#festivating

“Dancing in front of everyone? Been there, done that. It didn’t exactly go over well last time…” Elphaba laughed a little at her own remark, but Glinda couldn’t fight off the pang of guilt that struck her. 

Yes, Elphaba’s first and only experience dancing in front of a crowd had been disastrous, and it was her fault… but that was months ago, and they’d more than made amends– Glinda glanced at the smudge of pink lipstick she’d left on Elphie’s neck… Elphaba may have absolved her of her past mistakes, but Glinda didn’t know if she could ever truly forgive herself.

“This would be different, Elphie.” Glinda turned to her, “The Midwinter Gala is a formal dance– with dances like this, there’s a precise way to dance, every step is already planned, you don’t have to worry about what others think when everyone’s dancing the same way.”

“Please,” Elphaba scoffed, “Not once have I ever worried about what other people think.”

“That’s a lie and you know it.” Glinda tucked a strand of dark hair behind her ear.

Elphaba did not respond.

“You simply must come to this gala, dear Elphie, for I have the most magnificent dress to wear and it would be a shame if you didn’t get to see it.”

“I can just go through your wardrobe to find it.”

“We may be a couple, but that still doesn’t give you the right to go through my stuff– that’s just not what roommates do! Besides, I’m having it custom tailored and I’m picking it up the day of the gala, so there’s no way you can go snooping around for it.”

“Then I’ll simply have to wait for you to get back.” Elphaba took a moment to kiss her sweetly before deciding to turn up the charm, “Really, my sweet, I don’t care as much for the dress as I do for taking it off of you.”

“Elphie, you scoundrel!” Glinda laughed with a wink, “If that’s your only goal, then I’ll have to stop at Shenshen’s to change before I return, if only to avoid being absolutely ravished by you!”

Elphaba grumbled, knowing her inevitable defeat was near.

“Yes, truly, the only way you’ll get to see me in this dress is if you–”

“Fine– I’ll go to the damned gala.”

“Thank you!!” Glinda squealed with joy as she wrapped Elphaba in a tight hug, “Oh, this is going to be so magical! You won’t regret this one bit!”

–

“I think I’m beginning to regret this…” Elphaba said as she swirled her glass of overpriced, flavorless wine. She sat at a table with Fiyero, Crope, and Tibbett, who all seemed equally as bored as her. The group made a point of staying as far away from the grand dance floor as possible. 

“Same,” Crope agreed, “I do love a gala, but I hate that they’re so… restrictive in gendered roles.” He gestured to the dance floor, where strictly male and female couples waltzed away to the repetitive tune of some dull minuet. “At the Ozdust, we could dance however we pleased with whomever we pleased, but I barely know how to waltz, and I fear if I danced with my dear Tibbett I’d be scorned.”

“You’ve never let that stop you before,” Fiyero mentioned, adjusting his tie, “Why start now?”

“This just feels… different. I don’t want to make a spectacle of myself in such a regal environment. I may be a menace through and through, but I have some decency!”

Elphaba couldn’t focus on the conversation. Her corset was too tight, and she hated the choking fabric of the sleeves, a textural nightmare. 

She caught her reflection in the wine glass– it was a pretty enough dress, a shiny material that seemed black but in the sparkling light of the ballroom, revealed a sheen of iridescence. Still, she’d rather be wearing a suit.

And she missed Glinda… Oh, how she missed Glinda… Maybe her presence would make the gala a little less miserable. That is, if she ever actually arrived. Elphaba figured her dress must be magnificent if it was taking this long for her to get ready.

–

From across the grand hall, a stirring in the crowd drew Elphaba’s attention. Her heart leapt as she saw Glinda descending the stairs in a magnificent lavender dress with shimmery opalescent sleeves and a beautifully layered skirt. She wore her hair half up, and the golden glow of the ballroom’s crystal chandeliers made her look absolutely heavenly. 

Elphaba was not particularly religious, but whenever Glinda was near, she felt she was in the presence of an angel. And the world seemed to think the same, for the crowd of dancing couples seemed to part like a sea around her. She crossed the floor to Elphaba and the boys, keeping her ethereal air all the while. She flashed that pearly smile to everyone that greeted her, a smile that Elphaba knew to be nothing more than a pretense, a false display of joy and friendliness.

“Hello, Elphie.” She greeted, taking Elphaba’s hand and pressing a kiss to it. “You look absolutely beautiful in that dress.”  And then there was that real smile, soft and genuine, something special reserved only for Elphaba. “Thank you for coming, it really means a lot to me.”

"Of course," Elphaba smiled. The wine had gone to her head, and she felt dizzy in Glinda's presence. She was so elegant, and Elphaba decided that maybe, this night would be worth it after all. "You're so... I love that dress. Definitely worth the wait to see you in it."

Glinda giggled, her brown eyes full of joy, and Elphaba felt breathless under her loving gaze, as if the world belonged to the two of them alone...

But it didn't, as evidenced by Glinda stepping away to greet the rest of their friends.

"And boys! You all clean up nicely!.” Glinda took Elphaba’s hand and gestured to the boys, “Come, let's dance!"

–

The group– save for Fiyero, who didn't want to dance on account of the fact that he was already married– made their way towards the center of the ballroom where dozens of couples danced to the lilting melody of a sweet, romantic tune.

"Miss Glinda, I don't know if you've noticed yet," Tibbett started, "But every last couple in the ballroom is one boy and one girl."

"I see..." Glinda bit her lip nervously.

"This poses an issue for all four of us."

"There's no need to worry– we'll make it work." Glinda answered. "I'll dance with you, Tibbett, and Crope can dance with Elphaba."

Elphaba watched as Tibbett tentatively placed a hand on Glinda's waist and they awkwardly started up into a messy little waltz. She sighed as she reluctantly mirrored the same actions with Crope, going through the motions for a few different songs.

"Some party..." Elphaba muttered as she swayed along with Crope. "You'd think for an institution as socially progressive as Shiz, they'd have abandoned gendered galas long ago."

"You'd think so..." Crope spun Elphaba around, and she nearly tripped over her own feet, "But this is supposed to be a mirror of Gillikinese high society, and they still care a lot about tradition."

"But no one our age gives a damn! Sooner or later, society's going to have to abandon these antiquated ideals and accept that we're moving forward."

"I couldn't agree more. But, if I may ask, what's wrong about just pretending and playing along for one night? You're going to have to try and blend in sometimes, a little practice never hurt–"

"Oh please, I'll never blend in!" Elphaba scoffed and gestured to her own green-ness, "As for what's wrong with playing along, well, I didn't exactly come here to dance with you! No offense..."

"None taken, my dear." Crope laughed, then cast a longing glance at Glinda and Tibbett across the room, "I'd rather be dancing with my own partner too."

The music rose to a grand flourish and Crope twirled Elphaba around once again. This time, Elphaba did step on her own skirts and nearly lost her balance, saved by Crope's arm around her waist.

"And I hate this stupid dress! If it were up to me, I would have worn a suit!"

