Chapter Text
It had been a rather dreary day for Elphaba Thropp. When she awoke in bed that morning, the side next to her was cold; it was clear Galinda had already left the room. The evidence of her morning routine was scattered around—her hairbrush slightly askew, a faint scent of her perfume lingering in the air.
In the halls, she walked alone, pretending not to notice the absence of that chipper voice wondering aloud what they should have for breakfast—even though they always ate the same thing. I n the food hall, she also pretended to ignore how much it burned to be sitting alone. Around her, others talked animatedly with their cliques, their laughter echoing in stark contrast to the silence at her table.
Scooping her oatmeal into her mouth, the girl bitterly concluded that this was just preparation for how things were soon to be.
It wasn’t until Dr. Dillamond’s class that Galinda’s absence truly began to disturb Elphaba. So far, she hadn’t seen the blonde at breakfast nor during study break. The brunette had even gone out of her way during her designated study time to check some of Galinda’s clique’s usual hangout spots. But all it did was confirm what she feared: Galinda was missing.
Or perhaps just avoiding her—very intently.
Trying to ignore the gnawing hurt fusing with her mounting anxiety, Elphaba flicked her attention to the window.
Rain had begun to fall from the sky, droplets streaking down the glass. It felt as though the weather reflected how this day felt—dull, lonely, and rather strange. If she remembered correctly, it had been clear and sunny earlier that morning. She watched as the rain began pelting harder against the window.
Would it really have been so bad to let the love potion subside naturally ?
Immediately, she pushed that thought away and turned her attention back to the professor.
Over the past week, whimsical and impractical ideas had began to plague her—fantasies she would never admit aloud; and it had all started when Galinda kept insisting that Elphaba visit Frotticka over break so she could see a “real” garden.
It also wasn't lost on the Elphaba how much she had grown attached to the blonde in such a short time. How she had began to enjoy her relentless flirting, and of course- their conversations that seem to span across an abundance of different topics.
She would miss how good it felt to be seen by Galinda and not see a speck of hatred in those eyes.
Elphaba took a deep breath, closing her eyes briefly, as if she could will the memories away. The rain outside continued to pelt against the window.
"Miss Thropp, I believe you wrote a paper on this subject. Would you mind sharing with the class your thoughts on free speech?" Dr. Dillamond’s voice cut through her reverie, pulling her harshly back into the present.
It was an hour before sorcery, and Elphaba was still trying to convince herself that the absence of her roommate’s giggling or overdone theatrics wasn’t bothering her. But it was. It was unlike Galinda to be so absent, so removed from the public eye.
So doing what she always did when overwhelmed, Elphaba buried herself in books at the library, hoping to forget the whole situation—or at least distract herself from it. She flipped through the dated pages of a thick tome, trying to make sense of the lengthy paragraphs despite the chaos in her mind.
But then another distraction arrived—this one far less welcome.
“You look like you’re in pain.”
Elphaba lowered her book slowly, her eyes narrowing as she spotted Fiyero sitting beside her. His unflinching gaze met hers, that boyish smirk plastered across his face. She could see what Galinda saw in him—and it annoyed her.
“Fiyero,” she greeted bluntly before raising her book again, praying he’d take the hint and leave. Unfortunately for her, Fiyero didn’t seem to care about subtlety—or her lack of interest.
“I’ll give it to you, Elphaba,” he said casually. “Your seduction techniques are quite unconventional.”
She rolled her eyes but refused to lower the book.
“You come off as so distant, as though you don’t care about anything… and yet, somehow, you always seem to get your way.”
Elphaba flipped a page with deliberate indifference. She couldn’t tell if he was teasing her or flirting with her—and frankly, she didn’t care to find out.
“That’s all very fascinating, Fiyero,” she replied in a monotone voice. S he lowered the book to the table, ready to fire off a sarcastic retort—but Fiyero’s bluntness caught her off guard.
“She broke up with me.”
Elphaba blinked.
“What?”
“Galinda,” he clarified with a deep breath. “She told me she was unhappy in our relationship.” He tilted his head slightly, his expression unreadable. “And that she can’t pretend anymore.”
