Chapter Text
The world seemed to still for moments. Everything paused. The leaves no longer rustled, the water stopped its gentle lapping, the birds stopped chirping, and the grass stopped swaying. All in anticipation of something that was happening, right here in this clearing of the forest in the Vinkus.
Then, everything resumed, the world almost too loud, too bright, too confusing for Elphaba’s addled mind to recognise.
If it weren’t for the scratched up state of the blonde, she would have thought she dreamt it as she had for so many days and nights. The girl’s eyes were too cloudy, concerningly so as they took in the woman in front of her. Then all of a sudden, she tipped forward, eyes rolling to the back of her head.
Elphaba’s magic reacted just in time, stopping the falling body right before it hit the ground and Elphaba reacted soon after, rushing forward, her arms taking her magic’s place, cradling and lifting the concerningly light blonde and carrying her back to the cottage.
Once she was laid down on the bed, Elphaba allowed herself to take stock of the girl who had stumbled open her, surprising the monotony of her life. Not that it was unwelcome. Elphaba was itching for some action, something Fiyero forbade. And Glinda would never be unwelcome.
Elphaba didn’t allow herself to ponder upon how the younger girl had found her, only relishing her presence.
Oz! Had it really been ten years?
It felt like much, much longer.
Time always did seem to run slower in the absence of her sweet.
Glinda had changed too. Her blonde hair was shot with strands of grey, wrinkles pulled at the corner of her frowning mouth and adorned her forehead, her eyes underlined with heavy purple smidges.
Even in her sleep, Glinda did not look peaceful.
She took in the injuries the girl had sustained, scratches on her cheeks and arms. They all looked surface level though.
It was probably the fatigue that made her give out. She couldn’t even imagine how much it took for the blonde to get here.
Elphaba busied herself with other things after ensuring Glinda was comfortable. If she didn’t occupy herself, the thoughts bursting through her mind would eventually lead to destruction. She didn’t often lose control of her magic anymore, but with Glinda in the picture, anything was possible
Elphaba found herself selfishly hoping that Fiyero wouldn’t come back, that she would get to keep Glinda for herself.
“Elphie,” Elphaba’s attention snapped away from the cup of lavender — Glinda’s favourite during their time at Shiz — and moved to the blonde occupying her bed. Then more panicked, “Elphie?”
Elphaba picked up the tea and carefully made her way over, shushing the blonde. “You know, you stirred up quite a bit of drama, your goodness.” Elphaba wasn’t about to admit that she’d been worried.
She watched as Glinda flinched at the moniker. “You’re here?” A nod. “Real?”
“As real as you are.” Elphaba handed the girl the cup, watching her take a sip, her nose crinkling in the adorable way it did whenever something surprised her.
“How real is that?”
“Doesn’t matter.”
Silence.
“Elphie,”
Elphaba hummed, too lost in admiring the girl to give a worded response.
“I held out.”
Green eyes met brown. A verdant hand settled over a free pale one. A small smile quirked on dark lips causing pink ones to relax.
“Yes, you did, my sweet.”