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Chapter Text

The sound of Nora’s muffled sobs immediately jolted Billie Dean awake.

She opened her eyes and sat straight up, ignoring the way her head reeled with dizziness. “Hey, baby, are you alright?” she whispered, rubbing Nora’s back with a gentle hand. The medium quickly glanced around the room, not seeing anything wrong.

Nora buried her face in the pillow even more. “I’m alright. Just… go back to sleep.”

Her words did nothing to reassure Billie. In fact, they only made her more sure that something was wrong. “You know you can tell me anything, right, honey?” she asked quietly, laying down next to her girlfriend and pressing her body against the ghost’s back.

“It’s nothing. I know you’re busy in the morning, and you need your sleep,” Nora replied, her voice unusually void of emotion. She shifted, trying but failing to conceal another sob.

And that was enough to make Billie sit up again.

“Turn around,” the medium said, her voice stern yet gentle at the same time. When Nora didn’t respond, Billie stood up and crossed the room, sitting down on the side of the bed which Nora was facing. Her heart broke at the way the ghost’s beautiful face was streaked with tears, but she didn’t turn away again.

“Listen to me,” Billie began, her voice once again authoritative. She waited until Nora’s piercing blue eyes met her own. “It doesn’t matter if I have work the next day or not. If something is wrong– no matter how small –you can tell me. I don’t care what time it is. I’m here for you. I always have been, and I always will be.”

Billie’s words, full of conviction, made Nora begin to cry again in full force. A bittersweet frown crossed the medium’s face as she leaned forward to wrap her arms around her girlfriend. “Shh, I’ve got you,” she whispered, one hand brushing a golden curl out of Nora’s tearstained face.

She wasn’t sure how long they sat there, Nora sobbing in her arms. But it didn’t matter. They were always there for each other, no matter how big or small their worries and fears.

Chapter Text

The smell of roasted turkey and mashed potatoes wafted through the air, and Misty couldn’t have been any happier.

“Is it ready yet?” the blonde witch asked excitedly, practically bouncing in her seat in the living room of Miss Robichaux’s.

A light chuckle sounded from the kitchen. “Not yet, Mist. Just a few more minutes.”

Cordelia’s joyful voice only sent another wave of happiness washing over Misty. It was the first day of autumn, and Cordelia had planned a special meal for all the witches so they could celebrate the beginning of the season together. While each and every one of them were different, they shared a collective love of all things autumn– especially the food.

Misty began to fidget with her rings while she waited, still hardly able to quell her excitement. Soon, though, she heard footsteps and muffled voices coming from the main staircase. She eagerly stood and walked over towards the entrance hall to find Zoe descending the stairs

“Hi, Misty,” Zoe said cheerfully, smiling. She took a deep breath and sighed with pleasure. “That smells great. Is Cordelia cooking?”

A grin lit up Misty’s face at the mention of the food– and Cordelia, of course. “Yeah, she is. Shouldn’t be too much longer before it’s ready.”

“Good, I’m starving,” the ever-grumpy voice of Madison called as she came into view. “And I hope she cooked the turkey right. I heard about this one movie star who got some sort of rash from one that was undercooked. I do not need that right now.”

Misty rolled her eyes and Zoe glanced at her apologetically. She was about to offer up a retort when Mallory and Coco quickly took the last few stairs to join them in the entrance hall.

“Food! Thank goodness,” Coco cheered when she smelled the delicious aroma. “I’m so excited for fall, aren’t you guys? The season’s only just started and we get this amazing food! Oh, and the pumpkin spice lattes… Mmm!”

Mallory laughed, looking at Coco fondly. “Yes, definitely. I can’t wait to go get lattes with you. I saw one of the commercials yesterday…”

As the couple’s conversation about coffee went on, Misty noticed Madison roll her eyes and cross her arms. Misty smirked, the opportunity to embarrass her too perfect to pass up. “Hey, Madison, don’t be jealous. I’m sure Zoe would love to go on a coffee date with you.”

And it was worth it. Madison’s cheeks turned bright red, and she opened and closed her mouth a few times– she was at a loss for words. After she gave up on speaking, she turned to Zoe for help, but the brunette had fallen victim to a fit of giggles. Misty could hardly contain her own laughter. One exasperated sigh later, Madison made a quick escape to the living room.

“Girls?” Cordelia’s voice made all three of them jump. The Supreme stood in the kitchen doorway, eyeing them all with a wary expression. “Is something going on?”

Misty was the first to answer, fighting to suppress a jubilant grin. “No, everything’s fine. We were just talkin’ about, uh… Fall and stuff.”

Cordelia raised an eyebrow, suspicion evident in every part of her face. “Uh- huh ,” she murmured, looking at every one of them before clearing her throat and continuing. “Well, I just came in here to tell you the food is ready. Go and get Madison, would you?” she added, glancing at the blonde sitting on the couch, apparently still pouting.

A few minutes later, the group of witches had finally assembled in the dining room, each sitting at the table with a large helping of seasonal food on their plates. They all thanked Cordelia for cooking and began to dig in. The turkey was, to Madison’s relief, perfectly cooked, and Misty, of course, made sure to comment on it. Laughter soon filled the air along with the scent of the scrumptious food.

Misty had been sitting next to Cordelia and snuck a glance at her every once in a while. When someone made a particularly funny joke, she made sure she got to see her Delia’s face light up with laughter. She was most beautiful when she was happy and under no pressure to be anyone but herself.

Once, near the end of their dinner, Misty glanced once more at Cordelia, who was immersed in a story Mallory was telling about her family. Misty had long tuned out the surrounding conversation; she wasn’t paying attention to anything but how beautiful her girlfriend was. Her long, wavy blonde hair cascaded past her shoulders elegantly, and her chocolate eyes were filled with a happiness that made Misty’s heart swell.

However, in the midst of her distraction, she hadn’t realized Mallory’s story had ended. Cordelia turned her head and her eyes met Misty’s, causing her to jump and nearly knock over the glass of water next to her hand.

Both of the witches blushed, causing all the others to laugh. While Misty wanted to disappear from embarrassment, she couldn’t help laughing along with them. She and Cordelia had been dating for a few months and they still got flustered over little things like that.

Hours later, long after they had finished their meal, Misty and Cordelia had curled up on the bed in their shared room. Misty loved cuddling, and, early on in their relationship, had been relieved to find that Delia did as well. So, after they’d showered and changed into their nightclothes, they cuddled as close to each other as they could get– just as they did every night. They usually fell asleep in a matter of minutes; this time, however, Delia shifted ever-so-slightly to meet Misty’s gaze.

“So, what was that about earlier?” she asked, amusement creeping into her tone.

Misty didn’t even have to think– she knew exactly what her girlfriend was asking about. “Nothin’,” she replied, knowing that Cordelia would be able to see the blush forming on her cheeks even in the dark. 

Cordelia laughed, the sound giving Misty no shortage of butterflies. “Come on,” the Supreme teased, moving even closer so that her face was only an inch away from Misty’s. “Tell me.”

“Well…” Misty began, not able to meet Cordelia’s eyes. She knew Delia wouldn’t stop teasing her until she gave in, so she figured she’d just tell her. “I was just lookin’ at you… You know… Because you’re so pretty.”

A moment of silence passed, and Misty eventually glanced up at Cordelia. The biggest grin she’d ever seen was plastered across her face, and her own cheeks had taken on a rosy glow. Seeing her so happy– because of her own words, no less– made Misty blush even more intensely.

Not knowing what else to say, she leaned in and kissed Cordelia, their lips meeting passionately and gently at the same time. When Misty pulled away, she saw that her girlfriend was still smiling, her eyes bright with happiness.

“I love you, Mist,” she whispered, and Misty felt like her heart would soar right out of her chest.

“I love you, too, Delia.”

Chapter Text

As night fell within the pearlescent walls of Miss Robichaux’s, the usual chatter between the witches began to die down. All that could be heard now was the ever-present shouting of Madison, who apparently forgot where she put her hairdryer. Cordelia’s brisk footsteps and stern voice quickly followed.

Everything was as it should be.

Mallory sighed, relief and relaxation coursing through her body as she flopped down on her bed. It had been a long day of classes, and she had been looking forward to putting on her pajamas and sleeping. Slipping under her favorite blankets, she got comfortable and listened to the sound of Cordelia and Madison arguing. While they were loud enough to be heard all the way upstairs in Mallory’s bedroom, the young witch didn’t mind it as much as she should– their voices reminded her of home, which was this magical place where she got to live and take classes. Either way, the pair of them disagreed so much that a night without hearing their bickering almost felt odd.

“Sorry I took so long,” a cheerful voice said, jolting Mallory out of her thoughts. She sat up to find her girlfriend, Coco, stepping out of the adjoining bathroom. “I had to make sure it was dry. I hate going to sleep with wet hair,” she explained, touching her soft locks for emphasis.

Mallory only smiled. “Don’t worry about it.” She patted the empty side of the bed, gesturing for Coco to join her under the warm blanket.

The blonde instantly obliged, rushing over and curling up next to Mallory. Their arms wrapped around each other, the motion almost effortless since the couple enjoyed cuddling so much. Mallory couldn’t remember the last time they’d slept away from each other after they’d started dating last month.

A comfortable silence settled over the room, during which the two witches enjoyed each other’s company and prepared to fall asleep. Mallory yawned, Coco mirroring her action. Their busy day had apparently drained them both.

Coco then settled her head in the crook of Mallory’s neck, grinning widely. “I love you.”

Mallory felt her heart skip a beat. Shocked, she pulled away to meet her girlfriend’s bright, compassionate gaze. “Wait, you love me?” As surprised as Coco’s confession had left her, Mallory couldn’t help a smile from forming across her lips.

“Of course I do, silly,” Coco replied, shaking her head in amusement. “I always have.”

Those words alone made tears begin to form in Mallory’s eyes. She buried her face in the pillow next to Coco and embraced her even more tightly.

She heard Coco laugh. “Aw, don’t cry, Mal.”

“Sorry,” Mallory answered with a laugh of her own. “It’s just… I love you too, Coco. A lot.”

Chapter Text

Being Wilhemina Venable’s assistant was hard. Being hopelessly in love with her… Well, that was even harder.

You sighed as you glanced over at the calendar on your desk. You had been working at Kineros Robotics for almost a year now, and the wait until your next vacation never got any easier. At least it was nearly Christmas.

“Y/N!” a stern voice called, disturbing the office’s silence. You recognized its serious tone and immediately stood up, fearing the consequences of taking too long. Most people would have become more cheerful around the holidays, but your boss was one of the few who remained perpetually grumpy. Quickly crossing the hallway to her office, you knocked on her door and braced yourself for her usual tirade of complaints.

“Come in,” Wilhemina said, and you warily opened the door. The inside of her office was, like her, organized and professional to every last detail. The redhead herself sat at her desk, reclining in her chair like it was a throne.

You nervously cleared your throat. “Yes, Ms. Venable?” You hated how shaky your voice sounded; your boss always made you inexplicably nervous. It was hard not to be attracted to her and all the beauty and power she exuded, but she was your boss. You needed to be able to function around her, at the least.

Wilhemina beckoned you closer and handed you a sizable stack of files. “I need these faxed to our advertisers by noon. Those two imbeciles gave them to me at the last moment again.” She paused to shake her head in annoyance. “Anyways, fax them by noon. Understood?” Her voice left no room for questions. Once she’d handed you the papers, she shifted her attention back to whatever she’d been doing on her computer before you arrived.

“Yes, of course,” you replied meekly. She didn’t give any indication that she’d heard you, but you supposed it didn’t matter. You made a hasty exit, sparing one last glance at Wilhemina before the door clicked shut.

No matter how hard you tried, the only thing you could think about on your way to the staff room was your boss. You knew it was inappropriate to think about her in such a way, but you couldn’t help wondering how soft her red hair was, or what types of things she liked to do in her spare time. Shaking your head to clear it, you greeted your coworkers in the staff room with a smile and made your way to the fax machine in the corner.

The luxurious lounge was, aside from the sizable paycheck, yet another benefit of working at Kineros. It had the best furniture money could buy as well as any machine or facility the staff could need. Quiet conversations took place around you as you faxed the forms Wilhemina gave you, making for a pleasant atmosphere while you worked.

Your thoughts began to wander, and soon you were thinking about your boss again. It was so close to Christmas; you could hear the excitement in the voices of the people around you. Even the heads of the company, Jeff and Mutt, had planned multiple Christmas parties and seemed more happy in general. However, despite the holiday cheer surrounding her, you hadn’t noticed a single change in Wilhemina’s stone-cold demeanor. You wondered why. Maybe she was going through something, or simply cared so much about her work that she didn’t have time to act differently.

Either way, you wanted to help her feel a little more cheerful this holiday season. She didn’t treat you well– or anyone well, for that matter –but you cared about her nonetheless, probably much more than you should. So, after you finished faxing the necessary papers, you walked over to the large snack bar on the other side of the room. Grabbing a festive mug, you used the self-serving drink dispensers to fill it to the brim with hot chocolate.

Regardless of your good intentions, nerves nearly overwhelmed you during the walk back to yours and Wilhemina’s offices. Once you arrived, you knocked on her door again, taking extra care not to spill the contents of the mug.

“Yes?” Wilhemina’s sharp tone answered, and you quickly opened the door. “What do you– Oh, it’s you,” she said, looking up at you in surprise.

You let a small smile form upon your lips. “I, um… Just wanted to give you this. You know– the holidays and all.” You stepped forward and awkwardly handed her the mug, hating how your nerves stripped away any semblance of confidence.

A beat of silence passed, during which your heart pounded against your chest. Wilhemina merely stared at the mug in her hands, face expressionless.

And then, she did something you would have never expected.

She smiled .

You were still reeling from the small grin plastered on her face, so you were beyond reacting to the soft chuckle she let out. “Thank you for this,” she said quietly, her voice holding more emotion than you’d ever heard from her. “I really appreciate it. I can’t remember the last time someone’s done something for me that I didn’t ask for.”

