Merry Christmas @thestalkingentity!
Read it on Ao3
Galinda is thirsty.
Unfortunately, it’s the middle of the day and she doesn’t know what to do. There are too many people around, and class is about to start. Her absence is always noticed, by both her professors and the other students, so it’s difficult to find time to deal with it. She feels like she has a spotlight on her at all times, never giving her a moment’s peace. It’s frustrating, but the worst part is that she has no choice but to endure it.
Because if her secret was discovered…well, that wouldn’t be good.
She still can’t believe she forgot to replenish her supply. Usually sneaking away from Shiz for a couple hours in the dead of night to venture out into the woods isn’t a problem, but ever since the Ozdust her alone time has been severely limited. Not that she’s complaining. She never would’ve thought that she would dance with and befriend Elphaba Thropp, of all people, yet here they are: inseparable and growing closer by the day.
Which isn’t a bad thing, except when Galinda needs to break away and replace her supply, and she can’t very well do that with someone hanging around all the time. This is her secret to bear, and if anyone found out, she would be forced to leave everything behind. Again.
She feels eyes on her, though she doesn’t have to look to know who they belong to. Even without her amplified senses, she’d know Elphaba’s presence anywhere. The girl sticks out like a sore thumb, and not because of her green skin. Galinda is more attuned to Elphaba’s stamp on the world than anyone else she’s ever encountered. She’s like a butterfly amid a sea of gnats – majestic, gorgeous, and one of a kind. Galinda can’t look away, even though she knows she must, If she’s to ever do what must be done. She can’t go another day without feeding.
Galinda watches the sea of students swarm to class, the low buzz of chatter filling her eardrums and making her head pound. She listens unwillingly as they chat about their assignments, professors, upcoming plans for the weekend. All innocent, mundane mortal stuff that Galinda secretly has no interest in. She tries, of course, but centuries of living as an immortal have made her immune to the troubles of humans. There was a time when she’d been one, of course, but that was a long time ago. She’s forgotten what it feels like to breathe, to eat regular food, to know the difference between warm and cold.
She’s been forced to pretend for a long, long time.
She feigns a shiver against the chilly autumn wind as students continue to stream around her, each looking more appetizing than the last. Her blonde curls are blown into her face as a strong gust of wind swirls around her, and while it temporarily hides the humans in front of her from view, it only carries their scents straight into her nostrils, which flare instinctively, soaking in the tantalizing smell. She twists around before she can stop herself, feeling her eyes go wide and her fangs extend from her gums. A lesser vampire would’ve pounced already, but Galinda learned the subtle art of self-control long ago, though it takes everything in her to remain still as the humans, oblivious to how close they are to becoming her next meal, continue laughing and chattering around her.
No, she thinks to herself as she watches her classmates file into the building. Get a hold of yourself, Galinda. You’re better than this.
But even as she thinks it, she knows she’s not. Centuries of blending in and passing as a human can only go so far, especially with how thirsty she currently is. She is beholden to her instincts just like any other creature, human or otherwise, and if she doesn’t rectify her situation, she and the rest of this school will soon learn just how true that is.
Sorry, Dillamond, she thinks as she casually turns away from the sea of students, ignoring the curious glances they throw her way. But history and the past can wait. It’s not as though I haven’t lived through it all anyway.
She doesn’t let herself think about the lesson she’ll miss or the girl she won’t be able to spend class with as she bites her lip to keep the hunger at bay. Her vision is growing cloudy, her throat a curious mix of parched and overly salivated. She can’t even look at the students trickling by anymore, because she knows if she does, her control might slip. Galinda has worked too hard and come too far to let a careless slip ruin everything she’s worked so hard for.
It takes everything in her not to make a beeline for the trees. If someone spots her traipsing into the woods when she should be in class – her, Galinda Upland of the Upper Uplands, darlingest, most adored girl on campus – they’ll start to ask questions. Galinda has no excuse, especially because she does not exactly look like someone who would willingly wander around in nature. Her heels aren’t made for the dirty, rough terrain, and her nails don’t look as though they’ve ever seen a scrap of dirt.
But she can’t make for the forest because people will ask questions. And questions mean curiosity, and she cannot afford that. She’s come to enjoy the life she’s made for herself here at Shiz. The last thing she wants is to screw it up now with her own stupidity.
Even if waiting could literally kill her.
But wait she does. She forces herself to look busy as she smiles and nods to the lingering students who continue passing her by. No one throws her any curious stares or questions why she’s waiting outside when she should be in class. Perhaps it’s one of the perks of her popularity – no one thinks twice about her decisions or actions, even if maybe they should.
