cards on the table
Rio shook her head, watching the kids burn the scarecrows to ashes.
“Come on, Agatha. Let’s go home–” She stopped when she saw Agatha clutching her brooch, hyperventilating. “Agatha?”
Agatha didn’t respond, taking a small step back.
“Agatha? What’s wrong?”
Agatha whimpered softly, shaking her head, covering her ears, unable to look away from the commotion, kids burning scarecrow witches left and right, laughing.
Rio took Agatha away into a hidden street and opened a tunnel before anyone noticed, helping her sit on the ground and taking her shaking hands. “What’s wrong?”
Agatha continued hyperventilating, muttering words Rio couldn’t comprehend, and gripping Rio’s hand strong enough to leave marks. Rio inspected Agatha’s face, trying to find a way to help. “It’s okay. Everything’s okay. I’m here. You’re not alone.”
Agatha placed her teary face on Rio’s chest. Rio stroked her hair, letting Agatha catch her breath.
“I just… I don’t… I…”
“It’s okay. You don’t have to explain, just catch your breath. Everything’s okay. You’re with me, you’re safe.”
Agatha slowly let go of the hand she was holding onto and closed her eyes, letting Rio hold her. Rio grew a snapdragon, placing it behind Agatha’s ear. They just sat there for a while, Rio stroking her hair as Agatha tried to steady her breathing, but no matter how hard she tried, it just wouldn’t. Rio could feel Agatha’s heart continuing to thunder, her breathing still heavy.
“Okay, uh, let’s try some breathing exercises, yeah? Breathe in…”
Rio waited for Agatha to breathe in.
“...and out.”
Agatha exhaled.
“In…”
Agatha inhaled shakily.
“Out…”
They repeated that until Agatha’s breath steadied and her heart slowed down. She wiped the tears off her face. “Thank you.”
“Always.” Rio gave her a reassuring smile. “Are you ready to go home or do you want to stay here a little longer?”
Agatha took a deep breath. “Home.”
“Okay, home it is.” Rio carried Agatha down the tunnel.
“I can walk, you know.”
“I know. I can put you down, if that’s what you want.”
Agatha let out a soft chuckle. “Hang on, that’s not what I said.”
Agatha put her head on Rio’s chest, staying like that until they reached the cottage, and Rio put her down on the couch. Rio sat next to her.
“Do you want to talk about what happened?”
Agatha took a deep, shaky breath and closed her eyes, playing through that day, the ones before, and finally, the day she kept reliving.
“…Today is the anniversary of the day we met.”
Rio narrowed her eyes for a second before realizing. “Your trial.”
Agatha nodded, pulling her knees to her chest and twirling a strand of her hair. “Something like this happens pretty much every year. Sometimes more often. I—I thought maybe it wouldn’t this year, ‘cause I have you, and I didn’t want to put you through that, but—-“ She buried her face in her hands. “I just can’t anymore.” Agatha sighed. “I’m sorry I’ve been such a burden.”
“You’re not a burden, Agatha.” Rio rubbed Agatha’s back. “And it’s okay to feel things. That’s what makes us human, remember? You taught me that.”
Agatha let out a soft chuckle. “I taught you well.”
“We help each other. That’s the point. You shouldn’t try to hide your feelings or things you’re going through from me. I’m here to help you through them, for better or for worse.”
Agatha put her head on Rio’s chest. “I love you.”
Rio smiled, running her fingers through Agatha’s dark curls. “I love you, too.”