All you could manage was a slow nod.

Wilhemina looked up at you, her brown eyes unusually bright. “I really should thank you more. Not just for this–” she gestured to the mug “–but for being such a wonderful assistant. Forgive me for not saying it more often, but you do work hard, and I’m grateful.”

You couldn’t believe what was happening. This couldn’t be the cold, serious woman that you’d known for almost a year. You knew the surprise you were feeling was evident on every feature of your face, but you needed to respond in some way. “T-Thank you,” you choked out, blinking a few times.

She shook her head in amusement. “Don’t mention it.” Then, a more familiar, stern expression crept onto her face. “Seriously. If you mention this to anyone, I’ll deny it ever happened.”

A laugh of disbelief escaped your lips, and you quickly cleared your throat to hide it. “Yes, Ms. Venable. Happy holidays.”

“Happy holidays to you too, Y/N.”

Throughout the following days, you replayed that encounter in your head much more than you’d like to admit.

Chapter Text

“Thanks for looking after Oz today.”

Meadow gave Ally a small smile, watching as the other woman took off her coat and set down her bag. A companionable silence settled over the living room while Ally got comfortable after a long day at work.

At moments like these, Meadow remembered how difficult it had been to get to this point.

Aside from the obvious– the cult –she and Ally had a complicated history, at best. The cult had pitted them against each other, and, while they’d almost become allies at the end, of course Meadow had to go and get brainwashed by that blue-haired psychopath again. She hated herself for it every second of every day, and she figured Ally knew that. That’s why, after many therapy sessions (from a different therapist), her neighbor had agreed to making amends. Many long months later, they’d become surprisingly close friends, and things had gone smoothly ever since.

When she’d first approached Ally about it, Meadow had been surprised to hear that she’d even wanted her around– she’d watched her nearly shoot herself, for fuck’s sake. But the woman, despite being much tougher, was still kindhearted. She’d even helped Meadow look for a good therapist and recommended things that had personally helped her after the whole incident.

It had been far from easy. She remembered breaking down in tears during many of her therapy sessions, and even suffered from panic attacks quite often. Her therapist assured her that was normal for what she’d been through, but that didn’t make it any easier to bear. Even so, she soldiered on, and, with hard work and sheer determination she didn’t know she possessed, she returned to a semblance of her old life.

After she’d overcome most of her mental struggles, Meadow and Ally had become fast friends. What little bond had been formed before the cult was allowed to flourish, to Meadow’s delight. It was definitely nice to have someone around every once in a while– her house was eerily quiet since Harrison (and most of the others she knew in town) had been killed, but she didn’t like to dwell on that.

And all that had brought her to the present, during which Ally had recently trusted her with babysitting Oz.

Ally cleared her throat, jolting Meadow out of her thoughts. “So, what are your plans for later?”

Meadow glanced around the living room, looking anywhere but at Ally. “Um… Not sure. Go home. Eat dinner. Watch that new Nicole Kidman movie.” She let out an awkward laugh.

“Right.” Ally grinned. “Well, you’re always welcome to stay for dinner. I’m sure Oz wouldn’t mind. He likes you a lot, you know.”

“Aw, that’s sweet of you,” Meadow replied quickly, absentmindedly fidgeting with her bracelet. “But I can’t. Maybe another time– I just remembered I forgot to water my plants today.”

The brunette raised an eyebrow, clearly not fooled by her neighbor’s excuse. “Right. Another time.”

Meadow hastily made her escape, rushing through the foyer and grabbing her bag. She grimaced as she flung the door open and began the walk back home.

She’d survived a cult, suicide attempt, and who knows what else. But she wasn’t sure how she’d survive being in love with the friend who’d just started to trust her again.

“You know, you’re really pretty, Meadow.”

Oz’s words made Meadow jump from where she was seated on the couch. The living room had been completely silent except for the television.

“Thanks, Ozzy,” she replied cheerfully, appreciating the compliment in the midst of all the stress she’d been feeling lately.

The boy, who was sitting on the floor, looked up from his toy trucks to smile at her. “You’re nice, too. I like when you come over.” He paused and looked at her thoughtfully. “You come over a lot. Are you and my mom together?”

Meadow froze. Thankfully, her grin remained in place– panic had flooded all her senses. Once she realized she’d left Oz without an answer, she choked out, “No, honey. We’re just friends.” She breathed a sigh of relief when the kid went back to playing with his toys.

It hadn’t been too long after she and Ally made amends that Meadow had realized she had feelings for her. What had started out as a desire for friendship had turned into so much more– and so quickly. On top of that, Meadow had thought she was only into men her whole life, so that brought along a whole other level of confusion. Still, none of that erased the fact that she’d never cared for anyone like she cared for Ally.

Ally… where to start? She was beautiful, kind, and the way she took care of Oz in spite of everything that had happened was beyond admirable. Meadow wished she had her life together the way the newly-appointed senator did. Her feelings went beyond admiration, though– no one had ever made her as flustered as her neighbor did. Usually outspoken and impulsive, Ally’s presence often reduced Meadow to a blushing, stammering mess.

Which was why she had started to avoid being alone with Ally under any circumstances.

Meadow made sure that whenever she came to visit, Oz was home as well. She liked the kid, sure, but his presence allowed her to hide the enormity of her feelings from his mother. Maybe she’d already noticed, but just in case she hadn’t, the blonde would do everything within her power to keep things normal. After all, feelings changed. She just had to wait until hers did. Ally was a great friend, and she didn’t want to ruin things between them after she’d worked so hard to make things right.

An hour or so passed, during which Meadow watched whatever reality show was on and made sure Oz didn’t get into any trouble. She talked to him every once in a while, smiling at his adorable antics.

“Oh, it’s that late already?” she asked, surprised to hear Ally opening the door. She stood up and walked over to the foyer, smiling as her friend stepped inside.

“Hey, Meadow,” Ally greeted her, glancing at the blonde out of the corner of her eye while she locked the door behind her. “Everything go okay?”

“Yep. Oz was telling me about his new friends at school. Sounds like a nice place.”

“That’s good. Yeah, he really likes it there.”

An unusually awkward silence fell over the space between the women.

“Do you–”

“I should–”

Meadow and Ally both laughed; they’d started talking at the same time. “You go first,” Meadow said quickly, mentally scolding herself for acting so strange.

Ally shook her head in amusement. “Oh, I was just going to ask if you’d like to stay for dinner this time.

While this request caught her off guard the previous afternoon, Meadow had prepared herself this time. “So sorry, Ally, but I can’t. I have a ton of work to do. Working from home is great and all, sure, but the hours are crazy. I have a meeting in fifteen minutes, which is when most people get off. How technology has changed the world… Well, as long as I get to watch The Real Housewives . A masterpiece of modern television, I say.”

Meadow quickly cut her ramble short, knowing she’d already embarrassed herself enough. With an awkward laugh, she waved a hurried goodbye to Oz and Ally and made her way outside.

Once she was on the porch, she leaned against the door and sighed. Another day, another awkward encounter. What had gotten into her lately?

Meadow figured she shouldn’t answer that– she knew exactly what was wrong with her.

When Ally returned home the next day, Meadow had to suppress a sigh. She knew she’d have to turn down her neighbor’s kind offer yet again. The excuse she’d prepared weighed her down like the overstuffed school backpack she’d had to scold Oz about.

“Mom’s home,” Oz said happily as he heard the door creak open. Meadow nodded, hoping the smile she’d plastered upon her face was convincing. She enjoyed seeing Ally– perhaps too much –but her anxiety overpowered any common sense she possessed.

The brunette walked into the room, and Meadow stood up to greet her like she did every day. “Hi, Ally.”

“Hey. Everything go okay?” she asked, and the blonde nodded. “Good. Oz, what do you want for dinner?”

Oz followed Ally into the kitchen, and their conversation about chicken nuggets and burgers faded into the background. It was almost too easy, the way Meadow could head home without refusing another one of Ally’s requests. Not one to dwell on decisions for too long, she hurried to the foyer and put her coat on. She wanted to leave quickly, but she wasn’t braving the crisp autumn breeze without it.

“Meadow.”

She froze at the familiar voice and the authoritative tone it had taken on; it was terrifying. Meadow had only heard Ally sound like that on her televised debates.

The blonde looked up innocently. “Yes?”

“Where do you think you’re going?” Ally leaned against the wall, obviously aware of what had been happening the past few days.

Shit .

Meadow picked up her phone and looked at the time. Her excuse rose to her lips embarrassingly quickly. “I only have ten minutes until my next meeting. I wanted to come and say goodbye, but–”

“It’s Friday.” Ally cut her off without any hesitation. “You don’t have meetings on Fridays. You told me your schedule when you agreed to babysit Oz, remember?” She raised her eyebrows, but her expression was smug enough to show that she knew she’d already won.

“Oh, is it? Silly me,” Meadow replied with a painfully awkward laugh. She hoped Ally couldn’t see just how panicked she was. “Well, I still need to water my plants–

Ally interrupted her again, more forcefully this time. “Cut the bullshit, Meadow.” While her words were stern, her tone was surprisingly soft. “I don’t know why you won’t just stay for dinner. You seem to be avoiding me, actually. I’ve told you so many times that the past is in the past. You’re safe here.”

That was nearly enough to bring Meadow to tears. Ally’s words were heartbreaking– she thought Meadow was still worried about the past. Oh, how wrong she was.

“No, no, it’s nothing like that,” Meadow answered hastily, shaking her head. “It’s just…” She was at a loss for words. Ally stared at her questioningly, but anything she said next would reveal too much of how she truly felt. So, hoping she wouldn’t regret it, she said quietly, “I’ll stay for dinner.” After all, at least Oz would be there. It was after he went to bed that worried her.

Ally instantly smiled, all seriousness on her face gone. “Great. Oz said he wants takeout, and I already placed the order. Shouldn’t be too much longer.” She began to walk back towards the kitchen. “Come on.”

The takeout did, in fact, arrive only five minutes later. Meadow spent the short wait at the table talking with Ally and Oz, which went well, all things considered. When the food got there, Ally set the table and they all enjoyed a delicious meal from one of the local fast food restaurants.

Multiple hours passed in a blur, Meadow thoroughly enjoying every conversation she shared with Ally and Oz. She hardly noticed when the sun went down and the crickets began to chirp.

“Oz, it’s past your bedtime,” Ally suddenly said, glancing at her watch. Oz groaned, having been in the middle of talking about his favorite comics. Still, being the well-behaved kid he was, he listened to his mother and followed as she led him upstairs. Meadow took another bite of her burger while she waited for Ally to come back. She knew they’d be alone, but she tried not to dwell on it.

Five minutes later, Ally’s soft footsteps signaled her return. “He’s already asleep. Out like a light,” she said, smiling as she rounded the corner into the dining room.

Meadow swallowed nervously and tried her best to grin back at her. She must have done a terrible job, though, because a frown immediately crossed Ally’s face.

“Meadow,” she said sternly, sitting down across from her. “Are you going to tell me what’s been going on?”

“What do you mean?”

“I’m not stupid.” The serious look on Ally’s face sent a shiver down Meadow’s spine. Her nervous laughs and witty remarks weren’t getting her out of this one.

Meadow took a deep breath. “I-I don’t know what to say.” And it was true– Ally knew something was wrong. What the hell was she going to say? She’d rather die than admit that she had a crush on her.

Ally’s expression softened and turned into one full of sorrow. “I can tell how nervous you are. Have I done something? I thought we were fine… I mean, we’d gotten through it and I thought we were friends…”

The doubt in Ally’s voice was completely new to Meadow. It shocked her that this woman, who had built such a tough, cold exterior, was admitting her doubts to someone who had so recently been her nemesis. Even more than that, it broke her heart knowing she second-guessed herself, and that it was because of her own actions.

Without thinking, Meadow reached across the table and gently touched Ally’s hand. “You didn’t do anything. You’ve been wonderful to me. After all the shit I pulled, most people wouldn’t even be able to look at me, so I’m grateful.” A bittersweet smile formed on her lips.

“Don’t mention it.” After a brief smile, Ally frowned and returned to her previous questioning. “Then what the fuck is gong on? I know I haven’t been imagining how weird you’ve been acting.”

Meadow could feel herself being cornered. She could try to lie, but Ally was smart– much smarter than her. Her anxiety instantly started to set in. She could feel her heart begin to beat faster, her breaths coming in quick gasps.

Suddenly, Ally stood up from her chair, rounding the table to kneel at Meadow’s side. The blonde merely kept her gaze on the woman, not knowing what to do or what to expect. So many emotions were battling within her that she felt tears spring to her eyes.

When Ally reached Meadow’s chair, she kneeled down at her side and looked up at her. Her brown eyes were filled with only worry and a desire to understand. “I don’t care what’s happened in the past. I’m here for you. We’ve become friends, and every kind word, every gesture, has been real. You can tell me anything. I hope you know that.”

And, with those words, Meadow broke down into a fit of gut-wrenching sobs.

She put her head down on the table, shielding her already tear-streaked face with her arms. “Hey, hey, it’s alright,” she heard Ally say from beside her, placing a soothing hand on her shoulder. That only made her cry even harder.

Meadow wasn’t sure how long she sat there, sobbing her heart out while Ally comfortingly rubbed her back. Eventually, though, her tears began to dry, and silence once again filled the air. The whole time, Ally had barely moved from her position beside her.

“Are you ready to talk now?” the brunette’s soft voice asked, her tone gentle and considerate. “What’s wrong? Why have you been acting like this?”

Meadow weighed her options, her mind still clouded with raw emotion. Would it really be so terrible if she told Ally? They were friends, and, as Ally had said, they could tell each other anything. Maybe it would be best to simply… be honest. Meadow nervously bit her lip as she considered it. In the end, she realized it would be worth it just to get the confession off her chest. It had been weighing her entire life down for long enough.