"Hold on– you've just given me a fantastic idea!"

"What do you mean?"

"Come, let's find our friends, and then I’ll tell all of you!” Crope took Elphaba's hand and whisked her away through the crowd. “Oh, this plan is magnificent, you’re going to love it!”

–

A short while later, Crope, Tibbett, Elphaba, and Glinda sat together in the commons of Briscoe Hall, the room lit by the warm glow of the fireplace.

"So, here's the plan." Crope grinned, an almost sinister smile like one would see on the face of a criminal mastermind. How seriously Crope took his shenanigans... "It’s time for us to become masters of deception. We need to disguise ourselves in order to blend in as traditional couples."

“Disguises?” Elphaba perked up at this. "Would I get to wear a suit?"

Crope bit his lip and avoided her gaze for a moment. "Unfortunately, no... See, the whole point is to remain in disguise, and the green is a bit of a dead giveaway, you see."

Elphaba grumbled and slouched into the couch, listening to the rest of Crope's plan.

"I'll put on a dress and a wig and some makeup– don't worry, I've done it flawlessly before, and then we'll have Miss Glinda wear my suit and voila! We'll be able to dance with our rightful partners and no one will ever know!"

"Hold on..." Glinda finally spoke up, clinging to Elphaba's arm, "Me? In a suit? You can't be serious."

"Do you want to be able to dance with Elphaba or not?"

Glinda hesitated. "I– of course I want to be with Elphie, but a suit? I really don't know if I could pull it off..."

Crope rolled his eyes, "You will look stunning, darling, just trust me. Now, the both of you come upstairs to our room, we'll get you fitted in a suit and I can slip into my drag. Don’t dally now, we haven’t got much time!"

–

Elphaba was surprised at just how similar Crope and Tibbett’s shared dorm room looked to that of her and Glinda, though the wallpaper was less floral and more geometric. The two alcoves on either side of the room sat empty, and the beds that belonged there had been pushed together in the middle of the room, effectively creating a double bed big enough for a couple to share. Maybe she and Glinda could try that arrangement. Really, the single beds were not big enough for two.

“Come with me,” Tibbett said to Glinda, holding a suit bag and two boxes of sewing supplies, “We’ll get this suit fitted perfectly to you. As for hair– Crope, dear, where do you keep the hair pins?”

“They’re in the cupboard in the washroom, love.”

“Ah, good, let’s go.” Tibbett dragged a visibly apprehensive Glinda with him into the washroom, leaving Elphaba and Crope together once more.

"Sorry that you won't get to wear a suit this time." Crope said as he rummaged through his closet, pulling out an extravagant gold-trimmed dress. "Perhaps at the next Ozdust function, Tibbs can get something tailored for you. There's no doubt that you'd look absolutely stunning in one, this just isn't the right time or place for it."

"I understand." She turned and gave Crope the privacy to change. A moment later, after his approval, she turned back to him, "I still don't quite understand why we're going through all this trouble, though. If we're not enjoying this gala as we are, then why bother going back?"

"For fun, Miss Elphaba." Crope laughed as he started to apply a thick layer of makeup, "I don't expect you to be familiar with the concept. We're going to have beautiful, romantic evenings with our respective partners one way or another, and if we have to use lies and deceit to get there, then so be it."

"Well, yes, but we could have perfectly romantic evenings in the comfort and privacy of our dorm rooms, couldn't we?"

"Oh, you really don't get it, Elphaba. Yes it would be easier to just stay in, but we're making memories here! Think, twenty-five years from now, you'll have a riveting story to tell your kids about the time you and your beloved snuck into a gala."

Elphaba blinked in shock at the implied prospect of her and Glinda having a family some day. She didn't bother chasing that tangent though, instead focusing on the conversation at hand. "Fine, I can see how this is more exciting. But what if we get discovered? If we get in trouble for violating the sanctity of tradition?"

"First of all, we won't get caught. Tibbs will have Glinda looking perfectly masculine, and I've been practicing my own hair and makeup for years. We'll be just fine. And if, somehow, our cover does get blown, we'll just run for the hills. Maybe you can whip up some of that magic you're so darned good at. Make everyone fall asleep or something."

Elphaba shifted in her seat. Magic was still a sensitive subject. She had no idea how to control it, and she didn't want to risk hurting people again.

"Anyway, as soon as I get my makeup done we'll head down."

"Why not wait for–"

"I want our new outfits to be a surprise. Trust me, it will be magical."

"The last time I was promised a magical time, I spent an hour drinking terrible wine and hating my life."

"Hm." Crope grumbled as he put on a surprisingly realistic looking wig of wavy blonde hair, "Well, forget that. I swear on my life that this will be nothing short of perfect!"

"I'll be holding you to that, you know." Elphaba said with a snarky smirk, "I may not have full control over my magic, but I'm certain it's powerful enough to kill a man."

"Lucky for you, I'm hardly a man." Crope chuckled and applied a coat of scarlet lipstick, and he looked so natural in his femininity, "I go through all this trouble to help you, and you still see it fit to threaten my life? Why, you really are Elphaba the Terrible."

"Terrible? You wound me– where did you even pick up such a title for me?"

"Glinda, of course. She's got every title under the sun reserved for you. Elphaba the Terrible, Miss Elphaba the Delirious, and lately it's been Miss Elphie the Handsome. She goes on and on, she really does."

Elphaba couldn't help but smile at the very thought of her treasured Glinda. She filled her heart with such giddiness, almost to the point of discomfort. Her stomach began to turn with sheer butterflies. 

"Elphaba? Are you alright? You look unwell. Bit green... Or I should say, greener than usual."

"I'm fine." Elphaba smiled. She felt warm. "I just... I love her so much it almost hurts."

“Have you ever told her that?”

Elphaba thought for a moment. Her and Glinda had been together for months, but neither of them had ever truly declared their love officially. “No… I really think it’s something that goes without saying, though.”

“You need to tell her. Even if your love transcends words like you say it does, she still deserves to hear it out loud.”

“You’re right.” Elphaba affirmed, a confident and determined grin replaced any apprehension. “I’ll tell her tonight.”

"Oh, it is so good to see you this happy and confident, my dear." Crope stood up and slipped into a pair of heels, walking in them as naturally as could be. "Let's go, we mustn't keep our lovers waiting."

–

Returning to the magnificent ballroom was almost torturous for Elphaba. She made her way back to the table where Fiyero sat, chatting with Boq and Nessa. Nanny hovered over them, too absorbed in her glass of wine to pay much mind to the young people she kept watch over.

"Elphaba!" Fiyero greeted the pair, "You're back. And who's this lovely lady with you?"

"It's me." Crope answered, his voice pitched slightly higher than usual. “Shame on you, a married man taking interest in a lady like me!”

"Oh wow... Crope..." Fiyero trailed off as a subtle blush took over his dark skin. "You look fantastic! I didn't expect to find myself so attracted to you but here we are.” Fiyero’s voice, usually so rich in tone, was almost squeaky with embarrassment, “I... I'll shut myself up now. So, where are Tibbett and Glinda?"

