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"Don't, Agatha,” Rio whispered, holding her cheeks tightly, “We..we can’t.” She watched as Agatha’s face furrowed in confusion. Every bone in Rio’s body wanted to kiss Agatha, but she couldn't; it wasn’t Agatha’s time.
“Why?” Agatha practically demanded, pulling away from Rio “Do you not love me?”
“It will kill you,” Rio admitted as she stepped towards Agatha, “It’s ironic really, the kiss of death.” Agatha paused for a moment, and Rio wanted to take it back. She couldn’t love anyone, not when a simple kiss would spell the end for them.
“I don’t care,” Agatha whispered, cupping Rio’s face with her hands, “If it means being able to kiss you, I will gladly die.” As much as Rio wanted to give in, she couldn’t let Agatha do that. She couldn’t take Agatha away.
"No, Agatha,” Rio leaned into her touch, “It is not your time.” Her heart broke as she watched Agatha think, this was it she would leave her.
“Is it just your lips I can’t kiss?” Agatha asked, running her fingers down Rio’s sides. Rio considered it for a few minutes; truthfully, she had no idea what would happen. She knew her lips were poison, but maybe her body wasn’t.
“Try it,” Rio whispered, “I long for your touch, Agatha.” Agatha nodded and pulled at the shoulder of Rio’s dress. Carefully, she tugged it so that Rio’s shoulder was exposed. Her touch was soft as she ran her finger across the exposed skin. Rio closed her eyes as she felt Agatha’s breath on her shoulder. She felt her lips soft against her shoulder. When her eyes opened, she smiled when she saw Agatha was completely okay. She resisted the urge to kiss the smirk off her lips and kissed her cheek instead. Her eyes widened when she saw the skin on Agatha’s cheek turn black. Panic flooded Rio, and she quickly began to wipe the area.
“Hey,” Agatha held her wrist and looked at her, “I’m fine.” As quickly as the black mark appeared, it vanished.
“I won’t take you from this world,” Rio vowed, “You’ll die a natural death; I will have no part in it, even if it means I can’t kiss you.” Agatha nodded and hugged Rio tightly; she trusted fully that Rio would keep that vow. She had Death wrapped around her finger, and Agatha loved it.
—————-
The screams could be heard throughout the forest, and Rio’s black heart tightened when she realised the child was dead in the womb. It was all Agatha had wanted, and now it was Rio’s job to take her son away. She stepped towards Agatha, and Agatha’s eyes narrowed in anger.
“Don’t you dare,” she hissed, clutching her stomach in pain, “Don’t you take our son away. If you do this, I will hate you forever.” Rio thought for a moment; she had to balance nature, and nature wanted this child, but Agatha came first.
“I can give you time,” Rio told her, bending down to touch Agatha’s cheek, “But his time will come before yours.” This was all the mercy Rio was allowed to give Agatha, and she just hoped it was enough. She couldn’t lose Agatha’s love; it was what made her feel alive. Agatha didn’t thank her, and Rio could feel she was unwelcome. It broke her heart slightly to leave, but she would always do what Agatha wanted.
—————
Rio watched Nicky grow up in the shadows; she longed to know her son, but Agatha wouldn’t allow it. They hadn’t spoken since the birth, but Rio observed when she got the chance. Even when Agatha hesitated at bodies, Rio didn’t appear to her. She couldn’t face Agatha’s pleading and anger, at least not yet.
When Nicky got sick, Rio knew it was his time. She had put it off for as long as she could, and she hoped that having 6 years with her son would be enough for Agatha. She hoped that Agatha would understand that she couldn’t escape her job as much as she wished she could. His tiny hand took hers gently, and Rio knew that this was the kindest way. Agatha wouldn’t have to see her leave with him; Agatha could have one last night with her son. Rio silently vowed to look after Nicholas’ spirit until Agatha could see him again. She looked down to see Nicky skipping next to her, blissfully unaware of what had just happened.
“I love you,” Rio thought as she turned to look back at Agatha’s sleeping form, “Please remember that.”
——————
Their first kiss was bruising; Agatha forcefully pressed their lips together, and Rio had no choice but to kiss back. She cupped Agatha’s cheek and put all her love into the kiss. All the times she’s resisted the urge to kiss her, it has come to this. The vow she made to not be the death of Agatha had gone out the window. A tightness formed in her chest when she felt Agatha start to float in the air. Rio stepped back, and she couldn’t help the tears that fell down her face when she saw life leave her love. The emotion of it all even made her true form appear, and she pulled the hood closer to her face in order to hide it from Billy.
As the flowers started to form, Rio dropped to her knees in grief. This was her fault. She had made Agatha fall in love with her; she had decided to reveal herself to a human. Now that human was dead, and Rio couldn’t even see her again. That was a promise she knew she would keep. As much as Rio wanted to see her, Agatha had told her what she wanted. Death always listened to Agatha. Billy watched as Death sobbed at Agatha’s grave, unaware of the promise they’d made.
A few minutes went by, and Rio could sense Agatha’s presence. She started to walk away, knowing Agatha wouldn’t want to see her.
“Wait,” Agatha called out, and Rio turned to face her, “I forgive you.” Rio stood, shocked at Agatha’s statement. The witch ran towards her and touched Rio’s face. What was once bone turned back to skin, and Agatha smiled at her.
“I always loved your true form,” Agatha whispered, “I can’t live my afterlife mad at you; I spent too much of my life doing that.” Rio finally gave in to her and pulled her in for a kiss. It was the kiss they never got to share in life. Once they pulled away, Rio smiled at her.
“I’ve been looking after him, my love.”