Chapter 6
Kathryn got to set early. Today’s scenes were going to be very emotionally demanding and she knew she would need to anchor herself beforehand to get through them efficiently.
Agatha was going to experience a rollercoaster of emotions between Teen’s injury and her ex bringing up their past.
She didn’t usually get affected by the characters she played, able to disconnect easily between ‘action’ and ‘cut.’ However, she felt so close to Agatha, the line seemed more blurry than usual. Sometimes it was hard to distinguish where she ended and the witch began. But that was one of the things that made playing her so fulfilling.
As she looked over the script, rereading the notes she had made in the margins, she heard her phone buzz. She looked at the screen and saw a preview of the message from Aubrey.
Your poetry kick has rubbed off on me
There was an attachment. Kathryn opened the message to reveal a photo: a poem by Edna St.Vincent Millay
Wow.
She stared at the screen for a moment, taking in every word being shared with her.
Did Aubrey read the poem or had she just sent her a random page of a poetry book? She must have read it. So far they'd been goading each other with songs and poems, all alluding to the toxic and intense relationship between their characters, but this… was different.
There had been some references to Rio and Agatha being wives during the early stages of the project. The poem's words were tender, strung with careful admiration for its subject. It expressed longing and desire in a way that felt almost personal. A declaration.
It didn't come with an explanation attached to it. A little anecdote of how it made Aubrey think of their characters. It was just placed in front of Kathryn to come to her own conclusions. It felt like a dare. Handing Kathryn a loaded gun of emotion and meaning before shooting such an intense moment between their characters.
Aubrey was spontaneous, Kathryn knew that. It was one of the best parts about working with her. She was unafraid to say what she was thinking at any given moment and she was unabashedly unfiltered.
Kathryn convinced herself she must be overanalyzing the gesture. This was part of the game between them, to build the tension between their characters. To make each other squirm and giggle. It was Rio teasing Agatha. Getting under her skin. That’s all.
However, if that was the case, why was her heart still racing? Instead of anchoring her mind before filming, she felt like it had just been capsized and thrown overboard.
________
The cast was quickly back on the Road and all its majesty. Aubrey missed the 70s costumes more than she’d expected, having grown fond of her sequins and lace.
She saw Kathryn standing alone and she seemed nervous. Kathryn was never nervous. She was a ball of energy, the best number one on a call sheet, keeping the vibes up on set at all times with her little jokes, her gratitude, and her cute snort laughs between takes. But she was distant now, quiet.
Maybe it was just what the scene called for. After the second trial, Agatha is extremely worried about Teen and it was the most vulnerable she’d been so far. They had filmed the scene getting out of the trial and Agatha was holding Teen and begging for Jen to heal him, pleading with Rio not to take him.
Aubrey was gobsmacked by how raw and real Kathryn was as she delivered her plea, tears running down her face, the shakiness in her voice. It was captivating. All Aubrey had to do was feign aloofness. It was easy enough.
Now, Kathryn stood off to the side on her own, looking down at a script but clearly not reading anything. Aubrey decided to approach her co-star to try and cheer her up the way she had done for everyone else so many times.
“That was a heart wrenching performance, Hahn. It’s always an honor watching you work” she says with a shy smile. Kathryn looked up, and seemed almost relieved at the words. She said “Thank you” and got up to hug her co-star.
Kathryn wrapped her arms around Aubrey's shoulders from the side and laid her cheek on her head. Aubrey, surprised by the sudden affection, put her arms around Kathryn’s waist, not quite sure what to do or say. They looked out at the set.
“I loved the poem you sent me…”
Aubrey's heart skipped a beat.
Shit.
Was that why Kathryn was acting distant? Did she take it too far with her poem? She shouldn’t have left it up to interpretation.
“Yeah, I, uh… You know how Jac always talks about Agatha and Rio being wives. I figured it fits.”
She could feel Kathryn take a deep breath against her chest. She pulled away and looked at the younger woman.
