Petals of the Damned

Promises

☾ ⋆*･ﾟ:⋆*･ﾟ

Agatha leaned back in bed, an untouched book spread open across her lap, though her gaze kept drifting to the doorway. She was waiting—not that she'd ever admit it. Over the past month, she'd softened in ways she didn't quite understand, her sharp edges worn down by the easy warmth of her new relationship with Rio.

And then, there she was. Rio slipped into the doorway, half-undressed, dripping wet, her dark hair clinging to her shoulders in damp waves. Agatha's brow lifted, her eyes taking in the rivulets of water that trickled down Rio's arms. "Took a little bath before coming home?" she asked, a faint smirk playing on her lips.

Rio didn't answer at first, just waved a hand to dry herself off, her eyes never leaving Agatha's. "Was hoping you'd notice," she said, crossing the room with that unhurried grace Agatha had come to recognize in her bones. She settled beside her, a comforting coolness radiating from her skin. "So," Rio added, her voice teasing, "waiting up for me, dear?"

Agatha rolled her eyes. "Maybe I just didn't want to fall asleep before you got home. Or maybe, I was savoring the peace and quiet."

With a huff, Agatha leaned over to blow out the bedside lamp, plunging the room into the soft, intimate darkness that had come to feel like home. She snuggled into Rio, settling her head on her shoulder, feeling the touch radiate between them. Almost instinctively, Rio's hand slipped up her back, fingers tracing idle patterns that sent a subtle shiver down Agatha's spine.

Rio chuckled, her thumb tracing lazy circles over Agatha's shoulder blades. "I like that you stayed awake for me."

"Oh, I'm thrilled you're so concerned about me missing my beauty sleep," Agatha replied, voice dripping with sarcasm, though she snuggled closer, letting herself sink into the comfort of Rio's arms.

As she did, she noticed the scent of Rio's hair—a rich, earthy aroma mixed with lavender. "Your hair actually smells good for once—you did bathe," Agatha murmured, lifting an eyebrow. "Did you lose a bet?"

Rio laughed softly. "I bathed in the Nile, smartass. Figured you might appreciate a Death who doesn't smell like, well, death."

Agatha snorted, resting her head against Rio's shoulder. "Effort noted. Although, you know there's a perfectly good river behind the house, right? You could always join me..." But instead of waiting for an answer, she pressed a soft kiss to Rio's collarbone, her guard slipping just enough for the gesture to feel like a confession.

Rio's hand stilled against her back, and Agatha felt her heart beat a little quicker. In the quiet, Rio's voice came low and teasing. "Admit it—you missed me."

Agatha's lips curved into a secretive smile. "Maybe," she whispered. "But don't think you're that special."

Rio laughed, pulling her even closer. "Oh, I know exactly how special I am."

And in the comfort of that embrace, Agatha felt her heartbeat steady, sinking into the familiar, soothing rhythm of home.

____________________

The next morning, Agatha stirred, barely conscious, as she felt Rio slowly untangling herself from her arms. Agatha made a sleepy noise of protest, her fingers curling weakly into the fabric of Rio's shirt.

"Stay," she murmured, her voice thick with sleep, not quite ready to let Rio slip away from the warmth they shared under the blankets.

Rio chuckled softly, leaning down to brush a few strands of hair away from Agatha's face and press a lingering kiss to her forehead. Agatha, still too sleepy to properly argue, just groaned and curled into the blankets.