#Jen and Agatha arguing again

[draco-glacialis]

Agatha to Jen: I Will Break Into Your House And Put Your Pillow Through The Dryer To Ensure That You Do Not Have Even A Slither Of Cold Side To Sleep On You Bastard.

[hope-you-brought-kneepads-bitch]

Agatha: You’re an asshole!

Rio: Yeah well you’re a bitch!

Agatha: That’s pathetic! You can’t even even insult me properly!

Rio: I’ll slit your throat so you can’t talk!

Agatha: You can try but you won’t succeed!

The other coven members watching their fight

Lilia: They’re so toxic I don’t understand why they’re still together

Alice: There must be some reason they’re still together

Jen: Sex

Lilia: Come again?

Alice: They probably do

Jen: Anyway, it’s definitely sex, this fighting and arguing is just foreplay, Rio is death she can’t die and Agatha is sadistic, they fit perfectly-

Rio: You look good wrapped in my vines my love

Agatha: I look good in anything!

Rio: You look even better in nothing!

Jen standing up: Okay time for us to leave

Lilia: How do you know?

Alice: They’re staring at intently at each other

Lilia: Yep definitely time to leave

The coven leaves

[lilia-calderus-pet-goat]

Something of note about Lilia's tarot spread is that—it's hers. The cards she pulls aren't precisely who the characters are to themselves, but who they are and what they represent to Lilia. As her coven, in her life.

Like, I don't really know my tarot that well—I'm just pulling themes from within the episode and my general understanding.

But when she was reading for Billy, he was fittingly represented by the Magician. But for Lilia, he was the “windfall.” He was the tower, reversed. Miraculous transformation. Because she, having put the sigil on him, saved him from the destruction and lead to his miraculous transformation. And to her, he was the windfall, because without him, she wouldn't be here, with her coven. She wouldn't have found herself.

Alice's is very straight forward—“full of fire, fights bravely.” It's how Lilia saw her, what Lilia had once again predicted for her. 'Wound suffered, lessons learned.' Specifically, Lilia wasn't able to warn Alice, but she learned her lesson. So, this time, she makes sure to warn Agatha. “When she calls you a coward, hit the deck.”

And why does she warn Agatha? Agatha represents her 'obstacles,' after all. Maybe so—Lilia's literal obstacle at this stage ends up being the Salem Seven, who merely want Agatha. Yet she chooses to stay behind to save a woman who probably wouldn't do the same for her. And the reason is—for her, Agatha is the Three of Swords. She looks at her and sees Heartbreak, (Rio) Sorrow, (Evanora) Grief (Nicholas). And Lilia is willing to forgive her—to sacrifice herself for her—even if the universe itself doesn't think she deserves it. This is different from how Agatha views herself, or even how Billy views her, since he initially pulls out the Chariot. One might say it's a random choice, but the Chariot is described as representing “determination, success, and control.” It's about overcoming challenges and gaining victory through maintaining control of your surroundings—which, I argue, embodies Agatha pretty well. So The Three of Swords is who Agatha is to Lilia. She doesn't hate her, or see her as a force to be reckoned with. She pities her. After all, the Queen of Cups is defined by her empathy.

Then, of course, Jen. Jen is Lilia's path ahead. Not only because she has a brilliant future of her own ahead of her in the mcu, now with her powers unbound. Because Lilia senses all the trapped light and bound power that Jen carries—“The High Priestess: Immense spiritual power, unable or unwilling to use it--” but also because Jen, the survivor, is the one who will carry on Lilia's memory. All those centuries, Lilia had been alone—there was no 'path ahead.' Everything was a jumbled mess, her “path” was non-linear and twisty. And Jen, after centuries of solitude, was her light in the dark, guiding her through the dark tunnels, as her mind wandered through her timeline searching for answers. Jen was the only person in centuries who bothered to see her as something more, to acknowledge her strength, and to help her fill in the gaps as best as she could. And so Lilia sees so much hope in Jennifer—who won't stop becoming better and better. Because for Jen, the Queen of Cups is her path behind. Wound suffered, lessons learned. “I couldn't save Lilia, I didn't even try to save Alice, I'll be damned if I let you two idiots die.”

Finally, Death, Rio. Well—it's obvious. In tarot, death isn't literal. It's mist often symbolic. Transformation, end of a cycle, new beginnings. Which is why we never see Lilia's corpse, and we never see Rio collect her. Because unlike Alice, Lilia went into the afterlife willingly. And for her, it was a beautiful release. After years of running out of time—she got to start anew—knowing that this time, she managed to save her coven. (I'd also like to think that the reason we don't see Rio collect Sharon is because it was a peaceful death—joining Mr. Davis instead of suffering further. Whereas Alice finally had something to live for, but I digress. I've already made my posts about Alice.)

I think that this is all relatively obvious—but I genuinely can't stop thinking about Lilia and her dynamics with the rest of the coven.

[vigilante24ish]

🌙 Moon Phases 🌙

Agatha Harkness X Fem!Reader

Chapter 1. - Chapter 2. - Chapter 3

Chapter 4. - Chapter 5. - Chapter 6

Chapter 7. - Chapter 8. - Chapter 9

Chapter 10. - Chapter 11. - Chapter 12

Word Count: 1684

Chapter 12:

The slide was muddy, the water helping you all go down and eventually you found yourself laying on your back; almost forming a pile with the rest of the coven.

On the positive note, you were back to your normal clothes, but now they were wet; wet enough to cause you feel a chill going down your spine.

You pushed some wet strands off your face and groaned faintly at the rough stopping while your body was slowly coming down from the adrenaline rush you had.

"Ugh," you exclaimed and brought your torso to a standing position before working to loosen your black tie; feeling as if you did not get enough oxygen with all the stress from the trial.

As you did, you took notice of Agatha standing up and trying to walk away; purposely pushing and kicking the others out of her way.

You could only shake your head, and with a sigh, you managed to stand on shaky legs. Careful not to slip on the wet ground, you realised you were back in the forest; though you were unsure if you were at the same point on the road or further down ahead.

Of course, Jen and Agatha had to start bickering again.

"We're alive. We made it through the first test. Everyone is safe." Agatha argued, one hand on her waist.

You were about to agree with her, when Teen pointed out something that no one else had done so far.

"Not everyone." He argued, drawing everyone's attention. "Sharon's dead."

It was then you took notice of the laying body of the human woman, spread like a starfish. Her skin was a ghostly white and her eyes had remained open, forever frozen to whatever image she saw last before death claimed her.

"Oh, no," you exclaimed, not believing you lost someone so early; let alone the poor woman.

A part of you, the more realistic part, expected Sharon would not survive till the end but it still came as a surprise. At least you knew, she was in a better place; or at least you hoped so.

"Who's Sharon?" You heard Agatha exclaimed and as you stared at her, you could not really tell if she was joking or she was literally that clueless.

You took a threatening step forward. "The human you took with you on this road," you explained, your voice coming colder than she expected, while one hand faintly motioned for the corpse next to your feet. "The human that had no place here, Agatha"

You had remained quiet when you first saw Sharon being dragged by Agatha and even after she came with you through the door. However, you drew a line to innocent lives getting lost.

Agatha had this hatred about humans, this feeling of superiority, and it was one of the few things you often argued.

Ironically, it was where your nickname came from. For your respect and kind nature to humans, it was always seen as something too sweet in her eyes, and eventually, she found that fitting nickname.

Sure, humans did prosecute and burnt your kind, but not all of them were like that. Some were scared, others followed the crowd, and you would be lying if you said there were no witches out there who acted similar; toying and harming humans for sadistic purposes.

Agatha looked at you in surprise by your tone, evident by how her lips had parted at your words. She almost felt offended but then scoffed, hiding any sense of vulnerability she might have shown for that one second.

She should not be surprised, you always had a soft spot for humans; when the moon was full and you were in a good mood.

Yet she still did not expect such a reaction from you, especially for a woman you knew for a few hours at most.

She commented nothing, realizing you were not going to listen to her excuses. She knew when the waves were little too harsh to navigate, even for her, and she had learnt the hard way to not mingle.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In the end, you all agreed to bury her; offering some sort of closure to her spirit.

Alice and Teen dug the grave, and you offered a silent prayer once the body was covered, the rest of the witches joining you; except for Agatha.

Now with that out of the way, one thing did remain.

You need a green Witch.

But before this could be discussed, another argument had to take place because what kind of testing would you all face if the coven bonds were not tested to the maximum.

"It's like the Ballad says... burn and brew, with coven two, and glory shall be thine" Agatha pointed out as if it wasn't obvious enough.

Apparently, it was not for Jen. "The Ballad clearly says... With coven true, glory shall be thine"

Agatha laughed. "Does it? It's Coven two"

"That doesn't make any sense"

You knew why Agatha was so persuaded it said Coven Two. It was because the last time on the road, a full Coven entered, and yet only two witches made it to the end; you and her.

So her argument was valid, for easily words had been misheard over the centuries; especially one as ancient as the Ballad.

However, something was telling you Jen was right in this case.

You chose not to argue, though, or enter this discussion. Instead you stood a little to the side with Lilia, who seemed to share your thoughts and maybe your migraine from all that arguing.

Jen stared Agatha right in the face. "How many witches left The Road with you last time?"

Agatha lifted a single digit but to the surprise of many, she added a second one; indicating the number two. Then with her thumb, she first pointed at herself and then at you; earning surprised reactions from the other witches.

Except for Teen. He already knew that little information.

"You were on the road with her?" Lilia asked, staring at you.

You nodded faintly but did not say anything or at least you didn't manage to because Agatha popped in.

"Yes, she did," she moved to stand by your side, one hand around your shoulders and pulling you closer in an awkward side hug, or at least it was meant to be a side hug. "See, coven of two," Agatha continued, trying to win thus pointless argument.

Jen looked between the two of you, trying to understand what kind of relationship you seemed to have.

The nickname was not that much of a help, at first, because Agatha had a knack for not calling people with their names. Now, it seemed you had a deeper connection with the former evil witch, but it was unclear what.

Plus, if you had survived the road once... why come a second time?

Now Jen was curious but chose to try and find an answer to that later.

For now, you needed to find a green witch though she was insure if it was possible. You were in the middle of the freaking Road; sort of locked in a very magical box that no one could enter or leave; let alone alive.

"We can summon one," you suddenly said, stopping the argument from continuing any further.

"We can?" Teen asked hopefully.

"Don't be silly," Agatha dismissed. "We can't. We are on the Road"

This time, you stood your ground. "We can. I know of a ritual that will open a door and summon us a green witch"

Agatha looked at you slightly betrayed, but as your gazes remained locked, you started to suspect her denial to the ritual was something more personal.

There was something Agatha was afraid or feared would come if you tried the ritual, and you doubted it was the Salem Seven.

No... this was far bigger.

"Let's do the ritual then," Teen said, earning nods from the others and leaving Agatha to huff silently; having lost the vote to the majority.

Had she mentioned she hated democracy and voted of the crowd?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It did not take long to prepare for the ritual, getting a few things from around like an obsidian stone, some herbs, and so on.

Then, you all stood in a line close to the grave; in front of you, the summoning symbol drawn amongst pushed away leaves and mud.

Well it was less of a symbol and more like the figurine of a person, made by pulled up mud and framed by the yellow and leaves all around it.

You had also managed to light three red candles that Teen for some unknown reason had on him, an extra to the ritual.

Standing in the middle of the group, you clasped your hands in front of you and started to chant in Latin; your voice coming heavy and powerful, echoing across the quiet clearing.

It surprised your coven, not having the quiet and simple you chant with some power, but now they knew better; especially if casting spells was the same way for you.

Once you finished chanting, you looked at Lilia at the very end of the formed line and motioned for her to lay the first object and acknowledge her intentions.

"May she be strong and wise, and the best at her craft." The old witch said.

Agatha followed next. "May she be smart and not annoying... and also, not super political."

You followed next, having chosen to place a Crysanthemum flower you had plucked from near by; ironically close to where Mrs. Davis was buried.

"May she be an ally, not an enemy," you manifested, earning a few head nods from the others.

Jen was next. "May she be pleasant looking."

Alice went last. "Can she bring some Advil?" She asked, earning a scoff from Lilia.

Once it was all done, you waited as in the next second, a strong ominous wind picked up and extinguished the candle flames.

Before any of you could question if it had worked, a hand shot out from the freshly dug grave close to you.

Chapter 13

[grifffins]

🔮 The Fool’s Journey (Into Trouble) 🔮 | Ch. 5

Lilia Calderu x fem!reader

summary: A matchmaking event, a reckless plan, and a game that cuts a little too deep—because playing with fire always has consequences

wc: 8.3k (Chapter 5/?)

a/n: I'm reading all the reviews you're leaving, and it's filling me with so much joy, seriously, thank you so much! I promise I'll eventually get around to replying to them all, but for now, just know that I've seen them, I appreciate every single one, and they are absolutely fuelling me to get these chapters out faster. If I had to stare at this chapter any longer, I was genuinely going to throw myself off a cliff, so here it is before I lose my mind. I don’t know, I hope you like it!