“Yeah… of course. Makes sense” her lips curled into a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “And you know, it’s a great prelude for our next scene” she winked. But there was hesitation behind her teasing words. Aubrey couldn't help but feel she had done something wrong but she didn’t know how to fix it so she reverted to their usual rapport.
“Exactly.” Aubrey shrugged casually while her eyes narrowed into something mischievous. “I’m about to confess how affected I am by a woman who hates my guts and has been running from me for centuries. If that isn’t ex-wife behavior I don’t know what is.”
Kathryn’s corresponding laugh was genuine, clearly she hadn’t expected that answer. One hand flew up to cover her mouth as her laughter escaped and it was punctuated by a small snort at the end. That sound was music to Aubrey’s ears. She saw some of the nervousness slip away as her co-star wiped a small tear from the corner of one eye.
“Alright, we can analyze your idea of a normal relationship with an ex later you freak, we’ve got work to do” Kathryn said as she put her hand on the small of Aubrey’s back, leading her to their marks.
It felt good. It felt normal. It felt like them. Aubrey was all too happy to be led and even happier to see them go back to their playful banter. She hadn’t ruined it and in fact, she was able to help her friend out of a hard spot.
That was why the touch on her lower back burned hot. That was why she couldn’t stop staring at Kathryn’s smile, or the small wrinkles at the corner of her eyes that formed from how wide it was. Friendship.
________
“ACTION”
The coven was gathered by the campfire, each witch recounting tales of their past battles with humor and bravado.
Agatha approached the group, shockingly tentative for the usually brash coven leader. She took a seat on a log next to Rio, picking up the small flower that had been laying on it as she did.
“How is he?” the potions witch asked.
“Mouthy” the purple witch replied coldly.
She was asked about her battle scars and smirked at the memory. As she started rolling up her sleeve, she looked at Rio who chuckled and rolled her eyes, as if she knew exactly what she was about to show them.
“Knitting needle to the elbow” she exclaimed, showing the group a large scar that traveled up the joint. “You ever hear of the Daughters of Liberty?” They shook their heads at her. “Exactly.”
The coven, her coven, burst into laughter. Agatha flashed an awkward grin, and snickered in a slow, uncomfortable way, clearly out of her element. The weird moment of comradery was abruptly cut off by the green witch.
“I’ve got a scar” she said with a blank face.
“No you don’t” Kathryn immediately dismissed almost under her breath, still fiddling to close the cuff of her sleeve.
“Yes I do” Aubrey shot back just as quickly. The other women were quiet.
“A long time ago, I loved someone” the raven hair woman started.
As Aubrey spoke, Kathryn tried not to look at her. She knew Agatha would not want to give Rio the satisfaction of knowing she still had anything but hatred for her. That Agatha knew exactly what, or who, she was talking about.
But Kathryn couldn't help but stare, eyes fixed as her pinky brushed over her lips.
“And I had to do something I did not want to do” Aubrey continued, her eyes darted toward the woman beside her. “Even though it was my job” she said sternly.
With that, Aubrey instinctively turned her head slightly to try to catch a glimpse of the woman beside her. Kathryn forced herself to look away, having to physically close her eyes in order to prevent meeting the brown ones next to her.
Aubrey felt a shimmer of disappointment at the reaction, taking a breath and staring back at the fire before finishing. “And it hurt them” she swallowed and nodded her head in acknowledgement of her own truth.
“She is my scar.”
Rio was done with her story. Agatha was supposed to excuse herself and leave. But Kathryn kept looking at Aubrey from the corner of her eye. Finally their eyes met and all she saw were deep brown orbs looking at her… looking through her. She almost jumped at the intensity of the gaze. She abruptly slapped her knees. “I'm gonna go stretch my legs” she barely muddered before nearly sprinting out of frame.
“RESET! Kathryn, can we have one more with a little less of an abrupt reaction?” the director called out from the sidelines. “The stolen glances were perfect though!”
Fuck.
“Of course” Kathryn said, getting back to her mark as Aubrey watched her every step until she was seated back on the log.
