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timeforaneclipse · 1 month ago

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Falling Apart (Lilia Calderu x reader)

Chapter three

Available on AO3

Warnings - Angst? very little gore (honestly its nothing)

It was dark. The sky was almost pitch black apart from the occasional twinkle in the sky. "You know the best thing about even the blackest of nights?" Michelle asked as she leaned her head on the older witch's shoulder. Agatha rolled her eyes. What could be so great about an endless sky of nothing? Michelle sighed and played with her nails. "That there will always be stars to look up to." Agatha smiled weakly and shook her head. She should have imagined that Michelle would come off with something corny like that. She gave a soft glance to the younger less experienced witch. Ever since they had met, Michelle had always looked on the bright side of life. Despite living through so much hell.

Agatha sighed and ran her fingers through Michelle's locks. "You're too naive for your own good." She whispered against the younger girls head. It felt nice. Like no one could touch them in this moment. Agatha clutched her slightly. Michelle wouldn't leave her... right? Michelle laughed as she leaned into her touch. "You always did strike me as odd. Especially when I found you carrying your sister trying to enter Salam. How old was she then? Only a tot." Agatha hummed, deeply in her thoughts. Now you were what? Eleven?

Glancing back, Michelle made eye contact with the older witch. Agatha smirked at the young woman and raised a curious eyebrow. "I think you like my oddness, Harkness." Scoffing at Michelle's teasing words, Agatha smirked like an idiot and leaned slightly closer. Michelle followed suit and her claws gripped onto Agatha's clothing. She glanced to the the older witches lips. Agatha stroked the younger woman's cheek. "No regrets?" Michelle whispered softly. Agatha smirked and kissed Michelle with no hesitance. Michelle's eyes widened slightly before she grinned into the kiss.

"You'll be the death of me, Smith." Agatha whispered and pulled the girl closer.

--I_I<-)0(->I_I--

Keeping your eye on Agatha, You sat on the piles of leaves on the road. Keeping to yourself as Lilia and Jennifer spoke. All was fairly quiet but your mind was not. You thought of your conversation with Lilia. The older witch's questions about Agatha now becoming your own. You glanced at Alice and Teen. They were working hard to dig Mrs Hart a grave. You glanced in between the trees. The silence that hung between the group was... thick. Suddenly, you saw something small scurry through the grass off the road. It was dark, small and easy to miss. Your eyes flashed gold as you kept your attention trained on the little... creature. There was a shrill tiny squeaky laughter. It made you sneer. What was this little thing? It had sharp teeth and tiny eyes. Once it realised it had your attention, it waved it's little tooth pick dagger at you. As if daring you to make your move. Your throat rumbled. Each instinct made your body irk with the urge to kill it. Whatever it was.

Suddenly there was a figure beside you, you glanced over to see Agatha staring at you with a raised eyebrow. You looked back at where the little bugger once was only to find he was gone. Did you imagine it? Was it perhaps a trick of the witch's road? You hugged your knees and didn't speak. "You seemed to be getting touchy with Lilia?" She hummed amused. Touchy? You weren't being touchy. She was just over thinking it. When you didn't answer the older woman, she rolled her eyes and sat beside you. "I didn't do it, you know." she grumped and picked up a leaf. Her fingers slowly tearing the orange leaf apart. Feeling conflicted and confused, your green gaze turned to her. Giving her your attention fully. "I didn't kill her." You blinked at her words. The hurt in her tone. "I never would have killed..." She swallowed and glanced away.

Frowning, you took in a deep breath air. "I know." you whispered after a long moment of strangling silence. "If I thought you did, I wouldn't be here." Her gaze softened slightly and she smirked. "But.. I just... I'm angry. I deserve to know the truth, Agatha. And when I heard the rumours about the dark hold... about Nickie? About Michelle." At your words, Agatha's face went sour. She was hoping you wouldn't bring that up. "To me, you were everything. We were a family. But I am far from being that eight year old that I once was. I wont just follow you with blind devotion. I'm three hundred and twelve, Agatha." You said firmly. Agatha looked like she had been slapped. Well, This was awkward.