At last, she sat up, eyes still glued to the table. She didn’t think she could bear to look at Ally while she spoke the words aloud.

Wiping a stray tear off her face, Meadow said shakily, “I’m… I’m fucking in love with you, that’s why.”

A silence painful enough to break Meadow’s heart settled over the dining room, a sharp contrast to the cheerful conversation that had taken place mere minutes ago.

Ally remained completely still, and the anticipation of how she would react filled Meadow with an unease like no other. Every second that passed made her regret confessing more and more. It was nearly unbearable; she sharply inhaled in an effort not to start crying again.

“Why the hell didn’t you tell me?”

The sudden question from Ally left Meadow wide-eyed in shock. She glanced up at her neighbor, whose face was unreadable. “I-I… I don’t know,” she whispered weakly, preparing herself for whatever criticism the woman had to offer.

However, instead of saying anything more, Ally stood up. She kept her eyes on Meadow the entire time, face still frustratingly unreadable. The blonde wished she had some way of knowing what her friend was thinking; it was driving her insane. Once Ally was towering over Meadow, she leaned down until their faces were only inches apart. Meadow was sure Ally could feel her quick, gasping breaths in the small space between them. The room had become eerily still, and Meadow thought her heart would beat right out of her chest. And then, Ally’s face changed ever-so-slightly. Meadow couldn’t put her finger on it, but the expression in her eyes shifted; those mesmerizing brown irises had softened, perhaps.

But what Ally did next, no one saw coming. Perhaps not even Ally herself.

She kissed her.

Meadow bit back a surprised yelp as Ally’s mouth met her own, and with more passion than she had ever expected. It was jarring, the way the woman’s lips moved against hers like there was no tomorrow. Meadow was afraid to breathe, afraid to shatter whatever twisted illusion had formed around her. But as the seconds ticked by, she realized it was real . Ally, the woman she’d come to know and love, was kissing her. And it felt so unbelievably, undeniably right .

Ally’s hands found their way to Meadow’s shoulders, and the motion reminded Meadow that she needed to do something, anything. So, she began to kiss her back with every ounce of passion she’d been holding back over the past few months. Butterflies erupted in her stomach when she felt Ally smirk against her lips, but Meadow still managed to lift her hands to wrap around the other woman’s waist.

All too soon, Ally pulled away from a breathless Meadow, who couldn’t quite believe what had just happened. Ally smirked again, then laughed.

Shaking her head in amusement, she kept her gaze on Meadow. “You should have told me. Hell, I thought something was seriously wrong. You’re going to be the death of me, you know that?”

Meadow blushed, looking anywhere but at Ally’s face. “Sorry,” she murmured. “I didn’t know you felt the same way or anything, and I didn’t know how to bring it up–”

“ You didn’t know?” Ally interrupted her, chuckling. “I never even knew you were into girls.”

Meadow couldn’t hold back a laugh of disbelief. “Me neither. Well, not until recently, anyway.”

Ally smiled. “I’m glad, though. I really am. I…” Meadow raised her eyebrows in surprise, having rarely seen Ally at a loss for words since she’d toughened up. “I care about you a lot, Meadow. I told myself I could never let myself feel anything more than friendship for you because… you know. But my heart didn’t get the message, I guess.” She took a deep breath, a smile still parting her lips. “What I’m trying to say is, I’m glad you feel the same way. Really glad.”

Meadow grinned, more happiness than she’d felt in weeks overwhelming her. She couldn’t quite believe what was happening. This beautiful, perfect woman happened to feel the same way? “I-I don’t know what to say,” she stammered, a huge smile remaining upon her lips. “I’m in shock, I guess. You’re… you. And I’m a nobody. Worse, a nobody that’s fucked up every halfway decent thing in her life.”

“None of that,” Ally scolded, her gaze softening despite her stern tone. “You don’t give yourself enough credit, Meadow. You’ve made mistakes, sure. But hell, so have I. No one is perfect.” Smiling and glancing away, she added, “You’re pretty damn close, though. Gorgeous, funny, reliable… I’m so grateful we got to have a fresh start. Because this thing we have, I’ve enjoyed every second of it. And I have a feeling it’s only going to get better from here on out.”

Taking hold of Ally’s hand, Meadow let her words sink in. She had a hard time believing all of them, but she could unpack that later. The one thing she knew for sure, though, was that it was only going to get better for the both of them.

If Meadow had Ally by her side, everything would be alright– even the atrocities of her past couldn’t hold her back.

Chapter Text

Brooke had never thought she’d be able to experience a real autumn in California. Still, the wonderful atmosphere of Camp Redwood was as close as she could get.

She took a deep breath of the fresh forest air, a smile lighting up her face. While it was still quite warm, her surroundings almost made her imagine the scent of pumpkins, apples, and cinnamon.

Thanks to Margaret, the camp had been decorated with all sorts of fall-themed items. It would be a few days until the campers arrived, so she’d thrown an impromptu festival of sorts. Brooke walked through the main courtyard and picked up a decorative pumpkin that was sitting on the ground. Ideas began to rush through her head as she considered carving it later.

“Brooke!” a familiar voice called, causing her to look up from the pumpkin she held. A girl around her age with shaggy blonde hair rounded the corner of one of the cabins, smiling widely and waving at her. It was Montana.

Brooke grinned back at her fellow counselor and newfound friend. “Hey, Montana,” she greeted her cheerfully. “What’s up?”

“I’ve been looking for you,” she replied, stopping nearby to lean against one of the picnic tables. “Me and all the others are in front of the corn maze out back. You wanna come?”

“Sure!” A corn maze? From what she’d heard, that was a staple of any fall festivities. She couldn’t wait to explore it with her friends.

And so, following Montana’s lead, the two girls made their way through the forest behind the cabins. Trees towered around them, providing much-needed shade from the late July sun. Brooke was about to ask if they were almost there when countless stalks of corn became visible in the distance.

“Wow,” she whispered in awe. “It’s huge.”

Montana laughed. “You’ve never seen a corn maze before, Brooke?”

Embarrassed, she shook her head. The blonde chuckled but didn’t say anything else as they finally reached the small clearing in front of the maze.

Margaret and the three boys were already waiting for them, casual conversation filling the air. When they stepped into the open area, Xavier was the first to notice the girls. “Hey, glad you could finally make it,” he said, a bright smile upon his face.

“Oh, shut up, Xavier,” Montana retorted playfully, walking forward to nudge him in the side. “Don’t act like you didn’t take ten years just to do your hair.” The boy simply rolled his eyes and kept quiet, causing the rest of the group to laugh.

Margaret cleared her throat, the irritation in her face obvious. “Okay, boys and girls. Settle down. Now that we’ve all arrived, it’s time to split into teams. The goal, for those who were late joining us–” she shot a pointed glare at Montana and Brooke “–is to be the first to reach the center of the maze. There are flags there, and all you need to do is bring one back before the other team to win.”

Once everyone had nodded in understanding, Margaret continued. “Alright. To make this simple, it’ll be boys versus girls.”

A chorus of groans rose from the group of counselors. “But that’s unfair!” Brooke shouted, her voice rising an octave in frustration.

Montana quickly voiced her agreement. “Right. Three boys, two girls. C’mon, Margaret. Do the math.”

“I did , thank you, Miss Duke,” Margaret huffed. “But there are five of you. Either way, the teams are going to be uneven. You’ll have to live with it.”

Everyone sighed in resignation, but there was nothing to be done. The group separated– Xavier, Chet, and Ray stood off to one side of the clearing, and Brooke and Montana went to the other.

“Well, this sucks,” Montana grumbled, careful to remain unheard by Margaret. Brooke couldn’t help but nod emphatically. She liked Montana, sure, but the boys were all super athletic. She knew she’d only hold back the aerobics trainer next to her.

Somehow sensing Brooke’s worries, Montana turned to her with a reassuring grin. “Relax! You’re pretty cool. I have no problem working with you, if that’s what you’re worried about. It’s just the uneven teams that annoyed me.”

Brooke quietly thanked her, but before she could say anything else, Margaret’s voice caught their attention.

“Ok, it’s almost time to start,” the camp director was saying from the center of the clearing. “Any more questions before we begin?”

“Yeah, I got one,” Xavier shouted, his tone conveying nothing but mischief. At Margaret’s answering death glare, he instantly went quiet.

“If that’s all, then on the count of three, you’re free to start.” Margaret gestured to the entrance of the corn maze. “One… Two… Three !”

And, with that, all the counselors broke into a run. Brooke couldn’t suppress an exuberant laugh as she tried to keep up with Montana; it felt so good to run alongside her friends like this.

Upon entering the maze, the two groups instantly split up, the boys going to the left and the girls going to the right. “So, what’s the best strategy, you think?” Brooke asked, letting her hand trail along the golden leaves next to her.

Montana shrugged. “No clue. I don’t think anyone has one, really. Just walk and get lost, and then try another route. That’s the fun of mazes, you know?”

Brooke nodded thoughtfully. Despite her friend’s words, she tried to keep track of every turn they made, but it was impossible after a while. The corn stalks around them blurred into one and the same. It seemed they’d never find the center, and Brooke could’ve sworn the sun had gotten noticeably lower in the sky.

“Fuck, it’s hot,” Montana panted from next to her. And it was true– under the harsh sunlight, both of them had started to sweat. The walking part wasn’t difficult; the heat was the only thing bothering them.

Brooke glanced around hopelessly, their surroundings not looking any different from the last time she’d checked. “Is there any way at all to tell how close we are to the center?”

“No, I don’t– Holy shit,” Montana breathed, cutting herself off.

Brooke paused. “What is it?”

“No way,” the blonde murmured to herself. Turning back to her friend, she said quickly, “Come on! This way!”

And, without any further warning, Montana broke into a run, leaving a shocked Brooke frozen in place.

“Wait for me!”

The two girls rushed through the narrow pathway, rustling the crisp leaves as they passed. What in the world had Montana seen? Brooke didn’t have time to ask questions, though– it was taking every ounce of her strength to just keep up with the girl in front of her.

“Yes!”

Montana suddenly stopped, her triumphant exclamation making Brooke jump. “What’s…” She trailed off when she finally looked around.

They’d made it to the center.

“Oh my gosh, we did it!” Brooke cheered, not believing her eyes. A spacious clearing stretched before them, and a small pedestal in the center held two blue flags. They waved in the wind as if beckoning them to come closer.

Montana grinned, turning to her friend. “Damn right we did. Those boys probably aren’t even close.”

Brooke shook her head in amusement. “How in the world did you know this was here?”

“Well…” A sheepish laugh escaped Montana’s lips. “I heard a breeze. I figured that meant an open area was nearby, you know?”

“Hey, it worked, though. You were right.” Brooke giggled and rushed forward to grab one of the flags. It was heavier than expected, causing her to dip under its weight.

“Woah, careful,” Montana said, suddenly appearing at her side. Her hand steadied Brooke’s shoulder with a firm grip.

While the gesture was meant to be helpful, it only made Brooke lose her focus even more. For reasons she couldn’t explain, a faint blush colored her cheeks, and before she knew what was happening, the flag had completely slipped out of her hands and onto the ground.

Her cheeks flushed an even deeper shade of scarlet. “Sorry,” she mumbled as she leaned down to pick it up.

Montana shrugged, a smile still upon her face. “No worries. Come on, let’s head back and show Margaret.” Looking at Brooke, she added, “You know, we make a great team.”

Brooke’s gaze was glued to the ground as she nodded her agreement. Her cheeks felt like they were on fire by the time Montana started walking away.

An hour or so later, the girls finally found their way back to the entrance. It had taken so long that the sun was beginning to set, but neither of them minded. Montana’s huge smile mirrored Brooke’s– they’d won, and, more than that, they’d had a great time despite the sweltering heat.

Margaret looked up from her clipboard when the pair returned. “Oh, good, I was getting worried. You took forever, you know that?”

Montana rolled her eyes. “Oh, whatever. We beat the boys, at least.”

A loudly cleared throat made Brooke’s head whip around.

Next to them, smiling smugly, were Xavier, Chet, and Ray.

“B-But the other flag!” Brooke exclaimed, her heart sinking as she saw the blue fabric in Xavier’s hands.

Margaret sighed in exasperation. “Yes, what about it? I put three in there in case some kind of animal stole it. You have to be prepared.”

Brooke frowned, a wave of defeat washing over her. It was jarring how quickly their victory had been ripped away from them.

Noticing the brunette’s disappointment, Montana nudged her with an elbow. “Hey, don’t be sad,” she said cheerfully. “It sucks that we didn’t win, but it was fun either way, don’t you think?”

As the others began to leave the clearing, Brooke couldn’t help smiling. Montana was right– she did have a great time. Her first experience in a corn maze had been enjoyable, not to mention the quality time she’d been able to spend with Montana.

“Yeah. It was really fun.”

Not wanting to be left behind in the woods, the two girls quickly began to follow the rest of their fellow counselors.

Brooke was feeling a lot as she walked: disappointment, happiness, and exhaustion, just to name a few. But perhaps the most prominent of all was her desire to spend even more time with Montana.

Chapter Text

The crisp autumn leaves crunched underneath your feet as you closed your car door. Sighing, you started walking up the driveway towards the house that you and Billie Dean shared.

It had been a long, exhausting day at work, and all you wanted was to go inside and relax. A wave of disappointment washed over you when you realized Billie wouldn’t be home for another few hours. While dating a famous medium had many benefits, her extensive work hours were definitely not one of them.

You finally reached the porch and reached out to open the door. However, before you could, a flash of blonde hair out of the corner of your eye caught your attention.

Billie .

To your surprise, your girlfriend sat on the porch swing, a huge smile upon her face. There was an ounce of smugness in her expression; she’d obviously been wanting to catch you by surprise.

“Billie!” you shouted, hurrying over to your girlfriend and wrapping your arms around her. “You said you wouldn’t be home until later tonight.”