The younger woman leaned over and whispered “Can’t keep your eyes off me, can you, wifey?”
Kathryn narrowed her eyes at her. “Please," she huffed, dusting off her sleeves. “Don't flatter yourself. The only thing my eyes are doing in your direction is rolling.”
Aubrey grinned wildly. “To the back of your head?” she playfully raised an eyebrow. Before Kathryn could attempt to come up with a clever retort she finished “in pleasure?”
The older actress’ eyes widened and her throat closed up. Her mind went blank for a moment. It was incredible how she could never predict what would come out of the younger woman’s mouth. The shock of the statement washed over her but was followed by another feeling.
She is neither pink nor pale
And she will never be all mine.
After a short moment of silence, Kathryn blinked herself back to the present and tried her best to maintain the ground that she felt was slipping beneath her feet.
“You wish” she said with unintentional shakiness. She knew it was a weak jab and she knew it left room for her co-star to take a bigger swing. As she looked up to try and stand her ground, she saw the younger woman looking oddly stunned. She looked like she was struggling to say something, or not say something.
Aubrey cleared her throat and her mouth kept falling open, but no words came out. Kathryn’s stomach was in knots, the silence was worse than the teasing.
“Kathryn, I…”
“ACTION”
Thank fuck.
________
The rest of the takes of the scene around the firepit went fine. Before they knew it, they had a break for lunch. Aubrey hung out with Patti, she could never get enough of the woman’s stories and the theatrical manner she always told them with.
It was a small reprieve from the undeniable air of tension that she felt had been steadily growing since the morning. Just as she was getting comfortable, feeling like she was able to breathe again, a P.A. came up and informed her that she was needed back on set.
She was led to a corner of the Road that seemed more secluded in comparison to the vastness of practical set she’d experienced thus far. Kathryn was standing there with the intimacy coordinator. When Aubrey saw them, she knew exactly what was about to be discussed and the tension she had felt came right back at full force.
“Aubrey! Perfect timing,” the coordinator said cheerfully. “So, as you both know, this scene is where Agatha and Rio have their private moment away from the coven. A lot of repressed emotions are coming up between them and the comfort of their past life together creeps in. They are going to share a kiss during this moment. Are you both still OK with that?”
Aubrey nodded her head in response before she noticed her co-star fidgeting with her hands.
The three of them had discussed this before. Establishing their boundaries and that they could change them or interrupt the scene if their feelings ever changed. Both actresses had been very open and their level of comfort with one another was clear at the time. No issues had come forward.
“I don’t think w-they should kiss,” Kathryn blurted out.
The younger woman’s head turned slowly toward her, a clear look of confusion on her face. “W-what?” she murmured barely audibly in disbelief.
“In this scene” Kathryn clarified, tucking her hair behind her ears.
The intimacy coordinator chimed in, tone completely neutral “Are you uncomfortable with kissing, Kathryn? Is that a boundary for you?”
Aubrey remained speechless, she stared blankly at the ground.
“N-n-no, no it’s not that” Kathryn said, her tone sounding more and more urgent, unsteady. “I just think that Agatha wouldn’t kiss Rio after what she tells her. It would ruin the moment for them, she would snap her mask back into place..”
Aubrey didn’t understand where this was coming from. Wouldn’t she have brought this up during the table reads? But she wasn’t going to fight her on it. If she didn’t want to do the kiss, that was all there was to it.
“I agree,” Aubrey said, not looking her co-star in the eye. “It wouldn’t make sense for her to kiss Rio and then go straight back into hating her. The moment is broken.”
The intimacy coordinator nods at the two women as they explain themselves. “I see what you mean. We can go discuss with Jac to see if she wants to make any edits to the scene in that case but I’m sure she’ll be receptive.”
Luckily, the writer was completely on board with prolonging the slow burn between the witches further.
“Great” Aubrey said plainly, glancing at her co-star. She thought Kathryn would be happy with the decision but she stood with her arms crossed, lips tightly closed in a line, almost looking upset.
