#we are finally back

[swagginmun]

Chapter 2: Tactical Infiltration Page 32 Uhhh..? Gods... Start || Previous || Next

[ragnarockz]

Gold Dust Woman

AAA Desert Hearts!AU collab with @jeridandridge

AO3 🏜️

Chapter 6: Paradise

Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4, Chapter 5

Summary: In 1970s Reno Professor Rio Vidal tries to keep to herself as she gets a quick divorce. That’s when she meets Agnes O’Connor. Desert Hearts (1985) AU

Word Count: 15.5k

Pairing: Agatha Harkness/Agnes O'Connor x Rio Vidal

Characters: Agatha Harkness/Agnes O'Connor, Rio Vidal, Lilia Calderu, Billy Kaplan, Alice Wu-Gulliver, Wanda Maximoff, Jennifer Walters, Bucky Barnes

Tags: Alternate universe/AU, slow burn, yearning, period piece (1970s), wagatha, we multi ship in this house, but it's an agathario story

Music inspo: Gold Dust Woman playlist

It’s stifling in the large waiting room. The sun blazing through the window makes Rio shift in her seat uncomfortably, the leather crackling beneath the thin fabric of her dress. She would much rather be back at the ranch with Agnes, spending the morning in the garden stealing glances and kisses but instead she finds herself back in her lawyers office. 

“Miss Vidal?”

Finally, Rio thinks. Her lawyer Jennifer Walters sticks her head out of her office beckoning her in with that friendly smile. 

She waits for her client to gather up her things as she leads her into the office and closes the door gently behind her. Ms. Walters extends her hand out to the empty seat across from her desk and waits for Rio to take it before she herself sits down at her own chair; her client’s file is already opened up on the desk before her.

“How has everything been so far, Miss Vidal? Enjoying Nevada? It must be such a different landscape from New York, I can imagine.”

Rio takes a seat in the familiar chair and crosses her legs as a defense mechanism. She never felt truly comfortable in this office despite Jennifer’s kindness. 

“I’ll admit I was a bit apprehensive coming here, but it’s been wonderful.” She smiles softly at the thought of blue eyes and the soft pink and orange sunsets. “The desert has been very good to me.” 

Jennifer nods her head as she looks down at the papers fanned out before her on her desk. She looks back up at Rio and smiles once again,

“I’m sure you’ll be very happy to hear that…”

Jennifer picks up the first sheet on her pile and hands it over her desk for Rio to take; she wants the woman to read with her own eyes the good news on the decision of her divorce.

Rio takes the paper with a shaky hand, nerves coursing through her. What could this possibly be so soon? As she looks at the black ink seeped into the cream colored paper, her eyes go wide. 

FINAL JUDGEMENT OF DIVORCE 

As of June 23rd 1976

Party one, Rio Maria Vidal, is entitled to a divorce from Party 2, James Buchanan Barnes

Rio stops reading after that, her eyes begin to burn with tears and a smile forms on her lips. She finally did it. She legally was her own person once more. Her happiness turns to dread on her face once she realizes that this is done. She would no doubt have to leave Lilia’s early, now that the court made everything final. This thought made her stomach drop. She couldn’t leave yet. Not without Agnes.

Jennifer rambles on about how she just needs to make Rio a copy for herself, despite her office holding one as well. It had moved through the courts with ease and Rio was essentially free from Reno’s grasp on her. Jennifer hadn’t stopped to clue in on the silence that had taken over her client; chalking it up to astonishment that something like this could move so quickly.

“Do you have any other questions or concerns for me? Anything at all?”

Rio feels as though she’s underwater, Jennifer’s voice muffled by the blood rushing in her ears. Shaking her head she sets the document down. 

“I- no, I don’t believe so.” Rio swipes at the corner of her eye wiping away a stray tear.

Jennifer gathers up her papers back into Rio’s file; shuffling them neatly until they’re closed away, the only paper left on the table being a copy of the divorce document. She looks over at her client and offers her another warm smile before she extends her arm out to shake Rio’s hand,

“You’ll get another copy mailed to you at your current address. If you plan on changing that address, you can always call me and update the mailing but other than that, you are all good to go.”

“Thank you, Miss Walters.” Rio chuckles standing, hand extended to the woman that just lifted the weight of the world off of her shoulders. She couldn’t wait to get back to Agnes. 

Agnes sits with her feet up on the kitchen chair with a mug of steaming tea. She woke up early, or so she thought. She had just missed Rio. Her stomach was in knots and there was no going back to sleep; no ease of her mind that could have dissolved with a few simple brushstrokes of the new painting she was working on. Agnes felt like she had to come down into the kitchen and wait it out; wait for Rio to come back with the news. No one else in the house was up yet and Agnes, despite her anxiety, was thankful to have this little moment of silence to herself.

“You look like someone kicked your puppy.” Billy flops into the chair across from Agnes, bed head and a second bowl of cereal in tow. “What’s up with you?”

She jumps from the sudden noise breaking her concentration. Her younger brother takes his seat and shoots her a goofy grin and Agnes, pulls her mug in closer before lifting it up to her lips for a sip.

She merely pulls the mug away; just enough to mumble back her response,

“Couldn’t sleep, is all…” 

“Does it have anything to do with the pretty, sophisticated lady seeing her lawyer today?” Billy teases with a quirked brow. He had always been close to Agnes, as soon as Lilia brought him home he was at the older brunette’s side. Now he feels like he can almost read her moods. 

Agnes squints at her brother from across the table as she tries to read his expression; the mug hovering inches from her lips,

“...Have you been talking to Alice?”

Billy shrugs bringing the cereal bowl up to his lips, a chug of milk goes down. “She mighta mentioned some things but I’d rather talk to you about all of that.”

The sigh that escapes Agnes’ lips is dramatic but gets the message across. She can feel her face warm as she takes another long sip of her tea before her gaze drops down; her voice doing the same,

“Talk about what exactly?”

“Oh come on,” he rolls his eyes. “What are you gonna do when the professor is done here is what I’m asking. I know you like her, remember? I think everyone with functioning eyes can see that.”

Agnes’ eyebrows slightly rise up as she weighs her brother’s question in her mind. ‘What are you going to do’?

“I’m going to show up to my job at the casino and paint on my days off and help out around here…what else would I be doing?”

Billy looks at his big sister with a deadpan stare. “You’re gonna let her go? Yeah right.” 

“What do you expect me to do? Just pack up and leave with her? I don’t even know if she wants that. Do I even want that?”

Billy slumps back in his chair as if he’s been shot mid bite of cereal. “I love you but you need to get your head out of the sand. What did you just say to me? Because I don’t understand crazy.”

Agnes responds in silence as she looks down into her cup of tea. She doesn’t know how to respond in a way that isn’t a lie. She’s afraid, of course she is. She doesn’t know what will happen if she takes the chance and uproots her entire life for a woman she had just only met.

Only crazy people do that, don’t they?

“I can’t just…jump into her life. It doesn’t work like that…”

Billy hums at the statement, eyes never breaking contact with Agnes. “She jumped into yours.”

There was no way to deny that statement. Probably the truest thing her brother had ever said and Agnes had no way to detest it. Rio surely had come into her life, not on purpose, but of circumstance and now everything had titled on its axis.

Agnes truly didn’t want her to leave or, she truly didn’t want to be alone without her.

“...Mom would kill me if I left here to go with her…”

Billy lets out a snort as he shakes his head. His eyes shoot past Agnes to the other figure coming into the house. 

“Hi,” Rio smiles from the doorway, happily floating in and wrapping her arm around Agnes’ shoulders in a squeeze from behind. “You’re up early, Billy.”

Agnes’ stomach drops at the familiar touch and voice that comes from behind her. She straightens up just a little bit before she quietly tells herself to relax; to not give herself and all her fears away. She tries to sink into Rio's embrace with her gaze still set on Billy.

“Hey…what did your lawyer have to say?”

Rio buys herself a moment to get her thoughts in order as she drops a kiss to the top of Agnes’ head as the vision of the divorce document currently sitting against her cigarettes in the purse on her shoulder flashes behind her eyes. 

“Legal jargon and the same old ‘sign here’ over and over. I bet your morning was more eventful.” 

She still was unable to decide what to do first. She knew Lilia would find out about the finalization thanks to the arrangement worked out between her and the court. Rio only hoped Lilia wouldn’t kick her out as soon as possible. 

“Well, not really…I thought I'd find you down here but, I guess you just forgot to tell me where you were headed.”

Agnes knows there's acid in her words as she stiffen back up. Her gaze drifts away from Billy's face; unable to look her brother in the eye. She has every right to feel slightly off. Rio could have woken her up. They could have gone together.

It was something else to wake up in an empty bed with no note or notice of where she had gone so early in the morning.

Agnes had truly thought Rio was gone for good.

Rio pulls back just slightly, head cocked to the side before she moves to sit next to Agnes. 

“Honey, I don’t want to wake you up early if it’s not necessary. I was gone by eight.” Rio reasons. “I don’t want you tired when you have to work late.”

Across the table Billy rolls his eyes and gets up, cereal bowl abandoned.  

“Hey Rio, when she’s done with her tantrum, come up to my room. I picked up a new record player.”

At that, Agnes crosses her arms over her chest and glares at the back of her brother’s head. She waits for him to get out of the kitchen and hopefully also out of earshot,

“I wish you told me…we could have gone out for breakfast after or something…”

Reaching out, Rio rests her hand on Agnes’ thigh with a gentle squeeze. 