Elphaba remained silent.
His voice rose slightly as he leaned closer. “But I guess you already knew that, didn’t you?”
“I didn’t know anything about it,” Elphaba said firmly. “I haven’t seen Galinda all day.” She hesitated before adding awkwardly, “And I’m… sorry that happened to you.”
Fiyero studied her for a moment before standing up abruptly, trying too hard to appear nonchalant. “Yeah, well,” he shrugged. “It happens, I guess.”
Elphaba then watched as Fiyero stalked off without another word.
Though Elphaba didn’t know exactly what she would say to the girl, she knew she couldn’t just do nothing. Galinda had said she wanted to marry Fiyero, for Oz’s sake! Surely that couldn’t mean nothing to her… could it?
Maybe she’s having a surge of rationality?
Elphaba couldn't help but think, before pushing the thought out of her mind. She wouldn't let herself revel in this. Not when she knew Galinda was upset about taking the cure, and was potentially not thinking straight.
Later—though she dreaded it—Elphaba imagined she would need to talk the blonde into getting back with Fiyero. Because that was what Galinda truly wanted… wasn’t it?
Desperate to find her, Elphaba dodged through the crowded halls.
“Elphaba wait!”
To mild irritation, she came to stop in her tracks. If it had been anyone but her sister, she would have ignored it.
Nessarose wheeled herself over to her, a sheepish smile on her face. Elphaba kept her expression stern.
The two still weren’t on good terms.
“Excuse me, Nessa, I’m in a rush,” Elphaba began curtly.
“I’m sorry about yesterday,” Nessa blurted out. Elphaba sighed inwardly.
She wished her sister would save this for later.
“I wasn’t kind to you,” Nessa continued. “You deserve an apology. It was wrong of me to accuse you like that.” She glanced down at the floor, genuine shame softening her features.
Elphaba felt her guard melting despite herself.
“I thought maybe…” Nessa hesitated. “Maybe she was making fun of you or something. And I guess I was just thinking about myself when it came to the rumors. I didn’t stop to think about how it would make you feel.” Her bottom lip quivered as she looked back up at Elphaba.
“I’m really sorry.”
Elphaba crouched down to meet her sister at eye level, her heart aching strangely.
Since when did Nessa offer apologies? It wasn’t like her younger sister to be so intuitive… or reflective.
“It’s okay, Nessa,” Elphaba offered her a small smile. “I know it’s hard, and I understand why you don’t want drama.”
“But it’s hard for you too!” A tear slid down Nessarose’s face. “I can’t believe it took Galinda telling me that for me to finally see things as they are.”
Elphaba blinked, retreating slightly from her sister. “What, Nessa?”
Nessarose then explained how that morning Galinda had approached her and the two had a deep discussion. Elphaba tried very hard to pry for details, but Nessa frustratingly kept things vague, breaking up her story with more apologies.
“And as part of my apology,” Nessa concluded brightly, “I bought carriage tickets for all of us on Thursday.”
“Excuse me?” Elphaba frowned. “Tickets for what?”
“The market! Me, Boq… and obviously you and Galinda.”
Elphaba couldn’t bear it anymore.
“Listen, Nessa,” she interrupted sharply. “I really need to find Galinda. Have you seen her around?"
Nessa sighed thoughtfully before replying, “Not since breakfast… but maybe she’s at dinner right now?”
The early dinner rush had already subsided by the time Elphaba reached the cafeteria. If Galinda wasn’t here, then Elphaba knew she would need to go to Morrible.
The idea that her sister and Galinda had shared breakfast—and that Galinda had somehow awakened self-awareness in Nessarose—was bizarre. So, like every other bizarre Galinda action, Elphaba chalked it up to being another symptom of the potion.
It was one thing for the blonde to confess her feelings to Elphaba; it was another thing entirely for her to try to bond with Nessarose AND break up with Fiyero.
What in Oz could she be up to now?
Elphaba wondered this as she walked breathlessly through the rows of tables, scanning for any glimpse of pink or blonde in the crowd. Shortly, however, she learned it was no use.
Resigned, she approached a jug of water and began pouring herself a glass. She had just refilled her glass when she felt a tap on her shoulder.