Didn’t she ask for this?
When she noticed Aubrey looking, her lips curled slightly into a smile. “So it’s settled. Shall we?”
______
“ACTION!”
Kathryn was alone on the immense set.
There was a rustle of the fake leaves as Aubrey approached. They knew their marks. The whole scene was planned out. So why was her heart beating out of her chest? Why was there a thrum of anticipation vibrating around her?
And then she felt it. Aubrey touched her back ever so softly, lightly combing through her hair with her fingers. Kathryn’s eyes closed.
“Mmmm…”
D-did I just fucking moan?
Aubrey froze on the spot.
Did she just…
Kathryn turned slowly. She was horrified at her reaction, ready to apologize profusely. Dreading the face of disgust she was surely about to encounter when she turned around.
But she didn’t see disgust, or even confusion. When she turned around, Aubrey was staring at her, eyes hooded, an expression that was painfully open, endearing and almost longing.
Without thinking, Kathryn's hands reached out, running them through raven hair. One slid behind the younger woman’s head and pulled her into an embrace.
Aubrey’s breath hitched as Kathryn rested her head on her shoulder. The purple witch was hugging her as if she wanted to be closer, like they would never be close enough.
Kathryn felt tentative hands wrap around her, and it made her release a breath she didn’t know she was holding. Her own hands moved on their own, one cradling the back of the green witches head while the other held firmly in the middle of the younger woman's back, scratching lightly.
The tentative hands that held her made their way up, wrapping around her shoulders tightly, thumbs rubbing her back. She felt Aubrey sink into her shoulder. Kathryn took a deep breath, Aubrey’s scent wrapped around her like her arms did.
The purple witch was lost in the moment, completely at ease until the arms on her back fell to her waist and pushed slightly. Kathryn didn’t know how long the embrace had lasted. Her mind was in a haze and her arms began to drop as the witches slowly began to part.
Once again she was face to face with her co-star. The expression was different though. The gorgeous honey brown eyes that were usually so expressive seemed, somber.
Kathryn’s hands worked on their own as they pushed raven hair back to reveal more of the beautiful face in front of her. She cupped the younger woman’s cheeks as her gaze fell to full lips. Lips that were usually ready with a witty remark or an unexpected comment, were quiet, timid.
Aubrey’s hands rested on her wrists. Kathryn’s chest felt tight. She took another big breath, feeling like her lungs were never full enough. Her mouth hung open and she found her eyes would not allow her to look anywhere but those lips.
Before she realized what she was doing, she leaned forward.
A tight squeeze of her wrist stopped her before she could reach her target.
“Agatha,” the name fell from the lips she was still fixed on.
“Hmm?” Kathryn hummed in response.
Her gaze finally wavered and made its way back up to brown eyes where she found pupils that were much larger than they had been a moment ago. The purple witch’s eyebrows scrunched slightly in confusion. Her eyes kept dropping back to her ex’s lips.
Kathryn’s mind still felt cloudy but she clung to the other woman instinctively. Aubrey’s hands held her wrists firmly. The younger actress started to mouth something but it fell silent, a faint hesitation.
Finally, she spoke. “That boy isn’t yours.”
It was like a bucket of cold water had been dumped on Kathryn’s head.
What a is wrong with me?
Kathryn’s hands dropped to her sides suddenly. As the haze in her mind began to clear, she analyzed the face of the woman in front of her. A faint sad smirk had appeared, but the eyes were blank. An attempt to hide disappointment. It was unmistakably the face of regret.
She couldn’t face it any longer and her eyes dropped. This was Agatha’s conflict. Agatha’s craving. Her love resurfacing. So she did what Agatha would do. She put the mask back on.
Aubrey felt a chill run up her spine as she saw the older woman’s demeanor completely shift. Their eyes met and she felt like she had been stabbed with icey-blue spears. Then, the purple witch smirked and gave the green witch a once over. It was like being punched in the gut, Aubrey almost doubled over at the non-impact. Her eyes closed and she swallowed hard.
“CUT!”