It Was You All Along – Agatha Harkness x Fem!OC (MASTERLIST)
✨ Winner of the ‘Best Original Character’ award at the 2021 @thetumbies✨
Summary:Wanda Maximoff was not the first witch that Agatha Harkness had been unexpectedly drawn to. Her motivations for gaining more power were not all they seemed either. When a young woman named Lia comes looking for answers about her past and who she is really is, it sets off a journey that neither she nor Agatha could have foreseen. But maybe, just maybe, it was a path they both needed to take.
Set before and after the events of WandaVision, we learn that there’s more to Agatha’s story than we knew.
Notes: This is my first time writing something like this so there may be mistakes, little details that aren’t 100% right but I’m doing as much as I can to be on it with that! Please be kind. I hope this brings you as much as escapism as it has brought me writing it. Please do leave any thoughts or feedback and I hope you enjoy!
hello everyone, here are some Agnes icons from episode 5
!!! Each icon has a different filter on. If you want to, I can send you them without any filters on.
Or if you want to, you can do mix and match (you can choose an icon, then choose a filter from another icon and I can add that filter to the icon you chose!)
So everything is customizable! Just message me <3 !!!
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I’m thinking about posting
1- matching WandaVision icons (already posted but I can do more parts + more duos)
2- wanda icons
3- vision icons
4- wanda and vision icons (posted. can do more parts!)
5- side character icons (Agnes, Geraldine, Monica, Darcy, Jimmy, Pietro etc.)
please show some love and let me know if you want to see these
Do ever do something and put it on the internet and it doesn’t get as much love as you think it deserves?!? I present to you; me taking the Captain America Shield Sledding.
Listen, if Agnes killed Billy I am going to be so pissed. Of course we want both twins back but let’s be honest we all are just really worried about Billy and will trade vision for him
Agnes/Agatha Harkness x Fem!Reader: The Reigning Game (4/)
Summary: After a failed attempt on Agatha’s life, you’re given no time to process your actions. Instead you find yourself in a carriage and on your way to the border. What will you find there, and what does it all mean?
You dested sleeping in a carriage. Where the jostling, steady motions in the dark should have lulled you into sleep, every bump left you on edge. The loss of sight made everything beyond the glass menacing. Each branch a claw, every whipping wind an invisible foe.
Closing your eyes and breathing slow breaths was a faltering balm. Your fists clenched in your skirt, tightening painfully with every jolt. The muscles there ached.
Agatha had long since relaxed into the seat across from you. Her eyes were closed, each breath even. A delicate, measured rise and fall. You glared, envious of the ease at which she could relax.
It wasn’t only this, you knew, it was how she seemed… indestructible. The failure of the night before was bright in your mind. How could someone be immune to a deadly toxin? You grit your teeth against it. All of your work, for nothing.
A sudden thwackagainst the carriage window made you shriek, before clapping a hand over your mouth. Your heart raced in your chest and red spread across your face.
Agatha opened her eyes lazily, peered at you through heady lids. Another measured rise and fall of her chest. She raised an eyebrow in time with an inhale. You shook your head, not trusting the strength of your voice. She sighed.
“Come here.” She commanded in a hoarse whisper. You weren’t sure you heard her right until she gently patted the seat next to her.
“I’m fine, thank you.” You said.
Agatha huffed out a laugh, rolling her eyes. Her hand patted the seat next to her once more and she cleared her throat with some effort.
“An errant tree branch is going to send you into hysterics. Now, come here,” When you made no effort to move, she sighed again, “You know what your problem is?”
Traces of sleep and exhaustion lingered around the edges of her features, but her eyes were awake. The knowing spark had returned tenfold. The blue orbs pierced through you with a mix of confidence and curiosity.
“Pray tell, what is my problem?”
“You accept nothing less than cooperation from others and yet, you do none of it yourself. I’d die before you would accept help from anyone else.”
“It has nothing to do with others, I merely have no interest in getting help from you.”
“Whether you like it or not, I’m your wife, toots. The people will expect you to rely on me.” Agatha pointed out, a self-satisfied look crossing her face.
“Damn them, then,” You snapped, “It will be a dark day before I let myself do so. Now leave me be.”
An inscrutable emotion passed behind her eyes, but she obeyed. They slipped closed once more and you could breathe easier. Fear was replaced by fury, cold and slow, trickling through your body. If you had more faith in your upper body strength, you would have seriously considered changing sides and strangling her.
The assessment of you had cut an invisible seam holding you together. How dare she? Agatha knew nothing about you. She was the villain of your story, her only interest in making you miserable and asserting her own will.
