Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Mother Gothel: No party. I’m serious, Nicholas. 

Annoying Child: I thought you said I could have a bonfire with my friends this weekend! 

Mother Gothel: Not a BONFIRE, a regular fire. In our tiny fire pit. I don’t want a call you’re in fucking handcuffs for setting off the neighborhood. 

Mother Gothel: Be thankful I’m even giving you that.

Mother Gothel: Keep the hose near you. 

Mother Gothel: And if you go behind my back, you have two weeks to fix whatever mess you create to save your life. I brought you into this world, I can fucking take you right back out. 

Annoying Child: I’d come back to life to haunt you and make your life hell 

“Would you give that boy a break?” 

Lilia chuckled as she climbed into the van, taking the seat in front of Agatha who was hidden, tucked away, in the back corner. 

She had kept her greetings short to focus on letting her son know she made it. Storming off to call him at first, tell him off for the new contact name he gave her (Even if she secretly adored it). She had been so focused on that, Agatha completely forgot to make sure he would be safe and nag him with reminders. 

It was Lilia’s idea for them to go on a two week trip. A lead up to (The long overdue) Alice’s and Jen’s wedding. They chose the city since the college where they met wasn’t far from it. Typically, Agatha wouldn’t mind. However, this was her first trip, agreeing to leave her son home alone. Not like he would entirely be alone, logically she knew that. With his best friend living next door, Agatha had grown close to Billy’s mother- Wanda. She trusted her to look after him, but still gave the teenager subtle freedom. 

With her worries already being heightened over the trip, having him home alone didn’t help. Even if Lilia was the one to stress it was time to let go of the reins a bit. Agatha tried to be a relaxed mother, but ultimately she had earned the nickname “Mother Gothel” from all her friends including Nicholas. 

“Mom, you love warm weather,” Nicky pointed out. “And, you can’t miss the wedding!”

Agatha smirked, taking a sip from her wine as she watched the presentation he had up. Secretly, it was already decided. Lilia had bought the plane ticket for her, spoke to Wanda behind her back, and promised if anything went wrong- Agatha had full permission to dig her grave. 

Though, Nicholas was adamant to prove his case. He wanted to convince Mother Gothel to go for a small vacation, attend the wedding. Which Nicky was very happy to be out of. No kids allowed and Nicky stressed that included teenagers. He loved Jen and Alice, but was far more ecstatic for Agatha to trust him with being alone more than just a day. 

“Plus!” He clicked on his computer, the next slide came up that sliced every inch of Agatha to pieces. 

She kept her composure (Well, the best she could) at the familiar photo. Rio was holding a toddler aged Nicholas on her hip, Agatha beside her, all three with wide smiles as they stood in front of the zoo’s welcome sign. Another sip of wine, longer than the ones before. 

Fuck. 

Agatha remembered that day vividly. Hell, she remembered everything including Rio more than any part of Agatha’s own life without her. 

The two were inseparable since the day they met. When Nicky was born, Rio insisted she’d be by her side every step of the way. People would joke she was like the boy’s father, but Agatha would constantly remind everyone Rio was only a good friend. Nothing more, nothing less. 

A friend she had hopelessly fallen in love with and ached for daily since she left. 

“You get to see Rio!” 

She faked a small smile, desperate to keep the charade going. Nicholas had no idea Rio and she didn’t speak anymore. It was her demand for him to never know. That boy adored Rio and Agatha no matter what wasn’t going to risk anything for their relationship to be ripped away. 

“I’m so jealous. After this, can I fly out on my own and-”

Agatha belted out a laugh, finishing off the glass of wine as she got up to get herself a refill. Maybe the bottle. She’d decide as her mind raced back to Rio. A location in her head Agatha always resisted to visit. 

“Hell no, that is out of the question” She pointed. “You’re lucky I’m agreeing to let you be home by yourself while I’m-”

Nicky nearly jumped over the coffee table to tackle her in a hug. His arms wrapped around from her side, squeezing tight as he spilled a mess of thank you’s and how he’d show her everything would work out. 

She sighed, freeing her one arm to wrap around him, pressing a kiss on the top of his head. 

“I’ll go start my next presentation for the flight-”

Agatha pressed her hand on his head, pushing him off with a subtle glare. 

“Don’t worry about that. The deadline for that presentation is in your grave” 

He groaned, but cut the reaction off to make sure Agatha didn’t change her mind. 

“Just gives me more time to make it convincing, Mother Gothe-”

“One more word and I will cancel my trip so fast or send you to some fucking camp for annoying children”

And so, before Agatha knew it she had her bags packed and found herself on the plane, touching down last after the rest. The moment she stepped foot on the sidewalk, warm air graced her skin, hearing her friends cheer for her to join them. The thought hit her like a thousand knives at once.

She wasn’t just in Los Angeles. No. Agatha had entered the lion's den, her enemy’s turf. Aka, Rio Vidal territory.  

Jen said Rio was supposed to join, but work had gotten in the way and she wasn’t able to make it. That had been told to her right as she was about to decline, saying she’d see them at the wedding. 

Was it a tactic to get her to go? Most likely. Agatha wasn’t stupid after all. And she knew Jen for what? Close to twenty years now? She didn’t allow herself to think about the time she knew her friends. Age was something that felt disgusting and daunting at once. 

She’d be forty years old by the end of the year and that- Oh, Agatha didn’t acknowledge it. Nearly forty, still stuck in love with the woman she fell for so long ago. The universe hated her, Agatha would place all her life savings on that bet. 

Agatha was twenty one when nineteen year old Rio stumbled into her life. Since the moment their eyes met, that little smirk made her heart skip a beat, her world had never been the same. 

The younger woman was Alice’s co-worker at the old cafe they worked at. Both barista’s that were too good to be underpaid. The two were introduced to one another over dinner one night and Unbeknownst to them? Their friends watched closely, secretly betting on when the friendship slipped into something more. However, nothing became more than platonic. 

They had a small drunken hook up when Agatha was twenty three, but both laughed it off and never acknowledged it again. Not even their friends knew it had happened. It was so quick, swept under the rug before it ever was above it. 

That hook up, the drunken night when all the liquor was coursing through her veins- Agatha lied when she agreed with Rio over forgetting what happened. Rio claimed she blacked out and didn't have a single memory of it. Whether that was true or not, Agatha didn’t want to know. 

The thought, reminder of the memory, still haunted her. When she had her fingers buried deep, eyes locked above studying every feature of the best friend she had always found beautiful. Though it was as Rio’s back arched off the bed, a high pitched moan screamed her name. Those few seconds, that exact moment-

Agatha Harkness knew for the first time in her young life, she was in love. 

The realization was a punch in the chest. She felt the world crush on her shoulders, threatening to kill and swallow her whole. After they laughed it off, Rio walked out of her room to leave the older woman and Agatha fell into a devastating wreck. 

She wasn’t seen for days, too busy picking up extra hours at work or hiding under the heavy bed sheets. Agatha hoped some nights unintentionally starving herself would be her savior. Maybe she’d go to sleep to never wake up. Maybe this was just a coma from a car wreck or God knows what. 

Whatever the tragedy would be, nothing compared to falling in love with her best friend who would never feel the same. 

Safe to say? Being in the woman’s city, the place she ran off to after accepting the job offer that changed her life. Agatha was happy when she heard the news. Well, as happy as she could be with the idea of Rio across the country from her. Though the job was everything Rio strived for and dreamt about. Agatha had to be happy for her. 

However, that changed when she found out Rio had left without a goodbye. 

All their friends had a beautiful, emotional, farewell from her. They had talked about it endlessly until one night, Agatha snapped when reality set in, replacing the shock that had been taking the front seat to protect every emotion within her.  

“She really threw a goodbye dinner for you guys?” 

Agatha’s voice was short, a temper on the verge of exploding into rage that’d send shockwaves over the globe. They had brought it up countless times since Rio had left. This wasn’t brand new information, but it was the first time Agatha let herself say the truth out loud. 

“Um..” Alice stammered, looking at the others for support. 

“She said you were busy with work,” Jen took over for them. “Rio invited you. We thought you- Agatha, we’ve been talking about this for over a week now. Why are you acting like this is-”

“Because I didn’t realize I was ever fucking invited!” She yelled, nearly shattering the wine glass in her hand. Not that she’d even feel the shards. The sting, blood that poured from her would never compare to this. “I- I’ve been over here- I don’t-”

Lilia perked up in her seat at the table, leaning forward as she studied Agatha’s demeanor. She looked terrified, upset, even a hint or more of…betrayal? 

“Honey..” Lilia cut her off, voice delicate as if she was walking on eggshells. “What’s going on?”

Agatha was never one to cry in front of others. She always wore a tough front. Even if her friends knew she was vulnerable on the inside, it was known for Agatha to never share a sliver of it. Only Rio, maybe Lilia, had seen the more emotional, theatrical side of her.

Lilia’s eyes softened, pulling her lips back as she clicked the pieces together like a puzzle that had the answer written in bold letters. 

“She never said goodbye, did she?” 

Jen and Alice’s surprise reacted in sync with one another. Their eyes widened with the short gasp, feeling as if they were on the verge of a war. An attack Agatha would lash out, not meaning to hit the wrong targets (Rio should be the target, but the three knew this was it. Agatha may never speak to their friend again). 

The invitation story was a lie. They realized Agatha wasn’t just acting shocked sarcastically when they cried over Rio’s departure. All happy, but sad to see her go. Agatha was truly shocked. There was no faking or sarcasm like they said to one another. 

Agatha shot up from the chair, grabbing her jacket and storming out of the apartment. A few photos fell and shattered on the floor from how hard the door was slammed shut. She blurred out most of that night, but definitely remembered sobbing to a random bartender who gave her a free shot out of pity. 

“He will be fine,” Lilia turned to give Agatha a reassuring smile, snapping her out of the memory that had been playing in her head with countless others. “You have to trust-”

“I just don’t want my house destroyed or have to find him in an arm sling” Agatha sighed, locking her phone as she sat back. 

Lilia chuckled, shaking her head.

“That’s a risk even when you’re home. Besides, Wanda next door will keep an eye on him. He’s nearly seventeen..time to let go of the reigns a tiny bit” 

Agatha scoffed. 

“Seventeen in a few weeks and I left him home alone on his own for two and-”

“You didn’t leave him alone. Wanda is protective as hell of her boy. She’ll keep Nicky under her wing as well” Lilia said. “Try to enjoy yourself while we’re here. You deserve a vacation..” 

