Woven in Shadows (agatha x rio)

Morning Promises

Chapter Fourteen: Morning Promises

The morning sunlight streamed through the windows of Agatha's cozy kitchen, bathing the room in a warm glow. The air was filled with the mouthwatering aroma of sizzling bacon and fresh eggs, mingled with the soft crackle of a frying pan. Agatha hummed quietly to herself as she worked, her movements deft and precise.

Nessa shuffled downstairs, drawn by the comforting smell of breakfast. She paused in the doorway, observing her mother for a moment. There was something oddly calming about the way Agatha moved in the kitchen, as if this was one of the few moments where she let her guard down. Taking a seat at the worn kitchen table, Nessa finally spoke.

"Smells good," she said, resting her chin on her hand. "I didn't think witches cooked the old-fashioned way."

Agatha glanced over her shoulder with a small smirk. "Magic has its perks, but sometimes you can't beat the real thing. Besides," she added flipping a pancake onto a plate, "there's something satisfying about doing it yourself."

Nessa chuckled softly, watching as her mother slid the plate in front of her. "Thanks."

As they settled into a rhythm of small talk about Nessa's powers, about how unpredictable they still were neither of them noticed the faint creak of the front door opening.

"Something smells divine," came Rio's voice smooth and teasing, from the doorway.

Nessa turned in her chair as Rio strolled into the kitchen, her dark coat hanging off her shoulders and her hair tousled. She looked effortlessly confident as always, her sharp eyes scanning the room before landing on Agatha. Without a word, Rio waved her hand, conjuring a single delicate flower seemingly out of thin air. She placed it gently on the counter beside Agatha before taking a seat next to Nessa.

Agatha paused, her hand hovering over the skillet for a fraction of a second. The gesture caught her off guard not because it was grand, but because it wasn't. It reminded her of the Rio she used to know, the one who used to leave little tokens of affection without saying a word. Agatha didn't turn, didn't react. But her fingers brushed the flower as she continued cooking, and for a brief moment, her lips curved into the smallest of smiles.

Rio, pretending not to notice, focused on Nessa instead. "Ready for training today, kid?"

Nessa groaned, her fork clattering against her plate. "Do I have a choice? At this point, I feel like I'm just blowing things up for fun."

Rio smirked, leaning back in her chair. "Well, fun or not, we've got to get that under control and today might just be the day."

Agatha turned around, plates in hand, and set them on the table. "We'll start after breakfast," she said firmly, taking her seat across from Rio. "We've been trying to focus on channeling your energy, but maybe today we'll try a different approach."

"What approach?" Nessa asked, raising an eyebrow.

Rio reached for a piece of bacon, her expression thoughtful. "One that doesn't involve you accidentally setting the backyard on fire again, hopefully."

Agatha shot her a look, but there was no real bite to it. "I have a plan," she said, her tone decisive. "And if you both listen to me for once, we might actually get somewhere today."

They shared a quiet moment as they ate, the atmosphere lighter than it had been in days. Though they were far from figuring everything out, there was an unspoken understanding between them a shared determination to face whatever lay ahead.

For the first time in a long time, it felt like they were on the same side.

The backyard was quiet, save for the faint rustle of leaves in the breeze and the steady murmurs of Agatha's instructions. The smell of damp earth lingered in the air as the three of them stood around an unlit candle on a stone table.

"This spell is simple," Agatha said gently, though her tone betrayed the patience she was forcing herself to maintain. "It's not about power. It's about focus. Feel the energy inside you and guide it don't try to wrestle it into submission."

Nessa bit her lip, nodding though her jaw was tight with frustration. She raised her hands toward the candle, closing her eyes and inhaling deeply. She felt the familiar volatile energy swirl within her, wild and untamed. As she concentrated, the energy surged toward her fingertips, crackling faintly.

But just as quickly, it dissipated, the candle remaining stubbornly unlit.

"Damn it!" Nessa hissed, slamming her hands down onto the table. The sudden burst of energy sent a faint ripple across the backyard, making the trees sway unnaturally.

"Hey, hey," Rio said, stepping closer. "Take a breath. This isn't a race. You'll get there."

Agatha chimed in, her voice a touch softer. "Magic isn't just a skill, Nessa. It's a relationship. And like any relationship, it takes time to trust yourself and what you're capable of."

Nessa exhaled sharply, glancing between them. Their reassurances felt hollow. "Let's just try again," she muttered, her voice tight with determination.

This time, she gritted her teeth as she focused. The energy surged once more, crackling louder than before. For a brief moment, it felt like she had it but then it spiraled out of control, fizzling into the air.

Nessa's shoulders slumped as she let out an angry groan. "I can't do this!" Without waiting for a response, she stormed off toward the house, slamming the back door behind her.

Inside, Nessa threw herself onto the bed burying her face in the pillows. Frustration clawed at her chest, and tears threatened to spill. It wasn't just the failure it was the pressure, the expectations, the feeling of being completely untethered in a world she didn't understand.

Back outside, Rio watched her go before turning to Agatha. "She's tough, but this is... a lot. Even for someone like her."

Agatha sighed, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "I know," she admitted, though her voice wavered slightly. "It's like looking at myself when I was younger. But... I'm not sure how to reach her yet."

Rio hesitated, then reached out her fingertips brushing Agatha's arm lightly. Agatha sucked in a sharp breath at the touch, her lips parting as her defenses threatened to rise. But she stopped herself, allowing the warmth of Rio's presence to seep in.

Rio stepped closer, her voice low. "You're doing better than you think. And you're not alone in this."

Agatha didn't pull away. She let Rio draw her into a hug, feeling the familiar shape of her against her own. The embrace was cautious, filled with the weight of unspoken words and memories. Agatha closed her eyes, allowing herself to relax into it, though her heart raced with uncertainty.

Rio, too was caught up in the moment. Her arms tightened around Agatha as she fought the instinct to overthink. She didn't want to ruin it. Not this time.

When they finally pulled back, their faces were close, breaths mingling. Agatha's hand found Rio's cheek, her thumb brushing over her skin. For a moment she leaned in, her lips inches from Rio's.

Rio shifted back slightly, a kind smile on her face. She cupped Agatha's cheek in return, her thumb brushing softly against her skin. "We should check on Nessa," she said quietly, her voice tender but firm.

Agatha blinked, her cheeks flushing faintly as she stepped back, letting out a shaky laugh. "Right. Of course."

Rio gestured toward the house. "Let's go before she decides to light something on fire."

The two shared a small, knowing smile before heading inside together.