This is a story in three parts. It starts with a random photo of Aubrey Plaza watching basketball that appeared on my Pinterest. Followed by me frantically trying to find where I can buy that merch, because reasons. Just to find out that this was the exclusive cast/crew sweater that people got who worked on Agatha All Along. Thankfully, one of the Marvel peeps auctioned the prototype on eBay (I think it was sold for about $499 o__O) and that listing came with a lovely photo of the design.
And then I sat down for about 5 hours and recreated it based on the original. So here we are.
NOT my design, but had to handraw quite a bit of it, and also sharing with the world because look how pretty that is.
inspired by and set directly after Love is a Witch - Chapter 6 by @beauttifullife
And as usual here is a tiny ficlet going along with the art. Enjoy :)
“So what do we want?” Rio mused aimlessly scrolling through the food delivery app.
They were lying on the couch Rio’s head resting comfortably on Agatha’s chest their legs entangled, Agatha’s hand absentmindedly running through Rio’s hair while watching a documentary.
“You choose.” Agatha responded not taking her eyes off the TV.
“No, I can’t decide.” Rio replied yawning.
She held her phone higher slightly blocking Agatha’s view of the TV screen.
“Help.” Rio demanded as Agatha tried to continue watching the programme past the other woman’s hand. “I am tired from my late night flight and I have no idea what I want.”
Finally peeling her eyes away from the programme, Agatha glanced at the phone and quickly scrolled to one of their usual delivery places jabbing her finger at the screen.
“This one’s always good. And you always say how much you love their dim sum stuff.” She explained her attention already back on the TV.
With a slow “Mhhh.” Rio brought the phone back down to her eye level and skimmed the menu.
“Or we can get tacos,” Agatha added clearly sensing Rio’s indecision. “I just thought you’d have had some good ones back home. Also the Chinese doesn’t deliver to yours, so…”
“Chinese it is.” Rio concluded after a moment.
She quickly picked her usual order from the menu adding some new dumplings she wanted to try and then scrolled to Agatha’s favourites.
“Your usual?” Rio asked slightly stretching her neck to try and look up at Agatha.
“Yeah,” Agatha replied her eyes still on the TV. Then with a sudden movement she looked down at Rio and added “Don’t order too much.”
“Never.” Rio replied smirking and sticking her tongue out before adding more items to the basket and checking for the estimated delivery time.
Agatha huffed knowing that they somehow always ended up with food for four. She returned her attention to the TV her hand automatically finding its way into Rio’s hair again.
Leaning into Agatha’s touch Rio thought how much she loved days like these. Weekends without plans, without pressing appointments or errands to run. Days filled with sunlight filtering through the big apartment windows but no need to be outside in the noise and hubbub of New York. Days spent tangled up with Agatha and them just being them. And she never had thought that this was what she would ever want but now that she had it she couldn’t imagine a life without it. Without her. Feeling Agatha’s fingers lightly scrape over her scalp Rio closed her eyes sighing gently.
She thought back to the stress of the day before, the frantic search for an earlier flight, the rush to the airport when she had finally managed to change her booking, and the half-hearted apologies to her extended family. The only person she had been sad to leave so early was her abuelita. But something in the old woman’s smile as she kissed Rio’s hand wishing her save travels told Rio that she knew how much Agatha meant to her, how different this situation was to any of her previous flings or short lived girlfriends. Her abuelita understood. And yes, coming back after a mere three days apart had seemed pathetic. But having this extra time with Agatha had absolutely been worth all the stress and extra money she had spent.
Letting out a contended sigh Rio inched closer into Agatha’s side, draping her leg over Agatha’s and lifting her head up just enough so she could fully see her lover’s face. Looking at the woman’s profile her gaze swept from her beautiful messy hair flowing in waves around her face, over her perfect nose and lips to her sharp blue eyes so intently watching the programme they had put on. And of course the sweater; her old worn out Texas Longhorn hoodie, which Agatha was still wearing.
“Riooo?” Agatha asked drawing out her name, while her eyes remained trained on the TV a faint smile playing around her lips.
“Nothing.” Rio replied still quite obviously staring at Agatha.
Agatha raised her eyebrows and stole a glance at her before looking back at the TV.
“I was just thinking…” Rio added smiling softly. “…how much I love this.”
“I love Chinese food, too.” Agatha replied a little too quickly still staring straight ahead.
But Rio knew better. She knew all too well that Agatha was only feigning ignorance and had fully understood Rio’s meaning. She knew this was simply how Agatha was, always masking her feelings with humour, deflecting, struggling to put into words what was going on in that beautiful head of hers. And Rio had gotten used to it, she even had started to love this little quirk of hers. She didn’t just love Agatha despite of who and how she was, she loved her because of it, with all her little bumps and edges. And even if she hadn’t been fully fluent in 'Agatha', the broad smile on her lover’s face was a dead giveaway. Biting her lip and shaking her head slightly Rio let out a low chuckle.
