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Agatha sat in her bed, contemplating whether or not reaching for the water on her nightstand, which seemed miles away, was worth it.
A week earlier, she had received a call from Jen, asking Agatha to attend her New Year's party, which she was hosting with her girlfriend Alice. Agatha, of course, gladly accepted the invitation without hesitation, though given her currently impaired body, it was likely not the greatest choice.
This brought her to her current predicament- being unable to reach her water without getting out of her soft, warm bed. She twisted, turned, and stretched her arms out as much as she could, but to no avail. Agatha finally decided to wrap herself in layers of blankets and crawl out of her bed. She groaned at the headache thrumming in her head, but ignored it as she realized she had to get dressed for her friend's party later that night.
She quickly slipped into a casual outfit, adorning herself with jewelry before she got back into bed. Agatha picked her phone back up to find herself added to a group chat with the inner circle.
Kale-
Can you guys bring something for the party tn? We’re running a little short bc Alice kept snacking.
You too Agatha, you’ve been ignoring my messages but you’re coming.
Me-
For your information, I’ve been battling my sickness, leaving me unable to move in my own bed.
Alice-
Dude if you’re that sick you don’t have to come yk?
Me-
Is there going to be alcohol?
Kale-
Yes
Me-
Then why wouldn’t I go?
Agatha promptly shut off her phone and sighed, reaching for a pillow and dropping it onto her face. There was no way she would go through this party sober.
------
Agatha shut off the engine to her car. Looking forward and peeking into the windows of Jen’s house.
The party wasn’t too crowded, but still had enough people for her not be able to act like a fool.
Agatha coughed violently before reluctantly gathering her belongings and stepping out of the car into the cold breeze, shivering as it passed.
She knocked on the door three times, arms crossed to warm herself despite having many layers on as is. To her surprise, the woman who opened the door was neither Jen nor Alice, but Rio.
To Agatha, Rio was- well, she didn’t really know what they were. Rio was nice, an annoying smart-ass, but respectable when need be. Their relationship consisted of Rio constantly making jokes and remarks about quite literally anything, then laughing as Agatha easily returned them with a scowl.
Rio smiled teasingly at Agatha’s shivering figure. “Harkness, didn’t think you’d actually show up. You look a little chilly out here,” she said. Agatha immediately furrowed her brows and scowled at the woman.
“Yeah? Well, maybe you should move out of the fucking way, hmm?” she replied, not giving Rio another look before shoving her out of the way to take in the warmth of the house.
Much to Agatha’s displeasure, Rio quickly jogged up the hallway to walk beside her, hands tucked into her jeans as she walked. “So, how’s my favourite girl doing?”
Agatha rolled her eyes as she fastened her pace. “Ugh, don’t call me that,”
“Why? Do you wish it were true?” she whispered, leaning into Agatha’s ear for the full effect.
Agatha’s face flushed, but she didn’t engage any further, finally finding Alice and Jen by the kitchen counter, talking to Lilia.
Alice looked past Jen’s shoulder to see Agatha already looking homicidal. “Agatha! Hey, thanks for coming,” she greeted with a smile, to which Agatha gave a nod.
Jen turned, smirking at Rio following Agatha’s steps like a stray puppy that wouldn’t give up. “Agatha, I’m surprised you even bothered to dress in real clothes.”
Agatha scoffed but said nothing, pulling out a bottle of wine from her bag and handing it to Alice before Lilia could snatch it. “Peace offering,” she said.
“I’d thank you, but we both know who’s going to be drinking most of it anyway,” Jen said. Agatha gave a mere shrug, not even hiding her intentions. “Rio already irritating you?” She said with a grin.
Rio gasped in mock offense as she put a hand to her chest. “Moi? An irritation? I would never,”
Agatha glared at Rio before going into the kitchen to grab a glass. She pours a generous amount of wine for herself, taking a sip as she looks up to see her friends staring. “What?”
Jen scoffed and shook her head. “The party has barely even started, and you’re already drinking?” She questioned.
Agatha lolled her head and exhaled. “Oh, come on, you already knew that I was only staying for the wine.” She laughed at her friends' questioning expressions, but broke eye contact when she started coughing, bringing the back of her hand over her mouth.
Alice raised her brows. “Are you okay? You don’t have to stay here if you’re not feeling too well.” Jen nodded her head in agreement.
Agatha sniffled as her cough stopped. “Nonsense, I'm perfectly fine.” She said, brushing her hair away from her eyes. “Besides, don’t you have a party to host? What are you doing just standing there?”
Jen crossed her arms. “What are we supposed to do? Babysit everyone in this house? I was planning on hanging out with my dear friends and girlfriend, is that such a bad thing?”
