Daughter of a Witch

Family Day

The morning chill hinted at the season's shift, with a crispness in the air and the soft glow of sunrise spilling through the kitchen window. Agatha moved around the kitchen, humming softly as she prepared breakfast. The change in weather inspired her, and she decided today would be different—a day set aside for family, without magic or responsibilities, just the three of them spending time together.

Rio wandered in, her hair tousled from sleep, clutching her mug of coffee. She gave Agatha a curious, slightly skeptical look. "Up early and making a full breakfast? Are you planning something?"

Agatha turned with a smile, flipping the last pancake. "You caught me," she admitted. "The weather's finally shifting from summer to fall, and I thought it'd be perfect for a family day. No magic, no lessons—just us, together. What do you think?"

Rio snorted, crossing her arms as she sipped her coffee. "Us? Go a whole day without magic?" She scoffed, giving Agatha a playful grin. "Now that's ambitious."

Y/n, who'd been listening at the kitchen table, chuckled, leaning forward with a smirk. "Come on, Mami," she teased, glancing at Rio with a mischievous glint in her eye. "Nothing's impossible. You're the one who's always saying we should practice restraint."

Agatha looked over at her daughter, a soft smile on her lips. Sixteen, yet so perceptive and quick-witted, Y/n was already as much a friend as she was their daughter. She gave Rio a knowing look. "See? Even our teenager has more faith in us than you do."

Rio held up her hands in surrender. "Fine, fine. But if I get bored, don't be surprised if a little magic slips out." She gave Y/n a wink, walking over and ruffling her hair causing Y/n to roll her eyes with a big grin on her face.

After breakfast, the three of them bundled up in warm layers and set out toward a hidden marketplace in a neighboring town. Y/n walked between them, still holding onto bits of youthful exuberance, occasionally swinging her arms as she took in the beauty of the early autumn morning.

The marketplace bustled with life. Booths lined the streets, each brimming with seasonal goods: handmade crafts, woven scarves, spiced drinks, and trays of freshly baked sweets. The air was filled with the scent of cinnamon, roasted chestnuts, and woodsmoke.

At one booth, Y/n spotted a display of scarves in rich fall colors. She gravitated toward a deep red one, fingering the soft fabric. Agatha watched her, a warm smile on her face, admiring how her daughter's tastes grew refined but still held a touch of childhood whimsy.

"Looks like you've found a favorite," Agatha commented, nodding to the scarf Y/n had draped over her shoulder. "It suits you. You always did have an eye for color."

Y/n held the scarf out, wrapping it around her neck and pulling it up like a cozy shawl. She struck a mock-dramatic pose, tilting her chin up. "How do I look?"

Rio snickered, nudging her. "You look like you're auditioning for a melodrama. Come on, kid, if you're going to wear it, wear it with some style."

"Alright, alright," Y/n said, laughing as she straightened her posture. She adjusted the scarf exaggeratedly, mimicking Rio's usual confident stance, and they exchanged a playful look.

They strolled from booth to booth, and Y/n stopped at every interesting one, pulling them toward stalls with quirky trinkets and colorful displays. At one point, Rio found an old, oversized hat and placed it on Y/n's head, tilting it at a ridiculous angle.

"Oh, this is the look," Rio said with a grin, snapping an imaginary photo and adopting an over-the-top fashion photographer voice. "Yes, darling, yes—give me fierce, give me mystery!"

Y/n laughed, striking a series of exaggerated poses, and Agatha watched with an amused shake of her head. She loved seeing this playful side of Rio, and it warmed her heart to see her daughter's joy as they bantered back and forth.

"Alright, alright," Agatha finally interrupted, chuckling. "Let's not let your mother embarrass you too much. Although..." She winked at Rio. "It's quite a talent."

Rio put an arm around Agatha's shoulders, feigning innocence. "What can I say? I aim to please." She leaned closer, giving Agatha a quick, lighthearted peck on the lips.

As the day went on, they continued exploring. They shared bites of spiced pastries, Y/n's favorite hot cider, and even played a few carnival games. Y/n tried her hand at a ring toss, missing a few times, until Rio gave her "expert" advice, mimicking a professional coach with dramatic gestures.

"Like this, Y/n, you've got to follow through with the wrist," Rio explained with exaggerated seriousness, her eyes narrowed in concentration. Y/n snickered, trying to match her tone. "Right. The wrist is the key to all good throws," she parroted back, barely able to keep a straight face.

When she finally managed to land a ring, Agatha clapped and gave her a hug. "Our little champion," she teased, and Y/n laughed, pushing her hair back with a proud grin.

As the day waned and the sun dipped lower, they found a bench near the edge of the marketplace, where they could watch the lights start to twinkle as the evening vendors set up. Y/n sat between them, her head resting on Agatha's shoulder, looking out at the fading light with a peaceful expression.

Rio's arm slipped around Agatha's shoulders, and she leaned close. "We should do this more often," she said softly, her tone warm.

Agatha glanced at her with a small, contented smile. "Agreed. Today... this has been everything." She placed a gentle hand on Y/n's knee. "And our brilliant daughter here reminded us that sometimes, the simplest things are the best."

Y/n, with a rare moment of pure affection, leaned into them both. "You two are so corny," she muttered with a laugh. "But, yeah... this was pretty great."

Rio gave her a playful nudge. "Corny, huh? Well, you're the one who tagged along willingly."

Y/n rolled her eyes but couldn't hide her smile. "Okay, maybe I like a little corny," she admitted, a hint of a blush on her cheeks.

They sat in comfortable silence, watching the people around them and soaking in the warmth of each other's presence. This was what they had hoped for—a life where they could set aside magic, set aside responsibilities, and simply be together.

When they finally got up to head home, Y/n walked between them, still holding onto both their hands—a small, quiet reminder that no matter how much she grew up, some things stayed the same.

At that moment, with the stars beginning to dot the sky above, Agatha couldn't help but feel that Y/n had been right all along: nothing was impossible as long as they had each other.