Agatha scowled before leaning in. Her face dangerously close to your ear. "You still need me." Agatha said bitterly, Almost as if she was trying to convince herself of the fact. Despite this she gave a goofy smile. You'd be dead if it wasn't for her. As her words lingered in the air, you decided it was not worth it to argue with Agatha. Not right now. Not when a woman had just died. Agatha stayed beside you, watching your thoughts twirl in your head. You took off your glasses an wiped them down. As you sat in silence, Agatha glanced you over before nudging you. "Come on. We've got a road to walk." She hummed. You followed Agatha like a defeated puppy as she led you close to the others as she flicked her flamboyant coat. "Well," She clasped her hands. "Shall we?" She smiled as them then gave you a little push forwards. When she realised no one was following she paused and raised an eyebrow. "So, what's the problem now?" She asked and approached Lilia and Jennifer. You eyed their grim expressions.

"A woman is dead, Agatha." Lilia said, her tone frustrated but you could hear how tired she was too.

Agatha looked her up and down. You glared lightly at the blue eyed witch. She acted as if we could just.. dance over Mrs Hart's death. "Yes, and Alice and teen are kindly digging a grave for her." She hummed with a smile. As if all this normal. "So, they'll catch up when they can. Vamonos!" she exclaimed and flicked her coat again and began to walk away. But just like the first time, no one moved. Agatha cringed and flicked her hair. "Mrs hart was a bad draft to pick. Okay? Of course the road killed her! More power for the rest of us!" she grinned smugly.

Jennifer scoffed and you could feel the tension bubbling. "Setting aside your staggering callousness, we still have the issue of our incomplete coven." She hissed.

You glanced at Agatha. Curious on how long she's keep her cool for. "Oh. Okay. Yes. Okay, now I know the confusion. We needed the whole gang to access the road. But after that? It's anyone's game." She explained calmly, as if explaining to a small minded child. Lilia's expression widened in shock. "It's like the ballad said. 'Burn and brew with coven two and glory shall be thine!'" Agatha quoted with a chuckle. But Jennifer glared at her and argued that she was wrong. Saying that it was true and not two. Agatha scoffed in a laugh. "No it doesn't!" She hissed like a child. "It's coven two!"

"THAT DOESN'T MAKE ANY SENSE!" Jennifer spat. You stared wide eyed as the two began to bicker like children in the playground.

Then, you heard it again. A tiny laugh. High pitched and easy to miss. Your head snapped in that direction. Your eyes flashing a golden colour. What was that? Where you the only one hearing it? Lilia's voice drew you from your state as you tried to ignore the sound. "Her mother recorded the most popular version of the balled. So, Maybe we should ask Alice?" She spoke logically. You attention turned to the younger woman. She simply shrugged. You breathed heavily. Great.

Alice glanced around the group then sighed. As the young woman turned to Agatha, The blue eyed witch raised an eyebrow. "How many witches left the road with you last time?" Alice asked as she approached the older witch. Agatha eyed Alice with slightly narrowed eyes before raising one finger. You swallowed and looked to the side. Suddenly something small and hard hit against the back of your head. You yelped slightly, drawing the attention of the coven. Your hand went to the back of your head as you turned around. What was that? Lilia eyed you for a moment.

Jennifer rolled her eyes. "Well, whatever. We still need a replacement green witch." She hummed with a twinkle in her eyes. "We would not have survived the last trial without my expertise." She stated. You scoffed. survived? Barely. A part of you whispered you should be thankful. Alice looked confused at Jennifer's smugness claiming that not everyone did survive the last trial. Jennifer looked offended. "Well, where were you when Mrs Hart needed protecting." She spat.

Wasting no time, Lilia approached the growing argument between the two. "According to my count, Mrs Hart drank two glasses of the poisoned wine..." She hummed in thought as she stood between the two. "How many doses of the antidote did she get, potions witch?" the older witch sassed and glared directly into Jennifer's gaze. "This is your fault." She hissed at the younger witch. Her tone clipped. Your eyes went wide as you glanced between the three. Wondering who would throw hands first. Agatha smirked, interested in the growing tension. Jennifer rolled her eyes. Before it could escalate further, Teen stepped forward claiming it was everyone's fault. Your brows furrowed. Hardly. You did nothing wrong. Teen ranted on about how it was a fatal mistake. You sighed and looked away. Poor Hart.