Pfannee and Shenshen stood there, looking like scolded children. “Miss Elphaba,” Pfannee began, folding her arms. “We’ve been meaning to talk to you.”
“I’m actually very busy right now.” Elphaba gulped down her water. “Can this wait?” She set the glass down and turned to leave when she felt a pull on her arm.
“Sit at our table sometime this week?” Shenshen asked hesitantly.
Elphaba turned slowly. “Your table?” She raised a brow. “Why?”
The two cronies exchanged uneasy glances before Pfannee finally spoke. “Galinda said you’re very funny.”
Elphaba shut her eyes briefly, trying to regain composure.
“Look…” Pfannee started again, her tone softer this time. “We talked to Galinda during lunch, and she told us some things—”
“She was at lunch?!” A scoff escaped Elphaba’s lips.
Unbelievable. The girl was avoiding her.
“Anyway,” Pfannee continued with visible discomfort, “we thought maybe… the three of us could start over? You didn’t deserve the way we treated you.”
Elphaba just raised a brow, ignoring their attempt at reconciliation.
“Where is Galinda?” she finally asked. “I haven’t seen her all day.”
Elphaba then frowned. “And what exactly did she tell you?”
Shenshen shot a look at Pfannee before speaking. “That we should give you this note when we saw you at dinner."
They slipped a folded note into Elphaba’s hand before scurrying off, giggling as they went. Without hesitation, Elphaba unfolded the paper.
Elphie,
See you at sorcery <3
- Galinda
Feeling more pained than ever, Elphaba shoved the note into her pocket and pushed her way out of the cafeteria.
By the time Elphaba arrived at Madame Morrible’s office, all patience had left her.
“Is Galinda here?” she asked immediately, skipping any formalities.
The Headmistress greeted her with a thin smile. “If I may be frank, Miss Thropp, I do not know why you choose to associate with such people. You yourself are quite well-mannered, whereas Miss Upland is…”
Elphaba furrowed her brow sharply.
Morrible sighed and waved off her own comment. “I take it you’d like to see her before the lesson?”
Without waiting for an answer, Morrible turned on her heel and entered her office. Elphaba followed closely behind.
“Did you cure her?” Elphaba asked quickly as she scanned the room for any sign of Galinda.
“I’ll have you know,” Morrible said bitterly as she took a seat at her desk, “I was more than willing to oblige your demands. But Miss Upland expressed some… resistance.”
“Well, obviously, she’s under the influence!” Elphaba threw up her hands in frustration. “She isn’t thinking straight—”
“Says who?” Morrible interrupted coldly. “Miss Upland claims she feels completely in control and refused to take the cure if…” She paused dramatically “…she didn't get to speak with you first.”
Elphaba folded her arms tightly across her chest. “You can’t be serious.”
Morrible chuckled darkly. “That is what I told her. ” She leaned back in her chair. “I told Miss Upland she's wasting my time. That she's running lost in a maze of her emotions—searching for answers everywhere when the truth itself, is so obvious." She sighed theatrically before adding: “But alas… some people like to be absorbed in their own mental mazes.”
Elphaba ignored Morrible’s cryptic musings and cut straight to the point: “Where is she now?”
Morrible gestured lazily toward the door leading out into the garden. “Why, I believe she’s waiting for you there.” Her lips curled into another thin smile.
Without another word, Morrible returned to whatever parchment lay on her desk as Elphaba stormed out toward the garden.
Thank Oz the rain had finally stopped. Elphaba stepped carefully, her boots skirting around puddles and patches of loose mud. The garden stretched out before her, a labyrinth of flowers glistening with droplets. The air smelled crisp and clean, but the stillness was unsettling. It felt hollow, deserted. Would Galinda really be out here in this weather? The girl hated the cold and never went anywhere without complaining about the lack of proper sweaters.
“Galinda!” Elphaba called, her voice cutting through the damp air. No answer. She pressed on, weaving through the garden. A cluster of faded petunias caught her eye, their drooping heads seeming to watch her with an eerie sort of awareness.
She shivered and muttered under her breath, “Galinda, why are you doing this?”