And just a heads-up—ratings have officially gone up 🔥 y'all better handle this with care.

Ch. 4 ch. 6

also on ao3

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………

The next few weeks flew by in a blur of routine and mild frustration. I’d gotten used to maneuvering on crutches though not without my fair share of near-disasters and before long, I was downgraded to a boot. A clunky, annoying boot, but it was better than nothing. And now, I was almost out of it, counting down the days until I could finally move like a normal person again.

Lilia had been... Lilia. Ever present, always hovering just enough to make sure I wasn’t doing anything too reckless, but never crossing the line into anything that could be considered more. There were lingering touches, soft smiles, and the occasional meaningful glance, but nothing had really progressed.

And, honestly? That was fine.

Mostly.

Between the shop being surprisingly busy and my friends constantly roping me into their latest schemes, fundraisers, work drama, and questionable life choices. I barely had time to dwell on it. I liked keeping busy, helping where I could, and throwing myself into distraction after distraction. It was easier than thinking about how much I wanted Lilia but didn’t know how to move things forward.

Some days, it felt like we were stuck in this comfortable, frustrating limbo. We'd laugh, we’d bicker, we'd work side by side in the shop, but there was always this invisible line neither of us was willing to cross.

Still, things were good.

Lilia was still a mystery I was determined to solve, even if she sometimes acted like an impenetrable fortress. But there were moments, tiny cracks in the walls she put up. The way she’d refill my tea without asking, or how she’d linger at the end of my shift, pretending to read while really just making sure I got home safely. The way she’d watch me when she thought I wasn’t looking, like she was thinking about something.

And those moments? They were enough to keep me going. For now.

One afternoon, as I hobbled around the shop stocking shelves, I sighed dramatically. "Lilia, please, I cannot wait to be out of this boot. I feel like Frankenstein’s monster."

Lilia smirked from behind the counter, flipping through an old grimoire. "You only have to wait till this afternoon."

I shot her a glare. "Rude."

She chuckled, but there was that usual softness behind it, the kind that made my heart skip a little. "You'll be back to your reckless self soon enough. I'm sure I'll regret it."

I grinned. "Oh, you will. First thing I'm doing is dancing barefoot on the counter just to spite you."

Lilia rolled her eyes but didn't argue. Instead, she just said, "I'll keep the first aid kit ready."

I snorted, limping toward the register. "You should always have that thing on standby with me around."

"Trust me," she said dryly. "I do."

The bell above the shop door jingled, and before I could process it, Jen and Agatha waltzed in like they owned the place.

"Y/n!" Jen beamed. "Still hobbling around, I see."

Agatha leaned on the counter, eyeing Lilia with that devilish glint in her eye. "And, you're still under Lilia's watchful eye, huh?"

Lilia arched a brow. "You say that like it's a bad thing."

Jen smirked at me. "Oh, it's not a bad thing at all."

I groaned. "Guys, please."

Agatha ignored me, grinning. "Anyway, y/n, you up for helping me with something later?"

I sighed, already knowing I was about to get roped into something ridiculous. "What is it this time?"

Jen wiggled her brows. "Oh, you know, just a little... matchmaking event."

I blinked. "No."

Lilia, to my absolute horror, looked very interested. "Matchmaking?"

Agatha smirked. "Yeah. You in?"

Lilia, without missing a beat, looked directly at me and said, "I think y/n should go."

My jaw dropped. "What?!"

Lilia’s lips curled into that maddening smirk. "It could be... fun."

I groaned, slamming my head onto the counter. "I hate all of you."

Lilia just sipped her tea, looking far too pleased with herself. "You'll survive, baby."

“What exactly is a matchmaking event?”

Jen leaned against the counter, grinning like the devil she clearly was. "Oh, y/n," she purred, eyes sparkling with mischief. "A matchmaking event is exactly what it sounds like."

I narrowed my eyes at her. "And why, exactly, do you think I need to attend one?"

Agatha smirked, completely ignoring my very valid concern. "It's a charity event, actually. Think of it like speed dating, but fancier, cocktails, music, a little light mingling." She waved a hand dramatically. "People will bid on dates, there'll be matchmaking games, the whole romantic shebang."

I groaned. "You have to be kidding me."

Billy, who had apparently appeared out of thin air (or just snuck in without me noticing), clapped his hands together. "Oh no, she's not kidding, and I am so excited for this."

Lilia, who had been sipping her tea silently this whole time, finally spoke up, eyes fixed on me in that infuriatingly calm way she had. "I think it’s an excellent idea."

I gaped at her. "Et tu, Lilia?!"

She shrugged, setting her cup down with a smirk. "You did say you were bored."

Agatha nodded sagely. "Exactly! And what better way to pass the time than by meeting some... interesting people?"

I groaned, dragging a hand down my face. "Oh my God, no. I am not getting auctioned off to the highest bidder like a damn prize goat."

Jen laughed. "Oh, come on. It’s for charity! Think of it as... networking."

Billy wiggled his brows. "With benefits."

Lilia quirked an eyebrow, but there was something sharp in her eyes now, something that made my stomach flip. "You never know, y/n," she said smoothly, "maybe you'll find someone... intriguing."

I stared at her, heat rising to my cheeks. Was she actually encouraging this?

I pointed an accusing finger at the coven. "You’re all just doing this to watch me suffer, aren’t you?"

Agatha grinned. "Absolutely."

Billy winked. "One hundred percent."

Jen shrugged. "You should be used to it by now."

I sighed, sinking onto the nearest chair. "This is actually my worst nightmare."

Lilia, standing far too composed and far too smug, leaned against the counter. "You'll do fine, baby."

And the way she said it, soft, teasing, but with just enough of an edge, made me wonder if she was enjoying this a little too much.

I stared at Lilia for a long moment, watching the way she casually sipped her tea, completely unbothered by the absolute chaos the coven was throwing at me. Mixed signals? Oh, she was full of them. She’d spent weeks hovering, making sure I didn’t overdo it, looking after me with a quiet protectiveness, and now she was totally fine with me flirting with other people?

Okay, Lilia.

Fine. If she wanted to play it cool, I could play it colder.

With a wicked smirk, I crossed my arms and leaned back into my chair. "Alright," I said, shrugging. "I'll do it."

The coven exploded.

"YES!" Billy practically fist-pumped.

Jen beamed. "Oh, this is going to be so good."

Agatha cackled. "I knew you'd come around."

But I didn’t take my eyes off Lilia, watching for any flicker of emotion behind that carefully composed exterior of hers. She raised a brow, looking mildly impressed but ultimately unfazed. “Good for you,” she said, nodding. “You’ll enjoy yourself.”

I wanted to scream.

Instead, I smiled sweetly. “Yeah, maybe I’ll meet someone intriguing, like you said.”

Lilia’s lips twitched, but she didn’t rise to the bait. “Perhaps.”

Ugh.

I was going to do this. Not because I wanted to, but because if Lilia was going to keep up this whole mysterious and unattainable older woman thing, then I was going to make her watch me flirt with someone else.

By the time I got back from the hospital that evening, boot-free and feeling like I had reclaimed my dignity, I was on a mission.

I went all out.

I pulled out one of my best dresses, the kind that hugged in all the right places, paired it with strappy low heels— I wasn’t about to push my luck after just recovering from a broken leg — and topped it all off with red lipstick. My hair was styled to perfection. 

I looked in the mirror and grinned. Damn, I missed dressing up.

Before I left, I snapped a quick selfie and sent it to the group chat.

Me: Ready to break hearts tonight.

Billy responded instantly.

Billy: BABE. I AM DEAD.

Jen: GIRL, THEY WON'T SURVIVE YOU.

Agatha: Show Lilia. Right now.

I rolled my eyes, typing back.

Me: No way. Let her suffer.

I grabbed my clutch, took one last glance in the mirror, and smirked.

Lilia Calderu had no idea what she was in for.

I arrived at the venue, the heels clicking confidently against the pavement as I made my way inside. The place was fancier than I expected, soft lighting, elegant decor, and the kind of crowd that screamed money meets desperation.

I spotted Agatha immediately, standing near the bar with a drink in hand, watching me approach with an impressed smirk. Her eyes swept over me from head to toe, and she let out a low whistle. “Damn, y/n. If I weren’t rooting for Lilia, I’d bid on you myself.”

I rolled my eyes, planting myself in front of her. “Alright, what do I need to do?” I asked, folding my arms.

Agatha grinned wickedly. “Eager, are we?”

I sighed, eyeing the bustling room. “Let’s just say I’ve been encouraged.”

She chuckled, handing me a glass of champagne like she hadn’t practically dragged me here. “Alright, here’s how it works. There are three... let’s call them options.”

I narrowed my eyes. “Go on.”

Agatha held up a perfectly manicured finger. “Option one—the bidding auction. People bid for a date with you.”

I groaned. “Hard pass.”

Ignoring me, she lifted a second finger. “Option two—the matchmaking questionnaire. You fill it out, they set you up with someone they think is compatible.”

I stared at her. “Do I look like someone who’s here for a deep connection?”

Agatha smirked. “No, you look like someone here to make a certain divination witch jealous as hell.”

I didn’t deny it. “And option three?”

Agatha smirked, holding up the final finger. “And then there’s option three... mingling, flirting, working the room.” She gestured grandly at the crowd. “And, honestly, that’s where you shine.”

I sighed, taking a slow sip of champagne. “And which one exactly do you want me to do?”

Agatha’s grin stretched impossibly wider. “Oh, baby, I didn’t bring you here to find your soulmate.” She winked. “I brought you here to make Lilia Calderu jealous as hell. So, option three it is.”

I arched a brow. “And if she doesn’t show up?”

Agatha shrugged. “Then at least you’ll have some fun and free champagne.”

I sighed, finishing my drink. “Fine. Let’s do this.”

Agatha grinned, looping her arm through mine. “That’s the spirit. Now, go mingle. And remember, eye contact, light touches, and laugh at everything.”

I groaned but let her pull me toward the crowd. This was going to be... interesting.

I took a deep breath, rolling my shoulders back and putting on my most dazzling smile. If I was going to do this, I was going to do it right.

Armed with another glass of champagne and Agatha’s ridiculous advice bouncing around in my head, I stepped into the crowd, letting myself glide from conversation to conversation. I laughed, I touched arms lightly, I made just enough eye contact to keep people interested without giving too much away.

And through it all, one thought lingered in the back of my mind.

Please show up, Lilia.

I scanned the room subtly, pretending to be fully invested in whatever some guy in a ridiculous suit was rambling about, but my heart wasn’t in it. I could feel the absence of her. Could feel the weight of her not being here.

The evening dragged on, and despite the flattering attention I was getting, more than I knew what to do with, there was an ache in my chest that wouldn’t quite go away.

I found myself standing near a group of women, effortlessly charming my way through another conversation, when I caught myself staring toward the entrance for the millionth time.

Nothing.

I sighed internally, feeling my excitement wane just a little.

But just as I turned back to my conversation, I caught a shift in the air. A presence.

And then I saw her.

Lilia Calderu, standing in the doorway like she owned the place, dressed in a simple but devastatingly effective black dress, nothing overly elegant, just effortlessly put together, the fabric skimming her figure in a way that made my mouth go dry. Her dark curls were loosely pinned up, a few strands escaping to frame her face, and those brown eyes of hers scanned the room with sharp intent, missing nothing.

My heart stopped.

She looked... incredible.

Her gaze locked onto me almost instantly, and I saw the way her eyes flickered over my dress, my posture, the easy way I was leaning against the table with a glass of champagne in hand and a smile that may have been a little too smug.

For a second, I thought she might turn around and leave, but instead, she walked in with the kind of calm, deliberate grace that made my stomach twist into knots.

Agatha, appearing by my side out of nowhere, whispered, “And there she is.”

I swallowed, my throat suddenly dry. “I thought she wasn’t coming.”

Agatha smirked. “She didn’t think she was coming. But then she realised she couldn’t let you have all the fun without her.”

I watched as Lilia made her way through the crowd, her expression unreadable, but her eyes, her eyes, never left me.

I forced myself to smirk, turning back to the group I was talking to, making a show of tossing my hair over my shoulder and laughing lightly at something someone said. But my heart was pounding.

Lilia Calderu was here. And she was watching me.

Game on.

I took a slow sip of my champagne, letting the bubbles fizz on my tongue as I kept my posture relaxed, my smile effortlessly charming. I could feel her gaze burning into me from across the room, sharp and assessing, but I didn’t look her way, not yet.

