(no subject)
Title: What a Difference a Day Makes [fic]
Rating: PG/PG-13
Subject: Musical
Summary: Gelphie fluff, set after 'Popular' and through to 'I'm Not That Girl'.
Disclaimer: I own nothing, and haven't seen the musical in over a year - that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it!
(this was cross-posted at femslash100, apologies if you get spammed twice!)
1/
“Well?” Galinda dropped the hat onto her head. “Suit me?”
She knew that it didn’t (she would have been horrified if such a thing did), but she was determined to get a smile out of Elphie. They had been getting along so well the night before, or so Galinda had thought, in any case. But then Elphie had leapt up and ran off so abruptly, leaving Galinda floundering in a sea of cosmetics, and she’d had to wonder if she’d imagined the easy camaraderie. She had waited up, but had fallen asleep before Elphie had seen fit to return.
“About as much as your fairy princess dress would suit me,” Elphaba replied, raising a hand when Galinda’s eyes widened. “Don’t even think it, Galinda.”
Galinda smiled innocently. “Me? Think?”
Elphaba laughed loudly, an amused cackle which warmed Galinda with a hearty dose of satisfaction. Success! At least, on one count...
2/
“Oh, Elphie,” Galinda murmured under her breath. Brow furrowed in acute concentration, she adjusted the straps of her dress (really, it wasn’t exactly tailored for one so flat-chested, but at least it wasn’t a complete disaster) as Elphaba glared up at her, every inch the sulky child. “You look beautiful.”
“No, your frock is beautiful,” Elphaba corrected her. “It looks just as fine on its hanger as it does on me.”
“But my hanger doesn’t have hips and breasts,” Galinda pointed out. Well, neither did Elphie, really, but she decided it would be pushing the friendship to say as much.
Elphaba scoffed, filling in the blanks. Still, she was beyond protesting. She would never admit to it, but Galinda fussing over her felt quite nice - physically, as well as mentally. As long as no one else was around to see, she’d have to ‘volunteer’ herself as clotheshorse more often.
3/
“I can’t wear that to class,” Elphaba exclaimed, horrified, as Galinda held up a creamy white jacket. “Anything else. Within reason,” she hastily added. “I won’t renege, but can’t you at least meet me halfway?”
“But I like this one,” Galinda pouted.
“Great! You can wear it.”
Galinda rolled her eyes. “Don’t be silly, Elphie, I wore white yesterday.”
“How foolish of me to forget,” Elphaba sighed. “You haven’t anything darker?” She rolled her eyes when Galinda instantly whipped out a lemon stole from her top drawer. “Very droll.”
“You always wear dark colors,” Galinda protested, groaning when Elphaba nodded, unabashed.
“I know. They’re all that suit me.”
“No they’re not.” Galinda removed the jacket from its hanger, holding it out. “At least try this on.”
“It’s so...bright,” Elphaba grimaced. “I already stick out like a beacon, I don’t exactly need attire that adds to that effect.”
“Is that why you always wear such dark clothes?” Galinda asked, suddenly comprehending her roommate’s drab wardrobe. “So that you’ll go unnoticed?”
“It works in theory,” Elphaba mumbled. “I doubt I’ll ever be able to slip under any radar.”
“So why try?” Galinda gave the jacket a pointed flap. “Embrace your appearance for once, Elphie. For me,” she added, when Elphaba still looked doubtful.
Reluctantly, Elphaba took the jacket, a wicked grin spreading over her face. “I’d do anything for you, Miss Galinda,” she mimicked Boq teasingly, her mouth falling open when Galinda tossed that ridiculous pink flower into her lap.
“Prove it.”
4/
Elphaba sat down with a moan. “ Is today over yet?”
“No, it’s only lunchtime,” Galinda replied rhetorically. “What’s wrong?”
“Everyone keeps pointing at me.” Elphaba laughed, bitterly. “Such a thing has never happened before.”
“It’s because you look so pretty,” said Galinda staunchly. “They’re impressed.”
“No, they’re sneering at mutton attempting to be lamb.”
“Elphie, I’ve just about had it with you.” Galinda grabbed Elphaba’s wrist, hauling her out of the dining-hall. “You’re going to believe me, if I have to put a damn spell on you.”