“Food will be here in forty.” She said tossing her phone onto the couch before resting her head back onto Agatha’s chest.
“Good.” Agatha replied pulling Rio closer to herself and planting a kiss on the top of her head.
Smiling at the gentle gesture Rio reached for Agatha’s hand entwining their fingers and shuffling into the other woman’s body. Having found a comfortable position she finally returned her attention back to the TV.
“I love this, too.” Agatha whispered after a while, her thumb tracing circles on Rio’s hand.
Feeling a familiar warmth spread in her chest Rio raised Agatha’s hand to her mouth kissing the back of it.
“I know.” Rio replied quietly and she could feel Agatha’s hand squeezing hers lightly.
“You know what I would love even more though?” Rio mused a sudden thought entering her mind. “When the delivery guy comes I think you should get the door - seeing as you are wearing your new favourite sweater.”
Lifting her head up again to see Agatha’s reaction Rio put on her signature smirk.
“Your favourite sweater.” Agatha corrected her, turning to face Rio her eyes narrowed.
“You are the one wearing it.” Rio pointed out with a shrug feigning innocence.
Taking in her lover’s frown Rio’s grin widened thinking of another tease. But before she could add anything else Agatha’s hand grabbed one of the sofa cushions and shoved it into Rio’s face.
“Hey!” Rio protested her voice muffled by the pillow as she fell backwards into the couch.
Propping herself back up she put one hand on either side of Agatha’s face locking her in.
“Not cool.” Rio said trying to look angry but her features betrayed her as she was smiling down at Agatha.
“I might still burn it.” Agatha teased with a wink.
“Oh... you wouldn’t dare.” Rio replied sticking her tongue in her cheek.
Agatha only raised an eyebrow in response a mischievous look on her face. With one smooth movement she grabbed Rio’s waist and tossed her to the side planting one knee on either side of Rio’s hips reversing their positions. Triumphantly she looked down at Rio with a cocky smile.
“You’re impossible.” Rio huffed but she couldn’t stifle a laugh.
Reaching up Rio grabbed the front of the orange hoodie gently pulling Agatha down.
“I still think you should get the door later.” Rio whispered one hand wandering into Agatha’s hair while her gaze flitted down to her lover’s lips.
“Over my dead body.” Agatha growled without any real bite to her voice before closing the distance between them. Her hands snaked behind Rio’s neck pulling her closer into a long passionate kiss forgetting all about the documentary still running on the TV, their food order, or for a fact, the world around them.
Both tiny ficlet and fanart inspired by Unraveled by @beauttifullife
As soon as Rio had closed the front door behind her she could hear the excited pitter patter of little feet. She had barely taken off her shoes as Nicky skidded around the corner smiling at her.
"Rio, you're home!"
"Hey buddy!" she replied and placed her keys in the usual place on the sideboard in the hall.
"I have a surprise for you!" he blurted out jumping up and down.
"A surprise?" Rio replied smiling at him with a raised brow.
"Yes, yes, yes!" he said bursting with excitement.
"Let her come in first, Nicky!" Agatha chided behind her son.
Agatha had come into the hall and was now standing behind Nicky an expression on her face somewhere between amusement and slight worry making Rio even more intrigued. She caught Agatha's eyes with a questioning look for a moment but Agatha only pressed her lips together quickly looking back at Nicky.
What was going on? Why would Agatha be avoiding her gaze? Looking back down at Nicky, she noticed that he had his hands behind his back, clearly holding something out of view.
"Alright, buddy," she said smiling cautiously, "so what's this big surprise?"
Nicky, still bouncing up and down, slowly moved the item from behind his back and held it up with a big flourish: a nondescript shoe box. Rio narrowed her eyes and tilted her head in confusion.
"They finally came!" he screamed as if that was supposed to mean something to Rio.
Nicky gave her a moment to react but when Rio still stood with a puzzled look on her face he opened the box to reveal a pair of white sneakers.
"Your shoes!" he explained, "with velcro, so you don't have to worry about falling over your laces anymore. And look!"
Standing on one leg he raised his other and held up his foot for her to see an identical sneaker just a few sizes smaller. He excitedly wriggled his foot nearly losing his balance.
"And mine are exactly the same. Now we can match!"
Putting his foot down again he shoved the shoe box into her arms the biggest smile on his face.