If that’s the case, then why was she right? A little voice in your mind asked. You didn’t want to acknowledge it; how easy it was for her to see you, to read you. It left you with sweaty palms and worn lips. How could someone so terrible understand you so well?
Another branch slammed against the window and startled you. Before thinking to stop yourself, you threw yourself onto the floor of the carriage. Your breath in your ears was all you could take in when a burst of familiar laughter caught your attention.
Agatha was doubled over, hand clutching at her abdomen as wild laughter escaped her lips. You scowled up at her from your position on the floor. She made a visible attempt to stop herself from laughing, but her composure broke seconds later.
“You’re insufferable.” You growled, trying to compose yourself. The bright blush on your cheeks gave you away.
“And you’re adorable. What is that branch going to do, poke you?” She asked, wiping a tear from her eye.
The glare you threw her way did nothing to quell her amusement. You prepared yourself for the inevitable; she would never let you live this moment down. Even when you would think she’d forgotten, you would see the memory in her smirk.
Just great.
Exhaustion washed over you like a wave - a rather sudden one. A side effect of dealing with Agatha you’d come to recognize with annoyance, you now welcomed with open arms. Escapism was an attractive fiend.
You desired an ounce more of energy, just to offer a punchy comment before falling asleep. The back of your eyelids beckoned you- no, dragged you from consciousness. You were helpless to resist. Sleep was both a worry and a balm. Some evenings it would be peaceful, others would plague you with visions of not-Agatha and taunt you relentlessly until waking up. This time, it was the former, and it felt like only a blink of time had passed when you opened your eyes.
“Good morning,” Agatha’s uncharacteristically soft voice greeted you, “The others are beginning to emerge at the site, they’re waiting for us.”
You blinked at her, trying to send away the bleary cast of your vision. She watched and slowly her face came into view. The neutral expression there left you lost, before her words made an impact.
“Oh,” You muttered, sitting up and tugging at your garments, “How is my hair?”
She reached out and smoothed a few errant pieces down as you watched her. Then she pulled back and gave a nod.
“Perfect.”
There was a brief moment of hesitation, then you nodded as well, and reached for the carriage door. A gentle hand stopped you. Agatha offered no words, taking your hand away from the door and opening it herself.
She stepped out, turning and offering her hand to you. You stared, she stared back. Then an eyebrow raised.
Gathering your skirts in one hand, you stepped out and took her hand with the other. The sunlight was blinding and you squinted against it. When your eyes adjusted, you stood there, taking in the surroundings.
It was so… quiet. Trees rustled and birds chirped, a smile pulled at your lips. In the castle, there was rarely a moment of true quiet; opening the windows led to the noise from the town below and outside every door there was a bustle of maids and servants fulfilling their tasks.
You stepped forward, relishing in the pleasant crunch of the grass beneath you. Large, whistling trees stood on either side, as far as the eye could see. Their branches and leaves shielded you from the majority of the sun. Speckles of light would dance around as they swayed, offering brief glimpses of the bright blue sky.
Jimmy and Darcy stood in wait off to one side, a break in the trees at their backs. You tried not to come off as too eager while joining them. You wanted to see what lies beyond the wall of oaks, a sense of eager glee in your heart.
When you joined them and peeked through the opening, your smile faded. The scene had changed. The grass was scorched, black blades flaking into the wind with every sweep, blowing through gnarled and splintered trunks. Their jagged edges were menacing against a smokey, tinged sky.
“What… happened here?” You whispered.
Darcy spared a glance at Agatha behind you, but it was Jimmy who spoke, hands folded behind his back as he utilized his most soothing voice. You focused behind him at the scene, but he kept his face perfectly neutral.
“This occurred before the peace talks,” He said, clearing his throat awkwardly, “but new growth would have come through by now. It’s being… preserved this way.”
“Preserved?” You asked.
A glint caught your eye and you focused on the area, eyes widening when you saw it wasn’t just oneportion. There was a barrier before you. Only the faintest change in the light’s journey gave it away, like how it was to look through glass. Curiously, you reached out a hand to press at it.
“Dearest, I wouldn’t.” Agatha said in a rush.
Fear clouded the normally confident blues. A seed of doubt settled in the pit of your stomach, you nearly stepped back. She reached out a hand, silently begging you to take it, to turn away from the barrier. She had never looked at you like this before.
Press on. Her fear is our gain.
The voice inside your head was too attractive to ignore, despite the stuttering feeling in your chest. You pressed your fingers through the barrier and felt it shock you. As you pulled your arm away to cradle it, you no longer stood where you did before.