Well-acquainted with Galinda’s many sorcery mishaps, Elphaba wisely kept her mouth shut.
5/
Galinda threw open the door to their room, pushing Elphaba in front of the mirror. “How can you not see how attractive you look?”
Elphaba pulled a face. Galinda huffed and grunted. Their reflections glared back sourly.
“How can you insist that you’re fat?” Elphaba suddenly countered. Galinda scowled, then narrowed her eyes craftily.
“You think I’m being silly when I worry about my weight?”
“That’s putting it mildly,” Elphaba smirked. “Anyone with an eye can see you’re thin.” She felt relieved at her cunning focus-shift; Galinda and her waistline woes were all-encompassing.
Usually.
“And anyone with half an eye can see you’re gorgeous!” Galinda exclaimed, triumphantly. Elphaba stared at herself for a few seconds, her face blank before it crumpled.
“I have to go.”
6/
“Oh no you don’t.”
“I have study hall,” Elphaba protested feebly.
“Skip it.” Galinda glared at Elphaba, then sighed, relaxing her stronghold on her friend’s upper arm. “Oh, Elphie, you’re smart, you top all of our classes, you know everything, but you won’t believe in yourself. Why ever not?”
“Galinda, you may not have noticed this, but there isn’t an abundance of green people in Oz,” Elphaba said, as if explaining things to a small child. “I’m not like the redhead who gets called carrot-top. I’m a freak,” she spat out. “My mother never warmed to me, my father still hates me...so, please, forgive me if I’m not exactly my own biggest fan.”
Galinda’s face fell as she listened to the pained tirade.
“And don’t try and tell me that bullshit about looks not mattering. When you’re as ugly as me, they matter like hell.”
Swiftly and wordlessly, Galinda pulled her into a hug. Elphaba, caught unawares, stiffened, but did not break free. “When you danced with me, and smiled at me, I thought you were the most beautiful girl in the room,” Galinda said quietly. “And maybe I can’t ever make you believe that...but don’t dispute that I do.”
7/
“At least not vocally,” Elphaba said wryly, feeling a chill when Galinda wrenched away from her. She had actually been enjoying the embrace.
“You’re impossible!” Galinda said, stung. “Fine, then, Miss Elphaba. Go to study hall, be a wet blanket. See if I care.”
This time it was Elphaba’s face which fell, though Galinda, back already turned, didn’t see it. Quietly, Elphaba slipped out of the room, wandering in the opposite direction of the classroom. She had never properly explored Shiz yet, but with most of the students in classes - and herself in dire need of some alone-time - this was the perfect opportunity. She extracted her glasses from her pocket, inadvertently glancing at herself in one of the windows as she put them on.
She looked different with her hair down like that, instead of in its customary braid. Elphaba gathered it up, frowning at the changed reflection. Her face was still unnaturally sharp, but having her hair loose seemed to soften that, or at least hide the severity of the angles.
Shyly, she smiled. She had come to Shiz to learn. And now, outside of class and thanks to her dizzy roommate, she was doing just that.
8/
“Well, aren’t we a pair of truants,” Elphaba remarked conversationally as she reentered their room. Galinda barely glanced up from her magazine.
“Oh, we’re a wicked duo,” she mumbled. She turned the page idly as Elphaba sat down next to her, praying that her suddenly pounding heart wasn’t as audible as it felt as though it should be.
“You’re wicked. I’m just an idiot,” Elphaba said. “Are we still friends?” She winced at the word ‘still’ - had they ever truly been in the first place? She wasn’t exactly Galinda’s type.
“Of course we are,” Galinda sighed. “If we weren’t, I wouldn’t be so angry with you in the first place.”
“I’m not about to say you’re right...but I do like myself better this way,” Elphaba admitted. Galinda looked up expectantly. “You’ll laugh, but I’ve never really looked at myself before. But I think what you’ve done to my hair actually suits my face more...it’s impractical, but -”
“It suits you,” smiled Galinda. She tweaked a strand of Elphaba’s hair, sitting up. “You have glorious hair. You’ve hidden it away for too long.” Her face grew serious. “There’s no turning back now, Elphie. We’re going to bring out the real you.” Galinda giggled. “Honestly, don’t look so terrified! I’ll be here every step of the way.”
“That’s what worries me,” said Elphaba dryly as Galinda took her hand. She squeezed it, then turned Elphaba’s wrist around to peer at her watch.
