Archive of Our Own

One of Rio’s best qualities is that she’s able to stay relatively calm under pressure and doesn’t let her emotions get the better of her. It’s part of why she’s so good at her job in the tech department of the local theatre in her neighborhood. So many things can go so wrong so fast and it takes someone with a truly thick skin and solid spine to wade those treacherous waters. She has to be able to think quickly on her feet if something goes wrong with the lights or sound and really any aspect of the technical side of the shows they put on.

And she’s brilliant at it. Really, she is. She never lets her emotions take over and has never once thought about trying to sabotage an actor or a show for personal reasons.

Until now , that is.

Because every time she sees that redheaded harlot standing even remotely close to Agatha, she wants to “accidentally” forget to save all of the woman’s lighting and sound cues to completely throw her off. Even though they’re about to enter tech week.

But that’s petty. And unprofessional. And she’d never do that. Because she likes her job and respects her boss and genuinely wants each show to succeed.

Honestly though, it’s a miracle she hasn’t done anything so far throughout rehearsals. Though, to be fair, she hasn’t been needed at the same time as the actors until much more recently. Which means she’s been lucky enough to not have to watch the woman she’s in love with pretending to fall in love with someone else over the last couple of months.

Is it too early to claim that sentiment when they’ve only been together for a few weeks? Quite possibly. But in Rio’s defense, she’s been slowly falling in love with Agatha over the last five years, ever since they first worked on the same show together. Unfortunately, Agatha had been romantically unavailable at the time so Rio was left to stew in her growing feelings. 

And then Agatha was available but not looking for anything serious. And as much as Rio had wanted to be able to worship every single part of Agatha, she knew that she’d never be able to keep it casual. Which is something that she’s reminded of every time she looks at Agatha and gets the giddy little feeling inside of her. It’s ridiculously distracting some of the time, but it’s the best damn feeling in the world.

The giddiness just increases tenfold whenever she witnesses Agatha on a stage; the other woman was born to be a star, even if her asshole of a mother tried to snuff out that desire a long time ago. It never took. And thank goodness for that. Otherwise, Rio wouldn’t be able to admire her from the tech booth at the back of the room as she runs through one of her most pivotal scenes from the current play they’re putting on.

“Where are my lights?”

Rio jolts forward in her seat at the voice of the director, eyes widening as she scrambles for the script to figure out exactly where they’re out so she can punch in the proper commands. She manages to find the right spot quickly enough and hits the cues, letting out a breath of relief. “Sorry,” she calls out, slumping back in her chair. “Won’t happen again.”

The director, Lilia, sighs heavily. “Let’s take ten and then come back to run it from the top.”

A chorus of “thank you ten,” echoes throughout the room, from Rio included. 

Once she sets the cues on the lightboard back to the top of the show, Rio leans back in her chair and pulls out her phone to keep herself occupied until everyone comes back. She lightly spins her chair back and forth as she scrolls through her socials, not really looking for anything in particular. She simply needs to pass the time.

“It’s not in your nature to miss a cue.”

Rio freezes, then sets her phone down on the desk in front of her and spins her chair slowly to face the brunette leaning against the back wall. “First time for everything, right?”

Agatha nods. “For a moron, yes.” She pushes off the wall and strides closer, resting her hands on the arms of Rio’s chair and leaning down until their noses are almost touching. “But you, Rio Vidal, are no moron.” 

Rio smiles, leaning up slightly to kiss her sweetly. “So what am I, then?”

“An adorable dork whom I hope is incredibly forgiving and understanding.”

Rio’s brows furrow. “What do you mean?”

Agatha sighs, standing up straight and pushing a hand through her hair. “I know we had plans tonight but you know how Lilia is, wanting everything to be completely perfect. She may not have said it outright at the start of rehearsal, but she wants all the actors to get together and make sure we all know our cues inside and out.”

“And it has to be tonight?”

“Considering tomorrow’s our first dress, yes.”

Rio lets out a heavy breath. “Well, I guess I can’t really hold that against you. You are the lead, after all.” She shifts in her seat. “Is uh, is…Wanda gonna be there?”