Momentarily lost for words, Rio took the shoe box staring at its contents, two brand new white sneakers lay in it, velcro fastenings and all. Returning her attention to Nicky who was eagerly awaiting her reaction, a warm smile crept onto her face.
"Oh wow! That's ..." she took one shoe out of the box looking at it, "...amazing!"
"Right? We'll look so cool!" Nicky agreed nodding eagerly.
She remembered only too well when the sneakers had come up, when she had returned from hospital and Agatha had to soften the story of how she had ended up all bruised and battered. She remembered his real concern and care for her. She also remembered how Agatha had suggested that Nicky could get her velcro shoes. Glancing up at the woman Rio let out a steadying breathe. Agatha was clearly holding back a laugh now, her lips pressed together in a thin line one hand on her chin as she watched the scene. Gingerly she looked up at Rio a smirk playing on her face. Agatha was enjoying this way too much. Rio stuck her tongue in her cheek shaking her head ever so slightly, which earned her a slight chuckle form Agatha.
Nicky seemingly oblivious to their little exchange pulled on Rio’s arm.
“Don’t you want to try them on?”
“Oh yes, we have to make sure they fit, don’t we?” Agatha chimed in.
Rio shot her another look but quickly looked back down at Nicky. He was beaming from ear to ear jumping from one foot to the other barely able to contain his excitement. And Rio couldn’t help it, she felt herself smile broader his joy clearly being infectious. Yes the shoes would have probably not been her first choice but apart from the velcro they weren't that different to her usual comfy sneakers. Looking between the sneakers and Nicky a warmth spread in her, and she felt oddly proud. He wanted to match with her, he thought they would look cool together. And it clearly made him so happy, and if there was one thing she had realised by now, she would do anything to make this little boy happy.
“Ok! Let’s try them, shall we?” Rio said and ruffled his hair.
“And then we can go to the park!” Nicky added clapping his small hands.
He expectedly looked back at Agatha waiting for her confirmation.
“Okaay, but we’ll take some healthy snacks! You’re not having ice cream for lunch again!” Agatha said a warning finger raised. “I’ll pack us all something while you try on your shoes.”
Looking back at Rio she mouthed a silent not very convincing Sorry! and vanished towards the kitchen.
Without any hesitation Rio handed the shoe box back to Nicky and sat down on the floor holding one hand out for the first shoe. Nicky took it from the box and passed it to her ceremoniously. Pulling back the velcro strips with a loud noise she slid her foot inside. They fit perfectly, of course they did. Agatha would have never gotten her shoe size wrong. Rio held out her other hand and received the second shoe from Nicky. Once both shoes were securely on, she got up and shifted her weight from side to side.
“They look great!” Nicky said mimicking her movements.
And Rio had to agree. She loved putting on pristine new white sneakers, untouched by New York’s dirty streets or busy rush hour on the metro, and these were practically sparkling compared to her worn out old sneakers in the cupboard. And they were comfy. Smiling down at Nicky she realised that they were both dressed in jeans and a light shirt.
“One more thing,” she said and crouched down in front of him. “We need to tuck in your t-shirt.”
Realising what Rio meant Nicky quickly tried to stuff his t-shirt into his trousers but struggled slightly in his excitement. Rio helped him and stepped back looking at the result for a moment.
“Perfect!” She concluded reaching for his hand. “Come on let’s show your Mom!”
She didn’t have to tell Nicky twice. Excitedly he pulled her through to the kitchen were Agatha had just finished packing some snacks and sandwiches to take with them.
“Mommy! Mommy! Look!”
Rio turned slightly putting her back against Nicky balancing playfully on one leg while holding out the other. Nicky quickly mirrored her, putting his hands in his pockets trying to put on a cool face.
Agatha looked at them for a moment smiling softly. And there it was, the look Rio loved so much. The look that made her heart flip ever so slightly. Yes, Agatha was having her fun with this little shoe prank but Rio knew that she felt the same warmth as her when it came to Nicky, and the smile spreading on Agatha’s lip wasn’t cocky anymore, it was warm and soft and full of love. Smiling back at Agatha Rio found her eyes for a moment. She would wear silly sneakers every day - hell, she would wear a duck costume for Nicky, for this family - if it meant she could make them both happy. And in this moment it seemed like Agatha could see that, too.
“Alright,” Agatha said clapping her hands together shaking her head slightly as if she was trying to focus herself.
“Nicky, how about you get your bag from your room. And then we can go.”
Nicky nodded and ran down the hall towards his room. Agatha packed the little lunch boxes into a shoulder bag busying herself without looking back at Rio. Smiling to herself Rio rounded the kitchen island and encircled Agatha’s waist from behind halting her movements.
“You really enjoyed that.” She whispered into Agatha’s ear, pulling her closer against her.