Distorted voices came from behind you and you turned, looking into the faces of your friends and wife, but they looked past you. Their eyes wandered frantically as if searching. You reached out again, hoping to go back.
No. Only cowards turn away.
Agatha’s distorted voice could be heard, barking orders at any guard available in harried tones. She attempted to touch the barrier, but it pushed her away. Only a step or two. On the inside, the barrier rippled, as if absorbing something.
Continuing to watch outside of the barrier wasn’t an option. An invisible clock was counting down the minutes in your mind. You needed to know what was happening on the inside. With a feeling that you were making a grave mistake, you turned away and walked into the space further.
With every step, you were met with the sounds of creaking. Buried within the scorched foliage were remnants of homes. Each was filled with piles of rubble, sometimes an errant chair or table sticking out from the ash, giving you an illusion of the set-up that used to be there.
Your chest ached. A desire bloomed to dig through the piles, to search for something, anything - anything to prove that it wasn’t all death, that there was a survivor. Maybe a father had clawed himself from the burning structure with his daughter under his arm, or a young woman had escaped before the burning started.
The darkness around you was fading, more and more green erupting in spite of the violence. Broken homes were no longer on either side, but the relief was short lived. In front of you stood a large makeshift structure with a flag flying atop; Agatha’s flag. Or what was left of it.
“It took you long enough.” A voice hissed from your left, you turned suddenly.
No one stood there. You shook your head, blaming your fear for the hallucination. Peering through the flaps of the tent, you examined it with an understanding eye.
A large table sat in the center of the room with a collection of chairs strewn on all sides. In the center there were various maps, you recognized the terrain and locations within your kingdom. Stark ink outlined routes and stations, lying mainly around the borders, save for one. It sent a chill down your spine to see your own downfall in ink.
Goosebumps spread down your arms and you pulled them into your chest, rubbing your hands over them. They didn’t fade. Maybe you shouldn’t be here after all. You turned, hoping this would be the last time seeing this area, when you came face-to-face with a large soldier.
The crest on his shoulder matched the flag above. Unlike the rest you’d seen, he wasn’t wearing a helmet. His face was an unpleasant one, with the lower right half of his face covered in mutilated skin. You took a step away.
“She is requesting your presence.” He said mechanically.
You took another step back, this time he stepped forward, “Who is ‘she’?”
“The one you will fall to. Now come, or I will make you.”
He turned and followed, not wanting to know what would occur otherwise. The idea of being forced into motion wasn’t an attractive one.
As you followed, you expected to see more soldiers like him emerge from other tents. You could hear footsteps and even low voices, but no others appeared. It was only this large, hulking man and you. And this… ‘she’ he was taking you to.
You came upon a tent larger than the first. The soldier stepped to the side, holding open the flap. You stared, gaze jumping between him and the tent. Nothing was visible inside. Your father’s voice telling you to ‘never go in blind’ called through your mind.
“She’s waiting.” He said, eyeing you with an unblinking stare.
If you walked in now, you were alone. You had no backup, no plan, no protection. Against every desire you had to push through alone, it wasn’t an option. You needed Agatha.
“She can wait a little longer.” You said.
In the same beat, you took off in the direction you’d come from. Bunching your skirts high gave your legs ample room to move. A few seconds later, you heard him follow. The metallic clanking of his armor made your heart beat that much faster.
Despite his size, you were quicker and had a head start. You could almost taste the barrier. It was in your sights, just inches from your reach. His arm wrapped around your waist before you could touch it.
You attempted to escape, but it was ultimately useless. His grip was unbendable. Without wasting another moment you ripped the dagger from the garter on your thigh, swinging blindly behind you. The small blade lodged where his neck met his shoulder. Pulling back, he let out a roar of pain, but thwarted your plans by only dropping to his knees.
Damn. Should have gone for the eyes.
It was the only weapon on your body. You searched frantically for anything within reach; a rock, maybe a pointy stick. Nothing jumped out at you. In a last-ditch attempt at something,you lurched forward, sinking your teeth into his arm.
You winced against the metallic fluid filling your mouth, but refused to let go. A hand gripped your neck and began to pull you back. With your grip, pulling you away would tear the flesh. He raised his hand to bash you on the skull.
“That’s enough, Hugo.”
There it was again… that voice. This time, it had a face. You released your grip on his arm out of pure shock. The face that matched the voice belonged to your wife.
“You…” You whispered, “You’re real.”
She laughed, loud and cold. It sent a shiver down your spine to watch the face you knew contort, but in all of the wrongways.
“Yes, pet, I am. Release her and be on your way now, Hugo, I have no further use for you.”
