𝐆𝐑𝐄𝐄𝐃; rio v.

IV

Theodora squinted her eyes at the sudden brightness. The space is open and well-lit with large windows, allowing natural light to flood in, giving a bright and airy feel. Neutral colors, soft whites, and beige tones dominate the decor, creating a soothing and comfortable environment. The living room is accessorized with modern lighting fixtures, like wall sconces and an impressive chandelier that adds to the sophisticated look. The indoor plants enhance the natural, fresh atmosphere, and complement the warm wood flooring.

"It's not exactly the stuff of nightmares." Jennifer said with an impressed tone. "The Road changes for the coven." Agatha added dismissively. "It changed us too!" The coven admired their clothing of affluence and luxury.

Theodora walked towards the all-body mirror and stared at herself. She was wearing a white blouse with thin black stripes, featuring a relaxed, slightly oversized fit. It has a classic collar and some puffiness in the sleeves, adding a bit of a retro touch. Over the blouse is a black corset or structured vest. The pants are high-waisted, black, and have a flared bell-bottom cut. On her head is a black leathered baret.

"Not bad." She whispered to herself.

"It's giving 'middle aged second chance at love' vibes and I'm here for it." Teen described as he walked around the living room. Theodora watched as Agatha anxiously backed away from the group, searching for a way out of the trail. She chuckled and kept her mouth shut, her fingertips playing around with magic.

"Oh my God!" Sharon called out from the kitchen, concerning some coven members. "Bury me in that kitchen!" She blurts out, throwing her arms in the air to express her excitement. "Check this out." Teen says, loud enough for the coven to rush to his side in curiosity of what he might have found.

Agatha yanked the card out of Teen's hands and flipped it over. "What is this? A wedding? Please God, not a baby shower." Jennifer takes it from Agatha's hands and reads the invitation out loud. "'The Witches Road cordially invites you to The First Trail'."

"How sweet." Theodora says sarcastically. Jennifer shoots her a stare before rolling her eyes and reading the other side of the card. "It's a riddle." She points out. "My age has value, I'm not fun alone, I mess with your mind, my tricks are well-known."

"Well, it's a gorgeous card stock." Sharon compliments as she examines the card some more. Alice repeats the riddle but slowly, so the coven can dissect it more. "Sounds like a witch." Agatha mentions. "Sounds like you." Jen snaps with sass. Agatha doesn't fail to mock her.

Sharon turns and spots something. "Wine!" She cries out, pulling the attention of Theodora. "That's it. Ten points for Mrs. Hart." Alice remarks.

The others join her around the wine and glasses. Sharon grabs the bottle greedily. "Wait, wait, wait. We don't know what'll happen if we drink it."

"That makes it even more fun. Pour the wine!" Theodora cackles. Jen and Teen walk towards the built-in bar together in search of a corkscrew, lingering in conversation. Jennifer returns with a corkscrew in hand, passing it to Theodora who pours herself the most, leaving almost nothing for the others.

Sharon lifts her glass and gulps down the wine. Sharon catches Lilia's look of disapproval after she chugs her wine in one sip. "I have had a very hard day. Do not judge me."

A timer on the mantel counts down from thirty minutes. The coven exchanged wary looks as they attempted to figure out what the timer meant. "So... to harbingers of doom?" Agatha muttered as she lifted her glass. "To the prize." Lilia said as she cleared her throat.

Sharon clinks her empty class against the others, receiving a look from Agatha. "Can I have some?" Teen says cheerfully as he reaches for the glass.

"No!"
"You bet!" The coven looks at Theodora as if she had grown three extra heads as she encourages Teen's actions. Instead, Sharon takes the wine bottle and pours herself some more wine. "And I'm an alcoholic..." Theodora murmurs under her breath. Teen chuckles beside her and she smiles at the boy, lifting her index finger to her mouth to shush him.