Agatha nodded, bringing her the back of her hand up to press against her face. She rested her elbow on the edge of the window, watching people frantically run around with airport taxis and Ubers flying by. Thankfully, Lilia had turned to talk to the driver, inquiring about his life as she always did with new people. 

The final text Nicky sent shined on her screen. She glanced down to read it. Almost as if Lilia’s words were heard across the country did he reply with a small, 

Annoying Child: I’ll be okay, Mom. Have fun and bring me home cool shit!!

She smiled softly, feeling the tiniest weight off her shoulders. It’d never be lifted completely until she was home to lay eyes on him. But, it was enough to let her mind ease somewhat. 

Mother Gothel: Language, Nicholas. But, probably. Most likely. 

Just when Agatha thought she was in the clear. She was a tiny bit reassured by Lilia’s words, distracted from the ache in her heart the way her boy made her smile. None of it was ever that simple. Not for Agatha’s luck of the draw. Lining up with the history of the universe hating Agatha Harkness, her subtle ease was short-lived.  

Outside the van, she heard Jen and Alice scream out the cursed name that was sworn to not show up. 

“Rio!” 

No. 

Agatha’s small smile disappeared within a second. Knots tied in her stomach, every muscle tensed up like guitar strings being tightened to the point each string snapped off. She must’ve heard them wrong. Jen said Rio wouldn’t fucking be here. 

What. The. Fuck?

Lilia pulled back from the driver immediately. She snapped her head out the door, eyes bulging out of her skull. Agatha thought she’d jump  from her seat to tackle the young woman she borderline adopted. 

Rio was the reason Lilia was in their lives to begin with. The older woman was her next door neighbor who took her in, doing the same for the other three as well. It’d only make sense after not seeing her in person for over a year to engulf her in a tight squeeze and never let go. 

Though to Agatha’s surprise, she didn’t jump out of her seat to exit the vehicle. The older woman maneuvered to sit in the middle seat beside her. Agatha leaned to her left to keep her space, asking a rough,

“What are you-”

“Would you rather me sit next to you or Rio?”

Oh. 

Agatha didn’t respond. She lowered her head, anxiety starting to pound through her like a bass drum. Picking up the tempo with every passing beat, threatening to send her into overdrive.  

Rio. Rio. Rio. 

It was a mantra in her mind as if she had to chant what the woman’s name was. Agatha wanted to peel her skin off, rip every bone and organ out of her limbs. This couldn’t be real. Though, Jen’s life being over was very realistic to her. 

The two hadn’t said a word to one another in over a year now. Agatha muted all her social media, trying to forget she ever existed. And now because of Jen’s fucking lie, Rio was just outside of the van. No matter where she sat in it, she’d be a few inches away from Agatha. 

Nope. She couldn’t do it. It was time for her to run off and not care if her friends disowned her for it. Agatha quickly unbuckled the seatbelt, starting to get up before Lilia held her arm back. 

“Sit dow-”

“Fuck off” Agatha grunted. 

“Agatha, sit your ass down right now. You are not ditching Alice and Jen” Lilia hissed through her teeth with a clenched jaw.

Agatha scoffed. 

“It’ll be worse if I’m here!” She whispered. “Clearly, there’s a reason Rio never said by-”

The woman couldn’t finish the words. Over a year later and admitting to herself Rio left without a goodbye? No. That realization was hell. It still didn’t feel real and worst of all? Agatha couldn’t make sense of it. 

They never had a fight, argument, or any of the sorts before she left. The final conversation was light hearted. Rio had told her about the job offer and Agatha’s heart shattered, but she never showed it. 

…or, did she?

“So..” Rio started. 

Agatha had her legs sprawled over Rio’s lap. They were lounging on her couch, Nicky’s video game in his bedroom muffled through the ceiling. Both occasionally laughed at the way he’d lose his shit when he lost. With two beers on the coffee table beside them, it was typical Wednesday night for them both. The routine they had for so many years now. 

“So?” Agatha echoed. “You’ve been acting weird lately. What’s going on?” 

The younger woman looked down, playing with the soft fabric of Agatha’s sweatpants. The dark green pair Rio used to own, but Agatha of course stole from her. It went unspoken how they shared clothes, joking sometimes with the other little comments of,

“Oh! That’s where that shirt went” or “You’re such a thief. You know I love that hoodie”

Rio shrugged her shoulders, lips pursed as her eyes were laser focused on the fabric between her fingertips. A second after, she started to bounce her knee, slightly shaking Agatha’s legs with her. Two tell tale signs she was nervous and for once, Agatha couldn’t pinpoint why.

“Ri-”

“I accepted a job offer. A really fucking good one. Like, I mean, I’ll finally be an environmental scientist” Rio rushed, panic in every syllable. 

Agatha gasped, shooting up from her seat. A grin filled with pride radiated off of her brighter than every LED headlight she despised. She nearly lunged over to plant a kiss on the woman’s lips, but swiftly (As always) reminded herself they were nothing more than close friends. She was the fool to fall in love, but the usual pain that followed subsided. 

Finally, some employer got their fucking shit together and realized how special Rio was. The intelligence everyone they knew envied, her work ethic was off the charts. Agatha vibrated in her seat, nearly ready to launch in the air with the news. 

“Oh my god! We need to celebrate! That’s- Rio, this is huge! It’s everything you’ve ever wanted and-”

“It’s in California…” 

…California? As in across the country, California?

“Oh”

There was a tense moment in the air that could only be described as existing for eternity, but in reality- It was only a few seconds. And oh, it was one of the most painful moments of Agatha’s life. She felt the air kick out of her lungs. A stomach punch that went through her into the floor beneath them. It was as if the universe took one half of Agatha’s heart, stole it and ran off without ever looking back. 

The words were right there on her tongue, 

‘Well, you aren’t taking it right? I mean, your life is here. With me and-”

Agatha couldn’t say it. Rio wasn’t hers that way. She was a friend and friends didn’t hold one another back. Maybe it’d be different if Agatha didn’t have Nicky- She’d pack up and go with Rio in a heartbeat. But, she couldn’t. 

There was no way Agatha would uproot him when he had everything in his life in New York. 

There was no way Agatha would ask Rio to give up an opportunity of a lifetime in fear of losing her. 

There was no way Rio would ever be more than her friend and maybe this was reality smacking her in the face with that. 

Back in that moment, Agatha swore she faked every emotion well. She was sure of it, how her smile never left, eyes still sparkled as she was ready to cheer and celebrate till the night's end. However, that wasn’t the sight Rio witnessed. 

Unbeknownst to Agatha, her memory was completely wrong. 

On one hand, she was correct how they never fought, there was no argument or anger between them. Though on the other? Agatha was wrong when she told herself she never showed the way her heart shattered. All the disappointment, fear, anger. Agatha had worn it on her sleeve like a badge of honor. 

She never knew Rio watched the life drain out of her. The panic that took over, being replaced and swiftly hidden by false happiness. The first time Agatha, the great liar and actress she was, failed at creating a facade. 

“That’s…great” 

Agatha’s voice cracked during the second word. She was quick to clear her throat, looking elsewhere in a state of confusion. Life without Rio down the street from her? Taking over her house as if she lived there? Coming home to find Rio making dinner while helping Nicky with his homework? Waiting for Rio to go with her before hanging out with their friends? 

Life without Rio? ..What was that? 

The question made Agatha sick. She couldn’t stomach the answer let alone finding out what it’d be.

“Ag-”

She wasn’t going to let Rio talk, not now anyway. Agatha knew she couldn’t kick her out. That would give away how her happiness she kept on her face wasn’t real. What she could do was take control of the moment as much as possible. 

“We uh, wow! Wow..Rio..um, that’s-”

“Sweethe-”

“I’m so..” 

Agatha looked back up to the woman who was clearly still nervous. Why was she? This was the job she dreamt of and when you told your best friend about it, you’d be ecstatic. 

The woman felt tears threatening, creating the worst stinging sensation in her eyes as she realized Rio wasn’t joking. This felt more painful than her mother cutting her off, more than the time she was kicked out of her first apartment, more than any devastating experience Agatha went through in her life. 

“This is..” 

Agatha nodded to herself, swinging her legs off the woman’s lap to push on her feet. Her hands snatched the beers off the coffee table, nearly dropping the one from the sudden tremble through her bones. 

“Let’s get the others, celebrate this weekend” 

“Agatha, nothing will change-”

“Everything will fucking-!” Agatha cut herself off, catching the anger in her throat as she stormed off to the kitchen. “I’m very happy for you!” 

She never caught the attitude in her voice, barely registered the words. How there was a bite to her words that left a bad taste on Rio’s tongue. It didn’t help that her tone was followed by the beer bottles shattering in the sink when she tossed them.   Though with all that, Agatha still never knew the way it came off. How Rio must’ve viewed her. 

“You two are adults,” Lilia pointed out. “You can exist in each other's orbit for the sake of your good friends who are about to have a very important life event. You not being there would devastate them”

Agatha hated how she was right. Really, really, fucking hated it. 

Her back thudded against the seat, keeping her stare out the window opposite from where Rio would be. Though, the tactic to help was short lived when her ears were graced and cursed with the voice she missed more than anything. 

“Welcome to LA, ladies”

Agatha gasped, biting her lips hard as she didn’t bother to look over. She didn’t even have to look out to see the cool grin on those lips. How Rio’s voice was still enough to put her on edge. The silk, rich, beautiful sound Agatha memorized better than any song she loved. 

“I’m so glad you could make it!” Jen exclaimed. “I was worried you wouldn’t be able to”

Rio snickered and Agatha hated the little familiar flutter in her heart that followed from it. 

“Nonsense,” She said. “I’d never miss this for the world” 

Agatha listened as she packed her bags in the back. Alice was rambling on about the places she wanted to visit, asking if Rio had ever been to them yet in her time here. 

“It’ll be fi-”

“Shut up” Agatha muttered the rough cut off to Lilia’s reassurement, thankful the woman wouldn’t take offense to her attitude.  

If anyone understood where Agatha’s anger came from, it was Lilia. 

She had been the one to handle the drunken rages that followed in the first few months. Agatha barely remembered that, but realized it must've happened when she woke up on Lilia’s couch or to the woman making breakfast for her son. She took Nicky to his soccer games and to the movies, even mini golf a few times to let Agatha bury herself in bed when needed.

Agatha truthfully would never forgive herself for it all. As thankful as she was for Lilia, she already beat herself up enough not being good enough for Nicholas. Though in those rare vulnerable moments, Lilia would remind her how it took a village to raise a child. She validated every single emotion, but ultimately after the two months were up- Lilia kicked the woman back into gear as much as she could. 