“Ages before next period. No time like the present!”
9/
She was sitting, hunched over in a petticoat that was far too short for her. Galinda was trying hard not to notice, but Elphie actually did have hips and breasts, though she hid them well.
“Try this one,” she said as casually as she could muster, holding out yet another tunic. “I bought a size too small on purpose, but I doubt I’ll ever fit into it.”
“How does one have so many variations on the one uniform?” Elphaba grinned, obediently slipping on the dress. She couldn’t help but look impressed as she adjusted the belt buckle. “Goodness me, I’ve never had anything fit so perfectly before. Papa only ever took Nessa shopping, and just bought doubles of her outfits if I required new clothes. We’re similar in size, but have never been carbon copies of one another.”
“Well, now you have this,” Galinda smiled. “All yours, and snug as a glove.”
“Have borrowed this,” Elphaba corrected, looking uncertain when Galinda shook her head.
“No, keep it. You think it’ll ever fit around these?” Galinda patted her hips with a grin.
“It’d be safer if I didn’t answer that, wouldn’t it?” Elphaba asked shrewdly, fanning out her skirt.
“Oh, much.”
10/
Galinda stepped behind Elphaba, holding open her jacket. She hadn’t missed the way Elphie had looked at her just then, taking in much more than just the hips she had been referring to.
Galinda felt dizzy; Elphie had been looking at her. Which meant it had probably been just as obvious when Galinda had been doing the same. Oh, holy terror...
And now, Elphie had stealthily turned and was studying her again, eyes searching her face.
“Galinda? Are you alright? I said, do you -”
Galinda didn’t wait for Elphie to finish before she kissed her, squarely on the mouth.
11/
She’d never kissed a girl before. If ever she’d even thought about it (which surely she hadn’t), she would have dismissed it because it wasn’t the done thing; it wasn’t right.
It wasn’t all that wrong though, either. In fact, it seemed all too natural, like breathing, as if she had been born with the sole purpose of one day kissing this girl, who was timidly kissing her back. Not Fiyero - sure, he had been fun to kiss, but he hadn’t turned her knees to jelly the way Elphie’s hand on her waist had just done.
Shrilly, the bell for fifth period pierced through the room. Elphaba and Galinda broke apart, somewhat guiltily. Embarrassed silence prevailed, until:
“I’ve never received a tardy mark,” Elphaba commented. “Have you?”
“Four,” Galinda admitted. “And one order mark.” Legs still trembling, she sat down on her bed, pulling Elphaba down with her. They kissed again as the bell faded. “Detention will be worth it.”
“I’ll help you if you get lines.”
“’I will not skip history to kiss my roommate’,” Galinda intoned. “One hundred times.”
“Is that one hundred kisses, or one hundred lines?” asked Elphaba. Galinda merely gave her a knowing smile.
12/
Lips thoroughly bruised, Elphaba hurried off to life sciences with a contented smile, which only broadened when an unfamiliar sophister caught her eye in the hall and grinned - and for once, not condescendingly.
Mama had once said that college would be the best years of her life. Little Elphie had only been two at the time, and Mama had, as usual, been drunk and ranting, but Elphaba had remembered the words in any case, and was now inclined to believe.
Waiting for Dr. Dillamond to arrive, she attempted to toss her hair, scowling when she realized Fiyero had been watching her. He seemed impressed by her changed appearance and as she took her seat, Elphaba was horrified to feel her cheeks flushing. Of course, it was the novelty of good attention, and Galinda’s kisses. That was all.
Still, she didn’t move away when Fiyero sat closely next to her.
13/
In the blink of an eye, she had gone from solitary outcast, to triangle creator.
Fiyero liked Galinda. But she also liked Galinda. And, if truth be told, Fiyero. And, confusingly, Galinda obviously liked Fiyero, yet had kissed her. Elphaba sighed, trying to tally things up logically.
Fiyero liked Galinda, Galinda liked Fiyero, and Elphaba, foolish girl, liked them both. Clearly, there was no room for her; she was merely a third wheel who would eventually be cast aside when Galinda came to her senses.
Elphaba crouched down as a storm began to brew, not bothering to move undercover though she was barely three feet from the bridge. She was mentally preparing herself for a return to solitude; she could easily stand a little rain.