The garden felt larger than she remembered—more twisted, more confining. She could’ve sworn it seemed less daunting the last time she wandered here.
“Elphie?” came a voice from somewhere beyond the flowered walls.
Elphaba spun toward the sound and darted around the nearest corner, only to find herself staring at another wall of blossoms. No Galinda—just more foliage hemming her in. A sinking feeling settled in her chest as she glanced over her shoulder.
When had the walls closed in like this?
She was surrounded now, trapped in a cocoon of greenery.
“Galinda? What’s happening? Why is the garden… like this?” Elphaba’s voice wavered as unease began to take hold.
“I'm lost!” Galinda’s reply came as a frantic yell. “Madame Morrible told me to come out here to wait for you, and then everything changed!” Her voice cracked with desperation. “Please come find me!”
The maze seemed endless, its winding paths and towering walls of foliage closing in tighter with every step. At first, Elphaba had tried to strategize her way out, tracing her fingers along the walls and mentally mapping her progress. But as the sun dipped below the horizon, her determination began to wane.
Now, she wandered aimlessly, her boots sinking into damp earth, her ears straining for Galinda’s voice.
“Are you still coming, Elphie?!” Galinda’s voice echoed faintly, hoarse from shouting.
“I'm trying!” Elphaba called back, frustration sharpening her tone. She dragged her hand along the vines, their rough texture grounding her in the disorienting maze.
The wind picked up again, a fierce gust that nearly knocked her off balance. Thunder rumbled in the distance, and she felt the first pangs of unease settle in her chest.
“I know she's punishing me!” Galinda’s voice echoed again. “She says i'm just a distraction to you!"
Elphaba stopped in her tracks, rain dripping from her chin as she processed the words. “Galinda,” she called out after a moment, “Why didn't you take the cure today?"
There was silence—just the sound of rain pounding against leaves and mud squelching underfoot.
"I don't want it Elphaba!" came the reply at last, defiant and unyielding.
Elphaba quickened her pace, rounding corner after corner. The maze seemed endless now, its paths narrowing as if conspiring to trap her. “But Galinda,” she shouted over the storm, “the potion—”
"Elphaba!” Galinda interrupted sharply. "I am tired of talking about that Ozdamned potion!'
Elphaba froze as a flash of pink caught her eye through a tangle of branches and white roses. Her heart leapt for a moment, but when she pushed forward to investigate, there was nothing—just another wall of pink flowers mocking her.
“Well maybe i'm not!” she demanded, anger bubbling beneath her fear. "You had one job, Galinda! One job, and it was to cure yourself of this terrible thing-"
"My feelings for you are not a terrible thing!" Galinda’s voice sounded closer now but no less desperate. “Besides, i've made efforts to make things right for us!”
Elphaba rolled her eyes but kept moving. The potion didn’t matter anymore—not really. What mattered was why Galinda had done what she did today.
“You think this has made things right?” Elphaba shot back sarcastically. Her frustration boiled over as she thought about how easily this could have been avoided. The rain had began to pick up.
"Galinda, I don't understand you. You break up with Fiyero, then you...collude with Nessa for us all to go to the market?! How can you not see that this all must be because of the pot-"
Thunder boomed and a gust of wind blew cold droplets onto the girl's face.
“Oz, we’re never going to get out of here!” Galinda groaned. Her voice cracking under the weight of exhaustion and fear. “This is a terrible Monday.”
Elphaba picked up her pace again, rounding another corner only to stop dead in her tracks at a thick layer of mud stretching before her like a moat. It looked deep—too deep to cross without sinking into it entirely.
“Elphie!” Galinda’s voice broke through the storm again, closer now but tinged with desperation. The rain had began to fall in sheets now. “Oh Oz, we're going to die in here!"
Elphaba stared at the mud for a moment before stepping into it. The icy sludge wrapping around her legs immediately, seeping into her boots and sending shivers up her spine.
“We’re not going to die!” she shouted back over the wind’s roar. “But Oz help me, Galinda—you really don’t have to be so dramatic all the time!”
“IT SEEMS TO BE THE ONLY WAY TO GET YOU TO LISTEN!” came Galinda’s retort.