Before Agatha could make another poke at Jen, there were three quick knocks at the door, which Rio walked to open.
The edges of Agatha’s lips turned down for a moment; Rio didn’t get the door just for her. But she fixed her expression before anyone could question it. After all, Rio didn’t belong to her; she could do whatever she pleased. Agatha didn’t care.
A high-pitched voice echoed into the kitchen, two red-headed women emerging from the hall.
Wanda smiled brightly as she greeted the group of women, Natasha following closely while engaged in a conversation with Rio, not that Agatha cared. She turned her head and walked over to Agatha, immediately hugging her. “Ags! Oh my god, I haven’t seen you in so long, when are you going to let us hang outtt?” Wanda pouted.
Agatha pulled away from Wanda’s hug, rolling her eyes. “Don’t call me that, and we literally just hung out like last month.”
“That’s a month too long since we hung out.”
Natasha came over and gave a quick wave, pulling Wanda away as Agatha mouthed a thank you. Before she turned away fully, Wanda exclaimed. “We will talk more later, there’s no escaping it!”
Fine woman, Natasha, always knows what to do. Though her marriage to Wanda was questionable.
Agatha has been friends with Wanda since middle school and loved her dearly, but she would never admit such a thing.
She thought she could finally drink in peace when Rio came and walked over to her spot at the dining room table. Agatha closed her eyes tightly, opening them to find out that Rio, for some reason, had taken a seat next to her. She blushed ever so slightly and yelled at herself for it.
Rio drummed on the table before talking to Agatha without looking her way. “Having a nice time?”
Agatha scoffed into her glass. “Yeah, the time of my life.”
Rio laughed, taking a sip from her own glass but not saying anything.
The silence between them was broken when, again, Agatha broke into a cough, catching some eyes from the people around her. Suddenly, a warm hand rubbed her back, sending shivers up her spine.
She turned her head to the side to see Rio looking at her, not with her usual smug face, but with a soft look of concern. Her heart skipped a beat, momentarily making her brain fog up, and her mouth slightly parted with shock.
“Are you okay?” She asked, her voice like butter. “Let’s get you a glass of water, yeah?” she said, more a statement than a question. Rio helped Agatha up, grabbing onto her waist to support her. The act made her breath hitch, tensing her shoulders on instinct.
She couldn’t help but stare at Rio’s face as they made their quick walk over to the kitchen. Much to Agatha’s dismay, her friends still stood at the same spot they were in before, pausing their conversation to watch Agatha being supported by Rio.
Lilia smirked as she watched Agatha’s entranced look. “Hi there, love-birds. Something wrong?”
Agatha broke her gaze and pulled away from Rio; the heat from her hands burned into her skin. Rio said nothing, poured Agatha a glass of water, and handed it over.
Agatha took it reluctantly before gulping down the glass and answering Lilia’s question. “We are not love-birds, and like I clearly stated earlier, I am fine,” she scowled.
“Yeah, keep telling yourselves that the way you're looking at each other. Also, are you drunk? Seriously, Agatha, control yourself.” Lilia scolded motherly.
Agatha furrowed her brows. “I don’t look at Rio in any way, and forgive me if I need something to fuel me for this party, which, by the way, feels like an excuse to gossip.”
Jen scoffed. “Okay, Agatha. Some people actually enjoy spending time with live humans and not staying indoors.” Agatha pouted and lifted her chin, keeping silent. “Besides, Lilia’s right, I’m cutting you off from drinks. You can stay if you keep your cold away from everyone else, but no more drinks,” she declared.
Agatha’s jaw clenched. “What? That’s so not fair, I’m perfectly fine!” she said, her words slurring a little. Before she could get another argument out, she coughed again, looking up to see Jen cocking her head and raising her brows as to say, “I told you so.”
This time, Rio spoke up. “Agatha, they’re right. You know, drinking while sick can lead to headaches, nausea, stomach pain, and more.”
“That doesn’t apply to me because I am not sick. I don’t get sick.”
Rio raised her hand to Agatha’s face. Agatha’s heart rushed for a moment before realizing she was only checking her temperature. “Jesus, Agatha, you’re burning up!”
Agatha rolled her eyes. “I’m fine. Just let me get another glass, and I’ll be on my merry way back to my house,” she said, reaching for another glass. Before she could even get near the wine, she was suddenly picked up and thrown over Rio’s shoulder. “Hey! What are you doing?! Rio, put me down, now!”
Rio paid no mind to her as she talked to Alice, who was currently laughing uncontrollably along with the rest of the group. “Alice, do you mind if I take her up to the guest room?”
“Not at all, this is so funny.”
Rio smirked and gave a quick thanks before starting her way towards the stairs.