Rating: PG/PG-13
Subject: Musical
Summary: Gelphie fluff, set after 'Popular' and through to 'I'm Not That Girl'.
Disclaimer: I own nothing, and haven't seen the musical in over a year - that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it!
(this was cross-posted at femslash100, apologies if you get spammed twice!)
1/
“Well?” Galinda dropped the hat onto her head. “Suit me?”
She knew that it didn’t (she would have been horrified if such a thing did), but she was determined to get a smile out of Elphie. They had been getting along so well the night before, or so Galinda had thought, in any case. But then Elphie had leapt up and ran off so abruptly, leaving Galinda floundering in a sea of cosmetics, and she’d had to wonder if she’d imagined the easy camaraderie. She had waited up, but had fallen asleep before Elphie had seen fit to return.
“About as much as your fairy princess dress would suit me,” Elphaba replied, raising a hand when Galinda’s eyes widened. “Don’t even think it, Galinda.”
Galinda smiled innocently. “Me? Think?”
Elphaba laughed loudly, an amused cackle which warmed Galinda with a hearty dose of satisfaction. Success! At least, on one count...
2/
“Oh, Elphie,” Galinda murmured under her breath. Brow furrowed in acute concentration, she adjusted the straps of her dress (really, it wasn’t exactly tailored for one so flat-chested, but at least it wasn’t a complete disaster) as Elphaba glared up at her, every inch the sulky child. “You look beautiful.”
“No, your frock is beautiful,” Elphaba corrected her. “It looks just as fine on its hanger as it does on me.”
“But my hanger doesn’t have hips and breasts,” Galinda pointed out. Well, neither did Elphie, really, but she decided it would be pushing the friendship to say as much.
Elphaba scoffed, filling in the blanks. Still, she was beyond protesting. She would never admit to it, but Galinda fussing over her felt quite nice - physically, as well as mentally. As long as no one else was around to see, she’d have to ‘volunteer’ herself as clotheshorse more often.
3/
“I can’t wear that to class,” Elphaba exclaimed, horrified, as Galinda held up a creamy white jacket. “Anything else. Within reason,” she hastily added. “I won’t renege, but can’t you at least meet me halfway?”
“But I like this one,” Galinda pouted.
“Great! You can wear it.”
Galinda rolled her eyes. “Don’t be silly, Elphie, I wore white yesterday.”
“How foolish of me to forget,” Elphaba sighed. “You haven’t anything darker?” She rolled her eyes when Galinda instantly whipped out a lemon stole from her top drawer. “Very droll.”
“You always wear dark colors,” Galinda protested, groaning when Elphaba nodded, unabashed.
“I know. They’re all that suit me.”
“No they’re not.” Galinda removed the jacket from its hanger, holding it out. “At least try this on.”
“It’s so...bright,” Elphaba grimaced. “I already stick out like a beacon, I don’t exactly need attire that adds to that effect.”
“Is that why you always wear such dark clothes?” Galinda asked, suddenly comprehending her roommate’s drab wardrobe. “So that you’ll go unnoticed?”
“It works in theory,” Elphaba mumbled. “I doubt I’ll ever be able to slip under any radar.”
“So why try?” Galinda gave the jacket a pointed flap. “Embrace your appearance for once, Elphie. For me,” she added, when Elphaba still looked doubtful.
Reluctantly, Elphaba took the jacket, a wicked grin spreading over her face. “I’d do anything for you, Miss Galinda,” she mimicked Boq teasingly, her mouth falling open when Galinda tossed that ridiculous pink flower into her lap.
“Prove it.”
4/
Elphaba sat down with a moan. “ Is today over yet?”
“No, it’s only lunchtime,” Galinda replied rhetorically. “What’s wrong?”
“Everyone keeps pointing at me.” Elphaba laughed, bitterly. “Such a thing has never happened before.”
“It’s because you look so pretty,” said Galinda staunchly. “They’re impressed.”
“No, they’re sneering at mutton attempting to be lamb.”
“Elphie, I’ve just about had it with you.” Galinda grabbed Elphaba’s wrist, hauling her out of the dining-hall. “You’re going to believe me, if I have to put a damn spell on you.”
Well-acquainted with Galinda’s many sorcery mishaps, Elphaba wisely kept her mouth shut.
