Vows

“…just like your birthday surprise for me.” Elphaba’s voice was soft but filled with the weight of the memory, the words lingering in the air like a spell cast in the quiet moments between them.

⋆౨ৎ˚⟡˖ ࣪  flashback begins

Galinda had been planning Elphaba’s birthday surprise for weeks—an impressive feat, considering how impossible it was to keep secrets from someone as observant as Elphaba Thropp. But Galinda was determined. This wasn’t just any birthday; it was the first one they’d be celebrating together since… well, since they’d stopped pretending they were just friends.

Elphaba wasn’t exactly the birthday type. She’d shrugged it off in passing, muttering something about not seeing the point of celebrating “another arbitrary rotation around the sun.” But Galinda had caught the faintest flicker in her eyes when she said it—something wistful, like she’d never really had someone make her feel special on her birthday before.

Which is exactly why Galinda was going to make this one unforgettable.

She’d enlisted the help of Shenshen and Pfannee, though mostly for logistical support (and to keep them from accidentally spilling the surprise). She’d even roped in Fiyero, who had a knack for sneaking things in and out of Shiz without raising suspicion. The plan was simple: distract Elphaba all morning with a “mandatory study session,” then lead her to the surprise—a cozy setup near the edge of the Shiz gardens, decorated with floating lanterns, enchanted softly to shimmer in hues of green and gold.

But the real surprise wasn’t the decorations.

Galinda had prepared a special gift for Elphaba.

The morning of Elphaba’s birthday arrived with clear skies and a crisp breeze sneaking through the slightly cracked dorm window. Galinda woke early, her heart buzzing with excitement and nerves. She glanced over at Elphaba, still fast asleep, her dark hair a mess of tangled curls against the pillow, her face relaxed in rare peace.

Galinda smiled softly.

“Happy birthday, Elphie,” she whispered to herself.

But the real celebration was yet to come.

Galinda’s plan hinged on one critical element: keeping Elphaba busy without arousing suspicion. Which, frankly, was like trying to hide a Munchkin in a crowd of Winkies—Elphaba noticed everything.

Still, Galinda was nothing if not resourceful. She threw on her most convincing “serious academic” face, mussed her hair just enough to look frazzled, and burst dramatically into their shared dorm space, clutching a stack of papers.

“Elphie!” she gasped, as if breathless from running. “We have an emergency.”

Elphaba, who was halfway through buttoning up her long black coat, arched a brow. “Did the universe collapse in on itself overnight, or did you misplace another hair ribbon?”

Galinda huffed, stomping her foot just for effect. “No, Miss Sarcasm, this is a real emergency. Madame Morrible assigned extra reading, and it’s due today!”

Elphaba’s brow furrowed slightly, a flicker of confusion crossing her face. “She didn’t mention anything yesterday.”

“Well, maybe because you’re her favorite,” Galinda snapped, layering on the indignation. “But the rest of us mere mortals got buried in assignments!”

Elphaba’s eyes narrowed. Galinda held her breath. She was this close to getting caught.

But then Elphaba sighed, grabbed her books, and muttered, “Fine. Let’s get it over with.”

Galinda could’ve cheered. Phase One: Success.

They spent the morning in the library, surrounded by dusty tomes and the faint scent of ink and parchment. Galinda pretended to take notes, doodling hearts in the margins while sneaking glances at the pocket watch tucked discreetly in her bag.

Just a little longer…

Shenshen and Pfannee were setting everything up. Fiyero had promised to deliver the enchanted lanterns. All Galinda had to do was keep Elphaba distracted until the final moment.

Around midday, Galinda stood abruptly. “Alright, that’s enough studying. Time for a walk!”

Elphaba blinked. “Since when do you voluntarily take walks after pretending to care about studying?”

Galinda linked their arms, tugging her toward the door. “Since today! It’s a special occasion. Vitamin D is important, Elphie. Builds character.”

Elphaba snorted but didn’t resist.

As they stepped outside, the cool breeze ruffled Galinda’s curls, and her heart raced.

Almost there.

Galinda led Elphaba through the winding paths of Shiz, their arms still linked as the crisp breeze tousled their hair. The late afternoon sun cast long shadows, golden light glinting off the cobblestone streets. Galinda’s heart raced—not from the walk, but from the anticipation humming beneath her skin.

Elphaba didn’t suspect a thing. She was busy squinting at the students lounging around the courtyard. “Why is everyone acting so strange today?” she muttered, her sharp gaze flickering from a group of classmates who’d suddenly gone quiet as they passed.

Galinda forced a bright laugh. “Strange? No one’s acting strange! You’re imagining things. Maybe you need some tea. Lack of caffeine makes people paranoid, you know.”