Then you heard it again. You scowled. This was getting repetitive and it wasn't to your liking. Not at all. You watched into the woodland. What was happening? Why was no one else hearing it? Seeing it? Were you imagining it? Without thinking, you stepped towards the sound. It brought you to the edge of the road and to the grass bank. You tilted your head. there was a stench. an awful stench. like rotten fruit. You twisted your nose at the smell. What the hell... The more you leaned closer, the more on edge you felt. Your pupils became thin slits and they glowed golden. "Minerva!" Flinching as your name was called, you looked back at the group. Agatha threw her arms up slightly. Almost as if questioning what you were doing. You opened your mouth then closed it again. Where you going mad? "Get out of your head, Minnie. We're going to summon a replacement green witch." You swallowed and went pale. Shit.

It didn't take long for things to be set in motion, standing in line with the other witches you held your breath slightly as Agatha began to speak in Latin. You gritted your teeth. What were you supposed to be doing again? You gave a subtle side down the line. Everyone was so focused. Oh, securing your intentions. Right, you could do it. You swallowed thickly and closed your eyes. Gripping the couple of leaves Agatha had given you with slight edge. Focusing your energy into the leaves. After Agatha had finished chanting, Lilia was the first to speak and put down her item. Requesting that the summoned green witch be strong, wise and the best at her craft.. good qualities. The older woman placed her item on the earth below. A few of the candles lit. She was followed by Agatha. "May she be smart... and not annoying." She bent over to place down her item. "Also not super political." She clicked then straightened before looking to you. Signalling you to get on with it.

You hummed a few decent enough qualities before setting your leaves down and then refocusing on the group. Jennifer stepped for ward and gave a confused smile. "May she be pleasant looking." Your eyes widened slightly and you nearly barked in laughter. Agatha rolled her eyes.

"Can she bring some Advil?" Alice asked and placed her item down. Lilia groaned, slightly frustrated. You were about to smirk but stopped it by making your mouth thin and squeezing your lips together. Agatha began to chant in Latin once more and your followed the groups action and placed both of your hands in front of you. The wind picked up, the candles went out and then.... nothing. You raised an eyebrow. That's it? Where was your green witch? As if sharing a mind, Teen questioned what the group was to do next.

"Now, we wait." Lilia began. "True witchcraft takes time... the spell must marinate." You glance at the curly haired witch as she spoke softly. "Gestate." She continued after a short moment of silence. You took in a deep breath. Waiting. How fun. Staring at the ground, you huffed. Not even a few seconds later a loud crack came from behind you. You yelped as you felt Alice jump onto one side as Lilia jumped on to the other. You looked behind you to see an arm burst out of Mrs Hart's grave. As the muddy figure burst from the grave, you gasped. Utterly horrified. As the figure ascended you gripped the two women tighter. Lilia wasted no time scourging through teen's small spell book. "Why is the print so small!?" She cried. You cringed as the figure finally straightened. Bones returning into place. Oh god.

You looked to Agatha. Rio, the woman just out of the ground, gave a foolish smile. "Heard you guys were having a party." She puffed, slightly out of breath. You stared in disbelief. You never really wanted to see Rio again. Well, you didn't exactly want to see Agatha again yet here you were. Agatha look appalled by the sight of her past lover. She went to question the green witch but that was short lived because Rio was quick to get a word in. "I was in the neighbour hood!" Rio smirked smugly as she approached the group. Stopping right in front of Agatha, the brown eyed green witch bowed slightly and a flower appeared in her palm. A gift for Agatha. "Surprise... My lady." Rio grinned and her eyes lit up the more she stared at Agatha. Agatha on the other hand looked ready to blow. She scream in complete rage and tried to strike Rio across the face. The group intervened. Jennifer caught Agatha's arm in the Knick of time. Agatha straightened up and glared furiously at Rio.