Agatha returned to life, most likely annoyed Nicky with how involved she was. A teenage boy didn’t want to hang out with his mother and she knew that was normal. But, what he wanted was damned. They had weekly movie nights and ice cream Sunday whether he liked it or not. She tried her best to rid the guilt of letting Rio break her like that, but nothing ever would delete what happened. 

There was no undo button, no first draft to go back to. Rio was gone. She didn’t say goodbye. The friend Agatha was closest to for years and hopelessly fell in love with left without a trace. 

“Alright!” 

Alice beamed, climbing into the car to find the spot in front of Agatha. And of course, once fucking again, the universe really hated Agatha Harkness. 

“I’ll give Rio the seat next to you,” She said to Lilia with a smile. 

You’ll do what now? Nope. HA! Not a chance. 

Agatha swatted her hand in the air before Lilia could grab her. She slithered between the two seats, nearly lunging out of the vehicle as if the concrete against her face would be safety. Even facing death herself would be safer than encountering Rio. 

She landed on her feet, stumbling slightly before collecting herself- 

Well, as much as she could anyway. 

Agatha was completely running on instinct, a poor attempt at a plan if said plan actually existed. She realized how there was no thinking to her actions the moment she heard Jen’s voice, jolting her body into shock.

“Agatha?” Jen asked. “What are you doing?” 

There was a hint of attitude in her words, not surprising in the slightest. If Agatha was in her shoes, she’d feel the same way. She couldn’t blame the woman. 

And as if this couldn’t get any worse? Agatha’s skin started to burn and it wasn’t from the sun nor the heat. No. It was the familiar sensation that Agatha secretly adored. 

The heat’s source was a pair of brown eyes, shooting daggers that seethed with fire into her skin. Only one word always entered Agatha’s mind when this sensation settled upon her. 

Rio. 

Agatha took in the deepest breath humanly possible. Her lungs inflated to the point her head went from a normal weight to light, dizzy and lost started to take over her. She lifted her body, her upper back stretched as the shoulder blades tried to press together. 

She could do this. Rio wasn’t going to fucking win more than she already was. Agatha already dreaded spending the next two weeks putting distance between them both. It’d be more exhausting than living a life without Rio in it. That was for damn sure. 

But, Agatha Harkness wasn’t a fucking coward. She was strong, cold hearted, a front so tough it made others become the coward she was not.

Rio was not going to-

“Nicky wanted something from the gift shop”

Agatha turned her head over as she used the lie as an excuse. She planned to keep her eyes solely on Jen, but Agatha should have known…that was impossible when it came to Rio. As her eyes landed directly on the being she hated, but loved the most- Her breath hitched. 

Rio was always stunning to her. Hangovers, the yearly flu or terrible cold she’d catch and be dead on Agatha’s couch, groggy mornings she barely looked human. Etc, etc, etc- Rio was insanely beautiful no matter what state she was in. 

Though this…it was, different. 

Maybe it was the fact she refused to look at a single photo of her for the last year. Agatha had forced herself to ignore the woman’s existence, try and forget she was ever a person in her life. Which was difficult when her friends still spoke about Rio, made plans to have her on FaceTime during dinners and game nights. Her son adored Rio his entire life and would ramble on about the stupid TikToks and video games they played together. It felt she was doomed to be reminded of her existence from every corner. Refusing to look at photos, social media, it was her only tiny piece of control she held. 

She envied the way they were able to carry on without her near. Agatha craved to laugh everything off, not feel like she was living in hell over how it all ended. This wasn’t supposed to happen, none of it and Agatha couldn’t understand a single thought anymore.  

Sure, being in love with her best friend wasn’t easy. She’d spend her days daydreaming about what they could be or now, could have been. Agatha had painful memories of Rio’s girlfriends and flings that all felt like hell. 

And yet? Agatha missed when that felt like her death sentence in life. 

Rio wasn’t supposed to leave.

Rio wasn’t supposed to be so far away. 

And on top of it all, Rio wasn’t supposed to forget Agatha and leave her behind. 

“Get it when you fly back,” Jen laughed. “Come on, I want to get to the-”

Jen’s words were muffled. Agatha was too busy struggling to ignore Rio’s black shorts that defined her hips perfectly. A green button up shirt with short sleeves resting loosely on her shoulders. Her buttons undone to expose her black top cut off above her belly button, exposing toned abs that nearly made Agatha drool every time Rio revealed them.

Rio was always, what was it? A ‘gym rat’ Nicky called it? Whatever the name was, the younger woman nearly lived in the gym and signed up for almost every marathon possible. 

Agatha cleared her throat, forcing herself to rip her eyes away to look back at Jen.

“No uh, I’ll- I’ll be so done with you all by then, I’ll forget” She scoffed, waving her hand. 

Jen rolled her eyes. 

“I’ll have Lilia remind-”

“Nonsense! No, I’m-” She laughed, but it was fake. Even she wasn’t convinced by it. “I’ll just take an Uber, meet you guys there” 

She thought Jen would give her hell, but shockingly it wasn’t her to speak again. 

“I’ll make sure you grab him something. I’m grabbing him a few things too, so it-”

And just like that…Agatha’s vulnerability sponsored by panic was turned off. A switch had been flipped, her eyes filled with rage replaced the way they had wanted to form tears just a few seconds prior. 

“I wasn’t talking to you” Agatha snarled, cutting Rio’s words off.

Not a second after, the woman whipped around with power, hair tossed back as she stormed to the airport doors. Unbeknownst to her, Rio was faking amusement the best she could. A weak laugh luckily didn’t hit Agatha’s ears, but enough to earn herself a glare from Jen.

“Really?” Jen asked. 

Rio shrugged. 

“I was being nice” She defended. “Not my fault she-”

Jen slammed the van’s door shut, cutting off the others from them both. A hand was on her hip while the other held the handle as if she was going to rip it off. 

“Alright, you listen to me-”

“Jen” Rio sighed. 

“Don’t Jen me right now, Rio” She pointed. “This is my fucking wedding trip. You two are grown ass adults and I don’t need the juvenile crap”

Rio knew she was right, closing her eyes as she sighed with a tiny nod. 

“You’re right..” 

“I know,” Jen said. “I’ll deal with her” She gestured to the airport. “I love you both, I understand something happened. But, I can not imagine this trip without you both. Got it?”

The younger woman smiled softly, crossing her arms as she tilted her head to the side. 

“Is Jennifer Kale being nice for once in her life?” 

She glared, opening the door and gesturing for her to get in. Rio snorted, putting her hands up in surrender before climbing in. Lilia didn’t give her grace from how hard she pulled the woman down beside her, rambling on over how she missed her. 

“You look too skinny. Are you eating? I’ll make all of you dinner- No, you’re all too skinny actually. What-”

Lilia’s rambling continued on, making her and Rio oblivious to the way Jen muttered to Alice. 

“I’ll meet you guys there” 

Alice sighed, nodding softly. 

“We’ll fix this” She mouthed, but Jen only scoffed. 

“Don’t get your hopes up” 

With that, she closed the door again before spinning on her heel. She’d track Agatha down, drag her by the hair, feet, whatever part of her was going to get her to follow most. This trip may have been for their wedding, but Jen had enough. Which wasn’t a secret, especially to the woman she was about to marry. 

Jen didn’t care what had to be done, but this was it. She’d lock them in a closet if necessary. Agatha and Rio by the end of these two weeks would at least be on talking terms again. They had zero choice, even if they knew it or not. 

___________

Agatha looked at the little charms that said LA all over with shitty designs. Nicky didn’t need a damn thing for his keys. Hell, he wouldn’t want anything from the airport gift shop. She knew her boy would much rather have some sport jersey, something along those lines. 

But, she needed to escape Rio. 

“There you are,” Jen sighed, arms crossed as she walked over. “What the hell was tha-”

“I’m really not in the mood for a lecture right now” 

“The only lecture I want to give is a reminder this is my wed-”

“Wedding trip, we need to be grown adults, what I said was immature and how you want us both there” Agatha’s voice was monotone as she spoke, mumbling under breath at the end. “I got it..”

Typically, Jen would be stern and lay into her a bit more. Though she was familiar with this version of Agatha. It appeared briefly, showing more when alcohol was laced through her. She didn’t need a lecture right then. 

Especially when it was Rio related. 

“What happened with you two? Can you finally tell me what-”

“You already know, Jen” Agatha snickered. “She left without a fucking goodbye. I’m not going to pretend everything is all fine and dandy. I-” 

I’m heartbroken. 

I didn’t know I’d ever be this angry at her. 

I don’t know what I did.

Seeing her kills me.  

“It’ll be fine,” She sighed. “I’ll kill her with kindness” Agatha smiled wide, blinking her eyes a few times as if she was an innocent Disney character. 

Jen shook her head. 

“I wish you two would at least try to mend what happened” 

Agatha snorted. 

“Make a choice. You want us to exist in peace or hell?” 

“I want my friends back,” Jen sighed. “Don’t you want the same? I know you and I give each other shit, but you’re also unfortunately one of my closest friends” 

“How kind..” Agatha fixated back on scanning each charm as if it was the most interesting thing to exist. 

“I’m serious. Okay? When they have their stupid video game nights, I don’t have you around to not understand a single thing with. Dinner with Rio on FaceTime is boring without you two making fun of us. We still do things as a group, but you aren’t there”

Agatha swallowed the lump in her throat, hating the ache in her heart. 

No one had confronted her when it came to how she hid more than ever. She was always anti-social, a ‘ loner’ Nicky called her. After Rio left, Agatha left in a way herself. She physically lived close to them all, but mentally and emotionally remained distant. 

“You being this nice to me is foreign, Jennifer” 

Jen snickered. 

“And if I tell you Rio just made pretty much the same comment?” She asked. 

Agatha’s body tensed, shaking her head as she walked away to another section of the store. Jen tossed her head back, muttering a few curse words before following. 

It wasn’t uncommon for the others to point out how in sync they were. So many of their similarities were uncanny. Something Agatha used to find adoring and amusing. Rio seemingly loved it as well. 

“Can we leave now? Please? A bed is calling my name” 

“I need to get something for Nick-”

“He does not want anything in here and we both know that” Jen scoffed. “By the time we get there, they’ll all be at the ocean and you can escape to your room. Hell, both of us can” 

“Not toge-”

“Oh, that joke never gets old” Jen faked a laugh with her nose scrunched. 

Agatha snickered, picking out a small bag of Cheez-Its on her way to the counter. 

“Want one? Or still on that annoying diet of yours?”

Jen rolled her eyes, but felt thankful they were making their way to the register.