“The whole cast is. Why?”

“Oh, uh, no reason.” She takes a deep breath and sits up a little taller. “So, date night’s gonna have to be postponed a bit, huh?”

Agatha smiles. “Well, I was thinking…we skip the cast party after opening and have a little party of our own.”

Rio sucks in a sharp breath at the implication behind Agatha’s words. They haven’t slept together since the night they both confessed their feelings; it’d been right before rehearsals started amping up so they’d both been too exhausted from the show and their day jobs to relive that experience. Though, if Agatha is telling the truth, then Rio is very, very close to getting to have Agatha writhing underneath her again. 

“Does that sound like a plan to you?”

Rio swallows thickly. “I, uh…yeah.”

Agatha smiles brightly. “Good. So it’s a date.”

Rio smiles back. “Looking forward to it.”

Later that night, when Rio is lying in bed scrolling Instagram while waiting for Agatha to text her to let her know she’s safely back at her apartment, she sees it. It’s innocent enough, of course, but it makes her blood boil. 

Agatha posted a photo a couple of hours ago of the entire cast sitting around someone’s living room, multiple scripts laid scattered between them with containers of takeout littering the floor and furniture. Her teeth grind together at the arm belonging to that redhead slung over Agatha’s shoulders, the two of them sitting next to each other almost in the center of the photo. 

She shouldn’t be surprised, really, considering they’re co-leads and have known each other for years. But it still sets something off within her. 

She quickly double-taps the photo (she’s always liked every single one of Agatha’s photos and knows it’ll confuse the brunette if she doesn’t like this one too) and then opens up her Stories. She shifts on her bed just enough, runs her hand through her hair to ruffle it a bit, and then holds her phone above her and at a slight angle. Only her upper body is showing, and she’s doing her best to smile lazily, though she prays it’ll have the exact effect she wants.

She snaps the photo and loads it without scrutinizing it too much, adding a simple text layer on top: a relaxing night in after a long day of rehearsal. Can’t wait for everyone to see this show. It’s gonna be fantastic. 

Seconds later she receives a text from Agatha, though it’s only the standard “home safe” text. She gives it her standard heart reaction and then sets her phone aside, waiting for the inevitable and hoping this half-assed emotion-filled plan doesn’t backfire on her. Because that would absolutely suck. 

About twenty minutes later, when she’s on the verge of sleep, the screen of her phone lights up with a phone call. She smiles at the caller ID and taps the answer button, immediately switching to speaker. 

“Yes?”

A frustrated huff of breath comes through the phone. “Why would you post something like that?”

The edges of Rio’s lips quirk. “Post what?”

“Don’t act innocent. You know what you did.”

“All I did was post a picture to my Story, Agatha,” she teases. “I have no control of whatever conclusions your mind draws from it.”

Agatha groans in annoyance. “I don’t know why I’m with you.”

Rio freezes, sucking in a sharp breath. Sure, Agatha’s teased her like that a few times over the few short weeks of the budding relationship, but it’s never hit her as hard as it has right now. Her entire body tenses up and she opens and closes her mouth a few times but is unable to find any proper words. She’s grateful for once that Agatha initiated a voice call instead of a video call.

“Rio? You still there?”

Rio swallows thickly and nods. “Uh, y-yeah, I’m still here.”

“Good. I thought you fell asleep on me.”

“I would never,” she shoots back easily. 

Agatha snorts. “You did last week.”

“To be fair, I was incredibly tired.”

“You always are after rehearsal. I’m gonna let you go since you’re probably close to passing out, but I’ll see you tomorrow?”

“Yeah.”

“Good. Oh, and Rio?”

“Yeah?”

“Don’t think I’m going to forget about that picture.”

Rio smiles. “I’m counting on it. Goodnight, gorgeous.”

Agatha laughs quietly. “Goodnight.”

The call ends and Rio slumps back even more in her bed, letting out a heavy breath and running her hand through her hair again. She has absolutely nothing to be worried about, right? Agatha is dating her now, she chose her. She shouldn’t be so messed up about this. 

.

.

.