Galinda forces herself to wait until she is finally alone in the quad before moving. She does a good job of looking busy by rooting around in her satchel for something, but she gives up the charade as soon as everyone’s gone, then makes her slow and casual way toward the tree line separating the university from the surrounding forest.
She immediately regrets her choice of footwear the moment her heels slip into the soft dirt of the forest. Galinda can’t help the little yelp that escapes her throat as she nearly trips and stumbles. She catches herself on a nearby tree, which is the only thing that prevents her from tumbling face first into the mud. Being a vampire comes with many privileges, but unfortunately preternatural grace isn’t one of them. Those delusions are saved solely for the trashy romance books she sometimes indulges in.
Speed, however, is something she’s been gifted with, and it’s something she utilizes now that no one is around to witness it. It’s like shedding a too-tight coat after hours suffocated underneath it. She lets herself come alive as she kicks off her heels and runs.
The trees become little more than blurs as she zips past, the branches waving dangerously in her wake. She moves so quickly the ground doesn’t even crunch underneath her. It’s like she’s floating on air as she zooms past, almost as though she’s flying. The freedom that comes from moving in such a way is beyond compare. Galinda wishes she could stay out here forever. How she yearns to leave it all behind sometimes and give in to her more animalistic nature. How much easier it would be if–
“Hey!”
Galinda gasps as she comes to a sudden halt, tumbling to the ground before she can get her bearings. Her face slams against the hard earth beneath her, and she hears the rip in her dress as she goes down. Her palms sting from the gashes that slice them open as they connect with the thorns and brambles underneath her. But she barely pays it any heed since her attention is suddenly caught elsewhere.
More specifically, the all-too familiar woman gaping openly at her, a wide trail of blood sliding down her green chin.
For the longest moment all they can do is stare. Galinda feels like she’s just seen a ghost, even though Elphaba is very much alive. She’s real, and standing right in front of her, though why she’s here is a mystery. One that Galinda would very much like to solve. She forces herself to her feet, the gashes in her palms already starting to heal. It’s yet another perk of being a vampire, but she finds no joy in it right now. Not when she’s healing right in front of the one woman she feels anything for, because she’s the one woman she’s ever felt anything for in the centuries since becoming the creature she is.
Galinda has never thought to question those feelings until now.
She wipes her dirty hands along the skirt of her torn dress – something she never would’ve done even a few seconds ago, but it’s ruined beyond repair so she hardly sees the harm now. She feels the bruise that had begun to form on her cheek from slamming so hard into the ground begin to heal as well, though it’s nothing compared to the heat of Elphaba’s stare, her green eyes wide with some emotion Galinda can’t quite place. But whatever it is makes her squirm uncomfortably, the urge to flee as quickly as she can having never been quite as strong as it is right now.
It’s only the sound of Elphaba’s voice breaking the sudden, tense silence around them that keeps Galinda where she is.
“Wh-What are you doing here?”
“I…”
But Galinda trails off, realizing with a start that she doesn’t have a good excuse for why she’s out here. She’d never thought to come up with one because she hadn’t expected to find anyone so far deep in these woods. She can’t quite wrap her head around the sight of Elphaba, not only in front of her but with that unmistakable blood trail down her chin. It’s not until Galinda lowers her gaze that she notices the rabbit – or rather, what’s left of it – clutched tightly in her green grip.
Elphaba follows her gaze, then quickly hides the rabbit behind her back, stuttering as she splutters out, “I c-c-can explain…”
“What are you doing out here?” Galinda snaps, grateful to have something her anxious mind can cling to. She takes a tentative step toward Elphaba, only for the other woman to step back, glaring at Galinda with a sudden possessiveness she’s never once seen from her roommate.
They both freeze again as silence takes over, the only sound the rustling of the trees and the nearby chirping of birds flying innocently through the air. It would’ve been a calm, peaceful moment if this was any other day and Galinda was alone. But the blonde is painfully aware of the other woman’s presence and has to fight the urge to flee. Except she’s much too thirsty to try again later.
Elphaba’s eyes widen as she studies Galinda, her expression a curious mix of emotions that the blonde can’t quite read. It takes her brain longer than she’d like to admit to catch up to her eyes, but when it does her mouth falls open in dawning realization, taking in the blood and the dead rabbit clutched tightly in Elphaba’s grip once again.
“Elphaba…what is that?”
“What?” Elphaba follows Galinda’s line of sight, looking down at the animal she’s holding. She glances from it to Galinda, opening her mouth to speak once more. “This? This is a rabbit–”
“Yes, but why is it dead? Why are you holding it?”
“Because I needed to feed.”
