Agatha all along one shots

Beneath the Mask

The moonlight spilled gently through the window, casting a soft glow over the quiet room. Agatha sat in her favorite chair, legs tucked beneath her, staring into the flickering flames of the fireplace. The usual sharpness in her eyes had dulled, replaced by something softer, quieter. She'd been like this for hours, lost in her own thoughts, the weight of centuries pressing down on her.

Rio stood in the doorway, watching her for a moment, feeling the shift in the air. Agatha always had that perfect mask—the unshakable, confident witch that no one could touch. But Rio knew better. She'd seen beneath the layers, past the power, and into the heart of someone who, despite everything, still had her own scars.

Wordlessly, Rio crossed the room, her footsteps light, careful not to break the fragile silence that hung between them. She sat down on the edge of the chair next to Agatha, her presence warm and familiar, a silent offer of comfort.

Agatha didn't turn to look at her, but she felt the shift, the quiet ease that Rio always seemed to bring with her. Slowly, almost reluctantly, Agatha let out a small sigh. "I'm fine," she murmured, though the weight in her voice betrayed her.

Rio smiled softly. She'd heard that line a thousand times, from Agatha and from herself. She didn't need to push. Instead, she reached out, gently brushing her fingers through Agatha's silver-streaked hair, her touch tender, grounding. "You don't have to be fine with me, you know," Rio said quietly.

For a moment, Agatha said nothing, her eyes still trained on the flames as if she could find some answer there. But Rio's hand continued its gentle rhythm, stroking her hair, and slowly, Agatha's tense posture began to melt.

"I'm not used to this," Agatha admitted finally, her voice barely above a whisper. "Letting someone in. It's dangerous."

Rio's hand stilled for a moment before she shifted to sit closer, her body pressed gently against Agatha's side, offering her warmth and steady presence. "I know," Rio whispered, leaning her head against Agatha's. "But I'm not going anywhere. Not with you."

There was a long, quiet pause. Agatha's eyes flicked downward, her hand resting on the arm of the chair, fingers twitching with uncertainty. Rio was the only one who had ever seen her like this—the cracks in her perfect facade, the vulnerability she hid so carefully. It scared her sometimes, how easy it was to be open with Rio. But at the same time, it was the only time she ever felt... safe.

"You're always so persistent," Agatha said, a faint smile pulling at her lips. "I don't know what to do with you."

Rio chuckled softly, her breath warm against Agatha's skin. "You love it," she teased gently, though there was nothing but affection in her voice. "I'm just stubborn enough to stick around. Besides, I think I'm the only one who gets to see this side of you. And I'm not giving that up."

Agatha let out a soft huff, but it wasn't in frustration. "You're right," she said quietly, her voice softening. "No one else sees me like you do."

Rio shifted again, turning so she could take Agatha's hand in hers, her fingers warm and comforting as they intertwined. "You don't always have to be strong, Agatha," she said, her voice tender. "You're allowed to be vulnerable, too. With me, at least."

For the first time in hours, Agatha turned her head, her eyes meeting Rio's. There was a softness there, a trust she rarely allowed herself to show. She squeezed Rio's hand gently, feeling the warmth and love that had always been there between them.

"You've always seen through me, haven't you?" Agatha asked, her voice barely above a whisper, her usual defenses crumbling in the quiet of the night.

Rio smiled, brushing a soft kiss against her temple. "Always," she murmured. "But that's why I love you. All of you. The power, the sharp edges, and the softer parts you try to hide."

Agatha closed her eyes at the touch, feeling the weight lift from her shoulders in a way that only Rio could make happen. She rested her head against Rio's, their fingers still laced together, the warmth of the fire and Rio's presence surrounding her in a cocoon of comfort.

For once, Agatha didn't feel the need to be anything other than who she was in this moment. She didn't have to wear her mask, didn't have to be the all-powerful witch that everyone expected. Here, with Rio, she was just Agatha. And that was enough.

"I love you too, you know," Agatha whispered, her voice softer than it had ever been. "Even if I'm terrible at showing it."

Rio smiled against her, her grip tightening slightly. "You're not terrible at it," she murmured back. "You're just you. And that's more than enough."

In the quiet of the room, with the crackling of the fire and the warmth of each other, they stayed like that—no words needed, no masks required. Just the two of them, wrapped in the safety of a love that had long ago broken through all of Agatha's carefully constructed walls.

And in that moment, Agatha knew that with Rio by her side, she didn't have to be anything but herself.