5/
Galinda threw open the door to their room, pushing Elphaba in front of the mirror. “How can you not see how attractive you look?”
Elphaba pulled a face. Galinda huffed and grunted. Their reflections glared back sourly.
“How can you insist that you’re fat?” Elphaba suddenly countered. Galinda scowled, then narrowed her eyes craftily.
“You think I’m being silly when I worry about my weight?”
“That’s putting it mildly,” Elphaba smirked. “Anyone with an eye can see you’re thin.” She felt relieved at her cunning focus-shift; Galinda and her waistline woes were all-encompassing.
Usually.
“And anyone with half an eye can see you’re gorgeous!” Galinda exclaimed, triumphantly. Elphaba stared at herself for a few seconds, her face blank before it crumpled.
“I have to go.”
6/
“Oh no you don’t.”
“I have study hall,” Elphaba protested feebly.
“Skip it.” Galinda glared at Elphaba, then sighed, relaxing her stronghold on her friend’s upper arm. “Oh, Elphie, you’re smart, you top all of our classes, you know everything, but you won’t believe in yourself. Why ever not?”
“Galinda, you may not have noticed this, but there isn’t an abundance of green people in Oz,” Elphaba said, as if explaining things to a small child. “I’m not like the redhead who gets called carrot-top. I’m a freak,” she spat out. “My mother never warmed to me, my father still hates me...so, please, forgive me if I’m not exactly my own biggest fan.”
Galinda’s face fell as she listened to the pained tirade.
“And don’t try and tell me that bullshit about looks not mattering. When you’re as ugly as me, they matter like hell.”
Swiftly and wordlessly, Galinda pulled her into a hug. Elphaba, caught unawares, stiffened, but did not break free. “When you danced with me, and smiled at me, I thought you were the most beautiful girl in the room,” Galinda said quietly. “And maybe I can’t ever make you believe that...but don’t dispute that I do.”
7/
“At least not vocally,” Elphaba said wryly, feeling a chill when Galinda wrenched away from her. She had actually been enjoying the embrace.
“You’re impossible!” Galinda said, stung. “Fine, then, Miss Elphaba. Go to study hall, be a wet blanket. See if I care.”
This time it was Elphaba’s face which fell, though Galinda, back already turned, didn’t see it. Quietly, Elphaba slipped out of the room, wandering in the opposite direction of the classroom. She had never properly explored Shiz yet, but with most of the students in classes - and herself in dire need of some alone-time - this was the perfect opportunity. She extracted her glasses from her pocket, inadvertently glancing at herself in one of the windows as she put them on.
She looked different with her hair down like that, instead of in its customary braid. Elphaba gathered it up, frowning at the changed reflection. Her face was still unnaturally sharp, but having her hair loose seemed to soften that, or at least hide the severity of the angles.
Shyly, she smiled. She had come to Shiz to learn. And now, outside of class and thanks to her dizzy roommate, she was doing just that.
8/
“Well, aren’t we a pair of truants,” Elphaba remarked conversationally as she reentered their room. Galinda barely glanced up from her magazine.
“Oh, we’re a wicked duo,” she mumbled. She turned the page idly as Elphaba sat down next to her, praying that her suddenly pounding heart wasn’t as audible as it felt as though it should be.
“You’re wicked. I’m just an idiot,” Elphaba said. “Are we still friends?” She winced at the word ‘still’ - had they ever truly been in the first place? She wasn’t exactly Galinda’s type.
“Of course we are,” Galinda sighed. “If we weren’t, I wouldn’t be so angry with you in the first place.”
“I’m not about to say you’re right...but I do like myself better this way,” Elphaba admitted. Galinda looked up expectantly. “You’ll laugh, but I’ve never really looked at myself before. But I think what you’ve done to my hair actually suits my face more...it’s impractical, but -”
“It suits you,” smiled Galinda. She tweaked a strand of Elphaba’s hair, sitting up. “You have glorious hair. You’ve hidden it away for too long.” Her face grew serious. “There’s no turning back now, Elphie. We’re going to bring out the real you.” Galinda giggled. “Honestly, don’t look so terrified! I’ll be here every step of the way.”
“That’s what worries me,” said Elphaba dryly as Galinda took her hand. She squeezed it, then turned Elphaba’s wrist around to peer at her watch.