Hugo wasted no time in following her orders, dropping you to the ground in a sudden heap. The breath was knocked out of your lungs upon impact. It didn’t stop you from nearly throwing yourself at the large man, but the second you thought about it, the woman appeared in front of you. She blocked your path as he lumbered away.
“Who are you?”
She sighed, shaking her head, “Didn’t we establish that question was a pointless one?”
The memory, the sound of her voice in your head echoed. With it came all of the same trepidation and fear that plagued your unconscious encounters with her.
“It’s not pointless if I want to know.” You said, standing slowly.
“You will know, but not now. We have more important things to discuss.”
She walked into the tent Hugo had tried to take you in, this time you followed. It was far larger than imaginable from the outside. While you turned, taking in everything you could see, she moved to one side of the tent. She held out a glass when returning to your side.
You looked at it, taking it with wary eyes. Though you uttered a small thank you, you didn’t make any move to drink it. She rolled her eyes.
“It’d be pointless to poison you before we’ve spoken, pet. Now wash the blood out of your mouth.”
With slow and careful motions, you did as she instructed. The cool water slowly washed all of the metallic taste from your tongue. You offered a grateful nod as she took the glass back.
“Will you at least tell me what you want?” You asked.
“That’s simple - you.” She laughed.
“And why do you want me?”
“That is for me to know and you to find out.”
“Strangely enough, you’re not the first person to say that.”
A pause. Then her head tilted, eyes defocusing for just a beat. There was barely enough time to breathe before her attention was back on you.
“Fine,” She sighed, “Your kingdom offers me something that I want and you are the key to your kingdom.”
Goosebumps broke out on your skin, but you didn’t acknowledge the feeling. It was secondary to the subject at hand. Your mouth moved, words spilling out without thought, “And what do I get in return?”
“I get Agatha Harkness out of your hair.”
Your first urge was to say yes and agree without consideration. One word and you could be free, your life would be complete again, and no one would ask questions. Her death would be easy. You would be in the clear, no blood on your hands.
Behind your lips, your tongue curled. The word ‘yes’ was slithering its way up your throat. It felt uncomfortable, wrong. You forced it down with a dry swallow.
“Answer a few questions for me first.” You said instead.
“If I must.”
“What is this place?”
“It’s exactly what it looks like.”
“That can’t be it.” You scoffed, giving her a hard look.
“You may not believe me, but it is the truth all the same. This place is exactly what it was. No more, no less. The only difference is that it’s mine now.” She shrugged.
“So, what? You altered reality?”
“Ipreservedreality, Agatha altered it. This place is merely a reminder of who she is and what she’s capable of doing.”
Deep in your bones, there was a sinking feeling of her being right. It was so very easy for Agatha to erase any evidence of who she had been, the things she had done. She’d won you while also ignoring what she’d done to you. And this… woman–whatever she was–had preserved it.
Preserved. You thought that word could only apply to things of use or things of beauty, but this place was neither. What was the point besides awakening the trauma? It wouldn’t turn anyone against Agatha. They knew what she’d done in some sense and went along with it for you, but only because her manipulation willed it. If they did, she could just rewrite reality again.
It was an attractive deal, but you couldn’t agree. There were too many details left unknown. You didn’t trust this woman, no matter how attractive her words may be.
“I know what she’s capable of. I’ve seen it up close and personal,” You said, “but you… I don’t know you and I don’t want to.”
“If you won’t give me the kingdom, pet, I’ll have to take it.”
“You’re more than welcome to try.”
Her face hardened. There was no evidence of the amusement that had been there before, completely erased by what existed now. You took a step back. In your mind, you traced the path out of this place and back to the start.
“Two days,” She said finally, “You have two days to prepare yourself. Then, I’m coming for what’s mine.”
You gulped, but nodded. It was the only thing to do. Wasting no more time, you left the tent, rushing back to your companions. The sense of dread building in your gut made leaving the barrier easy.
When you disappeared inside for the first time, it caused a panic amongst them all. One second you were there, then they blinked and you were gone. Agatha could have screamed. Why did you have to rebel against everything she said?
She’d rushed forward in an attempt to follow. The second she made contact with the shimmering barrier, it pushed her back. Then she started throwing out orders. Every guard that she could send was sent around the barrier, searching for weak spots. Jimmy and Darcy were kept with her to strategize a way in.
“What do we know about this?” Agatha asked, tension building when she received no response, “Well?”
“We thought it was your magic and that when Y/N saw it, she’d convince you to take it down.” Jimmy explained.
“So you hinged everything on the idea that this was mydoing, you didn’t bother to learn anything else?”