“I’m sorry, baby. You looked so peaceful and comfortable I didn’t want to wake you just so you could sit in a stuffy office all morning.”

She doesn't want to go around in circles with Rio so she drops it and focuses instead on the hand resting on her thigh. She wants to melt so badly.

“Do you have any other plans for the rest of the day?”

“I was hoping we could go to that lake with just the two of us.” Rio smiles softly. 

She’d been tip-toeing around the house since that day Lilia saw them in the garden; she desperately wanted a private moment for her and Agnes outside of the comfort in her tiny bedroom that had become theirs. 

Agnes’ eyes go wide at the request and a rush fills her mind of a million little thoughts. They'd have an entire afternoon, just the two of them, alone.

Completely alone by a beautiful lake with nothing but words and glances and touches between them.

Agnes felt her face blush with warmth.

“Yeah, sure…it's not too far and it's a perfect day to swim…we can do that, if you want.”

“We’ve been talking about it,” Rio smiles. “Let’s get packed up and go. We can pick up beach snacks on the way.”

She may not want to say anything just yet, but a day alone with Agnes on a beautiful lake was the only way she wanted to celebrate her divorce. 

Agnes watches as Rio slips away; out of the kitchen and up the stairs. There's a breath or two in which the younger woman collects herself and the realization that they will have some fully alone time together with no one else around. Agnes gets up from her seat and picks up her mug to bring it over to the sink. The last thing she would need right now is to piss off Lilia in even the tiniest of ways.

The rest of the day had to be foolproof; completely in their court. She and Rio needed to get off completely clean from any sort of hostility.

Pyramid Lake would be their solace if even for a few hours.

It doesn’t take long for Rio to change into her two piece and a simple green sundress before packing a spare set of clothes and her wallet in a bag along with a few smaller items.  Fishing the divorce document out of her purse she stands for just a moment with it cradled to her chest like it was something precious; a key that unlocked a door to endless possibilities. 

Agnes finds her way up the stairs and into her own bedroom, staring at the mess on the floor and on her bed. She goes through her clothes and finds something that would work as a bathing suit. She hadn’t gone out to Pyramid Lake in ages. She hadn’t had the time and Billy was the last person she would go with when he was a bit younger. He had always wanted to go swimming and fishing in the lake. They had both found themselves busy the older they got and the lake trips were far and few in between.

Agnes finds something and shoves it into a bag and hopes that it’s good enough. With her bag slung over her shoulder, she leaves her bedroom and heads down the hall towards the bathroom to grab her and Rio some towels for their trip. She hopes by bringing them, they’ll be able to both spend some time in the sun and dry off after a swim.

Meeting Agnes in the hall, Rio can’t help the grin on her face. “Hey, come here.”

She was all too happy to be with Agnes, and alone in the house with just her and Billy. 

Agnes meets Rio halfway in the hallway; the towels tucked under her arm. She gives the older woman a lopsided grin before she closes the gap between them.

Leaning in Rio hums against the younger woman's lips in a soft kiss. “I didn’t mean to leave you this morning like that. I didn’t think it through.” 

The kiss is returned and Agnes can't help but to smile into it,

“Yeah, I know…you probably don't wanna mess around with being late to meetings with lawyers…”

Rio smiles softly, keeping close to Agnes. “That, and this between us, you don’t deserve to be thrown into any part of that. It wouldn’t be fair.”

She tries to explain as best she can, she knows Agnes listens to her and understands her better than almost anyone else she’s ever met. Surely she would understand Rio keeping this secret for now. 

Agnes takes Rio's words to heart as she gives her a broader smile. She understands completely the delicacy of such a proceeding; has seen many women come and go through the ranch.

It had just felt nice to once be considered.

“You excited for the lake?”

“I am, let’s go.” Rio grins, wrapping her free arm around Agnes’ waist. It was a simple action but this time it felt different; now she could really belong to Agnes. 

They make their way down the staircase, finding some way to touch one another with each step down. Agnes felt a swell of pride inside of herself in knowing that Rio had chosen her.

They made their way out the front door without any delay; throwing their things into the back of Agnes' truck when they were close enough to do so. Agnes hummed under her breath and kept her focus on Rio.

Settled in her spot in Agnes’ truck Rio clicks on the radio grinning like an idiot at the younger woman. “So, tell me what to expect from this lake.”

Agnes slides into the driver's seat and puts her key into the ignition. She focuses on backing up until they're at the end of the long stretch of dirt driveway. Agnes turns her wheel to the left and changes the gear to drive forwards. Down that long stretch of road, Agnes sinks into her seat before stealing a quick glance over at Rio.

“There's this rock formation coming out from the lake, shaped like a pyramid…the water is unbelievably blue. And lots and lots of rock…cliffs all around…you feel like you're the only one in that basin.”

As Agnes describes the lake Rio can see the happiness in her eyes and it makes her chest tighten with so much love. 

“It sounds special.”

Seeing her like this was a privilege. 

Agnes nods her head and keeps her focus on the road ahead,

“Spent a lot of summers there…Billy and I…sometimes I would sneak out there, just me…I can't wait for you to see it. You'll love it.”

Reaching over Rio rests her hand on Agnes’ thigh, a normal action for the both of them now. For a moment, Rio wonders if Lilia brought Agnes there after she was adopted or if it was a spot Agnes found on her own. They’d had their late night talks, bearing their souls to each other, but Rio found herself cautious when it came to asking about Lilia. 

“I’m excited to see the place you’re so fond of. When did you start going there?” 

“Some local kids knew about it; kids from school. Their parents would take them on the weekends and in the summer…sometimes they'd invite me or I'd just tag along. Lilia was too busy running the ranch so she rarely had the time to take Billy and I…”

Rio frowns at the new information. Given everything she’d seen, she knew Lilia wasn’t a horrible mother by any means but she knew she wasn’t a perfect one either. 

“But you got to take him eventually.” Rio smiles softly, admiring the sun beam framing Agnes in a soft glow. 

“As often as I could…we had a lot of good memories there…”

Agnes lets her voice drift as she glances over at Rio.

She wants to tell her that today will be another memory she'll hold near and dear to her heart. Every second with Rio had been something to remember.

“Do you think one day I could show you my favorite place in New York?” Rio is testing the waters, hoping that they could continue the conversation that’s had a pin in it since the concert. It makes her chest ache to think that she may never get to show Agnes around the city because of apprehensiveness about leaving home. 

Agnes nods her head in silence as she lets her eyes drag away from the road before them. The silence fills the car until Agnes can’t stand it anymore; her heart beating in her ears,

“I don’t see why you wouldn’t be able to…”

The tension doesn’t bother Rio as one would expect. It’s the sadness that hits her. 

“You wouldn’t have to stay.” She hums quietly, her words almost swept away with the wind. “Not if it doesn’t please you.”

Agnes pulls her gaze away from the road once more to look over at Rio. She tries to read the woman’s face as quickly as she can before pulling her focus back. She knows the turn is coming up soon; another long stretch of road before they’re halfway to their destination. She doesn’t want to miss the cutoff.

She also doesn’t want to miss giving Rio the right answer.

“If I got to spend all my time with you there, I’d stay….even if I didn’t really like it. I’d have you. That’s enough for me.”

Rio absentmindedly taps her finger along the door of the truck, the warm air now becoming like a suffocating blanket. She had never felt this way before; that if she didn’t have Agnes close she feared she may die. 

“Would it be enough? Would it be enough?” Amber eyes look over, trying to read the younger woman.

“I have no doubt about you…me on the other hand,”

Agnes snorts as she makes the turn onto the road. She settles into her seat once more before she finishes her thought,

“I’m just some ranch hand that works nights at a casino. Am I enough for you?”

Rio shakes her head with a sad laugh. “Agnes, you’re everything. You just need room to grow.”

Rio had thought this time and time again since their afternoon at the art gallery, since their first day in the garden. Agnes was a desert plant in a crowded flower bed. She needed to break free. 

Agnes considers the words spoken by Rio; allows them to sit inside of herself. She doesn’t know how to respond or if she should respond. She doesn’t feel like those words belong to her. Maybe it’s just a nicety that Rio is playing at; even in their compliments. An easy back and forth without really having to determine worth.

The younger woman doesn’t know what to say so she doesn’t say a thing. Her hands remain on the steering wheel as she brings them closer to their destination; the hot afternoon sun climbing in the sky.

Despite the words hanging and the summer sun blazing, Rio looks out the window only after resting her hand on Agnes’ thigh. She’d make sure Agnes knew she meant every word.

The rest of the trip, along the long stretch of road, is mostly silent minus the radio that Rio keeps fiddling with. The closer they got to the lake, the more static reached them over the airwaves. They were going away from everything; into a pocket of their own world. Nature was quickly engulfing them; the mountains stretching and looming higher above. Agnes made one last turn onto a gravel road. She looked over at Rio and gave her an amused smile as the truck jostled left and right and Agnes tried her hardest to go slow.

Seeing just how far from town and the ranch they are, Rio grins at Agnes. “Show me this little strip of paradise, O’Connor.” 

The surrounding area was beautiful, virtually untouched by man it seemed. The joke of paradise seemed to be reality on the orange sandy rock and clear water. 