“Ages before next period. No time like the present!”
9/
She was sitting, hunched over in a petticoat that was far too short for her. Galinda was trying hard not to notice, but Elphie actually did have hips and breasts, though she hid them well.
“Try this one,” she said as casually as she could muster, holding out yet another tunic. “I bought a size too small on purpose, but I doubt I’ll ever fit into it.”
“How does one have so many variations on the one uniform?” Elphaba grinned, obediently slipping on the dress. She couldn’t help but look impressed as she adjusted the belt buckle. “Goodness me, I’ve never had anything fit so perfectly before. Papa only ever took Nessa shopping, and just bought doubles of her outfits if I required new clothes. We’re similar in size, but have never been carbon copies of one another.”
“Well, now you have this,” Galinda smiled. “All yours, and snug as a glove.”
“Have borrowed this,” Elphaba corrected, looking uncertain when Galinda shook her head.
“No, keep it. You think it’ll ever fit around these?” Galinda patted her hips with a grin.
“It’d be safer if I didn’t answer that, wouldn’t it?” Elphaba asked shrewdly, fanning out her skirt.
“Oh, much.”
10/
Galinda stepped behind Elphaba, holding open her jacket. She hadn’t missed the way Elphie had looked at her just then, taking in much more than just the hips she had been referring to.
Galinda felt dizzy; Elphie had been looking at her. Which meant it had probably been just as obvious when Galinda had been doing the same. Oh, holy terror...
And now, Elphie had stealthily turned and was studying her again, eyes searching her face.
“Galinda? Are you alright? I said, do you -”
Galinda didn’t wait for Elphie to finish before she kissed her, squarely on the mouth.
11/
She’d never kissed a girl before. If ever she’d even thought about it (which surely she hadn’t), she would have dismissed it because it wasn’t the done thing; it wasn’t right.
It wasn’t all that wrong though, either. In fact, it seemed all too natural, like breathing, as if she had been born with the sole purpose of one day kissing this girl, who was timidly kissing her back. Not Fiyero - sure, he had been fun to kiss, but he hadn’t turned her knees to jelly the way Elphie’s hand on her waist had just done.
Shrilly, the bell for fifth period pierced through the room. Elphaba and Galinda broke apart, somewhat guiltily. Embarrassed silence prevailed, until:
“I’ve never received a tardy mark,” Elphaba commented. “Have you?”
“Four,” Galinda admitted. “And one order mark.” Legs still trembling, she sat down on her bed, pulling Elphaba down with her. They kissed again as the bell faded. “Detention will be worth it.”
“I’ll help you if you get lines.”
“’I will not skip history to kiss my roommate’,” Galinda intoned. “One hundred times.”
“Is that one hundred kisses, or one hundred lines?” asked Elphaba. Galinda merely gave her a knowing smile.
12/
Lips thoroughly bruised, Elphaba hurried off to life sciences with a contented smile, which only broadened when an unfamiliar sophister caught her eye in the hall and grinned - and for once, not condescendingly.
Mama had once said that college would be the best years of her life. Little Elphie had only been two at the time, and Mama had, as usual, been drunk and ranting, but Elphaba had remembered the words in any case, and was now inclined to believe.
Waiting for Dr. Dillamond to arrive, she attempted to toss her hair, scowling when she realized Fiyero had been watching her. He seemed impressed by her changed appearance and as she took her seat, Elphaba was horrified to feel her cheeks flushing. Of course, it was the novelty of good attention, and Galinda’s kisses. That was all.
Still, she didn’t move away when Fiyero sat closely next to her.
13/
In the blink of an eye, she had gone from solitary outcast, to triangle creator.
Fiyero liked Galinda. But she also liked Galinda. And, if truth be told, Fiyero. And, confusingly, Galinda obviously liked Fiyero, yet had kissed her. Elphaba sighed, trying to tally things up logically.
Fiyero liked Galinda, Galinda liked Fiyero, and Elphaba, foolish girl, liked them both. Clearly, there was no room for her; she was merely a third wheel who would eventually be cast aside when Galinda came to her senses.
Elphaba crouched down as a storm began to brew, not bothering to move undercover though she was barely three feet from the bridge. She was mentally preparing herself for a return to solitude; she could easily stand a little rain.