Work Text:
Cordelia
"I don't need help with running the academy, mother!"
"Yes, you do! You're not capable of doing anything right, so at least don't be dumb and refuse help!"
That's how it all began, and I finally gave up arguing with my mother, agreeing to get someone to help with the academy's administration. I actually have an interview with a woman in a few minutes. Her curriculum vitae shows that she worked as a secretary at a robotics firm until recently, which means that she's experienced with doing paperwork.
Currently, I'm in my office, reading her file once more. The sound of the bell makes me flinch lightly, before I walk to the front door and open it.
In front of me stands a tall red-haired woman, who is dressed in various shades of purple. Her posture is straight while she is leaning onto her cane slightly. "Good morning. Welcome to Miss Robichaux's Academy." I smile and lead her into my office.
After the interview and telling her that this is actually a coven -- there was some convincing to do to make her believe me -- I give her the job.
Over the next few weeks, Ms. Venable impresses me with her work ethic, and her stoic nature intrigues me. Fortunately, my mother hasn't visited the academy yet. However, it doesn't take long for her to stop by, telling me how much better Ms. Venable is handling everything, not missing a beat to rub my uselessness in my face again.
After this conversation with my mother, which was very much taking place in front of Ms. Venable, I retreat to the greenhouse, working on my potions while sobbing quietly. I know very well that I'm no good, I don't need my mother to remind me every single time she visits.
Barely being able to see anything clearly due to the tears that are gathering in my eyes again, I set down the vial, put my palms on the table, and try to calm down. Fiona is not worth it.
Suddenly, the door opens and I flinch, knocking over the vial, the clear liquid spilling all over my left palm. I groan as the potion, which I made for my plants, burns on my skin.
Wilhemina
A while after witnessing the distressing conversation between Cordelia and her mother, I decide to check on the headmistress to see if she's alright. Normally, I wouldn't care, but I've come to like the insecure blonde over the past few weeks.
As I enter the greenhouse, the place where the witch usually spends most of her time, I must have startled Cordelia, who knocked over a vial and is now running towards the sink, hissing. She rinses off the liquid before applying some kind of balm on her irritated skin.
"I'm sorry for startling you. I just wanted to see if you are alright," I say, the usual sharpness of my voice replaced by softness. "I-I'm fine, Ms. Venable. Thank you for your concern," she replies. "I don't think you are. I know that your mother can be very difficult, but please tell me that you don't actually believe her when she says these things to you."
Cordelia sighs and lowers her head. "Well, she's right. I can't do anything right. Hell, I even just burned myself while doing the only thing I consider myself not all that useless at. I'm an absolute and utter failure." The blond witch breaks down.
I walk closer to her as she is sitting at the table, which is covered in all kinds of ingredients and flowers, her head resting on the desk with her hands gripping her hair. Her shoulders are shaking lightly as she sobs, and I don't really know what to do; I've never had to comfort someone. I place my left hand hesitantly on Cordelia's shoulder, squeezing it slightly.
After a few moments, she looks up, wipes her tears away, and apologizes for being such a burden, telling me that I shouldn't have to deal with her problems. I try to soothe her as best as I can, assuring her that she is not a burden, and eventually, she calms down, looking at me with puffy eyes.
We talk for a while, before we say our goodbyes for the day, each of us going to our respective rooms.
Over the next few weeks, we grow closer, meeting in the greenhouse almost every day to drink a cup of Cordelia's self-made tea and talk about our days, the academy, the world, and also our personal lives and childhoods.
For the first time in my whole life, I feel a real connection with somebody, and it scares me a little. However, once I'm in the company of the blond witch, I forget my worries and feel comfortable around her.
Cordelia
Wilhemina and I got to really know each other in the past few weeks, and I slowly started to fall in love with her, but of course I know that she will never feel the same. I'm just not lovable.
I just had another major fight with my mother, and now, I'm in my room, lying in my bed, my legs pulled to my chest as I cry quietly. Suddenly, my door opens, and I hear the distinct sound of Wilhemina's cane, however, I can't seem to look at her, ashamed of being so weak and pathetic.