The last few minutes of the ride is slow as Agnes tries her best to not upset the both of them. Each bump just makes her more anxious to finally park and get out. As the parking lot gets into view, Agnes can’t help but to smile to herself.

Not another soul is parked here.

“Looks like it’s just you and I, Vidal.”

“Music to my ears.” Rio grins like an idiot moving to get out of the truck. She hoped they could have an amazing afternoon just the two of them, but also talk about the important things they’d been pushing to the side since the moment they met. 

Gravel crunching under her flimsy beach shoes Rio grabs both of their bags and towels. 

Agnes follows Rio's lead as she waits for her to grab all their belongings out of the truck before locking it. She basically runs over with open arms to take some of the stuff Rio is carrying; not wanting her to do all the work.

Agnes wants to be courteous; chivalrous.

“Thank you, handsome.” Rio smiles, handing her the towels. 

“Anything for you…”

Rio shifts the bags onto her shoulder and reaches for Agnes’ hand as she overlooks the area. “This is beautiful.” 

Agnes clutches Rio's hand a little tighter in return as she leads her down towards the water. The gravel parking lot gives way to a semi-rocky and sandy beach. Once they can get a good view of the water, Agnes stops so Rio can get her first proper look of Pyramid Lake.

“There she is…”

Fingers entwined, Rio stands letting out a soft gasp. Her eyes track over every color the sand has to offer, the shoreline meeting the sky in the distance. It looked like a painting. Letting a slow smile spread across her lips she can only look at Agnes in amazement. “This is…” she trails off. This was special and she knew it. “Thank you. For bringing me here.” 

Agnes nods her head but keeps her eyes on the side of Rio's face.

She has seen this view a million times but she knows looking at Rio, that view, will eventually end. She'll have to give up one for the other.

It would be silly to think she could have both.

“Come on, let's find a spot…”

Squeezing her hand Rio follows Agnes. “I think we can have our pick of the best ones here.” She chuckles, amazed how empty it is. She’s oblivious to the thoughts rattling around her person's head at this moment. 

As Rio daydreams about the afternoon they’re going to have, Lilia returns home with a smug smile on her face. Roaming the house looking for Agnes she finds Billy instead. 

“Where’s your sister?”

Billy jumps, but only slightly as he turns on his heels to face Lilia. The tone of her voice isn’t necessarily angry or upset but there is an edge to it that Billy is all too familiar with. His shoulders drop as he shrugs them and makes the attempt to move his eyes left and then right as if trying to look for Agnes out of his peripherals.

“She went out with Rio…I think.”

Lilia huffs resting her hands on her hips. “When they get back, send Agnes to find me.” She instructs cooly, leaving no room for an argument. 

Pyramid Lake is a perfect spot to relax, Rio has decided. There under the sun on the beach towel she shifts putting her back towards Agnes.  

“Can you untie my dress, baby?” 

Agnes swallows hard as she wills her hands not to shake; moving right behind Rio to pick up the strings that hold Rio’s dress together. She pulls the end of the bow and watches as the fabric slumps down Rio’s shoulders.

Agnes hadn’t realized she was holding her breath.

Looking over her shoulder Rio can’t help but tease the younger woman with a soft smile on her lips. 

“You’ve been in my room every night, you can’t possibly be nervous right now.”

Agnes bites back a laugh as she shakes her head and continues to pull away at the strings. She takes in the bareness of Rio’s skin as her dress slips away.

Pulling the dress away Rio sets the fabric in the bag and turns to face Agnes; her tanned skin on full display with the black two piece she bought on a whim in New York before she left.  She never expected to actually wear it let alone wear it for someone, someone like Agnes. 

“Feel like swimming? I am CPR certified in case mouth to mouth is needed.” 

She teases despite the odd feeling in her stomach. Surely Agnes was not still upset over this morning? Maybe it was the fact she was now hiding a big secret from the person she loved. Guilt was a fickle thing.

Agnes nods with her head; her eyes unable to leave the sight before her. It feels like she’s taking in Rio’s body all over despite having seen it up close and personal just nights ago. This feels different in a way; almost as intimate as it did alone with Rio in her bedroom.

“Yeah, you never know…I may need mouth to mouth if I don’t pick my jaw up off of the floor…swallow in all that lake water and sink right to the bottom over how good you look.”

Rio gives the younger woman a goofy grin as she moves to stand up, hands on her hips in a mock pose. “Okay, Don Juan. Strip.” 

Agnes is quick with it; hands basically flying as she doesn't give it a second thought. She strips down to her bra and a pair of swim trunks underneath,

“Snatched them from Billy's room before we left…he won't miss them.”

Rio looks at the material and how well they suit Agnes. Offering her hand out she smiles.  “I like them.”

Agnes extends her hand out to Rio's until they touch and their fingers intertwine; palms flat against each other's. Agnes gives Rio another steady nod of her head before she turns her attention to the body of water laid out before them.

“Are you ready?”

“Let’s go,” Rio chuckles, squinting at the sun shining off of the water. As the sand flattens between her feet causing a warmth to spread through her, Rio can’t help the cheek aching smile that breaks across her face. 

Agnes feels the slight pull as she follows Rio down the beach and towards the shoreline. She can't believe that every single time she had come to this beach, this would be the one time where it felt like she was discovering it for the first time.

Everything, Agnes realizes, feels brand new with Rio in the picture.

The younger woman grins to herself before turning to look at Rio so she too, can see the smile on her face.

“Time to find out if it’s cold or not.” Rio chuckles. Squeezing Agnes’ hand she curls her toes in the damp sand waiting for the next wave. “This is beautiful.”

“I knew you'd like it…”

Agnes’ voice gets caught in the sound of waves crashing against their feet and ankles. They plant themselves firmly into the sand so that they don't topple over. The push and pull daring them to move forward; deeper into the lake.

As they move further into the surf Rio moves closer to Agnes’ side. Like a moth to a flame. Waist deep in the water Rio shivers for just a moment before her body completely relaxes. 

“Are you cold?”

Agnes whispers as she herself tries not to shiver. She presses her arm against Rio's and feels the goosebumps on the older woman’s skin.

“Nothing you can’t fix, baby.”  Easily wrapping herself around Agnes’ waist Rio loosely drapes her arms around her neck enjoying the water splashing against her back and crystal blue eyes looking back at her. 

Agnes brings her hands underneath Rio's thighs as she holds her steady as she walks deeper out into the lake; carrying Rio with all her might. Once she was past her waist, the water helped in carrying the woman she was so enamored with. The water rocked all around them and dared to push them to and fro.

Agnes felt Rio's legs hug a little tighter as did her arms around Agnes’ neck.

“I'm happy it's just us out here today…”

Rio lets her fingers dance against the water droplets that kiss Agnes’ skin. 

“Me too.” She beams. “Maybe the next time we come here we can make it a family thing. Bring Billy with us.” 

“Or…it can just be us again…”

Agnes whispers despite having no one around to hide from. She turns her head ever so slightly so that her lips press against the inside of Rio's arm where she leaves a kiss.

Could she be as daring now, out in the open, as she was in the privacy of her own room, behind a closed door?

Rio hums at the warmth on her skin from Agnes’ lips. In such a short time she knows the woman’s lips have mapped out her entire body like an astronomer does with a sky of constellations. 

“I’d like that too.” She smiles, moving forward to rest her forehead against the younger woman’s. She felt nothing but peace out here with Agnes. 

She wants to say something, anything but this simple and peaceful moment is almost too much for Agnes to bear.

The nagging voice in her head reminds her that Rio will be leaving soon; only a matter of time.

She shifts her hands but doesn't entirely let go of Rio. Not yet.

There in their peaceful little world Rio keeps her arms around Agnes, her hands keeping her grounded as her heart hammers in her chest. Lifting her head, she smiles softly. 

“Honey, I have two things to tell you. May I share them now?”

The sound of Rio’s voice makes Agnes' heart suddenly hammer away in her ears. 

Whatever was coming was going to change her life.

“...Of course…”

Rio slides her hands to Agnes’ shoulders pulling back just slightly, bottom lip between her teeth. 

“I am so helplessly in love with you it terrifies me,” she starts in a steady voice, “This morning, my lawyer gave me my final judgement which means I’m divorced. Divorced and free, ready to be with you for as long as you’ll have me.” 

The words fly out of her mouth before she can think of what she's saying; her feelings tumbling out of her faster than she can stop herself,

“So you'll stay here then, with me? You'll stay in Reno…just us two…”

Rio’s heart sinks. She wants nothing more than to be with Agnes every moment she can, even if that means staying in the desert. But she can’t. 

“I want to stay with you, Agnes.” She all but whispers, arms wrapping around Agnes once more. She wishes the lake would swallow them whole. 

“I have to be back to work at the end of the summer. My students need me. I have an empty apartment waiting for me.” She smiles sadly. “I want you to come with me more than anything.”

The smile Agnes forces on her lips makes her feel queasy. Something doesn't sit right in the way she feels. She knows what the obvious answer is to Rio's plea: yes.

Yes, she would pack up her room and take her truck and get very, very far from Reno with Rio in the passenger seat.

Something, however, holds Agnes back like a death grip.

“I…Rio I don't know if I can just go…just like that. It might take some time for me…to get things in order before I just move to New York…”

Rio wants to shake the young woman, begging her to leave with her. But she doesn’t. Not right now. Instead, her eyes drift to the sparkling water and she nods. 