Elphaba gave her a suspicious side-eye but said nothing.

As they rounded the corner near the small garden behind the library, Galinda’s pulse quickened. She could see it now—the faint glow of enchanted lanterns strung between the trees, flickering softly even in daylight. There were delicate vines of flowers charmed to bloom in impossible colors, woven through the branches like nature’s own confetti. A small table was set with Elphaba’s favorite things: black licorice, spiced tea, and an absurdly large book she’d been eyeing for weeks but claimed was too indulgent to buy.

Elphaba stopped in her tracks, her breath hitching slightly.

“What is this?” she asked quietly, her voice unusually soft.

Galinda beamed, squeezing her hand. “Surprise!”

Elphaba turned to her, her face unreadable for a heartbeat. Then her eyes softened, and her lips curved into the faintest smile—a rare, genuine thing that Galinda treasured more than any gift.

“You did this?” Elphaba asked, her voice low, like she was afraid speaking too loudly would break the spell.

“Well,” Galinda said, puffing up a little, “I had some help. But yes. For you. Because it’s your birthday, and you deserve nice things even if you pretend you don’t.”

Elphaba shook her head slightly, her smile growing. “I don’t need all this, Galinda.”

Galinda stepped closer, her hand finding Elphaba’s. “I know you don’t need it. But I wanted to do it. For you. Because I—” She paused, her heart pounding. “Because I care about you.”

Elphaba’s hand tightened around hers, her thumb brushing over Galinda’s knuckles.

Without another word, Elphaba leaned in, pressing a soft, tentative kiss to Galinda’s cheek. It was quick, almost fleeting, but Galinda felt it everywhere—like sunlight blooming beneath her skin.

“Thank you,” Elphaba whispered.

Galinda grinned, pulling her toward the table. “Now come on, birthday girl. There’s tea to drink and more surprises to come.”

Elphaba sat cross-legged on the blanket Galinda placed on the soft patch of grass, the enchanted lanterns above casting a warm, flickering glow against her sharp features. Galinda watched her with quiet satisfaction, heart swelling at the rare, relaxed curve of Elphaba’s mouth as she sipped her spiced tea.

It wasn’t often Elphaba let her guard down like this. She was always tense, like the world owed her a fight she wasn’t willing to lose. But here, beneath the lanterns, with the faint buzz of magic in the air and no one else around, she seemed… lighter.

Galinda reached for the small box hidden under the basket, her fingers brushing against the smooth ribbon she’d tied with ridiculous precision. She hesitated for a moment, suddenly nervous. It wasn’t an extravagant gift—not like the enchanted trinkets Galinda was used to giving. It was simple. Personal.

She slid the box onto Elphaba’s lap with a grin. “Okay, okay—now it’s time for your present.”

Elphaba raised an eyebrow, setting her tea aside. “You already did all this. Isn’t this the gift?”

Galinda rolled her eyes dramatically. “Elphie, please. Do you know me at all? I’m physically incapable of stopping at just one surprise.”

Elphaba huffed a quiet laugh, her long fingers carefully untying the ribbon. She lifted the lid—and froze.

Inside was a thin, hand-bound journal with a deep emerald green cover, the corners slightly imperfect from where Galinda had tried (and failed) to make them crisp. On the first page, Galinda had written, in her neatest handwriting:

For my Elphie. For all the things you’ll write, the ideas too big to fit in your head, and the thoughts you’ll never say out loud.

Elphaba didn’t say anything for a long moment. She just stared at the journal, her fingers resting lightly on the edge of the page.

Galinda’s stomach twisted. Was it too much? Too personal? Too—

But then Elphaba’s voice broke the silence, soft and raw. “You made this?”

Galinda swallowed the lump in her throat, nodding. “I—I know you’re always scribbling on that damaged notebook of yours. So I thought… maybe you’d like something just for your thoughts.” She forced a nervous laugh. “I know it’s not enchanted or fancy or anything—”

Elphaba cut her off, her hand reaching out, gently curling around Galinda’s wrist.

“It’s perfect.”

Galinda’s breath caught. The words were simple, but the way Elphaba said them—like they mattered more than anything else—made her chest ache in the best way.

Elphaba closed the journal carefully, setting it aside like it was fragile. Then, without warning, she leaned forward and pressed a kiss against Galinda’s lips, her eyes closing for just a second.

Galinda’s heart raced, her own eyes fluttering shut. Neither of them spoke. They didn’t need to.

The lanterns swayed above them, casting soft shadows, and for once, the world felt simple.

Just for better.

⋆౨ৎ˚⟡˖ ࣪  flashback ends

“…for worse,” Elphaba murmured, her voice low and steady as if the words themselves carried a weight she hadn’t expected.