"They should be here soon." Crope answered, "We've come up with a clever little plan to get around the strict boy/girl dance code."

"Does it involve Miss Glinda wearing a suit?"

"As a matter of fact, it does. How did you guess?"

"Because she's coming down the stairs as we speak."

Elphaba turned to see Glinda descending the stairs just as she had done earlier in the night, except under disguise, the crowd did not recognize her, did not bow to her whim as they had before. Yes, this new Glinda had the privacy of anonymity like never before.

And she was nothing short of beautiful. She wore a white suit that had been quickly but perfectly tailored to fit her, sleek and straight and stunning. Her hair was pinned and cropped in a way that made her look incredibly masculine. Several errant curls found their way loose from the pins, framing her face in a most adorable way. A pop of color caught her eye, and Elphaba noticed the iridescent bowtie she wore, shifting in the light between pink and green.

"Good evening, Miss Elphaba." Glinda bowed in an absolutely gentlemanly fashion, pressing a kiss to Elphaba's hand just as she had done earlier. Now, though, she really looked the part. "May I have this dance?"

"Of course." Elphaba grinned, absolutely captivated with Glinda's effortless charm.

Almost as if on cue, the orchestra started playing again, a beautiful triple-beat waltz started to play, a jovial melody that commanded a flowing style of dance.

As their roles dictated, Glinda led, and Elphaba felt so safe in her embrace as they danced together in a beautiful sweeping and swaying pattern.

“I can’t believe this is working,” Glinda said with a smile as they danced past Crope and Tibbett, “I also can’t believe I look this good in a suit! Impossible– Glinda Arduenna Upland, a lady of high society, wearing pants and liking it…”

“What an absolute scandal.” Elphaba smirked, “You do look dashing, though.” Elphaba let her free hand wander down to the small of Glinda’s back, pulling her closer despite the fact that she was the follower in this dance, not the leader.

“I must say, I am loving all this attention, too.” Glinda melted into the touch as they continued to circle around the ballroom. “Maybe I should cross-dress more often.”

“If it gets us into elegant galas like this, I’m all for it. Crope was right, being sneaky is fun.”

“You’re having fun?!” Glinda gasped, “My, we are both full of surprises, it seems. I enjoy dressing in menswear, you’re actually having a good time at a high-society event, how far will the surprises go tonight?”

“Only one way to find out–” Elphaba took the lead position and spun Glinda around dramatically, pulling her into a decadent kiss right in the middle of the ballroom. Elphaba decided that when the kiss broke, she would profess her love for Glinda.

What felt like an eternity of passion must have only been a few seconds in reality before another couple barreled into them.

“Hey lovebirds!” The sharp voice of a man interrupted them, “You’re in the way! Either dance or get off the floor, don’t make an obstacle of yourselves!”

Elphaba scowled, her romantic intent replaced with rage as she glanced in the direction of the man who nearly trampled them. She’d save her declaration for later, when the moment was right.

“Pay him no mind,” Glinda laughed as she swept Elphaba back into their waltz. She wanted to freeze this moment. Elphaba looked so beautiful, so carefree, so happy. As they spun together in dance, her braided strands of hair seemed to twirl and float, defying physics as they danced. Her eyes, deep and green and full of wonder, held such a love the likes of which she had never expected from Elphaba. 

And she was stunningly beautiful herself, clad in a dark dress that clung to the subtle curves of her body and shimmered faintly in the glow of the chandeliers. At a loss for words, Glinda simply carried on with the waltz, step by effortless step. Moving in tandem with Elphaba felt as natural as breathing, as easy as simply existing.

It was so clear… She loved Elphaba. And yet, she’d always been too afraid to say it. Afraid of rejection, afraid of the permanence of it all, afraid of the intensity of her own feelings.

“Elphie…” Glinda started, “There’s… there’s something I want to say.”

“Yes?”

“I…” She trailed off. The room was too warm, there were too many people around to hear, too many witnesses to the frailty of her emotions. How was she supposed to be brave in a world that was so expansive and cruel? She blinked back a few incredibly persistent tears, “I am a coward!” 

Feeling smaller than ever before, Glinda ran off, leaving the warmth of the ballroom for the cruel frigidity of the winter’s night.

–

“Glinda!” Elphaba trudged out into the snow, hiking up her skirts to keep them dry. She caught a glimpse of Glinda’s slender silhouette in the warm light of a streetlamp and quickly gave chase, her boots almost thunderous against the icy cobblestone streets. “Glinda, where are you going?”

“Back to the dorm! Where no one can see me, or– or judge me, or–”

As Elphaba got closer, it became evident that Glinda was crying. They sat together on a cold bench in the snowfall.

“Glinda…” She started, tentatively reaching a hand for her shoulder. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” Glinda answered immediately, then paused and followed up with “Everything!”

Elphaba was incredibly confused, but she still did her best to help. She’d never seen Glinda in a state like this. She took her hand, “What can I do to help?”

“I don’t know,” Glinda sniffled, “Nothing is wrong. In fact, this night has been perfect. I shouldn’t be upset if I’ve had such a wonderful time, should I?”

“I mean, if you’re upset despite having a good time, then something must be wrong…”

“Nothing is wrong!” Glinda insisted, fresh tears falling, “You make me so happy, and… and for some reason, that scares me!”

“Talk me through it,” Elphaba said, running a thumb across Glinda’s hand, “I can’t wave a wand and make everything better, but I’m more than happy to listen.”

“Right.” Glinda took a deep breath to regain her bearings. The chill of the night had helped bring her back to her senses. “I’m used to people loving me. But they don’t love me, they love the idea of me, they love what I present to them. But that’s not me, you know? You’re one of the only people that knows the real me. To be known, to be seen… and by someone as amazing as you…” Glinda became choked up and turned away from Elphaba.

“Hey, don’t cry…” Elphaba brought a gentle hand to her face and wiped away her tears, “It’s alright…”

“No, it’s not.” Glinda sighed with another shaky sob, “We were having a great night until I ruined it. I shouldn’t even be scared! You make me so incredibly happy, Elphie, and I guess I’m scared by the sheer intensity of my feelings, and the… the weight of what I wanted to say to you back in the ballroom.”

“And what did you intend to say to me?”

“Nothing!” Glinda laughed, blushing like a schoolgirl. “Nothing at all!”

“If you don’t want to share, that’s fine.” Elphaba tucked a finger under her chin, “But at least I’ve got you smiling now. No more tears, my sweet…”

“Oh, Elphie… I love you.” Glinda whispered in the breath’s space between them. Elphaba did not reply, she simply closed the gap between them in a quiet kiss. 

“I know.” Elphaba said, and kissed her again.

“And I’m truly sorry I was so hesitant to tell you. I’ve never loved anyone like this before. These feelings are so big and it’s hard to know what to do with them!”

“I’ve got a couple of ideas, if you’re willing.”

“Really? Like what?”