If she wanted to watch, I’d give her a damn show.

“So, y/n,” the woman beside me purred, leaning in just a little too close. “You never told me what you do for a living.”

I smiled, tilting my head coyly. “Oh, you know... a little bit of everything,” I said smoothly, trailing a finger along the rim of my glass. “Keeps life interesting.”

I swore I could hear Lilia’s scoff from across the room, and it took everything in me not to grin.

Agatha, who was lingering nearby, nudged me under the table with her foot. “Subtle,” she whispered, her tone practically dripping with glee. “She’s watching you like a hawk.”

I shrugged, pretending to be unaffected. “Let her.”

I felt her familiar presence before I even saw her. Lilia’s energy was intense, heavy and magnetic, drawing people in without her even trying. And then, just as I was laughing at something unremarkable, I saw her appear at the edge of my vision, standing beside the group with her arms crossed, a neutral expression on her face.

But her eyes? Her eyes told an entirely different story.

They flicked from the woman leaning too close to me, to my lips, and then, finally, locked onto mine.

I arched an eyebrow, feigning innocence. “Lilia,” I greeted, taking another slow sip. “Didn’t expect to see you here.”

She tilted her head slightly, her lips curving into that maddeningly subtle smirk. “Neither did I.”

Agatha, not missing a beat, grinned and chimed in. “Lilia! Finally decided to join the fun?”

Lilia’s gaze didn’t leave mine as she responded, “I suppose someone had to keep an eye on y/n.”

“Oh, I think I’m doing just fine on my own,” I shot back, playful but pointed.

Lilia’s lips twitched. “So I see.” Her gaze dragged over me, slowly, taking in every inch of my dress, my posture, the way I was standing just close enough to the woman next to me to imply interest.

I held her gaze, my heart racing. “You know, you could’ve just stayed home,” I teased, my voice dropping just a bit. “No need to check up on me.”

Lilia stepped closer, leaning in just enough that I could catch the faint scent of her perfume. “Maybe I just wanted to watch?”

I swallowed, my bravado slipping just slightly.

Agatha, watching the exchange like it was the best thing to ever happen to her, nudged me again and whispered, just for me to hear, “You’re losing, babe.”

I straightened up, regaining my composure, and smirked at Lilia. “Well, since you’re here... maybe I should introduce you to some people.” I gestured to the woman beside me, who looked suddenly very interested in this new development. “This is—”

But before I could finish, Lilia reached out, tucking a stray strand of hair behind my ear, her fingers lingering a second too long. The touch sent a shiver down my spine.

“Enjoy yourself, baby,” she murmured, her voice low and full of something I couldn’t quite place. “Don’t let me stop you.”

And with that, she stepped back, leaving me absolutely reeling.

Agatha burst into laughter. “Oh my God, she is so playing you.”

I clenched my jaw, staring at Lilia’s retreating figure as she casually wandered toward the bar, looking as cool and composed as ever.

Oh, hell no.

I was not about to let Lilia Calderu waltz in here, throw me off my game with a well-timed smirk and a touch that lingered just enough to make my brain short-circuit. If she thought she could walk away with the upper hand, she had another thing coming.

I plastered on my best grin and turned back to the woman next to me, who was still watching the whole exchange with keen interest. “Sorry about that,” I said smoothly, letting my fingers graze lightly over the rim of my glass. “Old friend.”

Lilia, who had just reached the bar, tilted her head slightly at my words, clearly listening in.

The woman smiled, intrigued. “Old friends who stare at you like they’d rather eat you alive?”

I laughed, but it wasn’t entirely fake. “She’s... complicated.”

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Lilia's shoulders tense slightly. Gotcha.

Agatha, still lingering with a devilish glint in her eye, whispered in my ear, “Atta girl. Make her work for it.”

With renewed confidence, I turned my full attention to my current company, leaning in just enough to make it seem like I was entirely absorbed in our conversation. I laughed at all the right moments, let my hand casually brush against hers, and even threw in a little coy lip bite for good measure.

And Lilia saw every second of it.

I could practically feel her eyes on me, dark and heavy, her carefully composed façade slipping by degrees.

When I dared a glance her way, I caught her watching with that unreadable expression, cool, detached, but with a flicker of something darker beneath. Jealousy? Annoyance? I wasn’t sure, but I liked it.

Still, she didn’t approach.

Fine. If she wanted to play it that way, I’d push a little harder.

I tilted my head back, laughing at something the woman said, making sure my posture screamed confidence, my neck arched just enough to be noticeable. And then, as casually as I could manage, I said loudly enough for Lilia to hear, “You know, I was a little nervous about coming tonight, but... I think I’m really enjoying myself.”

From across the room, I saw Lilia’s grip tighten around her glass.

Agatha, ever the enabler, had appeared at the bar, bit back a grin and leaned against the bar near Lilia. “So, Lilia,” she said innocently, “what brings you here tonight? Surely not jealousy?”

Lilia’s eyes flickered with something sharp, but she simply took a sip of her drink, her voice smooth as silk. “Just making sure y/n doesn’t get herself into too much trouble.”

“Oh, I think she’s handling herself just fine,” Agatha teased, shooting me a wink.

I smirked, running a hand down my hip and throwing Lilia a pointed glance before turning back to my conversation.

But before I could say another word, Lilia appeared at my side, moving silently and suddenly. Her presence was commanding, and I felt it in every nerve of my body.

“Y/n,” she said smoothly, her voice velvety and low. “A word?”

The woman next to me raised an eyebrow. “Oh,” she said, clearly amused. “I think I’ll leave you to it.”

I swallowed, my heart pounding, but I kept my smirk firmly in place. “Of course, Lilia.”

She led me away from the crowd, her hand resting lightly on my lower back, just enough to own the situation, just enough to remind me exactly who I was dealing with.

Once we were in a quieter corner, she turned to face me, crossing her arms and raising a brow. “Having fun?”

I shrugged, playing it cool. “I was.”

Lilia’s lips twitched, but her gaze sharpened, laced with something I couldn’t quite place. “You’re walking a fine line, baby.”

I tilted my head, stepping closer, pushing just enough. “Maybe I like the edge.”

Her eyes darkened, and for the first time all night, I wondered if I’d pushed too far. But instead of pulling away, she leaned in, her breath warm against my ear, sending shivers straight down my spine.

“Careful,” she murmured, voice low and dangerously smooth. “You might find yourself wanting something you can’t have.”

I swallowed hard, fighting to keep my cool. “Maybe I’m tired of waiting.”

Lilia’s expression remained unreadable, her head tilting just slightly.  “Getting ahead of yourself, baby.”

I exhaled sharply, biting back the urge to roll my eyes. “And you love dragging this out, don’t you?”

She made a soft, thoughtful sound, her gaze sweeping over me like she was deciding just how much she wanted to let me have. “Mmm. Maybe. Or maybe you’re seeing something that isn’t there.”

Heat curled in my stomach, frustration and want tangled together, her eyes flicked down to my lips for half a second, just long enough for me to notice, but before I could say anything, she let out a slow, almost teasing sigh and stepped back, putting space between us. “Go on, baby. Enjoy your night.”

And with that, she turned and walked away, leaving me reeling.

Agatha appeared at my side almost immediately. “So... that looked intense.”

I took a deep breath, my heart racing. “I think I might be losing.”

And honestly? I didn’t want to play this game anymore.

Agatha grinned. “No, babe. You’re both losing.”

I groaned. “Great.”

I huffed, crossing my arms tightly over my chest as I watched Lilia disappear back into the crowd with that same frustrating grace she always carried. I turned to Agatha, my lips pursed in irritation. “You know what? I don’t want to do this matchmaking thing.”

Agatha, ever perceptive, didn’t even argue. She just sipped her drink and gave me a knowing nod. “Of course, no problem.”

I blinked. “Wait, seriously?”

She smirked, leaning against the bar. “I know when you’ve had enough, y/n. And right now, you look like you're two seconds away from murdering someone.”

I sighed, running a hand through my hair, suddenly feeling the weight of the evening pressing down on me. “Yeah, I think I just... I need to go home.”

Agatha nodded, patting my arm. “Good call. Go home, take a bubble bath, and—”

“Eat my feelings?”

Agatha grinned. “Exactly.”

I gave her a small smile, grateful she wasn’t pushing. “Thanks, Aggie.”

She winked. “Don’t worry, babe. We’ll gossip later.”

I nodded, weaving my way through the crowd, ignoring the curious glances and the lingering presence of Lilia somewhere in the room.

By the time I stepped outside, the cool night air hit my skin, and I let out a long breath. The tension that had been building inside me all evening eased slightly, but the frustration was still simmering beneath the surface.

Because despite everything, the flirting, the teasing, the stupid mixed signals, Lilia still managed to keep me at arm's length. And I was tired of playing the waiting game.

As I made my way home, heels clicking against the pavement, I couldn't help but feel like I had just walked away from a fight I wasn't even sure I wanted to win anymore.

I made it home, kicking off my heels the second I stepped through the door. The silence of my apartment felt jarring after the noise and chaos of the event, but it was exactly what I needed. No prying eyes, no teasing coven, and most importantly, no Lilia.

I sighed, rubbing my temples as I walked into the kitchen, grabbing a glass of water and downing it in one go. The adrenaline from earlier was fading, leaving me feeling tired, annoyed, and... a little disappointed.

The evening had started off fun, with the whole “make Lilia jealous” plan in full swing. But somewhere along the way, it had stopped being about teasing her and started feeling like something else. Something heavier.

I wanted her to chase me. I wanted her to want me.

But instead, she just kept pulling back, staying in that frustrating space of almost.

I flopped onto the couch, staring up at the ceiling, letting my thoughts spiral.

Maybe she really doesn’t feel the same way.

Maybe the age gap is too much for her.

Maybe I’m just a fun distraction to her.

I groaned, tossing a pillow over my face. “Ugh, stupid.”

Just as I was debating whether to text Agatha and unload my feelings, my phone buzzed against my thigh.

I grabbed it, half expecting it to be one of my friends checking in, but my breath caught when I saw the name on the screen.

Lilia.

I stared at it for a beat, my thumb hovering over the screen.

Was she going to scold me for leaving early? Check on me? Or just... toy with me some more?

Taking a deep breath, I swiped to answer. “Hello?”

There was a pause, then Lilia’s voice, soft and measured. “You left.”

I blinked, sitting up straighter. “Yeah, I did. I wasn’t feeling it anymore.”

Another pause. “I see.”

I rolled my eyes. “Did you call just to state the obvious, Lilia?”

She hummed, and I could practically hear the smirk in her voice. “Maybe.”

I rubbed my forehead. “Lilia.”

She sighed, and for a moment, I thought she might actually say something real. But then—

“I wanted to make sure you got home safely.”

My heart did that stupid little flutter thing, but I pushed it down, forcing a casual tone. “I’m fine. I always am.”

There was silence on the other end, and for a second, I thought maybe she’d hung up. But then—

“I shouldn’t have encouraged you to go,” she admitted quietly.

I swallowed, surprised by the sudden shift in her tone. “Why did you?”

She didn’t answer right away, and when she did, it was softer than I expected. “Because I wanted to see what you’d do.”

I clenched my jaw, feeling frustration bubble up again. “And? Did you enjoy the show?”

Lilia exhaled, something close to a chuckle, but there was an edge to it. “More than I should have.”

My grip tightened on the phone. “You’re infuriating, you know that?”

Another pause. “So I’ve been told.”

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. “Go to bed, Lilia.”

“You too, baby,” she murmured, and before I could come up with a snarky response, the call ended.

My heart pounding, frustration and something else, something deeper, swirling in my chest.

I stared at my phone for all of ten seconds before I muttered, "No, fuck this." Without thinking any further, I tapped Lilia’s number and called her back.

She answered almost immediately, her voice a little softer, maybe a little surprised. “y/n?”

“You’re confusing,” I blurted out, pacing back and forth in my living room, frustration bubbling over. “You are so confusing, Lilia.”

Silence.

I didn’t care, I was on a roll now. “You flirt with me, you pull away, you get all soft and caring, and then you act like none of it happened. And I keep trying to play it cool, keep waiting for you to make up your damn mind, but you never do.”

She didn’t say a word, and I wasn’t stopping.

“And fuck you and this whole age gap excuse, because that’s what it is now, Lilia. It’s an excuse. You keep telling yourself that’s the problem, but it’s not. You flirt with me, you want me, and then you shut me out like it never happened. I’m tired, Lilia. I’m so tired.”

I paused, breathing hard, and then it hit me. My eyes widened as I blurted, “And you never even gave me my underwear back!”

I was hysterical. 

I could hear Lilia inhale sharply on the other end, and for a second, I thought she might say something, anything. But all I got was silence.

