Chapter Text
“Wake up, Billyboy, it’s time to report to the prison yard!” Agatha’s cheerful, and somewhat grating voice for six in the morning, roused Billy from his sleep and he groaned, burying his face in his hands.
“You mean school?” His voice came out muffled as he turned into his pillow, a pathetic attempt to hide from the inevitable. “And do I have to?”
He could envision clearly the smirk on Agatha’s face as she spoke. “Well, I mean, you don’t have to do anything, kid, but I have a feeling your parents would be less than pleased with you playing hooky.”
He opened his eyes and stared at her (he was right about her smirk) before he sighed. It had only been a short weekend since they’d all stepped foot on the Witches Road…or whatever it was that his brain had conjured up and gods, Billy was still exhausted . “How am I supposed to just go about acting like a normal teenager after everything that happened? People literally died.”
Agatha didn’t miss the way his voice cracked on the final word and she felt herself frown before her smile slipped back on. “Hey, at least you have, uh, Teddy at school, right? Life’s not all bad.”
“It’s Eddie. And easy for you to say, you’re a ghost,” he grumbled as he sat up, gently rubbing his temple with two fingers. Now that he was awake, the noise had begun, as loud as ever. People’s thoughts just never shut up.
Agatha just watched for a moment before she floated over. Clearly, it seemed, she would have to try harder to get the boy out of his dump. “How ‘bout I cut you a deal? You go to school, make mommy and daddy happy, and I’ll teach you a way to make the voices stop.”
Billy perked up instantly, his eyes wide and curious in a way that both made Agatha’s insides (did she even have insides as a ghost?) squeeze uncomfortably but also filled the little hole inside of her that she thought would never be touched again.
“You’ll really teach me?” He seemed brighter before he frowned, his eyes narrowing in an accusatory stare. “How come you didn’t bring this up sooner?”
Agatha just shrugged. “If you hadn’t noticed, Billy, I’ve been a tad preoccupied with, you know, dying and learning how to be a ghost. Which, by the way, I did to save your sorry ass, so you should be grateful I’m even offering to teach you now."
He flinched, mumbling out an apology and Agatha instantly regretted her choice of words. Alas, old habits really did die hard and she tended to forget that the boy was sensitive even if he tried to prove otherwise. A true Maximoff, though and though.
“I didn’t mean it like that, so don’t go getting all moppy on me,” she said, her ghostly fingers reaching out momentarily toward him before she pulled them back. “Dying was my choice, not yours, capishe?”
He just nodded dumbly before he took a deep breath and stretched. He could smell his mom cooking breakfast downstairs and could hear her thoughts as clearly as if she was speaking.
What setting on the toaster does he like again? Ugh, I’m always getting them confused after he changed.
Swallowing hard, Billy forced himself up and shuffled over to his closet, wanting something comfortable. He ended up going for a pair of well-worn jeans, a t-shirt, and one of Eddie’s hoodies he’d never given back.
“Ooo, going less goth today, I see,” Agatha commented and he rolled his eyes before gesturing for her to leave so he could change and she huffed and floated away through the floor.
He next saw her again downstairs, hovering over his dad’s shoulder as he read the morning news on his phone. She seemed annoyed as she squinted at the small print before she seemingly gave up and moved over toward him.
“What happened to regular paper newspapers, hm? Everything has to be on a phone now.”
“You sound really old when you say that,” he telepathically communicated. No one else could see Agatha and he didn’t want to risk being put in a hospital if people thought he was talking to the air.
Agatha just put a hand to her chest, feigning offense. “I’ll have you know, I actually am, er, was somewhat young. 300 years is nothing compared to Lilia’s age, you know.”
Agatha watched as Billy was silent for a moment, almost as if he was stuck in his own thoughts. Eventually, though, he spoke. “Yeah, well…I guess both of you won’t need to think about your ages anymore, huh?”
Before Agatha could comment on his rather depressed tone, Mom Kaplan walked over and placed a bowl of oatmeal and some buttered toast in front of Billy as he took a seat at the table.
“Morning, sweetheart, how’d you sleep last night?” She asked and Billy forced a smile.
He looks tired, but at least his cuts have healed. How did he even get hurt? No, give him time, don’t push him…
“I’m okay, Mom, and I slept good last night,” he replied, the lie slipping through his teeth with ease. In truth, he hadn’t slept a single night since the road without waking and even when he was asleep, his dreams were far from peaceful.
He could feel Agatha’s gaze on him and focused on his breakfast instead. He wondered if she knew, and, if she did, he wondered what he’d see in her eyes if he faced her. Knowing her, she’d probably think he was pathetic and he didn’t think he could handle that right now, so he took a bite of his food, ignoring her.
“I can drive you to school this morning if you’d like, kiddo,” his dad said, looking up from his phone and Billy swallowed another bite of oatmeal. It sat heavy in his stomach.
