Chapter Text
Elphaba gently guided the grief-stricken woman over to the couch with a hand resting on her back, Galinda brought over a cup of tea for her — doubting that she’s even conscious to speak, let alone drink or eat anything— she hadn’t uttered a word since Elphaba dragged her away from the gates of the Blue Forest. Neither women could say or do much to snap Clarissa out of her mournful haze —seeing her love collapsed in her arms, feeling her body go limp and heavy after she felt the wave of relief from watching her emerge from danger— to say what she’s emotionally exhausted would be an understatement.
That was just the beginning.
She remained in a depressive state for several days, only moving when Elphaba carried her to the guest room or when her body forced her to relieve herself —she didn’t eat, she was most likely dehydrated and exhausted— the hollowness in her stomach was deathly overwhelming. Clarissa never left her bed for those several days as Galinda would leave plates of food on her nightstand which she would completely ignore, it was understandable —she had just watched the woman she love fall to her knees just as she got her back.
Emma visited when she could, with managing the school and the students she would occasionally miss a meeting or two —not like Clarissa noticed that much— the sight of her never cease to break her heart, but she would still make the effort and talk to her.
She’d mostly tell her the progress with the student council, how they were gaining respect not only from the professors but the students as well —though they’ve made it perfectly clear they want their deans back.
Emma usually visited during lunch, giving Galinda and Elphaba a break to take care of themselves and each other, sometimes she would talk —for the most part, she’d sit next to the blonde with a cup of tea and a book— offering her presence and some company while she mourned.
She has long ceased her attempts at trying to remove her from the bed, laying there like a husk of what use to be sunshine.
She sighed as she left Clarissa’s bedroom, giving a short greeting to the two women before returning to her duties around the school —but first stopping by the infirmary to check on the comatose redhead.
“How is she?” Her eyes remained on Leonora.
Castor sighed, approaching the woman slowly. “No changes, I’m sorry...” shaking her head, she turns to leave before he stops her. “We might’ve found the cause.... She paused at that, the hope filling her chest silently scaring her.
“Are you positive?”
He nods curtly, confirming before guiding her over to the stack of books a few feet from the unconscious redhead. “When Uma when to change her bandages, she noticed that she was crying. Most likely poison from the scathes used by the reapers.”
Emma tilts her head curiously. “Okay? So?”
“So...” his brows pinched tightly. “Reapers have a habit of dipping their scathes in starshade, causing a slow and lonely death.”
Starshade
adj.
A poison made from the moonflower that grow near the pumpkin patch, a field blooming a year for thousands of miles.
Legend says the flowers bloom from the tears of Jerykho (jeh-ruh-kow), daughter of Nyx; the tears she weep were due to her lost love, prisoner to Hades in the underworld —her tears being the only way for her lover to know she loved them—coming from Olympus to press her lips to the ground, hoping her kiss would reach her lover.
-affects the cornea and nasal passage
-eyes leak crystalline substance/ star crystals
-lungs and heart begin to crystalize
-lights emits from pupils
Most symptoms and side affects are temporary if treated properly and in a timely fashion, though there is only constant treatment; only cure is true love’s kiss
Emma sighed as she pushed the book aside, massaging her forehead and folding her arms as her brows knitted tightly. “Castor....” Her teeth gritted as she spoke. “How is this going to help Leonora?”
“True love’s kiss.” he stated. “Look, by now, most of the school is aware of the deans....relationship.”
Emma cringed, arms tightening around herself.
“Professor Dovey could—”
“Even if that were possible,” she interrupts. “We don’t even know if that will work, considering that she’s an Never. Since the school master died, we don’t know what has changed.”
Castor remained silent, bowing his head with a sense of sadness surrounding him. “I’m sorry,” he mumbled. “But those are our current options.”
Emma huffed storming out of the room and heading back to her office to be alone, weighing her current options for the redhead —her brows pinched tightly as she lost herself in her sea of endless thoughts, a wave of helplessness punches her painfully— struggling to hide the tears brimming on the edge of her eyes.
Finally making it to her office with a relieved sigh, leaning against the large doors before slowly sliding down them, curling her legs against her chest closely and cried into them.
Everything has overwhelming for the past few days, Clarissa has barely moved from bed leaving Emma to take care of everything herself, the school council have been a huge help with managing the students.
Hort has been doing his best, but there is so much he can do as a student —he was persistent about seeing Lady Lesso, though his constant requests were declined with some bullshit excuse. He wanted to help in anyway he possibly could, he understood the feeling of helplessness and wanted to fix it, Emma had made it clear to him that it wasn’t his job to.