“To be fair, you two were coming so we could learn more. She wasn’t supposed to vanish inside of it.” Darcy interjected.
“Oh well, that makes it all better then.” She laughed bitterly.
Agatha pinched at the bridge of her nose. A headache was building low in her skull, pushing towards the front. One day - all she wanted was one day where someone didn’t trip her nerves. Marrying you had never promised to be easy, but this was ridiculous.
It had only been minutes when she barked at a guard for a status report. The young man’s eyes widened, he began to stutter out a response when Agatha shook her head. She moved on to another, then another, until one of them could form a coherent response.
“There don’t appear to be any weak spots.” One guard said eventually.
She eyed him, a gaze known for breaking down the most valiant warriors focused completely on his face. Everyone held their breath when she walked over and settled before him.
“There don’t appear to be any, or there aren’t any?” Agatha asked pointedly.
“There aren’t any, your majesty.”
“Never mince your words,” She instructed, before turning back to Darcy and Jimmy, “We need another strategy.”
“You mean that you don’t have any ideas?” Darcy asked.
“This was never my mission. It was yours.”
“Yes, but you’re the only one with magic andyou’re Queen, this falls under your purview. Aren’t you supposed to be some strategic legend or something?”
Jimmy paled at Darcy’s daring words. Every guard within hearing range froze, some couldn’t help turning to watch the scene. Darcy was known for her candor and the positive effects, but that was under your instruction. This.. this was a completely different situation.
Agatha’s face was unreadable, except for her narrowed eyes on the woman. Darcy didn’t flinch away. Instead, she met the witch’s gaze head on.
“I see your meaning and respect your honesty, but be very careful how you speak.” Agatha warned.
“Or what?”
“Darcy-” Jimmy tried, only for Agatha to hold up a hand.
“Let her speak.”
Darcy cast an almost nervous glance at her friend, before taking a deep breath. Her reason, wit, and sharp honesty were her greatest abilities - you’d kept her around because of them. She knew her worth and use to your kingdom. You would never allow Agatha to harm her, but there was no guarantee you were still alive. She’d take her chances.
“When we were at war with you, everyone marveled over your hard work and quick thinking. Even her majesty couldn’t help but admire you. Now you’re standing here, your wife has just disappeared through a magical barrier that you should understand, and you’re demanding we do the work for you,” Darcy said, her voice getting stronger as frustration filled her tone, “If you really care about what is happening, you need to give more. You need to put in the work too.”
A long beat of silence sat heavily on the shoulders of everyone around. Even the sounds of nature had stopped, as if listening with bated breath. All of the guards were watching shamelessly now. Many of them had similar thoughts, but none were brave enough to say so.
“Very well.” Agatha said, jaw set.
Everyone blinked when Agatha walked past, but she only spared Darcy a piercing gaze. The witch walked up to the barrier. Steps away from making contact with it, you appeared in front of her. She stopped up short.
“Dearest?” She asked.
Your eyes were blown wide as you took in everything. In your rush to get away from the other woman, you paid no mind to how things were outside of the barrier. Agatha’s sudden proximity made you stumble. You knew it wasn’t the other woman, you could see it in her eyes, but you were hesitant. You nearly fell back into the barrier when she clasped her hands on either of your arms.
“What happened in there?”
“We…We need to go. The castle, no, the kingdomis unguarded without one of us there.” You rushed out, her head tilting curiously, “We need to get back to the capital. Now.”
“You’re not making sense.”
You ignored her completely, eyes landing on Darcy and Jimmy over her shoulder. Their expressions were more surprising than your wife’s. It didn’t matter to you how put off they were. This was serious, you had no time to waste as you pushed forward.
“Darcy, make sure the soldiers are ready to leave within the next hour. Jimmy, let’s not leave anyone behind, ensure that for me,” You instructed, leaving no room for argument, turning back to your wife, “Come with me.”
Agatha hesitated visibly, even going so far as to cast a questioning glance at Darcy and Jimmy. Both of them had already begun to fulfill their tasks. Focusing on you once more, you had rushed back towards the treeline without her.
Relaxation was not your friend at this moment. It’d only been days for you; days since Agatha, in reality, had stormed your castle and snuffed out everyone around you. Their lives still felt weighty on your shoulders, their blood sticky on your consciousness.
I can’t do this again. Your mind said, panic working its way into your chest. Would you make it out alive? Was it better to give this entity what she wanted, if it meant saving lives? How many times… how many times would you have to fight?
Everything had been so easy as a child. The decades of your early life were full of peace, ironclad alliances paving the way to a bright future. Each summer, surrounding royals joined your family in the castle, celebrating such prosperity. Then you grew up. Your mother passed and you mourned, but moved forward, then your father followed. His broken heart refused to beat without your mother.