The mud deepened suddenly, sucking at Elphaba’s shins and halting her progress. Panic clawed at her chest just as she saw lightning illuminate the sky above them.
“Galinda?” Her voice wavered now as fear took hold. “There’s mud—and it looks really deep—I can’t…”
Rain lashed against her face as thunder cracked again overhead. The storm was growing relentless, each gust of wind cutting through her soaked clothes like ice.
“Elphie?!” Galinda’s voice called out.
The rain began to pelt into Elphaba's skin hard at that point. She knew it was only a matter of time before it began hailing.
“If we die, I want you to know I don’t regret what I’ve said or done—not any of it.” Galinda words were nearly drowned out by another clap of thunder. “I’d drink that stupid potion again if it meant being here with you.”
Elphaba swallowed hard against the lump forming in her throat and took another step forward despite the mud pulling at her legs like quicksand. But then she stopped.
Perhaps it was the cold, perhaps it was the blonde's words; either way, it felt overwhelming.
“You're not going to die, Galinda!” Elphaba yelled back, her tears mixing with rain on her face. She wiped at them ferociously, before pausing. "I can't go through the mud, Galinda, it's...." she took a slight step forward to test her theory.
She was knee deep now.
"I can't go any deeper-" The brunette began immediately.
“What do you mean you can't go deeper?!” Galinda cried out from beyond the wall of foliage. Her voice cracked with desperation now.
"I JUST CAN'T GALINDA!"
"WELL TRY HARDER!"
Elphaba wiped at her face again, but to no use; the rain was practically showering her.
She turned back toward the path she had come from, her mind racing. Galinda’s voice sounded so close, yet impossibly far.
"Elphaba, I’m sorry! Please don’t leave me alone!" Galinda’s desperate cry broke through the rain after a pause. "Please keep talking to me—"
Elphaba hesitated, starting to turn back, when something caught her eye—a break in a patch of roses she had just passed. Her heart pounded as she leaned forward, squinting through the rain-soaked thorns. And then she saw her.
Galinda was crumpled on the ground, her once-perfect blonde curls plastered to her pale, rain-drenched skin. The hail striking her mercilessly, bouncing off her trembling shoulders as sobs wracked her fragile frame. She looked so small, so broken.
For a moment, Elphaba couldn’t move, her chest tightening at the sight. The world around her blurred—the rain, the cold, even Galinda’s cries—all of it faded into a dull hum as an overwhelming wave of emotion surged through her.
“Galinda!” she finally cried.
Without a second , Elphaba began to tear through the bundle of roses separating them, ignoring the thorns that pierced into her hands and left streaks of blood across the foilage. The pain barely registered as adrenaline coursed through her veins.
When Galinda noticed what Elphaba was doing, she began pulling too—both girls clawing at the foliage until there was finally enough space for them to crawl through.
Galinda stumbled through immediately, before collapsing into Elphaba’s arms.
“Oh, Elphie…” Galinda cupped Elphaba’s face between muddy hands. Tears were streaming down her face. Her voice cracked over another gust of wind: “I thought i was going to die alone."
Elphaba brought her own hands to the girl's face, shaking her head. "I would never leave you."
Hail continued to attack their skin, sharp and stinging, as the wind howled like a living thing trying to tear them apart. The wind howled through the maze. Elphaba could barely see through the storm, her vision clouded by rain and exhaustion.
Galinda—soaked, trembling, and bleeding—kept her hands on Elphaba's face. Her eyes were wide, desperate.
How could Madame Morrible let this happen to them? It then dawned on Elphaba that perhaps this was the their punishment all along. Who would truly miss her if she were to die right now?
The only person she could imagine was standing right in-front of her.
The two put their arms and hands over their heads, and pressed their foreheads together. There was nowhere to go, nowhere to hide.
"We might actually die out here!" Elphaba finally admitted, her voice breaking through the relentless roar of hail and wind.
Galinda, for a moment, just stared, her eyes searching Elphaba’s face.
Another gust of icy wind howled around them, but she didn’t flinch.
“Elphaba,” Galinda said softly, her voice trembling but steady enough to cut through the chaos.