“You can visit. We can talk on the telephone, write letters. I’ll come back for Thanksgiving.” She thinks aloud, hoping to whatever higher power there is that Agnes will change her mind. That this trip to the lake will turn into a realization for the younger woman.

Agnes nods her head; chin bobbing against the surface of the water as she does so. Each action Rio describes feels like a nail pushing deeper into her heart. She knows all of these things are too much to ask for, things that will take up so much time and energy and money.

Wouldn’t it be easier just to go with her to New York?

“I’m starting to feel cold…you wanna get out and go lay on the sand for a little while, warm up?”

Rio hums, loosening her grip on Agnes and allows her feet to hit the sandy bottom of the lake. She wants nothing more than to keep this conversation going, but she won’t ruin today for them. If this was going to be a memory in a few weeks time, she wants it to be one of bittersweet happiness.

Agnes keeps her hand in Rio’s as they get out of the water; the warm air hitting them as soon as they come up. Agnes can feel her skin warming instantly and herself drying. She clutches Rio’s hand a little tighter as they walk up the shoreline, towards their bags. Agnes lets her hand slip away as she kneels down onto the hot sand to dig through her bag to pull out her towel. She does the same for Rio; laying her towel out right beside her own.

“Thank you,” Rio smiles, taking her spot on the dry cloth. Lying on her stomach she reaches into her own bag pulling out the new camera she purchased just before her trip. Pointing the camera up at Agnes she beams. 

“Smile, beautiful.” 

Agnes turns her head to face Vidal as she remains laying down on her stomach. She brings her left hand up to shield her eyes so she can look right at the camera; right at Vidal. The smile she gives the older woman is genuine and relaxed, as if she and Rio are the only people left on earth and there is nothing in this moment left to lose.

Snapping the photo Rio clutches the camera like it’s now a precious item, the film inside more valuable than anything else to her. She can’t stop the cheek aching smile that spreads across her own lips as she leans over, stealing a kiss. 

Agnes receives the kiss and gives Rio one back; slow and sensual. The second she pulls away she pushes out her arm, hand outstretched before herself,

“Lemme have that. I want to take a picture of you.”

Humming contently at the soft feeling of Agnes’ lips Rio grins handing the camera over. “That film roll will be full by the time we leave I bet.” Let’s see how you handle a camera, miss big artiste.” 

Agnes grins as she props herself up on her elbows to try and get the angle just right. She lifts the camera ever so slightly so that she can get a little bit of the lake behind Rio.

So that, when the film has been developed, Rio will remember the lake and where the picture of her had been taken. An endless blue in the background.

“Hold still for me…just like that…”

Rio keeps still, bottom lip between her teeth as she smiles. The air off the lake is cool, but the warmth she feels isn’t from the sun. It’s all from Agnes.

“Beautiful…”

Agnes whispers under her breath as she slowly pulls the camera away from her eye. She stares at Rio in silence before slowly handing the camera back over.

Setting the camera down on the small bag Rio turns to her side, hand extended to stroke Agnes’ jaw with her thumb. “I think this is the most privacy we’ve had.” 

With her head propped up on her hand, Agnes nods as she shifts against her own beach towel. She lays on her side, facing Rio. It doesn’t take long for the older woman’s hand to find Agnes’ face.

She grins into the touch.

“I didn’t think we’d ever get a moment alone…it’s nice, isn’t it? Just us, the water…”

Agnes mumbles the last bit as she turns her head ever so slightly to kiss the inside of Rio’s palm.

“I don’t know how this crazy world works half of the time, but I’m happy it brought me to you.” She speaks quietly, enjoying their own little bubble with the sounds of the water lapping at the shore. 

Agnes does her best to shuffle even closer to Rio; her body moving slightly off of her own towel and onto the small strip of sand between them. Her body is just inches away, almost touching. She could put her leg over Rio’s if she wanted to. She could put her leg over her waist and never let go.

She gazes silently into Rio’s eyes.

Lifting her chin Rio kisses the corner of her lips, hand moving down her side to rest on the warm skin of her hip.

Agnes does move closer as she slides her left leg in between Rio's. Her body fits like a glove. Like a puzzle piece finding its match. The soft and gentle kisses are quickly returned with much heated ones as Agnes does her best to press her body as close to Rio's as possible.

Close as can be Rio wraps her arm around Agnes’ shoulders, her fingers tangling themselves in long locks as she wraps a leg around Agnes, rolling her hips painfully slow. There on the sand Rio thinks of those old romance movies again, and she can’t help but smile against the younger woman’s mouth. 

Agnes feels Rio smile against her mouth as she presses her lips once more in a deep kiss. She breathes out deeply through her nose and focuses on the weight of Rio's legs tangled with her own.

The sensation of Rio's hips grinding towards her body is almost too much to bear; a feeling she had fleetingly back at the ranch. They were scared of being caught or interrupted.

Agnes lets go of that fear as she, ever so slowly, rolls her hips in response.

Humming into Agnes’ mouth Rio rolls her hips with more intent this time, the thin fabric of their swimsuits not doing much to hide what Rio is looking for. The bottom piece of her suit is already sticking to her skin, and she can feel her heart drumming in her throat as the blood rushes to her ears. 

Never in a million years did Rio think she would be making out on the beach like a teenager let alone making out with the most gorgeous woman she’s ever seen while simultaneously  feeling the most intense connection she’s ever felt in her forty years. 

Meeting Agnes’ hips with her own she groans against her mouth as her fingers lightly scratch Agnes’ scalp. Their movements are slow and steady, the thought of being caught no longer in the back of Rio’s head despite being completely exposed in the open.

Tilting her head slowly, Rio sucks Agnes’ bottom lip as the need for more pulses between her legs, her senses now in overdrive thanks to the sun and water and touch. Rolling herself and Agnes over she grins against her lips once again, triumphant at having Agnes underneath her. 

Agnes smiles something sly as she looks up at Rio's face. She would allow the other woman to take control; get what she needed and wanted. Agnes moves her legs so that Rio can rest a little bit better above her; slotting against each other in a perfect fit.

Agnes’ hands come up to hold Rio's back; steady and strong and without an ounce of fear.

“Don’t go to work tonight.” Rio pleads, trailing her lips down the side of Agnes’ neck. “Stay with me.”

She moans her response against the side of Rio’s face as she moves her hips once more. Agnes tries to find any sort of friction against Rio; anything that will help. She sighs loudly; almost frustrated.

Rio grins against warm skin, body shifting as she slides her arm between their bodies. Arm picking up stray water droplets she sucks in a breath as slender fingers float beneath the damp swim trunks. 

“Rio…”

Agnes’ breath is shaky as she sucks in air through her mouth and holds her breath. Her body tenses only for a moment before she remembers that no one is around to see or hear them.

Her body relaxes to Rio's touch and her fingers delving deeper between her legs.

“Do you want me to stop, baby?” Rio teases sweetly as she cups the younger woman’s cunt. “We have all the space in the world out here. Don’t hold back on me now, O’Connor.” 

Agnes shakes her head as best as she can against the towel; the ground beneath her. She bites her bottom lip and rolls her hips upwards towards Rio's hand to try and chase some friction against it. Everything feels slightly more heightened including her body reacting to Rio’s touch.

“Keep going…don’t stop until I say so…”

“Yes sir.”

Rio gets her wrist moving as two finger tips slowly spread Agnes’ lips. Cold water from the lake is a stark contrast to the warmth of Agnes’ skin. She’d made Rio feel good so many times, now Rio wanted to push her over the edge without worry. 

Hooking a finger in Rio tips her chin up as her wrist moves. 

Agnes moans as she feels the contrast of the warmth of Rio's fingers to the coolness of their bodies from the water; the wet bathing suit sticking to her skin. She lets her eyes close as she sinks into her pleasure; hips still rolling but slower this time.

The need to savor Rio is more necessary than before; the night back at the ranch.

Rio lets out a staggered sigh, her heart feels as if it is going to burst out of her rib cage as she meets Agnes’ hips with the thrust of her wrist, hand stretching as her thumb rolls slow circles on her clit. 

“That’s it, baby. Don’t hold back.” 

Just like before, Agnes’ breath comes out ragged against the side of Rio's face. Her eyes close and she tenses the muscle between her eyebrows. She does everything in her power to stay in the moment; to feel Rio fucking her with her fingers.

Agnes isn't sure if she'll be able to let Rio go.

“Don't…don't stop…ever…”

Her whisper comes out more like a plea than anything. She doesn't even care how desperate she sounds.

All she needs is Rio.

Rio’s head tilts, her lips find Agnes’ earlobe between her teeth for just a brief moment. Fingers curling and twisting Rio can only speak what she knows. What she’s certain of. 

“I won’t.”

She won’t leave Reno without a fight. 

Agnes gasps as she feels Rio's teeth and the curl of her fingers. The pads of her fingers press hard as they make contact with the spongy muscle. Agnes tried to bend her legs to get some sort of grounding as the pleasure ran deep through her; almost unbearable. She can feel tears well up in her eyes as she moves her lower body faster; rougher. She bucks up into Rio's hand as if she can will her fingers even deeper than they already are.

Rio welcomes the burn she feels in her forearm  as she thrusts and curls her fingers into Agnes, the younger woman’s gasps and cries are so delicious Rio thinks she may come just from hearing her. Kissing just below the brunette's ear Rio closes her eyes for a moment. The warm breeze of the June air and the smell of the lake wraps her in a moment with Agnes she cements into her brain, willing to never forget it. 