And that silence was worse than if she’d yelled at me.

I swallowed hard, my anger deflating into something... heavier. More raw. My voice softened, and I rubbed a hand over my face. “I’m sorry,” I muttered, feeling the weight of it settle in my chest. “I shouldn’t be yelling at you.”

Still, she said nothing, and it was starting to hurt more than I thought it could.

I took a shaky breath. “I’m done, Lilia. I can’t take any more.” My throat tightened, and I blinked back the sting in my eyes. “It hurts too much.”

For a long moment, there was only the sound of my breathing and the faint static of the line. Then, finally, Lilia’s voice came through, so quiet I almost didn’t hear it.

“Y/n...”

I squeezed my eyes shut. “Don’t.”

Another pause. Then she sighed, long and slow, like she was carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders. “I never meant to hurt you.”

I let out a bitter laugh. “Yeah, well... you did.”

Silence again, and I could almost imagine her, standing in her shop, looking down at the floor with that troubled frown she always wore when she was thinking too hard.

After another beat, she said, “I—” but she cut herself off, like she couldn’t finish the sentence.

I shook my head, wiping at my eyes. “Lilia, I can’t do this anymore. Not unless you actually want me. Not unless you’re willing to admit it.”

There was a pause. Then, finally, so quietly it nearly shattered me, she said, “I do.”

I froze, my heart slamming in my chest. “What?”

“I do,” Lilia repeated, her voice barely above a whisper. “I just... I didn’t know how to.”

I swallowed hard, my chest tightening. “Then why are you pushing me away?”

There was a long silence before she finally admitted, “Because I’m scared.”

I felt something shift inside me, my anger melting into something softer. “Scared of what?”

Lilia sighed again, and this time, she sounded... tired. Vulnerable. “Of how much I want you.”

My lips parted, my throat suddenly dry. “Then stop running,” I said softly. “Please, Lilia. Just... stop.”

She was quiet for another long moment, and then— “Come over.”

My breath hitched. “What?”

“Come over,” she said again, a little stronger this time. “Now.”

I hesitated, my heart pounding. “Lilia, are you sure—”

“Yes,” she interrupted. “Please.”

And just like that, I didn’t even hesitate. I grabbed my coat, shoved my feet into my shoes, and bolted out the door, my heart pounding so hard I could feel it in my throat. The night air was cool against my skin, but I barely registered it, I was too focused on getting to Lilia.

The drive to her shop felt endless, every red light an eternity, every turn slower than I wanted. My fingers tapped anxiously against the wheel, my thoughts racing.

She admitted it.

She finally admitted it.

But what did that mean? What was waiting for me when I got there?

By the time I pulled up outside her shop, I was a mess of nerves, my stomach churning with anticipation and something I couldn’t quite name. I parked and sat there for a moment, gripping the steering wheel, trying to collect myself.

Come over, she’d said. Not “we need to talk,” not “I need to explain.” Just... come over.

I swallowed, took a deep breath, and stepped out of the car. The street was quiet this time of night, the shop windows dark except for the faint glow of a single light inside.

I knocked, and almost immediately, the door creaked open.

Lilia stood there, looking... different. Her usual confidence wasn’t as sharp around the edges tonight. Her hair was loose, curling naturally around her face, and she had changed into casual wear, soft sweater and leggings, barefoot.

Her dark eyes searched mine, and for a moment, neither of us said anything.

I exhaled shakily. “Hi.”

“Hi,” she replied softly, stepping aside to let me in.

The familiar scent of her shop, incense, old books, and something distinctly her washed over me as I walked inside. She closed the door behind me, and the quiet settled around us like a heavy weight.

I turned to face her, my heart still racing. “I meant what I said, Lilia. I can’t do this anymore if you don’t—”

“I know,” she interrupted, her voice thick with something I couldn’t quite place. “I know, baby.”

The sound of her calling me that made my knees weak.

I swallowed. “Then why—”

Lilia took a slow step forward, her eyes locked onto mine. “Because I’ve spent a long time being careful, y/n. Too careful.”

I didn’t move, didn’t speak. I just let her talk.

“I told myself I couldn’t do this,” she continued, her voice quiet but sure. “That you deserved someone... younger. Someone with fewer complications. Someone who wouldn’t keep you waiting.”

I blinked, my throat tightening. “Lilia...”

She stepped closer, and this time, she reached out, brushing her fingers lightly over my wrist. “But you’re right. The age gap, the excuses... they’re just that. Excuses.”

I felt something break inside me, my breath hitching. “Then stop making them.”

Lilia looked at me, really looked at me, and I could see the struggle in her eyes, the hesitation, the longing, the fear. But then, with a slow, deliberate movement, she cupped my face in her hands, her thumb grazing lightly over my cheek.

“I’m done,” she whispered. “No more excuses.”

I barely had time to react before she kissed me.

Soft at first, hesitant, but then I melted into it, my hands gripping her waist as I kissed her back with everything I’d been holding in for weeks, months.

Lilia pressed closer, her body warm against mine, and I felt her exhale shakily into my mouth, like she was finally letting go of all the barriers she’d built between us. Like she wanted this just as badly as I did.

I pulled back just enough to catch my breath, my forehead resting against hers. “Took you long enough,” I whispered, my lips curling into a smile.

Lilia chuckled, her fingers still ghosting over my jaw, thumb tracing my lower lip. “I know, baby. I know.”

And for the first time in weeks, I felt like I could finally breathe.

But Lilia barely gives me a second to recover before she’s grabbing my hand and pulling me through the shop, her grip firm, her steps hurried, almost reckless. I can barely keep up, my heart racing, my body already aching for her before we even make it to her bedroom.

And then I’m there, being pushed back onto the bed, the mattress bouncing beneath me as I look up at her, chest rising and falling rapidly.

She’s standing over me, eyes dark and burning with something dangerous, something I’ve been craving for so long. 

I moan, unabashedly, because fuck, she’s so hot.  The way she looks at me like she’s about to devour me whole, like she’s going to ruin me, like I’m something she’s been starving for.

And then she starts stripping, slowly, painfully slow, slowly, deliberately, eyes locked onto mine the entire time. Teasing me with every inch of skin she reveals. She peels her sweater over her head, her curls tumbling loose, and I watch, breathless, as she undoes the clasp of her bra with deliberate precision, letting it fall to the floor, her smirk growing the longer I stare. Her hands move lower, hooking into the waistband of her leggings, sliding them down her hips with an agonising pace. She steps out of them with ease. My pulse pounds in my ears as she takes her time, dragging it out, knowing exactly what she’s doing to me, letting the last of her clothes slip from her body until she’s completely bare, standing before me in nothing but those dark eyes and the wicked smirk playing on her lips, and I’m left staring, aching.  

I can’t take it.

I stand up, lurch forward, hands reaching for her, closing the space between us, my hands immediately on her body, kissing every inch of skin I can reach her collarbone, her shoulders, the curve of her neck. My hands roam over her bare back, pressing her closer, needing to feel her. My teeth scrape over the pulse hammering at her throat, and I hear her breath hitch.

Lilia moans, her fingers tangling in my hair, tugging me even closer, and I can feel the heat radiating off her. I trail kisses down, across her chest, down her stomach, dragging my nails lightly, down her ribs just to make her gasp, desperate to taste her, to make up for all the time we’ve wasted.

I want her. I want to wreck her, hear her fall apart beneath me.

But Lilia has other plans.

With a low growl, she shoves me back onto the bed, straddling me before I can even react. Her body pins mine against the mattress, a delicious weight that has me gasping. She tugs my dress up, her hands rough and impatient as she drags it over my head and tosses it aside. A shiver runs through me as her fingers hook into the waistband of my panties, and without thinking, my hips lift to help her slip them off.

And then she does the same to me. Lilia’s lips are everywhere, hot, demanding, claiming me in a way that’s anything but soft. It’s hard, it’s raw, it’s pent up tension that’s been building for weeks, and it’s so damn good, and I can feel it in every press of her teeth, every bite of her nails against my thighs.

She kisses me like she’s making up for lost time, her hands gripping my hips tightly, grinding down against me, slow and deliberate, teasing me with the friction, with enough force to leave bruises in the morning. My nails rake down her back, desperate, needy, and she loves it, moaning into my mouth as she deepens the kiss.

We don’t stop.

There’s no hesitation, no second guessing, just heat and need and the overwhelming feeling of finally having what we both wanted.

I gasp as Lilia's hands roam lower, her touch possessive, her mouth following her hands, unrelenting, claiming every inch of me. She grips my thighs, spreading me open, pressing teasing kisses along my inner thigh, slow, deliberate, making me squirm.

She pauses just above where I need her, her breath warm against me, teasing, torturous. And when she finally looks up at me, her lips just barely brushing my skin, her eyes are dark, lips slick, pupils blown wide with hunger. She smirks.

“Took me long enough, huh?” she murmurs against my skin.

I can’t even answer, just nod breathlessly.

Lilia’s mouth is on me before I can even process it, her hands pressing my thighs apart with a hunger that makes my head spin. She doesn’t tease. She doesn’t drag it out. She takes. 

She devours me like she’s starving, like she’s been holding back for too long and refuses to do it a second longer. Her tongue moves with precision, slow at first, savoring, before she licks deeper, pressing her mouth against me with a hunger that has my head spinning. She flicks her tongue, dragging it over me just right, and I sob, my body jerking beneath her. 

Her fingers slide through slick heat, teasing, testing, until—

I gasp, my back arching off the bed as she pushes in, stretching me, filling me in a way that has me gasping for air.

She’s ruthless, curling her fingers just right, stroking deep, pushing, pulling, setting a pace that leaves no room for mercy.

“Do you have any idea what you’ve been doing to me, baby?” she moans against me, the vibrations sending a shiver up my spine. Her fingers don’t slow, thrusting into me hard, fast, each stroke deliberate and punishing. “The things I’ve thought about... every time you walked into the shop in those little skirts, every time you teased me?”

I whimper, my hands clutching the sheets, head thrown back in pure bliss.

She bites the inside of my thigh, and I cry out. “Those panties you left behind,” she breathes, her voice thick with lust, “I couldn’t stop thinking about them. About you. About what it’d feel like to have you.”

A desperate moan rips from my throat, my body trembling under her touch. “Lilia... please.” My hips lifting, chasing her, needing more. She hums, low and indulgent, before finally sliding another finger inside me, stretching me open, pushing deeper, pressing her palm against me just enough to make me whine. My hands clutch at the sheets, my body burning, every nerve ending sparking.

“I should’ve done this sooner,” her tongue circling me in slow, teasing strokes, drawing me apart piece by piece. “Had you like this ages ago. Been wanting to hear these sounds from you for weeks”

Her fingers press against that perfect spot inside me, and I choke out a sob.

She licks deeper, pressing her tongue flat against me before sucking lightly, and I jerk, crying out.

“Want to hear you cum for me,” Lilia purrs, her voice dark and commanding,  before she sucks harder, her fingers thrusting into me faster, curling deep, coaxing me higher. “Come on, baby. Let me hear it.”

And I do.

The pleasure crashes through me like a tidal wave, my body shaking, moaning her name over and over as I fall apart beneath her touch. Lilia doesn’t stop, doesn’t let up until I’m completely wrecked, panting, and twitching from the aftershocks.

She finally pulls back, pressing a final, lingering kiss against me, her breath warm and heavy.

“Good girl,” she murmurs, pressing a kiss to my stomach, her voice full of praise that makes me shiver all over again. “You did so well for me.”

I can barely respond, my limbs boneless, my mind hazy. But I know one thing for sure, I want more.

It takes me a moment to come back down, my body still trembling, my breaths ragged and uneven. Lilia watches me with dark, satisfied eyes, her smirk smug and dripping with confidence. Her fingers still teasing lazy circles on my thigh like she’s enjoying the way I twitch under her touch.

But I’m not done with her, not by a long shot.

Before she can even process it, I flip us over, pressing her into the mattress with a wicked grin. Her eyes widen, but there’s no surprise, just anticipation, hunger.

“Fuck.” The word comes out in a breath, barely a sound, but enough for her to hear.

She hums, amused, her nails skimming over my arms as if daring me to continue.

My fingers trail lower, slipping between her thighs, and I pause, my breath catching as I feel how absolutely soaked she is. The realisation sends a shiver through me, and I can’t help the smirk that tugs at my lips.

I pull back slightly, looking at her properly now, taking in the way her lips are parted, her pupils blown wide, her body already straining toward me.

“Oh,” I breathe, teasing my fingers against her, dragging them slowly to feel every bit of her need. “You don’t need any help, do you?”

Lilia’s breath hitches, her hips twitching beneath my touch, but she doesn’t answer, just watches me with dark, half-lidded eyes, her lips parted in anticipation. Fixes me with a look that makes my stomach flip.

