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Several days had passed since Glinda had last sent a letter to Elphaba. Responses weren't always fast, they had to be careful when sending messages back and forth. Who knows what would happen if someone caught wind that the Wicked Witch of the West was in communication with Glinda the Good Witch?
Their letters never really continued anything of importance, usually it was just updates on things that were happening or thoughts they had—a desperate attempt to try and stay a part of each other's lives. Glinda wouldn't admit it out loud, but receiving letters from Elphaba would always be the highlight of her week. That's why she had been counting the days, waiting for a response.
Maybe her letter had been lost, and Elphaba hadn't received it. That crow did seem to dislike her, but Elphaba insisted that this was the safest way to communicate. The crow was a friend of Elphaba's and a great keeper of secrets. He liked to keep to himself. Glinda had learned hardly anything about him, and she'd been handing her letters over to him for a while now. It was apparent that he wasn't fond of her, he always seemed to make a fuss when she handed over her messages. She had a sneaking suspicion it might have to do with how her parchment smelled strongly of different floral perfumes, or at least she hoped that was it.
Regardless of the reason, she'd managed to find out one thing about this crow, and that was that he was a lover of anything that would shine or sparkle. That was something they could find common ground on, so Glinda had tried to win him over by leaving small crystals, sometimes even jewelry, or anything else she could find that she thought he would enjoy. She had thought this was helping change his opinion of her, but maybe she should be trying harder, and then maybe he'd make sure to take care of her letters.
Glinda sighed deeply as she moved towards her room door. She couldn't wait to get these shoes off her feet and comb through her hair. It had become such a mess after the day she'd had. Hopefully, there would also be a certain crow waiting with a letter addressed to her in his talons.
She entered her room, one shoe already off her foot, then she froze. There was a figure standing in her room, and it certainly wasn't a crow.
“Hello, Glinda.”
“Elphie, you… you're here? What are you doing here?” She had no speech prepared and even if she had, the words would have abandoned her now. The brief shock had caused her to stumble backwards, but now she had moved forward. Closing the gap somewhat between the two of them.
“Letters are nice, but I wanted to see you.” Elphaba offered a tired smile. And as Glinda looked closer into her friend's eyes, she noticed just how weary she was.
Gently, Glinda lifted her hand to Elphaba's face, brushing a few stray hairs behind her ear.
“Well, that was probably for the best. I'm worried that your crow friend isn't fond of me, which is outrageous of course because I'm lovely.” Glinda laughed, a genuine laugh, she hadn't been able to feel this much like herself around anyone lately.
Elphaba let out a small chuckle.
“Yes, he is very particular, isn't he? He has enjoyed all the gifts you've been giving him, but I have a feeling he may raise his price soon.”
“How have you been?” Glinda asked, struggling to find the right words to say. It was easier to write on paper when you could plan what you were going to say.
“Alive,” Elphaba responded simply. They both stood in silence for a moment, still not really sure how to act around each other after being apart for so long.
Glinda finally made the first move, grabbing Elphaba's arm, and she led her over to the bed.
“Here, let's sit, and we can catch up.” She said, falling onto the bed and then patting the spot next to her.
It took a while, but soon the conversation between them came easily. Both of them now relaxed, as a weight had lifted from their shoulders. They talked about nothing and everything. Little things that happened in their lives, the stars, fashion, and any gossip Glinda had heard recently. It was almost like they were back to before everything had changed. At some point Glinda's head had found its way onto Elphaba's shoulder. Neither of them acknowledged it, they just stayed comfortable with the others company.
As it got later, their conversation slowed.
“I've missed this,” Elphaba said, gently placing her hand over Glinda's.
“Me too,” Glinda replied. Her gaze met Elphaba's, and she had a pleading look in her eyes. She could sense that Elphaba was planning on leaving soon, she had been glancing at the windows, and now she was slowly withdrawing from Glinda. And without outright asking, Glinda was trying to convince her friend to stay.
“I should go, I don't want to cause any problems for you,” Elphaba said, moving away.
“Or you could stay? I wouldn't mind Elphie, really. I'm sure everything will be perfectly fine, and you can even leave early in the morning.”
“Just for one night.” Glinda pleaded
“Just for one night,” Elphaba repeated.
Glinda's eyes sparkled, a small smile tugging on the corner of her lips. She reached for the edge of her blankets, pulling them back. Without really thinking about it, they both ended up entangled in the other's arms, just holding each other. It was safe like this. For a moment, time seemed to stop, nothing else mattered, it was just them, here in each other's arms. They had already spent most of their night engaged in conversation, so words weren't needed anymore. They simply stayed like this, gazes locked, until they both drifted off to sleep.
They didn't let go of each other until the first rays of daylight crept through the window. Elphaba awoke, ready to leave, but not wanting to. She carefully crept out of the bed, pulling the covers back over Glinda.
Glinda woke up not too soon after, the feeling of warmth and security now gone from her arms. Just a cold, empty space next to her where Elphaba had once been. Once her eyes finally adjusted to the light, she was able to see Elphaba standing just at the end of her bed.
“Try and write more,” Glinda said.
“I'll do my best, hopefully our crow friend won't give you any more trouble.”
Glinda laughed, “I'll try and find more trinkets that are to his liking, hopefully that will help.”
“Bye, Elphie.”
“I'll write, I promise.” Elphaba moved her hand to her forehead and gave a small wave. Glinda returned the gesture. She watched her leave, eyes never leaving Elphaba until she was really gone.
Slowly, Glinda realized she hadn't even changed out of the clothes she was wearing yesterday. She had fallen asleep in these. She let out a deep sigh, composing herself, and began to get ready for the day ahead.