The days all blend together after that, and before Rio knows it, it’s opening night. She loves opening nights. There’s always a certain type of buzz in the theatre on opening night; this is the first time people are seeing their show. It’s exhilarating. She looks forward to it every time they put on a new production. 

Except this time around her enthusiasm is a bit muted. She’s still excited, of course, because they’ve all put a lot of time and hard work into this show and people deserve to see it. She just hates the final scene. 

Yes, it’s the finale, the culmination of the entire play, the thing both characters have been working towards since they first stepped onto the stage. Doesn’t mean she has to like watching it. It makes her sick when she sees it. Not in a way where she’s going to empty the contents of her stomach into a toilet, but in a way where she wants to shove Wanda into just fast enough traffic. 

Maybe she’s being dramatic.

Okay. She’s definitely being dramatic. But she can’t help the way her stomach twists into knots and her jaw clenches when the final moments of the show play out. 

It’s annoying, really. 

But she pushes through it all because she’s a damn professional. 

Only…she very nearly downs the lights earlier than she is supposed to so no one else has to see Agatha and Wanda kissing. Until she realizes that that could very well put Agatha in a sour mood. And that is the very last thing she wants to happen. 

So she quite literally sits on her hands until it’s actually time to switch the lights. But that pit is in her stomach the entire near minute that Agatha and Wanda are locking lips.

The only thing that really gets her through the final scene is knowing that she’s the one Agatha chooses to spend her nights with. Even if they’re simply eating takeout and watching terrible reality TV to unwind. It’s always perfect. 

What’s not perfect is having to watch her girlfriend kiss her ex every weekend for the next month. It’s gonna be absolute torture. Having people cheer during it is ten times worse for that pit that keeps on growing. She’s not sure it’ll stop until the play’s run is completely over.

When the stage lights have gone down at the proper time , Rio lets out a heavy breath and leans back in her seat. She waits the correct amount of time and then brings the lights back up for curtain call. Her smile widens exponentially when Agatha walks out to take her bow. She can’t help but clap and cheer like a madwoman, hands cupped around her mouth at one point to amplify the sound. She’s almost certain that Agatha hears her, if the slight twitch of her lips is anything to go by.

As the cast makes their way back off the stage to change out of their costumes, Rio busies herself with tidying up her space and making sure everything is where it needs to be for the next show. She checks that the light and sound cues are properly reset and then shuts the entire system down, gathering her personal belongings and shoving them into her backpack. She slips into her jacket, flings the backpack onto her shoulder, and then makes her way out of the small tech booth area to head toward the theatre exit.

She smiles politely at a few people she passes, some of them recognizing her from her years at the theatre and congratulating her on another great show. She can’t lie, it was a pretty damn good show overall. They have a pretty great team both on and off stage. 

“Rio.”

Spinning around, she smiles at Lilia approaching her. “Hey.”

“The lights looked fantastic,” Lilia tells her with a bright smile. “I shouldn’t be surprised, though, considering I’ve been watching your brilliant lighting schemes all through rehearsal. But there’s just something about seeing it on opening night.”

“Thanks, Lilia.”

“Of course. Are you heading out now?”

Rio nods. “Yeah. I’m just waiting on Agatha, we’ve got plans. Actually, have you seen her?” 

“Yes, I think she was over near the concession stand with Wanda, talking to some audience members.”

Rio’s jaw tightens involuntarily. “Right. Uh, thanks. I’ll see you tomorrow, Lilia.”

Lilia flashes her a soft smile. “You too, sweet girl.”

Rio waits for her to leave and then heads in the direction of the concession stand, taking a deep breath to try and keep her heart rate under control. Unfortunately, her heart pounds even faster when she reaches the area where the small concession stand is and finds Agatha and Wanda with their arms wrapped around each other, laughing at something the people in front of them are saying. They look so comfortable and at ease with one another, which should be a good thing considering they’re playing romantic leads in the show.

But for Rio, it’s a very, very bad thing. It makes her stomach churn and her palms sweat and her vision swim. She hates feeling like this. Absolutely hates it.

Wanda resting her head on Agatha’s shoulder like it’s the most normal thing in the world is the very last straw.