“For starters, a romantic moonlit stroll through the snow. Then, perhaps some tea by the fire in our room. And then, since you look the part of a true gentleman, maybe I could put on a record and have you lead me in another dance. And even after all that, the night would still be young…” Elphaba gave a sly smile, standing up and offering Glinda a hand. “We’d find ways to keep ourselves busy, I’m sure.”

"I think I'll take you up on that offer, Miss Elphaba..." Glinda returned the same mischievous smile and took her hand.

A chilly breeze swept up a gust of snow, reminding the pair that it was, in fact, the dead of winter, and they'd catch cold if they stayed out too long.

Elphaba shivered.

"Are you cold?" Glinda asked, offering Elphaba her jacket. "Take this."

"Thanks," Elphaba smiled, wrapping herself in the satin-lined jacket that was just a little too small for her frame, but still so perfectly comfortable.

They walked through the night, arm in arm, and snowflakes floated and fell through the air, catching the light like beautiful stars.

"This was fun," Elphaba said, "I know I was stubborn about it at first, but I really am glad I came along."

"What can I say?" Glinda said as she started to remove some of the pins from her hair, "I'm a master of persuasion."

"And to think... I got to see you in that magnificent dress and a dashing suit. Truly, I've been spoiled tonight." Elphaba watched as she undid more of the pins and beautiful golden curls fell loose in the cold breeze. "You are so beautiful."

Glinda was about to respond with one of her typical superficial deflections, but she held her tongue when she realized that the compliments felt different coming from Elphaba.

"Thank you..." Glinda whispered as she took Elphaba's hand once again and they made their way to their dorm.

–

“Miss Glinda,” Elphaba said as they ascended the last flight of stairs up to their dorm room, “Before this night comes to an end…” The words caught in her throat, but if Glinda was brave enough to say them, then she could be, too, “I wanted to say that I love you, too.”

“Is that so?” Glinda feigned nonchalance, but the twinkle in her dark eyes and the sugary smile she cast over her shoulder as she unlocked the door gave herself completely away.

“I do.” Elphaba confirmed as she followed Glinda inside, kicking off her boots. “I was talking to Crope earlier and even the very mention of you sent my heart into backflips in the most peculiar of ways.”

Glinda took the last few pins out of her hair, messy and windswept. Elphaba had given her back her jacket when they had entered the dorms, and she shrugged it on over her shoulders, fixing her hair in the mirror.

“I love you so much that sometimes, it hurts.” Elphaba said plainly as she set a kettle over the fire.

“What–” Glinda turned from her mirror, eyes full of worry, “Elphie, I don’t ever want you to be hurting because of me!”

“It’s not a bad pain, really!” Elphaba quickly tried to cover her mistake, “If anything, it’s honestly because I’ve been smiling so much around you, and I’ve never really done much smiling in my life and–”

“Don’t worry, Elphaba. I know what you mean.” Glinda drew a slender finger across her jawline, “You can relax, I understand you.”

“Good.” Elphaba exhaled a sigh of relief, “I was just worried that–”

“Oh, hush… you talk too much, dear.” Glinda stood on her toes and pulled Elphaba into a sweet kiss.

Elphaba melted into the embrace– this was their first real kiss as a couple after professing their love. They’d kissed before, but now there was a definitive love behind it, no more questions, no more guessing.

Hungry, Elphaba took charge of the kiss, guiding Glinda backwards until her back hit the door. Elphaba slid a hand under her jacket, mesmerized by the feel of its satin lining on the back of her hand and the warm cotton of Glinda’s dress shirt under her palms.

Taking a hint, Glinda let the jacket slide off of her shoulders, leaving her in a half-sleeved white dress shirt and that adorable pink bowtie.

“I was so excited to take that dress off of you.” Elphaba murmured against Glinda’s lips, reaching up to loosen her tie, “But this suit will do just as nicely.”

“Damn, I left the dress at Crope and Tibbett’s!” Glinda realized with a start. 

“We can get it tomorrow.” Elphaba placed a hand on her shoulder, partly to reassure her and partly to keep her in the embrace. She fiddled with the buttons of Glinda’s shirt as she pressed a kiss to the side of her neck.

“Elphie, I love you, I really do, but this has to wait.”

“Does it?” Elphaba kissed her collarbone.

The whistling of the tea kettle from the fireplace confirmed Glinda’s statement.

“You said it yourself, dear.” Glinda took the kettle with a potholder and poured two steaming cups of tea, “The night will still be young even after we finish our tea and our dance, just like you planned it.”

“Right.” Elphaba agreed, recollecting herself. It was surprising, how Glinda’s love made somewhat of a beast of her.

“And while the tea steeps…” Glinda crossed the room and kicked off her dress shoes, switching into a pair of heels that didn’t match at all with her suit, but made her a good few inches taller than Elphaba, which she loved. She put on a record, filling the room with some floaty, romantic piano sonata. “May I have this dance, dear Elphie?”

“Of course.” 

The music was not very metric or danceable, but still it provided the perfect backdrop for Glinda and Elphaba to simply hold each other and sway together in the firelight. Elphaba rested her head against Glinda’s chest as they danced, comforted by the tide of her breathing. 

“Glinda?” Elphaba whispered as the music hit a softer point.

“Yes?”

“I’ve been thinking… about the future, and how I have no idea if or when I’ll ever get to meet the Wizard. My whole future hinges on that meeting, and whenever it comes, I want you to be there with me. Wherever my future leads after that, I know I want you by my side.”

“Elphie, this sounds awfully close to a marriage proposal. We only just professed our love for one another tonight!”

“It’s not a marriage proposal! I mean, not now, not yet! Unless you wanted it to be?”

“You’re charming, Miss Elphaba.” Glinda smiled and booped her nose, “I think it’s sweet that you’re already envisioning such a future. And while I’m not accepting any official proposals right now, I’d be willing to entertain the idea, perhaps after we graduate.”

Glinda kissed her sweetly, soundly, as the song reached its peak and then decrescendoed into the familiar staticky silence of a finished record. 

Then they sat down together on the couch with their tea, cozied up together like they’d been so many times before. But tonight was different. They were now truly, deeply, unashamedly in love. 

“You know…” Glinda started as Elphaba gazed at her through the steam of her tea, “If we were to get married someday, I’d let you wear a suit, if that’s what your heart desired. I’m sure you’d look perfectly handsome.”

Elphaba felt hot under her neck. “You really think so?”

“I do.” Glinda answered, setting down her cup of tea and inching closer to Elphaba. “Though, I think you’re stunning regardless of what you’re wearing. Or what you aren’t wearing.”

“Miss Glinda, you should know that hypocrisy is incredibly unbecoming for a lady of high status like yourself.” Elphaba set down her tea as Glinda moved closer to her.

“I have no idea what you mean…” Glinda undid another button of her shirt, playing along with Elphie’s act.

“Didn’t you stave off my advances just minutes ago?”

“Yes, I did.” Glinda said as she adjusted herself into Elphaba’s lap, “But that was before you got me riled up with all this talk of marriage.”