“At least my diet isn’t the platter of a teenage boy”

“Oh, you have never lived with a teenager!” Agatha belted out a strong, heart filled, laugh. “He eats like a monster and it’s hard to resist all the snacks I buy for him” 

“And yet, you still live with the same diet even away from him. What will you do when he’s off at colleg-”

“Do not bring that word up right now” 

Jen smiled softly, waving her hand at her before pulling her phone out to update Alice. 

“How many wine nights are we going to have when he goes?” 

“I’ll be in AA meetings by dawn” Agatha replied, her voice cold to the touch. 

“Oh my god,” Jen laughed. “He’ll be okay!” 

“Again, I’ve got enough on my mind” A subtle way she referenced Rio without her name being said. “Let me ignore the inevitable” 

She put the snack on the counter, going to grab her wallet when-

Shit. 

Agatha slowly turned, a begging smile as Jen slowly looked up. 

“You left your wallet with your bag, didn’t you?” 

Jen deadpanned stared the woman down, but still didn’t hesitate to pull her card out. Agatha snatched it from her, grabbing a Hershey's bar to add to it. 

“Really?” Jen asked. 

“Hey, your diet is for you. Your card misses filling its teenage appetite” Agatha shrugged, looking over at the cashier with a smile. “Can you believe we’re related?” 

“No! We are not” Jen was quick to say. “I’d be cursed to be related to your ass” 

Agatha added a few more candy bars, thinking the joke had distracted the woman. It didn’t in the slightest, but Jen couldn’t find it in her to argue more. Whatever it took for Agatha to follow without a fight, she’d keep chanting to herself. 

Plus, maybe the snacks would keep her silent for the ride back. One could hope, anyway. 

_____________

When they stepped through the front door of the beach house, true to Jen’s word (For once, Agatha scoffed to herself) the rest were heard in the distance. The back doors were wide open with a cool sea breeze flowing in. Not that the woman would admit to it, but the house forced a bit of thankfulness in her. It had been years since she took a vacation. The last one being-

Nope. Don’t open that door. 

Agatha would not be thinking about their Miami trip when it was only three of them. The three being Agatha, Nicky, and unsurprisingly, Rio. 

Jen led them up the stairs, Agatha in tow as she counted down till the bed greeted her like a blessing. Though as they walked down the hall, both realized signs on each door. Jen walked up the one with her and Alice’s name, registering the hand writing and snickering to herself. 

“Lilia assigned us rooms,” She said. “And you all say I’m the control freak” Jen muttered. 

Agatha chuckled, finding her name with the big smiley face beside it. Lilia’s unspoken words of,

It’ll be alright. 

Three words Agatha desperately needed to hear. Especially as she caught a glimpse of the sign next to her room. A scribbled, 

“Rio + Hela”

Agatha scrunched her nose, squinting her eyes to make sure she read it right. Not over Rio. Her room being right beside Agatha’s from Lilia’s direction wasn’t surprising. Though, she didn’t recognize the name beside it. 

Whatever. She was too tired to give a shit. 

She pushed her door open, sighing with relief when she heard it shut behind her. Finally, solitude at last.

Agatha put her bags down on the bed, looking out the glass doors that led to the balcony, overseeing the beautiful Pacific Ocean stretched out before her. As much as she craved the bed to hide in, she needed to get a few good photos of her view. Besides, it’d be another reason to text Nicky by sending him a few. 

She stepped over the threshold, greeted with the sight and sound of the waves crashing. The salt laced with a sulphury scent filled the air. Agatha let her eyes close, basking in the moment, trying to ground herself from the hell that she’d live in for the next two weeks.  

It’d be fine, it had to be. 

Some of her believed it. Well. That was until she pulled her phone out to snap a few pictures and instead saw a notification from their group chat. Rio had added a new member. The same name beside her on the bedroom door.

Who the fuck is, Hela?

Rio: Ladies…meet my lady;)

Agatha felt her stomach spin, the snacks Jen scolded her over suddenly tossing up with fury. She dropped the phone on the balcony table, rushing through the room, desperate to find the bathroom. The woman ripped the door open, hand over her mouth as she started to run through the hall. She was distracted, on a one track mindset, never hearing someone behind her. 

Not until a hand from behind grabbed her hip, the other punching open the bathroom door while pushing Agatha inside. She nearly fell against the counter, hurling into the sink as if poison made her reject everything living in her system. The hands behind her worked quick to pull her hair in a clip, soothing down her back and sides before pulling away. The soft gesture ceasing to exist. 

Only when she felt nothing else would come back up, coughing a few times as heavy pants filled the silence, Agatha allowed her head to tip up. She expected that Lilia followed, maybe Jen, Alice was a last bet, but what she didn’t think? Out of any of them?

“What are you doing?” Agatha rasped in the mirror, her eyes hardening at the reflection behind her. 

Rio visibly swallowed, taking in a deep breath with a tiny shrug.

“You get sick after long trip-”

“Okay? And?” 

Agatha whipped around, using all her strength to push Rio away. She didn’t realize the look on her face wasn’t completely anger. The woman held tight onto the ledge of the sink, breathing heavy deep pants, gasping for air and not only from how she had just tossed up every part of her stomach. No. 

Rio was close. Too close. 

Especially after that text? Hell, the entire reason Agatha had just been violently sick? 

“And..” Rio sighed, running a hand through her hair with the other firm on her hip. “I just figured-”

“Figured?” Agatha drew the word out, nearly bruising her chest from how violent her arms crossed against it. “Wha-”

“I figured to be a fucking frie-”

“HA!” Agatha belted, putting a finger up to silence her. “Don’t even finish that word. It’d be one of the highlights of your hypocritical bullshit”

Agatha turned back around to distract herself, rinse her face off, maybe the cold water would wash away whatever this hallucination behind her was. She wished to hear Rio’s feet storm out, the door slam shut behind her. Agatha would be free to curse herself out for failing at hiding from Rio. She wasn’t even twenty four hours into the trip. How the hell was she going to survive two weeks?

Rio puffed out a small laugh, her own arms now crossed against her chest. 

“Since when have I been hypocritical?” 

“Oh, I don’t know,” Agatha shrugged. “Possibly your whole life as far as I’m aware” 

She splashed the cold water against her skin, palms digging into her face, eyes squeezed shut as she wished for a genie to grant her with Rio’s disappearance. But if the universe hated Agatha Harkness, every genie and witch would as well. 

The water was abruptly turned off, shocking Agatha for a split second, but the water was the least of her worries. She jolted when Rio’s hand slipped away from the knob, arm brushed against her own, pulling away as if she was never there. Over a year of not speaking, seeing, and painfully the reminder of what Agatha missed most-

Rio’s fucking touch. 

Sure, Agatha was standoffish. She cursed her friends out in disgust when they hugged her. Unsurprisingly to the rest, Nicholas was the only one she’d ever hold tighter and never complain about. However, what no one would ever believe? Rio was the other holder of that pass. 

The younger woman was constantly attached to Agatha since they met. At first, Agatha hated it. She’d shrug her off, curse her out, anything to rid her. But slowly as the years went on, it’d become second nature. Rio was her other limb. They were magnets when in a room together. One had their legs over the other, a head on someone’s shoulder or in their lap. 

Agatha’s favorite was when Rio climbed on her instead of taking another chair. The others would laugh and joke how Agatha would kill her, but on the inside? Agatha hoped by wrapping her arms around her waist, propping her chin on her shoulder or cheek against her arm, Rio would never sit anywhere else. 

…Okay, so maybe their friends did know Rio held the other pass. Regardless, the little touch did not help her in the slightest. 

“Before you complain about the water,” Rio started. “I have never been a hypocrite, we both know that. Second of all-”

“N-”

“Agatha”

The woman was in the middle of reaching for the hand towel when Rio cut her off. No, she didn’t just interrupt her. Rio had the audacity to say Agatha’s name like she still owned it. When they’d have small arguments, if Rio was trying to calm Agatha down, there was a certain way she’d say the world. A small bite to the subtle bark, coldness that still had warmth buried beneath. 

And the worst part? 

It always worked…Rio saying her name like that still worked. 

I hate you. 

“Fine, talk” Agatha tossed her hand up, snatching the towel to bury her face in. 

Rio took a second, her eyes glaring hard at the woman desperately trying to hide herself. 

“We need to co-exist. Can we-”

“Oh my god!” Agatha laughed. “I’m fucking aware. I got the lecture multiple times today” She turned, clenching the towel in her hand. “I don’t need it again. Especially from you. I’ve already made up my mind when it comes to you”

She watched the younger woman slowly smirk, but not in the way she loved. It was taunting, annoyed, a furious version of her own. Rio’s anger was never loud like Agatha’s. She was more- 

Meticulous, snarky, devious, sarcastic, evil, sexy, beautiful, hilar-

No. No. Shut. Up. 

Rio scoffed, gesturing into the space for Agatha to speak. 

“Well, what’s the ruling? My sentence, your honor? ”

Agatha’s nostrils flared, her glare impossibly strengthened and darkened at once. She hated her. Rio was so fucking insufferable while smirking, mocking, Agatha’s anger. After what she did too? 

She found the hamper in the corner, scrunching the towel before tossing it over. The woman shook her head, debating walking out with no word. There was good reason to. She desperately needed to grab her stuff to brush her teeth. The aftertaste of vomit covered with the sight of Rio was enough to make her sick again. 

Though, Agatha always had to have the last word. 

“You made your choice, I make mine-”

“Oh, this must be a very harsh ruling,” Rio’s voice was playful as she dipped her hips down, stepping forward to be an inch closer, an inch below Agatha before popping back up to stand just a sliver above her. “Are you too scared to sentence me your-”

“I don’t even want to know you exist” 

The playful glint in Rio’s eyes flickered and for a brief moment, barely a millisecond- Agatha swore she saw pain instead. However, the woman looked down far too fast for her to study. She laughed, but it was lifeless. Not the mocking one Agatha knew so well.

Rio sighed, putting hands up as she stepped back, slithering past Agatha with a low,

“I’ll forward you the email I got-”

Agatha scoffed, looking over at her, silently questioning what she was on about. That damn smirk should’ve warned her it wasn’t something sincere. It was a twisted remark, one that managed to dig under Agatha’s skin. 

“You know, the device to wipe your memory?”

“Do you know how ridiculous you sound?” Agatha asked. 

They were close, too close. Agatha thought before with Rio’s hands on her hips behind her, the way she brushed her arm when she turned the water off, it couldn’t get worse. Though, she was completely wrong with Rio’s breath against her lips, she could feel the sarcasm radiating off of her and fuck- Agatha loved and hated it. 

“I could ask the same for you as well..” Rio muttered. 