It’s daring. A challenge. Like she’s waiting to see what I’ll do next.

“Fuck,” I say again, letting out another slow breath, pressing a little firmer, feeling how she responds so easily. “You really have been waiting for this,” I murmur, my voice dark, satisfied. “Haven’t you?”

She parts her lips to respond, but I don’t give her the chance.

I sink my fingers into her, slow at first, teasing, stretching her open, feeling the way her body clenches around me. 

And then I push in deeper, hard, and she gasps, her back arching, her fingers digging into my shoulders..

I don’t go slow. I don’t tease. I take her hard and rough, my fingers moving with purpose, curling inside her in a way that has her moaning instantly.

Lilia’s hands grasp at my shoulders, her nails scratching, dragging down my back, and I lower my mouth to her breasts, sucking one of her nipples between my lips. I swirl my tongue around it, biting down just enough to make her cry out, and it’s the most beautiful sound I’ve ever heard.

“Fuck, y/n,” she moans, her hips bucking up against my hand, her thighs trembling around me.

I smirk against her skin, flicking my tongue over the hardened peak before moving to the other, lavishing it with the same rough attention while my fingers pump into her relentlessly.

She’s so wet, so tight around my fingers, and it doesn’t take much before I feel her start to tighten around me, her walls fluttering, her breath coming out in broken gasps.

“So, you’ve been thinking about this for a while, huh?” I murmur against her chest, my voice dripping with satisfaction. “Thinking about how I’d feel inside you?”

She groans, her back arching as she gasps, “Yes... yes... fuck.”

I grin wickedly, increasing the pace, curling my fingers just right until she’s on the edge, her breath coming in short, desperate pants. “Come on, Lilia,” I whisper against her skin, sucking hard on her nipple as I thrust into her with delicious precision. 

“Let me hear you.”

And she does.

Lilia spasms around me, her moan breaking apart into something raw and desperate, her entire body trembling beneath me as she comes undone, gasping my name like it’s the only thing she knows.

I watch her fall apart, mesmerised, drinking in every twitch, every gasp, every sharp intake of breath, and it’s the most intoxicating thing I’ve ever seen. 

My fingers slow, riding out her high as I press soft kisses along her collarbone.

Her breathing is ragged, a deep flush crawling up her chest, sweat slicking her skin, and she lets out a soft, breathy laugh, pulling me against her, her fingers tangling in my hair. “I should hate how smug you look right now,” she murmurs, voice thick and shaky.

I smirk, kissing along her jaw. “You love it.”

She hums, her lips ghosting over my temple as her breath steadies, her fingers tracing lazy patterns on my back. 

After the intensity of it all, after the heat, the moans, and the desperate need finally sated, we collapse into the sheets, bodies still humming with the aftershocks.

Lilia sighs softly against my hair,  her arm draped lazily over my waist, her chest rising and falling steadily beneath me, and I feel her hand lazily tracing circles on my back. 

I shift slightly, my leg sliding between hers, my fingers still ghosting over her skin, unable to stop touching her even in the aftermath.

Her skin is warm, still damp from sweat, her breathing slow and steady.

“Comfortable?” she murmurs, voice low and raspy, and I can hear the lingering amusement in it.

I nuzzle against her neck, pressing a lazy kiss to her collarbone. “Very.” My voice is heavy with sleep, and I can feel the exhaustion creeping in, but I don’t want to move. “You?”

She hums, her lips pressing against my temple in a slow, lingering kiss. “Mm. I could get used to this.”

My heart stutters at that, but I don’t say anything, just smile against her skin, letting myself bask in the warmth of her.

Minutes pass, maybe hours, time feels irrelevant when I’m wrapped around her like this. Lilia strokes her fingers through my hair absentmindedly, and I can feel her breathing slowing, the tension that always seems to cling to her finally easing away.

I sigh, letting my eyes flutter shut, my body melting against hers. “Don’t retreat in the morning,” I mumble sleepily, barely coherent, but needing to say it.

She chuckles softly, the sound vibrating through me. “I won’t, baby.”

And that’s enough for me. With her promise lingering in the air between us, I drift off, feeling safe, sated, and completely tangled in her. Tangled in her warmth, in her scent, in the quiet hum of her presence.

[agathas-dark-magic]

Ep 5 Spoilers and Speculation:

I think Evanora just set Agatha up. I think she was trying to get someone to blast Agatha, either helping or hurting, to prove her point- that Agatha was evil and always had been. I believe that Agatha was not fully in control when she took Alice's power. Right before she was possessed again she said, "I can be good." Agatha was reliving the moment that her mother and her coven attempted to kill her the first time. She was in shock. It almost seemed like she was disassociating from the moment. And we see this potential plan working in Teen, who had been arguing to not leave her behind, but who instantly changed his tune when he saw what he thought was confirmation of who Agatha was.

Anyway I think the trial isn't really over. The only person that seemed to see through what Evanora was saying (and take action) was Alice, and that fell right in to "proving" that Agatha was evil. We had multiple examples of Agatha's mercy backfiring on her this episode, in learning that the Salem Seven are actually the children of the original coven and Jen, who Agatha herself said she left alone. I think in order to actually finish this trial people need to look past who they think Agatha is and see her for the actions she has actually taken, not just what they've heard.

[galaxysupreme17]

A Coven Road Trip

Y/n = Your Name

Agathario x daughter!reader

Coven of Chaos x teen!fem!reader!

The mid-morning sun glinted off the SUV’s windshield as the Coven of Chaos embarked on their magical retreat. Stacked with snacks, luggage, and a healthy dose of chaos, the cramped vehicle was an explosive powder keg waiting for the first spark. Y/n, wedged between Agatha and Jen in the middle seat, was already feeling the tension rise as Rio expertly swerved around a tight corner, narrowly avoiding a truck.

“Rio!” Billy yelped from the backseat, clutching the armrest for dear life. “Could you maybe not drive like Hydra is chasing us?”

“Hydra doesn’t scare me,” Rio said calmly, her hands relaxed on the wheel as if she were cruising down a suburban street. “Besides, we’ll get there faster if I—” She jerked the wheel to avoid a pothole, and everyone in the car tilted sharply to the left.

“Mama, I think I just saw my life flash before my eyes,” Nicky groaned dramatically, clutching the seatbelt across his chest.

“You’ll be fine,” Agatha replied without looking up from her book. She was completely unbothered, her arm draped protectively over Y/n’s shoulder as her daughter snoozed peacefully against her. It starkly contrasted Jen, who was gripping the door handle so tightly her knuckles were white.

“Why are you so calm?” Jen hissed at Agatha. “Rio is a menace behind the wheel!”

Agatha smirked, finally looking up from her novel. “Because I’ve survived worse. Plus, I trust my wife. She’s a very… effective driver.”

“That’s not reassuring!” Billy exclaimed, eyes wide as Rio executed a flawless yet terrifyingly fast merge onto the highway.

In the driver’s seat, Rio’s lips quirked into a small, knowing smile. She glanced at the rearview mirror, catching Billy’s terrified expression. “Relax, Billy. We’ll make it there in one piece.”

“That remains to be seen,” muttered Alice, seated in the back row beside Lilia. The latter was busy fiddling with the car’s Bluetooth system, attempting to connect her ancient playlist.

“I got it!” Lilia announced triumphantly as a hauntingly operatic tune from centuries past blared through the speakers.

“Oh, come on,” Billy groaned, leaning forward. “I was about to connect my phone!”

“You snooze, you lose, kid,” Lilia said, reclining smugly. “This is real music. Let’s educate your young ears.”

“Educate?” Nicky interjected with a raised brow. “This sounds like the soundtrack to a haunted castle. Maybe let Billy have a turn before I start summoning ghosts.”

“Hilarious,” Lilia deadpanned, rolling her eyes. “But no.”

Billy groaned again, louder this time. “Y/n, help me out here!”

Y/n stirred, blinking sleepily. She glanced around, assessing the situation with half-closed eyes before mumbling, “Lilia’s got seniority. Deal with it, Billy.” Then she nestled back against Agatha’s shoulder.

“Traitor,” Billy muttered, crossing his arms.

“At least she’s not complaining,” Rio quipped from the front, her voice tinged with sarcasm. “Unlike some people.”

“Speaking of complaining,” Jen interrupted, pointing at the map on her phone, “you missed the exit ten minutes ago! We need to turn around.”

“We don’t need to turn around,” Agatha said coolly, her eyes still scanning the pages of her book. “There’s another route up ahead.”

“No, there isn’t!” Jen shot back, her tone sharp. “If we keep going this way, we’ll be in the middle of nowhere.”

“Perfect place for a magical retreat, don’t you think?” Agatha countered with a sly grin.

Y/n groaned, rubbing her temples. “Mama, Jen, please, can we not argue? I’ll start crying, and you know what happens when I cry.”

The SUV went silent. Agatha’s expression immediately softened as she turned to her daughter. “Sweetheart, no need for tears. We’ll sort this out.” She shot a pointed look at Jen, who rolled her eyes but relented.

“Fine,” Jen muttered. “But if we end up lost in the woods, I blame you.”

“Duly noted,” Agatha replied, her smirk returning.

The car settled into a tenuous peace, though the atmosphere remained tense. Billy slumped against the window, sulking as Lilia’s music played on. On the other hand, Nicky leaned forward, resting his chin on the back of Y/n’s seat.

“Hey, Mama,” he said, a mischievous glint in his eye. “How do you put up with all of this? It’s like a circus in here.”

Agatha chuckled. “It’s called patience, darling. You might want to practice some.”

“Patience? With these people?” Nicky teased, gesturing broadly. “I’ll need a lot more snacks for that.”

Y/n tossed a granola bar at him, hitting him square in the chest. “There. Consider it a down payment.”

“Thanks, Y/n/n,” Nicky said with mock sincerity, unwrapping the bar. “You’re the real MVP.”

“Don’t encourage him,” Billy muttered, still pouting about the music.

The SUV pulled into a gas station an hour later. While Rio refueled, Agatha stretched her legs, her commanding presence drawing attention even in the mundane setting. Y/n followed, leaning against the car as she watched her family interact. Despite the chaos, a warmth in their dynamic made her smile.

“Feeling okay, sweetheart?” Agatha asked, noticing the soft expression on her daughter’s face.

Y/n nodded. “Yeah. It’s just… nice, you know? Being with everyone, even if it’s a bit of a mess.”

Agatha chuckled, pulling her daughter into a side hug. “A bit of a mess is an understatement. But it’s our mess.”

Nicky wandered over, hands stuffed in his pockets. “So, what’s the plan when we get there? Group meditation? Ritual chanting? Or are we just winging it like usual?”

“A little of everything,” Agatha replied. “You’ll see soon enough.”

“Great,” Nicky said, his tone dripping with sarcasm. “Can’t wait to see what chaos you all have cooked up this time.”

Rio approached the group, her gaze softening as she took in her family. She ruffled Nicky’s hair affectionately, wrapping an arm around his shoulders before turning to Y/n. “You holding up okay, princess?”

Y/n smiled up at her, nodding. “I’m good, Mami. Thanks for not hitting any more potholes.”

Rio smirked. “No promises on the way back.”

The final stretch of the drive was quieter, with Y/n and Nicky taking turns telling stories from their childhood to entertain Billy. Even Rio chimed in occasionally, sharing a rare anecdote that left everyone laughing.

When they finally arrived at the cabin nestled in the mountains, the tension had melted away, replaced by a sense of camaraderie. The group spilled out of the SUV, stretching and surveying their surroundings.

“Home sweet home,” Rio declared, tossing the keys to Agatha. “Next time, someone else can drive.”

“Noted,” Jen said, still looking a little pale. “But I’m definitely not volunteering.”

As they unloaded the car, Y/n caught Billy’s eye. “Still scared for everyone’s sanity?” she teased.

“Absolutely,” he replied, though his grin betrayed him. “But I guess there’s no one else I’d rather go insane with.”

“Hear, hear,” Nicky said, slinging an arm around Y/n’s shoulders. “Let the chaos begin.”

Y/n laughed, pulling her brother and Billy into a loose hug as they headed inside. Rio watched them fondly from the porch, her arm slipping around Agatha’s waist. “Our kids are something else,” she murmured.

Agatha smiled, leaning into her wife. “Perfectly chaotic, just like us,” she quipped with a smirk.

The retreat had only begun, but Y/n already knew it would be an unforgettable weekend with her chaotic, magical family.

[scullysstrapblog]

Warning! Spoilers for episodes 8 and 9 of Agatha All Along.

So I just had a few thoughts. Agatha's argument that it's "Coven two" makes sense now. Since Nicky was her coven.

Nicky created the original Ballad of the Witches road. He and Agatha were wanderers, so of course the song would be about the two of them.

