KISS
The weekend was passing with an unusual stillness in Agatha's house. Locked away with Mr. Scratchy, her long-eared confidant, she spent each moment sorting her thoughts. Rio's face was a constant in her mind, and a mischievous smile formed on her lips. Her defiant and slightly irritating attitude, which Agatha had once hated, now provoked a mixture of intrigue and excitement. Each shared memory, the casual chats, the flirtations disguised as jokes, had turned into a puzzle her heart was trying to solve.
"Mr. Scratchy, what do you think of Rio?" Agatha murmured while absentmindedly stroking his ears. The rabbit, as always, remained silent, but his presence seemed to comfort her. Suddenly, she recalled the kiss Rio had given her on the cheek yesterday but it feels like some days ago. Agatha couldn’t stop wondering what it meant, if it was more than just a simple gesture of affection. The memory of their closeness, the way their eyes had met in that instant, made her smile without realizing it.
"What’s happening to me?" she thought, imagining what it would be like the next time Rio looked at her with that mischievous spark in her eyes. The idea of seeing her again at the fair on Monday filled her with a mix of nerves and hope. But for now, Saturday passed with exasperating slowness, interrupted by playful imaginings that made her smile without trying.
On the other side of the city, Rio had started her day early, going for a run under the morning breeze. She was trying to clear her mind, but every step brought her back to Agatha. The way she laughed, her eyes shining when something excited her, and the kiss on the cheek she had initiated shyly... Had Agatha noticed it? Did she think about it? With those questions swirling in her head, Rio spent the day watching documentaries, movies, and some failed attempts to distract herself. Every time she looked at her phone, she hesitated whether to text Agatha or wait. She even prepared a list of possible messages in her mind, discarding them all for either being too casual or too intense.
When night fell, both were still trapped in the same uncertainty, desiring but fearing to take the first step. No messages, and Saturday came to an end, leaving both with a sense of emptiness.
Sunday arrived with Agatha exhausted from a restless night. In front of Mr. Scratchy, she sought advice. “What should I do, Mr. Scratchy? Should I write to her or wait?” she murmured. The rabbit, true to his role, remained silent, twitching his ears as if he were undecided too. Finally, Agatha gathered the courage and sent a simple "hello." As soon as she sent it, she distracted herself by preparing dinner, but her phone vibrated almost immediately. It was Rio.
"Hello, Agatha," the message read. Agatha, nervous and excited, quickly responded and, without thinking too much, invited her to dinner. The idea of Rio meeting Mr. Scratchy seemed like a good excuse. To her relief, Rio eagerly accepted. "Of course, I'd love to go! I'd love to meet the famous Mr. Scratchy… and see you too ;)" she wrote, adding a smiling emoji that made Agatha feel a flutter in her stomach.
The afternoon was filled with preparations. Agatha cooked with care, while her mind wandered between how the evening would unfold and how Rio looked in her thoughts. She even dusted off a special tablecloth, trying to make everything perfect. Rio, on her part, got ready carefully, choosing a casual yet attractive outfit. She looked at herself in the mirror one last time, smiling at the thought of seeing Agatha. Her thoughts wandered between the jokes they might share and what could happen if the atmosphere became more intimate.
When the time finally came, Rio knocked on the door with a bouquet of purple azaleas in hand. Agatha opened the door, and for a moment, she was speechless at the sight of her. Rio, with her characteristic smile, handed her the flowers. "I thought you'd like them," she said softly, stepping a little closer than expected, causing Agatha to feel a little flutter in her stomach.
Agatha, a bit clumsy from the nerves, invited her in while placing the flowers in a vase. When she returned, Rio was curiously examining some books on the shelf, which led to a light initial conversation that helped ease the tension. Rio joked, throwing playful glances. "Did you know I have a secret talent for stealing other people's books? But don’t worry, I’m not planning on keeping any... for now." Agatha laughed, her heart beating faster.
In the living room, Rio settled on the couch, curiously observing the details of the place. When Agatha returned, she brought Mr. Scratchy with her. "So, you’re the famous Mr. Scratchy," Rio said with a wide smile, petting the rabbit who, surprisingly, seemed quite charmed by the new visitor. While petting him, Rio’s hand accidentally brushed against Agatha’s. The touch, brief but intense, left them both silent for a moment, their gazes meeting. It was a fleeting instant, but the warmth they shared made Agatha smile without realizing it.
During dinner, the conversation flowed easily. Between jokes and flirtatious remarks, the connection between them was palpable. "So, you can set the table and, on top of that, have good taste with flowers. Is there anything you can’t do?" Agatha said with a mischievous smile. "Well, I still don’t know how to impress you completely, but I’m working on it," Rio replied, winking playfully. Agatha felt completely disarmed by that look.