A notion you found romantic as a child was startling as an adult. You’d been allowed ten minutes to mourn at his bedside, then you were being ushered to the cathedral. The kingdom hadn’t been notified of your father’s death and you were already queen. A lifetime of daydreams batted away as reality set in. Where you’d imagined your father placing the heavy crown on your head, it was a young clergyman who smelled of cheap linen.
From the rows below, only a few unfamiliar faces looked back. There were no smiling friends or awed nobles. Only the solemn faces of a few advisors and priests. The clergyman laid the crown on your head and it became your kingdom.
You dedicated the years after to maintaining what your parents built. They all came just as before, but you weren’t part of the festivities anymore. You sat among the other royals and spoke in hushed tones while people your age laughed. Some snuck away from the dancing, finding pleasure in hidden corners and unlocked rooms.
Only the summer before you’d been among them. A dozen different hands had spun you in the room, a few pulling you from it. You remembered the frenzied way your lips would clash with the other princesses. Their hands cupping your cheeks or holding your waist, backing you into a dark corner. Your maids would pass and pretend not to notice you, just as they did with the rest. Then you’d become queen. The same princesses passed without sparing a glance, disappearing from the room like you’d done once. You were more now and they couldn’t touch you.
You were more, but you felt like much less.
The years had been blissful, but empty. Then the rumors came of mysterious illnesses and happenings. You’d written it off, until it came to your borders, not in the form of illness- but in the form of a woman.
You learned to take lives and changed, but you still held onto that hope of your youth. Of peace and joy and pleasure. That when your foe fell, it could return, and you could enjoy it this time. You could say to hell with convention and dance among them, hands settling on your body. No longer would you be untouchable.
But your opponent never fell. You did.
Now, you knew those days would never return. The cycle would repeat itself. First Agatha, now this new threat, then someone else. You would continue to age until the stress of it all killed you.
“We have to go.” You mumbled, panic setting in. All you could do was repeat yourself, “We have to go. We have to go.”
Hands settled on your waist, turning back towards Agatha. She searched your face. You shook your head and tried to pull away, but she held tight. All the time you kept repeating yourself. It was instinct, maybe even insanity. You could feel it all unraveling.
“What happened in there?” Agatha repeated her former question.
You shook your head. Didn’t she get it, didn’t she understand? There was only so much time. Every second you wasted on questions was another that shehad to mount her defenses. The prosperity of your kingdom slipped from view more and more.
“I can’t- We have to go, Agatha, we can’t-” You started.
One of her hands that had settled on your waist appeared before your eyes. You knew it was there, but didn’t focus on it. Your eyes had gone unfocused. Visions were passing before your eyes now. Burning buildings, blood in the streets, bodies at your feet, Agatha’s body- a sudden sharp pain snapped you back to reality.
“Ouch!” You said, holding your forehead. Agatha had flicked you there hard, “What the hell is your problem?”
“You were blubbering. I needed you to calm down.” She said calmly.
“So you decided to wound me?”
“Oh please, there’s not even a scratch. Would you rather I leave you to a full blown meltdown?”
“I’dratheryou didn’t make attempts to physically harm me!”
“Gods, enough! What is going on? We’ve just arrived and already we’re running.” Agatha said, throwing her hands up, before they settled on your sides once more.
There was that panic again. Pulling and pressing horribly at your heart, making your throat tight. A sudden warmth on your face pushed it away. Aagatha’s hands settled on either one of your cheeks and forced you to keep eye contact.
“Stay with me, Y/N.” She ordered.
“She… She’s given us two days to prepare. Then she’s coming for the kingdom.” You rushed out.
“Who is ‘she?’”
“I-I don’t know who she is. She’s everywhere. In my head, in my dreams-”
“Someone has invaded your psyche and you didn’t say anything?”
“I thought it was a weird dream!” You threw your hands up.
She shook her head, letting out a sigh. Up until this moment, Agatha had never been truly serious with you. She’d been a constant thorn in your side, nothing more– so why would you have said anything to her?
“Start from the beginning.” She ordered. And you did.
You explained it all. The dreams, the loss of sense there, how she’d been inside of the barrier wearing Agatha’s face. The progressing worry in her expression didn’t help your nerves. But you didn’t know who she was or what she wanted from your kingdom. Neither did Agatha, but now you didn’t know together.
When you finished, she let go of your face. You watched as she stepped away and shook her head. You took a step towards her, not understanding what was happening.
“Whatever magic that barrier has is altering your sense of reality.” Agatha said and your heart dropped into your stomach.
