relax
Rio carefully watched their surroundings as Agatha picked berries in their garden.
“Sweetheart, we went over this. French humans aren’t getting past spells experienced witches can’t even sense. It’s been 2 days, nothing’s gonna happen.”
“After you say that, things tend to happen.”
Agatha paused to think. “Oh, yeah, you’re right. Well, I’m right this time.”
“Like the last, what, 3 times?”
Agatha put her basket down with a wince and walked over to Rio, taking her hands. “We have every charm in my mom’s spellbook protecting us. I redid the lessen-damage spell. If all else fails, I have you. We have nothing to worry about.”
“But—“
“No.”
Rio sighed. “Fine. But if anything happens—“
“I know, I know. I’m grounded.”
“Is that really how you see it?”
“Tell me one difference between the two.”
“You’d be at home for your safety, not punishment.”
Agatha shrugged. “Fair point. Still, I’ll be fine.”
“After you say that, you tend to not be fine.”
Agatha paused to think again. “Oh, damn. You’re right. Again.”
“See?”
“So you think you should spend our time together apart just in case something impossible happens?”
Rio considered. “Fine. But you better not get hurt, Harkness.”
Agatha shook her head with a smile. “I’ll try. Now c’mon. It’s no fun picking berries with you if all you’re doing is looking around.”
Rio looked back to the edge of their garden, ignoring what Agatha had said entirely. Agatha went to pick a berry, but Rio saw it just in time and slapped her hand away.
“Not that one. It’s poisonous.”
“Yeah? What’s it called?”
“Pokeweed. It’s–” Rio paused. “Are you just making me talk so I’ll pick berries with you?”
“Depends. Is it working?”
Rio sighed as she picked a raspberry. “Yes.”
Agatha smiled as she offered Rio the basket, letting her put it in. A smile crept its way onto Rio’s face.
“Is that a smile I see, Miss Vidal?”
Rio chuckled. “Maybe.”
Agatha smiled before she kissed Rio. They pulled away, looking into each other’s eyes.
A branch cracked in the distance, making Rio drop to the ground, her dagger in her hand, the other one making Agatha fall and wince, protectively covering Agatha. The deer who had stepped on the branch turned, running the other way.
“Rio?”
“Huh?” Rio looked back, breathing heavily.
Agatha crawled next to her, wincing slightly as it pulled on her scar and examined Rio’s face. “Are you okay?”
“I…” Rio took a deep breath, shaking herself back to reality and putting Agatha’s hand down. “I’m fine.” Rio put her dagger away and got up.
Agatha stood up with a wince, taking Rio’s shaking hands. “What’s wrong?”
Rio took a shaky breath. “I don’t– I don’t know.”
“It’s okay.” Agatha pulled Rio closer, making her head rest on her chest. “You’re okay.”
“I just– I don’t know what’s wrong with me.”
“That’s okay, we can figure it out later, remember? No rush.”
Rio took a deep breath before closing her eyes. “Thank you.”
Agatha smiled. “Of course, my love.”