“What?!” Elphaba snapped, furrowing her brow as she tried to shield her face from the pelting hail.
Galinda hesitated, closing her eyes for a brief second as if gathering courage. Then, with a deep breath, she opened them and said, “I just want you to know—I love you.”
Elphaba blinked, the words catching in her throat, unsure of what to say—or if there was even anything left to say. The hail was growing larger, each icy shard stinging her skin with unbearable force.
It had been one hell of a week for the two. And if this really was their last moment...
“Galinda-” she muttered under her breath, barely aware of the words leaving her lips. Before she could think, before doubt could creep in, she surged forward, closing the space between them. Her lips crashing against Galinda's with a force that left no room for hesitation or doubt. It wasn’t gentle—it was raw, frantic, and full of every unspoken word she had been too afraid to say.
Galinda kissed her like it was the only thing keeping her alive.
Lighting shot high above the girls.
With both their eyes closed underneath the harsh pelting hail, neither girl noticed change around them. The rain softening to a drizzle; the wind slowing to a gentle breeze. Overhead, the clouds began to part, revealing slivers of pale moonlight breaking through.
When their eyes eventually opened, disbelief immediately ran through them.
The weather had cleared completely. The wild foliage of the garden around them had disappeared, leaving them in Madame Morrible's original garden- which was still rather unimpressive to the blonde.
Galinda eventually whispered. “What just happened?"
Elphaba could only shake her head, her throat tight as a strange, unsteady sound escaped her—a mix of a laugh and a sob. It started small, trembling in her chest, but quickly grew until she was doubled over, caught between gasping breaths and uncontrollable laughter. Tears streamed down her face, though she couldn’t tell if they were from the laughter or something deeper.
The sound seemed to spark something in Galinda too. Her lips quivered before she let out a breathless giggle that quickly spiraled into full-blown laughter. Soon, they were both caught in it—half-laughing, half-crying—as their voices tangled and echoed through the quieting garden.
Once their laughing had subsided, the blonde sobered slightly; throwing her arms around Elphaba. Her face nuzzled in the crook of the girl's neck. “You kissed me!” she giggled.
Elphaba raised an eyebrow, but tightened her arms around the girl. “Really? We nearly just died out here and that’s what you’re focused on?”
Elphaba could feel Galinda shivering slightly but didn’t let go; instead, she held on tighter.
And then came the sound—a sharp clap that shattered their fragile bubble of peace.
“Well done, ladies!” Madame Morrible’s voice rang out cheerfully as she stepped into view, completely dry despite everything. Elphaba and Galinda froze where they stood, their smiles dropping instantly.
“That now concludes our sorcery lesson on reality-shifting spells,” Morrible announced with an air of satisfaction. She gestured around them with a sweeping motion. “As you can see—nothing has changed.”
Elphaba glanced down at herself in disbelief. Her hands—just moments ago scratched raw by thorns—were now unblemished and clean. The mud that had clung to them so desperately was gone without a trace.
Inside Madame Morrible’s office, the room was warm and dimly lit, with a fire crackling in the hearth, casting flickering shadows on the dark wooden walls. The air smelled faintly of spiced tea and old parchment, a cozy contrast to the chaos they had endured.
Elphaba and Galinda sat stiffly in high-backed chairs, their clothes miraculously dry and clean now, though their minds were anything but at ease.
Madame Morrible hummed cheerfully as she poured steaming tea into delicate porcelain cups. She then placed the cups in front of the girls with a flourish. “Quite dangerous, these reality-shifting spells,” she said brightly, before winking at the two. “I hope now you two see why they are illegal…”
Galinda’s hand clenched around the armrest of her chair. “Then why in Oz did you put us under one?!” she snapped.
Madame Morrible’s expression didn’t falter. Instead, she narrowed her eyes at Galinda, her smile turning cold. “Because, Miss Upland,” she began slowly, as though speaking to a child, “if you ever want to be a powerful sorceress, you must understand the power of your sorcery. It comes with responsibility and integrity—qualities that ensure you will not inflict meaningless harm onto others.”
