Work Text:
You were cuddled on the couch, the soft glow of the television casting a warm light across the room when the shop door bell chimed. A sigh of frustration escaped your lips as Lilia pulled herself from your embrace to stand up.
"Tell them we're closed." you pouted, letting your disappointment show.
"It's just one customer. I'll be back before you know it." she promised, punctuating her words with a kiss. Her lips were soft, lingering just long enough to make you want more.
"I know you hate to see me go, but you do love to watch me walk away." She teased, her voice light with humor. She winked at you and gave an exaggerated sway of her hips as she made her way to the door, leaving you smiling like an idiot.
---
Minutes passed by and you heard her walking back, this time with the customers, and it sounded like they were having a disagreement. You frowned and lowered the volume of the television, trying to catch snippets of their conversation.
They moved into the makeshift kitchen part of the flat. The woman, who you gathered was named Agatha, is trying to convince Lilia to join them on their journey to the witches road. This is stupid idea, you thought to yourself.
Lilia’s voice was calm but sharp with irritation. "If you two stay any longer, I'm going to have to start charging you again," A grin tugged at your lips. You loved it when she gets sassy like this.
There was a pause, and the atmosphere shifted as the lights flickered. Sensing the familiar electric hum of magic in the air, you focused your attention on Lilia as she showcased her power. Aside from her usual readings, Lilia didn’t use her gift that often, so you couldn’t tear your eyes away whenever these bursts of witchcraft happened.
"There. A list of four names. Looks like you’ve got your coven. Leave me out of it." she said firmly, handing Agatha the paper.
"You’re on here." Agatha’s response made you sit up straight, every muscle in your body tensing.
"What?!" you said in unison with Lilia.
For the first time that day, Agatha acknowledged your presence. She smirked at you and said, "Pack your girlfriend’s stuff. She’s coming with us."
Before you could respond, she shifted her attention back to Lilia. Agatha's voice is flat and commanding, "Be there at five. Plenty of street parking." The teenager with her left a card with Agatha's address on the table before they headed to the door.
You watched as Lilia stood motionless in the middle of the room with a conflicted expression.
"Don’t tell me you’re considering this." you said, your voice tight.
"My name is on the list." she murmured, almost to herself.
"Yeah, and the paper you used is our eviction notice, but you don’t see us packing our stuff to go live on the streets." you joked, trying to hide your panic with humor.
“Come sit here. Let’s just watch TV.” you said, patting the empty space next to you.
But she didn’t move. Instead, she avoided your eyes and nervously fiddled with her fingers. You felt your heart sink to your stomach. You weren’t a divination witch, but you'd loved her long enough to know what her every action meant, and you knew that what she was about to say next would shatter you.
“Lilia..” your voice was soft and pleading.
Her eyes met yours at last, filled with an apology you didn’t want to hear. “I’m sorry, but I have to go. It’s divined to happen! They will need me." she said, the certainty in her words cracking your composure.
“BUT I NEED YOU!” You stood up in frustration and walked to meet her in the middle of the room. “You said it yourself, Lilia, the road is a death wish, and I will not lose you like this!”
“You are not losing me, okay?" She took your hands, her touch warm and gentle, grounding you. "I’ll be back before you know it. And when I finish the road, I can give you a better life than this." she said, gesturing to the cramped flat.
“I don’t want a better life." you whispered, voice starting to crack. "I just want you. Here. Safe with me.”
It was only when she held your face to wipe your tears that you realized you were crying.
“Darling, I’m not going to die. I’ll be careful, I promise.”
A bitter laugh escaped your lips. “Do you think all those other witches died over the last thousand years just because they were clumsy?” She let out a small, reluctant chuckle, breaking through the tension for a moment.
You pressed her hand against your cheek, willing her to feel the pulse of your desperation. She sighed deeply. “You know how much I love you, right? But this is bound to happen. I had a vision. It is already fated.”
Your eyes searched hers, memorizing every fleck of color, every line and shadow. “Nothing’s written in stone until it happens, my love." This time it was your time to caress her face. "You have spent your life trying to save everybody you meet using your visions, but for once, my love, let me save you. Listen to me. Break the rules and just stay with me." you pleaded.
She paused, as though carefully weighing every choice before her. The silence between you grew heavy with anticipation. Then, her gaze softened, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears, as she whispered just loud enough for you to hear, "I’m so lucky to be loved by you."
Relief washed over you.
In that moment, you knew she was staying.
You pulled her into a kiss as tears flowed down your face. Unlike before, they were no longer tears of fear and sadness but of joy and love.
When you broke apart, breathless, foreheads touching, you cradled her face and whispered softly. “I love you so much, I’d give the world to you.”
“Well, I love you more.” Lilia contested.
“Oh really?” you challenged, a playful smirk on your lips.
“Yeah,” she said, eyes sparkling. “I love you so much, I broke the universe a little.”