“Thanks, Dad, but I told Eddie I’d pick him up today.” This time, it wasn’t a lie and Billy felt a little better, as if exchanging a truth somehow made the previous lie excusable.
His dad nodded, understanding, and Billy turned his attention back to his food. He finished quickly, absently listening to his parents talk and hoping they were actually speaking and he wasn’t just hearing their thoughts.
“Okay, I gotta go,” he said before he remembered Agatha’s promise of a lesson. “Oh, and, I might be back a little later today. Some after-school thing.”
“Alright, honey, have a good day,” his mom echoed from the kitchen as he grabbed his backpack and shoved his shoes on.
“Be safe,” his dad called after and Billy paused in the doorway.
“I will,” he replied, loud enough for them both to hear before he slipped out the door, his keys jingling in his hands.
I hope he’s really okay…
He pressed his hands over his ears without realizing it as he climbed into the driver’s seat. Guilt gnawed at him. He hated lying and he hated lying through William’s mouth.
I’m sorry.
Agatha suddenly materialized in the passenger seat, startling him as she grinned. “Okay, kid, let’s hit the road before you make you and your little boyfriend late.”
Billy just took a deep breath. One day at a time, Billy. You can do this.
Picking up Eddie went smoothly, and Billy would be lying if he didn’t feel better listening to his hunk of a boyfriend ramble on about some new show as they held hands. He didn’t even care as Agatha mocked him for doing so.
Then they got to school and it was as if Billy had been thrown into a concert stadium, except, instead of screaming, he could hear all the words inside everyone’s head overlapping all at once. Sure, it had been horrible driving as well, but at least then people had been moving past him quickly in their cars and the stream of thoughts had felt further away.
Not now though. Now everything was a horrific nightmare that was getting louder, louder, louder .
“Billy?” Eddie’s voice broke through and some of the noise dimmed, although the headache remained. “You okay?”
“Uh, yeah, sorry,” he said quickly, offering a shaky smile. “Just a little headache.”
“Do you want something for it? I think I have some Advil in my bag,” Eddie offered and Billy just shook his head.
“No, it’s okay, I’ll be fine.” He hoped he sounded convincing.
Eddie stared at him a moment before he nodded, moving to get out of the car. “If you say so.”
In his peripheral vision, he could see Agatha watching him closely and he finally turned his head to face her. For a moment, he thought he saw something akin to concern on her face before her features shifted, and she looked more amused than worried. Maybe he was imagining things. One more thing to add to the list of ways his brain was messed up.
“You better get to it, Teen, class waits for no witch,” she said, smiling, and Billy was convinced he had been seeing things as he grabbed his bag and followed Eddie inside the building.
Unfortunately, they didn’t have first period together, which was both good and bad. Good because he wouldn’t have to pretend like he didn’t feel like his head was going to crack open, and bad because he had no one and nothing to ground him…well, unless he counted Agatha who was almost glued to his side as he sat down at his desk.
“So, what’s this class?” She asked, looking around with a sort of curiosity that stemmed from boredom.
“U.S. History,” he mumbled, accidentally speaking out loud and he wanted to disappear as several pairs of eyes glanced toward him before flickering back down to their phones.
God, he couldn’t think straight.
“Well, that’s because you aren’t straight, darling,” Agatha replied with a laugh and he hadn’t even realized he had been projecting his thoughts to her and bit his lip.
He felt his control slipping and he took another few deep breaths. He was okay, he would be okay, everything was fine.
Agatha didn’t speak again, possibly noticing he was near a freak-out, and instead settled toward the back of the room. But she didn’t leave. He found himself relieved.
Not even a minute later, the bell rang, loud and shrill and Billy had to force himself not to slam his head into his desk and blow out his own eardrums (not like that would help) as a wave of thoughts assaulted him.
This is stupid, I can’t believe I have Calculus this early…
Please no pop quiz, please no pop quiz…
Oh, Mr. French is looking good this morning…
“Shut up, shut up, shut up,” he whispered under his breath, and from her spot behind him, Agatha watched as his magic flickered to life at his fingertips.
That was not good.
“Billy,” she warned, but he didn’t seem to hear her as he squeezed his eyes shut tight.
The lights flickered this time and people glanced around the room nervously before they turned around toward Billy, noticing his panic.
“Hey, are you okay?” A girl asked quietly from his left and Billy’s head snapped up, alarmed.
But not at her question. He could feel his magic bubbling up within him, clawing at him, begging for release as the noise grew louder and louder and louder .
“Billy, you need to leave, right now,” Agatha’s sharp voice cut through his panic and he obeyed her order, rushing out the door with barely enough awareness to grab his backpack.
The halls were empty, everyone already in their classes, but Billy barely noticed as he stumbled through and out the door toward his car.
It hurt, it hurt, oh god, it hurt.
He unlocked the car door and climbed in, slamming it shut before he hugged his knees to his chest. The air felt too thin, his chest too tight to get it in and he felt his breaths coming quicker. His hands felt numb and tingly and he felt tears spring to his eyes as he looked around.