He figured since he wasn’t allowed to visit Leonora in the infirmary, he’d check on the blonde to see how she was holding up.
Hort approached Professor Dovey’s office, knocking meekly and anxiously waited for the woman to answer —shocked when Galinda was the one to answer instead. “Oh—” she gasped, giving him a polite smile. “Hort, right?”
He gave her a curt nod, holding his chin up with his hands folded in front of him. “I’m looking for Professor Dovey....I haven’t seen her in a while.”
Galinda grinned earnestly, a clear sadness snuffing out the glitter in her eyes. “She’s...not available at the moment, dear.”
“Then tell her to make herself available.” He huffed, standing his ground.
“She—”
“Ma’am...” he interrupted, his voice trembling as he stepped forward —eyes silently pleading for her understanding. “Please, just...just five minutes, thats all.”
He watched as her resolve slowly and quietly shattered, silently stepping aside to allow the boy inside. “Door on the left, don’t be too long.” He nodded, expressing his gratitude and swiftly making his way to the dean’s room.
The door creaked as he cautiously stepped inside, the room looked nothing like he imagined —the curtains blocked any sunlight, the bed a complete mess while she laid completely still, noticing the plate of warm food resting on a plate-warmer untouched.
“Professor Dovey?” he closed the door behind him, walking around the bed to glimpse at the blonde. “Ma’am?....we–...we haven’t seen you in a while, I thought I’d...”
His words trailed off as he examined the woman —her curls tangled and unkempt, spiraled across the pillows as she stared absently into the distance— her expression completely blank.”
Seeing the woman who was held to such high standards was new for everyone —including him— but he’s been seen this before, and dealt with it enough times. After his father died, his mother laid in bed for months —barely ate, never moved an inch— as if everything within her left along side his father.
He sighed, sitting on the bed next to her.
“Leonora wouldn’t want this...” He mumbled after a beat of silence, brushing the fallen curls from her face.
He eyes flickered for a moment, a soft crease in her brow forming. “How do you know what she’d want?”
The roughness in her usual honey–sweet voice would make anyone flinch or cringe at the difference —he didn’t even twitch.
“To say you seem devastated would be an understatement,” his voice had an unusual softness to it as he spoke, his heart ached as his dean came to mind —knowing that she’d probably cut his voicebox out if she heard him. “But so is everyone else....everyone is mourning her, and what I don’t understand....” his voice became firmer, brows knitting in determination and curiosity, “Is...why are you giving up?....she’s not dead.”
“But she will be if you die along with her...”
Clarissa’s tearful, grief-filled eyes met his dark brown ones, his gaze soft but unwavering as the silence surrounds them.
Galinda placed the tea she made onto the tray and made her way to Clarissa’s room, she froze when the door opened before she could knock —revealing the disheveled blonde in her silk robe and night gown, Hort holding her hand while guiding her out the room, leaving the Galinda speechless.
“Mrs. Upland? Do you think you could run Professor Dovey a bath?” He grinned, barely hiding his joy.
Galinda quietly nodded and placed the tray on the kitchen counter, heading to the bathroom —Hort simply wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into a tight hug.
Clarissa softly knocked on Emma’s door, ringing her fingers nervously —ignoring the passing looks she received from several professors and students— the door opened, revealing the brunettes red eyes. Emma quickly whipped the fallen tears, Clarissa grinned nervously, concern replacing the anxiety in her chest.
“Emma...” she mumbled, stepping forward and pulling the woman into a tight hug.
Emma slowly lifted her hands to reciprocated her hug, burying her head into her shoulder while the blonde held her. “Clarissa...” she smiled, fresh tears forming.
“Professor Dovey!”
Clarissa pulled away from their embrace, her eyes scanning the sea of students for the voice —She locks eyes with Kiko forcing her way through the crowd, receiving some disgruntled looks as she passed. Kiko practically tackled her when she made it through the crowd, causing the blonde to stumble back against the wall —she chuckled as her hands slowly came and reciprocated her. Clarissa simply embraced the girl, feeling her arms tightly wrap around her neck with her signature joyous smile, Emma watched closely with her hands clasped patiently.
“Kiko!” She giggled, kissing the top of her head before pulling away to look at the girl.
Kiko simply grinned. “Sorry,” she mumbled, stepping back and straightening herself as she felt eyes on her. “I have something for you.”
Clarissa tilted her head curiously. “Oh?”
Kiko nodded enthusiastically, holding out her hand and closing her eyes as she concentrated on the object —her and Emma watched closely as sparks flew out of the palm of her hand— flinching when a small fire sparked and dissipated into smoke, revealing a long box wrapped with gold wrapping paper.