Pulling away, you glanced up at her as she spoke. “I know.” Her full lips twisted into a smirk. “I wanted to surprise you. And it was worth it, I’d say.”

You shook your head in amusement. “What am I going to do with you?” The question came out half-hearted– you were too excited to put much sarcasm into the words.

She only shrugged, her bright eyes twinkling with mischief. A brief silence passed over the two of you, during which she raised her hand to caress your cheek. Leaning into her loving touch, you couldn’t help but let out a sigh of contentment.

“Come here,” Billie said suddenly, using her free hand to pat her lap in a wordless gesture. You quickly obliged. Pulling your body fully onto the swing, you positioned yourself on her lap and wrapped your arms around her once again. An incomparable feeling of comfort and warmth flooded your senses as you nuzzled the crook of her neck.

And so, the two of you sat on the porch swing, entwined in each other's arms, for the rest of the evening. Your worries about the day’s previous events seemed a lifetime away while you cuddled with your lover.

Yes, dating a famous medium could be difficult. But it was worth it in every single way.

Chapter Text

“Come on, Delia!”

Cordelia smiled at the sound of Misty’s voice. Taking a deep breath of the forest air, the Supreme continued following her girlfriend toward their destination: a certain cabin within the swamp.

It had been a tiring, stressful week of work for Cordelia, and she had instantly agreed when Misty suggested a relaxing outing at her swamp cabin. It was just what she’d needed– nature, peace and quiet, and, most importantly, the presence of her beloved Misty.

Eventually, the pair reached the front door, and Cordelia couldn’t stop a huge smile from spreading across her face. The cabin was so painfully Misty . From the Stevie Nicks posters to the crystals scattered all around, every aspect of it practically screamed the swamp witch’s name. While Cordelia had visited it with Misty a few times before, each time felt just as magical as the first.

Misty giggled. “I’m so glad you wanted to come out here. This place is so special to me, you know?”

“Of course I did,” Cordelia replied, meeting the taller blonde’s bright blue eyes. “Anything that’s special to you is special to me.” She took Misty’s hand as they eagerly stepped into the cabin.

The air carried the faint scent of wildflowers, and Cordelia paused to appreciate the lovely aroma. As she walked further into the cabin, fingers still entwined with Misty’s, she ran her other hand along the wooden wall next to her. It was worn and more than capable of giving her a splinter, but she didn’t mind. The texture was oddly comforting, just like everything else in the cozy little cabin.

“So, is there anythin’ special you wanted to do?” Misty asked, pulling away from Cordelia to flop down onto the small bed in the corner.

Cordelia instantly did the same, wrapping her arms around her lover. Laying down and bringing Misty with her, she said softly, “No, not really. Being here with you is more than enough.” She pressed her body even closer against Misty’s and began to gently kiss her neck.

“Sounds great to me.” Misty smiled, bringing up a hand to caress the small of Cordelia’s back.

They lay there in companionable silence for a few minutes; the whole time, a blissful grin was splayed across Cordelia’s face. Everything was so unbelievably perfect . She was always ready to cuddle with her girlfriend, but after a particularly strenuous week, and in such a serene location, this was exactly what she’d needed.

Suddenly, a faint droning noise filled the air. Cordelia sat up and glanced at the window. “I didn’t know it was supposed to rain today,” she remarked, large droplets starting to pepper the glass. The sound was relaxing, though, and made for a rather pleasant atmosphere.

“Oh, this is amazin’!” Misty shouted, and before Cordelia could reply, the younger witch had shot up from her position on the bed and ran out the door.

“Misty!” Cordelia followed her, but stopped in the doorway. “Sweetheart, you’re going to catch a cold–”

But before she could finish speaking, the sight before her took her breath away.

Misty was standing in the middle of the meadow, twirling in the midst of what was now a downpour. Water clung to her hair and skin, but she didn’t seem to have a care in the world. Her face was turned toward the sky with a stunning, ethereal smile.

Noticing Cordelia’s pause, Misty turned around and looked at the Supreme. “C’mon, Delia! It feels great out here!” She kept that beautiful grin upon her face as she continued to dance in the rain.

Cordelia laughed, shaking her head in amusement. While it went against her better judgment to step into the pouring rain, Misty’s pure, unadulterated happiness made her worries disappear like smoke in the wind. Letting her lips take on a smile of their own, Cordelia slowly stepped outside.

Immediately, the rain soaked her hair and clothes. Like most people, she’d spent her life wanting to avoid the sensation, but Misty was right– it did feel great. Cordelia’s eyes widened with wonder. It was such a simple joy, and she’d been missing out on it for so long. The swamp witch had taught her so much; it was truly inspiring how Misty could do that just by being her wonderful, perfect self.

An exuberant laugh then caught Cordelia’s attention. Before she knew it, Misty had taken her by the hands and was spinning her around. The rain kept crashing down, and the droplets swirled around them in a wild mosaic of water. Combined with the beauty of Misty’s beaming face, the experience was so magical that Cordelia was able to break free from the restraints she placed on herself as the Supreme. A surprised chuckle escaped her lips, and before long, wild laughter from both witches filled the air.

Cordelia didn’t know how long they danced in the rain– it could’ve been minutes, hours, days. But, eventually, they came to a stop, both panting for breath with huge smiles upon their faces. Misty reached out a hand, her calloused fingers brushing against Cordelia’s cheek. The Supreme instantly leaned into her soothing touch. She raised her own hand to hold Misty’s against her face, looking at her with every ounce of admiration she possessed.

“I love you so much, Misty,” Cordelia whispered.

“I love you too, Cordelia.”

And then, the distance between them disappeared; their lips met in a passionate blur of motion. The rain continued to fall around the witches as their arms tangled around each other's bodies, kissing like there was no tomorrow.

Even within the moment, Cordelia knew it would never truly leave her mind. She could picture herself in the coming weeks, still daydreaming about one of the most magical things she’d ever experienced: love.

Her life as the Supreme was often confusing, but one thing became perfectly clear as she kissed her lover in the rain.

She had never known true happiness until Misty.

Chapter Text

The majestic building in front of you appeared to glisten in the sunlight– it was stunning. Behind the front gate, a neatly manicured drive led to a charming little porch with ornate black doors.

You were terrified.

You’d never expected to be attending Miss Robichaux’s Academy for Exceptional Young Ladies, and you certainly hadn’t expected to discover you were a witch. After accidentally using your telekinesis, your mother had explained your ancestry and practically shipped you off to Miss Robichaux’s the next day.

A sigh escaped your lips as you heard the cab begin to drive away behind you. Grabbing your suitcase, you began the short walk toward the breathtaking mansion. Despite its glorious appearance, your sense of wonder didn’t ease the nerves coiling in the pit of your stomach. You had no idea what to expect.

Your heart skipped a beat as you finally reached the front doors, raising your hand to slowly knock on them. Chewing on your bottom lip anxiously, you wished that your mother had told you more about this mysterious place. What types of witches waited for you within those marble walls? What if they hurt you, or worse? Doubts and fears began to rush through your mind, causing your head to spin. Maybe you should just try to find your way home–

“Oh, hi there. I’m so glad you made it here safely.”

Your spiraling thoughts immediately came to a stop. The doors had opened, and a gorgeous, tall blonde woman stood before you. Every aspect of her emanated kindness, and the way her smile reached her eyes sent a comforting wave of relief throughout your entire body.

“I’m Cordelia Goode, the Supreme, and you must be Y/N,” she continued cheerfully, opening the doors wider. “Please, come in.”

Her warm presence reassuring you, you stepped through the doorway and into the massive building. The entrance hall was simply beautiful; polished hardwood floors led to a marvelous staircase in the middle of the space. Cordelia soon followed you, and, together, you set off on a tour of the academy after she offered to show you around.

Throughout the tour, Cordelia taught you more than you felt you’d learned in your whole life. Witches were incredibly fascinating, and you were grateful you had the privilege of being one. Their history was complex, and, while troubled, they still existed in many corners of the world, such as the school you were now attending. Cordelia also explained what a Supreme was, and you were in awe that such a powerful being was standing right next to you and giving you her full attention.

The two of you were just entering the kitchen when a shout from upstairs echoed throughout the mansion. “Cordelia! Zoe fucking burned my hand with her hair straightener!”

A quieter voice, which you assumed to be Zoe’s, could be heard saying, “Madison, shut up! It was an accident!”

Cordelia sighed, a knowing smile spreading across her face. It seemed this wasn’t the first time she’d had to deal with Zoe and Madison’s antics. “I’m so sorry, Y/N, but it sounds like I’ll have to go and help the other girls for a moment. Hopefully you’ll be able to meet them soon.” She began to walk away, but not before adding, “Hey, why don’t you go and check out the greenhouse in the meantime? If you leave through the kitchen door, it’ll be impossible to miss.”

Taking her suggestion, you turned to the kitchen door and made your way through the academy’s spacious backyard. A sizable greenhouse soon became visible, and you stared at it in wonder. It was beautiful; wood-paneled walls and a glass roof glistened in the early afternoon sunlight.

You reached the door and quickly stepped inside. The air carried the fragrant scents of various flowers, which could be seen in every corner of the greenhouse. You couldn’t help but smile– you could tell this would soon become one of your favorite places to visit at the academy.

Since you’d been so enamored with the sight and smell of the plants, you hadn’t noticed the faint music coming from deeper within the greenhouse. It had a charming sound, reminding you of the 80s. You wondered where the music was coming from, so you ventured farther inside, observing the many plants as you passed.

When you finally found the source of the music, you froze.

A girl with gorgeous blonde curls was spinning around, a shawl spread over her arms. She was completely lost in the music, her eyes closed and layered skirts fanning out around her.

It was the most beautiful sight you’d ever seen.

The minutes ticked by in a blur as you watched the girl. You were in a trance of some sort; the scene had you completely transfixed. And, somehow, the girl was so absorbed by the music that she hadn’t noticed your presence at all.

Suddenly, the music stopped. The girl regained her bearings and turned around, noticing your arrival at last. “Oh my lord!” she exclaimed, eyes wide with surprise. “You scared the living daylights outta me! How long have you been standin’ there, sweetheart?”

You were at a loss for words. Her outward beauty had captivated you already– her adorable voice and accent only made her even more attractive.

At last, you regained your voice and said nervously, “I-I’m new here– I’m Y/N. And I’ve only been here for a few minutes. Cordelia sent me to look around the greenhouse.”

“Ah, that’s right,” she replied, recognition lighting up her stunning blue eyes. “Delia told us there was gonna be a new witch comin’ today. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Y/N. I’m Misty.”

Misty held out her hand, and you took it. While you two shook hands, you couldn’t ignore how warm and comforting her gentle grip was. Her hand was calloused; maybe she was into gardening since she seemed so at home in the greenhouse.

“It’s nice to meet you,” you answered after a moment, giving her a small grin. The way Misty smiled back instantly made you blush.

Another song began to play, and you noticed the radio in the corner. This time, you recognized the song– it was by Fleetwood Mac, one that you’d heard on the radio all the time as a kid. The familiar melody made a nostalgic smile spread across your lips, which caught Misty’s attention.

“Ooh, you like Stevie, too?” she asked excitedly, her whole face lighting up.

At her enthusiasm, you couldn’t hold back an even wider smile. “Yeah, she’s great.” As the song reached its chorus, you began to hum along, Misty’s deeper voice soon joining yours.

Misty looked like she was about to burst with happiness. “C’mon, I should show you around the greenhouse,” she said, suddenly grabbing your hands. You furiously blushed again, but didn’t object as she showed you the different flowers and plants.

As you watched the captivating girl, a smile remained upon your face the entire time. She was full of life and had an infectious amount of energy, which you definitely needed after the stress of the past few days.

While you hadn’t known what to expect at this boarding school, you realized you loved it already– mostly due to Misty’s unexpected presence. You felt a strange connection to the mysterious girl, like you’d known her for much longer than a couple of minutes. Even so, you didn’t mind in the slightest. You couldn’t wait to get to know her, and this made you look forward to your stay at Miss Robichaux’s even more.

Falling in love with a stranger hadn’t been one of your expectations that morning, but it was definitely a welcome surprise. Misty’s breathtaking smile caught your eye once more, and you couldn’t help glancing away, flustered.

Perhaps being a witch would be much more fun than you’d thought.

Chapter Text

The love of her life.

That’s what Cordelia was to Misty, and she was reminded of it every single day.

The swamp witch had been alone most of her life, so love was something entirely new to her. When she’d first fallen for Cordelia, she hadn’t known how to act, let alone tell her. But things that are meant to be have a way or working themselves out, she supposed. Flash forward to a few years later and they were in a loving relationship.

Once the beautiful blonde witch had become the Supreme, Misty was afraid things would change. How could such a powerful and influential woman want her, out of everyone on the planet? However, when Misty had voiced these concerns, the amount of panicked reassurance from Cordelia made those doubts disappear and never return. They loved each other more than anyone else in the world and always reminded each other of it.

More memories of their relationship flooded Misty’s mind as she lay in bed, cuddling with her girlfriend. It had been a long, enjoyable day of classes, and they’d even gotten to go into town for milkshakes with the rest of the girls. Misty couldn’t imagine a more perfect way to end it as she admired her beloved.

Cordelia shifted slightly. Her arms tightened around Misty as her gorgeous brown eyes looked up at the swamp witch. “I love you a lot, you know that?” she whispered, her lips parting in a stunning smile.

“Yeah, of course I do,” Misty replied, grinning. “And I love you.” She pressed a gentle kiss to Cordelia’s forehead, her grin widening when she felt the older witch relax against her touch.

They were exhausted– it wasn’t long before they both fell asleep, their soft breaths the only sounds in the room. But Misty clearly remembered her last thought before losing consciousness.

Cordelia would be the love of her life, forever and always.