Agatha let out a small laugh while looking at Rio, her eyes shining with a touch of mischief. "Oh, I think you’re impressing me quite a bit already, but don’t get too cocky… maybe there’s still something you haven’t discovered about me." Agatha set the plates down on the table with a slight smile on her lips, feeling the heat that Rio’s words stirred in her chest.
Rio, not missing the chance to continue the game, looked at her sideways while adjusting the silverware. "Oh really? What could that be, Agatha? I’ll have to be more clever if I want to discover all your secrets..." Her voice, soft and mysterious, made Agatha pause for a moment, a chill running down her spine.
"Maybe I’ll tell you... or maybe I’ll make you discover it in another way," Agatha whispered as she slowly approached the table. The brush of her body against Rio’s was almost imperceptible, but close enough for both to feel the spark in the air.
Rio dropped her utensils and looked at her intensely. "I think I’m ready for that challenge. But, if I’m being honest, I like the idea of you making me discover it for myself. I’ve always liked mysteries..."
Agatha, captivated by her gaze, smiled more widely. "You like mysteries? Well, get ready, because this one might be more... revealing than you imagine." She said as she took a seat next to her, their legs brushing slightly under the table.
The exchange of glances between them became more electric, the atmosphere charged with something they both knew was forming but were still hesitant to name. The tension was palpable, like a sweet back-and-forth, with every word slipping out between laughter and flirtation, and every movement seeming like an invitation to keep exploring what was growing between them.
Rio couldn’t help but smile back, leaning closer to Agatha as she picked up her glass of wine. "I’m looking forward to seeing what else you have for me, Agatha… I’m sure the best is yet to come."
The initial jokes gave way to more personal topics. They talked about their dreams, childhood memories, and the things that they were most passionate about. Agatha shared stories about Mr. Scratchy, while Rio recounted how she had learned about plants and gardening, and how it had become a hobby. Each word drew them closer, as if they were building an invisible bridge between their worlds.
As the conversation grew more intimate, Agatha smiled upon hearing the passion in Rio's voice when she spoke about plants. "I never imagined you as a gardening lover, Rio. I love the idea that you can make things grow with just your hands!"
Rio shrugged, her gaze playful and teasing. "The thing is, plants never judge me... And, between you and me, plants are much easier to deal with than some people." She threw a playful glance at Agatha, who couldn’t help but laugh.
"Oh really? Does that mean I’m a challenge then?" Agatha raised an eyebrow, looking at Rio with a mischievous smile. "What would you do if you found me too difficult to handle?"
Rio leaned toward her, smiling with mischief. "Don’t worry, Agatha. I think with a little patience and a lot of... dedication, I could get even you to bloom." Her tone was soft, but laced with suggestion.
Agatha, feeling an unexpected heat, smiled shyly but couldn’t resist continuing the game. "Bloom? Hmm, maybe I also have something that would surprise you... But you’d have to work much harder to see my best... flowers."
"Oh, is that a challenge?" Rio said, leaning a little closer. "Because if it’s about challenges, you know I’m excellent at that. But I warn you, I have a very firm hand when it comes to... taking care."
"And I have a sharp tongue when I want to make someone... melt," Agatha replied playfully, crossing her arms, challenging her with a look.
"Well, looks like we have some competition," Rio said with a broad smile. "But you know what? I love that you’re so... challenging. I think that makes me want to know more about you."
Agatha, feeling a mix of excitement and fun, leaned in slightly, allowing her voice to become softer. "And what will you do with everything you find, Rio? Because trust me, I can assure you it won’t be as easy as you think."
The tension in the air was palpable, but there was something so playful and tender in the way they looked at each other, as if every word was a promise of what was yet to come.
Agatha had lost all the distrust and embarrassment that she had with Rio, and turned that night into a flirtatious challenge, just as Rio had done before.
The night went on with more laughter and shared glances. When it was time to say goodbye, Rio tried to repeat the kiss on the cheek. But this time, Agatha turned slightly, causing their lips to brush. They both froze, surprised. For the first time, Rio didn’t know what to do with Agatha, but a few moments later, it was Agatha who broke the tension, leaning in to kiss her softly. The kiss was tender, full of restrained emotions. When they pulled away, Rio smiled playfully.
"I knew this day would be good, but not this good," she said, her voice soft but filled with a confidence that Agatha couldn’t ignore. Agatha, blushing, rolled her eyes with a mixture of exasperation and tenderness, while a nervous laugh escaped her lips.
Before Rio could take a step back, Agatha gently took her arm. "Hey, wait a moment..."
Rio stopped, looking at Agatha curiously. "What’s up?"