She cleared her throat and turned her back on the group. "Minerva!" She snapped as she began to stride off in the distance. You swallowed and straightened up. Following after the angered woman. "Lead the way." She hissed. As you passed the older woman, you stared her in the eye and gave a sharp look. Her blue eyes softened a fraction but she waved you on. Flicking her hair, Agatha followed. As you walked glanced behind, You noticed the group was now following. That was good. You noticed Lilia looked more frightened and uncomfortable then what you remembered. Her eyes wondering over to Rio occasionally. You continued onwards taking each twist and turn with glowing eyes trained on the guiding smoke. Three winding paths appeared. but what one to take? You were about to continue when you heard a shrill laughter. you tensed and your eye twitched. taking your hands out of your pocked, you hissed. your claws on display. Noticing you alert demeanour, Jennifer eyed you. "What is she doing?" She hissed her question. "She's been acting weird this whole time!" Lilia's brows furrowed as she watched your behaviour. She had only ever known one transformation witch her whole life. She had seen this before and the end result was never good.

Agatha rolled her eyes tried to approach. "Mins, stop whatever your doing and focus." Agatha groaned, frustrated. You twitched again. Your thin slit eyes scanned the three paths. Then, you spotted it. You lowered slightly. Agatha's brows tightened and she approached you with cation. "Minerva." She frowned as she reached out her hand. Your body shivered and in seconds you turned on your heal, claws made contact with flesh. Jennifer gasped. Agatha pulled back and clutched her wrist. Her mouth fell open and for the first time in years, she felt shocked that you were not how she remembered. Not a little girl she could comfort and it... hurt her. She went silent as Rio giggled. Agatha felt herself still as she watched your nose twitch. Teen ran to Agatha's side and asked about the scratch mark. Meanwhile, You kept focused on the small figures. One threw another tiny dagger at you. You gritted your teeth and shifted into a small tabby cat, chasing the little demons off the path. Agatha panicked slightly and called your name while holding her wrist. She watched as your small form ran off into the distance. "Fine! Go be a filthy animal for all I care!" Agatha screamed after you then threw her hands up in the air, frustrated by the turn of events.

"We need to go after her." Alice cried.

Jennifer scoffed. There was no way that she was going through thick and thin just to catch a cat. Agatha straightened up and sighed. "That's all well and good but can't you see the three twisting roads. Not to be a buzz kill but we have no idea what to pick? So how are gonna find a small cat without getting ourselves further lost?" Jennifer asked as she put her hands up in defence. The group turned to look into the woods. "Is it really worth it?"

Lilia glared and kept eye contact with the taller woman. "Of course it is." She said as if it were obvious. She looked out into the distance. Between the tree. Wondering where the hell you had gone. What the hell you had seen. Why run off so suddenly? "We can not follow the road without her. Not without there being a consequence." Lilia argued on your behalf. Agatha stayed forward. Glaring at where you had once been. Rio glanced between Jennifer and Lilia. Curious to their argument. Agatha cleared her throat.

"We could all go down a path each?" Rio hummed drawing the attention of the group. Jennifer raised an eyebrow at the suggestion. Agatha nodded to herself. Wondering if it could be a trap. She sighed. What other choice was there? She took a step towards the middle path. Lilia stepped behind her as if almost hesitant to follow the purple witch. Teen and Alice took the path to the left while Rio and Jennifer took the path to the right. Taking in a deep breath, Lilia glanced at the group. "Boo!" Rio cackled behind Jennifer making her yelp. And with that, they continued on.

--I_I<-)0(->I_I--

Your paws were burning. Panting, you chased after the little demons while your ears flicked. The little goblin like creatures cackled as you chased them. You stumbled as you jumped over a fallen log. Your tail flicked as you hissed and your claws gripped into the dirt. What happened? Where did it go? Sniffing the air, your golden eyes scanned the area. You hissed in pain as something stabbed into your back paw. You turned in seconds and caught the small little body in your jaws. Tilting your head at your catch, you bit down harder, ignoring its squealing. Green blood dripped into your mouth as the Goblin in your sharp jaws stilled. You sat down and took a moment to catch your breath. The fog in your mind clearing, you tensed. What the hell were you doing? You dropped the dead little shite and scanned the area. Where was the group? What happened?