“What, talking about the possibility of being a married couple suddenly has you wanting to act like one?”

“Yes,” Glinda smiled as she coaxed Elphaba to lean back against the pillows. Her deep brown eyes shimmered with desire and her voice was thick, “As a matter of fact, it does.”

A knocking at the door shook her from her thoughts. Elphaba, who had been silently studying on her bed, went to answer it. At the door was Morrible’s unnerving little Tiktok contraption, with a note in its claw-like hands. Elphaba took it and swiftly shut the door in the steely face of the miserable little creature.

“Miss Elphaba?” Galinda watched Elphaba’s dark eyes scan over the note, “What is it?”

“There’s a snowstorm coming– they say it’s going to make traveling out of the valley near impossible and that any student wishing to travel home for winter recess must leave by sunrise tomorrow or wait until after the blizzard passes.”

Galinda could only stare at her roommate in astonishment. She couldn’t leave that soon, she still had to take her sorcery exam, and there was no way Morrible would let her leave campus before taking her test.

Elphaba set the note on the nightstand and took up her previous position– folded up on her bed poring over some presumably dull reading. “It’s a good thing I wasn’t planning on going home anyways. And an even better thing that Nanny and Nessa left early– surely they’ve made it past the mountains and are safely on their way home by now.”

Galinda still didn’t have any words. This was supposed to be her time to go home and celebrate Lurlinemas, to finally see her parents again, to finally get some time away from Elphaba. Though she had begun to grow rather fond of the green girl, she didn’t know if she could bear the idea of spending the entire winter recess stuck with her.

“Will you be heading home, Miss Galinda?” Elphaba asked, and Galinda was surprised that she had taken an interest in her personal matters, even looking up from her book to pose the question.

“I don’t think I can,” Galinda replied, “I still have exams to take– we have our sorcery exam tomorrow afternoon, far beyond the cutoff for which we can safely leave.”

“Right,” Elphaba set down her book, standing up again from her favorite spot on the bed, green limbs unfurling like the fronds of a fern, “Seems we’ll be stuck here, then. I’m going to venture out and ask the boys what their plans are. Perhaps we can gather for some festivities, if we all are to be stuck on campus.”

“Very well.” Galinda said, and pretended to focus intently on her textbook as Elphaba bundled up in a thick trenchcoat and clunky boots. As she headed out the door, Galinda found herself amazed with the fact that Elphaba was so quick to make the best out of the situation. Where was Elphaba’s usual brand of dry humor and cynicism? 

Galinda closed her textbook. If even Miss Elphie, in all her terribleness, was going to make the most of being stuck here, then it was only natural that she should do the same.

She hunched down on the floor in a most unladylike manner, rummaging under the bed until she found a box of Lurlinemas decorations she had intended to put up several weeks ago. Now that she was sure to be here for the entirety of winter recess, decorations were much needed.

–

The sun had nearly set and Elphaba had not yet returned. Galinda was worried– and was surprised by that fact. Since when did she care so much for her roommate? 

She gave this a moment of thought, then decided that it was probably around the same time she’d first been caught by the surprise of her strange, unfamiliar beauty on that rainy autumn night. Embarrassingly, her heart fluttered at the memory of that terrible hat and Elphaba’s vehement insistence that she was in fact, not beautiful.

With a frustrated sigh, she dismissed the thought, resuming her task of adorning the room in Lurlinemas decorations. Tinsel and wreaths and garlands covered every suitable surface. She’d propped up an artificial tree in the corner of the room. It was much taller than her, and she struggled with properly adorning its higher branches with decorations. 

Elphaba finally stomped in, those miserably clunky black boots making quite a ruckus. “What in Oz’s name have you done…” she sighed as she shrugged off her jacket, taking in the sight of the room covered in even more decorations than usual.

“Do you like it?” Galinda asked, though she didn’t much care what the answer was. She’d keep the decor up either way.

Elphaba toyed with some of the garland that hung over the fireplace, “It’s a bit… much. Unionist holidays don’t involve nearly this much decorating.”

“What do they involve then?”

“Mostly repenting.”

“How dull…” Galinda was still pondering how to decorate the top part of the tree that was out of her reach. She noticed her roommate, who was significantly taller, and she was struck with an idea, “Come, Elphie, I need your help reaching the top of the tree.”

Elphaba rolled her eyes dismissively, “Not a chance. You may decorate to your heart’s content, so long as you don’t involve me in it.”

“Fine, if you’re going to be so unhelpful, then I’ll just have to decorate what I can reach.” Galinda said, and proceeded to drape a length of garland over Elphaba’s shoulders.

“What are you–?” Elphaba flinched as Galinda wrapped her in another strand of silvery tinsel.

“You’re green enough to count as a tree,” Galinda carefully hung an ornament from the frame of her glasses, taking great care not to poke her with the ornament’s hook. She then stood on her toes to balance a golden paper star on Elphie’s head, “And– somehow– I can actually reach all of you. Since you won’t help me decorate the tree, I’ll just have to decorate you.”

Elphaba laughed. She actually laughed! Such a rare sound, almost melodious. Galinda found herself laughing too, for Elphaba looked silly, all covered in tinsel. Despite the absurdity of it all, Galinda found herself awestruck. In the light of the fireplace, Elphie’s green skin seemed almost to glow, and the tinsel draped around her shimmered, and the rare surprise of her smile was– and Galinda found herself frightened by this prospect– indeed, beautiful. 

“You’re ridiculous, Miss Galinda,” Elphaba said, carefully removing the various accoutrements she had been bestowed, then walking over towards the tree and placing the decorations on the top portion of the tree where Galinda could not reach. Carefully, she affixed the gold star to the very top of the tree, then stepped back to admire her work. Galinda gasped as Elphaba’s fingers interlaced with hers. “Simply ridiculous.”

Within a day and a half, the worst of the blizzard had passed, and Shiz was left under a blanket of fluffy snow. Many students had left before the storm hit, but those that had remained had finally ventured out from the warmth of the dormitories, including Crope and naturally, Tibbett alongside him.

The pair sat on a bench in one of the courtyards, huddled together for warmth. The groundskeepers had attempted to clear the sidewalks of snow, but the valiant effort was only somewhat successful. Crope and Tibbett took great joy in watching people shuffle carefully through the streets like Penguins, only to lose their footing and land on their rear ends anyway.

“Ah, my dear,” Tibbett spoke up, gesturing towards a heavier-set Munchkin man wearing a ridiculous stocking cap, “Look at that one. He’s in a hurry, I bet he doesn’t make it as far as the fountain before falling on his arse.”

“But even in his hurry, look at how he carries himself, maintaining his forward momentum,” Crope responded, “I’m not saying he won’t fall, but if he does, it will likely be face first, and surely it will be sooner than the fountain.”

Their questions remained unanswered, for the stocky man quickly stepped into one of the libraries, no doubt to escape the cold. Crope’s eyes scanned the courtyard again, looking for the next victim of their schadenfreudian tendencies.