Chapter Text

The sunlight filtered into the room through the curtains, giving the sleeping blonde an almost angelic glow. Cordelia couldn’t stop a huge smile from appearing on her face as she watched Misty, who was curled up in their bed. Her girlfriend was simply adorable.

However, she knew she had to wake her up. The Supreme would never hear the end of it if she let Misty nap through the afternoon of baking she and the girls had planned.

Crossing the room, Cordelia gently shook Misty’s shoulder. “Honey, wake up.” Her smile only grew as she watched the swamp witch’s beautiful blue eyes flutter and eventually open.

Misty yawned. “Aw, I was havin’ the best nap,” she murmured, voice groggy with sleep.

“There’ll be plenty of time for sleep later,” Cordelia answered cheerfully. “Come on, we’re about to start baking. Zoe and Madison are already in the kitchen.”

Reluctantly, Misty left the bed and changed clothes, Cordelia waiting patiently in the doorway. She was excited to spend the day making pastries and other sweets with her girls. It was Misty who’d given her the idea– the previous evening, she’d been going on about how much she loved sweets, pastries in particular. And so, to no one’s surprise, Cordelia hadn’t wasted any time in planning a day full of baking for herself and her fellow witches.

At last, Cordelia and Misty made their way down the main staircase together. Misty giggled, and Cordelia’s heart warmed at the sound; she was beyond ecstatic to see her girlfriend so excited. When they entered the kitchen, a glorious smell filled the air– Cordelia inhaled deeply and looked over to see Misty doing the same. They both laughed and kept walking to see where the wonderful aroma was coming from.

Zoe and Madison were standing in front of the oven, leaning down to look inside. Based on the trays and ingredients scattered around, Cordelia figured they were baking cookies. Misty must have drawn a similar conclusion. A gorgeous smile parted her lips as she quickly walked forward.

“Whatcha makin’?” she asked, curiously leaning down next to the two witches.

“Cookies, obviously,” Madison huffed. “And it wasn’t easy. Zoe almost made me spill the flour everywhere.”

Zoe scowled and playfully shoved the blonde. “Oh, shut up. It isn’t my fault you’re so clumsy in the kitchen.”

Despite her harsh words, Madison grinned and shook her head in amusement. “Whatever, bitch.”

Misty nodded, unintentionally ignoring their conversation. Her gaze was still fixed upon the oven. “When’ll they be done, ya think?”

Madison shrugged. “Beats me. Zoe was the one who actually bothered to read the recipe.”

“Which you should have done, too,” Zoe grumbled, and, before they could start one of their playful squabbles again, Cordelia stepped forward.

“Now, now, girls, let’s get along.” The Supreme gently placed a hand on both Madison and Zoe’s shoulders. “Misty, do you have anything in particular you want to make after the cookies are finished?”

Misty’s eyes practically lit up at her girlfriend’s question. “Oooh, I’ve been cravin’ cinnamon rolls for the longest time. I saw some of the ingredients in the pantry, so I think we got all we need.”

They watched the cookies for a few more minutes, and once they were finished, Zoe took them out of the oven to cool. Spotting a movement out of the corner of her eye, Cordelia quickly batted Misty’s outreached hand away. She tried to warn her about touching things that were fresh out of the oven, but Misty’s adorable pouting face made the seriousness in Cordelia’s tone disappear.

After they’d assembled all the ingredients for the cinnamon rolls, they excitedly began to bake. Misty noticeably had the most enthusiasm, and Cordelia found it hard to concentrate on her own tasks when her girlfriend was so passionate and cheerful. Against the odds, though, the four witches each finished their respective jobs, which had been a long process due to Zoe having to convince Madison to read the recipe. Misty took the tray of uncooked dough and eagerly slid it into the oven. All that was left was to wait.

“You really love sweets, don’t you?” Madison suddenly asked, breaking the brief silence that had settled over the kitchen. Cordelia instantly prepared to give her a withering glare; she was used to the movie star mocking her girlfriend. But, to her surprise, Madison’s expression was one of curiosity.

Misty beamed at Madison without a second thought. “Yeah, I do,” she replied exuberantly. “They’re just so delicious, and remind me of holidays with my family when I was a kid.” A bittersweet smile appeared on her face at the mention of her traitorous relatives.

Cordelia wasted no time in crossing the room to wrap a comforting arm around her shoulders. “It’s okay. You have us now,” she murmured into Misty’s ear, and the swamp witch merely leaned into her touch.

A moment later a chime from the oven signaled that the cinnamon rolls were finished baking. All sadness forgotten, Misty rushed over to the counter and grabbed some oven mitts before retrieving the tray of pastries.

“Wow, these look so good,” she marveled, setting down the tray on the kitchen island. The girls and Cordelia all gathered around her, nodding their agreement. “Smells good, too,” Misty added playfully, taking a deep breath to savor the aroma.

Cordelia laughed. “You all did a great job. I’m sure they’ll be delicious.” She smiled encouragingly at each and every one of them, her gaze lingering a little longer on her girlfriend.

The sudden sound of the front doors opening made all of them turn around. Faint voices echoed in the entrance hall and headed toward the kitchen.

“Wow, that smells so good,” a familiar voice exclaimed– Coco. 

“Woah, it does,” another voice added, this time Mallory’s. Cordelia smiled as the two witches came into sight. She’d been disappointed that they’d had a date planned for the day, but she was glad they’d made it back in time to enjoy the desserts.

Once the cinnamon rolls had cooled, all the witches sat at the dining table, which Cordelia used her magic to set with plates and utensils. Misty came around and placed a pastry on everyone’s plate with no lack of enthusiasm.

“Ok, everyone,” Misty said, sitting down in her chair next to Cordelia. “I hope you like ‘em. It took some hard work, but it was a whole lotta fun.” Turning to Mallory and Coco with a grin, she added, “Oh, and I’m glad you two made it back in time to try ‘em.” Everyone at the table began to laugh.

And, with that, all the witches grabbed their forks and took a bite of their cinnamon rolls– except for Cordelia. She made sure to keep her eyes on Misty, who was just bringing her fork up to her mouth. The younger blonde’s expression of pure joy when she tasted the pastry would most definitely lurk in the Supreme’s mind for the next few weeks. Misty was simply stunning, and her passion for sweets was beyond adorable.

Suddenly remembering to try her own cinnamon roll, Cordelia took a bite of the sugary dough and had to suppress a cough. She’d gasped despite the food in her mouth– it was that good. The way the dessert practically melted on her tongue was to die for.

She glanced at Misty, a wide smile upon her face. “These are delicious. I’m so glad you suggested them.” To punctuate her words, she quickly took another bite.

“Yeah, they are,” Misty replied with a laugh. She then entwined her fingers with Cordelia’s free hand under the table. “I had fun with Madi and Zoe, but I’m so glad I got to spend this time with you.” Blushing, she glanced at the floor. “I can’t even describe how happy these little moments with you make me, Delia.”

Cordelia wanted to wrap her arms around her girlfriend that very second. But, restraining herself, she sufficed with a whispered, “I feel the exact same, Mist. I love you so much.”

“I love you, too.”

They exchanged loving glances throughout the rest of their meal. The other witches enjoyed that day, but no one did quite as much as Cordelia and Misty.

Chapter Text

Misty took a deep breath and stood up. She looked around her cabin– after hours of hard work, she had finally finished. Luminescent strands of lights crisscrossed all over the walls and ceiling, casting a faint white glow over the space. She wiped some sweat off her brow and sat down on her bed.

She was honestly in shock that she’d been able to pull it off. Cordelia had asked if she could visit her cabin over the weekend, and the idea to decorate the place instantly set her in motion. Misty had snuck into town to buy the gorgeous fairy lights, miraculously without being noticed by her girlfriend. Checking the clock on her bedside table, Misty smiled as she realized she would arrive any minute.

While the swamp witch waited, she reached over to turn her radio on. The comforting voice of Stevie Nicks soon filled the room. Misty smiled and began to hum along, reaching up on the walls to straighten out any of the lights that were askew.

A sudden knock on the door made her whole face light up. Cordelia .

Without any hesitation, Misty rushed to the door and opened it. As she’d expected, her girlfriend stood outside, a similar smile upon her own face. “Mist, hey. Thanks for letting me come over. I’ve had a long week, and this place is so peaceful. I love spending time with you here.”

“Aw, thanks,” Misty replied, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. “C’mon in, Delia.” She felt her pulse quicken, wondering how Cordelia would react to the lights she’d set up.

As the pair entered the cabin, a small gasp escaped the Supreme’s lips. “Oh, Misty,” she breathed, and the younger blonde turned around to meet her wondrous gaze. “They’re beautiful. When did you have the time to do all this?”

Misty glanced at the floor, flustered. “Well… I bought ‘em in town the other day and set them up. I know how hard you’ve been workin’ this week, and figured it’d make you feel more relaxed and at home.”

Cordelia’s lips instantly tilted upward in a huge smile. “Misty…” Tears of happiness had begun to form in her eyes.

“Oh– Delia, don’t cry,” Misty said, hurrying to wrap her arms around her girlfriend in a warm embrace. “Shh, c’mon now…” She rubbed Cordelia’s back comfortingly, a bittersweet smile forming upon her face.

“Sorry,” Cordelia replied, pulling away from Misty and wiping her eyes. “I just… It means so much to me that you went out of your way to do all this for me. I-I…” She paused to sniffle and clear her throat, voice thick with emotion. “I love you so much, baby.”

It was Misty’s turn to feel tears form in her eyes. “Delia…” She reached forward to take hold of both of Cordelia’s hands. “I love you, too. Don’t ever forget that, ‘kay?”

Cordelia nodded, a stray tear rolling down her cheek. Misty quickly raised her hand to wipe it away, and then leaned in to press a loving kiss to the Supreme’s lips. The older witch returned the gesture passionately. It wasn’t too long before her hands were tangled in Misty’s hair, who, in turn, let her own hands rest on Cordelia’s waist.

Misty wasn’t sure how much time passed; it felt like both minutes and hours at the same time. However, they eventually broke away from the kiss, their faces mere inches apart. Cordelia’s eyes reflected every ounce of the love that Misty felt for her. Their breaths entwined and became one as they got lost in each other’s gaze.

And just like that, everything was perfect.

Chapter Text

Early morning sunlight seeped into the room through the curtains, and you yawned. As you slowly woke up, the first thing you noticed was the gaping absence next to you.

Frowning, you sat up and rubbed the sleep out of your eyes. Wilhemina usually woke up earlier than you for work, but it was the weekend. You had thought she’d sleep in at least a little bit. Even worse was the fact that she wasn’t supposed to be busy. You remembered how your heart had leapt the previous day when she told you– you’d wanted to spend some time together. A wave of disappointment washed over you as you stood to change clothes and start your morning routine.

Once you were finished, you left the bathroom and placed your hairbrush back on your bedside table. However, a sudden aroma caught your attention. Inhaling deeply, you began to head down the hallway to find the source of the mysterious smell. It was heavenly: bacon and eggs, mixed with some other delicious-smelling breakfast foods.

The sight that greeted you in the kitchen left you standing open-mouthed in the doorway, shock freezing you in place.

There Wilhemina stood, her usually tied-back hair flowing down her back in magnificent red waves. She was positioned in front of the stove and tending to a pan of eggs. You simply stared at her, watching her focused expression as she cooked.

Suddenly snapping out of your trance, you cleared your throat. In typical Wilhemina fashion, the woman turned around to meet your gaze, not startled in the slightest. You couldn’t help a huge grin from appearing on your face when she noticed you.

“Hey,” you said, walking over to her. “I didn’t even know you were home.”

A small grin of her own formed on her lips as she turned back to the pan of eggs. “Where else would I be? I told you I wasn’t busy. You really thought I’d left?”

You stared at the floor, your silence speaking volumes.

She sighed and shook her head. “What am I going to do with you?”

A laugh escaped your lips, and you were about to offer up a witty remark when you noticed what she was wearing.

“Is… Is that my shirt?”

Wilhemina looked up at you, raising an eyebrow. “Yes. I saw it in the closet and it looked comfortable, so…” She turned away– you could’ve sworn she was blushing . This was the first time you’d ever seen her flustered.

Noticing your surprised grin, she quickly glanced down at the gray fabric and then back at you. She frowned, worry evident in her expression. “Do you not want me to wear it? I’m sorry if I overstepped a boundary–”

“No, no, nothing like that,” you interrupted, quickly shaking your head. You closed the distance between you and hugged her from behind. “I was just shocked because you’ve never done it before. But trust me, I’m definitely happy about it. I think it’s…” You paused, smiling as you settled your head between her neck and shoulder. “Cute.”

At that, the redhead tensed up and nearly touched the searing-hot pan on accident. “Hey, careful,” you chided with a laugh. “You want to take a break?”

She shook her head, unusually rattled. “I was cooking for you… That’s why I made sure to get up earlier.”

You paused. You hadn’t even thought to ask why she was cooking when she could’ve easily ordered takeout. Your heart warmed at the thought that she’d been doing all of this for you.

“Aw, Mina…” You hugged her tighter as she continued to slide the eggs around on the pan. Kissing her neck, you whispered, “Thank you. You’re so sweet, you know that?”

You could’ve sworn she was smiling– and wider than you’d ever seen. “It’s nothing. I just, well… I’ve been working a lot. I wanted to make this weekend enjoyable since we get to spend time together.”

Moving to stand beside her, she looked up at the sudden absence of your embrace. You met her gaze lovingly, and all the affection you felt for Wilhemina was reflected in her own eyes.

“I love you.” You took her face in your hands and pressed a light kiss to her lips. “So much.”

“I love you too, darling.”

Chapter Text

The Hotel Cortez was, as usual, eerily and completely silent. The Countess reclined on her bed in the master suite, taking a long drag of a cigarette. Life was good– well, it wasn’t terrible, at least.

She had just begun to enjoy the peace and quiet she heard sudden footsteps near the door. It was quickly followed by a sob and sniffle.