“Agatha! Agatha, make it stop!” He cried, begging her to help him and she appeared in the passenger seat, her hands hovering close.
“Try to breathe-”
“I am breathing!” He cut her off, although his chest was heaving now as he gasped.
Blue magic was vibrating around him now, powerful and deadly, and Agatha’s face pinched. If he lost it now, truly lost it, it would be a miracle if the school remained standing…and everyone in it.
“Listen to me, Billy,” she said as she focused all of her energy into her hands and successfully managed to touch him. She squeezed his shoulders tight, feeling him trembling. “Focus on me. Focus your magic on me, your thoughts, everything. Try to read me, and only me.”
“I-I can’t-” he stuttered, tears now flowing freely.
“Yes, you can,” she said, her tone leaving no room for doubt. “And you must. Or else people will die, do you understand.”
He shook harder under her grasp but nodded, his teary eyes locked onto hers as he took slow, staggering breaths.
In, out, in, out.
“Good, Billy, good, breathe and focus. Focus on my voice and my thoughts. Only my thoughts.”
Focus on my thoughts.
“I-I can hear…” he murmured, eyes closing as the other noise faded to static in the background.
Focus on…
Focus…
And then Agatha’s thoughts were gone…but the silence remained.
“You’re quiet,” he breathed, his voice a sigh as he slumped back. “It’s quiet.”
He saw Agatha smile through his blurry vision still obscured by his tears. “I was going to teach you this later, but, well, it seems you needed it sooner.”
He just nodded tiredly, suddenly exhausted, but he didn’t miss as she glanced down looking almost…guilty? Could Agatha Harkness even feel guilt?
“Thank you for teaching me…whatever it is I’m doing is working,” he said and he heard her chuckle.
“Well, of course, I’m a great teacher and a greater witch because I came up with technique literally a day ago. But, as for what you’re doing, I let you into my head, just a little, before cutting you off from my thoughts. However, you’re still in here, hence, the silence.”
Billy frowned. “I don’t get it.”
Agatha just rolled her eyes. “Hm, yes, I forget I’m dealing with a fledgling witch. Think of it as you reading me except I both let you and don’t let you. Make sense?”
“I’m just going to say yes since I’m tired,” he said and Agatha sighed but didn’t push the matter any further.
“I bet you are, considering you had enough magic buildup to potentially blow up the school and the surrounding area. Pulling all that back takes a lot of energy.”
“Wait what?” He asked, suddenly sitting upright and ridged, and Agatha’s eyes widened just a fraction at the fear in his voice. “I almost did that?”
“Umm, maybe…but you didn’t and everything’s settled now, so don’t worry too much about it,” she said, brushing it off but that seemed to not be the right response as Billy’s bottom lip began to tremble.
“What is wrong with me, Agatha? I’ve killed people and I almost did again just because I had a panic attack? Oh my god, I could’ve killed Eddie!” His thoughts were spiraling and Agatha felt herself go cold as he looked directly at her. “I’m a monster!”
“Don’t say that,” she snapped, sounding almost harsh, but it was just the forcefulness with which she spoke. “Don’t ever feel guilty about your magic, Billy. People would kill to have your power. I know I did.”
“Well, I’m not like you, okay! I don’t want all this power! I-I just want to be normal!” He cried, now shaking as he sobbed again, fresh tears slipping down his cheeks.
He glanced down, ashamed and afraid, until he felt a cold hand touch his cheek, gently wiping away his tears. He looked up, surprised, only to find Agatha staring at him with an expression he’d never seen before. It…reminded him of the way his mom looked at him. Concerned and…could it be caring?
“You’re right, you’re not like me. You’re better, Billy. You’re good .”
Billy just shook his head, not believing her words. “I’m a murderer.”
“You’re a child, and what happened wasn’t your fault.” Her voice wasn’t necessarily soft, but it wasn’t cold either. It was firm, and it made Billy want to trust her.
“Agatha…” he whimpered her name and let her take his face into her hands. They felt cool against his cheeks, flushed from crying.
The witch killer comforting the broken boy.
“You’re not a monster, Billy.”
He looked at her, really looked at her, and knew she wasn’t lying. But he still had to ask. “How can you be so sure?”
Agatha sighed softly, almost reminiscent. “Because you care. And monsters don’t.”
Billy sniffled as he rubbed a hand across his face to dry his tears before he smiled shakily, looking up at Agatha. He should hate her, for what she did and what she’s done, but he doesn’t. He never did.
She died for him, and now, she was here for him.
And to Billy, that was enough. That was what he needed .
“You know, Agatha, you’re good, too.”
Her hands dropped to her sides and an almost anguished expression flashed across her face before she forced the pain away, offering a tight-lipped smirk. “Keep saying things like that, kid, and people are really going to think you’re crazy.”
Billy couldn’t help but let out a small laugh. “I know.”
But that didn’t make his words any less true.