She didn’t believe you. She believed you were crazy, compromised. You shook your own head quickly.
“I know what I saw. I know what’s happening to me. This is real.”You urged her.
“Dearest, you may think it’s real, but the magic here is playing tricks on your mind. There is no way for someone to live there and sustain life. I burned that land to a crisp, nothing can grow. Do you know any beings that can live without food?”
Doubt was poking and prodding at you now. What if she was right? What if you had made all of this up? One thought echoed loudest, pushing out over the others; what if she was wrong?
“I… What if I’m right? It can’t hurt to proceed like I am, just in case. And if I’m wrong and my mind is compromised, then you’ll be right.”
The worry slipped away now, replaced in her eyes by interest. Intrigue. She did so love to be right, to lord others’ mistakes over them. You would be no exception to this.
“You said that you would prove me wrong–that you were a true queen– this is your chance.” You continued to urge, eyes not wavering from her own.
There was that pesky little smirk on her lips. It didn’t incite the usual fury this time, but your heart was preoccupied with other emotions. This would be the moment that defined Agatha; the moment that would show you what you needed to know.
“It’s amusing that you expect it to be that easy.” She said finally.
You growled, turning from her and walking away. The crunch of her footsteps in the grass behind you almost made you stop again. If she wanted to be difficult, you reasoned, then so would you.
“I don’t know why I bother. Your new kingdom is going to burn to the ground and you couldn’t care less!” You said.
“You’re so quick to run from me, but I never said I wouldn’t go along with it, dearest. I said it wasn’t that simple.”
“Make it that simple. You’re the great and powerful Agatha Harkness, are you not?” You scoffed.
You took a few more steps, waiting for a laugh or response, but none came. Rolling your eyes, you spun on your heel. Leave it to Agatha to give you the silent treatment now. You had a glare ready, only to stop up short by the shock on Agatha’s face.
Her eyes were no longer focused on you. Instead, she was looking down at something. You followed the line of sight and froze. Agatha’s dress, which had been a beautiful dark blue, was now discolored. And against the dark fabric emerged the sickening glint of a sword, slicing straight through her abdomen.
A/N: This one came out of me because someone requested it. I missed writing but boy the number of times I had to cry to get here. Pretty tiring. Well, hope you like this one.
Startled to hear Eli’s voice, you turned to him confused.
He approached you and continued, “you did die.” He wears a timid smile on his face as he stood beside you. “Our vows mentioned of ‘til death do us part so…”
Finally understanding his sentiment, you chuckled and replied, “…we’re not married anymore.” The both of you shared a laugh, something you never thought could happen after tonight.
The moment, however, was brief. A second that easily slipped by in what would be a long life for the new Witch Mother.
“I am being sincere though, [y/n].” Once again, the air was heavy with the turn of the conversation. “Nothing is tethering you anymore in this place.” The young wizard noticed how tears start to form in your eyes. How could they still be the brightest orbs despite the darkness of this hour?
You allowed the silence to envelop the two of you.
After announcing the tragedy the Mothers have faced in the woods, you instructed every Maiden to take shelter with their witch sisters. No one should be alone while they mourn the loss of their beloved.
Not following your own advice, Eli simply followed as you went on your own. He found you approaching the boundary between the Forbidden forest and the village. Wasting no more time, you cast a new protection spell, stronger than the one previously placed. The deep blue wisps of magic emitted from your Witch’s index burns the sigil deep in your constructed dome.
You repeated the incantations, sealing every opening until one last remained. You stopped performing the spell, evidently hesitant to continue. The wisps disappeared from sight, leaving the moon as the only source of illumination for the forest.
Eli could only guess what was running in your head; maybe it was running that was in your head. He could never fault you for that. It’s not hard to see the difference between the [y/n] that came rushing to the woods earlier and the [y/n] that came back.
He promised your mother before the wedding that he will look out for you, and if that means letting you go, then so be it. He then revealed himself from the bushes behind you.
As the weary night slowly turns to a day, you remained fixated on the forest opening. You would never tell Eli this but he was a calming presence by your side. The closest thing to what home feels like, especially now that you’ve lost everyone you loved. He was right, nothing is holding you back to stay. So you decided to break the silence and respond.
“Agatha and I were raised the same way,” your voice trying to remain intact. “Follow the rules. Study your spells. Bow to your Mothers. Protect your sisters.”
Still looking out at the forest, “and yet we were built different - what she wanted to break, I wanted to follow.” Facing your friend, you asked, “if I leave, where would I go?”
“You can find her,” he replied.
“I’m not sure I want to do that.”