The confession brings Galinda up short. For the longest moment all Galinda can do is stare as she takes a moment to reconcile the memory of the woman she’d danced with and finally befriended at the Ozdust with this new version in front of her. When she does finally speak, her voice comes out choked and raspy – so unlike her usual self that it’s almost jarring.
“Wh-What do you mean…feed?”
To Galinda’s further surprise, Elphaba throws her a soft smile. It’s light and unsure, but Galinda’s sharp vision doesn’t miss it. If she were human, her heart would probably be racing incessantly, but all she can do now in her undead state is stare and gape like a child as Elphaba drops the rabbit carcass and takes a slow, hesitant step toward her.
Galinda doesn’t step back, and she can feel Elphaba’s relief. Her gaze finds Elphaba’s face once more, specifically the line of blood that looks so delectable it’s all she can do not to reach out and take a small lick. It takes all her self control to remain where she is, though if she doesn’t find sustenance soon, she doesn’t know what she’s likely to do. She can’t remember the last time she’d gone this long without feeding.
But she stays where she is, because she’s been hypnotized by the vision of the crimson red against the emerald green of Elphaba’s chin. The colors seem to sparkle in the late morning sun, casting its own spell that has nothing to do with the magic coursing through Elphaba’s veins. Galinda can’t look away, which is good because she doesn’t want to. She wants nothing more than to stay here, in this moment with Elphaba, as dawning realization creeps up on her like a shadowy tendril slithering in from the darkness.
“I think you know.” Elphaba’s breathy response rises in the air and seems to hover between them. Galinda is once again caught in her spell, unable to move as Elphaba reaches out and gently brushes her fingertips against the cold skin of Galinda’s hand. It’s like the touch is a silent question that Elphaba seeks the answer to, and Galinda doesn’t have to ask to know what answer she’s seeking.
So Galinda looks up and meets her eye as she slips her hand in that of her roommate’s, hardly daring to let herself believe that this is real.
And once again Elphaba seems to want to prove herself a mind reader, because her long fingers close around Galinda’s hand, tightening in a way that doesn’t leave her feeling constricted but rather…claimed?
Galinda finds she doesn’t hate it.
“Let me see,” the older girl continues, reaching up with her free hand to tuck a strand of Galinda’s blonde hair behind her ear. She gestures to Galinda’s lips with that same hand, her gaze turning soft and gentle as she offers up one last smile, and Galinda sees them for the first time: her fangs.
She doesn’t know how she missed them before. All this time, living together in the same room and Galinda has never once noticed those abnormally long, sharp teeth. They’re currently red and dripping blood from the tips, but Galinda is captivated. She can’t seem to look away, absently running her tongue along the ends of her own. She knows what Elphaba wants but finds herself hesitating to admit this longstanding truth about herself. How will Elphaba react? Giving her roommate this vital, deeply personal truth about herself is exposing a vulnerability she’s not sure she’s ready for. Even if Elphaba did the same with no hesitation. It fuels her, even as it also brings her up short. But she supposes she has no choice. Why else would she be alone out here, this deep into the woods when she’s supposed to be in class?
Galinda doesn’t let herself think about it as she slowly opens her mouth, watching the way Elphaba inclines her head, her eyes flashing as she undoubtedly catches a glimpse of Galinda’s own fangs. The urge to snap her mouth closed and conceal them is nearly overpowering, but she doesn’t move, allowing Elphaba to look her fill instead.
To her surprise, it’s not as uncomfortable as she’d initially thought.
“Is that what you’re doing out here?” Elphaba asks with a smile as she stands up a little higher, Galinda’s hand still held firmly in her own. “Feeding?”
“Yeah, but…I usually don’t.” The admission is both freeing and embarrassing, though Galinda has no idea why her shame suddenly creeps up on her. “Usually I have enough supply to get me through, but I–I ran low sooner than expected.”
Elphaba is silent for a moment, her gaze turning thoughtful as she looks Galinda over consideringly. Galinda lets her, waiting anxiously for her response. She doesn’t know why, but hearing Elphaba’s opinion seems important – like it’ll either make or break her, depending on whatever she’s about to say next.
If she had a pulse, it surely would’ve frozen like the blood in her veins as Elphaba asks in a suddenly hesitant voice barely above a whisper, “I…I mean, we…could hunt together. If you want.”
Galinda doesn’t have the words to express just how much she does want. She doesn’t think she’s ever wanted anything more. Because as much as this girl – well, vampire – infuriates her, she’s also the first of their kind that Galinda has encountered in…well, forever.
“Yes.” Galinda smiles and takes a step closer to Elphaba, even though they’re practically on top of each other already. “I…I’d like that.”