A sigh of irritation slipped past The Countess’s lips. She hated how she’d immediately recognized who the sounds had come from. Standing up and putting out her cigarette, she reluctantly made her way to the door and pulled it open.

There she stood. The hotel’s infamous Sally Mckenna.

“What do you want, Sally?” The Countess asked, voice carrying every ounce of exasperation she felt. It was almost dawn. The vampire had been ready to smoke a bit more and then get some rest.

She watched as a tear slid down Sally’s cheek. “I-I’m sad,” she whispered pathetically. Her tearstained face was already smudged with damp mascara and eyeliner, and her eyes were full of sorrow, which she always seemed to be feeling.

The Countess sighed. “You’re always sad, Sally.” However, this time, her words carried less hostility. Despite her attempts to distance herself, she’d attained something of a soft spot for the ghost over the years. Her never-ending sadness affected her more than she’d like to admit.

“Well,” Sally huffed, “I’d just like some company.” She frowned, nervously fidgeting with that choker she always wore.

Wordlessly, The Countess stepped away from the doorway and returned back into her room. Sally hurriedly slipped in after the vampire, making sure to close and lock the door behind her. She then began to follow the older woman like a lost puppy.

“What’s wrong this time, hm?” The Countess asked, resignation in her voice. She sat back down on her bed and didn’t object when Sally joined her, snuggling up close and pressing her face into her shoulder.

Sally sniffled again. “I just feel so… alone. No one understands me, y’know?” She buried her face deeper into The Countess’s shoulder, words muffled against the lavish fabric of her dress.

The Countess merely rolled her eyes, raising a hand to soothingly rub the ghost’s back. She stared at the ceiling while Sally began to cry again. Her ragged breaths and sobs were the only sounds in the spacious penthouse, echoing off the extravagant walls.

Eventually, her sobs began to wane, and she shifted to lay down across the bed. Her mascara-stained face now lay against The Countess’s stomach, still damp with tears and whatever other makeup she’d put on– the vampire didn’t know why she bothered to apply it when she cried so much.

“Thanks,” Sally then whispered, curling up even more on the silk duvet. “You’re one of the only people I got left, y’know? You’re always here.” Her voice cracked with emotion.

The Countess ignored the emotion that flared within her, only shaking her head. “Yeah, well, you keep getting that damn mascara all over my fucking clothes. I hate it.”

For the first time, Sally raised her head to look at her. Despite her disheveled appearance, a striking smile appeared on her face. “No you don’t.” She laughed, the gravelly sound reverberating against The Countess’s stomach. “I know you. You’d tell me to get the fuck out if you really didn’t want me here. I think you forget that I do pay attention sometimes.” She paused. “You treat me differently from everyone else. Like Iris… You don’t give her a second glance. But when I need comforting, you never turn me away.” Sally met her gaze again, rare sincerity in her eyes. “I just wanted to say… thanks, I guess.”

A brief silence passed, during which The Countess struggled to find the right words. She was speechless, which almost never happened. “I’m… It’s…” She shook her head again. “Whatever. If you’re okay now, just go back to whatever room it is you’re staying in. I’m sure the dope is practically calling your name.”

Sally frowned. “C’mon, would it kill you to show a little emotion every now and then? Hell, look at me. I’m not saying to go around cryin’ your eyes out–” she laughed “–but just, I dunno, live a little.” With that, she stood up and crossed the room.

The Countess merely grimaced as she watched the ghost approach the door. She didn’t speak; even if she wanted to, Sally’s words had rung too true to form any coherent thoughts.

“Want me to bring you anything?” Sally asked, hand on the doorknob. The suggestive smirk on her face let the vampire know she was referring to her extensive drug stash, but she shook her head. She’d done enough drugs in her prime to last a lifetime. All she needed now was cigarettes and a nice glass of wine to get her by after a long day.

Sally shrugged, opening the door and walking into the dim corridor beyond. “Well, suit yourself,” she remarked. It was the last thing she said before the door shut behind her with a final-sounding slam.

As The Countess sat in silence, she had time to mull over her racing thoughts. Who knew Sally actually had words of wisdom to spare? She absentmindedly fidgeted with one of her rings before reaching for her abandoned cigarettes.

Against all odds, a small smile crossed her lips. Maybe the eccentric ghost was right– showing some of her true colors wouldn’t kill her. After all, she had a wonderful companion to help her start doing just that.

She’d lived a long, eventful life, but perhaps she still had an opportunity to turn a new leaf.

Chapter Text

The Hotel Cortez.

When you’d seen the name of the hotel online a few months ago, you’d never expected everything that had happened.

You’d been planning to visit California since one of your closest friends lived there, and the hotel seemed affordable and high quality. However, everything had gone wrong when you were heading back to your room one night after getting wasted at the bar. A gorgeous, ethereal woman, who you now knew was referred to as The Countess, had suddenly appeared at the end of the corridor. You had thought she was just another guest passing by, but that illusion was shattered when she slit your throat.

So, there you were, sitting at the bar again. Only this time, you were a ghost stuck in this hellish hotel.

Liz, the bartender, walked by and refilled your drink. You smiled at her and asked, “Have you seen Sally? I thought she’d be at the bar by now.” You felt your heart sink when Liz merely shook her head and walked away to tend to another customer.

Sally– the one source of light within your dismal existence at the Hotel Cortez. You’d been miserable since The Countess had killed you; you missed your family, your friends, and even the most simple aspects of being alive. Food had no meaning anymore, and things you used to do for entertainment were slowly losing their appeal. You’d met Sally one night at the bar, trying to drown your sorrows in alcohol that would undoubtedly leave you as empty as anything else. Still, the addiction-riddled ghost had somehow made you laugh with her dry humor and witty remarks. You’d bonded instantly, and being with her made your dreary existence surprisingly bearable.

You left a tip for Liz and then made your way to the elevator. When it reached your designated floor, you hurriedly set off down the long, dim corridor ahead of you. A familiar-looking door came into sight, and you began to knock on it as soon as you reached it.

It took a few moments, but the door eventually creaked open. “Wha– Oh, you,” Sally’s raspy voice said, and you couldn’t stop a smile from spreading across your face at the mere sight of her. Her appearance might be described as eccentric by anyone else, but you loved it nonetheless. Your elation only grew when she smiled back at you.

“Hey, Sal,” you greeted her cheerfully, entering her room when she opened the door. “I thought you’d be at the bar. I was there for a bit hanging out with Liz. It would’ve been more fun if you’d been there, though.”

Sally sighed as she flopped down on her bed, laying on her back. “Well, I was…” She raised her hand to gesture to the various drugs strewn throughout the room. “And before you chastise me,” she continued, as if she could sense that your mouth had already opened to scold her, “I’m dead. And so are you. Drugs won’t do shit to our health, so it’s whatever.” For emphasis, she pulled out a cigarette and took a long, laborious drag from it.

“Still,” you began, worry evident in your voice. “I don’t think it’s good for you, either. If you’re bored and just wanna have some fun, maybe, but doing them so much can’t be healthy, even for a ghost.” You frowned and watched as she continued to nurse her cigarette. “C’mon, Sally.”

At that, the ghost sat up and stared at you, her eyes damp with tears. “S-Sorry,” she murmured, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand. She put out her cigarette on a nearby ashtray and took a deep breath. Her gaze lingered on the floor, and she remained silent.

You quickly crossed the room and sat down on the bed next to her. “Hey, what’s wrong?” you asked, rubbing a soothing hand across her back, pulling her close. Even though she cried more often than not, you’d never abandon her when she needed you. “We’re in this together, remember? You can tell me anything.”

Sally sniffled, still avoiding your gaze. “I…” She paused, appearing to be at a loss for words. “I don’t know. It’s just that, after all the years I’ve been stuck in this hellhole…” At last, she looked up at you, her eyes full of tears. But it wasn’t a frown you saw upon her face– it was a smile. “No one has ever comforted me or been there for me like you have. I guess what I’m trying to say is… I’m grateful. Grateful as shit .” She laughed and wiped away the tears that had begun to slide down her cheeks.

You frowned, tears of your own beginning to form. “Sally…” Before you could stop yourself, you wrapped your arms around her. “I-I…” You hesitated, wondering if you should say the words that had been on the tip of your tongue; they’d come along so naturally. When the ghost returned your embrace, though, you knew you had to get them off your chest.

“I love you, Sally.”

Her body froze within your arms. She instantly pulled away to look at you. “What did you say?” Her words came out in a breathless whisper, as if she couldn’t believe her ears.

You smiled at her, tears blurring your vision. “I said I love you.”

Instantly, even more tears began to slide down Sally’s cheeks. Her lip quivered as she stared at you, her expression unreadable. “You… You really mean that?”

“Yes. Every word.” You paused and raised a hand to caress her cheek, wiping away some of her tears. “I think I’ve always loved you, Sally.”

A beat of silence passed.

And then, before you knew what was happening, Sally crushed her lips against yours in a kiss that left you breathless. You hadn’t been expecting it, but you returned it as if you’d been waiting for this your whole life. Her hands tangled in your hair, and you wrapped your arms around her to pull her even closer.

Eventually, she pulled away, her hands leaving your hair to frame your face. “No one has ever told me that and really meant it,” she said breathlessly, voice full of emotion. “But I know you do. And…” She shook her head, eyes still full of tears. “I love you too. So fucking much.”

You spent the rest of the evening in Sally’s arms.

Chapter Text

The lilting tone of Misty’s voice reverberated throughout the room.

Cordelia was laying on her chest, both of them in bed and preparing to fall asleep. It was then that Misty began to sing. The Supreme had looked up at her with a huge smile, which only encouraged the swamp witch to continue.

As she kept singing, Cordelia closed her eyes and let Misty’s comforting voice fill every part of her. It was a Stevie Nicks song– as Misty continued, Cordelia recognized the melody of Kind of Woman . Her heart swelled at the memories the song conjured up. Misty had played it on the greenhouse’s radio while they gardened; it was one of the oldest memories she had with the younger woman.

Misty reached the chorus of the song, which, in turn, relaxed Cordelia beyond measure. The voice of the woman she loved, combined with the warmth of being wrapped in her arms, gave her all the comfort in the world. It wasn’t too long before she could feel sleep gathering in the corners of her mind.

Before unconsciousness claimed her, though, the Supreme had one last thing to say.

“I love you, Misty.”

And with that, she fell asleep.

Chapter Text

A brisk wind rustled the trees on either side of Mary Eunice. But it wasn’t the chill that sent a shiver down her spine.

Ahead of her loomed the towering form of Briarcliff Manor– a place full of so many horrors, it was almost unimaginable. That is, to anyone that hadn’t experienced it firsthand like herself.

It had been an eventful few months, to say the least. She’d never expected to get possessed by the devil, let alone survive to tell the tale. Thankfully, the last-minute exorcism Lana had got the church to perform on her ended up being successful.

Lana Winters– the woman she owed her entire life to. The brunette stood next to her, squeezing her hand with a reassuring smile. Mary honestly didn’t know what she’d have done without the ambitious woman at her side. Yes, she helped organize the exorcism, but she’d done so much more.

Once Mary was free from the devilish spirit’s grip, she had immediately wanted to leave Briarcliff. As someone who’d also been trapped there against her will, Lana understood. She’d taken the blonde to her apartment and vowed to personally help her through everything she had yet to process.

The things the devil had made her do… They were too horrendous to even think about. They filled Mary’s nightmares, thoughts, and every part of her being. She couldn’t believe what she’d done to so many innocent people, and the thought kept her up at night more often than not. Still, she had to push forward. Lana had given her a second chance at life, and she wasn’t going to ruin it by being her usual cowardly self. She had to find the courage somewhere within her.

Staying with Lana in her apartment had made the Briarcliff detox much easier. Mary loved that she wasn’t alone, and that her companion actually shared a good bit of her experiences. They bonded surprisingly quickly, and, whenever Mary tried to apologize for all the things she’d done and said to Lana, the journalist shut her down every time. It wasn’t her fault, she’d say. She’d been possessed and out of control. While Mary knew she was right, she still couldn’t diminish those horrid memories that looked so much like her own.

Weeks later, something completely unexpected found its way into Mary’s life: love. She hadn’t noticed at first, but she’d slowly fallen in love with Lana in spite of everything. The realization had come to her one evening while they ate dinner together at the apartment. The light from the fixture above the table had been shining at just the right angle, making Lana appear almost angelic. Mary remembered getting lost in those beautiful brown eyes, and when she’d snapped out of whatever trance she’d been in, she finally drew the conclusion that she’d been trying so hard to avoid. In reality, she’d probably known the whole time that she’d been in love with Lana. Still, with her upbringing and the teachings of the church, every bone in her body had been holding her back. She wasn’t a nun anymore; she knew she could never reclaim her position without constantly thinking of the horrors she had committed at Briarcliff. But she still believed in God, so it was difficult to sort out the feelings she had towards the woman who had captured her heart.

One night after Lana had gone off to sleep, Mary returned to her own room and picked up her Bible. She opened the book and tried to concentrate. No matter how hard she stared, the pages remained blurred, rendering the words indecipherable. With a groan, she pressed her palms to her eyes. She just needed something, anything , to ease the restless turmoil growing inside her. Mary felt like she’d explode if she couldn’t get rid of the nerves gnawing at her day after day.

And then, despite how her vision had been swimming only moments ago, a passage stood out on the page with shocking clarity. It was like a glasses lens had been placed over that one particular section. Eyes wide with wonder, Mary quickly leaned down to examine the excerpt.

She finished reading it, and her heart gave an involuntary squeeze.

The passage had been exactly what she’d needed. It said, more or less, that God loved everyone, no matter their sins. Mary, a devout believer, had known this, of course; being reminded of it so explicitly was something different altogether. And the way the section had stood out? It had to have been a sign of some kind, and, in a way, it proved something that she already knew. Growing up, Mary had always known she wasn’t like the believers around her. She grimaced as she remembered all the hypocritical Christians who would parade around, speaking horrors against homosexuals and people of different races. How could they do that when the Bible clearly stated how love should be shown to everyone, no matter who they were?