“Oh!” Both women released a gasped that fell into a fit of laughter. “Oh dear! Where did you learn that?”
“Leo–....Lady Lesso...taught me.” she cleared her throat as she spoke. “I went into town, and got you both a gift that felt fitting. I planned on giving them to you both together, but....”
Clarissa felt her hands tremble at the mention of her lover, giving the girl a smile that didn’t quite meet her eyes. “Thank you, dear.” she took the box from the girl. “I appreciate the sentiment...run along now, you’ll be late.”
Kiko gave a curt nod to both women, prancing off towards Agatha and Hester to their respective classes —leaving the two women standing in front of each other, the silence surround them for what felt like forever.
“Clarissa—” she slowly turned to meet her friends eyes —moving with very little purpose.
“How is she?” she cuts, eyes filled with hidden fear and dread. Emma sighs, her head bowing while releasing an exhausted breath. “C’mon, let me catch you up.”
Both women sat Emma’s quaint, white couch with a tray a tea that was requested and brought by the fairies, the silence around was comfortable —as if they were enjoying each other’s presence after being apart for so long.
Clarissa decided to speak first, placing her cup down and moving an inch closer. “Emma,” she exhaled. “I wanted to....I like to apologize...for my—”
The struggle was evident as attempted discuss her previous episode, her hands nervously twisting in her lap as her eyes remained on the marble floors, Emma simply took her fidgeting hands.
“Clarissa, dear...” Her smile was kind as she lifted her chin, noticing the blonde’s tearful eyes and the quake in her body. “I’m glad you got your rest...haven’t seen you sleep in years.”
Clarissa scoffed humorously at her quip, a silent understanding give to her, relieving her of the painful explanation. “Thank you....for everything.”
Emma sighed, bowing her head once again. “You might not want to express you gratitude so early.” Clarissa’s smile faltered, tilting her head curiously. Emma met her eyes once more, biting her lip to the brink of pulling blood. “Leonora...” she inhaled.
Clarissa leaned forward. “I’m sure we can fix it...whatever it is.”
Emma scoffed humorlessly, weighing her head as if weighing the options to herself. “About that, Castor and I have been working endlessly to find a way to wake Leonora...”
Clarissa perked up at the mention of waking the redhead, a smile growing as her excitement. “Well that’s wonderful...isn’t it?” Emma inhaled deeply, mentally steeling herself.
“Yes, but it....it involves....” she swallowed, feeling slightly awkward. “She needs a true love’s kiss...”
The whispered gasp that the blonde released hadn’t gone unheard, her body stilling as she processed and took a large breath with a quivering lip. “And will....will that work?” her voice fluttered as she spoke, clasping her fingers together tightly. “Will that wake her?”
“I...we can’t say, she’s still a Never...” Emma shrugs, dropping them heavily. “But....it couldn’t hurt to try...right?”
Clarissa remained silent, losing herself in her endless thoughts as she felt her chest tightened —she hadn’t been to visit Leonora since she had collapse at the gates, completely bedridden due to the grief and adrenaline crash. Emma simply sat patiently as she watched the blonde processed everything, her eyes never leaving her. “Okay...”
After a pregnant silence, she finally spoke with a firm commitment that subtly surprised the brunette —causing her to shift doubtfully. “Are you....are you sure, hon?”
She took a deep breath, her hand raising to hover over her stomach as if it would fall out onto the floor. “Yes...if it wake her...then yes.”
The thought of revealing their relationship was nerve-racking despite the fact that some already were aware of it, but to confirm it with a public kiss —a true love’s kiss at that— uncertainty plagued her, unwavering no matter how she rationalized it.
Clarissa slowly entered the room where Leonora laid unconscious and the most peaceful she’s ever seen the woman, her breathing quickening as her hands became clammy due to them being clasp so tightly. She carefully glanced around the room, taking note of Professor Castor and August shifting through the piles of books on the oak table —their attention casually turning to the blonde approaching her bedside.
She sent a quick glance over her shoulder towards Emma before taking a spot next to Leonora, taking her hand gently —pressing her palm against her lips as her eyes examined her current state. She could feel multiple eyes on her in the room —enabling her anxiety in the moment— her eyes meet Emma’s slowly, feeling the painful ache in her throat as she held back her tears.
“Emma?” her voice sounded hoarse, her friend stepped forward immediately at the sound of her broken voice.
“Yes...”
“You think I could have a moment alone...with Leonora?”
Emma nodded curtly, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder briefly before stepping back and turning to everyone else in the room. “Everyone! Get out.” her voice voice was stern, the was cleared in a matter of seconds.