My heart can't take it. I'm crying.

Agatha rewrote the song to lure in desperate witches, but the original words will always stick with her. That's why she argued with Jen about the wording.

Also, her running from Nicky. Nicky knew all along (ha) who his mom was. He helped her steal magick from other witches. He knew. So he would've welcomed his mom with open arms.

Her fear of letting him see her, it makes her character more complicated. Yes, she's evil. Yes, she's unapologetic. Yes, she's cold. But she's not heartless.

She's a living breathing person, with an ability she can't fully control. Her mother paved the way, but others helped make her believe she was a monster.

Nicky was the only person, aside from Rio, to see beyond how she presented herself. He was one of the only people to love Agatha, the scared girl who just wanted her mother's approval and to learn new things. The woman who learned from her mother's mistakes and didn't treat her son how she was treated. The woman who was ostracized from her community because she learned magicks they weren't comfortable with.

We can see that woman, not just in the flashbacks, but when she sits by Billy while he's recovering. We can see her when she sacrifices herself to keep Billy alive.

I wish we'd gotten to see more. Hopefully there's a second season. Ghost Agatha is a concept they can expand in so many ways. I also hope we get to see Agatha interact with Rio more. Especially since she didn't exactly keep up her end of the bargain.

Tbh, I just want Kathryn Hahn and Aubrey Plaza to make out on my TV again.

[isagrimorie]

OMG. I just realize— Agatha All Along, aside from themes of parenthood, and touching on Death as a destination and inevitability…

AAA is about the realization of a con/scam into The Prestige!

It’s Agatha creating/besmirching the song she made with Nicky into a lure/bait for desperate witches. (Again, anon, egg on my face you were right!).

But Billy Maximoff Kaplan actually turned it into The Prestige!

Agatha only had the Pledge set-up, she certainly never had the Turn, but Pledge: The coming back— that happened because of Billy.

Agatha would argue, The Turn is for her— the magical and wondrous when she absorbs their powers but no one else ever survived except for the person who committed the crime.

Jen was able to survive the Road. The REAL survivor of the Road since Billy and Agatha don’t count since they created the Road.

Jen Kale got her powers back and LIVED.

Agatha died and became a ghost and you know Jen is going to lord that over Agatha if they ever meet again.

It might help Agatha get her body back like in the comics just to spite Jen (and Rio, because that would piss her even more).

After 300 years of conning people, the con becomes True.

[val-creative]

Fictober Day 15: “let’s try this”

Agatha/Rio

For @fictober-event Day 15 prompt!

Type: Fanfiction | Fandom: Agatha All Along (MCU) | Ship: Agatha Harkness/Rio Vidal | Warnings & Triggers: Mild Language

---

Unbelievable.

Agatha silently seethes before her arm gets captured around another's. "Wh-what do you think you're doing?!" she blurts, turning.

Of course it is Rio and her arm steadily locking to Agatha's.

Of course.

Unbelievable.

"Walking..." Rio murmurs, expressionless, "...I think down the Road."

Agatha suppresses an eyeroll at the hint of mocking.

Of course it's the damned Road!

Groaning, she frees herself from Rio's warmth. No, no, Agatha doesn't miss it--of course. "Let's try this," Agatha says conversationally, "You. You walk back there." Her finger points to Alice trudging behind everyone. "And I will walk all the way up here."

Without a blink, Rio locks her arm around Agatha's again.

"Mm. I like this better," Rio argues, keeping them both walking, tilting her head against her ex-lover's shoulder. Agatha groans louder.

"By the Divine Mother, you're unbelievable..."

Paces behind them, Teen and Jen eye each other in confused hush.

Rio gently noses Agatha's shirt. "I'm gonna keep you this time, I promise," she declares, much less expressionless in voice and face.

Agatha scoffs softly, trying to ignore the fluttering deep in her chest.

"We'll see..."

[where-theres-smoak-2]

Who's the Black Heart?

(SPOILERS!)

Ok Agatha all along theory time, because there was a moment in ep 6 that opened up the mystery of who the black heart on the list of names for the coven really represented, a mystery that I think we had all thought was already solved. But during ep 6 Billy's boyfriend, Eddie, sends him a message saying 'you're my 🖤'. So now there have been three characters who could potentially be the person behind the black heart on the coven list, Sharon who in wandavision was identified, along with her husband, as a black heart on the calendar and whose alias was Mrs Hart, Rio who tells Agatha that she has a black heart and that it beats for her and now Billy. So which one is the black heart that lilia put on the list and who was meant to be part of the coven?

Well my theory is that the answer is actually all three of them, here's my reasoning. When Lilia gives Agatha the list she says 'here's a list of four names, looks like you've got your coven' and as the audience we assume the four names are Jen, Lilia, Alice and whoever the black heart is. But I went back and looked at that moment again and noticed something:

Agatha's name is also on the list. So the four names are Agatha, Lilia, Jen and Alice, which are the four names that we see written here. The black heart is not seen as it's out of shot.

So whilst we at first assume the coven is meant to be made up of five witches, Agatha and the four names, I actually think the coven is meant to be made up of seven. After all 7 as a number is meant to hold magical significance. Part of the reason why 7 is considered a magical number is because it combines the holy trinity and the 4 elements bringing together the earthly and the divine.

Which brings me to the ballad because within the ballad there is the line 'darkest power, wake thy power, earthly and divine' in the first verse. Which I think could be a clue that there is supposed to be 7 members of the coven. As I said above the number 7 is also connected to the 4 elements which are also mentioned in the first verse of the ballad, in the line right before, 'Gather sisters fire, water, earth and air.'

Now the holy trinity, the other half of the magical number 7, isn't mentioned in the ballad, however the maiden, mother, crone is and this particular trinity you could argue is a witches version of the holy trinity, there is that moment when they are on the broomsticks and Billy is saying oh God repeatedly and Lilia tells him to try praying to the divine mother, which could indicate that the maiden, mother, crone trinity holds the same significance to witches as the holy trinity does to those of the Christian religion.

Another thing that is interesting is that in the second verse three more figures are mentioned, you have the lines 'I hold Death's hand in mine', 'Familiar by thy side' and 'Spirit as our guide.'

So I actually think that the four elements represent Lilia as air, Jen as water, Alice as fire and Sharon as earth. Now I know what you might be thinking, but Sharon isn't a witch let alone a green witch, Rio is the green witch. And true, but I think that's where the twist is going to come in, we all think this but we know that Sharon was good with plants, when Agatha approaches her to invite her she is gardening and Agatha comments on the garden and I feel like there was a point to that as opposed to it being a throw away line. Also Agatha mentions that within a three mile radius there will be a collection of witchy enough people to form a coven and I think Sharon is one of these witchy enough persons, she may not be a full on witch but there's enough magic about her for her to be included within the coven. As to what may give her some magical quality it could be something as simple as she has an ancestor way way back that was a witch so she's kind of a blood witch but it was so far back now that she doesn't possess any obvious magical abilities. Another possibility, though, is Wanda's hex. This idea of the hex changing people in a magical kind of way has been explored before. When in the hex Ralph Bohner was able to use super speed, passing through the hex gave Monica Rambeau powers and being created in the hex meant Billy and Tommy also had powers, Billy's powers as we have seen continued after the hex was gone as did Monica's. So maybe Sharon was left with just the smallest hint of magic due to the time she spent in Wanda's hex, again not necessarily enough to give her full blown magical powers but just enough to count her as part of the coven. Maybe she became extra skilled at gardening and plants etc in a slightly magical kind of way if I am making sense there. That could also be what Agatha meant when they were digging a grave for Sharon and she said 'I didn't know you had it in you.' Maybe Agatha realised that there was something at least a little magical about Sharon.

Ok so if those four are the elements who are the three figures mentioned in the second verse. Well I think death is actually Rio, I mentioned in my ep 4/5 review that I think Rio may either get her powers from people dying by like absorbing their souls or that she could be a grim reaper type figure based on some of the things she and Agatha have said. I think they are trying to trick us with Rio being a green witch, after all there is some cross over between earth and death, you know burial, returning to the earth and all that, I also do think that there is a connection between Sharon and Rio and they are supposed to mirror each other and we are supposed to connect them so that we are kept confused about who is really represented by what. Sharon did die and ended up in the earth, rio came out of that grave, rio is a green witch but Sharon also has something of a green thumb etc.

When it comes to who the familiar is supposed to be I think it's pretty obvious, the only person we've seen referred to as a familiar is Billy and he has been addressed this way on multiple occasions. Familiars are also considered to be spirits or supernatural beings which does kind of fit with Billy as he is technically a soul or spirit that took over a vessel.

The spirit I think might be in reference to Agatha. Episode 5 covered the spirit trial and that was agatha's trial, it seemed she has the ability to commune with spirits. As rio said who better to commune with the dead than someone whose put so many in the ground.

Going back to the trinity though I think Billy, Agatha and Rio are also meant to represent the maiden, mother and crone. Maiden could be representing youth and innocence, Billy is obviously the youngest of the group and when he started the journey on the road had that youthful innocence about him. Agatha would represent the mother, we know that she had a son but we have also seen her show a motherly concern and protection towards Billy, then Rio would represent the crone, old age and death, the end of life etc, although it isn't confirmed that she is the oldest, most ancient of the group from the way she said she was the green witch as opposed to a green witch makes me think she was the original.

Another reason why I think the list actually included all seven of the characters as members of the cove , is because each of them have taken part in the trials on the road and I feel like if any of them truly wasn't part of the coven that wouldn't have been allowed. We know the road has rules and that it has ways of making you follow them, like agatha's wine refilling, the house always appearing in front of them and being forced back down to the road when on the broomsticks. So I think the rule is everyone who is a part of the coven at that time, unless they die, has to take part in the trial some way. Even when it comes to opening the door to the road I feel like it wouldn't have worked if Sharon didn't have something magical about her and if she wasn't supposed to be part of the coven. She also takes part in the first trail. But Billy also technically takes part in the trials, including the first one even though he didn't drink the wine, he still took part in helping make the potion and his blood was used in the potion. Which if you think about it, if Billy hadn't been there and the rules were everyone in the coven has to drink that would have made the trial impossible to pass, as there wouldn't have been anyone to give the blood of the unpoisoned. So whilst we were all thinking that Billy didn't need to drink because he wasn't part of the coven and the glass kept refilling because not everyone in the coven had drunk it, I actually think that the truth is the rules were everyone but one member had to drink the wine, the glass kept refilling because too many members of the coven hadn't drunk the wine. Hoping that makes sense. I think there would always have been one less glass available than there were members of the coven, irregardless of whether Billy the underage teen was there or not. Rio also takes part in some of the trails as well after Sharon dies, so all of them have taken part in some way.

So basically tldr is there are supposed to be seven members of the coven, the four earthly elements, Lilia, Jen, Alice and Sharon and then the trinity Billy, Agatha and Rio. The list of four names was Agatha, Lilia, Jen and Alice and the black heart represented the three as of yet unknown members of the coven, Sharon, Rio and Billy. I mean I could be totally wrong about all of this but it makes sense in my head, I do think there are more layers and double meanings to some of the lines in the ballad like the spirit guide could also be Sharon's and/or Alice's spirit coming back in the future etc, but I've already written an essay so I think I will leave it there for now.

[draco-glacialis]

Down a similar vein of my Agatha is a god a tech rant; what kind of things would the coven post and how popular are they?

Billy has the socials you’d expect of a typical teenager. He has instagram, tiktok and twitter. Doesn’t post much but does spend time on there. Probably follows Jen lol. At some point in the future I figure that he’ll join the young avengers or smth similar and becomes popular through that. People do question who the coven are and how he knows these people lol. He posts pictures of the coven (with their permission) and later the young avengers too. He does end up pretty popular on social media.

Jennifer has accounts for both business and personal on various platforms. She also has her YouTube (or MCU equivalent) channel. Despite the controversy she is quite popular and post Road said controversy is taken care of. She also has Alice, Lilia or Billy to join her occasionally for a video or instagram post. One time she had Agatha and Lilia on and it devolved into the history of makeup/fashion and people question how they know so much and why it sounded like they were there for it. Agatha and Jen also argued/bickered a lot. While yes it was one of Jen’s most popular videos she hasn’t invited Agatha back.

Alice is also on various platforms however she doesn’t post anything. Eventually though Jen and Billy pressure her into releasing some music and people love it. She also posts pictures of the coven either doing random shit or just general daily life stuff. Again people question how they know each other. Eventually someone makes the connection that she’s Lorna Wu’s daughter. This leads to even more confusion lol. She does appear the most in Jen’s videos or posts on instagram.

