shower
Agatha shook her head as Rio struggled to choose which books to borrow from the library. “You can get them all, babe.”
“I know, I just— I don’t want to get them for the sake of getting them. I want to read them one by one.”
Agatha rubbed her temples, trying to get rid of the headache. “I— just choose one, my love.”
“Eeny, meeny, miney… That one.” Rio picked a green one.
“Wow, the Green Witch picks a green book about plants. So surprised.” sarcasm dripped from her tone as they walked to the counter.
They checked the book out and left. Rio watched as Agatha shivered, though it was warm. “Are you cold?”
“A little, but don’t worry, we’re almost home anyway.”
Rio sighed as she took her cape off, putting it on Agatha. “I’m worried about you. It’s fever season, too…”
“I’m fine. C’mon, we’re almost there.” Agatha came out of the tunnel, shivering. She walked in, rubbing her arms, trying to warm herself up.
Rio helped her to the couch by the fireplace before snapping her fingers to light the fire. “I’m gonna go make tea. I’ll be right back.”
“Okay.”
Rio came back a few minutes later, handing Agatha a mug and wrapping a blanket around her. Agatha smiled as Rio sat down next to her, then put her head against her shoulder. They sat there for a few hours, sipping their tea.
That night, Agatha fell on the bed, groaning.
“You okay? You look extra tired.”
“I’m fine, I’m just— My head hurts, and I’m cold and I feel… ugh. I’ll be fine after a night of sleep.”
“You sure?”
“Yup.”
Rio laid down next to her, then kissed her forehead. Worry crept over her face. “Agatha, you’re hot.”
Agatha chuckled. “I know.”
“No, like, you’re burning up.” Rio put the back of her hand on her forehead.
“You sure?”
“Yeah.”
“Makes sense. I feel—” Agatha shot up.
“Agatha?”
Agatha covered her mouth before running to the bathroom.
“Agatha!” Rio ran after her. Agatha managed to make it there before her, locking the door. “Agatha!” Rio knocked on the door.
“Rio, I swear to god, if you come in—“ She was interrupted by the sound of her puking.
“Agatha, let me in!” She tried the knob, even though she could just teleport in. She wouldn’t betray Agatha’s trust like that.
“You’re seeing me like this over my dead bod—“
Rio waited for her to stop puking, then sighed. “I just want to help.”
After a few moments of silence, the door unlocked, and Rio burst in to find Agatha on the ground, next to the toilet. She knelt down in front of her, wiping the drop of vomit from the corner of her mouth. Agatha closed her eyes, instinctively preparing herself for the screaming, the yelling, the punches… Rio just pulled her in for a hug.
“Rio?”
“Yeah?”
“I need you to let me go for one sec—“
Rio held her hair up just in time, rubbing her back. “It’s okay. Get it all out.” She paused when she saw tears streaming down Agatha’s cheek, wiping them. “Baby, what’s wrong?”
Agatha took a deep breath. “I just— No one held my hair up before. My mom just…”
“It’s okay, I got it.” Rio rubbed her back. “I’ll hold your hair up anytime.”
“Thanks.” Agatha went to put her head on Rio’s chest.
Rio put her hand on Agatha’s forehead, clicking her tongue. “We need to run you a cold shower.”
“Please,” Agatha whined. “It’s already so cold!”
“No, honey, it isn’t. I need you to take your clothes off.”
“Please don’t do that!” she cried.
“Agatha—“
“I’m not getting in the fucking shower!” Agatha yelled, digging her nails into her arms, and suddenly something occurred to Rio.
“Did— Did your mother use to run you cold showers as a way of punishing you?”
Agatha curled up, nodding, digging her nails deeper into her skin.
“It’s okay.” Rio rubbed her back. “I won’t hurt you. I promise.”
“I know, but…“
Rio pulled Agatha’s hands off her arms and wiped the blood away. “You don’t have to put your head in. I’ll get you a towel. I still need you to get in, though. Can you do that for me?”
Agatha paused for a second before nodding.
“Okay, I need you to take off your clothes.”
Agatha shivered as she let her dress slide off, her hand tracing over her scars. Rio put her hand on hers. “It’s okay.”
Agatha swallowed and nodded, getting in the shower. Rio slowly turned the valve. Agatha flinched as the water hit her skin. “It’s cold.”
“I know.”
“I wanna get out.”
“I know.”
Rio watched her for a bit, shaking from the cold, or maybe the memories.
“You are a disgrace, you hear me? This is mercy. You deserve nothing.”
Rio stroked her cheek. “It’s okay. You’re with me. Nothing’s going to happen.”
She saw Agatha’s magick starting to take over and trying to teleport her away, then revealed her true form, holding her with a death grip. Agatha turned to her, shivering.
“It’s just me, my love. Just me.”
Agatha leaned on Rio, letting her tears mix in with the water. After a few minutes, Rio turned the water off, letting Agatha fall into her arms. “It’s okay. It’s okay.” She set her on the ground, reassuming her humanoid form. “I’m going to go get you some clean clothes. Just stay here, okay?”
Agatha nodded. Rio kissed her on the forehead before leaving, returning in a few moments with a fresh change of clothes. “Let’s get you dressed.”
Agatha nodded. Rio helped her get her clothes on, then had vines carry a towel and a bowl of cold water to the room. She turned to Agatha, picking her up. Agatha put her head on Rio’s chest as she carried her back to bed. She put Agatha down and sat next to her, dabbing her forehead with the cold towel, making her flinch. “It’s okay. You’re safe, you can sleep.”
Agatha nuzzled into Rio.
“Thank you.” She said in a whisper, speaking for the first time in a while.
Rio smiled softly. “Of course, my love.”