She settled into her chair with an air of satisfaction, leaning back as if she had made an irrefutable point. “What better way to learn the power of sorcery than to experience it yourself?”
Elphaba stared into her tea for a long moment before muttering under her breath, “I wouldn’t put anyone under that.” She lifted the cup to her lips and took a tentative sip.
After a moment, she shook her head and looked up at Morrible. “So…the whole day we've been under some weird spell?"
Madame Morrible’s smile widened slightly as she tilted her head. “Oh no, Miss Elphaba,” she said smoothly. “Today was very real.” She folded her hands in her lap and leaned forward just enough for the firelight to catch in her eyes. “But wouldn’t you say your time in the garden was rather… different?”
Neither girl responded. The silence between them was heavy.
Taking another sip of tea, Madame Morrible continued as if their discomfort delighted her. “You see,” she said lightly, “I talked you both into the spell when you came here...” She gestured vaguely with one hand. “Then once you were under it, I took you to the garden to...play.”
Elphaba blinked slowly as realization dawned on her. “I don't even remember you walking me to the garden..” Her voice trailed off.
After another pause, Elphaba set down her teacup carefully on its saucer and turned toward Morrible with narrowed eyes. “So,” she said slowly, her voice low and measured, “I take it you didn’t actually cure Galinda.”
The room fell silent again except for the faint crackle of the fire. Galinda stared down at her hands resting in her lap while Morrible took another leisurely sip of tea.
“I actually did,” Morrible said finally with a shrug that bordered on smugness.
Galinda’s head snapped up as Elphaba stiffened beside her.
“I put the cure in some tea I offered her earlier,” Morrible explained matter-of-factly as though it were obvious all along. “As I talked Miss Upland into the trance.”
Galinda’s mouth fell open in disbelief. “So, you drugged me?” she asked sharply.
“No, Miss Upland,” Morrible corrected, raising a finger as if delivering a lesson. “You unknowingly administered the cure yourself when you drank the tea I gave you—”
“That’s the same thing!” Galinda exclaimed indignantly.
Morrible’s demeanor shifted suddenly—her voice booming with authority as she slammed her teacup onto its saucer with enough force to make both girls jump. “Do you really think I would let my prodigy quit sorcery over this ridiculous antic of yours?!”
Her gaze swept over them both like a scolding parent catching misbehaving children.
“You two should be grateful I didn’t expel you after that stupidity with the love potion!”
Neither girl dared to speak after that outburst. Morrible’s expression softened slightly as she turned toward Elphaba again, though there was still an edge of amusement in her eyes.
“It was delightful to watch you both play pretend in the garden for an hour.” She chuckled softly to herself before adding with mock curiosity, “I do wonder what exactly you were seeing… It looked wildly entertaining from here.”
“I've never been so scared in my life” Galinda muttered.
“Well,” Morrible replied nonchalantly as she leaned back in her chair once more.
“These things are scary.” She waved one hand dismissively before taking another sip of tea. “Reality is such a fragile thing—easily bent by our emotional states.”
Galinda and Elphaba had began to leave Madame Morrible's office. The warmth of the room still clinging to them as they stepped into the cool and emptied hallway. Galinda stepped out first, her heels clicking softly against the polished floor. The firelight from inside flickered against the hallway walls as she paused, waiting for Elphaba to follow. But Elphaba hesitated.
Quickly, she turned back toward Madame Morrible, and glanced briefly over her shoulder to ensure Galinda was out of earshot. Her pulse quickened as she stepped closer to the older woman, who was now tidying up the tea set.
“Madame Morrible,” Elphaba said quietly.
The older woman looked up, her expression unreadable.
Elphaba’s gaze dropped to the floor. She shifted on her feet, her hands fidgeting with the hem of her sleeve. “I know you said you administered the cure to Galinda,” she began, her voice barely above a whisper. “But… I just wanted to know… was the love potion ever really active?”
Madame Morrible raised an eyebrow at the question, her lips curling into a faint smile. For a moment, she said nothing, letting the silence stretch between them until Elphaba felt the weight of it pressing down on her chest.
Finally, Morrible set down the teapot and folded her hands neatly in front of her. “The beauty of magic, Miss Elphaba,” she said carefully, “is that we don’t always know how it works. That is what makes it so unique… and so very useful.”