Two people rounded the corner of one of the far buildings, coming from the direction of Crage Hall. Even from a distance, the pair was recognizable. The pink and green gave it away, of course, but even if not for that, there would be no mistaking the pair based on their proximity and mannerisms alone. They walked closely, never quite touching. Galinda walked about a half step ahead of her green counterpart. Elphaba was hardly looking at the path ahead, instead maintaining focus on Galinda.

“Are the Misses Elphaba and Galinda considering themselves to be an item yet?” Tibbett asked.

“One would think so,” Crope responded, “Just look at them…”

The pair watched the two women stroll along, somehow maintaining their balance on the icy path much better than anyone else they’d seen that morning, despite being completely focused on each other. Galinda laughed about something, and Crope wondered what they could possibly be talking about.

“Don’t they remind you of anyone?” Tibbett posed, placing a gloved hand on Crope’s leg, “Perhaps two strapping young men who fell head over heels for each other last year?”

“Oh, I’d hardly consider myself to be strapping, dear,“ Crope answered, placing his hand over Tibbett’s, “You, on the other hand…” He pecked a quick kiss to Tibbett’s nose, reddened from the cold, “Are quite dashing.”

Galinda laughed again, recapturing Crope’s attention. “Yes, their mannerisms are similar to ours in the early days of our love. However, I merely alluded to the idea when speaking with Elphaba several days ago, and I was met with a glare that could cut through tempered steel.”

“Maybe they just need a little push…”

“You’re right…” Crope thought to Elphaba’s proposition that the group socialize during the winter recess since they couldn’t travel. Ideas quickly began to bubble forth. “A little push… Come, Tibbett, we must find Master Fiyero. I’ve got an idea.”

“I’ve already told you, I don’t own a pair of skates, Crope.” Boq protested, “Even if I did, the very idea of being out on the frozen lake terrifies me. What if I should fall through the ice, into the frigid waters, never to be seen again?”

“You worry too much, Boq. This ice is perfectly sturdy,” Crope said, thumping the blade of his skate on the ice. Sure enough, the ice remained intact. “If you’re content with sitting on the sidelines today, then so be it. But later this week, we’ll be having a snowball fight and we must have all hands on deck if our team is to emerge victorious.”

“I don’t see how such a violent activity could possibly be fun,” Boq answered, “But if you are so insistent, I’ll join. For today though, I’m fine watching you all skate. I’ve got my mug of tea to keep me company.”

“Enjoy your tea, then,” Crope said, heading onto the ice at Tibbett’s beckoning, “Perhaps I’ll get you a pair of ice skates for Lurlinemas, and you can join us the next time we all go skating together.”

Truly, Boq was content watching his friends dance and twirl and zip around on the ice. Crope and Tibbett, truly enamored with one another, performed some improvised dance routine for an invisible audience. Boq wished he could find someone to match him the way Crope and Tibbett so perfectly matched each other.

Miss Galinda… She glided across the ice effortlessly in perfect figure eights. In the cold, her face was rosy, just as pink as the winter gear she wore. Oz, she was so radiant in her beauty… Maybe he still had a chance with her yet?

His captive attention on Galinda was broken by Elphaba and Fiyero zipping past, evidently in some sort of race to see who could skate around the lake the fastest. Boq took an interest in this– Elphie had always had a bit of a competitive streak in her. It would be interesting to see how this turned out.

In the heat of their race, Fiyero lost his footing and bumped into Elphaba, who was then sent flying towards Galinda, who herself was absorbed in her task of crafting a perfect geometric design on the ice.

Galinda yelped as Elphaba fell into her arms, throwing her off balance. Somehow, they both maintained their footing despite the sudden shift in momentum, and Galinda kept on her path with Elphaba in her arms. 

Boq watched as Fiyero skated towards Crope and Tibbett, shooting them a quick thumbs-up. Now what was that all about?

He turned his attention to the girls again. Galinda, who he knew was a perfectionist, strayed off of the path of her intended design, gliding along as Elphaba hesitantly wrapped an arm around her waist to steady her. Galinda smiled that beautiful smile and the pair moved along together in a fashion not dissimilar to the way Crope and Tibbett danced, albeit less showy and dramatic.

The dots started to connect, and Boq felt uneasy. His chances with Miss Galinda were quickly diminishing, and he knew it. But still– he was a man of resolve! He had a big heart, and he’d tried time and again to offer it to Galinda. He’d been rejected just as many times, sure, but until he was certain that her heart belonged to another, he would not give up!

It had been an eventful week as Lurlinemas drew closer. Elphaba, who never had been one for socializing, found a lovely comfort in the presence of her friends, and especially in the presence of Galinda.

On the first night of snow, when she had gone to make plans with Crope regarding what to do over the winter recess, the conversation had dragged on, eventually reaching a topic Elphaba dreaded. Crope had inquired into the state of Elphaba’s romantic life. As usual, she insisted it was nonexistent, only to be met with a raised eyebrow from her friend. She’d asked him what that look was about, and he’d muttered something about noticing how close she’d grown with Miss Galinda.

The exchange left her hot under the collar, and having to return to her shared quarters with Galinda only made matters worse. She’d been enthusiastically decorating, so happy despite the disappointment of not getting to return to see her parents. And despite the gaudy tinsel that covered every inch of the room– an eyesore, really– seeing Galinda so joyous caused something within Elphaba to stir.

And then, there was yesterday’s ice skating incident. She’d fallen right into Galinda, and though Fiyero had claimed it was an accident, she’d caught a glimpse of him skating towards Crope and Tibbett, looking awfully proud of himself. If she didn’t know any better, she’d have entertained the thought of the boys trying to set her up with Galinda.

What nonsense! Sure, she had grown… fond of Miss Galinda as of late, but why would the boys consider it any of their business? They were rather nosy, yes, but surely they wouldn’t go so far as to set up an impossible romance… especially considering it could only end in embarrassment for both parties.

Elphaba sighed to herself as she buttoned up her coat. Scheme or no scheme, there was no denying the warmth that had begun to blossom in her heart at the very thought of Miss Galinda.

Terrible, bothersome feelings…

Elphaba laced up her boots, trying to shake off the lingering fondness that clung to her heart, like cobwebs in an attic.

The boys had planned a snowball fight for today. Perhaps getting to pelt the object of her affections with snow would help relieve some of the tension in her heart.

–

A second wave of snow had blown through, and this particular storm had brought a layer of thick, heavy-wet snow– the kind that was perfect for building snowballs and snow forts. It wasn’t snowing as heavily now, only a few lingering flakes fluttering against the gray sky. Elphaba stood amongst her friends in a circle in one of the clearings on campus.

“Snowball fight,” Fiyero announced, tossing a snowball back and forth between his hands, “The rules are simple– each team will have an hour to prepare. Then, at the strike of noon, we go to war!”

“As for teams…” Crope chimed in, “I propose guys versus girls.”

“Well, that’s hardly fair!” Galinda protested, “There’s four of you, and only two of us– why can’t we have equal teams?”