She opened the door and gently shut it behind her. For some reason, it only frustrated Agatha more. Though the jealousy of how Rio was able to still remain calm, cool, collected didn’t last long. 

Agatha closed her eyes, breathing out the air that she had been reserving in her lungs. Her body relaxed as her back collided against the door with a thump. She ran a hand through her hair while the other remained on her hip. 

What the hell did Rio mean by that? She could ask the same? Agatha wanted to laugh over it. After all, she wasn’t the one bringing up emails about memory wipe machines. The woman was in her right to be pissed off. She wasn’t wrong to wish Rio never existed. Especially when she had the nerve to date some bitch named Hela and-

She’s not mine. I never- She never felt the same. 

The reminder was a punch in the stomach. She was a grown woman for fucks sake, puking over her old best friend having a girlfriend? Agatha silently scoffed. How pathetic of a level had fallen to? 

Better yet..how the hell would she survive two weeks like this?

_______

“So, when will Hela be here?!” Alice exclaimed. 

The morning had crept up on Agatha far too sudden for her liking. She hadn’t had a few hours worth of shut eye. Maybe thirty minutes, if that. Her entire night had been spent replaying the bathroom moment in her mind. Rio was so vivid in her brain, an image burned in the forefront of her mind. 

And maybe Agatha spiraled a tiny bit. Well, enough she found herself knee deep in Hela’s social media to the point of high school graduation photos. 

She didn’t know how it started. Agatha opened Rio’s Instagram, caught up on all the posts she had missed over the last year. The woman hated the warm smile on her lips seeing Rio’s achievements, all the hikes she went on, that stupid tarantula Agatha always cringed over. Victoria. A beautiful name for a horrid creature that made Rio so happy. She never missed that little freak in the slightest. 

Though one photo posted just a few weeks ago was the one to nearly make her run to the bathroom all over again. Rio was sitting in some bar, the Hela woman on her lap. Agatha couldn’t deny Hela was stunning. Far out of her league, perfect for Rio’s lane. They both were laughing with their eyes beaming to the camera. Rio just looked so…happy. 

Agatha slowly felt the jealousy rising within her. Not only because Hela had her Rio. The woman she had by her side for years. Sure, it was Agatha’s fault for falling in love. That still didn’t erase what they had. They were closer than anyone in their friend group. Nicky basically was half raised by Rio. Hela couldn’t say the same. She didn’t know Rio like Agatha did. 

It didn’t help either that the entire last year, Rio looked so sickeningly happy. 

She was going on adventures, hanging out with friends, sharing her achievements at work and Agatha knew she should be happy for her. Rio’s well being was always so important to her. There was a tiny sliver of her that did feel pride, but it barely existed. Maybe if Rio said goodbye, she’d be more willing to accept the new reality. However, that was all fucking bullshit. Rio’s happiness was disgusting. 

How could she leave like nothing happened? Rio went on to live her life as if Agatha was never part of it. She took off without a goodbye, made a beautiful life for herself and Agatha hated her for it. She hated Hela. She hated that job. She hated and felt a rage of jealousy, another level that never existed before. 

“I’m so excited to meet her,” Jen added. 

Agatha made a silent mocking face to herself as she poured coffee into her mug. Lilia had forced her out of bed just thirty minutes prior. She must’ve known the groupchat reveal sent Agatha into a spiral from how close she kept an eye on her. The way she gently woke her up with a soft,

“Come on, get up now. Alice is demanding a few adventures today” 

She grumbled, but ultimately gave in. Not only for Jen and Alice, but once again- Rio wasn’t going to win. If she wanted to live a life for herself, parade her happiness, smile wide? Agatha could too. Even if it killed her. 

“Most likely tomorrow morning. She’s tangled up with work, but wants to make it here asap” Rio said through a mouthful of food. “She’s awesome, I think you guys will get along well” 

“What does she do for work?” 

“She’s a biologist” 

The other’s gasped and overlapped a few,

“Oh, she’s perfect for you!” 

“Now that, that’s a match made in heaven” 

“Biologist and environmental scientist? What a-”

Agatha slammed the coffee mug down in the kitchen, storming through the open dining room with a muttered,

“I’m going for a walk to call Nicholas” 

Lilia closed her eyes with a sigh, turning a second after as she watched Agatha fumble to get her boots on. 

“Corner shop just down the road. They’re coffee is better than ours. We have to buy better stuff today” Lilia said. 

Agatha didn’t say anything as she stepped out of the screen door, letting it slam shut behind her. Behind her there was a tense silence before Jen was the one to break it. 

“Why did you encoura-”

“Just,” Lilia put her hand up, shaking her head. “I know what I’m doing” 

Her eyes avoided Rio’s at all costs, not wanting to make the younger woman upset and create more drama in the room. 

“She’s just stressing over the boy” 

It wasn’t a total lie on Lilia’s part. Hell, the words were common knowledge to them all. Nicky home for two weeks by himself was putting Agatha on the edge of a panic attack. But at the same time, they all knew who was the biggest catalyst of them all. 

Rio took another bite of the scrambled eggs, avoiding looking up as guilt flooded through her like tsunami waves all over again. 

“God, I dread when he goes to college” Jen sighed. 

Alice snickered. 

“We may have to admit her to the psych ward for that one”

The three silently chuckled, taking note to Rio’s silence. Lilia luckily knew how to keep the atmosphere in the room light, adding a soft,

“I think I will always find it hysterical how sweet that boy is considering his mother,” Lilia laughed. “He feels so guilty making someone frown and Agatha wouldn’t blink to do so” 

“Well, all besides-” 

“He’s so mature for his age as well. I know she worries with him home alone, but..I wouldn’t agree if I thought he wouldn’t be okay” 

Lilia had cut Alice off before she could speak with no filter. It took a moment for the younger woman to switch her reaction from confused to the realization why Jen was glaring from across the table. She mouthed a small, 

“Oops” 

Letting the woman take control of the situation once again. However, it seemingly didn’t work. 

Rio barely voiced her words loud enough to be heard. The three picked up something about a shower as she stood from her chair. Otherwise, she walked away before they could have her repeat what she had said. 

The scrape against her plate echoed in the silence, clinking against the sink a few seconds after. They waited till her footsteps ran up the stairs to release the same breath all three held in sync. 

“Do we just…lock them in a closet or something?” Jen asked. 

Alice snickered. 

“Babe, they may set the entire house on fire if we do that” 

“Well!” Jen scoffed, hands tossed up. “I don’t want to hate them for ruining my wed-”

“They won't,” Lilia shook her head. “By the end of these two weeks, I am sure this will all be resol-”

“We don’t know that!” Jen laughed. 

Alice took a bite of the pancake, asking through the mouthful of food, 

“Does Agatha still love her?” 

Lilia tilted her head, eyes flickering between them both that spoke the answer loud and clear. 

What do you think?

Jen sat back in her chair, defeat covering every inch of her. Alice’s jaw slacked, eyes bulged as she shook her head. 

“No-”

“You’re really surprised?” Lilia chuckled. “Rio clearly is as wel-”

“She moved on to Hela,” Alice pointed out. 

“No” Lilia shook her head with a humorous chuckle. “I know that girl better than anyone here. There’s no way-”

“Then what was the no goodbye thing about?” Jen asked, arms folded tight against her chest as she glared Lilia’s way. “Also, why haven’t we confronted Rio with that?” 

“Because, it is not our place to do so” Lilia answered. “Whatever that is, it’s between them. We can’t intervene or solve this. They’re adults”

A small silence fell upon the three. The shower above muffled through the ceiling, soft music they couldn’t make out behind it. 

Unsurprisingly, Jen was the one to break the silence. 

“Nope, I’m sorry, Lilia. I can’t agree with that” She sat up, hands gesture in the air before landing on the table. “One, this is my wedding,” Jen pointed to herself. “Two, it’s gone on long enough”

Lilia scoffed, matching her intense glare.

“Okay, then what do you propose is the best way to go about this if you think intervening is right? We will only make matters wors-”

“How can we?!” Jen exclaimed. “Agatha is clearly- If she still loves Rio, we all know she’s heartbroken about whatever the hell happened with them. Secondly, this is only going to be more of a fuckin’ shitshow the second this Hela woman shows up”

Alice nodded, pulling her lips back as she apologetically looked over to Lilia. 

“Yeah..I have to agree. Agatha’s jealousy is another level of insane. We may be going to trial for murder instead of our wedding if we don’t do something” 

Lilia closed her eyes, resting her elbow on the table as she pinched the bridge of her nose. 

She knew they were right. The surprise impending arrival of Rio’s girlfriend would result in a full out war before they even got to the wedding. Especially on top of the silent feud they already had between them. 

The woman sighed with a small nod. 

“Fine,” Lilia caved. “But,” She pointed. “If this backfires, do not say I didn’t tell you so” 

“There, thank you,” Jen tossed her hand up with a smirk. 

“So..” Alice drew out the word, slowly nodding her head as her eyes flickered between the two. “What do we do?”

Lilia turned her head to the left end of the table, Alice followed leaving both eyes on Jen. The woman’s face went from victory contorted into slight embarrassment. She looked down at her plate, picking back up her fork to mindlessly stab at the scrambled eggs that were most certainly now cold. 

“I uh..” Jen stammered. “Didn’t, well.. thinkthatfarahead ..” She quickly mumbled the words.

Alice softly smiled, Lilia matching with a tiny snicker of her own. 

“We’ll sort something out,” Lilia assured. “For now, let’s get through the day with those two” 

_______

Surprisingly, the day they had spent traveling around the city ran pretty smoothly. Agatha kept her distance, Rio did as well. Only a few times did the others catch them on the verge of snarling out a bitter comment or glare at one another. 

However, it wasn’t always a glare. Neither snarky words. 

Sometimes one would gaze in a lingering, longing, stare. Though once the other turned, it’d be ripped away as if it never existed. As for comments, the three knew the duo better than anyone. 

The little tug of Rio’s lips that curled when Agatha was amazed by something usually was followed with a comment of knowledge. Agatha would always beam and ramble into a spiral of questions to gain more knowledge from Rio’s wit. And when Rio found something she adored, but refused to buy herself- Agatha would be in tow, picking up whatever her heart desired to purchase it behind her back. Which always led into light hearted bickering between the two, filled with,

“Agatha-”

“Shut up”

“No! You shouldn’t spend money on me”

“I don’t need a financial advisor, but thank you. You’re a very sweet human for it”

“And I don’t need my own personal shopper, but thank you. You’re horrible”

It’d go on and on, sometimes it’d drag for days. Though they’d keep grinning and Agatha would keep buying things while Rio would continue on with rambling her heart out. 