“Maybe.” Agatha said a playful tone in her voice.
“Well I’m glad I can still entertain you.” Rio replied nuzzling her face into the side of Agatha’s neck.
Wriggling slightly Agatha turned around to face Rio. Draping her arms around her neck her face was suddenly more serious.
“You don’t have to wear them if you don’t want to.” She said searching Rio’s face. “I kind of just sprung them on you. Once the idea was in his mind, he wouldn’t let it go, so I just ordered them but if you don’t feel comfortable… we can always say they give you blisters.”
Rio raised an eyebrow at Agatha savouring her uncertainty for a moment. She liked to see Agatha squirm every once in a while.
“Or we could just conveniently …lose them.” Agatha suggested.
“As if Nicky would believe that. And anyway, it would break his heart.”
Agatha's face fell slightly, a tinge of guilt written in her features.
“Oh, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to put you in this… position. Honestly, if you hate them I could probably talk to him. Explain-“
Rio reached up and put a finger on Agatha’s lips shutting her up.
“Agatha” she said smiling softly while running her thumb over her lips. “I love Nicky. I love seeing him this happy. I’d do anything for him. And I actually kind of like them, they are really comfy.”
She looked down at her new sneakers and then back up at Agatha.
“And besides, it won’t be long before Nicky is too old for fun things like this, and he’ll just think we’re embarrassing. I prefer this.”
Rio froze realising what she had just said. Looking at Agatha she hoped she hadn’t overstepped a line.
Yes, they had been dating for a while now, but they weren’t even living together yet, and here she was talking about their potential future with a snarky teenage Nicky. Of course they had talked future plans, but only normal future plans, like whether they should go on a little holiday with Nicky during his autumn break, or what they might do for Christmas this year. But this was a future some years away, and while Rio had definitely thought about these things, she didn’t want to scare Agatha by going too fast.
But Agatha didn’t pull away, instead she just smiled at Rio.
“Oh, I bet you’ll always be his favourite.” She said scrunching her nose slightly pulling Rio closer.
Relaxing into Agatha’s arms Rio beamed at her and closed the distance between them planting a soft kiss on her lips.
“As long as I’ll always stay your favourite, too” she murmured against Agatha’s lips.
Agatha didn’t reply but instead pulled Rio closer kissing her again, this time more eagerly than before. Tightening her arms around Agatha’s hips Rio smiled into their kiss, feeling the warmth of Agatha’s body against her, and she knew exactly what her answer was.
A ripple of worry spread through the crowd, and, almost on cue, a freezing blast of wind covered everyone in a new layer of snow. Agatha closed her eyes against the biting cold and felt Rio take a step backwards into her. Her arms subconsciously moved to hug Rio closer, pulling their bodies together.
Chapter 5, Agathario Fake Dating AU by @wonderful-anarchy
Working on something new, and trying to go for some kind of American realism meets Rockwell when this is finished. So we'll see how that is going to work out. ;)
You know how you want to touch puppies or kittens when you see cute videos of them on the internet but you can't because they are on a screen and it's really frustrating? That's how I feel about her hair... Anyone else? Or is that just me?
Anyway, made some progress, despite the reference screenshot being all blurry.
More progress. Really wanted to continue this but I had to finish making Christmas presents first, and now the day's just kind of gone. Oh well, more fun to come.
Working on something new, and trying to go for some kind of American realism meets Rockwell when this is finished. So we'll see how that is going to work out. ;)
You know how you want to touch puppies or kittens when you see cute videos of them on the internet but you can't because they are on a screen and it's really frustrating? That's how I feel about her hair... Anyone else? Or is that just me?
Anyway, made some progress, despite the reference screenshot being all blurry.
Working on something new, and trying to go for some kind of American realism meets Rockwell when this is finished. So we'll see how that is going to work out. ;)
This is a story in three parts. It starts with a random photo of Aubrey Plaza watching basketball that appeared on my Pinterest. Followed by me frantically trying to find where I can buy that merch, because reasons. Just to find out that this was the exclusive cast/crew sweater that people got who worked on Agatha All Along. Thankfully, one of the Marvel peeps auctioned the prototype on eBay (I think it was sold for about $499 o__O) and that listing came with a lovely photo of the design.
And then I sat down for about 5 hours and recreated it based on the original. So here we are.
NOT my design, but had to handraw quite a bit of it, and also sharing with the world because look how pretty that is.
I would like to thank @theprincessofthemidwest for asking for Agathario inspired by The Other Side (1918) by Dean Cornwell.
I might go back to this and try to improve it because let's face it it could do with a couple more hours of work but here we are. Painted it in one sitting and my shoulder hurts.