Elphaba’s answering grin nearly matches her own, and before Galinda knows it, they’re off.
~~
By the time they make it back to their dorm, full and refreshed from their hunt. classes have long been done for the day. The journey back was silent, with neither girl offering any further conversation. Galinda is surprised to discover that the silence is peaceful and light, not awkward and tense as she might’ve expected it to be now that their secrets have been laid out in the open.
They both head straight for their respective closets, the weight of the task they’ve just performed sitting between them, unacknowledged. It’s as though both of them are waiting for the other to speak first, which puts Galinda at a disadvantage since Elphaba has always been perfectly content to sit in silence for hours on end. Galinda enjoys silence, but when there are things to be talked about, she’s never been shy about saying them.
Until now.
Once they’ve changed out of their school clothes and into more comfortable, nighttime attire, they settle on their beds, pointedly ignoring the other. Galinda thinks about taking out her homework, especially since she missed class. She knows she’s going to have to work that much harder just to keep up, but her mind can’t concentrate. It’s far too occupied with thoughts of Elphaba, and vampires, and what having someone else like her on campus means for her. For both of them. Will they be expected to hunt together now that there’s no more need to hide? Or will Elphaba expect them to carry on as they had before – feigning oblivion?
When Galinda finally gathers enough courage, she risks a look at Elphaba’s side of the room, fully expecting to find her nose buried in the pages of her own textbook, but it lies abandoned beside her instead. Elphaba’s attention is fixed unabashedly on Galinda, as though waiting for her to look up and notice. Galinda feels her face heat – well, it would’ve if she had any blood in her veins – but she can’t bring herself to look away.
Elphaba’s attention is so strong Galinda doesn’t think she could even if she wanted to.
Which, as it turns out, she doesn’t.
Well. She knows she isn’t going to get anything more done tonight. Not with her roommate staring at her as though she is the next meal about to be devoured. So she closes her book, drops it on the floor next to her bed, then stands up and twirls her way to the other side of the room, moving so fast she’s little more than a blur.
But when she looks back at Elphaba and joins her on the bed, she doesn’t find surprise or fear in her gaze, as anyone else might’ve done if she’d dared to show off her inhuman speed. No, when she looks back at Elphaba, she merely finds an amused smile, the corners of her lips turned upward.
“Been waiting to do that awhile, haven’t you?”
“I don’t know what you mean,” Galinda replies flippantly with a toss of her hair.
Elphaba’s smirk merely grows wider. “I’m sure you don’t.”
Silence descends upon them once more, though it isn’t uncomfortable. The tension between them has thawed, becoming gentler and warmer than what either of them has experienced thus far. Galinda soaks it in, letting it wash over her, acclimatizing herself with this new dynamic. She can’t remember the last time she’s felt a deeper connection with anyone beyond that of a casual acquaintance. She’s made friends over the years, of course, but her present condition does not allow for anything deeper. All the friends and relationships she’s made throughout her past came to an end eventually once they began to question why she never seemed to get any older. It took a long time to accept that lasting, meaningful relationships simply weren’t an option for her.
It’s why she keeps Pfannee and Shenshen at arms length. They are fun company and allow her to not feel so alone all the time, but Galinda knows that, sooner or later, she will have to let them go. Once their time at Shiz comes to an end, she will make some excuse and be off, settling down somewhere no one will know or recognize her, and start a new life yet again. It has been the way of her long, lonely, immortal existence for so long, she can hardly recall any other way.
Until now.
Because Elphaba’s presence offers her something more, even if the other girl doesn’t know it yet. Galinda knows it’s likely too early to think about a possible future together, but she can’t help it. Not when she’s met another vampire for the first time in what feels like forever. It’s been so long that she was starting to think she was the last of her kind, cursed to remain alone forever. Yet here Elphaba is, proving all her assumptions wrong at every turn.
“You’re staring.”
“Oh.” Galinda startles a bit at Elphaba’s voice, and would’ve blushed if she were still capable of such a thing. “Sorry.”
She begins to lower her gaze, but a long-nailed finger is suddenly underneath her chin, gently holding her in place. “You don’t have to stop.”
And, even though technically Galinda doesn’t need to breathe, what little air she has in her lungs escapes anyway. Time seems to freeze around them, trapping them in a little bubble of their own making. She’s not sure if they’re the ones who have gone still, or the world outside, but Galinda can hardly bring herself to care. She’s only able to stare at the woman – vampire – in front of her, and is suddenly struck by all the little characteristics she’d missed before.