She sighed and pushed those memories to the back of her mind– Mary could think about that later. However, a huge smile was slowly forming upon her face. As she placed her Bible on the table next to her bed, she turned the lamp off and dove under the covers. She was nervous, of course, but maybe, just maybe, something wonderful was about to happen between her and Lana.

That was the first night she’d slept without nightmares since leaving Briarcliff.

The following week had felt like a dream. Mary, grateful to be alive and free, decided to simply tell Lana how she felt. Hoping the other woman couldn’t sense her anxiety, Mary asked to speak to her after dinner one night. By the end of that conversation, both of them had been a sobbing mess, hugging each other and trying to whisper reassuring words. Lana had admitted that she felt the exact same way, though, which Mary was more than glad to learn. Their friendship had quickly turned into a compassionate relationship that benefited both of them.

A month had passed since that dreamlike week. And so, now they stood at the foot of the hill that led up to Briarcliff Manor, hands entwined.

It had all started a few days ago when Mary, late one night, had confessed that she wanted to get over her fear of Briarcliff. While it was unlikely that either of them would ever be able to go back inside, Mary felt that she should at least be able to tolerate the sight of it. She wanted to purge herself of any remaining traumas. The first step, she’d said, was to get over her fear of the place itself. A big building on a hill was harmless, after all.

So, Lana had freed up some time in her busy schedule to help her girlfriend. They held each other’s hands tightly– no one was around to see them. Mary wasn’t sure if that would have mattered, though. They weren’t secretive about their relationship, but they weren’t open about it, either. Still, Mary pushed all other thoughts out of her mind. She needed to focus on the task at hand, which would undoubtedly help her return to a normal life.

“You okay?” Lana’s comforting voice asked from next to her.

Mary, gaze still on the manor up ahead, nodded. “I’m fine.”

And, as a confident smile spread across her face, she realized the words were true.

She was okay. And she knew that as long as she had Lana by her side, she always would be.

Chapter Text

The bedroom door suddenly opened. You’d been dozing off for the past few hours, but now you were wide awake.

You sat up in bed and watched as Wilhemina entered the room. She looked exhausted, and her cane hit the floor rhythmically while she crossed the open space.

Her gaze met yours when she made it to the bed. “Go back to sleep,” she said with a laborious sigh, propping her cane up next to the wall. “I didn’t mean to wake you.”

“No, it’s alright,” you quickly replied. “I was waiting for you to get back.” A worried expression then crossed your face. “I didn’t think you’d have to stay that late, Mina. Shit, what time is it? Almost midnight?”

She nodded grimly. “Those idiots at work couldn’t run a business if they tried. I had to redo a whole stack of paperwork for them before I left.”

“I’m sorry,” you whispered with a sympathetic grimace. Sitting up further, you moved closer to her and wrapped your arms around her in a tight embrace.

A low chuckle escaped her lips. “Don’t worry about me, darling– I’ll be fine. How was your day?”

You began to tell Wilhemina about what had happened at your own workplace while she showered and changed into her nightclothes. Eventually, she returned to bed and made her way under the covers with you. You let out a sigh of contentment when you were finally able to wrap your arms around her again. A smile appeared on her face, and she let out a soft hum of approval as you settled your head on her shoulder.

The two of you had been laying there in silence when a sudden thought came to you. “Hey, Mina?” You were quiet as you watched the older woman’s gaze travel to your face.

“Yes?”

“Did you plan for any of this to happen?” you asked, gesturing with your hand to the pair of you.

You couldn’t help a small grin from forming upon your lips as you voiced the question, though. You weren’t sure why you’d felt the urge to ask it; you and Wilhemina had been dating for almost half a year, so perhaps you were just curious. After all, your relationship hadn’t been traditional in the slightest. The two of you had met while you were partaking in a college internship at Kineros Robotics. At the hasty suggestion of the redhead, who had been your boss, you’d transferred once your internship was complete. She had vehemently steered you away from ever having to work with Jeff and Mutt, which, you supposed, was for the best. You enjoyed having separate work lives for a variety of reasons. For instance, it gave you more to talk about with her.

A brief silence passed while Wilhemina contemplated her answer. Her eyes became thoughtful, and you wondered if she’d even respond when she finally spoke again. “I can’t say I did.” She turned to you with a smile. “I knew you were something special when I first met you. But I never would have expected this.” Wilhemina raised a hand to tuck a strand of hair behind your ear. “Either way, I’m beyond grateful for what we have. You make me feel like the luckiest woman in the world.”

The way her whole face lit up, so contrary to its usual scowl, made your heart soar. “I feel the exact same way,” you said earnestly, grinning. You leaned forward and pressed your lips to hers in a quick, gentle kiss. “I love you, Mina. And thank you for always being there for me.”

“I love you, too.” Running a hand through your hair, she added, “And thank you. You do the same for me.”

Those words were the last thing either of you said before you drifted off to sleep. Another long day of work likely lay ahead, but you knew both of you would be fine. You had each other, after all.

Chapter Text

The loud crack echoed throughout the dim corridor.

Coco instantly turned around.

Moments earlier, she had been walking down the outpost’s hallway with Mallory, who was carrying a stack of spare clothing to the blonde’s room. Nothing out of the ordinary had happened. Well, other than the apocalypse that had wiped out most of the world’s population, but that was a given.

They rounded a corner, and the formidable Wilhemina Venable came into sight. She was headed toward them from farther down the corridor, not paying any particular attention to either of them. As usual, she was all business, her cane clacking against the hardwood floor. While Coco would never admit to being afraid of anything, per se, the redhead did unnerve her. She veered toward the wall to avoid brushing against Ms. Venable.

Mallory, however, didn’t receive the message.

Coco didn’t see exactly what happened, but it didn’t take a genius to figure it out. She hadn’t realized anything was wrong as she’d continued walking, but a sudden bump made her pause.

It was quickly followed by a sharp intake of breath– Venable. “Get out of my way.” The words were low, barely audible, and, most of all, threatening .

“I-I’m sorry,” came Mallory’s softer voice. “I didn’t mean to–”

Venable didn’t let her finish. “You’re pathetic.”

Before Coco knew what was happening, that loud crack reverberated throughout the corridor. At that, she finally turned around.

The clothes Mallory had been carrying lay scattered on the floor. Among them crouched the girl in question. Mallory was hunched on her knees, clutching her chest as if she’d had the breath knocked out of her. In fact, that’s probably what had happened; Venable was standing beside her, not bothering to hide the sadistic smirk spreading across her lips. Her hand flexed around her cane as if it was a weapon.

Then, inexplicably, a wave of pure anger washed over Coco’s entire body. It caught her off guard– she staggered backward a few paces. She wasn’t sure why she was so furious, but Mallory getting injured had definitely caused the strange outburst of emotion. How dare that pretentious bitch hurt Mallory, who would never even think of harming anyone? Coco had never had the best relationship with her assistant, but this kind of protectiveness toward her was a new feeling altogether. It was like the sudden urge to protect her had been… artificially planted in her at that very moment.

Still, she didn’t have any time to spare. The blonde walked up to Venable, feeling her features warp into an expression of fury. “Don’t you fucking touch her,” she snarled, standing between the redhead and her assistant. Coco reached out and shoved Venable as hard as she could. The taller woman’s back hit the wall, and Coco felt no small amount of satisfaction when she gasped for breath.

Clutching her stomach, Venable staggered forward. “You’ll regret ever touching me,” she whispered, her face eerily smug. Coco instantly regretted what she’d done. She’d knocked the breath out of her superior, for fuck’s sake. Backing away nervously, she winced when her back brushed against the wall. There was nowhere to run.

The hallway was completely silent except for Coco’s panicked breaths and Venable’s labored ones. No one was there to rescue her. Well, this is how I die , she thought bitterly.

And then, to both Coco and Venable’s surprise, a voice shattered the silence. “Venable!” Ms. Mead’s voice called from the other side of the outpost. Whatever it was, it sounded urgent.

Venable’s satisfied expression instantly turned into a scowl. “Oh, how lucky you are,” she hissed, straightening up and readjusting her cane. “Don’t think I won’t punish you because of this temporary reprieve. Watch your back, Ms. Vanderbilt.” And, with that, she hobbled off down the corridor.

Coco watched her until she was out of sight. Then, she sagged against the wall and took a deep breath. “I thought we were fucking dead,” she whispered to Mallory, who was still on the floor.

The petite brunette’s eyes were wide with shock. “M-Me too,” she mumbled, shaking her head as if to clear it. She hastily began to pick up the clothes that had fallen on the floor. “I… I can’t believe you stood up for me like that,” Mallory said after a beat of silence. She didn’t meet the blonde’s eyes, instead keeping her gaze on the clothes as she folded them back up.

“I can’t, either,” Coco replied with a shocked laugh. She watched Mallory shake her head and smile. She reached for a garment that was particularly far away and winced at the movement. “Hey, are you okay?” Coco asked, that strange urge to protect Mallory returning in full force. “Where did she hit you?”

“I’ll be fine, really. It wasn’t that bad,” Mallory said, continuing to gather the scattered clothes.

Coco raised a perfectly groomed brow. “I’ll believe it when I see it.” Stepping forward a few paces, she now stood directly above her assistant. She crossed her arms and stared down at the younger girl. “Come on. Show me.”

Mallory ignored her for a moment, but when she realized Coco wasn’t going anywhere, she sighed. Reluctantly, she stood up and began to untuck her gray blouse from her skirt.

When Mallory raised the material to reveal her bare torso, Coco couldn’t stop a gasp from slipping past her lips. “ Shit , Mallory.” A sizable, quickly-forming bruise covered most of her stomach.

“I know,” Mallory replied glumly. She glanced at the floor and frowned. “I knew it would be bad. I didn’t want to show you because you’d be angry that it’d impede my work until it healed.”

Coco huffed indignantly. “Oh, don’t be ridiculous.” While Mallory’s worries were far from ridiculous– Coco would’ve reacted exactly as she’d said any given day –that mysterious instinct to care for her assistant was still urging her on. “Come on, let’s go to the infirmary. You need something for the pain, at least.”

Mallory stared at her with wide, disbelieving eyes.

“Oh, come on ,” Coco said, reaching out and practically pushing the brunette down the hall.

“What about the clothes?” Mallory asked innocently.

“ Fuck the clothes! ”

An hour later, the two of them had returned to Coco’s room. Mallory was sitting on the bed folding clothes. Coco, meanwhile, was sitting at her vanity, absentmindedly adjusting her hair and makeup.

While in the infirmary, they’d gotten some pain-relieving ointment for Mallory’s bruise. The first day they’d arrived at the outpost, they’d been told to use the medical supplies sparingly– it was an apocalypse, there wasn’t much left, and whatever Venable and her cronies usually said. Either way, that hadn’t stopped Coco from absolutely slathering Mallory’s stomach with it. The blonde had rubbed it in forcefully, much to Mallory’s bewildered and slightly amused dismay– “ Coco! Stop, you’re gonna get us in even more trouble! ” –before making a hasty escape, picking up the clothes on their way back. Coco knew Venable would suspect them either way, but it didn’t matter. It had been more than a little fun to hurry down the maze of corridors with Mallory, giggling and looking behind them like they were being pursued.

“Hey, Coco?”

Mallory’s sudden question snapped Coco out of her thoughts. “Yeah?”

The brunette remained silent for a moment before she spoke again. “Why’d you look out for me today? I’m thankful, don’t get me wrong, but… you acted so different.”

“To tell you the truth,” Coco said with a laugh, “I’m not sure myself.” She thoughtfully stared at herself in the mirror, grinning slightly. “Maybe it was whatever conscience I have left. You know– It’s the end of the world, better be a good person so you won’t burn in hell . I dunno. Or…” Her grin grew wider. “Maybe it’s because I realized how awesome you really are. I know I give you a hard time, but you’re crazy helpful. My nails looked fucking amazing last week, y’know?”

Mallory’s genuine, heartwarming laugh lifted Coco’s spirits even more. After that, they sat in companionable silence, Coco still at her vanity and Mallory continuing to tend to the garments. Eventually, they heard Venable calling them for dinner. Mallory sighed and placed the folded clothes inside the wardrobe while Coco put away her hairbrush and makeup.

They reconvened in the doorway, beginning the surprisingly long walk around the balconies in the center of the outpost. Coco turned to Mallory with a smile as they reached the first set of stairs.

“Just because I was nice to you today doesn’t mean you can slack off on my hair tomorrow. Keep up the good work and we won’t have any problems, ‘kay?”

Despite her stern words, a hint of laughter crept into her tone. Mallory must have noticed it, because her only response was a quiet giggle.

That dinner was one of the most enjoyable they’d had in ages. Maybe life in Outpost 3 was about to take a turn for the better.

Coco had no idea. After all, those strange urges to protect and love Mallory were much more… magical than she’d ever know.

Chapter Text

“I still don’t see why we gotta come out here.”

Fiona chuckled at Marie’s disgruntled tone. “C’mon now. I think it might be fun.”

The unlikely pair had been tasked with retrieving some pumpkins for the academy. Halloween wasn’t too far off; the coven wanted to celebrate. And so, begrudgingly, Fiona and Marie had agreed to collect the pumpkins after Cordelia– the organizer of the festivities –had assigned them the task.

The sky was gray and bleak above the two women as they walked through the barren pumpkin patch. It was one of the best in New Orleans, Cordelia had assured them, but since it was only the beginning of October, it was practically abandoned. This was a good thing for the witches, though, because there was no shortage of suitable pumpkins. Fiona spotted a cluster of particularly vibrant ones and walked toward them. The dry grass crunched under her heels, the only sound in the silent clearing.