Lilia only gets social media at Billy’s insistence. Jen helps her with it a lot as they both have business ones. She stumbles across Agatha’s ones (not that she knows their Agatha’s) by pure accident and loves them. She starts the coven off theorising who it could be/how they’re managing to pull it off. (Agatha is internally cackling). She enjoys true crime stuff and mysteries as it’s in a way where it can’t be spoiled for her.

Agatha runs a tumblr blog and later a tiktok and instagram account called ‘places I shouldn’t be’. It’s always updated at 3:33 am or pm and has both the time (3:33) and date in the picture to show it was taken then and there. She also has shown photographs of the Titanic and Hindenburg (and other places in history) that only someone who was there would have. It gets incredibly popular and people guess where the picture was taken. She’s never taken a picture where you can see her in it and so people also try to guess who she is. (No one has gotten close lol). She also posts pictures of landscapes too. They are very beautiful but also incredibly hard to get too.

Rio has social media but doesn’t use it and only follows Agatha. (She’s the only one to know). She eventually helps Agatha get into places and occasionally make a post herself. After spending more time around the coven she does use it more. She enjoys watching the prank compilations and gets ideas off the internet. (And is often scolded by Lilia as a result). The internet ship her and Agatha.

[sweetnightlullaby]

Okay guys I have a theory.

-SPOILERS-

So the road should have a trick at the end right, nothing is as it seems especially at a witch's show. So first I thought that both Alice and Lilia got what they wanted, what they truly wanted not at the end but at the middle of it, after completing their trials. Alice broke the curse, which I presume was something she would have wished even if she wanted to see her mother, also I think it was her mother who told her to go to the road. And Lilia, she finally filled the gaps as she said, accepted her power and saw the big picture with the help of her coven. Sooo..what if the prize isn't at the end necessarily, the point is the journey and so forth. Also I found it really weird that they killed off the characters right after, especially with Alice who she had a heartbreaking episode facing her inner demon who was passed down, with the aid of her coven and her mother and the next episode poof, she dies in an Alice way but in no satisfactory way at all. It's almost barbarous to choose this after her trial. Also with Lilia, which it makes more sense and there is this whole thing with how she rewind time in a way and has a new understanding, which I love, she died right after finding what she sought. Also the whole death tarot thing which doesn't necessarily mean death. You get what I am saying. You could argue also that Jen and Agatha who finished their trials but didn't necessarily find what they sought, their episodes felt less complete as a whole, with a lot yet to explore(Jen reclaiming her power, fighting the man who trapped her and Agatha dealing with ALL her stuff) and they are both still alive at the road. I don't know if this means something. The only downside of the theory is Ms Heart, who died but didn't really find what she sought, but again she wasn't a witch and there was this whole scene with agatha staring at her after she died, which should have a reason for being there in the first place.

So the theory to sum it up is that people get what they want from the road but not at the end but after successfully completing their trial to its full extent and changing/accepting something about themselves, what the road offers after all. So the prize at the end could literally be death, who lingers around and the witches who died are alive idk. I thought it was interesting with how 2 witches died right after finding their way out. Tell me what you think!

[lliraels]

so I’m thinking about the trials.

they seem to be doing that classic quest narrative trope of “giving the character not what they think they want, but what they need”. or otherwise giving the character what they want, but in an unexpected way.

additionally, the characters seem to be learning their lessons (gaining their prizes) during the course of the trials themselves. it’s the journey, not what’s at the end of it. this makes me think there will be no further prize at the end of the road (except maybe a coven-wide prize?)

or maybe it’s more than the journey - it’s the coven (the friends we made along the way) who actually support each other to overcome the trials and claim their prize

the other theme is - X thinks they want power, but what they actually need is knowledge

but how do the trials look through this lens? and what does this suggest for the upcoming trial(s) - billy’s and/or rio’s?

my ranting under the cut. could be completely obvious and not insightful at all but hey i have to organise my thoughts

jen:

- appeared to overcome a mental/traumatic (rather than actually magickal) block to regain her powers

- her problem wasn’t being bound magickally - it was her lack of confidence

- she wanted power, but what she actually needed was self-knowledge

- the trial (and the coven - particuarly agatha’s pep talk) pushed jen to apply her knowledge and regain faith in her abilities

- i think we will come back to jen once more, to see her fully embrace her potential

alice:

- she thought she wanted to find her mother (or, the audience and other characters did)

- but what she actually needed was to break the curse and overcome her grief and confusion associated with her mother’s death (generational trauma yknow the deal)

- the coven (band) but particularly agatha helped alice to break the curse (it was agatha who pushed alice to confront her memories of and love from her mother, sing like a witch)

- i’m still not convinced that alice is perma-dead, but if she is - breaking the curse and making peace with her mother’s death was the point, and she achieved that

- alice’s trial doesn’t fit as well within the power/knowledge dichotomy. you could argue that alice thought she wanted to bring her mother back (power) but what she actually needed was to accept her mother’s sacrifice and come to terms with her own loss (knowledge?) idk

agatha:

- i still find this trial strange, too short and oddly edited. even with extra scenes, though, i think the core of this trial would remain the same - it is an interesting one that almost seems to break the pattern

- agatha thinks she wants her power back

- but what she actually needs is… to confront the effect of her power on herself and others? to confront her early trauma from the discovery of those powers, her mother and her original coven?

- i suspect that what agatha really needs is a coven itself - and to find her place/value within a coven

- in this trial, she hurt and alienated her coven, by killing one member of it. she chose her own survival over alice

- killing alice was questionably intentional, but i think agatha has at least the capacity to learn how to control her power.

- agatha doesn’t need power. she needs knowledge (about how to control her power).

- OR she needs another form of knowledge - to reach a state of acceptance re her powers, to fully come to terms with her destructive abilities

- agatha helped jen and alice to overcome their trials. nobody helped agatha to overcome hers. alice protected agatha, but this just gave her power - when what she actually needs is knowledge

- this same dilemma will return at the end to test her again, in a similar way (weighing her own survival against someone else she cares about) and perhaps this time her coven will help her and she will make a different choice

- the entire road is agatha’s trial, so i’m not too mad about this one weird ep. her trial is only half-done so far

lillia:

- lillia thought she wanted a return to the glory days, to be a real witch again (power)

- what lillia actually needed was to confront the power she already had, to embrace her sight, to be grateful and proud of the life she’s lived. another form of self-knowledge

- the coven didn’t directly help lillia to overcome her trial (no pep talks from agatha, who was just being kind of annoying godblessher)

- but the coven existing, and needing lillia… the empathy and understanding that lillia received from jen… the familiarity and solidarity between them… pushed lillia to understand that the trial was all about her, her own life and her own abilities

- an aside to say god im obsessed with this episode, i was smiling ear to ear after finishing it. i love lillia!!!!

SO, as of ep 7, im pretty confident that the trials:

- give the witch their prize (the journey, not the destination)

- give the witch what they need, not what they think they want

- are about granting knowledge, particularly self-knowledge (NOT power) (…although there is a question mark over alice, perhaps)

what does this mean for the upcoming trial(s)? billy’s and rio’s, depending on whether either or both of them are considered part of the coven. personally i think they both are. they’re all on lillia’s coven tarot card

billy:

- we thought he wanted power (as he told agatha in ep 2)

- billy thought he wanted to find his brother (power? not really, this is knowledge. but is it the knowledge that billy really needs?)

- i think billy voiced his quest in ep 7: am i billy or am i william? (self-knowledge)

- billy - the youngest, ostensibly the most naive - is actually the only member of the coven to correctly identify his own quest. good for him

rio:

- what does death want? what does death need? arguably, nothing. arguably, everything.

- does she want agatha (because she’s a survivor, because she hid from her, because rio loves her, because rio hates her, because rio wants her little serial killer back)?

- does she want billy (for cheating death, breaking the rules?)

- does she want all of them, one by one, body by body?

- if she wants her bodies, that’s power. but what does she need? is death all-knowing? does death know herself?

- maybe she needs to confront her own nature, and how this has impacted her relationship with agatha

- i literally don’t know but i want to see this play out so badly, i really hope rio gets her own trial.

anyway if anyone else has any thoughts to add to this, or if ive missed anything, pls let me know!

[vigilante24ish]

🌙 Moon Phases 🌙

Agatha Harkness X Fem!Reader

Word: 1175

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 4:

You followed everyone down the stairs, eventually ending up in the spacious basement existing beneath the house.

You glanced around, seeing the many piled up items and household appliances like a washing machine and a dryer. 

You suspected when Agatha had her powers, that place was her lair; her witchy basement as the cliché media would call it. You also had one, though yours was mostly a storage for your crystals and trinkets and some star maps you had hand drawn.

One would be surprised what ways you had found to spend your rather prolonged life on.

Mrs Heart or better say Sharon, your supposed Green With, remained clueless as ever while looking around at the slightly dark but ordinary basement.

"So, um, are we doing laundry together?" She asked, looking from the washing machine to the witches in the room.

Agatha realised the boy was still with them and cleared her throat, earning his attention. "Why don't you head upstairs and let us just do our thing, okay? She asked, trying to sound at least a little bit nice so he would not argue.

He did try, but in the end, he gave up, realizing he was not going to win this argument. Though if he could be honest, he hadn't won any of the other arguments either.

"Okay, but you'll let me know..." he commented, trying to remain positive and not think the women would dump him behind.

"Yep. Yeah. Scoot. Scoot."

You watched him go up the stairs again, your gaze lingering on his retreating form for a moment longer than you wanted.

You could not help but shake this feeling, that there was something more about him. It also settled wrong the idea that Agatha kept him around because that was not like her.

Yet again, this could all be your buried jealousy at the fact that you might have been replaced. Or worse, that boy had some connection to her; a sign that she had found someone else to love, worship, and spend her time with...

Someone else that was not you.

"Sugar," her voice bypassed the rising waves crashing against the walls you had lifted around your heart. 

You graced her with your attention, realizing the others were already standing in a circle around the drawn symbol of a door on the floor beneath them. 

Agatha kept your gaze, a silent and passive act to ensure you were okay. She never showed her worry a lot or in ways you would expect, rather all being subtle and too quick to dismiss.

Yet you learnt to understand and notice them, appreciate the lengths she would go to try and show her concern without ruining her projection of the cold-hearted woman to the others.

Ironically, you were rather similar.

There were times your actions and replies were cold, any warmth lost. And other times, your actions were sweet and passionate, going the extra mile to show your concern and care. .. and love.

You took your place right by Agatha's right, a small distance between you and her. On your right was Lilia; who was observing you a little too much and yet said nothing.

As if her thoughts were forbidden to be spoken out loud, her theories and questions too sensitive and dangerous to be brought up.

You didn't chase it either, for there were more important things to focus on; like opening the door to the road before your time was up.

That howl you had heard before was a mere warning of what was coming, and it was too close for your liking.

"So, all we need to do is sing the Ballad, and a door will appear, and we'll be on our merry way to having all of our magical dreams come true" Agatha explained to the other witches. "Okay? All aboard?"

Of course, Jen had to comment yet again. "So, who's going high?" She asked, earning an eyeroll from Agatha.

Sharon looked at her, confused. "Oh, no, thank you. I don't take drugs."

You let out a sigh and chose to help with the situation. "She's talking about the harmonies." You explained.

"I'm an alto is all I'm saying."

"Ladies," Agatha drew everyone attention on her, having grabbed an old summoning bell. "Shall we start?"

There were no more arguments, a sign that everyone was ready.

You looked at Agatha, who gently tapped the bell, and its sound vibrated across the silent room and through your very own core.

Then she started to sing, being one again the one to lead the ritual.

~ Seekest thou The Road

To all that's foul and fair

Gather sisters fire

Water, earth, and air  ~

~ Darkest hour, wake thy power

Earthly and divine

Burn and brew

With coven true

And glory shall be thine ~

You could not help but stare at her and hear her melodic voice, gently carried across the room without much of an effort.

You always found her singing voice as enchanting and commanding as her real one, something you often could have a hard time resisting.

Sometimes, she would gently hum a tone after an eventful night while you laid your head on her lap, and she gently passed her long expert fingers through your hair.

It often impressed you how those fingers could find different ways to either make you beg, moan or just lullaby you to sleep, always accompanied by that bewitching voice that you could never forget or even get out of your head.

At last, your part came and along with the other witches continued singing the Ballad; your voices mixing in a haunting tune, the words of the song always a warning of what you would all face down the Road.

Even Sharon, who at first only watched, ended up singing along; carried by the melody that both existed in your hearts and in your magical cores.

As you glanced around, hands touching and holding; you sang without much thought. Your mind drifted to a memory, the first time you and Agatha tried the road.

You had stood in similar formation, though instead of a basement; you were in the middle of the woods. Red and yellow leaves had been pushed o the side, giving you a clean patch of dirt to draw the figure of the road.