Agnes’ legs do come up eventually when she gathers enough will-power and strength to do so. She wraps them tightly around Rio's waist. In this position, it's much harder for her to grind upwards but she doesn't care. Rio's fingers do all the work and all Agnes has to do is focus.

The tension that boils away in the lower part of her stomach and between her legs. Everything that is too much for her to handle; nerve ends burning with the need to be released.

Agnes wishes she can roll over so she can have Rio underneath her to really grind down onto those fingers. She wishes and can see it play out in her mind.

That wish gets caught in her throat as she tilts her head back, away from Rio's lips. Her mouth opens as she pushes her body backwards.

She wonders if Rio has ever heard another woman moan as loudly as she does now.

The sound of Agnes’ voice echoing in the open air makes Rio choke back a moan of her own. With her other hand she stays steady and holds Agnes’ hip as best she can, her fingers practically ripping the swim trunks. She wanted them gone completely. It felt like a gift to hear and feel Agnes like this. 

“My pretty girl.” Rio sighs into the open air. 

The moan turns almost into a sob as Agnes puffs out a deep exhale from her mouth. She steadies herself again, bringing her head back to neutral position. Her hips start to roll in a rhythm as she does her best to match Rio's.

She can't stand to be so selfish and greedy any longer and knows she needs to be in sync with this woman she so desperately loves and adores.

“Justlike…that…”

Moving with Agnes, Rio nods, the urge to please this woman strong within her gut. Licking her lips she looks into those eyes she pictures as she drifts off asleep each night. 

“Can you take a third finger, baby?” 

Agnes shudders as she nods her head; heavy pants wetting her lips,

“Please…”

Slipping her index finger in she slows her pace for just a moment letting her hand and Agnes adjust. 

“My good girl.” 

The breath she was holding falls from her mouth as she loosens up her legs from around Rio's waist. She wants to roll her hips a little more; as much as she possibly can. The sensation of feeling full is almost enough to send Agnes over the edge.

Rio curls her fingers with more intensity, the palm of her hand becoming soaked in the younger woman’s arousal. Her only goal was to make Agnes feel good. 

“Please…Rio…”

Agnes’ voice chokes in her throat before spilling into a moan. It feels as if her lower body gives out; a pressure released. Her body shudders as she sucks in her breath and holds it. She presses the side of her face against Rio's as she focuses on the wetness between her legs; on Rio's fingers and palm against her skin.

Rio can’t help but grin as she slows her wrist and fingers to soft curls upwards, her hand and wrist soaked by the younger woman. Hearing her and feeling her body react to her of all people in such a way makes Rio feel like this all could work out no matter what. 

“I got you, baby.” Rio whispers into her ear. “Feel it.” 

As Agnes works through her orgasm, Rio can only hope she knows how much she means what she’s saying. She won’t give Agnes up. Won’t give up on them so easily.

The sensation that hits her is like the waves crashing behind them along the shoreline of the beach. That ebb and flow; pull and push. Agnes gasps for air as if she’s trying to stay afloat out in the lake. Loud, inconsistent gasps turn moans rather quickly as she does her best to push her face into the curve of Rio’s neck. She breathes her in; suntan mixed with sun mixed with Rio’s own personal smell. Agnes feels like, what she would assume, feels like drowning.

Rio basks in the warmth of the sun and the feeling of Agnes wrapped around her. Taking in a breath, finally, she relaxes her arm, fingers slowly pulling out of the younger brunette with slick arousal between her fingers. As Agnes’ face is buried in her neck Rio finds herself hoping she never loses this feeling of being so lucky. 

Agnes tries to let her beating heart come to a slow rhythm as she slowly comes down from her orgasm. It had been more intense than the night in her bedroom; a deeper connection this time. She had wanted Rio in a way, those nights ago, that was leaning heavy on exploration and treading an unfamiliar path. This time however, Agnes had wanted nothing more than to be as close to Rio as she possibly could.

Rio, having to leave soon, was hanging over Agnes like a dark cloud and she had hoped that this trip out to the lake would have blown that away.

Bringing her other hand up Rio cradles the back of Agnes’ neck wanting to keep her hidden there for as long as possible. Her heart is pounding in her ribcage, and the desperate need to have Agnes as close as possible isn’t lessening in her system. Gently moving her head to kiss Agnes’ hair Rio smiles softly. 

“Are you okay, baby?”

“I don’t want you to leave…not yet…”

It’s the first thing that comes to Agnes’ mind and the first thing to leave her mouth.

Rio’s thumb brushes the delicate skin of her neck as she pulls back just enough to make the younger woman meet her eyes. 

“Agnes, I’m not leaving until the weeks are up. Even then, I hope you come with me or,” she shakes her head, “or I can come back soon. So soon after.” 

She wants to plead with Agnes. Plead with her to pack her bags and not look back at that snake pit of a casino or the orange sand or Lilia on the porch.

All she can do is bite her lip and try to pull on a brave face; nodding her head at Rio’s words. She doesn’t want to ruin this moment or this beautiful day. She breathes in deeply as her hands find Rio’s skin. She lets her fingertips trace gently up and down without thought; trying to wheel herself back to the present.

She had Rio with her right now, wasn’t that more than enough?

Watching the younger woman’s face more intensely than she normally does, Rio shifts her body rolling to her side, bringing Agnes flush against her. 

“Agnes…. No matter what I’m yours. Okay? I need you to keep that in your head.”

She knew Rio’s words were true. There was nothing that would make her believe that she was lying. It had been quite obvious and instant; a connection that sparked the second they laid eyes on one another. They hadn’t even talked yet and Agnes knew that Rio would be hers and she, Rio’s.

Now there was just this floating worry of distance; not unlike the desert that stretched all around them in every which way.

“I know. I know what you’re saying is the truth.”

Rio relaxes her body at that admission, the tension in her chest releasing at Agnes’ words. Taking in a breath she glances up at the sky. Bright blue and streaks of creamy white in merely a suggestion of a cloud hovers above them and the sand. For a moment she thinks. 

“I could transfer to California. There’s a relatively new college in Santa Clarita…” 

Agnes lifts her head up just an inch or two; questioning Rio’s words. Her brows knit together as she stares at the side of her lover’s face,

“I couldn’t ask you to do that for me…I don’t expect you to just…pick up your whole life after this and go somewhere completely new.”

“I’m asking you to do the same, aren't I? It’s selfish of me, but after these past few weeks I’m okay with being selfish.” Rio shrugs, somewhat shocked by her own words. A year ago she would have never thought to ask another person such a question.

“Yeah but, California…neither of us have any ties there. At least between Reno and New York…”

Agnes lets her words fall as she looks away and up towards the sky. The warm sun feels hot against her skin; prickling her as she realizes she’s no longer wet from the lake. Her brain latches onto Rio’s words as she ponders them in silence. Wasn’t she being the same? Selfish with this new, sudden love?

“Maybe we should stick to the familiar first before we start living all over the country.”

“Maybe so. But I would do it. If it meant that I could keep you.” 

Agnes feels her heart tug in her chest as she slowly and slightly pulls away from Rio so that she can sit up in the sand. She looks out into the horizon; out at the lake. The water looked like it was filled with twinkling diamonds as it shone.

“It turned out to be the perfect day, didn’t it?”

Rio stays on her side, head propped up by her hand but her eyes are solely on Agnes. The beach was beautiful, but she only wanted to look at Agnes. 

“I’m happy we finally came here.”

Agnes pulls her gaze away from the sky to look down at Rio. It felt like she was holding her breath; how natural Rio looked on the sand with not a speck of clothing on. Her skin radiating from the sunlight and the post-sex haze. Agnes gave her a sly smile,

“Any places in New York I must see when I’m there with you?”

Rio grins at the question, moving to sit up on her towel beside Agnes. 

“We have to go to a Broadway show of course, that’s a must. There’s a record store in Queens that’s wall to wall records, forty fives, and tapes. We can go relax in Central Park like all couples in love do.” She beams. 

Agnes’ grin becomes wider as she slowly sinks back down to lay on her side, facing Rio. Her left hand comes up; hand to caress Rio’s lovely face.

“Hopefully that’s not all in one day…we should try and stretch it for as long as we can.”

Rio turns her head kissing Agnes’ wrist with a smile. 

“We can stretch it for as long as you want, Honey. My new apartment is just waiting to be broken in.”

She loved the idea of a freshly furnished apartment with plants on the balcony and, most importantly, Agnes there somewhere branching out and finding space to grow as an artist and a human being.

Agnes watches the smile bloom on Rio's face and realizes just how serious the older woman is about all of this. This wasn't some fantasy or heat of the moment decision. Rio wanted her, forever. For a long time.

“Do you think I'd miss it if I left here?”

Rio blows out a breath, unsure of how to answer that question. 

“Maybe. I- I hope you’d like it in the city enough to stay.” She smiles softly. 

Agnes nods as she slowly raises once again from her position. She dusts the sand off of her knees before she slowly stands with her back to the sun so she can look down at Rio. It felt like the universe was suddenly tilted with the beautiful lake behind her. This moment encased in something so precious Agnes wanted to keep it locked away forever.