Boq was quick to speak up. “I’ll join your team, Miss Galinda!”

“That won’t be necessary, Master Boq,” Crope shot him an icy glare, “See, Misses Elphaba and Galinda have the advantage of magic on their side, surely they can fend for themselves.”

“Right, then,” Elphaba turned to Galinda, “Guess it’s you and me.”

“Don’t look so unhappy about it, Elphie!” Galinda exclaimed, “It’ll be fun!”

As the clock in the campus center stuck eleven, everyone set to work preparing. Galinda, who had always had an affinity for architecture, quickly got to work constructing a massive snow fort. Elphaba didn’t quite understand all the structural premises, but she was happy to lend a hand in the form of ice magic. Together, they managed to build a small but impressive fort, while the boys had barely finished a loosely packed wall of snow.

The clock rang once again, twelve mighty peals echoing through the otherwise quiet air. A silence fell over the battlefield. Elphaba and Galinda hunched behind their fort, shivering both from the cold and from anticipation. Who would take the first shot?

Taking her chance, Galinda peered over the edge of the barrier, quickly ducking when four snowballs were flung her way. She laughed and got to work forming snowballs of her own, returning fire at the group of boys across the field. 

Snowflakes in her hair, blue eyes shimmering like frost, and that lovely smile… She truly was beautiful, and Elphaba got so caught up in admiring her that she’d forgotten the task at hand.

“Now, what’re you staring at? Come on, Elphie, help me out!”

Seconds after she finished speaking, Galinda was struck in the shoulder by a snowball. Elphaba sprung into action at her defense, hurling snowballs as fast as she could make them, until, out of nowhere, a large clump of snow hit her in the side of the face with more than enough force to knock her to the ground.

“Elphaba!” Galinda ducked behind the fort, hurrying to her side, “Oh stars, you’re bleeding…” Galinda removed her glove and gently caressed Elphaba’s face, wiping away the moisture that singed her skin.

“I…” Elphaba struggled for words, “My water allergy pertains to snow as well. A few flakes here and there is no matter, but this is different.”

“Why didn’t you say something before agreeing to a snowball fight?”

“I didn’t want to ruin the fun… I know how important this is to the boys… to you.”

“Elphaba… do you really think I care for you so little that I’d put my pleasure before your safety?” Galinda said, before whispering a healing spell and pressing a soft kiss to her cheek. Her heart fluttered.

“Now…” Galinda waved her hands, and the stockpile of snowballs they’d made levitated in the air, “I’ll teach them what happens when they mess with my Elphie!”

Elphaba could only watch in awe as the air around Galinda shimmered with magic. With a wave of her hand, each snowball that hung in the air was propelled towards the enemy fort. At the same time, she’d crafted an energy shield that sparkled like a prism in the afternoon sun. Elphaba was captivated by the sheer display of power and beauty.

Elphaba felt something stir in her heart.

Oh stars… Was it… love? 

The following evening, Crope decided to do some shopping in the town square, for Tibbett had an extensive wishlist of gifts. The City of Shiz hosted a holiday market, with vendors from across Oz setting up booths and storefronts. Somehow, thank the stars, he’d managed to talk Elphaba into coming with him. 

“Sorry about the snowball yesterday,” Crope said as the pair walked side by side, “I didn’t mean to throw it that hard, and I certainly wasn’t aiming for your face..”

“It’s okay. Burned a bit, though.”

“What!?”

“My water allergy also pertains to snow. Such a dense snowball really did a number… Fear not, though. Miss Galinda knows some healing magic and she patched me right up.”

“Speaking of Miss Galinda…” Crope started, before realizing that Elphaba had stopped a few booths ago. She was looking thoughtfully at some glass creations from the Quadling Country. 

“I spent a lot of my childhood in Quadling Country. Now that was miserable for my water sensitivity. The air was so humid that being outside was enough to give me a wicked rash. But the artisans, the things they craft… really shows the beauty in that part of Oz.”

Crope was frustrated that his friend managed to dodge the question, as per usual.

“I know you were going to ask me about Galinda again,” Elphaba said plainly, “Since you mentioned it the other day, I’ve been thinking about it. I have some… growing feelings of fondness towards Miss Galinda. I care for her deeply, more than I’ve ever cared for anyone in my life. One could even be tempted to call it love. Certainly there’s no way she’d return any of my affections but still… I want to get her something special.”

Crope couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Such a soul-baring revelation, almost completely unprompted…

“Oh, look at this!” Elphaba pointed to something on the table, “It’s absolutely perfect.”

It was two days before Lurlinemas, and Fiyero had put off his shopping until the last minute. Galinda had decided to tag along with him– perfect for continuing on their plan.

It was a blustery day, and the pair had ducked into a store to escape the wind. It was a small bookshop with a tiny cafe tucked into the corner. Fiyero, ever the gentleman, purchased tea for both himself and Galinda, and they sat to wait out the storm.

“... and that’s how I met Sarima,” Fiyero said, finishing the tale of how he’d come to know his fiancee, “I don’t suppose you have any sweeping love stories to share, Miss Galinda?” He took a sip of tea, trying to remain nonchalant.

“Well,” Galinda mirrored his action of sipping from her cup, and they were at a societal impasse, “I do have something to share, but you cannot tell a soul!”

“Oh?”

“It’s awful, really, but… I fear I’ve fallen in love with Miss Elphaba…”

“How is that awful, if you don’t mind me asking?”

“She’s green.”

“Surely you’re not letting the color of someone’s skin affect your perception of them?”

“Of course not,” Galinda shifted in her chair, “These feelings are just… unexpected, is all. I’ve been in relationships before, but I’ve never felt anything so strong in my life. I don’t know what I’m supposed to do!”

“I think you should tell her.”

“That’s far too terrifying of a prospect, dear Fiyero. What if she should reject my feelings? How can I show her I care for her in a way that is less… daunting? “You could start with a gift,” Fiyero suggested, “Our Lurlinemas Eve party is tomorrow night.”

“Yes, but what do you get for the most minimalistic woman I’ve ever met?” Galinda stood up and returned her cup to the barista, then paced around the shop. Galinda stopped in front of a display, “Practical and beautiful, just like Elphie. Oh, this would be perfect for her!”

The morning of Lurlinemas Eve, Crope, Tibbett, Fiyero, and Boq all gathered in the lounge of the Briscoe Hall dormitory, for what Crope and Fiyero had deemed to be an urgent meeting. 

“I’ll cut right to the chase,” Crope said, “I was with Miss Elphaba at the market two days ago, and she confessed that she’s grown rather fond of Miss Galinda. Now, I wasn’t sure what to make of this, as fondness and love are not necessarily one and the same. But, Fiyero, you said you spoke to Galinda last night?”

“I did– she openly admitted to being in love with Miss Elphaba.”

“Then our plan surely must be working!”

“Excuse me?” Boq cut in, “What plan?”

