promise
Her tone matches the moment in the mirror, and Elphaba's throat catches on nothing again.
Sensing she's about to devolve into tears again, Galinda shares her own life story. If only to stop her precious, fumbling friend from perishing due to dehydration...
Galinda speaks evenly of forced lessons of etiquette. Piano, dancing, measured steps, alchemy, cross-stitch, the art of threads and watercolours. All she had taken up with the air of one to please a future husband.
But there won't be much room for his splendour, she tells Elphie resolutely.
"That much I've realised in recent years. Why should I be this perfect, talented, pretty thing, if only for his enjoyment? I want to wield magic!"
The fire burning in her doe eyes makes Elphaba smile softly. Her personal quarrels are so painfully different to hers- it's a blessing to let it wash over her.
"Just you is plenty enough anyway."
"Right!" Galinda gasps, distangling one hand to wave the other about in enunciation; the taller girl glances to their enclosed palms on the bed with warmth. "Though, I am thankful for the vocal tuition I received. My voice was tended to like the most extravagant of flowers, and, well..."
Galinda smirks so widely she resembles a pink fox.
"Yes, yes, you sing beautifully." Elphaba nudges her with a chuckle, the levity seeping back into their dorm like a refreshing breeze.
"Stop it, you!" The blonde jokes. She sobers up when Elphaba yawns, cracking her jaw. "Do you...do you think you'll be able to go back to sleep?"
She swivels to look at the window in the alcove of the dorm, not at all surprised to see midnight blue bleeding into the black. "The morning will be here soon, it would be good to get some rest if you can."
Elphaba shrugs. She seems guarded again, shuffling back to pull the covers up so they drape over her legs. Galinda follows instinctively, still clutching her hand.
"I'm not sure. Usually I just read until my eyes drift shut. It could take hours, though."
Galinda lets her head fall to the second pillow, the momentous concept of being in Elphaba Thropp's fucking bed made less so in their shared warmth and gazes.
"Does this happen often?" She asks, a note fearful. "Your nightmares?"
The steadily lightening blue outside the window contrasts with Elphaba's thoughtful side profile as the ravenette looks up at the ceiling.
"I've always had an active imagination." She says lightly.
"That's not an answer..."
"Yes, Galinda." Elphaba sighs. "Every night or so."
Galinda jerks up, horrified. "What?!
"It's not a big deal, I'm very used to it-"
"Next time-" Galinda is kneeling now, and she takes Elphaba's other hand, her long nails shining against her own pale skin as they fold together. "You wake me. Yes?"
"What? No-"
"Yes." Galinda says firmly, earnestly bringing their intertwined hands up to her chest. A faint blush adorns Elphaba's face for a moment. "I will not have you suffering these incidents alone. Understand?"
"I-" The green girl gulps, flustered. "I don't know. It's not your problem, I just have to deal with it-"
"Oh shut up." Galinda waves a hand, ignoring how her roommate bristles. "A problemicle shared is a problemicle cleaved in two! And I am offering. It's in my nature, Elphie. I have always concerned myself with the wellbeing of others."
The drawling, boisterous tone comes into play in those lines, but Elphaba sees right through her. After all, the blonde isn't smirking.
She's smiling softly with the warmest eyes anyone could imagine.
"So, do you promise you'll wake me?"
Elphaba grumbles, shifting. "If it's a really bad one...I will consider it."
"Promise?"
"I promise."
Galinda squeals quietly, doing a little happy wriggle- it's so ridiculous, especially in the aftermath of stories of bruised cheeks and being shut in cupboards. It shocks a laugh out of Elphaba, and Galinda's not far behind.
A week ago this would have seemed impossible, how Galinda sighs with contentment and curls into Elphaba's side, kicking at the duvet until she's cocooned like a pink caterpillar.
She lies there, listening to the birds greet the dawning sky, until the steady breathing of Miss Upland coaxes her own chest to rise and fall in tandem.
They sleep through their morning class.