“Billy is gonna miss me a ton…”

It's the first time Agnes can see herself somewhere far away from here; a life of her own alongside Rio.

“He mentioned something about that before,” Rio hums with a smile. “He wants to see the music scene out there. I told him he always has a place with me.” 

Agnes extends her hand so Rio can grab it; to help her up. She wants nothing more to be in her embrace again with their bodies warm from the sun and the flush of a sudden intimate moment. Agnes wants to take Rio back to the shore. She wants to sit beside her and ask her a thousand questions about New York. She wants to love the city before she even gets there.

She's already so in love with Rio, her city would be next.

Rio moves with ease being pulled up to Agnes, her arm encircling her waist in such a now common action for the two. Rio realizes just how intense her feelings are for the younger woman. Walking together, Rio smiles at Agnes as words from their night at the concert play in her head. 

“I wonder, is it too on the nose if I call you my girlfriend?” 

Agnes grins and smiles; turns her head so Rio can see the grin on her face, 

“I think we have been for a while, haven't we? It was almost instant…I've never felt this way before. Have you?”

“You’re right, we have been.” Rio beams. “I’ve never felt this way about anyone. You’ve lit something in me, Agnes.” 

They take their time to sit down onto the edge of the beach; the edge of the water against their feet. Agnes keeps her eyes on the side of Rio's face. She's seen the lake a thousand times but staring at Rio; to watch her this way, was much more precious.

“Can I ask you something?”

Eyes glancing to the waves for just a moment Rio looks at Agnes again, a view she likes much more than the lake itself. “Anything.” 

“How did you know? I mean, how did you know this part about yourself? Did you always?”

Rio takes a moment to think about the question, then bites back a smile thinking of those early days. 

“I’ll tell you when I really figured it out, but you have to promise you won’t make fun of me.” 

Agnes draws an X above her right breast and eagerly waits Rio's response, 

“I swear.”

Rio sits up a little straighter and flexes her toes in the wet sand. 

“When I was a kid, my mother and I would go to the movies as often as we could. I loved all the old stars you know, Vivien Leigh, Elizabeth Taylor. Some might say I have an affinity for dark hair and pretty eyes,” she playfully nudges Agnes, “Well, when I was in high school I had an English teacher that looked like she walked right out of the silver screen. I realized I was doing so much in the class to try to impress her, not as a student but as…. Something else, I don’t know. I had a crush, I suppose.” She chuckles.  

Agnes nods her head as she drops her hand down between them, searching for Rio's hand to hold.

“It makes perfect sense, I mean…you put two and two together and then there was suddenly someone right there in front of you who looked like those actresses. You could see the reality of it; something tangible.”

“I could,” she nods, squeezing Agnes’ hand. “I realized that I didn’t care about any of the boys. I wanted her attention only. I think I was fifteen at the time. Did you have a similar realization?”

The younger woman glances at Rio before it drifts to the water before them,

“I guess…Lilia just letting a bunch of random women stay with us had something to do with it but, I guess Wanda and I had been friends since we were kids and we were close. We did everything together. I think it was just a natural attraction and we felt safe together…”

Rio nods, trying to keep that pang of jealousy at bay. She felt as though she already knew, but she has to ask anyway before anything else. 

“Is Wanda the one from the casino?” 

“Yeah, the redhead. She got me the job there.”

“She was handsy with you that day. I had an inkling.” She chuckles trying not to feel like a jealous teenager. “Is Lilia… supportive of you?”

Rio could only guess given Lilia’s reaction to seeing them in the garden together. 

“Wanda and I…I don't wanna say we're complicated because we're not but, I guess we just…seek each other out when we need something familiar, if that makes sense.”

Agnes breathes in deeply as she turns her attention back to Rio. The second part, the question, was a serious one to answer.

“In all honesty? No. I don't think she is, I think…I think she believes I'll just snap out of it one day…”

“I’m sorry,” she whispers playing with the younger woman’s fingers. She couldn’t imagine not having the support of her mother, something people like them rarely got. “I’m not shocked she’s not much of a fan of mine anymore.” She tries to joke light heartedly. “Can I ask you something?”

“Of course you can.”

“Is- is it the idea of leaving at all that scares you? Or just leaving with me?” She asks, free hand playing with the sand at her side. 

Agnes takes a beat and then two to really think over Rio's question. It was complicated and full of so many different avenues of herself and of them as a couple. There were paths that lead to her past and her present; things Agnes wasn't sure if she should still carry into the future. She exhales loudly and shakes her head,

“Me leaving scares me. Like…I'm the one tying down this place and if I go…poof. It's all gone. Isn't that silly? I feel that important?”

Rio looks at her girlfriend with soft eyes and just barely shakes her head. 

“No. It isn’t silly when it’s all you’ve known, all you’re used to.” 

Rio had known that feeling very well. In that tiny house with the white picket fence in the suburbs with a man that she couldn’t love the way he wanted. When she finally left, it felt like everything fell from beneath her feet and she was falling. 

“Can I ask you something now? You don't have to answer if it's not my place, I promise…”

“Agnes, I trust you more than anyone else I’ve ever met at this point. Go ahead, what is it?” 

“Why did you get married?”

Rio shrugs her shoulders and looks to the shoreline at her feet. The crystal surface bringing her a sense of calm she’s only known since meeting Agnes. 

“It was… safe. He was safe. My father had just died, and I don’t know. It felt like the only way to continue to move forward in so many ways. My mother could only do so much to help me and Bucky- well I'd known him a long time.”

She’s not sure if she’s uttered the name of her now ex husband since she stepped foot in the sandy desert. 

“Does he know? I mean, did he find out?”

“He knew before we got married.” Rio smiles softly. “He was a good friend, is a good friend. I think he’ll always be in my life somehow. Is- would that be okay? With you?” 

Agnes looks at Rio and makes sure the older woman is looking back at her. When she does, Agnes nods her head and holds her gaze,

“Of course. I could never ask you to kill a friendship…a relationship like that, I mean…to have someone like that is…”

Agnes tries to find the words she's after as she searches for something she can compare it to herself. It was really only her brother who accepted her completely; Agnes never felt like she had to shy away from him about who she was.

“...they can accept you without an ultimatum.”

Rio holds Agnes’ gaze and smiles softly, almost sadly. 

“Is that how it is between you and Wanda?”

“I think there's something about small towns and everyone always knowing your business anyway and if rumors are going to fly…you might as well make them known before they destroy you…we…give them something to talk about before they even get to think of what to talk about…it's why Wanda is so handsy with me, even at work…”

Was it the answer to Rio's question Agnes asks herself. She wasn't sure but this is what she knew; this is what she felt.

“I was trying so hard not to be angry that day. I think that’s why I came and picked you up that night. That I, almost a total stranger then, had some sort of claim over you and wanted to see the competition. Now that’s sad.” She shakes her head with a chuckle. 

“But, I understand it…I understand where you were coming from. It was just…I was shocked you felt that way about me because before you, it had always just been her forever. She was the only constant thing.”

Rio sucks in a breath through her nose and bites her bottom lip thinking of how to word her next question carefully. 

“If- if you don’t come with me, will you go back to her? And whatever arrangement you two have?”

It made something in her chest hurt to even think about, made her stomach twist in a way that made her want to vomit. 

Agnes can hear how hurt Rio sounds as the words tumble out from her mouth. She would be an awful person, an awful girlfriend, if she lied about her answer and that, she couldn’t and wouldn’t do it for Rio. If anything, Agnes knew she had to be honest and keep being honest. She loved her tremendously and it would be stupid to start lying now.

“I probably would. No one else who has come through here liked me enough to stay or offer me to go along with them. No one has been like you, Rio. None of them. Not even Wanda would do something like that for me.”

Rio lifts her head again, biting the inside of her cheek as she looks at the small wave coming towards them. 

“If you don’t come with me, if you stay here, with her, at the casino, with Billy, I’ll understand.” It makes her sick to say, but as of right now she feels as though she’s hoping for something impossible. 

Agnes slightly nods her head as she stares out at the lake. How many times had she sat here over the years and wondered if anything would ever change? Sure, she had changed but everything else around her seemed to be stuck right where it was.

“I know you would but…I don’t think I’d understand myself if I were to stay. It would be really foolish of me to do that.”

Turning her head to meet Agnes’ eyes again, Rio smiles sadly, reaching out to close the gap between them and wrap her arm around the younger woman in a hug she’s afraid to pull back from. Sun-kissed skin against sun-kissed skin felt nice, a warm blanket after such a conversation. Rio wanted to be selfish. 

“If you stayed, and I left, I’m not sure I’d be the same.” She mumbles into the side of Agnes’ neck. 

“Then I’ll go,” Agnes whispers against the side of Rio’s face; pressed close from their hug. She wished she could say that line forever, she’d cement it if she could.

Sucking in a breath Rio squeezes the young woman’s shoulder. Her words felt like the cool waves of the lake they were sitting by. Refreshing, welcomed, needed.  “You mean that?” It was the only thing she wanted to hear, as long as it was true. 

Agnes presses her lips as best as she can to the side of Rio’s face, just against her earlobe. She kisses her and tries to solidify her words with love, she wants Rio to know her words are true.

“I mean it. I have nothing left here for me. Everything in my future is with you.”

Rio lets every bit of emotion that’s been bubbling in her chest out, a watery laugh escapes her lips and her chin wobbles as tears burn her eyes. Moving even closer Rio gets both her arms around her girlfriends shoulders, her fingers playing with the nape of her neck. 