The mattress dips beside me and a hand grabs my face and turns it towards the redhead. She wipes my tears away and pulls me into a hug, which I know is uncharted territory for her, because of her scoliosis and the shame that she feels because of it.
I burry my face in the crook of her neck, taking in her scent, which calms me down a little. Her hands caress my back hesitantly as she starts to talk. "I swear, I will kill that bitch if she ever speaks to you like that again."
"Y-you can't kill her. She's the Supreme," I tell her, laughing half-heartedly. "Well, I can certainly try. Making her suffer for treating you like that. And then, I'll continue with that irritating blonde who thinks that she's above everyone."
"Madison?" I ask, chuckling quietly. Wilhemina hums, and I pull out of her embrace, immediately missing her warmth. "You don't have to stay here. I know I'm a mess."
"A quite beautiful mess though," Wilhemina smiles, and I blush, shaking my head. "Yes, you are, Cordelia, and I hate to see that you think otherwise," she says while caressing my cheek with her thumb. I look into her beautiful brown eyes and then to her plump lips.
Before I can stop myself, I lean in and kiss her, her soft lips pressed against mine. As I realize what I'm doing, I quickly pull away, mumbling apologies. However, Wilhemina shuts me up with her lips brushing mine, knocking the air right out of my lungs in the process.
My hands find her cheeks, while her arms wrap around my waist, pulling me closer. Her lips move against mine perfectly, and I can't help the whine that leaves my lips as she pulls away. Wilhemina smirks, before she kicks off her shoes and lies down, adjusting her position to make it more comfortable for her, and then she tells me to lie down next to her. I quickly do so, placing my hand on top of her stomach, before she intertwines our fingers, caressing the back of my hand with her thumb. Burying my nose in her neck and breathing in her scent, I fall asleep with a smile on my lips for the first time in years.
~~~
Three weeks later
Wilhemina
Cordelia and I have been seeing each other for a few weeks now, and I try my best to make her feel like she's enough, beautiful, and everything else the blonde doubts about herself. However, today, I had a doctor's appointment, and I always feel horrible after these, and I haven't seen the blonde witch yet.
Currently, I'm in my office doing some paperwork. Suddenly, the door opens, and Cordelia walks towards me like a shy cat. Once she reaches me, she pecks my lips shyly and frowns slightly. "Was it that bad this morning?" she asks, and I tell her that my mood has nothing to do with the actual course of the appointment, but rather the fact that I had to go to the appointment at all.
"How about a nice relaxing bath? I just finished making lavender oil, which I know you like so much. I'll prepare the bathtub right away," Cordelia says softly before pecking my cheek and leaving my office. A smile forms on my lips, before I get back to work.
A few minutes later, Cordelia practically drags me away from the files I'm working on and into the bathroom. "Let me help you," Cordelia says softly as she starts to unbutton my blouse. "Cordelia, no, I-"
"Do you trust me, Wilhemina?" she asks seriously.
"Of course, but-"
"You know that I'm the last person to judge you or make fun of you, don't you?"
"Yes, but I'm still ashamed."
"I know. Let me show you that there is no reason to be ashamed," Cordelia whispers into my ear, moving her hand towards the next button, but waiting for my permission, which I give in form of a small nod. She unbuttons my lilac blouse and helps me take it off before walking around me, kissing my spine and caressing my shoulders and arms. I shiver, and Cordelia wraps her arms around me, pressing her body gently against my back, and rests her chin on my shoulder.
"You're the most beautiful woman I've ever seen, Wilhemina," she whispers before pecking my neck and pulling away from me. "I'll leave you alone now, so you can bathe," the blond witch adds and is about to leave, when I stop her.
"Stay?"
"Are you sure?"
We end up bathing together, holding each other close as we talk about us, our insecurities, and how we like each other very much despite our shared flaw -- self-loathing.
-the end-