sleep
Rio watched Agatha get uncomfortable as she sat on her mother’s bed.
“We can just not do this, you know.”
“No, it’s fine.”
“I’ve gone without sleep for millennia. I really don’t have to.”
“No arguments. We’re doing this.”
Rio sighed. “I don’t even know why you mortals love sleeping so much.”
“Just try it, okay?”
“Fine.” Rio groaned, then paused. “Just one question— how?”
“Kay, start by putting your head on the pillow.”
Rio inspected the pillow, slowly putting her head on it. It was soft, almost too soft.
“Yeah, now close your eyes.”
Rio glanced at Agatha, then closed her eyes. “It’s not working.”
“Might help if you give it a minute.”
Rio opened an eye. “Can I put my head on your chest instead?”
“Uh, sure, but why?”
Rio shrugged. “I want to hear your heartbeat.”
Agatha smiled. “Of course.”
Rio laid there, eyes closed on Agatha’s chest.
“You’re not asleep, are you?” Agatha whispered.
“No. I just like listening to your heart. Is that okay?”
Agatha kissed her on the forehead. “Of course;”
Rio adjusted herself. “Thanks, my love.”
Agatha tilted her head with a smile. “My love?”
“Is that a problem?”
“Of course not, my love.” Agatha kissed Rio before she closed her eyes again.
“This is nice,” She muttered.
“Yeah?” Agatha stroked her hair.
“Yeah…” Rio drifted into sleep.
—
Rio’s eyes opened to find Agatha watching her. “Hi.”
Agatha smirked. “Told you you could sleep”
“Technically, you just told me to try. You never said I could.”
Agatha chuckled. “How was it?”
“It was nice. Were you here the whole time?”
“Yeah, but I don’t mind.”
Rio shot up as she started remembering why she didn’t want to in the first place. “But I was supposed to make you dinner—”
“Rio, it’s fine, it’s really fine.”
She sighed. “I’m just— I’m supposed to take care of you.”
“Everyone needs someone to take care of them. Even you.”
“Yeah, but—”
“No buts.”
Rio glanced at her flower-covered hands, then the flowers lining every wall. “Did I grow these?”
“Yeah, a little while after you fell asleep. Look,” Agatha pulled her hair back to reveal the flower behind her ear. “I got one too.”
Rio examined the flower. “Myosotis. Forget-me-not. I don’t think I’ve ever grown one before.”
Agatha smiled. “You okay?”
“Much better. Sleeping’s nice. I saw things, too.”
“Oh, dreams. Yeah, they’re nice.”
“Do you have dreams?”
“Sometimes. Mine are mostly memories though.”
“What kind of memories?”
“My, uh, my trial, mostly.”
Rio rubbed Agatha’s back. “That wasn’t your fault.”
“You don’t know that. You weren’t there.”
“Then maybe you can show me.”
Agatha paused. “You mean—”
“Use your magick. Show me what happened.”
Agatha shifted. “Rio—”
“You can do that, right?”
“Yeah, but–”
“It will let me tell you it isn’t your fault with examples.”
“It– It was a long time ago.”
“Time doesn’t mean anything to me.”
“It’s—” She sighed. “You're gonna hate me.”
“I could never hate you, I promise. Please, my love.”
Agatha hesitantly reached for Rio’s temples.