Vows

“Like the endless shopping sprees I spent carrying whatever you bought,” Elphaba said, a playful glint in her eye.

⋆౨ৎ˚⟡˖ ࣪  flashback starts

It had been a usual day of sunshine in the Emerald City, and both Elphaba and Galinda were determined to make the most of it. Galinda had practically bounced out of bed that morning, eager to indulge in a little retail therapy. The streets were bustling with life—vendors calling out their wares, street performers dancing, and a gentle breeze that carried the sweet scent of fresh pastries.

“Shopping spree time!” Galinda had said, practically dragging Elphaba out the door, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

Elphaba had been hesitant at first. The idea of spending frivolously on things they didn’t need made her feel uneasy. But Galinda’s enthusiasm was infectious, and before she knew it, they were wandering down the cobbled streets, exploring the vibrant shops that lined the city.

The day had started innocently enough, with a stop at a quaint boutique that sold luxurious-looking scarves. Galinda’s eyes gleamed as she picked out a silken one in shades of pink, the soft fabric catching the light as she wrapped it around her neck in front of the mirror.

“This is perfect! Oh, Elphie, it would look so good on you!” she gushed, twirling around dramatically.

Elphaba had barely managed to raise an eyebrow before Galinda’s gaze darted to another display. “Ooh, look at those shoes!”

The shoes, of course, were utterly impractical—golden heels with intricate designs that were beautiful but, in Elphaba’s mind, utterly useless. Yet, she found herself reluctantly holding the shopping bag as Galinda moved on to the next store.

Hours passed, and soon, the two of them had amassed a small mountain of bags. Galinda had picked out a luxurious emerald green coat that looked as though it could have been plucked straight from a royal wardrobe, several more scarves, a few bottles of expensive perfume, and even a delicate pair of earrings.

The pile was enough to make Elphaba’s eyes widen, especially when Galinda casually added a golden necklace to the mix.

“Are you sure about all this?” Elphaba asked, her voice hesitant but gentle, her hands full with the weight of their haul.

“Oh, it’s all so gorgeous, though!” Galinda chirped, her arms filled with bags as she took another look at the shiny shoes she had just bought. “And besides, what’s life without a little sparkle?”

Elphaba couldn’t help but chuckle at her. “Life without debt,” she replied dryly, raising an eyebrow.

Galinda stopped mid-step, turning to Elphaba with wide, almost startled eyes. “Debt? Oh, Elphie, come on, it’s not that bad.” Her lips curved into a teasing smile. “Besides, the shopkeeper said I was a princess when I walked in. I’m practically royalty now, so I think I deserve it!”

Elphaba let out a quiet laugh, shaking her head. She couldn’t argue with the way Galinda’s eyes glimmered whenever she found something that made her feel special. It was one of the reasons Elphaba adored her—Galinda had a way of making even the simplest things feel magical.

Still, the weight of the bags was starting to make Elphaba’s shoulders feel a little heavier. They weren’t exactly rolling in riches, and while it had been a fun day, she couldn’t ignore the reality of their situation.

“You know we’re going to be paying for these for months, right?” Elphaba joked, though it lacked the usual edge she’d have when teasing Galinda. She could sense that Galinda had a way of brushing off worries, but sometimes Elphaba couldn’t help herself.

“I’ll pay you back, I promise!” Galinda said, laughing, but she took Elphaba’s hand gently and squeezed it. “Maybe we can have a special ‘shopping spree’ savings account or something?”

Elphaba raised an eyebrow. “With what money?”

“Oh, you know…from my dearest, darlingest Momsie and Popsicle,” Galinda said, her voice drifting as she eyed a nearby window filled with shimmering jewelry. She winked, clearly unbothered by the practicalities of life.

Elphaba just shook her head, smiling despite herself. She’d never been one to splurge, to treat herself to something impractical, but she couldn’t deny the thrill Galinda seemed to get from it all. If Galinda had learned anything from the day, it was how to savor the moment—how to fill a day with glitter and shine, no matter how much it cost.

“Elphie,” Galinda exclaimed, her voice breathless as she twirled around in front of a mirror. She had just tried on a particularly extravagant gown, and it had transformed her in an instant. “Look at this! This is exactly the kind of dress I’ve been dreaming of!”

Elphaba, standing off to the side with a small, amused smile, raised an eyebrow. “It’s very… you.”

Galinda beamed at the compliment, turning to face her, her bright eyes twinkling with excitement. “I love it!” she said, almost too loudly, and the boutique owner shot her a smile of approval.

For a moment, Galinda turned back to the mirror, her smile softening as she admired herself in the gown, her hands tracing the delicate fabric. Elphaba couldn’t help but watch her, captivated by the way Galinda’s joy seemed to shine brighter than anything around them. The gown glittered in the soft lighting of the store, but it was Galinda’s expression that stole Elphaba’s breath away.

“I love seeing you so happy,” Elphaba murmured, almost to herself.

Galinda caught her gaze in the mirror, her eyes instantly softening. She walked over to Elphaba, the gown trailing behind her like a cloud. “You love me no matter what I wear,” she teased gently, stopping just in front of her. 

“So,” Galinda said after a beat, “I’m getting this dress. And you, my dear Elphie, are carrying all the shopping bags for me.”

Elphaba’s eyes sparkled with laughter, and she gave in with a dramatic sigh, rolling her eyes. “I’m already carrying half of them.”

Galinda’s grin widened, and she could feel the sparkle of her own satisfaction. “Yes, but now you’re carrying all of them. Don’t you think you’re the perfect bag carrier?” She gave Elphaba a wink, her eyes dancing with playful mischief.

“Sure, why not,” Elphaba said, but there was no real resistance in her voice.

Galinda’s heart fluttered as Elphaba’s gaze locked with hers. It was a small moment, but it felt like everything.

“Let’s go back to the dorm, and then we’ll see what else we can buy,” Galinda said playfully, breaking the spell for a moment.

Elphaba’s lips curved upward, her fingers brushing gently against Galinda’s as she grabbed one of the shopping bags. “Let’s not go overboard, alright? We don’t want to end up really in debt.”

Galinda laughed, taking her hand. “I’m willing to take that risk if it means making you smile.”

⋆౨ৎ˚⟡˖ ࣪  flashback ends

“…in sickness,” Elphaba said, her voice soft as she recalled the moment.