Safe to say, their hopes were lifted by the tiny signs they were on the verge of slipping back into old habits. Routines that were so familiar to them all. It never happened. Instead glares replaced while the other stormed off. 

Toward the end of the day, the group found themselves at a small restaurant. Lilia insisted they sit outside to watch the sunset over the ocean, enjoying the soft breeze in the air. 

Jen had tried to push Agatha and Rio to sit beside one another, but they were a step ahead as if they expected her antics. Instead, they ended up across the table from each other. Alice had to restrain herself from laughing at the way Jen almost stomped her foot like a toddler who didn’t get her way. 

The chatter between the group flowed easy with the occasional comments from Agatha, but they were rare. The other three were used to it. When she did hang out over the last year, she was silent. It wasn’t anything abnormal to them. 

However, who wasn’t used to it? Rio. 

She didn’t know Agatha to shut the hell up in their entire time of being friends. The woman always had something to say leaving Rio would be the quiet one between them both. Sometimes she only waited till after they left on their own to speak, finding it easier when she only had Agatha by her side. Which she always found ironic because Agatha was more introverted between them both, but in social situations the one who spoke the most. 

And now? She was the quiet one. Rio didn’t know what to do with the new reality before her.

“So, Agatha,” Lilia said, a bit of teasing to her words. “Have you and Wan-”

“Oh, for fucks sake..” Agatha muttered, bringing the wine glass to her lips. 

Jen and Alice made sure to chuckle, but weren’t able to hide the wide eyes aimed Lilia’s way. Screaming the same question in sync,

“What are you doing?” 

It wasn’t a secret between the four Agatha and Wanda had hooked up, maybe more than once. A few times they had teased Agatha on it, but nearly faced their death every time. 

“Wait, what?” Rio sat up, eyes frantically flipping between Agatha and Lilia. “What about Wanda?” 

Lilia’s head tilted, hiding her smirk behind the glass of wine while her eyes gently expressed the answer to their question,

“Bingo”

Rio’s eyes were bulging out of their sockets, jaw clenched as she frantically looked between all of them one by one to figure out if this was a joke. Only then did the two wives to be share a knowing glance to each other. Lilia who was against intervening hours prior suddenly lit flames that’d explode into a raging fire. One Jen and Alice wouldn’t have dared to touch. 

“They hooked up a few months ago, but neither will admit to it” Jen answered, giving a glance to Agatha who was glaring directly at Lilia. “Isn’t that righ-”

“Jennifer, do you value your life?” Agatha asked. “If so, I’d shut it before you even star-”

“What?” Jen laughed, putting her hands up with a wide smile. “I’m not lying!” 

Agatha never admitted out loud to her friends what had happened. Nicky and Billy were on a field trip for school. They weren’t due home till close to midnight from the trip. It was the first time Wanda and Agatha had let their boys go that distance alone. Their entire lives, the boys had sleepovers next door to one another. The duo never ventured far to other friends besides each other. 

Wanda had shown up on Agatha’s doorstep with a bottle of red and two wine glasses, eyes puffy as she laughed through her words,

“Drink with me?” 

The woman was never one to say no to a drink. Plus, the house being vacant and knowing her son was still hours out? It’d be a nice distraction. 

One drink led to another, a kiss led to articles of clothes being discarded, next thing they knew- They were hooking up nearly every week. The others seemed to think it was just a one and done deal. How they figured it out, Agatha would never truly know. Though with Wanda, that woman didn’t know how to keep a secret. 

Agatha never fully admitted to it. A verbal confirmation was never offered. Only glares and frantic words to change the conversation, flip the focus to someone else. 

However, with Rio across from her? She had a girlfriend, new friends, a life that looked better than ever. Agatha took a generous sip from her wine, letting it loosen her nerves and spit out the words,

“Fine. What about it?” 

Lilia gasped, Alice snickered while Jen belted out a laugh as she clapped. 

“And there it is, ladies! Took the bitter woman long enough to confirm what we already knew” Jen exclaimed. 

“Wanda told us,” Alice outed. “She’s very impressed by your skills in the bedshee-”

“Oh, fucks sake. No, no. I answered and we are not diving in-”

“We need details from your end!” Jen beamed. “Come on, this is the best wedding gift you could give me” 

“I feel like taking your life would be a beautiful gift for myself,” Agatha smiled.

“Not me though” Alice pointed. “Don’t get any ideas” 

“Your future wife goes on, cement blocks tied to her feet will be her new look” 

“Sexy” Alice mocked, earning a small smack on the shoulder from Jen. 

As they continued on with their banter, Jen pushing and asking multiple questions without stopping- Lilia kept her eyes on Rio. 

Even if Lilia didn’t know Rio well, it wasn’t a secret what was running through her mind. The way she was slumped in her chair, sipping from her beer, barely removing it from her lips. The eyes that bulged now sank into what could only be described as the fifty yard stare. They focused on the table as if the wood grain was the most beautiful thing to her. 

Heartbreak, fear, it was swallowing her whole as she wore it on her all over her outfit and deep past her skin. Lilia knew Rio never fell out of love with Agatha. To her, the two were soul mates. Over the years, she pulled many cards from her tarot deck, trying to sort how to bring them together. Ultimately, fate was the only path for them. 

Though, this little push. Maybe it wouldn’t bite them in the ass. Lilia feared karma worse than fate. She never wanted to jeopardize or jinx them both. And? Jen was right, how could things get possibly worse than where they were with each other? 

“Congrats” Rio cut off Jen’s words, not knowing what they were. “You fucked your best friend. Hallelujah. You aren’t special for it” 

Oh. Fuck. 

Okay, Lilia wasn’t expecting that and she already was laying out her lecture on how they shouldn’t interfere with the universe’s timing. Jen on the other hand was shamelessly smiling like a fool. For a woman who demanded no drama, she was high on what ultimately could make or break this trip. 

An awkward silence was a weight dropped upon the table. Alice and Lilia shared a worried glance, Jen was grinning like a mad woman, and Agatha? She turned her head slowly to find Rio looking down, not offering attention after the words she had voiced. 

The older woman held her wine glass a bit away, head tilted as she drew the two words out, covering them in a coating of attitude,

“Excuse me?”

“You heard me” 

Rio didn’t miss a beat as she looked up, glaring at Agatha like she fucked Wanda to intentionally hurt her. The heartbreak felt so strong, the younger woman found it hard to remember Agatha never knew her feelings. She wasn’t in love with her. Agatha didn’t need to be loyal to her. Not to mention, she chose to leave without a word. How would that portray love? 

“Not like you’re the only lesbian out there to do that” Rio shrugged. 

“Shit” Alice muttered under her breath as she picked up her own beer to take a swig from. 

Agatha scoffed, putting the wine down as she crossed her arms, leaning back in the chair with a stronger glare.

“What the hell is your problem?” Agatha asked. 

“I don’t have one,” Rio lied. 

“You don’t? Really?” She snorted, shaking her head. “God, you’re a shit liar”

“Guys..” Alice muttered the soft warning, but Jen smacked her thigh under the table. An unspoken gesture to let them continue. “Jen, hone-”

Jen whipped her head, shooting daggers as she mouthed a strong, 

“Let it happen”

Thankfully, the duo on the verge of a battle were oblivious to their friends. Agatha was too busy staring at the woman who was avoiding her all over again. Rio had looked down again as if she was ashamed to know her, she was small, words nonchalant while her attitude was somewhat…mocking? Agatha couldn’t pinpoint exactly what this was. 

The woman puffed out a laugh filled with disbelief, looking down as she picked her wine back up because fuck- She needed it to put up with whatever the hell Rio was on about. 

“Right, you’re so special. Aren’t you?” 

In any other context, Rio loved when Agatha spoke to her with endearing comments. When she showered her with compliments, called her “Dear” “Honey” and all of the above. This should’ve been one of those times Rio would feel her skin burn, shade a deep red as she struggled to hide a giddy grin.

However, it wasn’t. Not with the tone of voice that was covered in sarcasm. So bitter it left a bad taste on Agatha’s tongue, creating an upset stomach for Rio. Not when the context wasn’t a fond moment between them. 

“Typical,” Agatha muttered. “Avoidant cliche lesbian acting as if her shit doesn’t stink”

“What is that supposed to mean?” Rio asked, eyes snapping up to shoot her own fire back. 

“Well, not all of us take a job offer and skip town, better yet moves across the country, without a single goodbye” 

And just like that, the elephant in the room was stabbed. The tight wire was snapped, cut loose to explode the charges of dynamite it held together. 

Oh…fuck. 

Agatha’s smile was wicked. With venom so vicious, she hoped her words would sink into Rio’s skin and drain her of life. She didn’t want her ex best friend anywhere near her. Not in the same state, country, and better yet- Not across a fucking table from her, acting as if she was innocent. 

Rio had a girlfriend. Rio left without a goodbye, ultimately ending their friendship. Who was she to judge who Agatha slept with? 

The younger woman snickered over Agatha’s words. A low laugh hidden behind the beer that was brushing against her lips, ready to take a swig when needed. And when Agatha was around? One beer would never be enough to put up with her. 

“Oh! So, it’s a joke to you?” Agatha perked up in her seat. 

“Agatha..” Lilia muttered a warning for her to settle down, but that was impossible. 

Agatha put her hand up to the older woman, eyes never parting from Rio, hoping to stare her down to send her away.  

“No! No, clearly Rio here doesn’t care about what she did-”

“There it is,” Rio muttered under her breath.

“What?” 

“The jealousy,” Rio cleared her throat, lowering the beer to let Agatha see her face bright with glory. “You can’t stand I received a job offer with pay you couldn’t dream of”

No..it’s that you never said goodbye to me..

Agatha’s jaw loosened, hanging ajar as her eyes drooped from rage into sadness. How could she think that? Rio left without a goodbye and it wasn’t like Agatha didn’t make it clear how that was what pissed her off. Her own best friend, the one she trusted and fell sickeningly in love with (Not that Rio would ever know) said a grand old farewell to everyone in their friend group but her. 

“Excuse me?”

This time, the two words weren’t covered in attitude. Instead disbelief and pain drenched them. The Wanda subject had completely left her mind for that moment because this? It was worse. Agatha never wanted to face what had happened. She ignored the reality as much as she possibly could, never thinking it’d get worse until-

“It’s true! I know you, Agatha. Jealousy isn’t something you hide well” She snorted. 

Instead of fighting back like she normally would. How she usually matched Rio and offered a harsher reply, Agatha pulled back. She looked away with her lips pulled back, debating how to run off. 