You all had sang with the same passion, the full moon above you lightning exactly the door, and you could all see the white lines glowing with power are you summoned forward the door to glory and death. 

~ Down, down, down The Road

Down the Witches' Road 

Follow me, my friend

To glory at the end ~

The song came to an end, and you could feel the magic in the room, your own magical core vibrating with power and life.

And yet, when you opened your eyes and let go of the hands you were holding; you realised the door was not glowing nor had it manifested.

It remained a simple chalked drawing, earning both disappointment but also confused looks at the failed attempt.

Chapter 5

[missnight0wl]

I wasn't going to complain about Agatha All Along finale, but you know what? I will complain. Because it still bothers me, and I still don't really understand…

What exactly was the point of making The Road Billy's creation?

To be clear, "having cool pop culture references and a surprising twist at the end" is not the answer I'm looking for. What it did for the story? Because I honestly feel like it did nothing. In fact, The Road was kinda unnecessary in general.

Let's start with Billy himself. Billy wanted to go to The Road to find Tommy. Did The Road end up helping him with that? No. Sure, he did give Tommy's soul a body, so you can argue it's even more important because it'll allow him to find him. However, it was possible because of Agatha. And here you can argue that Agatha agreed to help Billy because of their bonding on The Road. But I'm just not convinced it couldn't have happened under different circumstances, y'know?

Moving to Alice, here you can say that The Road allowed her to see her generational curse in physical form and therefore break it. But I think what was really important for Alice was that she finally had her coven by her side. That they were like: "Girl, your generational curse SUCKS, but you're not crazy, and we're gonna help you deal with it". Alice said it herself, that she thought the curse was not real, that she was just a screw-up. Now she finally could face it while having support. This, plus Agatha making her realise the truth about Lorna's protection, of course. So, again, did we really NEED The Road for all of this?

Lilia's story was beautiful, and Lilia herself is perfect. But again, it was the coven that was crucial for her. Sure, her path was very closely connected to The Road, but at the same time, I don't feel her story couldn't have been told without it.

Jen's arc was also great, but once more, was The Road really needed to tell that story? Couldn't she catch Agatha's suspicious behaviour under different circumstances and therefore conclude she was the one who'd bound her?

Imagine this. After the ritual in episode 2, the door doesn't show up, but the coven somehow manages to escape the Salem Seven. The thing is that now it's very clear from the beginning that they're after all of them, not just Agatha. Because remember that after they entered  The Road in the show, they commented on the Salem Seven, and they acknowledged that they're after Agatha. Only later it became clear that no, they wanted to get the whole coven. Anyway, the point is that they escaped somehow. Now somebody wants to leave because screw that, but eventually, they all agree that they'll be somewhat safer if they stay together. Billy of course is still fascinated by The Road, so he wants to find out why the ritual failed. The rest decide that if they’re already in this, they might as well try to investigate it. And Agatha still needs to play along because otherwise, she'd have to reveal her scam. If the show went in this direction, would it really have to be significantly different, story-wise? I honestly think it wouldn't.

Don't get me wrong, I love the practical set they had for The Road, the themed trials and whatnot. But I really don't like the implications connected to the fact that it was created by Billy (or rather Billy's mind). And I'm not even talking here about people actually dying. I appreciate that Billy freaked out about this realisation, but I also have to admit that Agatha kinda had a point that she was the one who killed Alice, and Lilia chose to die. It's a bit different with Sharon, but I'll come back to that a little later. The thing is that, in my opinion, what Billy should actually freak out about are all the visions from Jen's trial – which are not addressed at all, for some reason. Because… how are we even supposed to interpret it? I saw people saying that they were also created by Billy's mind since earlier Jen mentioned the rumours about Nicky, and Billy talked with Alice about her mother (hence Agatha's vision of the Darkhold and Alice's of Lorna being unwell). However, Lilia didn't mention her Maestra at all, and Jen said nothing about the mysterious doctor at that point. So, how would Billy create their visions? It has to mean that:

he subconsciously scanned their minds to get the information, or

he "gave" The Road enough power that it became semi-conscious (and therefore it created the visions on its own).

I assume the second option is closer to the writers' intention, but… it's pretty fucked up. Because it means that Billy basically created a sophisticated torture device that uses very personal and intimate information against you. And unlike Wanda – who created her Hex because of OVERWHELMING GRIEF – Billy kinda did it… just because. To be clear, I'm not saying that Billy wasn't under stress, or that he didn't really care about finding Tommy. But you have to admit it wasn't quite the same level of emotions that Wanda felt when she created the Hex. Interestingly, Billy's emotions matter again when he shows his Wiccan powers after Alice's death. But creating a psychological torture device? I guess being scared of the Salem Seven is enough. Well, to be fair, their appearance was scary as fuck, and I'd probably shit myself in that situation. Still, it somehow doesn't feel comparable to Wanda's grief or Billy's own grief later on.

Also, I think the visions become especially problematic when you look at Sharon. Because while it's the only vision we didn't see, the implication was pretty clear that she's reliving the moment when Mr Davis was choking in Wanda's Hex. Something that Billy's mother put her through. In fact, it's basically the last thing she experienced in her life because she passed out right after that. She kinda woke up for a moment when she drank the antidote (I think?), but then she just died. And Billy had to figure out what she saw, more or less, right? Ralph told him what it was like to be trapped in Wanda's Hex.  And mind you, while it was Agatha who dragged her along, it was the wine created by Billy's mind that directly killed her. With all of that in mind, it almost feels weird to me, that it's all summarised with "Who's Sharon?" joke. I know it's Marvel and whatnot, and I actually don't mind this joke in general. It's kinda funny, really. But it does feel different with the reveal that it was Billy all along.

Also, there was this part in The Wrap interview where Jac Schaeffer said:

The road and our show is practical is because Billy Maximoff is a baby witch. And he can’t be creating thousands and thousands of miles of forest. So he created a backdrop, and he created forced perspective, and he created models, and all of the practicality of our sets is because of him, and because of his limitations of physically creating this world underground, underneath Westview.

(The whole thing can be found here.) And I get what she means in this context. Truth be told, it's a pretty damn cool thought. But at the same time, I feel like you can't really say "Oh, he's a baby witch" and "He can create complex devices that will torture you with your most personal fears, without even trying". I mean, I can't be the only one who feels those ideas are kinda contradicting.

Also, speaking of the visions from episode 3 being ignored, I have to point out something else about Jen's trial. All other trials have quite a lot of references to Billy and his room in particular. In Jen's case, though… we pretty much have just that one picture.

And they're not even that similar. I guess the amazing kitchen in the house can also be seen as a reference to Mr Kaplan who apparently loves to cook, but in comparison to other trials, it still feels... underwhelming. Almost like an afterthought. Now, am I saying that it's proof that Billy creating The Road wasn't the original plan for the show? No, I'm not. But I do find it interesting, and the more I think about it, the more episode 3 feels separated from the rest. I know a lot of people also feel that way about episode 1, because it focuses so much on the Darkhold (which basically leads to nowhere). And I do agree with that, too. I dunno, it just seems that there might've been some changes along the way or something.

Honestly, I probably wouldn't talk about all of that, but my issue is that The Road being created by Billy basically adds nothing to the story. Yes, it shows us that Billy is very powerful, but as I pointed out, it's somewhat inconsistent. They could've at least continued the plot of Billy's identity crisis. Remember his question during Lilia's trial: "Am I William or am I Billy?"? I don’t know about you, but to me, it felt like a pretty damn important question. And I really thought that a part of William might still be in Billy. Yes, I know his death in the accident seemed pretty definite with his heartbeat stopping and all, but I still hoped there's something left. Maybe not a soul, but rather an echo of a soul, or memory. It could explain why Billy left everything in his room and just added new things to it. It was not only out of respect, but also because William was never really gone. Also, if you showed me William and then Billy, without the accident scene, I’d totally buy that it's the same character. They're both just… good geeky eggs. And before the finale, I really thought that the ritual with Agatha might be about joining William Kaplan and Billy Maximoff into one person: Billy Kaplan. Now, the creation of The Road would be a pretty good representation of such an identity crisis. Because it was created with Billy's power, but it was built with things that William loved. And the conclusion of such journey for Billy would be that he's just both, William and Billy. Even Jac's comment becomes quite heartwarming in this context because it could be said that baby witch Billy was just playing with William's toys. On top of that, it could (and should!) lead to the scene where the Kaplans finally learn what really happened. Because they do deserve to know. They're amazing people, and I really don't think it would make them turn against Billy, but they just should know that their son is gone.

But nope, the whole identity crisis was kinda dropped…

That being said, if it was entirely up to me, I'd just say The Road is a real thing. They could even keep all of the references from Billy's room and all. They'd just have to say that there's some kind of mystical connection between WICCAN and The Road. I mean, we know there is a prophecy about the Scarlet Witch in MCU, so why not add another one? Especially that Wiccan's statue was at Wundagore. In fact, it could even still work with Agatha's scam plotline. I see two explanations for that (and they can work together):

Agatha was never able to access The Road because it's accessible only if (future) Wiccan is with you.

Agatha was never able to access The Road because she never cared about gathering the proper coven. Unfortunately for her, this time Lilia forced her to get the proper coven by giving her the list. And jokes on her for trying to cheat again with Sharon because Billy was always meant to be the last member. Also, something caught my attention during the Agatha through the Ages montage. Every time other witches blast Agatha, they use the same colour lighting. I realise that it's just a technical simplification made because it doesn't matter. HOWEVER, when we look at "our" coven, they all use different colours. Agatha obviously has her purple, Alice has orange-y, Billy gets blue, Jen's is pinkish. We don't see much of Lilia, but when Agatha tries to provoke them to blast her in her basement, you can notice that her hands spark with yellow. So, again, I know it's meaningless, but it could be used as an explanation.

Now, what about Nicky in this scenario? Well, I really don't want to erase Nicky creating the song with his mum. I'm not gonna lie, it was touching. But… what if Nicky was showing early signs of divination powers? And by that I don't mean that he knew the song he creates with his mum will eventually open The Road someday etc. But maybe he saw glimpses of The Road in his dreams and that inspired him? The rest could stay all him and Agatha. I don't think it'd take away from it, but I do find it a pretty fun idea, mostly because Agatha seems to be quite sceptical about divination. I mean, she actually says that Tarot is a scam. So, imagine her realising that her little boy could've grown up to be a divination witch. I dunno, it's quite an interesting possibility, in my opinion.

And yes, it'd mean that Agatha accidentally created the ritual to access that real place. Or hell, maybe the song never mattered. I mean, you know how in "Turning Red", Mr Gao says that they have to sing from their hearts during the ritual, but it doesn't matter what? It could work like that!

Anyway, there's one more thing that bothers me. And that is… how the hell Agatha figured out that The Road is Billy's creation? Yes, I know that she knew it's not real, and therefore somebody had to create it, but how she connected it to Billy, exactly? Like, girl… You've been trapped in Wanda's spell for the last three years. Somebody might've physically dug that whole thing under your house as a prank on you, and you wouldn't know it. I realise that Billy's sigil might've made her think of Billy, but… it was more of a lucky guess than a deduction if you ask me. And I really don't like it. Because keep in mind that Agatha didn't see all the things in Billy's room which helped the audience to figure it out in advance. And what bothers me the most is probably the inclusion in the reveal that moment when Billy says: "It's exactly how I imagined it!", to which Agatha replies: "It suits you". Which basically implies that she was suspecting him back then already, as soon as they entered The Road. But like… HOW?? I'm sorry, but if you asked a group of goth teens how they imagine a place called "The Withes' Road", I bet a big part of them would describe a similar image to what we saw at the very beginning of The Road.

I just wish there was something that could give Agatha this idea. But as I said, it feels more like a guess. Like, why she doesn't suspect Rio, for example? I know that Rio most likely knows The Road isn't really, and that Agatha knows that she knows. But there's at least more to support it, in my opinion. I mean, the last time they saw each other, they agreed that Rio would wait until Agatha got her purple back, right? And look at that, how convenient: here's something that IN THEORY can do just that! And why Agatha enters The Road without thinking about it twice? Because of the Salem Seven. And who sent the Salem Seven?

I am very biased about this idea because I actually had a theory that Teen and Rio worked together to get Agatha to The Road – but like I said, there's at least something to support it! And yes, I know Agatha admits she wasn't "sure sure" at first, but at the same time, she doesn't mention any other possibilities. I dunno, it's just… eh. Perhaps it wasn't an afterthought as much as with Jen's trial, but I'd say it's still missing… something.

So, I guess that's it. My main issues with Agatha All Along finale. It's just… underwhelming and quite disappointing. Maybe it's because I genuinely enjoyed the first seven episodes. I really want to appreciate it for what it is, but it still feels more like it was done for the sake of the reveal than because it served an actual purpose.