Eli was hit with the realization of what damage the Forbidden forest has done. He always believed that you were inseparable from Agatha, accepted the fact that she will be a part of your married life with him. Now, all he can do is wipe away the tears from your face as you try to continue living without her.
“I believed that she will never do anything to hurt me,” you try to control your sobs, “but she made me face the Maidens and tell them how their mothers, sisters, their loved ones are no longer with us. She made me watch as they break apart inside. And I couldn’t even tell them the truth because I had to protect her up until the last second.”
Eli continued to listen, his mother says his most admirable quality.
“If she had just listened, all of this could have been avoided.” You reached for his hands as he tries to wipe your face. “I told her to leave. Before I died, I told her there’s no reason for her to stay too.” You held his hands tightly, as you bring them down. Feeling the warmth of something else other than your newly awakened powers helped you calm down.
“[y/n], you know Agatha is-”
“Stubborn,” you cut him off, sharply. “What she did kill the future of this coven. The Crones have barely enough magic, the Maidens are not knowledgeable enough to perform any spell beyond their station. I’m the last Mother they have.”
You took a deep breath, accepting the reality you are now faced with.
“If I leave, I will take the last hope of this coven with me.” You completely dried your cheeks and faced the opening, once again summoning the blue wisps of witchcraft in your fingers. You let go of his hand, preparing for what you will say next.
“I will stay,” you glanced his way, “but you don’t have to.”
Stunned with the change of your behavior, he raised his brow.
“If the marriage has indeed ended, Eli, this is your chance to find the person you’ll love and be with them.”
He inched closer and reached for the ring in your finger, barely a day old on you.
“I have found her,” he traces the band ever so slowly, “and I have married her. If she says she’s staying, then so will I.”
A smile crept up to your face, it wasn’t the smile Eli fell in love with when he first met you, but it was enough for now. That smile was a promise. A promise that you two can move forward.
“Okay,” you replied, “but don’t die on me quickly. I’ve seen so much death today enough for a hundred lifetimes” He chuckled as he stepped aside. You resumed closing the forest opening.
“I promise,” he says and that’s one he kept for the next three centuries.
—
“You know you can stay with me.”
Agatha paced in her mind prison as she hears Agnes befriend her old friend, rival, lover,you.
“Could this be any more boring, Wanda?” She screamed in the void. “What happened to stranger danger you teach your boys, huh? Doesn’t apply to our dear, sweet, Agnes, I see.”
“I was planning to take a look around,” you beamed at the woman who is holding your arms tightly, “but I can tour your house instead.”
The bewitched housewife crossed her arms with you and led you to her house, “oh dear that would be lovely. I just prepared a good ‘ole pot of chicken casserole for dinner.”
“No, Agnes, you didn’t!” Frustration emanates from the trapped witch as the two continue to walk together. “You left the house before we can set the stove on.”
“Really, Agatha?” Her thoughts reverberate against the walls of her prison. “The stove being off is your problem? We had control! We were getting through to her. Why do you have to get distracted?”
“It’s [y/n], she can help us.” She replied.
“We don’t even know if that’s her or someone that looks just like her,” doubt starting to creep up on her.
She scoffed as she replied to herself, “she’s a witch, and we are known to live long lives.”
“She’s also a witch that we saw die 300 years ago.”
Agatha stared at the image before her, your face entering the dump that Agnes calls home. She notices the difference since she last saw you.
Years that have passed can be seen below your eyes but you seem younger than she is. You smile differently too. A part of it is unnerving like it’s forced. Like you’re just playing along. As you engage in a conversation with Agnes, she realized your cadence is slower than usual.
By now, Agatha is starting to believe that this is yet another trick from her captor. After all, a chaos wielder will bring chaos, especially the ones who have a grudge against her.
She continued observing as Agnes hands you a glass of water. She sees the wedding band still on your ring finger. The ring she saw given to you on your wedding day. Even in her hell, you still chose him.
She clenched her jaw, trying not to scream anymore. She’s been doing it whenever she sleeps, no need to do it when she’s awake too.
“So what happened here, Agnes?” Your voice now ringing in her head. Agatha simply settled down and allowed her counterpart to do all the work. Whatever. Wanda for sure has a script for this too.
“Why do you ask, dear?” The sound of ingredients being chopped in the chopping board in the background.
“Well, it seems pretty deserted.”
Agnes turned to you with a mischievous glint in her eye, the nosy neighbor ecstatic to meet someone to talk to. “Have you got all day?”
“If you’re telling the story, I’ve got forever.”
Agnes almost squealed and Agatha remained frozen in her position.
The memories of your last words came rushing back.