Elphaba’s brows furrowed as she looked up at Morrible again. The older woman stepped closer and placed a firm hand on Elphaba’s shoulder, her grip both reassuring and unsettling.
“Just let it be,” Morrible said softly but firmly.
Elphaba hesitated for a moment longer, searching Madame Morrible’s face for any hint of truth or deception. But there was nothing more to be gleaned from the woman’s enigmatic expression. She nodded slowly, murmured a quiet “Thank you,” and turned away.
As she stepped into the hallway where Galinda stand waiting for her, the door to Madame Morrible’s office clicked shut behind them. The blonde turned as Elphaba approached, her expression soft but curious. “What was that about?” Galinda asked lightly, concern in her eyes.
Without hesitation, she reached out and laced their fingers together.
Elphaba paused for a moment, looking down at their joined hands before meeting Galinda’s gaze. The weight of the day—the mud, the storm, the confessions—settled deep in her chest. But for once, it didn’t feel heavy. It felt… freeing.
She took a deep breath, letting it all go as she looked at Galinda.
“Nothing,” she said softly. Her lips curved into the faintest of smiles as she gave the other girl's hand a gentle squeeze. “Let’s just go home.”
Once back in their shared room, the storm outside now a distant memory. Elphaba and Galinda moved quietly, preparing for bed in silence, their movements slow and deliberate, as though neither wanted to disturb the fragile peace that had settled over them. When they finally climbed into Galinda’s bed, the blonde nestled close to Elphaba, her head resting on her shoulder.
Galinda broke the silence first. “I hate that woman,” she muttered, “She’s horrendifying.”
Elphaba let out a soft laugh and reached for Galinda’s hand, “Are you okay?” she asked quietly.
Galinda nodded but exhaled deeply. “I mean… I’m deeply disturbed,” she admitted. “It felt like I was there for hours before you found me.”
Elphaba pulled the girl closer. Galinda curled into her side with a contented sigh.
“You’re being very affectionate tonight,” Galinda teased lightly.
Elphaba hesitated for a moment before speaking.
“Galinda,” she began carefully, “what we said… in the garden. Everything you said about me…” She paused, swallowing hard as emotion threatened to overwhelm her. “Since Madame Morrible gave you the treatment before she put you under the trance… that means…” Her voice broke slightly as she continued. “That it was all true.”
Galinda pulled back slightly to look at Elphaba, her expression softening into something serious and sincere. “Of course it was true,” she said firmly.
"I didn't know..."
Tears began to slide down green skin, and the blonde's hand found them immediately.
“Elphie…" Galinda continued, "How i feel for you might just be the one thing in my life that is true. Everything else—the parties, the smiles, what people expect from me—it’s all just… noise.”
Elphaba stared at her for a moment, her throat tightening as the words sank in. Relief and something deeper—something terrifying but wonderful—was washing over her in waves.
Galinda smiled softly then and tilted her head playfully. “Or perhaps,” she said with a teasing lilt in her voice, “Do I need to make it even more obvious?”
Before Elphaba could respond, Galinda leaned forward again, this time pressing a kiss to the girl's lips.
When they pulled apart, the blonde was smirking mischievously at her and wriggling her eyebrows.
“You’re insufferable,” Elphaba murmured with mock exasperation before breaking into a smile herself.
“And yet,” Galinda quipped with a grin as she settled back into Elphaba’s arms, “you’re still in my bed!”
"I could go to mine, but you would just follow me." Elphaba muttered, though she tightened her grip around the girl.
“That is—” Galinda murmured, nestling her head into the crook of Elphaba’s neck, “entirely true.”
Their laughter swelled again, bubbling up uncontrollably, but this time it carried something deeper—relief, joy, and the unspoken acknowledgment of what had been there all along. The candle on the bedside table flickered weakly, casting a warm glow over their tangled forms before Galinda leaned over and blew it out with a soft puff of air.
Darkness filled the room, and for the first time, neither of them felt lost within it. Instead, a quiet, undeniable comfort settled between them. The comfort and happiness that this was real.