Agatha bit her lower lip, searching for the words with a playful smile, though what she truly felt was nervousness, fearing Rio might regret it later. "I just... don’t you think we can’t say goodbye so quickly? Don’t you think this moment calls for something more?"
Rio looked at her, surprised by Agatha's boldness. This was definitely a side of Agatha she hadn't known, someone who didn’t know the word “monotony,” but Rio couldn’t help but smile. "So, what do you propose, Agatha?" she asked, her tone slightly teasing, yet with a spark of curiosity in her eyes, waiting for Agatha’s response.
"I just want to make sure the kiss wasn’t an accident… and that we can say goodbye properly," Agatha replied, moving a little closer, letting the tension in the air between them fill with expectation.
Rio leaned in slightly, her gaze fixed on Agatha’s bright eyes, as if measuring every word before speaking. "Well, in that case… how could I refuse a second chance?"
Agatha smiled sideways, moving closer until their lips brushed once more, this time with more intent and softness. The kiss was brief, tender, it could have been considered a goodbye kiss, but it was full of unspoken promises, of a future uncertain yet delicious in its mystery.
When they pulled away, Rio took a step back, her face lit with a mix of surprise and satisfaction. "This... is more complicated than I thought," she said with a shy smile.
"Just a little," Agatha responded, her smile impossible to hide. "See you tomorrow, Professor Vidal."
"I’ll see you, Professor Harkness."
As Rio left, Agatha stood in front of the closed door for a few moments, breathing deeply, as if trying to capture the essence of the night and store it somewhere in the corners of her mind. The kiss, so soft and full of promises, still lingered on her lips, and the feeling Rio’s presence had left behind didn’t leave her. It was as though, suddenly, something inside her had awakened, something that had been dormant for a long time. She had never before felt such a deep need to explore something so genuine, so real. Something about Rio disarmed her, invited her to be more open, more daring, and at the same time, filled her with a warmth that was completely new. She no longer cared so much about controlling everything; she wanted to let herself be carried by what had begun between them. In her mind, thoughts of Rio intertwined with her own, sketching scenarios of shared moments, of mutual discoveries. And she didn’t want that with anyone else. Just with Rio. Only with her. The idea of exploring that bond, of seeing how far they could go together, filled her with an emotion that pushed her forward, without fear, without doubts. Agatha no longer felt like before; now, she felt like a new version of herself, ready to experience whatever destiny had in store for them.
As for Rio, she drove home, her steps light, almost skipping down the street. The night air seemed to wrap around her differently, warmer, sweeter, as if the whole world had changed color just for her. The streetlights flickered gently, as if accompanying her thoughts, and the sensation in her chest was like a spark that wouldn’t stop burning. The kiss, so unexpected yet so perfect, was still present in her mind, like a melody that kept playing. There was something about Agatha, something she had noticed from day one when she saw how beautiful she was, but now, getting to know her more, Agatha made Rio feel alive in a way she had never experienced with any woman before. With every memory of the night, from the softness of their glances to the brush of their lips, Rio felt that everything she had lived up to that point had led her right to this moment. She didn’t know what the future held, but something inside her told her that what they shared was just the beginning of something much bigger. She felt renewed excitement, as though she were opening a door to a new version of herself, a version ready to explore every corner of what might be with Agatha.
Neither of them knew for certain where this would lead them, but Agatha no longer felt afraid. The future didn’t seem so uncertain when she thought about Rio. And that filled her with hope, with a desire to keep exploring, to discover everything that this new chapter had to offer them both.
Agatha prepared for bed, but her mind stayed awake, filled with thoughts she couldn’t shake. Despite the softness of the sheets and the comfort of her bed, her body couldn’t fully relax. Everything that had happened during the evening kept dancing in her mind—the kiss, the glances, the smiles. Every moment seemed to repeat itself in her head like a whisper that wouldn’t let her be. Tomorrow was the project fair, and while her mind tried to focus on what she had to do, her heart couldn’t stop beating with excitement at the thought of seeing Rio again. The idea of reconnecting with her filled her with a soft but intense energy, as if something new, something promising, was about to begin. She knew that after what had happened between them, everything would be different. A simple reunion at the fair could become something much more, and Agatha couldn’t help the thrill that ran through her skin just thinking about it. She closed her eyes, imagining herself smiling when she saw her, exchanging words, maybe a knowing glance, perhaps a fleeting touch that would make it clear that what had happened between them wasn’t just a game, but something worth exploring. She settled into bed, hugging the pillow tightly, feeling how the warmth of her skin mixed with the hope of what tomorrow would bring. Tomorrow, Rio would be there, and that was all she needed to know to fall asleep with a smile on her lips.
One last thing: Agatha was already in love, and Rio had always been.