hadn't put her hair up yet, so her blonde curls fell over her shoulders and down her back, tickling her skin.

"Here you are."

She turned and smiled. "Here I am? Here you are. Look at you, venturing down past your secret floors."

Elphaba chuckled from the doorway. "I wanted to wish you a good show before the performance."

"How did you know where I was?"

"I know everything that happens in my opera house."

Glinda made a face. "Elphaba."

The green woman chuckled. "One of the library windows overlooks the hallway."

Glinda felt her cheeks heat up as she slowly smiled. She was also hoping to see Elphaba, but had been so busy that she didn't get a chance to sneak away. "Could you help me stretch first? I got a horrible cramp in class this morning, and want to make sure it doesn't happen again."

"Oh, uh… of course." Elphaba stepped into the practice studio, closed the door behind her, and awkwardly stood beside the blonde, nervously balling the sides of her skirt in her fists. "What do you need me to do?"

Glinda sat on the floor, legs out in front of her, and motioned for Elphaba to join her. "Sit across from me, stretch your legs like this, take my hands, and pull."

Elphaba followed the instructions, leaning back as she pulled Glinda towards her. "How does that feel?"

"Great. Now kneel behind me and push me down."

She clumsily stood and switched positions, kneeling as she pushed down and up Glinda's lower back. She felt her relax into the stretch and thought she had fallen asleep until Glinda straddled her legs, sinking lower. After a few clock-ticks, she turned onto her back, lifting her legs into the air. "Push, please," she requested, wiggling her toes.

The green woman smiled as she stood and pushed Glinda's legs down. After a few seconds, Glinda rolled over and stood, taking Elphaba's hand and leading her back to the barre. She lifted her right leg onto the barre and stretched, then frowned. "Can you hold my leg up? The barre's not high enough for the cramp-avoiding stretch I need."

Elphaba stood before Glinda, gently took her ankle, and lifted it, holding it a few inches above the barre.

"Higher."

She raised it a bit more.

"Higher."

More.

"Higher, Elphaba."

"I don't want to hurt you."

"You won't hurt me. I'm stronger than I look. It'll hurt later if I get a cramp. Higher."

Glinda's leg was almost touching her ear, supported by Elphaba's hands on her ankle and hamstring. Their bodies were dangerously close, and their faces even closer. Glinda found herself staring up into Elphaba's beautiful brown eyes. Her right arm was already up in fourth position, and she reached out, getting her fingers tangled in Elphaba's thick hair.

Elphaba's breath hitched when she felt Glinda's fingers in her hair. She stared down, her eyes getting lost in Glinda's wide blue orbs. She gently loosened her grip on Glinda's leg, but didn't let go. The blonde's leg didn't move, but her hands did, down from her hair to her cheek.

Neither girl could look away from the other. Glinda's heart rate increased, and her breathing quickened as Elphaba's lips parted slightly. The blonde slowly rose to her toes under the guise of getting a better stretch, but she just wanted to see what would happen if Elphaba's lips brushed against hers. Why did her lips appear extremely kissable? And why was she having thoughts about how kissable her lips appeared?

Suddenly, Elphaba pulled away and awkwardly cleared her throat. "Is your left leg good?"

"Huh? Oh, um…" She reluctantly lowered her leg. "I can… stretch it on my own. I appreciate your help, Elphaba."

The green woman nodded and practically flew out of the studio. Glinda watched her go, her fingertips tingling to touch her again. To be touched. She wanted to go after her. She wanted to grab her wrist, pull her back, and continue stretching together. Instead, she brushed her hair from her face and stretched her left leg on her own.

Elphaba's heart raced faster than her feet could carry her. There was that feeling again. That feeling that she knew she wasn't supposed to be feeling around Glinda. She knew she had to be careful, but she couldn't stay away from her. That's why she had sought her out. The blonde was like a magnet, and she couldn't resist her pull.

