Discovery

The sun had already dipped below the horizon, casting its golden hues over Shiz University. The halls were quieter now, save for the occasional chatter or the soft creak of a door opening. It was one of those rare evenings where Elphaba found herself with free time, and rather than spend it reading in solitude, she found herself inexplicably drawn to Glinda's company.

The two of them had been roommates for a while now- unlikely friends who somehow complimented each other's quirks. Elphaba wasn't one to admit it openly, but Glinda's presence had grown on her like ivy climbing an old stone wall.

"Do you ever stop fidgeting?" Elphaba asked, eyeing Glinda from across the room.

Glinda sat cross-legged on her bed, a small ribbon in hand. She was attempting to tie it into a perfectly symmetrical bow, but the task was proving more difficult than expected.

"Not when it comes to perfection," Glinda replied, her tongue poking out in concentration. She sighed when the bow came undone for the third time.

Elphaba rolled her eyes but couldn't suppress the smirk tugging at her lips. "Why not leave it imperfect? It's not as if anyone would notice."

Glinda gasped as though Elphaba had suggested she wear mismatched shoes. "You don't leave things imperfect, Elphie. That's not how the world works!"

Elphaba crossed her legs, leaning back against her chair with a soft chuckle. "Well, it's certainly not how your world works."

Glinda paused, her expression softening. "And what about your world? What do you think it's like, Elphie? I mean, truly."

The question caught Elphaba off guard. She fiddled with the corner of her book, glancing at the floor. "My world? You mean, besides the ridicule and being ostracised for my appearance?"

"I didn't mean that," Glinda said quickly, shifting to sit closer to the edge of her bed. "I meant...the world you dream of. The one where you don't feel like you have to prove yourself every second of the day."

Elphaba opened her mouth to respond, but the words didn't come easily. She wasn't used to people asking her about her dreams. Most people were too preoccupied with dismissing her to care about what she wanted.

"I suppose it'd be a world where people don't make assumptions based on how someone looks," Elphaba said finally, her voce softer than usual. "A world where...people see who I am, not just what I am."

Glinda nodded, her brown eyes thoughtful. She fiddled with her ribbon fr a moment longer before standing and crossing the room to sit beside Elphaba.

"You know," Glinda began, "I see who you are, Elphie. Even if you can't always see it yourself."

The words settled between them, warm and unspoken in their depth. Elphaba blinked, unsure of how to respond to the sudden vulnerability. Glinda, as if sensing her discomfort, gave her a small nudge with her shoulder.

"Don't get all sentimental on me," Elphaba muttered, though her tone lacked its usual bite.

Glinda laughed, light and melodic. "Too late!"

For a moment, they sat in silence, the weight of the day melting away. And though neither of them sad it aloud, they both felt something shift- a thread of connection weaving itself tighter between them.

Later that evening, the room was bathed in the soft glow of a single lamp. The fireflies that usually danced outsides their window were scarce tonight, leaving the two women cocooned in their own private world. Glinda had abandoned her ribbon project, opting instead to braid strands of her hair absentmindedly. Elphaba sat cross-legged on the floor, surrounded by her ever-growing pile of books.

"You know," Glinda began, her voice breaking the comfortable silence, "for someone who claims to hate everyone, you're remarkably easy to talk to."

Elphaba snorted, her finger halting mid page. "I don't hate everyone. Just most people."

"Ah, so I'm not included in 'most people'?" Glinda teased, leaning forward with a playful grin.

Elphaba's lips quirked upward, though she refused to look up from her book. "You're tolerable on a good day."

Glinda let out a mock gasp, clutching her chest dramatically. "Tolerable? Oh, Elphie, you flatter me." She scooted off the bed and plopped onto the floor beside Elphaba. "Come on, admit it- you'd miss me if I weren't around."

Elphaba turned to face her, arching a skeptical brow. "Is this your way of fishing for compliments, Miss Upland? Because, if so, you're painfully terrible at it."

"I don't need compliments," Glinda said with a smirk, tossing her hair over her shoulder. "But I wouldn't mind hearing the truth every now and then."

Elphaba hesitated, the teasing atmosphere shifting ever so slightly. She set her book aside, folding her hands in her lap. "Fine," she said quietly. "You're not...entirely insufferable."

Glinda tilted her head, studying her closely. That's not what I meant, and you know it."

Elphaba's gaze flickered away, her walls instinctively going up. "What do you want me to say, Glinda?"

"The truth," Glinda sad simply, her voice softening. "Tell me how you feel about me."

The room seemed to shrink around them. Elphaba's heart quickened, though she willed herself to remain composed. Glinda's expression was open, her usual mask of playfulness replaced by something raw and earnest.

"I don't know," Elphaba admitted after a moment. "I've never been good at...feelings."

Glinda reached out, her fingers brushing against Elphaba's. The touch was gentle, tentative. "You don't have to be good at it," she said. "Just be honest."

Elphaba's throat tightened. She wasn't used to this- being seen, being wanted. But there was something about Glinda's wavering gaze that made her feel safe enough to try.

"I feel.." She paused, searching for the right words. "I feel like you see me in a way that no one else ever has. Like..I don't have to hide when I'm with you."

Glinda's eyes melted, a small smile tugging at her mouth. "Elphie..."

Before Elphaba could retreat into her usual defences, Glinda leaned in, her hand still resting atop Elphaba's. The space between them grew smaller until they were close enough to feel each other's breath.

A vibrant blush painted both girls' cheeks, their chest heaving with anticipation. "May I?" Glinda whispered, her voice barely audible.

Elphaba's breath caught, her mind racing. She gave a small, almost imperceptible nod.

The kiss was tentative at first, a soft brushing of lips that sent a shiver down Elphaba's spine. Glinda's hand moved to cup her cheek, anchoring her in the moment. For the first time in what felt like forever, Elphaba allowed herself to let go- to feel, to want, to take.

When they pulled apart, Glinda's cheeks were flushed, her smile radiant. "That wasn't so bad, was it?" she teased, gently.

Elphaba blinked, still trying to process what had just happened. "I've had worse experiences," she said, her lips crying into a rare smile.

Glinda laughed, the sound filling the room like sunlight breaking through clouds. "You're impossible."

"And yet, you're still here," Elphaba countered, her voice tinged with warmth.

Glinda leaned her forehead against Elphaba's, her smile softening. "Always."