As Sharon suggests, the coven moves into the sitting room to finish their wine. Alice, Teen, and Theodora sit on a striped couch in front of Sharon who takes a long sip of wine. "I really like your tattoo. Where'd you get it?" Teen compliments the tattoo on Alice's arm. Alice hurries to cover the tattoo, suddenly turning uncomfortable. Theodora notices Agatha slinking around the edge of the room and she watches her intensely, trying to figure out what made her more special. What part of you made her break our bond?

"I got it in Colorado." Alice explains. Theodora zoned out peacefully, thinking back to her times with Rio Vidal.

           "Bet you can't find me!" Theodora yelled in the darkness. She ran tree to tree, hiding from the light that came from the fire. "Oh, I bet I can." Rio grinned, slamming her dagger on the wooden tree trunk as she stood to look around the woods for her girlfriend.

"Are you... here?!" Rio jumped behind a tree, frowning at the missing sight of Theodora. "Theo! Don't go far, baby! I don't want you to get lost!" Rio would baby Theodora, making sure that the woman was always safe and cared for, something she never really experienced. Theodora's home wasn't safe, so when she was with Rio, who would kill someone for even giving Theodora a weird stare, she felt seen and loved.

Rio searched the woods frantically, now worried since Theodora had stopped stepping on branches that at least let Rio know she was near. "My love?" Rio called out. The only thing that could be heard was the fire burning branches, and the soft wind blowing trees against trees. "Theo, can you at least let me know you're here, baby? We can keep playing but I need to know you're safe." Worry coated Rio's tone as she continued to search for her girlfriend.

Rio had been searching for thirty minutes. "Alright, where are you?! Theodora!" She cried out, hoping her girl would come out from wherever she was hiding. Suddenly, she felt a pair of arms wrap around her waist. Death's reflexes would've launched to elbow the person in the nose, but Rio could smell Theodora's aroma from where she was standing. "I'm sorry." Theodora murmured into her neck shyly.

"You scared the crap out of me, you asshole. I thought someone had taken you. Don't do that ever again, do you understand me? Especially in the dark." Rio lectured, making Theodora sink further into her body in an attempt to hide. Rio sighed, her fingers intertwining with Theodora's as they began to sway together, imaginary music playing in their minds.

"I don't want you to leave me." Theodora whispered. "Baby, we're bonded. If someone were to even try to sleep with me, they would die. Same goes for you, okay? In no way can we sleep with another person. I'll be back before you know it too."

"Will you be back before bedtime?" Theodora sounded like a child asking their father if they would be back in time for bedtime kisses. "I'll try my very hardest, darling." Rio tilted her head so she could look into Theodora's eyes that shone in the darkness. "After all, you are my home. There is nowhere I'd rather be than home after a long day."

           Rio never made it home before bedtime that night. She had taken longer than anticipated and Theodora ended up waiting for two days without sleeping, scared that if she slept, she would be awakened in terror. After Rio turned her in, her eyes never shined like that again. Theodora was positive they never would.

Selfishly, Rio broke their bond for a small time so she could fuck Agatha Harkness. Theodora felt as her bones crushed and stabbed at her heart when the bond broke, her lungs tightening and withdrawing her air. Death was the only one who could break the bond, as she was the one who started it. Once she was done with Agatha, the bond was back to normal and Theodora could breathe again.

Yet, she would never forget to undenying pain she felt. Not physically, but emotionally. It wasn't when Rio turned her in that she stopped loving her, it was when she caged her, held her captive in their bond for centuries, and released her to only welcome her with a slow and painful experience which ended faster than Theodora would've hoped.

It was then that Theodora wished she was dead.

✎ kaia's notes

wow.

i apologize if there are any mistakes, the time change really messed me up and im very tired!!!

I hope you guys enjoyed reading that as much as I loved writing it. I really love going back in time to enjoy their love story.

I promise I'll write the actual trail soon... just having to change between writing the chapter and rewatching the episode is 🧙

Comment and leave feedback, please and thank you!!!
you can also leave ideas if you wish, i'll consider them!