“I love you, Agnes O’connor.”  

Agnes hugs back just as tightly as if she’s afraid Rio will suddenly disappear from her grasp. She holds this moment inside of her; snaps a picture in the back of her eyes so that she can hold it forever in her heart. Her words come out as a whisper but are strong and true,

“I love you, too, Rio Vidal.”

Rio lifts her head just enough to find Agnes’ lips in a kiss she can’t help but smile into. She knows for a fact she’s never felt this much happiness in all her life. Pulling back after a moment, she wipes her eyes with a laugh, almost embarrassed. Almost. 

As the sun gets higher in the sky and the sand becomes hotter, Rio drags Agnes back to the water, sinking into the sandy bottom with not a care in the world. She was with Agnes and that’s all that mattered. 

The heat that flushed between them in that moment is all but cooled once again as they enter into the lake. Agnes feels like she’s walking on air; her head feels fuzzy with happiness. She embraces the cool water with her hand clasped with Rio’s once again as they wade deeper and allow the waves to push them to and fro. She could stay out here forever, just the two of them. Their own little piece of paradise.

Walking in the water and playfully splashing to cool down until her skin is pruned has Rio grinning, swimming towards Agnes as the sun begins to dip into the water on the horizon. 

“Let’s get out and dry off, I have something in my bag for us.” 

“Oh yeah? What’s that?”

Agnes grins as she flicks some water playfully towards Rio. What else could there be that was better than this?

Rio laughs, swiping her hand across the water spraying Agnes right back before she starts to paddle away back towards the shore. 

“You’ll have to catch me and find out.” 

When was the last time she had felt this free? Agnes doesn’t have to think too far back; it all had been with Rio. She grins; a huge smile covers her face as she bobs down into the water until her chin is covered. She makes her way out of the lake and towards the shore, towards Rio who’s already back onto the beach.

Back on the sand Rio wraps the warmed towel around her hips and dries her hands before she digs through the bag she brought. Past the camera, she finds her lighter and cigarette box. 

“Alice got this for me, ever smoked one before?” She asks, holding out the neatly packed joint. 

Bending over slightly, Agnes picks up her discarded beach towel to dry herself off. She eyes the joint in between Rio's fingers; holding it like a treasured item.

“Yeah, but just that cheap skunky stuff Billy gets sometimes; not really great weed…”

“Oh no,” Rio chuckles, flicking her Zippo to life. “I’ll have to teach him how to plant this stuff.”

Handing the joint to Agnes she’s ready with the lighter. 

“Plant it?” Agnes' eyebrows raise with interest as she takes the joint from Rio and places the end between her lips. With one hand, she holds up her towel as she leans in towards the older woman to catch the flame before the breeze has a chance to blow it out.

Blocking the flame from the wind Rio nods with a laugh eyeing Agnes’ lips. “I think a teenage boy should be able to grow his own marijuana if he wants to. It’s practically harmless.” 

Agnes inhales and holds and comes back to a standing position; not needed to be crouched towards the lighter. The smoke in her mouth, in her throat is definitely different from what Billy had shared with her last. She holds for another second or two before she exhales and feels another wave of calm wash over her. Extending her hand towards Rio, it's her turn to take a puff.

Slender fingers take the joint and bring it to her lips, Rio’s lungs expand and she holds the first hit, her voice a little deeper when she speaks. 

“A relaxer before we go back to the house.” 

Blowing the smoke out she can only hope that they’d be left alone when they got back to the ranch. 

“Right…hopefully we'll be fine, I can make us some dinner?”

“Yeah? What are you planning on making for me?” Rio grins handing the joint back. 

“Hmmm…pasta, maybe…quick and easy, then we can sneak back up to my room…”

Agnes takes the joint from Rio and lets their touch linger between their fingers as they pass back and forth.

“That sounds like the perfect night to me. Maybe tomorrow we can go out for breakfast? Let me make up for this morning?” 

“Breakfast sounds nice…where are you gonna take me, Baby?”

“Somewhere fancy.” Rio laughs pulling her closer by the waist. “And somewhere with waffles. That’s important.”

Agnes laughs as she feels the warmth of the sun on her back; the spray of the lake on her calves. She feels so light, so happy. She can't take her eyes off of Rio as the shared smoke between them eventually vanishes with nothing but the butt left.

Weed gone and muscles relaxed, Rio uses her finger to tip Agnes’ chin up once more. 

“When we get back, if Lilia has a problem with me now, I need you to know that I don’t care what she says or thinks. Okay? You and I, that’s what matters.” 

She wasn’t sure what kind of lion's den they would be walking into, but Rio knew the court had to have told Lilia about the finalization that was part of the living arrangement. 

Looking right back into Rio's eyes, Agnes gives a strong and definite nod of her head. This is what she wanted; Rio is who she wanted. A whole other life was waiting for her in New York.

“I promise. It's just you and me that matters.”

Smiling softly, Rio starts to gather their things with a sense of calm at the thought of their drive back and dinner before spending even more time together. Maybe Billy would want to hangout with them tomorrow afternoon, Rio hoped anyway. She had a soft spot for her girlfriend's brother. By the time their stuff is packed and their clothes are back on, Rio is ready for a nice drive back in the truck. 

—

Agnes can feel the drop of temperature as she pulls into the gravel driveway. She had long since dried from the lake by the sun and was left with the growing stretch of day into a cool evening with the heat of Rio’s hand pressed firmly onto her upper thigh. Agnes inhaled as she turned off the truck and placed her hand over Rio’s and gave it a squeeze. It felt good to do this without any second thoughts; natural like everything else in the world. Agnes slips the car keys into the pocket of her shorts before she gives Rio a long, loving stare.

“Are you ready to head in?”

Rio hums looking at the porch up ahead. Her nerves were eating at her for some reason and she hoped she had no reason to feel this way and her mind was just playing tricks on her, paranoid from the weed.  

“Give me a kiss first.” She smiles leaning over. 

Agnes doesn’t need to be asked twice as she does what Rio asks; leaning in towards her girlfriend as her lips find hers. She makes sure it’s deep and passionate; tasting Rio and the weed that lingers on both of their lips; smokey-flavor between them. Agnes doesn’t want to pull away from the embrace so she allows her hand to leave Rio’s to reach over into the older woman’s lap to grab her thigh.

Leaning entirely into Agnes, Rio gently cups her cheeks in the kiss, wishing she could just blink and they’d end up in one of their bedrooms. Tracing her bottom lip with her tongue for good measure the kiss breaks with a sound smack of lips as Rio rests her forehead against Agnes, catching her breath. 

“Are you ready now?” Agnes barely manages to whisper as she breathes against Rio’s wet lips. She feels dizzy again in the best way possible; itching to kiss Rio over and over again through the night and into the morning.

“With you, yes.” Rio whispers in the small space between them, reluctantly pulling back to get out of the truck. Opening the door it shuts with a creak as she feels the gravel under her flimsy beach shoes. 

Before Agnes can even get fully out of the truck Rio sees Billy lingering in the doorway, pop in hand as he looks back into the dimly lit house over his shoulder. 

“Psst! Agnes!” He whisper-shouts. 

She turns her head to stare at her brother; shoulders shrugging at him in a questionable motion. “What?” Agnes whisper-shouts back to him.

Billy shuffles down the steps and looks between his sister and Rio. Speaking quietly he looks almost worried. 

“Mom wants to see you.” 

As soon as he says it Rio straightens her shoulders and lifts her chin. Mask back on. 

Agnes gives her brother a smile. It’s probably nothing, maybe she just needed help in the kitchen or getting a new room ready. She had asked for Agnes before, this wasn’t anything new. She places her left hand on her brother’s shoulder and gives him a squeeze before playfully pushing him ever so slightly.

“Let’s go see what she wants, maybe she’s already got dinner in the oven…”

Rio nods, seeking out Agnes’ hand for some sort of comfort for the short walk inside. Maybe the paranoia wasn’t from the joint. Looking back she sees Billy sit on the porch steps with his drink and a rolled up comic book like he’ll be out there for a while. 

The younger woman leads the older back into the ranch, cooled off by the setting sun and the shadows that splay within the entrance. Agnes inhales deeply but doesn’t smell dinner or hear any rustlings coming from the kitchen. Maybe it just was Lilia needing help with cleaning up the place a little bit.

“Mom?!” Agnes calls out as she continues to walk deeper inside, “Did you need me for something?”

Rio looks around the house and doesn’t see anything amiss, and it’s eerily quiet. 

“She’s not in the living room.” She hums quietly, almost to herself. 

Still holding Rio’s hand, Agnes continues to move throughout the bottom floor until she calls out again and heads towards the stairs leading up to the bedrooms. Billy surely would have told them if she was waiting outside.

“Mom?!” Agnes calls again as she puts one foot in front of the other and heads up the staircase.

Up the stairs Rio stays out on the landing, eyes going to the bedroom door. Her bedroom door. That’s open, and the light is on. 

“Agnes,” she nods to the door. Why would Lilia be in her room? 

She follows the turn of her girlfriend’s head to the open door that leads into Rio’s room. There was no reason for Lilia to be in there, right?

“Mom? Mom, are you in there?”

Agnes drops Rio’s hand to take a step and then another; standing at the threshold of the open door to see her mother with Rio’s suitcase open on the bed; half-packed with things thrown onto the bed.