Sniffing the goblin your cringed and pulled back quick. It was revolting. It was small grey and fat. You tilted your head and nudged the goblin. It's face was clearly disfigured. Unmoving. Your ears went flat against your head. Time to find your way back.. Wherever back was? As you stood, you began to walk onwards. Yet. something felt wrong. Prancing slightly you tried not to panic. Your thought ran away with you. You sighed to yourself and stretched. Calm. You need to calm. Birds made noise and the wind rustled the trees. Making your body alert to every sound and movement. Then you saw another with a tiny boy and arrow and just like magic... your mind became foggy once more and your eyes became thin slits..... Fuck.

--I_I<-)0(->I_I--

Agatha kept her head high as Lilia trailed behind her. Lilia's eyes scanned the trees. The tension rising between the two was fairly awkward. The silence seemed like it was ever lasting and clearly wasn't disappearing soon. Agatha kept flicking her hair as they walked. "You appear to know Minerva well?" Lilia strained, unable to bare the silence any longer. Agatha's eyes narrowed in an instant. What did this witch want with you? You weren't someone a witch such as Lilia should concern herself with. Agatha was all you needed. Not Lilia.

Huffing as they walked Agatha rolled her eyes. "I have known Minerva since she first came to America with her older sister." Her tongue clicked as she explained her relation with you to the older woman. Lilia nodded to herself as she listened to Agatha's clipped tone. Lilia decided to not question further. Thinking it was better to focus on the path ahead. As they walked, Agatha smiled to herself as she thought about the memories with you. "When she was younger, she had a knack for transforming near by objects into other things such as... butterflies. An odd ball. Like her sister." Agatha whispered as she thought of Michelle. Her eyes softening immensely. Just as quickly, she cleared her throat and carried on. Lilia paused, watching the range of emotions that crossed Agatha's face.

As they walked, Lilia took notice of how quiet and peaceful the road appeared. Her forehead creased. It was almost unnerving how peaceful things were. A twig snapped and Lilia yelped, gripping onto Agatha's arm. Agatha flinched and raised an eyebrow. Agatha shook the older woman off but then paused when she too heard another twig snap. Her head turned in the direction of the noise. "What was that?" Lilia asked, caution in her tone. Agatha tensed and the two stayed attached at the hip. Agatha growled under her breath. "There!" Lilia gasped and pointed a finger amongst the trees. Agatha followed Lilia's point and gasped gently. A deer. A doe. White as snow with golden hooves and a nose. The doe's ears moved as she watched the two witches with a slightly tilted head. Her eyes were a baby blue, full of innocence and curiosity. She was magical to gaze upon.

The doe sniffed the air and slowly walked towards the two witches. "Don't move." Agatha hissed at the older woman. The young doe was so close. Almost too close. She tilted her thin head and nuzzled into Agatha's palm. Agatha flinched and remained unmoving. Lilia was as Agatha's face twisted. "What the hell is it doing?" She mumbled under her breath.

Lilia grinned slightly while she suppressed a laugh of pure amazement and stroked the doe's neck. "She trusts you..." Her dark brown eyes softened as she watched the scene. Maybe there was good in Agatha Harkness after all just buried... deep... deep deep below. The deer then pranced off into the distance. Leaving the two witches behind. "I wonder How the others are getting on." Lilia hummed and continued to walk the path, feeling more safe. As they reached the end of the path, Lilia raised an eyebrow? That was it? They were completely safe? Lilia breathed out a sigh of relief. Then she noticed that all three paths faded into one. How perfect. But then where were the others. Lilia frowned.

Sitting down on a fallen log, Lilia sighed. Agatha kept her distance and glanced around. Within second, Alice and Teen stumbled out from a side path. "You okay?" Alice asked, covered in ash and gasping for air. Teen looked exhausted. Agatha raised an eyebrow at his defeated demeanour. Lilia nodded, concern draped over her face for the young protection witch.

"SHE JUST TRIED TO KILL ME!" Jennifer practically cried as she ran out of the wooded area, covered head to toe in dirt. Rio rolled her eyes.

"Shouldn't have tried to run." Rio grumbled and rolled her eye once more. "It would have made this trip more fun." she huffed and sat down. Agatha narrowed her eyes at the green witch then bit the inside of her cheeks. Where were you? What if something happened to you? Agatha was so deep in thought that she didn't even hear Rio call her name. After all, you were small. Practically a kitten! "Agatha." Rio said seriously, finally drawing her attention. Agatha looked back and frowned, frustrated by her calling her name. "Look." Rio hummed as she pointed her knife into the woods.