Rio turns and bolts, barely casting a glance at anyone who tries to catch her attention. She pushes through the doors out into the cool, evening air, though it does little to lower the angry heat that’s rising through her body.

Grateful for the fact that she only lives a couple of blocks from the theatre, Rio tugs her jacket tighter around her body and makes her way down the sidewalk, heading for home. All she needs is a night to herself, to cool off so she doesn’t say or do something she might regret. Because the very last thing she wants to do is ruin her relationship with Agatha. That small voice in the back of her mind tells her that it’s already been ruined.

When she steps inside her apartment, she has just enough sense to not slam the door, shrugging off her backpack and jacket and letting both fall to the hardwood floor. She makes a beeline for her bedroom to change into more comfortable, relaxing clothes, and then settles herself on her couch with a cold beer and a hot pocket, the TV turned onto an old episode of one of those dumb reality shows she and Agatha like to watch. 

Despite her uneasiness, she can’t bring herself to watch the new episode without her girlfriend.

She’s a third of the way into her hot pocket when there’s a hard knock at the door. Her brows furrow tightly. “Go away,” she calls over her shoulder. 

“Rio,” Agatha’s voice comes through the wood. “Open up.” 

“No. I said go away.” 

There’s a few seconds of quiet, then a familiar jingling, and then Agatha is striding through the door like she owns the whole building. “Did you forget I have a key?” 

Rio frowns, turning back toward the TV. “What are you doing here?” 

“Well, I was supposed to hang out with my girlfriend tonight but when I finished changing and talking to people, she was nowhere in sight.” 

Rio shrugs, taking another bite of her hot pocket. “I thought you’d be at the cast party.”

Agatha sighs, sinking onto the arm of the chair next to the couch. “Why would I be there when I already agreed to spend time with you?” 

“Isn’t Wanda gonna be there?” Rio responds, trying to sound casual but knowing some of the bitterness comes out.

Agatha pauses, her entire body stilling, and then her brows furrow. “Wanda? What does she have to do with why you’re trying to bail on our plans?” 

Rio huffs. “Nothing. Just forget I brought her up.”

Agatha shakes her head, resting one foot on the seat of the chair and leaning forward. “No, I’m not going to forget. Why did you bring up Wanda?”

Rio hesitates, considering exactly what she’s going to say or do; this needs to be handled delicately. She leans forward to set her food and drink down on her coffee table, then turns just enough to face her girlfriend. “You kissed her.”

Agatha nods slowly. “Yes. For the play.” 

“No, I know that. It’s just…every time I have to see you two kiss…I get this pit in my stomach and I feel sick.” 

The edges of Agatha’s lips twitch. “Sweetheart, I think you’re jealous.”

Rio scoffs instinctively, shifting in her seat. “No, I’m not. That’s ridiculous.”

Agatha raises a brow. “Is it, though? You’ve never really liked Wanda.” 

“I don’t have a problem with Wanda,” she says, even if she doesn’t quite believe it herself. Really, there isn’t much that’s unlikeable about Wanda. The only thing Rio’s ever had a problem with is that the redhead used to be the one receiving Agatha’s affections.

But now Rio is receiving those affections, so logically she shouldn’t have any problems with it.

“Keep telling yourself that, honey,” Agatha says. 

“I don’t have a problem with her,” Rio practically snaps. “Why would I have a problem with you kissing your ex-girlfriend you were with for five years and then had an apparently mutual breakup and you claim there are no lingering feelings between you two? There’s no way you’re going to grow feelings for her again while letting her hang all over you like it’s second nature to you and then leave me because you realize I don’t give you the same buzz she clearly did considering you were together for five years. Why would I have a problem with any of that?” She’s breathing heavily by the time she finishes, her heart pounding in her chest and her nails digging into her palms.

Agatha shifts slowly from the chair to the couch. “I…I had no idea you felt that way.” 

“Because I didn’t want you to,” Rio manages to get out, her voice slightly strained. She swallows thickly. “Your stage work is so important to you and you’re always so locked in, I didn’t want to risk disrupting that by telling you about how jealous I am.” 