Agatha, despite being weak from the alcohol in her system, protested against Rio. “Rio, I’m serious, put me down!”
Rio laughed as she made her way up the stairs with ease. Agatha couldn't help but be impressed by the show of her strength.
Once they were finally in the guest bedroom, Agatha was close to falling asleep. Rio gently placed Agatha in the bed, covering her with a blanket. Agatha missed the touch almost immediately and groaned, the wine leaving her more expressive with her emotions.
Rio looked at Agatha for a moment, brushing her wild hair out of her face before she turned to walk away.
“Stay,” Agatha grumbled.
Rio turned with surprise on her face but obliged. She closed the bedroom door and walked over to the bed, where she took a seat on the edge, looking over Agatha.
Agatha watched her, wondering if she would say anything. When she didn’t, she silently gestured for the other woman to lie in the bed with her. She could see the hesitation from Rio, but calmed as she once again listened.
Rio turned on her side to face Agatha, blushing when she saw her staring back at her. “You okay?” she said quietly.
She expected an argument, but Agatha simply nodded, still staring into Rio’s eyes. They stayed silent for a moment longer, and Rio decided that she would get under the covers. The skin of their arms made contact, making both of them shiver.
“Thanks,” Agatha whispered.
Rio simply smiled and slowly moved her hand, which was under the cover, to intertwine their fingers. The count for the new year could be heard starting downstairs, though neither made a move to get up.
“20, 19, 18, 17,”
Agatha brought her non-occupied hand to Rio’s face, holding on gently, her actions a little more sobered. Rio didn’t fight it.
“10, 9, 8, 7,”
Their hearts could be heard beating loudly like a metronome, as the final seconds to midnight were chanted.
“3, 2, 1,”
Agatha closed the gap between them. Lips being pulled together magnetically. She exhaled through her nose when Rio kissed her back with the same warmth.
They parted with a gasp for air, laughing slightly.
Rio grabbed the wrist of the hand cupping her face. “Happy New Year,” she breathed out.
“Happy New Year,”
Rio rubbed her thumb on Agatha’s skin. “Get some sleep, you’ll need it,” she said gently.
Agatha gave no response in agreement, her eyes fluttering closed with weariness.
Rio brought them closer together, tucking Agatha’s head into the crook of her neck.
------
Jen smiled at Alice after kissing her when the clock struck 12. Before looking around and not seeing Agatha or Rio around. “Hey, guys, have either of you seen Agatha or Rio since they went upstairs?” Her friends shook their heads. “Oh, I hope Agatha’s not feeling worse. Do you want to go check on them?” she suggested. Everyone agreed and made their way to the guest bedroom.
Jen listened for any sounds. When she heard nothing, she twisted the doorknob, gesturing everyone to be silent as she opened the door.
They all quietly leaned in to see what the matter was, jaws dropping at what they saw.
Agatha and Rio were snuggled up into each other, breathing quietly while they slept in peace.
Jen took a picture before she closed the door.
“I knew it,” Lilia said, making the group laugh.
“I have to say, I did not expect that at all, what a turn of events,” Alice said.
“Ugh, they looked so cute, you guys! I can’t wait to make Agatha tell me every single detail of what happened.”
------
Morning came, and the house was empty save for Wanda's snores while she slept on an air mattress on the floor. The main group had decided it was too late for them to drive back and agreed on a “sleepover.”
Rio woke up to the sounds of birds chirping outside the windows and Agatha still next to her. She watched as Agatha slowly stirred awake, a blush covering her face when she realized the state they were in.
“Morning,” Rio said with a grin, slightly startling Agatha.
When Agatha said nothing back, she became slightly worried. “Are you okay? If it’s because of last night, I promise, we don’t have to talk about it, and we can go back to being…friends,” she offered.
Agatha looked up at Rio’s worried face and sighed. “No, it’s okay. I actually enjoyed last night, I really wasn’t that drunk, you know.” They laughed in unison.
“Well, I enjoyed it too, if it means anything.”
“It does,”
Rio pulled Agatha into her again, slowly, though, giving Agatha enough time to push away, but she didn’t.
They held each other for a moment until Agatha’s phone buzzed. She grabbed it and squinted at the bright screen.
Her jaw dropped as she saw what the notification was: a picture of her and Rio the night before, posted on Jen’s private Instagram, captioned, “Platonic, right?”
She showed Rio the post, hitting her softly when she laughed instead of getting angry at Jen. “What? It’s funny, besides, the only thing I care about right now is how good you look right now, so you can calm down, enjoy this moment of silence before everyone comes asking questions left and right, okay?”
Agatha rolled her eyes playfully but sighed in agreement. “Okay,”
“Good, now, stop taking the blanket for yourself, I’m getting cold.”