“Ah…” Fiyero and Crope looked at each other, “You were busy during the meeting, and we never filled you in. We’ve devised a plan to encourage Misses Elphaba and Galinda to enter a courtship, since they are so clearly enamored with one another.”

“Right…” Boq’s face fell.

Tibbett was the first to speak up, “Look, Boq, we all know you had feelings for Miss Galinda, but it’s evident that her heart lies elsewhere.”

“I’m okay with that, really, I am. I’m more upset that you all didn’t tell me about this plan sooner! I must’ve looked like a fool!”

“Yes…” Fiyero started, “But a very dashing fool, mind you!”

“Flirting won’t help, Master Fiyero,” Boq laughed and rolled his eyes, “So what’s the next step in this grand plan of yours, knowing that the two have feelings for one another?”

“Well,” Crope answered, “They’ve bought each other gifts, which they’ll exchange at tonight’s party. I say we take some more measures. Any ideas?”

“We should find a way to get them alone,” Fiyero said.

“Don’t be a fool, if they’re alone, then we can’t see them!”

“As reluctant as I am to participate in this plan…” Boq sighed, “Have you considered a sprig of mistletoe in the doorway?”

“Ah, now there’s a good idea!” Crope laughed, “Sharp boy you are, Master Boq! And, it’ll be an excuse to kiss my dearest Tibbett! What do you think?”

“I think…” Tibbett paused, “That we’re trying too hard. The other day, you said Elphaba and Galinda reminded you of us as a young couple. We didn’t have people pushing for us to be together, did we? Our love developed as it should: simply and naturally. Who are we to deny that simplicity to our friends? We’ve given them the push, I think it would be best to let things run their course from here on.”

“Oh… such wise words, my dear.”

“Thank you, love,” Tibbett smiled.

That evening, all the friends gathered in the library commons for a feast of fresh bread and glazed vegetables and a roast. Spiced wine and cakes served as dessert, all under the glow of a beautifully lit pine tree.

As the night carried on, a multitude of gifts were exchanged. Crope had gotten Boq a pair of skates in jest, reveling in his protests before revealing his true gift– a new suit, custom tailored to fit his size.

“It’ll be perfect to wear to all the parties, you’ll be sure to catch the eye of every lady– or man–  there!”

“Thank you, Crope.” Boq replied, blushing, “I’ve a gift for you, too.”

“Really?”

Boq flipped Crope off. “That’s for the skates.”

“Why, Master Boq, you shouldn’t have!” Crope gasped. 

Boq proceeded to rise from the floor and moved over to Crope, giving him a kiss on the cheek, “And that’s for the suit.”

More gifts were exchanged throughout the night. Boq gave Galinda a notebook with flowers on the cover. Elphaba gave Fiyero a rare book she’d found, a collection of old Vinkan legends. Fiyero gave Crope and Tibbett a stack of raunchy magazines.

The exchange continued until only two gifts remained under the tree.

“For you, Miss Galinda,” Elphaba said, retrieving the small package, “I hope you like it.”

Galinda opened the box to reveal a necklace. Unlike most of the flashy, bejeweled things she wore, this one was rather simple. It was a silver chain with a small charm– a pink flower made of carved glass.

“It’s like the flower you gave me after the Ozdust, see?”

“Oh Elphie…” Galinda quickly put on the necklace, “It’s beautiful… How can I ever thank you?”

“Perhaps with the remaining gift under the tree?”

“Right!” Galinda quickly grabbed the last gift and handed it to Elphaba, who carefully undid the delicate wrapping. Inside was a leather-bound notebook and a stylish pen.

“Before you get too worried– the book is made of a plant-based leather. Apparently they can make leather out of mushrooms now!”

“Oh wow…” Elphaba ran a hand over the cover of the book, “It’s amazing.” She uncapped the pen and scrawled her name on the inside cover, “And the pen writes so smoothly…”

“There’s a second part to your gift,” Galinda said, and Elphaba looked confusedly at the empty space under the tree, “It’s scary, so bear with me.”

“A scary gift? Now what in the world–”

“I love you.” Galinda said, taking her hands.

The room went silent. Elphaba blinked at her wordlessly.

“I…” Elphaba laughed nervously, “You mean it?”

“I do.”

“I love you too,” Elphaba looked at the ground, then at her hands, then at Galinda, “I’ve never been great with this kind of stuff… what do we do now?”

Crope smiled and walked over to where the two sat, pulling out a sprig of mistletoe.

“Really?” Galinda laughed, blushing a bright pink, “In front of everyone?”

“Why not?” Elphaba smiled.

“We don’t mind,” Crope said with a wink, “In fact, we’ve all been rooting for it.”

The two women kissed, and the room seemed to exhale a sigh of relief. The festivities continued on, friends reveling with friends late into the night.

Room twenty two of Crage Hall was silent on Lurlinemas Eve, save for the scratching of pen on paper. Galinda was curled up next to Elphaba in bed. Elphie was writing away in her new journal, while Galinda was fiddling with the charm on her new necklace. They were in their same old dorm room, and yet everything felt so new. 

“Elphie, won’t you please tell me what you’re writing?”

“I will once I’m finished, my sweet.”

My sweet… The affection sent Galinda’s heart whirling.

Galinda, with a newfound patience, sat and watched Elphie’s studious gaze trace over the page.

After a few more minutes, Elphaba finally shifted, and began to read what she had written:

“Lurlinemas Eve, Year 1 at Shiz University,

Journal– I’ve had a most eventful week. Stranded on campus with Galinda was initially an intimidating prospect, but it proved to be the most fun I’ve had in a long time. Miss Galinda has a knack for decorating– she’s adorned our room in all manner of tinsel and glitter. Not my preferred style, but her passion and enthusiasm is unmatched. 

Furthermore, Miss Galinda seems to enjoy the winter weather. She skates in perfect patterns, as graceful as anything I’ve ever seen. And in a snowball fight, her dedication and vigor is impressive. Not to mention her excellence in healing magic. It would appear that it is made more powerful through kisses. I hope to further put this hypothesis to the test.

On Lurlinemas Eve, Miss Galinda was kind enough to gift me this very journal. To my surprise, the lovely Miss Galinda also professed her feelings for me. I of course, return these feelings, but I am so terrible at expressing them through spoken word. I suppose that this journal will suffice as a suitable outlet for said feelings.”

Elphaba set down her book and continued on from memory, pulling Galinda into a cozy embrace, nearly on top of her, running her slender fingers through blonde curls. 

“My Galinda… She is as radiant as the sun, as dazzling as the moon, as brilliant as the stars. She is so much more than meets the eye, and she looks beyond the surface of everyone she meets, sees them for who they truly are. She is beautiful in heart, mind, and body alike. I care for her more than words can speak, and I truly look forward to the time we are fortunate enough to spend together. May our love be long and prosperous.”

“Elphie…” tears pricked at Galinda’s eyes, “Oh, what am I supposed to say to that? You poetic thing, you!”

“You could say, ‘I love you,’ again,” Elphaba remarked, “I rather enjoyed hearing it before.”