“So you admit that you’re jealous.”

Rio groans, throwing her hands in the air. “Fine. Yes. I’m jealous.” 

“Okay. Well, first of all, despite what it may look like, I’m not actually gaining any enjoyment anymore from kissing Wanda. That ship has sailed completely. Second of all, why on earth would you think that your feelings are less important to me than the show?”

Rio shrugs, shrinking in slightly on herself. “I don’t know. I guess…our relationship is still so new, I didn’t want to risk it.”

Agatha sighs, scooting closer and grabbing one of Rio’s hands. She gently uncurls it, running her thumb over the slight half-moon marks in her skin, then brings it to her lips to press a gentle kiss to the center of her palm. “Yes, our relationship is still new,” Agatha tells her softly, “and despite how long we’ve known each other, we’re still getting to know each other in a different way. But that doesn’t mean how you feel is any less important to me than my work. It is perfectly normal to be jealous of your partner’s past relationships, I’m not upset about that. What I am a little upset about is the fact that you felt like you couldn’t talk to me about it.”

Rio blinks back a few tears. “I’m sorry.”

Agatha shakes her head, moving even closer and tightening her grip on Rio’s hand. “No. I’m sorry for making you think our relationship wasn’t strong enough to handle strong emotions.” She uses her free hand to cup Rio’s chin. “You are so incredibly important to me, Rio. This relationship is important to me.” 

“Your relationship with Wanda was important to you once too.”

Agatha sighs, nodding. “Yes, it was. But it’s not anymore. I woke up one day and realized that while I did love her, I had never fallen in love with her, even after five years together. I spoke to her about it, and she admitted that she had the same realization but didn’t know how to tell me. That’s why we broke up.”

Rio swallows. “Oh.” 

“And so, if five years with her isn’t enough to make me fall in love with her, then three weekends of a minute-long kiss certainly isn’t going to do the trick. It probably doesn't help that I’m thinking about you the entire time.”

Rio perks up at that. “You are?” 

“Mm-hm. I didn’t tell you because I didn’t want you to get a big head.”

Rio grins. “Too late. I think my head’s the biggest it’s ever been.” Her smile softens. “And I really am sorry that I didn’t talk to you. I know I should have. Admitting to my jealousy just seemed so…juvenile.”

“But it doesn’t make it any less real.” She takes a deep breath. “If you promise to talk to me whenever you’re feeling like this, I promise to talk to you the next time I have to kiss an ex-girlfriend on stage.”

Rio’s eyes go wide. “How many exes do you have?”

Agatha shrugs. “A few. But none of them were ever interested in theatre, so we should be safe on that front.”

“So….it’s only Wanda that we have to worry about, then?”

Agatha rolls her eyes, a small smile tugging at her lips. “I’ve already told you that nothing is going to happen there. Neither of us feels anything for each other anymore. Besides, she knows that I am completely committed to you. And she thinks you’re good for me, or whatever.”

Rio smiles. “She does?”

“Yes. Now, have your worries been settled? Is the jealousy dissipating? Because I just had a very long day on stage and I’d really like to relax for the rest of the evening with my amazing girlfriend.”

Rio’s heart swells at Agatha’s words. “Yeah, I’m good. I promise. Go change and grab a snack,” she says, gently nudging Agatha’s thigh with her own. “I think the newest episode is out.”

Agatha grins. “Perfect.” She leans forward to kiss Rio slowly. “I’m glad we’re okay.”

“We’re more than okay, baby. I promise.” She leans back as Agatha stands and makes her way toward Rio’s bedroom to borrow some clothes, reaching for her beer again and taking a slow sip. “Hey, Agatha,” she calls out when her girlfriend is nearly out of sight.

The woman turns back. “Yes?”

“I lo–” she cuts herself off, faltering, unsure if this is the right moment to say those three little words that have been niggling in the back of her mind for quite a while now. She swallows, letting a smile pull at her lips. “I loved your performance tonight. You were perfection.”

Agatha smiles as if she knows, but doesn’t remark on Rio’s fumble. “Thanks for being my biggest fan.”