Chapter Text
Rio had been in what the humans now called Australia when that bond between her and Agatha had reignited.
She had nearly lost grip on the soul she was collecting, tripping over herself to send him on his way so that she could follow that thread. Rio had torn through the universe, uncaring of any damage she may cause as she rushed to reach her wife before their bond could once again disappear.
Not a day went past that Rio did not regret her failure to lure Agatha away from the Darkholds rotting grasp.
Not a day went past that Rio did not want to shout and scream, to drive her knife between Agathas ribs and make her feel Rios fury.
Not a day went past that Rio did not want hold her, to sink to her knees and beg for her forgiveness.
Not a day went past that Rio did not want to see her wife.
She just hadn’t expected to see her on her knees, powerless in front of another witch. A witch who was reaching for Agatha’s mind, for her memories. As if she had any right to them, any claim over Agatha.
Rio snatched her wife away before that could happen, grinning in delight when the shockwave her rapid arrival and departure caused sent the witch flying back. Serves her right for thinking she was any different than the other witches Agatha had lured and stolen from over the years.
Or that her claim on Agatha could override Rios.
Rio felt her grin grow wider as she turned to see Agatha’s wide eyes and slack jaw. Oh how the other witch must be despairing at Rios appearance! Centuries of hiding behind that bloody book and all it took was some upstart witch to bring it all crashing down.
Already she could see the way her lovers eyes were darting around, how she was shifting her legs underneath her, ready to spring up in a moments notice. Agatha Harkness had never met a foe she could not escape, had always planned for every eventuality. Rio had no doubt she had was already cataloging every possible escape route as black tipped fingers dug into the dirt.
Lady Death had no intentions of letting that such an escape happen.
Rios hands grasped Agatha’s shoulders and before anyone could react, she tore the two of them through the threads of the universe. Rio growled as the threads curled around Agatha, their grip tight on the mortal who dared to come near them. But there was not much that would be able to stand between the embodiment of death and her goal and soon the pair appeared before an all too familiar cottage.
Agatha tore away from Rio with a snarl, her lip curling as her narrow eyes burned in fury at the green witch. Rio simply snickered at the sight, rocking back on her heels as she pulled her face into her most innocent expression. She even clasped her hands behind her back as she levelled Agatha with a wide eyed gaze.
“What the hell are you doing?” Agatha snapped, keeping a wide berth between them as she took in their surroundings. Rio could see the moment she realised where they were and some part of ached at the way Agatha stilled, heartbreak flashing across her face. But the spirit witch’s anger faded for barely a moment before it reignited and Rio buried that ache deep enough that she would never find it again.
“What does it look like I’m doing, sweetheart?” Rio tilted her head, forcing her amusement to the forefront.
“Like you can’t take a fucking hint even after it’s been shoved in your face for two centuries!” Agatha retorted, her fingers curling. They weren’t blackened anymore, Rio noted. Odd.
“Is that anyway to thank the person who just rescued you?” Rio smirked, her voice mirthful at Agatha growing frustration. “Why if it wasn’t for little old me that little witch would have taken your memories along with your magic!”
Agatha reared back as if she had been slapped, her face twisting as Rios words sounded true. Her mouth fell open, but nothing came out and Rio could not help the gleeful cackle that escaped her.
“Cat got your tongue?” She taunted, stepping closer as Agatha stared at her hands. “Nothing to say, no cutting remark? Or did you not realise that you’ve got no purple?”
Agatha’s silence was damning.
Rio had her pinned to the ground the moment Agatha’s foot twitched. Wide eyes stared up at the green witch as she traced her knife down her cheek before settling it on her collarbone. Rio hummed as she settled her other hand in the middle of Agatha’s chest, delighted that she could feel her heart pounding in an all too familiar rhythm.
“Ah ah.” She tutted, digging her knife in just slightly harder when she felt nails dig into her knees. “I would keep those claws to yourself, sweetheart. Wouldn’t do to harm the one person standing between you and all your many enemies.”
Agatha scoffed at that, bucking her hips in protest. Rio chuckled, reaching for the earth beneath them. Agatha didn’t even flinch when vines shot up and wrapped themselves around her wrists.
“I’ll take my chances.” The siphon snapped, but her eyes were wide and trembling and Rio could see the way her throat bobbed.
“Really?” Rio arched a brow, studying Agatha intently. “So you’re going to face the Scarlett Witch again? You’ve got no magic Agatha, she would rip you to shreds in moments.”
“It’s a better fate than being stuck with you!” Agatha spat, face twisting as her attempts to dislodge Rio failed again. “Besides, her husband and children are gone now. She’s all alone and you know how I love the lonely ones.”
Agatha choked when Rio abandoned her knife in favour of wrapping a hand around her throat, but it did nothing to deter the witch. A smirk spread across her lips, slow and taunting as Rio stared down at her in fury.
“The lonely witches are the best. So eager to impress, to make sure they aren’t left alone again.” Agatha’s voice dropped, her words almost a purr. “It’s just so fun to have them, to ensure they aren’t left wanting.”
Rio screamed her frustration, hand tightening over Agatha’s bared throat as the other woman’s body shook beneath her. Agatha’s laughter didn’t subside until Rio bent down, placing her lips against the shell of Agatha’s ear.
“The Salem Seven aren’t alone.” Rio hissed, satisfaction running through her as Agatha stilled beneath her. “And they may leave you wanting but I sincerely doubt you’ll like it.”
The green witch sat up, though her grip on Agatha’s neck did not loosen in the slightest. A glance at Agatha’s face had Rio shaking her head, her smirk melting away as she took in her wife’s suddenly pale demeanour.
“Oh Agatha,” Rio shook her head. “I did so miss you. But I’m also not the only one, even if I am the prettiest.”
“I hate you.” Agatha hissed.
“Oh I know you do.” Rio finally released her choking grip, though she made no move to get off of the other witch. “But you are still mine, sweetheart. And if you think I’ll let anyone but me claim your death then you are so, so wrong.”
“Ah but you can’t!” Agatha hissed, her eyes lighting up with glee. “You can’t kill me and I can’t kill you, magic won’t allow it!”
Rio scoffed, finally pushing herself off of the other witch. Agatha was right, Rio could not kill her, could not even attempt it without her magic resisting. Already she was fighting just to keep Agatha pinned by her vines, her magic shying away from anything that may cause the siphon harm.
See this was why she liked her knife and ropes. No risk of her overprotective magic meddling in her fun if she didn’t use it.
“Maybe I can’t kill you.” Rio acquiesced, turning to meet Agathas gaze as her vines retreated and the other woman could finally stand again. “But I can keep you here.”
“Rio…” Agathas voice trembled slightly, her words trailing off as realisation finally dawned upon her.
“No more running, Agatha.” Rio continued, stepping closer and closer. “No more hiding, no more ignoring me. I’m not going to let you avoid what happened anymore.”
Rio stopped mere inches away from Agatha, the two so close they could feel each other’s breaths. Agatha trembled, though whether it was in fury or in fear Rio could not quite discern. It didn’t matter really, but Rio was curious.
“So what, I’ll be your prisoner?” Agatha asked tightly, her throat bobbing as she spoke.
“Yes.” Rio was unflinching, far too busy searching for her answer. There. Agathas face crumpled for barely a moment and Rio had her answer.
“Though don’t worry, sweetheart.” Rio stepped back, her smile mocking as she bent into a half bow. “You will be very, very well treated and very well protected.”
It was fear on Agathas face, Rio determined. Oh there was some anger, for her Agatha had always raged at the idea of a cage. But underneath that rage had always been fear and it was delicious.
Rio was going to have so much fun with it.