Did Rio not know Agatha like she thought? The one woman who made her feel seen, heard, known thought horribly of her like everyone else would. Jealousy. That’s what she thought of Agatha, saw in her. 

Rio didn’t see her how destroyed she was…but, isn’t that what she wanted?

She had to run. Fuck it, if Alice and Jen would be upset with her, Agatha would deal with it later. She didn't bother to let her eyes scan the table, leaving her oblivious to how their friends stared in disbelief themselves. 

They couldn’t fathom the words Rio had spoken. Sure, Lilia’s push had worked. They finally faced what came between them, but did they expect this? Well…why would they ever?

The woman stood up aggressively, nearly knocking the chair over as she snatched her purse from the back of it. Agatha struggled to find her wallet to leave money for her drink. Her heart was thundering, tears boiling up within her as she was seconds away from screaming at Rio right there. 

“Agatha..” Alice sighed. “Come on-”

“No uh, I need to go call Nicky” She stammered as she shook her head. “Check in, make sure he isn’t throwing a damn party or whatever”

It was a pathetic lie. One her friends would see through completely, including Rio. She didn’t care. Whether it’d be anger or frustration that led to tears, she didn't know what was going to come first and sure as hell wasn’t interested in finding out. 

“Hey..” Jen reached up, placing her hand over Agatha’s trembling one that jolted away the second she touched. But, Jen had gotten what she wanted. Her eyes locked with Jen’s, reading her silent word, “Go”

Agatha didn’t argue or waste a second to storm off without a goodbye, not a glance over her shoulder. The woman worried one of them would come running after her and fuck- Agatha didn’t need that. 

Luckily for her, unknowingly as well, her friends were too busy to follow as their attention was on Rio. Three daggers were aimed from different angles, all directed at the woman who was smirking to herself in victory before she looked up. 

All her glory shifted to confusion, lips parting to ask a low,

“What?” She asked, shrugging her shoulders before rushing a quick, “I’m not wro-”

“Oh, bullshit!”

“Are you fucking kidding me?!”

“Rio, what the hell?”

The responses piled on top of one another. Their words were mixed with frustrated laughter, annoyed sighs and grumbles piled on top.

Rio shook her head violently, leaning forward as she put her elbows on the table. Her finger then pointed in the direction Agatha walked off, eyes strong with a stubborn, 

“No, I know her. There's no way she gives a shit about a goodbye. We aren’t like that! She’d never want a sappy so long and-”

“God, you are a fucking moron” Alice scoffed, shaking her head as she got up. “I need some air before I punch you in the fa-”

“Honey,” Jen sighed, looking up at the woman who was already taking off from the table. “Don’t..anddddd, she’s gone. Nevermind”

Lilia shook her head, silently cursing herself out for allowing the situation to explode to that level. Jen was about to speak, her lips parted and ready to lecture Rio for her ridiculous claims. But if matters couldn’t get any worse?

“Well, well..” A deep voice rasped, sneaking up behind Rio to leave a kiss on the top of her head. “Don’t you look divine” 

Rio’s limbs went tense, she jolted in her chair as her head spun to look up. The other two frantically snapped their eyes together with a strong,

No. 

“Hela..you’re early” Rio forced a smile as if a fight didn’t just happen with the woman she loved most. 

“A bad thing?” The woman asked, a playful smile on her lips.

“No, uh, not at all” She chuckled, looking over to gesture to her friends. “Guys, this is Hela,” Rio introduced. “Hela, this is Jen and Lilia” 

“Ah, Jen” 

Hela grinned as she rounded the table to sit next to her, taking the spot Agatha was previously residing in. Rio hated the twist in her stomach, longing for her to be Agatha instead, 

“So, about to get yourself hitched, huh?” Hela asked. “Where’s the one you’re tying yourself to?” 

Jen faked a laugh the best she could. Especially after the situation that had just happened barely five minutes prior. How was she supposed to act like everything was fine? 

“Um-”

“Alice and Agatha went back to the house. Both are exhausted from the day” Lilia smoothly lied, taking the reins for Jen who gave thankful eyes. 

“Ah,” Hela slowly nodded, a tisk of her tongue against the roof of her mouth right after. “So, the infamous Agatha Harkness has decided to join the party?” 

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Jen asked, her stance ready to defend Agatha when needed. 

Hela gestured her head over to Rio who was buried in herself, embarrassment and fear drowning her. 

“Rio wouldn’t shut up about Agatha since the invite. Went on about how she’d probably never leave her son” She chuckled. “I’m just surpri-”

“I wouldn’t let Agatha miss this” Jen said, eyes flickering to Rio with a fake grin. “Surprised Rio doubted my abilities to make Agatha do something” 

Lilia cleared her throat, taking center stage to protect them from the awkward silence hanging above. 

“So, Hela,” She started. “Why don’t you tell us a bit about yourse-”

Jen’s phone buzzed on the table, Alice’s message shining bright as she swiftly unlocked the screen to it. 

Alice: Everything is fine, but you may want to follow. Just got an Uber to bring Agatha to urgent care. She’s arguing me left and right, but fell on her head pretty fucking hard. 

Alice: She’s barely fucking shit this doesn’t look good

Alice: Honey, I really need your help. We aren’t far from the restaurant. Just make a left down the sidewalk and you’ll see us

Jen’s following movements were erratic. The way she almost flipped the table over, jumping from her chair as she made sure to grab her phone and purse. 

“Wha-”

“Agatha hit her head, something about blood and she’s trying to fight Alice on urgent care. I have to go he-”

“I’ll go with you” 

Rio was quick on her feet, not caring to grab her belongings, but Lilia’s hand reached out to grasp her wrist. She shook her head, gently staring at her with unspoken words first before ones that could be heard by all,

“Not after what just happened” 

“Leave them to handle her,” Lilia spoke. “We both know Agatha will lose her cool even more if we all bombard her. Two is enough” 

“Are we sure?” Hela asked. “It’s their wedding trip. Agatha would understand if we-”

“No, you don’t know, Agatha,” Jen laughed. “Rio and you taking her- I’m not sure who’s life would be more in jeopardy” 

Rio swallowed the lump in her throat, shaking her head. Every part of her that held pain and resentment disappeared.  Agatha was hurt and Rio couldn't handle staying away, being left behind, having to idly stand by waiting for updates. 

“Jen-”

“Rio, we said no” Jen glared. “Now, I need to go before she tries to run off like a moron..” 

Jen left without a word, leaving Rio frozen in her spot. Hela was saying something, but it was muffled as her eyes were locked on the door her friend had stormed through. Every worst case scenario was racing through her mind, straight into her heart that ached heavier by the second. 

What didn’t help? She was the one that’d be called to get her to go. Not Jen. It wouldn’t be Alice convincing her either. Agatha's safety, her protection, it was always Rio. 

Every time Agatha pulled something like this, refused to go to a medical environment because it was her biggest fear- Rio had been the one to bring her. She’d stay by her side, reassure her and be her voice. Hell, Agatha had signed paperwork years ago Rio was able to speak to doctors on her behalf. 

Rio felt her stomach turning, heart thundering against her chest from hating it wasn’t her, to the panic of what Agatha had done. 

Did she fall? She must’ve. And blood? Her head? 

Nope. Rio couldn’t listen to Jen and Lilia. Even if she knew they were right and after what just happened. How her presence to an already stressed Agatha wasn't ideal. Logic, common sense, fuck everything and anyone who dared to tell her different. 

She sputtered out a pathetic excuse about the bathroom, running off without listening to her girlfriend’s words. Lilia on the other hand knew what she was doing, but didn’t have the energy to stop her. Besides, someone had to keep Hela distracted from this mess. 

Rio felt out of her body, like time and the world wasn’t real as she made her way out the front door. The chaotic sounds of the street wasn’t loud in the way it should be. Every worry, scream of regrets, they were far too loud to ignore.  Her eyes looked both ways until seeing Jen’s figure standing above the one sitting on the ground. Alice was pacing around, on the phone with what Rio assumed was the ambulance. She couldn’t stay still as her legs had a mind of their own, nearly running till she was able to hear their voices,

“This is ridiculous, it’s nothing”

“Agatha, for the millionth fucking time, you smashed your head on con-fucking-crete. You are going to the hospital”

“Urgent care was fine!” Agatha argued. “Hell, I think that’s a step too far. This is noth-”

Rio stepped around Jen, scanning her eyes up and down the woman who was holding Alice’s flannel against the wound. There were dark blood trails down her face, dropping onto her blouse. She felt sicker than before, blaming herself with every fiber of her being. If Rio never said that, if she faced the pain of saying goodbye, if she just-

“What are you doing here?” Jen asked, arms folded against herself with a glare. “I told yo-”

“What happened?” Rio asked, completely ignoring Jen's annoyance beside her. 

Agatha looked over, her blue eyes that were glossed over with a wall of tears met her worried ones. She swallowed the lump in her throat, shrugging as her shoulders tensed back to appear strong. 

“Nothing” She lied.

Rio scoffed, throwing her arm up to point at the damage of her skull. 

“Oh, so you just wear blood for fashion now?”

“Always one step ahead of the trends” Agatha smirked at first before her lips then dropped into frown filled with anger that made Rio cringe. “Go awa-”

Just as she was in the middle of talking, the flashing lights of the ambulance truck turned the corner. Alice waved her hands in the air, jumping a bit to show them where they were. As if they didn’t know from the sight of a woman sitting on the sidewalk. Rio muttered a few curse words under her breath the second they started to slow down. Without a countdown in her mind, Agatha's voice already started spitting the words Rio knew would come out. 

“Nope. Not going. No way, I’m not-”

“Agatha” Jen sighed. “This isn’t something to ignore”

“I’ll- We can get band aids and-”

“I’m not fucking stitching your head back together” Jen snorted. 

“Stitches?!” Agatha's voice cracked, eyes wide as fear struck like lightning. Rio silently cursed Jen out for scaring her more than she already was. 

For how tough Agatha Harkness was to everyone, Rio knew medical situations and procedures were her nightmare. From the car accident her and Nicky were in years ago, when Agatha broke her ankle from falling down the stairs, when Rio needed to get an emergency tooth extraction- Agatha had been the only driver available. Rio still laughed at the memory. Her friend confused everyone in the waiting room from how she paced, bit the skin off her thumb, appearing as if she was the patient from her anxiety radiating off of her.  

Rio shook her head, pushing Jen aside to squat down beside the woman, be damned what Agatha thought of her right then. Rio wasn’t going to leave her side even if the woman held a gun against her head to do so. Not until she was secure in that ambulance and on her way to the hospital.

“Hey..” 