The way Elphaba doesn’t seem to draw breath; the way her skin, despite being green, has a pale, unearthly quality to it that speaks of the lack of blood and oxygen inside her veins. Even her teeth, which Galinda is definitely paying attention to, have miniscule yet very visible points that Galinda never noticed until now. Not that she’d ever made it a point to notice anything about Elphaba until quite recently. But it seems a bit ridiculous now, considering how obvious they are.
Or maybe she’d simply never let herself really look before.
But she’s looking now, and oh, does she like what she sees. Maybe it’s the unending loneliness inside her that stems from centuries of nomadic living, only forming the most minimal of relationships, or the fascination and relief that comes from finally having met another of her kind. Whatever the reason, Galinda does not want to let this girl out of her sight. She wants to wrap her arms around Elphaba’s middle, pull her under the sheets, and talk all night. She wants to hear every little detail about what is sure to be a fascinating life, and she wants to share her own past in return.
And, if Elphaba’s widening smirk is any indication, she might very well be thinking the same thing.
“How long?” her roommate asks, breaking the silence that has crept up between them.
“How long, what?” Galinda forces out of her mouth, meeting Elphaba’s gaze once more. She has to suppress a shudder at those deep green eyes that seem to penetrate right to the core of her very soul.
She expects Elphaba to give an answer, as she is always prone to doing whenever a question is asked of her. Instead she leans in, so close that Galinda can smell the remnants of their hunt on the girl’s breath, but that is barely a fleeting thought once her attention falls to those plump red lips. Galinda is struck with the overwhelming urge to press her own lips into them. She wants to learn how Elphaba tastes – wants to memorize not only her scent but learn her interests, her hobbies. Her habits. Whatever more there is to learn, besides what she’s already gleaned in the few months they’ve spent as roommates, Galinda wants to know. She’ll gladly return the favor, especially if it means she no longer has to be alone.
Galinda waits feverishly, desperately hoping that Elphaba will lean in just a little bit more. To give her what she wants and put her out of her misery. She doesn’t think she’s ever wanted anything more in her entire existence, and she can’t help but close her eyes when the anticipation becomes too much.
And because her eyes are closed, she doesn’t expect the question that comes instead of the kiss. It is spoken in such a low whisper that mere human ears wouldn’t have heard it. “How long have you been alone, my sweet?”
“I…I’m not…how did you–?”
“It’s okay,” Elphaba murmurs in that same low voice, not moving so much as a hairsbreadth away. “I’ve been alone for quite some time. I know how to spot a kindred spirit.”
Galinda has no idea what to say to that, but between their close proximity and their hunt earlier that day, it suddenly becomes difficult to hold herself back any longer.
What little restraint she’d clung to disappears, freeing her to place the lightest, most delicate kiss on Elphaba’s lips as possible. She closes her eyes once more and lets instinct take over, going gentle at first but deepening it the moment Elphaba’s lips part, allowing more access.
Unfortunately Galinda doesn’t get very far before Elphaba pulls away, leaning back and raising her hands, pushing Galinda away as gently as possible. Galinda feels the rejection acutely and tries to mask the sting that follows. Had she misread the situation? In over three hundred years roaming this land, Galinda likes to think she’s a good judge of character, and is usually able to correctly read whatever situation she finds herself in.
But Elphaba speaks before she can overthink this any further, her entire being exuding both desire and amusement as she says in a breathy whisper, “There will be plenty of time for that later, my sweet. For now…maybe we start a little smaller. Do you maybe…want to cuddle?”
It’s not what Galinda expects, but she’s certainly not going to say no. Cuddling with Elphaba, and laying together, sharing the same space, sounds like a dream come true.
“I thought you’d never ask.”
Elphaba matches her grin, and before Galinda has time to register the movement, finds herself tugged downward, her head hitting the large, fluffy down pillows that adorn the head of her bed. Her grin widens as Elphaba follows suit, lying down next to her and throwing the large, oversized comforter over them, effectively shutting out the light and the rest of the world.
“You do know that vampires don’t sleep, don’t you, Elphie?”
“Elphie?”
“Oh…um…if you don’t like it, I can–”
“Well, it is a bit perky, but…I like it. Elphie is fine.”
Galinda’s grin turns into a smile, and she snuggles in as close as she can, Elphaba’s presence calm and grounding, and she lets herself believe, for the first time in as long as she can remember, that she can be capable of love.
And then Elphaba’s mouth is right by her ear, sending a shiver down Galinda’s spine as she murmurs, “I guess we’ll just have to find some other way to spend the time. I, for one, can’t wait to hear all about the fascinating life you’ve seemed to lead all these years.”
Galinda meets Elphaba’s eye once more, her smile widening as she pulls her in close, and begins to talk.