Taking a step towards Agnes she looks over the younger woman’s shoulder, jaw dropped seeing her things being packed for her. 

“Lilia…. what are you doing?” 

“Helping you pack,” Lilia responds without looking over her shoulder at the two women. She picks up another shirt of Rio’s and stuffs it into her suitcase.

“Please don’t,” Rio stays planted at Agnes’ side hand in hand.  She was mortified seeing all of her things spread out like nothing mattered. Like she didn’t matter. 

“You got your divorce finalized by the courts in your favor; you don’t need to stay in Reno another sleep longer, isn’t that right, Ms. Vidal?”

Rio clenches her jaw and collects herself before looking up to meet the older woman’s eyes. “I plan on staying for the full six weeks, Miss Calderu. Whether that’s here in this house or in a hotel doesn’t matter to me. I’m not leaving yet.” 

It’s the first time Lilia turns back to look at the two of them standing behind her in the doorway. She barely looks at Rio; her gaze finally setting on Agnes.

“Did she tell you about the divorce? That it went through? She doesn’t have to wait around here in Reno any longer, you know…”

“She knows,” Rio bites back, softening just slightly as she looks at her girlfriend with a warm smile.

“Then I’m sure you know Agnes, that whatever this little fling is is going to come to an end very soon, just like all the other ones you’ve had with the women who have come and gone through here.”

Lilia stares daggers at her daughter as she speaks; completely dismissing the joy in Rio’s response.

Rio squeezes Agnes’ hand gently and looks at the side of her face. Really, truly looks at her as if she’s trying to telepathically tell her what Lilia is saying isn’t true. Everything she said on the beach was the truth and she wouldn’t let Lilia ruin this happiness for them. 

“It’s…not like that, Mom. Not between Rio and I. This time it’s different.”

Agnes stares back at her mother with what she hopes is the most sincere expression she can portray on her worried face. Where had all this malice come from? All this spite and bitterness? Couldn’t she just let her be happy for once?

“I’ll never accept what you do, Agnes.”

The younger woman looks between her mother and Rio and wonders if Rio can feel the immense shame that is boiling off of her from her mother’s words. Agnes bites her lip and raises her head ever so slightly to appear a little taller; a little more put together. As if she can put up this shield against her mother’s harsh words.

“I know, Mom…”

Staying in her place right at Agnes’ side Rio feels as if she has whiplash. She’s never heard such cruelty from a mother to her child before. The first day she arrived in Reno she certainly never would’ve thought she’d hear such a thing from Lilia. Now? Now she’s seething. She wanted to take Agnes away from here and never look back. She deserved more, deserved better than this stale, stuck existence with a lack of support. 

Lilia takes time to look from her daughter to Rio to Agnes once more. Shaking her head, she looks down at their feet; an almost pained look in her expression as she continues to speak,

“I just don’t understand it. Women together.”

Agnes allows the words to fall, to crash to the floor. She shifts her weight from one foot to the other as she reaches with her left hand to hold Rio’s right. She squeezes hard and never takes her eyes off of her mother. She wishes they never came back from the lake. They should have just left; drove the truck to the airport or the train station and left Reno.

“Mom she…Rio…look, Mom…she just reached in and put a string of lights around my heart.”

Rio feels her shoulders loosen at Agnes’ words. The young woman pulls a smile from her despite the anger and anxiety flowing in her body. To love someone and to be loved this much was a new feeling she won’t soon get sick of. And she’ll certainly fight to keep it. 

The silence stretches between the three women inside of Rio’s temporary bedroom. Agnes feels like she has nothing more to say and she hopes that Rio feels that way as well. What else was there to try and defend? Maybe her mother would understand with the use of her pretty words to describe something natural, so pure as loving someone else.

“You’re naive, Agnes. You’re still just like a little child clinging to all these women who come and go; who think will love you just because they’re no longer married! Do you really think she’s different from all the others? Do you think you two are going to run away together and have this fairy tale ending? She probably can’t wait to get out of this place and back to New York; leaving you here just like she left her husband!”

“Is it so horrible that your child is happy?” Rio speaks calmly, calculated. She wouldn’t yell. Lilia wasn’t worth the energy. She would be an anchor for Agnes instead. 

“She can be all the happy she wants, she needs to understand how real life works. All these silly fantasies are just going to break her heart and get her nowhere!”

Rio takes a step into the room further keeping her eyes locked on Lilia, her chin up and shoulders back. 

“She can do whatever she likes. Whether that’s taking art classes at the college or laying on the sofa watching television all day, I don’t give a damn. As long as she’s happy that’s all that should matter to everyone, most of all you.” 

Agnes can feel her face warming up at the slight raise of Rio's voice. She knows Rio isn't going to win this argument and neither is she. There's nothing in this world she could do to make her mother see eye to eye with her, especially about this specific topic.

“She needs to get her head out of the clouds! She has a good job, the ranch. This will be hers one day and she could make a good life here if she stopped playing pretend!”

Rio scoffs, shaking her head. “You don’t want her happy. You want her stuck here and miserable dealing with drunks and gamblers.” 

Lilia takes one more look at her daughter and Rio Vidal. She points at the open suitcase on the bed before responding, “You only have a few days left here, Ms. Vidal. Check out is at 11. Don't forget.”

And with that, Lilia moves past the two women and out of Rio's room without another word.

Rio lets out a breath and lets her forehead fall to Agnes’ shoulder, her hand wrapping around her bicep to ground herself. 

“I’m sorry,” she murmurs. 

Agnes shakes her head in silence as she moves forwards; slipping away from Rio. She moves to the bed to start cleaning up the mess Lilia made because of her.

“No, I'm sorry…”

“Agnes, stop.” She shakes her head. “Just… just leave it for now, okay?” She pleads stepping into the room and closing the door behind her. Looking up she eyes her girlfriend. For once, she can’t read her. 

“You don’t believe her, do you? That bullshit she spewed?” 

Agnes tries to gather more of Rio's belongings; tries to move around the room without addressing what just happened. She drops the closed suitcase near the foot of the bed.

“I…I don't know.”

The sounds of Agnes’ voice makes her heart crack. She has to plead her case. 

“Agnes, she’s wrong. She’s completely and utterly wrong. What about the beach, everything today? I meant every word I’ve said.”

“Yeah, I know.” She snaps back almost too harshly, too forcefully. She regrets it instantly as she takes a seat on the edge of the bed.

“We should…we should just get some sleep. It's been a long day…”

Rio feels desperate. Like she needs to fight to keep Agnes despite her being right in front of her. Staying near the door, she feels like an intruder in her own bedroom now. Not wanting to argue and make the night worse, she nods. 

“Okay. Yeah, let’s go to bed.” She hums quietly looking around to find her clothes. They could talk in the morning. 

Agnes remains seated as she lifts her shirt up over her head. She undresses in a seated position; too tired physically and mentally to extend herself. When she's done, Agnes crawls back onto the bed and pulls down the sheets for them to get under.

Rio strips and flicks the lamp off before climbing in next to Agnes. She doubted they would talk, and she doubted they would have a romantic night alone after everything that transpired. 

Under the thin sheet Rio tests the waters and shifts to her side, moving to wrap her arm around Agnes’s waist like she’d done many nights before. 

Agnes feels Rio against her, around her. She's not cruel enough to push her away or move to sleep alone. A gingerly placed hand falls over Rio's as Agnes pretends to fall asleep. The wall that had divided them some days ago is all she can focus on. The wall, that feels like a wedge between them despite their physical proximity.

The wall that Lilia had so expertly built between them. 

[formulafang1rl]

They shine bright like diamonds together ✨️💎

📷vladimirrys via Instagram

[my-f1-things]

Well we are still doing the no hair brush look, but at least he didn't got a weird haircut during the break. I'll take the win

As long as pookie is happy I am cool with it :)

[scarytheory]

231014

[skittidyne]

blood will have blood

pairing: daisuga, side kuroken, side sugumika rating: m chapter warnings: daichi has a Privilege but at least he’s aware of it

chapter 44: blood willing

Koushi flips the knife back and forth, back and forth, occasionally tapping it against his nails. Daichi doesn’t know how he doesn’t cut himself. He doesn’t want anyone cut, not his new ambassador or his sassy guards, but certainly not his husband while attempting to intimidate said ambassador and guards.

[callmearcturus]

OFF HIATUS: you can only take what you can carry to the edge of the sea (11/?)

Crocker Magitech is among the foremost developers of innovative magic and technology for the modern home, and the team of Crocker, Lalonde, and Strider are among the most important cogs in their clockwork machine. After a long dry spell without new projects to work on, Jane hits it big with a grand new discovery: a remote island out in the South Pacific that’s teeming with lost majyyks to rediscover.

What the team finds out there is far more than their next big break: a lost settlement, a forgotten god, strange arcane flora, and a friendly boy living in the lake. Not even the combined knowledge of the team can prepare them for their expedition to this strange, hidden island.

Magic, sex, and mayhem ensue.

Mega Explicit. Kink grab bag. Dirk/Jake, heavy focus on Dirk/Jane/Roxy friendship. Magic AU.

Chapter Eleven: the thought that stalks

[swagginmun]

Chapter 2: Tactical Infiltration Page 31 Could you at least /WORK/ with me a little?? No. Start || Previous || Next