Agatha narrowed her eyes and followed where Rio had pointed her knife. "OH MY GOD-!" She yelled as she made eye contact with an angry looking grey creature from hell. The group panicked as more little goblins began to appear. Lilia swallowed and Alice gripped her hand. Just then, thousands of tiny little sharp objects were flung at the group making them squeal and yell. The little tiny goblins closed in, running around the coven and wrapping them in layers upon layers of vine. "JUST STAMP ON THEM!" Agatha screamed but failed as suddenly she fell flat on her back, all caught up in vines. A goblin, that was a little larger then the rest, grumbled as it stepped forward. The stench coming from it made Agatha cough. It sat on her chest. ignoring her struggle. A few other small goblins held her down by the shoulders. the group watched in horror. What the hell was going on?

The stinky ugly 'leader' of the goblins covered Agatha's nose making her gasp a breath in but it was a fatal mistake. The goblin put its disfigured face closer to hers. It began to... suck in her breath? Rio's eye twitched and stormed over and kicked the goblin. Sending it flying into a tree. The goblins hissed at Rio and jumped onto her, pulling her hair while separating her from the group. Rio hissed back and tried to throw them off her. Alice scrambled over to Agatha and ripped the vines before pulling her back to the group. "OH HELL NO." Jennifer screamed in terror. Lilia kicked one away and grabbed onto Teen for support.

Suddenly, all the goblins stilled there attacks. You, in your cat form, came from the trees and landed in front of them. Lilia's eyes widened. You were back! And you were covered in... green stuff. Making your fur look sticky and matted. The goblins looked like they were starting to panic As they began to scurry to the sides slightly. You transformed back into a woman as your bones cracked back into place. Jennifer cringed as she saw your transformation. You swallowed thickly as crushed a goblin under your foot, hissing at the others in a warning. Green goo oozed out of the tiny creature. Lilia looked you up and down as it clicked in her brain. That green stuff was... blood. and you were covered in it.... You turned to the others and with a wave of your hand they turned into.... toadstools.... mushrooms. Lilia gasped and her eyes lit up slightly the more she stared as you in this state. Her heart was slamming against her chest and her cheeks felt warmer then usual. What was going on?

You flexed your hands and removed some hair from your face while you made eye contact with the divination witch. "Soul suckers." You grinned with slight annoyance and began to squish all the toadstools. "Nasty little buggers and a pain in my backside." You hummed. Lilia watched in shock and as she did, Agatha turned her attention to her. Blue eyes glaring daggers at the older woman. As if daring her thoughts to run away with her. On the other hand, Jennifer wasted no time in aiding you in crushing all of the mushrooms.

"I always hated fungi." She hissed aggressively.

Lilia's mouth opened briefly before closing it tightly. What would she even say? You took in a deep breath and approached her. Teen glanced between the two of you and smirked like a fool then walked off. Giving the two of you peace for a moment. "You gave us a scare." Lilia managed to whisper out. You smirked gently at her words. Agatha, However, was not having it, she walked towards the two of you and placed herself straight in the middle.

"You always did have the cat's eye, Mins. Seeing things that we witches cant until its too late!" Agatha hummed and flicked her hair back. "Now let's continue on the road, yes?" She said almost desperately and guided you away from the divination witch. "We can't have any more.... distractions." She hissed at Lilia and turned you completely away from her. Lilia's lips became thin. Damn her.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Agatha the professional cockblocker.

I hope this chapter didn't disappoint! Hopefully it lives up. Idk why this chapter sounded so much better in my head. What are you theories, darlings! Tell me everything!! I'm always reading the comments and looking for your thoughts and taking them into account and they help a lot with motivation. I honestly cant wait to read them!

Lot's of love and I hope to see you in the next chapter! 💜

(Remember to continue to thank and praise Patti Lupone in our prayers)

#lilia calderu #agatha all along #lilia calderu x reader #patti lupone #witches #agatha harkness #fanfiction #alice wu gulliver #ao3 fanfic #ao3 writer #rio vidal #jenifer kale

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