She finally stopped, bracing herself against the wall to catch her breath. She didn't know exactly where in the opera house she was, but it was a dark corridor, lit only by the small lamps protruding from the walls. After a moment, she regained her composure, and retraced her steps back to the main part of the building, squeezing her twitching fingers.

She ran back up to her office and closed the door behind her, leaning against it with a loud sigh. She had never experienced this limerence before. This involuntary surge of infatuation brought on by their close proximity and gentle touches made her flush, and she quickly crossed the room and pressed her palms against her desk.

She hadn't meant to touch Glinda like that. The blonde had told her to. She was simply helping her stretch her legs so she wouldn't get a cramp. But now, she wanted to touch her again. Do more than help her stretch. Maybe even see if her lips were actually as kissable as they looked.

She remembered the look in Glinda's eyes. Were they both thinking the same thing? No, she couldn't have been. It was an innocent moment. She was helping her stretch. There was nothing more to think about it.

But what if they were sharing that thought? The thought of that scared her. Glinda was like a porcelain doll; a precious possession that she couldn't bear to break. Glinda made her feel alive, and if anything happened to her, she would die.

Her body automatically turned, and her feet started to carry her back to the practice studio. Back to Glinda. Back to that moment.

Once she realized what she was doing, she forced herself to stop. No! She couldn't do that. She couldn't put both of them in danger. She could keep her feelings in check, and they could stay secret friends, and they would both be happy.

You won't hurt me, Glinda's voice repeated in her mind.

Oh, but she could. She had too many secrets, and if they got out, it would hurt herself, and, in turn, she might unintentionally hurt Glinda. And she couldn't bear to risk that. They could stay safe in this game, but only if they played it correctly.

After a few deep breaths, and she no longer felt the magnetic urge to return to Glinda. Perfect.

Now she could focus on other things.

What other things could she focus on? She could try to attack her mountain of paperwork. She could finish her novel. She could take a nap.

But she couldn't leave her office. She couldn't go downstairs to watch the performance.

She went over to her bookshelf and pulled out her hardcover copy of 'The Oziad', settled on her sofa, and read for the rest of the evening.

Glinda's body was physically backstage, but her mind was elsewhere. Specifically, on Elphaba. That moment in the practice studio replayed in her mind. The way Elphaba's fingers caressed her ankle. The way her eyes stared into hers. The way her –

"Glinda, look out!"

The blonde had just enough time to jump out of the way as a large set piece was rolled out in front of her. She was so distracted, she hadn't even heard it barreling towards her.

"Are you alright?" Pfannee asked, running over to her and taking her hands. ShenShen and Milla were behind her, and immediately started checking their friend over.

"Y-Yes. I'm fine," she whispered.

"You seem so distracted," Milla frowned, declaring that Glinda hadn't suffered any injuries.

"I just… have a lot on my mind."

"Will you be alright?"

She flashed her friends a convincing smile. "I'll be fine."

"If something's bothering you, you know you can tell us, right? We're your friends," ShenShen offered. "You can tell us anything."

But she couldn't tell them. Elphaba didn't want her to, and she shared her request for privacy. "I'm alright. Just a long day. That leg cramp really slowed me down."

"Will you be alright to perform tonight?"

Her friends were genuinely concerned for her. It made her feel worse for lying to their faces. "Yes, I'll be fine. Greyling won't kill me for collapsing and writhing in pain onstage. Thanks, girls."

"Places, young ladies!" Greyling called, banging her cane to get their attention.

Glinda took ShenShen's hand and led them to their places. As they waited, Glinda allowed herself to spare one more thought to Elphaba. She had wanted to wish her a good show, and now, she was so distracted that she was almost out of the show.

She should've called after her. She should've gone after her.

She should've kissed her.

She had never experienced this limerence before. This involuntary surge of infatuation brought on by their close proximity and gentle touches made her flush, and she had a strong desire to resume their touches this very tick-tock.

But she couldn't. The orchestra started playing. She was too late.

As the curtain rose, Glinda couldn't see into the darkened auditorium, but she felt an emptiness that told her that Elphaba wasn't in the audience that night.