Rio gently spoke, careful to not set the woman off even more. She studied the way Agatha shivered and looked away, debating the tactic she’d use. Ultimately, the woman decided to use the one that was always bulletproof. 

“We go now, get this taken care of, Nicky has his mother home in one piece. We don’t go and I’ll have to call him with news that’ll destroy him” She said, clapping her hands softly with a strong, “Dealer’s choice, babe” 

Jen took a double take at the small name neither seemed to realize she used. The woman waited for Agatha to shove her back, tell her to fuck off and she’d tell Rio tater on that night,

“Told you that was a bad idea” 

To her surprise (And relief), it wasn't that. She watched the familiar sight. How Agatha took in a strong breath, Rio studying her closely, ready to argue her at every point. The older woman must've remembered how Rio wouldn't give in. No matter what had happened in the last year, the last fifteen minutes, Lilia's claim Rio was still in love with her...it was true. 

How on earth Agatha didn't see it, Jen would never know. 

“Fine,” Agatha huffed, muttering a string of curse words under her breath. “But they aren’t coming over here. I can fucking walk” 

Before Rio or Jen could say anything, Agatha started to push onto her feet. Not a second after did she stumble, tipping to the side from her balance being out of line from the fall. The woman behind was quick to lunge up, grabbing her hips to steady Agatha before she fell again.

“Easy, killer” Rio smirked a bit. “Looking to damage both sides, huh?”

Agatha scoffed because even with her anger, Rio's touch, her voice, how she was caring for her like nothing ever happened. Fuck. She hated how safe Rio made her feel. As if an asteroid could strike earth and as long as Rio was holding her, standing behind her, Agatha would be okay.

“Will it make me forget your annoying self exists? Then yes” She muttered.

Rio rolled her eyes, feeling slight pain in her heart how Agatha was adamant with wanting to erase her, but she didn’t hold onto it for long. Her focus was helping Agatha walk over to the ambulance doors that swung open, ready to take her hostage (Rio knew that was the exact word Agatha would use). And just as Rio thought of it, Agatha's body went still, her feet turned into cement blocks that wouldn't move. 

“Nope, not happening. I-”

“Hey, Nick. So, your mother refused to get her head checked after taking a brutal fall. What’s that? You don’t think she loved you enough to get it taken care of? Oh, tha-”

“You’re fucking horrible. That’s low, sickeningly low, Rio” Agatha spat, but her body loosened as she started to walk again. 

Rio snorted behind her, her smirk wide and Agatha didn't need to turn around to see it. 

“Worked, didn’t it?” She asked. 

Agatha never replied as the EMT’s took over to help her in the truck. Rio stayed close, making sure she allowed them to guide her and wasn’t going to either run off or drive away to collect herself a grand theft auto charge. 

She sighed of relief once Agatha was in the gurney and allowing the EMT to work with her. But, all the relief turned into anger because this was it. This wasn’t like old times where Rio would jump in without a second thought. Agatha wouldn’t want her to do so either and Rio wondered if she’d need an EMT herself from how her heart ached as the realization punched her. 

Rio forced herself to turn around, thanking the EMT that was speaking with Alice as she made her way back to Jen who remained still on the curb.  

“Alright," She cleared her throat, choking her sobs back. "Uh, text me if you need anything. Keep an eye on her. Maybe one of you go in the truck or-”

“Why aren’t you doing that?” Jen asked. 

The woman tilted her head with the expression screaming how Jen should be able to answer that on her own. 

“Really?” She asked. “Jen, Agatha- After what just happened, I doubt she wants me to go wit-”

Just as she was speaking, pointing out what she figured was the obvious, a voice behind cut her off. 

“Uh, Rio Vidal?!”  

She watched Jen's eyes light up, frantic movements to grab Rio by the shoulders, roughly spinning her around with a loud, 

“This is her!” 

The EMT smacked the edge of the door twice before waving his hand, signaling for her to go back. 

“Great, Ms. Harkness asked for you to ride to the hospital with her” 

Huh?

Rio shook her head, but the EMT disappeared in the truck and Jen shoved her from behind. 

“Get a move on before she knocks him out and makes a run for it” She ordered. “Alice is going back to Lilia and Hela. I’m following in the Uber”

Hela. Shit. 

Fuck it. She didn’t matter. Not when Agatha needed her. Deep down though, Rio knew Hela didn’t matter in any scenario. Especially when Agatha was involved, but, that was a thought for another time.

Rio nodded, collecting strength before jogging over and not wasting a second to hop in the truck. Agatha’s attention drew to her instantly and Rio knew exactly why she asked for her.

The woman was panting, tears streaming down her face that mixed with the blood. She wondered what the EMT said to bring out more fear, what happened, maybe the scenery of the truck settled in. Though, her body slipped into action like second nature. Almost as if she was riding a bike for the first time in forever. 

“Hey..” Rio gently greeted, slipped beside her to sit by her side. She mindlessly brought her hand up to rest on the woman's arm with a soft, “This is nothing, Ag-”

“Exactly! I don’t need to go” Her voice strained, a few sniffles right after. 

Rio shook her head, lips parting to speak when the two doors shook the truck as they slammed shut. It brought out a subtle whimper from Agatha who started to sit up, but like every time before? Rio was always ten steps ahead. 

She slid her hand down to place on top of Agatha’s, feeling the way the woman quickly laced their fingers together and gave a strong squeeze. Rio didn’t even care if she managed to snap her bones, shatter them to pieces. Agatha still trusted her. After everything, Agatha still trusted her. 

“You’re doing this for Nicky” Rio reminded. “Plus as much as blood is your color, I’m not big on how a head injury looks on you”

Agatha gasped for air between suffocated sobs, her eyes gazed over to Rio's with a tiny scoff,  

“You’re so kind” 

Rio winked with a small squeeze around Agatha's hand. Before she could speak, the EMT came back through the door, stepping up with a soft smile. 

“Alright, we’re taking off in a minute. Your friend out there is uh…intense” He nodded. 

Agatha and Rio both turned their heads to him, then together again as they spoke one word in sync,

"Jen" 

The older woman laid her head back, lazily smiling as Rio took the lead to speak,

“Oh god,” Rio laughed. “What is she doing?” 

He snickered, scribbling words on the clipboard, half monitoring Agatha's head. 

“Making sure my buddy drives carefully” 

Agatha groaned, rolling her eyes as Rio laughed harder. The man laughed,

"I take it she's known for this?"

"There's a reason she's still in my life. I'm not allowed any other choice" Agatha grumbled.

"You're lucky to have her," He said, gesturing over to Rio a second after. "Along with Ms. Vidal here. My buddies, they'd never jump in without a second thought like her"

With that, he slipped away to the front seats, leaving the two alone again. This time with a slightly awkward silence that felt painful.  Rio expected Agatha to pull away with the reminder of reality, but her grip only loosened just a bit.

The driver's side door truck opened and slammed shut, her grip that loosened tightening as if she never let go. Rio wasn't sure if she should speak. The words that EMT left them with still lingered. Rio kept thinking about how after this, they'd go back to estranged friends that used to be close. This was a glimpse into who they were. Rio was Agatha's safety, her closest friend, the woman she never pushed away and wanted near every second of the day. 

How was she supposed to move on after this? Rio thought Agatha would hate her for eternity and now she held her hand as if letting go wasn't an option. 

“Incase..I killed myself with th-”

“Jesus, Agatha!" Rio exclaimed. A jolt of shock struck through her at how the silence was disrupted. The words she chose to say too pissed Rio off slightly. “It’s a concussion, few stitches, if anything. You’re drawing to dramatic conclus-”

“I was never fucking jealous of your job, idiot ” Agatha cut off, looking down at the blood on her blouse. She didn’t allow a moment of silence to add on, “I don’t even know how you got to that, but..”

The younger woman stared in disbelief, feeling her heartstrings tug tiny hopes in her stomach up. Agatha wasn't only trusting her, wanting her close, now she opened up to her after being shut down for what Rio expected would never change. Which only led Rio to one thought,

How hard did she fucking hit her head? 

Clearly, Agatha wasn’t in her right mind and this was not the time to talk about them. The injured woman needed to rest, not bring up a topic so touchy and sensitive, they nearly set the restaurant up in flames.  

“No,” Rio shook her head, a nervous chuckle through the following words, “We aren’t doing this right now”

“You don’t get to decide that” Agatha argued, glaring at her as she added the familiar bitter words from before. “You may have gotten to decide how you left, but you don’t get to tell me no for telling you the truth”

“Agatha, you hit your head. You don’t know what you’re talking about” 

“Are you fucking kidding me?” Agatha ripped her hand away as if Rio burned her. On the other side, Rio felt her skin freeze without her touch. “Don’t- You’re really using me hitting my head to keep your stupid narrative true?”

Rio scoffed, trying to ignore the frustration, keep her demeanor calm to make sure Agatha's anxiety would be okay. However, Agatha was (Unsurprisingly) making that very difficult.  

“Agatha" She said in a low voice, nearly monotone to keep her emotions under control. "You smashed bottles. Gave me a cold shoulder and-" Rio sat back, shaking her head with her hands up in surrender. "No, not right now. This isn’t ideal to-”

“None of this is ideal!”

Agatha  voice trembled, on the verge of more sobs. She shook her head and winced from the pain, squeezing her eyes shut. Rio reached up to hold her again, but this time Agatha’s hand swatted at her to keep distance between them. 

“I wasn’t jealous..”

Rio swore the words were slurred, but maybe that was her own adrenaline running high. Her hearing going out of whack when emotions and tensions ran high was common. She didn't put much thought into it, too busy hearing Agatha's words that stabbed her heart once again. 

“Living without you terrified me because I stupidly.."

Stupidly? Wait, being without me terrifies her? 

"Fucking hell, Rio.." Agatha rasped.

The woman didn't get the chance to ask the questions running through her mind because they all came to a screeching halt. A stop as if the airplane engine stopped working, suddenly falling from the sky at a rapid speed that felt life threatening. Agatha's head had dropped, her eyes closed and Rio took a few seconds to realize-

“Hey, hey! She- She’s out, she passed out, please. Help, I-” 

She couldn’t hear the way her voice strained yelling at the EMT for help. How her body lunged up, hands grasping the woman's shoulders, not hearing her voice repeat Agatha's name like a mantra. Rio didn't take offense when the EMT shoved her hands away, calmly telling her to take a seat. How she registered his words to do so, Rio wouldn't know. Her entire body began to vibrate in fear, unable to look away, 

"I'm-" Rio whimpered, saying the words barely above a whisper, loud enough for her to hear only. "I can't live without you"