Clarissa inhaled deeply, brushing the fallen curls from Leonora’s cheek. “Okay...” her hands trembled as she placed them both on her cheeks, noticing the glittering, star-shaped specks adoring her cheeks —her brows pinching curiously as she watched them twinkle under the skin of her cheeks.
“Oh dear...” she gasped, tears brimming on the edge of her eyes. “Starshade, that makes sense....you dimwitted woman...”
She pressed her forehead against Leonora’s, her thumb softly grazing the warm skin of her cheeks, shivering at the flutter in her stomach —taking a deep breath and grounding herself.
She paused, closing her eyes tightly. “Please work...”
She slowly pressed her lips against hers, feeling the gentle heat of her breath against her nose —her eyes remained shut tightly while silently chanting for the woman to wake, refusing to breath in the process. An overpowering wave of magic pushed through her and spread through the room, out throughout the school and past the Blue Forest —gently rattling the walls of the school— the pressure strong enough to stop her hear and simultaneously crush her lungs.
Clarissa felt the change in breathing, as if she abruptly came to life once her lips were against hers —her eyes fluttering open to the sight of her lover’s face damp with her tears and the feeling of her trembling hands against her cheeks.
“Clarissa?...” her voice was barely above a whisper, her hands coming to rest on the woman’s waist —realizing the trembling has traveled through her body. Clarissa refused to pull away, her body frozen in place and her eyes shut tightly despite the tears spilling from them.
“Clarissa...” she whispered, her eyes darting across her face. “Clarissa...open your eyes.”
“I–....I can’t.” her voice sounded weak, broken —her brows knitted together tightly, causing a faint headache adding to the pain in her throat. “I’m scared you’ll fall back asleep.”
Leonora smiled gently, slowly sitting up while keeping the blonde pressed against her —her forehead resting against hers as she pressed another kiss against her perfectly, glossed lips— her hands gliding up her sides, the movement causing the blonde to inhale deeply.
“Clarissa,” she lifted her chin with two gentle fingers. “Open your eyes, darlin’.”
Clarissa inhaled deeply, her eyes fluttering open and meeting Leonora’s green ones —noticing the flecks of gold floating around the green in her eyes— feeling her heart beat once again as soon as her eyes set upon her. A mutual smile between them grew gradually. The magnetic attraction within their bodies pulled them together, their lips meeting in a solaced kiss that seem to go on for eternity.
Emma peeked her head around the doors of the infirmary, her body slowly emerging with a gentle smile.
“Leonora....” she stepped forward, her smile growing at the sight of the conscious redhead. “You’re awake.”
“Beauty teacher!” Leonora cheered, turning to face the woman cautiously approaching them. “Did you miss me?”
Emma scoffed, a smile twitching on her lips. “Please,” she stopped in front of them. “I stared at your face every damn say.” Clarissa chuckled at their unique dynamic, listening to their endless banter and insults over the years has naturally became her normal.
The silence around them became deafening, Clarissa had bare spoken a since she had woken the redhead from her eternal slumber —her thoughts had manage to overwhelm her, which was not an easy task— but when it came to Leonora, she crumbles at the sight of her.
Leonora slowly reached for her hand causing the blonde to flinch and subtly pull her hand away into her lap, standing to her feet in front of her. “You missed a lot, I’ll catch you up at a later time. For now, get your rest.” She lays a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “You’ll need it.”
She exited with Emma in front of her, sending a smile before closing the door behind her and allowing the nurses to examine her privately —Emma eyes closely inspect the blonde, noticing the rigidness in her posture and unusual neutrality in her expression— it made the brunette nervous to see no sense of emotion or reaction upon the woman’s face, she narrowed it down to her process....everything.
“Clarissa?” She only received a small sound from beneath her chest, swiveling her head with a distant look in her eyes as she met hers. “How are you doing, hun?”
Her silence was carefully thought out, her eyes unwavering with practiced stability. “Yes.” she answered with a steadiness. “Why wouldn’t I be? Leonora is awake.”
“Right...” Her eyes remained skeptical, glancing over her before her attention was pulled away.
Clarissa was left to her thoughts, her hands anxiously wringing behind her back while her face remained passive and clear of any sign of a storm, she quietly dismissed herself out of the room and guided herself to her office automatically.
A mix of emotions brewed in her chest, dropping her heart in to her stomach while her lungs stunted with every step she took towards her room —the storm in her chest became overwhelming, weighing her down by the second— as she was capable of doing was simply feel everything beneath her chest.
Relief, joy, exhaustion.....anger.
It conquered her emotional and physical being once the past few weeks finally caught up with her, she felt her body slow once again though she couldn’t find it in herself to sleep —scared that she might not be able to find the will to move ever again.