Woven in Shadows (agatha x rio)

Powers Of A Kiss

Chapter Nineteen: Powers of a kiss

The sun drenched the backyard in a golden glow as Agatha stood beside Nessa, her voice calm but commanding as she explained the steps for a spell once more. Rio leaned against a tree nearby, her sharp gaze fixed on Nessa, a playful smirk tugging at her lips.

Rio drawled, gesturing lazily toward Nessa. "This one should be easy. Even I could manage it with my eyes closed."

Nessa glared at her. "You're not helping."

Rio shrugged, unbothered. "I'm just saying, you've got this. A little spark of magic, and we'll all be impressed. Maybe I'll even applaud."

"Enough," Agatha said, shooting Rio a sharp look before turning back to their daughter. "We're going to start with something simple today. A spell to summon light. No chaos, no destruction, just a little glow in your hands... now focus...You've done the visualizing. Now trust yourself to let the energy flow."

Nessa clenched her fists and closed her eyes, inhaling deeply. She pictured the warmth in her core, just as Agatha had described it a small flame she could coax into her palm. Her hands began to tingle as she concentrated, her breathing steady but strained.

Then, with a sudden burst, a faint golden light flickered in her hand, like a spark trying to catch fire.

"Yes!" Agatha exclaimed, her face lighting up with pride.

"Not bad," Rio added, her smirk softening into something closer to approval.

Nessa opened her eyes, staring at the faint glow with awe. But just as quickly, it fizzled out, leaving only a wisp of smoke.

She let out a frustrated groan, dropping her hands. "It's not enough. It's never enough!"

"Nessa," Agatha started, her tone gentle, but her daughter was already shaking her head.

"No. I'm done."

Without another word, she turned on her heel and stormed back into the house. The slam of the door echoed across the yard, leaving an uneasy silence in its wake. Agatha's shoulders slumped slightly as she stared after Nessa, her expression a mixture of frustration and guilt.

"She'll figure it out," Rio said softly stepping closer. The sarcasm that usually colored her tone was absent, replaced with something gentler. "You're doing everything you can. She's just... figuring herself out."

Agatha let out a quiet sigh, crossing her arms over her chest. "It's not enough. She's not ready and every time she gets frustrated, it feels like I'm failing her all over again."

Rio tilted her head, watching Agatha with a mixture of amusement and empathy. "You know, for someone so terrifyingly competent, you're really good at being hard on yourself."

Agatha shot her a sideways glare. "You're not helping."

Rio smirked, taking another step closer. "Aren't I? I thought I was here to keep you grounded. Or at the very least, annoy you into admitting you're human like the rest of us."

Agatha huffed out a reluctant laugh, but it was tinged with sadness. "She deserves better than this...better than me."

Rio's smile faded slightly as she studied her. "She's lucky to have you. Both of us, really and she'll realize that... eventually. But until then—" Her voice dipped, teasing, "—how about you stop glaring at the door like you can magically fix her mood and let me do my job?"

Agatha raised an eyebrow. "Your job?"

"Keeping you from spiraling Agatha" Rio's smirk returned, but there was a warmth behind it. "It's a full-time gig, but someone's gotta do it."

Agatha rolled her eyes, but the corner of her mouth twitched upward. "You're impossible."

"Only for you," Rio said, her voice dropping into a low purr that sent a flicker of heat through Agatha's chest.

For a moment, the world seemed to shrink. The tension between them hummed, unspoken but palpable. Agatha turned to face Rio fully, her gaze locking onto hers. The smirk on Rio's lips softened, replaced with something almost vulnerable.

Agatha studied her, the sharp lines of her face, the glint of mischief in her eyes that masked something deeper. Memories flooded her the way Rio used to make her laugh when no one else could, the small gestures that made her feel seen, even in the chaos of their past.

And now, after everything here she was again. A steady presence, always knowing exactly when to push and when to stay quiet.

"You're staring," Rio murmured, her voice teasing but quiet.

"You're not as charming as you think you are," Agatha shot back, though her voice wavered slightly.

Rio raised an eyebrow. "I beg to differ."

The corner of Agatha's mouth twitched. The tension grew heavier, neither of them willing to make the first move. Rio tilted her head slightly, her gaze flicking to Agatha's lips and back up again, daring her.

Agatha's heart pounded in her chest as she leaned in, closing the space between them. Her hand came up to cup Rio's face, her thumb brushing over her cheekbone.

The first kiss was tentative, a soft press of lips that sent a jolt through both of them. Agatha pulled back slightly, her gaze searching Rio's face for any hesitation.

Rio's breath hitched, but her smirk returned, softer this time. "That all you've got?"

Agatha rolled her eyes but leaned in again, her lips capturing Rio's in a deeper kiss. It was slow and deliberate, each movement charged with the weight of their shared history. Rio's hands found their way to Agatha's waist, pulling her closer, and for a moment, the world fell away.

As the kiss deepened, Agatha felt the years of distance between them melting away. She threaded her fingers into Rio's hair, her walls crumbling as she allowed herself to get lost in the moment.

But just as the intensity began to build, a flicker of doubt crept into her mind. This was too fast. Too much. She pulled back abruptly, her breathing uneven as she stepped away.

Rio blinked, her cheeks flushed, but her smirk remained. "What's wrong, my lady? Afraid you're falling for me all over again?"

Agatha let out a breathy laugh, shaking her head. "We can't...this isn't the time."

Rio's expression softened, and she reached out to brush a strand of hair from Agatha's face. "Whenever you're ready" she said simply, her voice low and sincere.

Agatha looked away, her cheeks warm. "We should check on Nessa."

Rio stepped back, giving her space, but the weight of the moment lingered. As they walked back toward the house, Agatha's mind swirled with conflicting emotions longing, fear, and the faintest glimmer of hope.

Inside, the tension in the air was different. The slam of the door felt distant now, but Nessa's frustration still echoed in Agatha's mind. She glanced at Rio, who gave her a reassuring nod as if to say, We'll figure this out. Together.

And for the first time in what felt like centuries, Agatha allowed herself to believe it might be true..