“These are nice, don’t ya think?” Fiona said, picking up one of the pumpkins and turning it over in her hands. She looked at Marie and shook her head in amusement. Her companion had a grimace upon her face that was lacking any excitement whatsoever. “Don’t be so glum,” Fiona chided, her voice full of laughter regardless.

Marie scrunched her nose up in distaste. “I’m not glum ,” she retorted. “I just think this is pretty damn pointless. Grab a few of those ugly things ‘n let’s get outta here.” She didn’t give the pumpkins another glance before she began to walk in the direction they’d come from.

Sighing, Fiona lifted up one more pumpkin and followed Marie. She’d hoped the older woman would’ve been a little more enthusiastic, but she supposed she’d been an idiot to expect that sort of thing from her. Besides, Fiona was shocked at herself for being so open to the festivities Cordelia had insisted upon.

It wasn’t long before Fiona and Marie arrived back at the academy. The drive back had been mostly silent– Fiona’s few attempts at small talk had gone largely unrequited, to her disappointment. Marie was, apparently, in an even more foul mood than usual. The blonde had thought they’d sparked some sort of friendship in recent months, but she was acting like she did back when they were enemies. Maybe her coffee hadn’t agreed with her that morning. At the thought of the Marie Laveau having such a simple problem, Fiona nearly laughed out loud as she climbed out of the passenger seat.

Miss Robichaux’s now loomed before them. They walked up the front steps in the same silence that had hovered over them the entire afternoon, oddly enough.

Fiona, carrying the pumpkins, shouldered the front door open and found herself in the entrance hall. It was empty, but she could hear the faint sounds of conversation coming from the living room. She set the pumpkins down with a huff near the front door– those things were much heavier than she remembered.

“We’re back,” Fiona said exuberantly as she strolled into the living room. The other witches looked up at her entrance: Cordelia, Zoe, Madison, Misty, Queenie, and Nan were all sitting on the couches and organizing what looked to be Halloween decorations. Bats, cobwebs, and skeleton decorations had been placed on the coffee table in the middle of the room.

Cordelia stood up and smiled. “Fiona,” she greeted the Supreme, her voice oddly warm. As much as she hated it, Fiona had come to expect her daughter’s tone to be full of bitterness when addressing her. She was glad they’d begun to make amends over the recent months– it was all worth it when she got to see her Delia smile at her like that.

Footsteps from the entrance hall caught everyone’s attention. Marie suddenly appeared in the living room doorway. “Y’all need anything else?” she asked, her expressive voice oddly toneless. “If not, I’ll be upstairs. Have fun doin’ whatever this is.” She gestured at the table piled with decorations. And, with that, she turned around and disappeared up the stairs.

“What’s up with her?” Madison asked snidely, naughtily arranging two skeleton decorations. At a sharp glare from Zoe, she rolled her eyes and pulled them apart.

Fiona shrugged. “Who knows. She’s been actin’ weird all day.”

“Maybe she just doesn’t like pumpkins,” Misty chimed in, tilting her head to the side. “I don’t see why she wouldn’t, though. They’re nice decorations and when they’re cooked right they’re delicious .”

Queenie didn’t even try to conceal her chuckle. “Or maybe she just really hates you, Fiona.” Her words were instantly followed by a quiet snicker from Nan.

“ Girls .” Cordelia’s stern warning quickly made the younger witches fall silent. Addressing everyone in the room, she added, “I don’t know what’s wrong with Marie, but as long as she isn’t planning anything that could harm us, it’s none of our business. Just don’t provoke her. The last thing we need is a fight breaking out.”

At that, the room dissolved into an assortment of conversations. The witches all went back to sorting out the decorations on the table, and Fiona turned on her heel to head upstairs. Maybe they were content to leave Marie to her own devices, but she was too curious to let her strange behavior go unchecked.

Fiona knocked on Marie’s door. For a moment, there was no answer, but eventually a faint voice said, “Come in.”

Marie was lounging on her bed, and she raised her eyebrows when Fiona entered the room. “Wasn’t expectin’ you. Thought your daughter was gonna come in here and start askin’ me a million questions.”

Fiona laughed. “Nah, Delia knows better. She could tell something was off and didn’t wanna bother you.” She walked further into the room and closed the door behind her. Finding a spare chair, she sat down and pulled it up next to Marie’s bed. “Me, on the other hand…” Fiona sat down and crossed her legs. “I wanna know what’s wrong with you.”

Unsurprisingly, an exasperated sigh and eye roll followed these comments. “Oh, whatever,” Marie huffed, crossing her arms and turning away from her. “You just nosy. Don’t act like you concerned about me now.”

“And what if I was?”

Marie instantly turned back to look at Fiona. The words had apparently surprised them both; Fiona saw her own wide eyes mirrored by Marie’s shocked expression. Fiona quickly regained her composure, but she still wondered why she’d so suddenly spit out those strange words. She’d barely thought of them, and there they were, hanging in the air like the oppressive clouds outside. The only explanation she could think of was… She nearly chuckled out loud at the implication. Had she actually grown to care about Marie? Sure, they’d bonded and become friends, but how much did that bond really mean?

Fiona didn’t have any more time to ponder the matter when Marie cleared her throat and blinked a few times. “Well, I got nothin’ to lose. You’re the one I trust most around here anyway, ya know.”

The blonde felt her eyebrows rise in shock, but she didn’t have a chance to make a comment on that matter before Marie began to speak again.

“I know I been in a bad mood all day. None of y’all did anything. If you were worried I was gonna start somethin’– I’m not. It has to do with this damn holiday that’s right around the corner. Well, I guess I shouldn’t call it that. Maybe if my life had been different, I coulda enjoyed Halloween like all the rest of y’all. But…” She paused, and her gaze became thoughtful. “You really wanna know why I can’t stand this time ‘o year? ‘Cause every time I see a pumpkin, or a lil cobweb decoration, I think of a Halloween of the past. I know it’s stupid but I can’t help it.” Marie shuddered and stared Fiona right in the eye. “The witch hunters. Well, ‘o course they weren’t called that back then. They were just old white men who thought they could get away with shit– which they could, fuck ‘em. Anyway, me ‘n my people? We have never been witches. But we burned with ‘em.” A hollow, heartbroken look had appeared in her eyes. “One day, Halloween, they took two ‘o my best friends outta their own home. Called us all to make us watch as they burned ‘em at the stake.” To Fiona’s surprise, tears had started to roll down Marie’s cheeks. “They hadn’t even done nothin’. Just meaningless suspicion some racist bastard had probably thrown around.”

Fiona, in spite of everything, felt her heart ache for the woman before her. It was absolutely terrible what they had done. “I’m sorry about your friends,” she said, shocked at the sincerity she heard in her voice. “And you have every reason to, y’know, not like Halloween as much as we do. Or at all. I love Delia but I can make her leave you alone in regards to the festivities.”

Marie smiled and shook her head, raising a hand to wipe away her tears. “Nah, don’ worry about that. I been tryna get over myself for a while, because this memory has stayed with me for… what? Centuries?” Meeting Fiona’s gaze, she said, “Maybe I can start to love Halloween again with your help.”

“Me?” Fiona laughed. “I don’t know what I can do to help you, hon, but I guess I’ll do my best.”

“You better.” Marie chuckled as well and turned to look out the window adjacent to her bed. “Y’know, how did we go from pickin’ pumpkins to such a deep conversation?”

“Because you decided to tell me stuff.”

“Oh, shut up.”

Chapter Text

You would never forget the way Mary looked that day.

Walking down the sidewalk, the setting sun enveloped her in an angelic glow. She’d turned around to tell you something, but you’d been so distracted by her beauty that you’d not understood a word she said. Her golden hair fanned out behind her in the wind. The dress she wore was an ice blue that perfectly matched her eyes, and it flowed elegantly around her waist like it had been tailored just for her.

She stopped walking and stared at you. The grin that had been stretched wide upon her lips hadn’t budged, but her expression had become slightly curious. “Everything alright?” she asked, and you made sure to pay attention to her words this time. You mentally scolded yourself for getting so distracted. Still, you felt a faint blush form on your cheeks.

“Yeah, I’m fine,” you quickly replied, and the two of you kept walking. You noticed her grin grow even wider, though, and you could’ve sworn she’d had to fight to suppress her laughter.

She fell back to match your pace, glancing around to make sure no one was in sight. It was late in the evening; the both of you were returning from a nice excursion at the park, and all the other townspeople had already headed home. You met her gaze and could immediately tell what she’d been thinking. So, without a second thought, you grabbed her hand and interlaced her fingers with your own.

Mary’s face instantly took on a bright, breathtaking smile– an expression of hers you could never get enough of. The way it always lit up every part of her face never failed to make your heart soar. You pressed closer against her, causing your shoulders to brush every other step.

Before long, the house you shared came into sight. The two of you lived under the guise of roommates and close friends, but that couldn’t have been farther from the truth. You were both happy, though; as long as that fact remained, you wouldn’t have it any other way.

Still holding hands with your girlfriend, you began the short walk up to the porch and made your way inside. Closing and locking the door behind you, you made sure your curtains were drawn shut before wrapping your arms around Mary’s waist and pulling her close. She giggled at the sudden motion. Smiling, you felt your cheeks heat up while she ran her hands through your hair.

You leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss to her lips. “I love you, Mary,” you whispered, still only an inch away from her face. The pure love in her beautiful blue gaze made your heart melt.

“I love you, too.”

She closed the gap between you and your lips met in another kiss, this one even more passionate. As you pulled Mary even closer, you knew this day would live in your memories for a long time to come.

Chapter Text

“Come on, Madison!”

Zoe glanced behind her to see her girlfriend meandering near the apple orchard’s entrance. The brunette frowned, turning back to grab Madison’s hand.

“Come on ,” Zoe whined. It had taken weeks of persuading just to get her here. She’d hoped that would be the hardest part, but apparently she was wrong. Madison stood underneath the wooden archway, arms crossed and lips tilted downward in her usual scowl.

A stark contrast to the troubles at hand, the day was beautiful; there wasn’t a cloud in sight, and the afternoon sunlight comfortably warmed the air. It was the beginning of fall, so Zoe had thought it would be perfect to visit an apple orchard and take some of the delicious fruit back to the coven. Madison– to no one’s surprise –didn’t share her enthusiasm.

“I don’t see why we have to do this,” the movie star retorted, still hugging her arms close to her chest. “It’s stupid. Let’s just buy apples at the store, for fuck’s sake.”

Zoe groaned. “Madison, that’s not the point. It’s fall, and people do this kind of thing all the time. Plus, it’s fun. And…” She glanced away, not knowing how Madison would react to her next words. “I just wanted to spend some time with you, alright?”

At this, Madison looked up. An unreadable emotion filled her eyes, and her scowl slowly faded away. “Well, you should’ve told me that,” she grumbled. Zoe could’ve sworn a hint of embarrassment lurked in her expression– that was definitely a first.

“So you’ll do it?”

“I guess. Just for you, though.”

Zoe let out a cheer at her girlfriend’s acquiescence. She grabbed Madison’s hand again, pulling her along as she hurried into the orchard. The overgrown grass noisily swished around their ankles, and Zoe’s carefree laughter filled the air. However, when she turned around to look at Madison, she nearly tripped.

A huge, jubilant grin was upon her face.

Madison immediately schooled her features into a neutral expression, but it was far too late for that. A shocked laugh escaped Zoe’s lips; surely she’d only imagined it. But… it had looked so real .

“I don’t know what you’re looking at,” Madison huffed, and, to Zoe’s surprise, she appeared flustered for the second time that day. She was such a softie deep down, and it warmed Zoe’s heart that she felt safe enough around her to show it, albeit reluctantly.

Zoe shook her head in amusement and started walking again. “See, I told you it would be fun,” she said as she walked up to a nearby tree. It towered over them, the shadow it cast in its wake cooling the air. A multitude of apples rested in its branches. Zoe eagerly noticed the bucket at the foot of the tree and climbed the ladder that had already been set out.

“Don’t fucking fall,” she heard Madison shout when she’d reached the top step. She smiled, taking extra care to keep her balance. Without any more hesitations, Zoe began to pick the apples and toss them down into the bucket waiting below. Each plunk as the apple landed in the container sent a wave of satisfaction washing over her.

Once she’d picked all the fruit within her reach, she climbed down and rejoined Madison with a smile. “You wanna go next?” Zoe asked, positioning the bucket, now notably heavier, and the ladder by an adjacent tree.

Madison warily stared at the objects in front of her and shrugged. “I mean… If you want me to.” At Zoe’s enthusiastic nod, Madison sighed and began to carefully climb up the ladder. She tripped at one point and let out a high-pitched squeal. After making sure she was alright, Zoe couldn’t help but break into a fit of laughter, which resulted in a shrill “ Shut up! ”

After a while, Madison had picked even more apples than Zoe. The brunette took a few steps forward to examine the bucket, eyes widening when she noticed it was almost entirely full. Madison began to climb down the ladder only a few moments later.

“You did great,” Zoe said, smiling and reaching forward to place an encouraging hand on her girlfriend’s shoulder.

Madison turned away, but not before Zoe caught a glimpse of her proud grin. “Thanks.” She made her way over to the bucket and picked up an apple. Turning it over in her hands, she asked, “Do you think the others will like these? I mean, Cordelia can make some pies, right?”

Zoe laughed. “Yeah, I’m sure we’ll all be able to make some great food with them. Hey, why don’t we bake a pie or some fritters together?”

The movie star gave her an apprehensive look.

“Oh, come on. This was fun, wasn’t it?”

“...Yeah.”

The shy smile and faint blush on Madison’s face made Zoe’s heart skip a beat. Together, they lifted the bucket between them and headed out of the orchard, matching lovestruck grins upon their faces.

Chapter Text

“Hello?”

Billie Dean’s voice echoed throughout the Murder House’s foyer. Oddly enough, she received no answer from within the crowded home.

Constance had invited her over for lunch, and, since both of them shared an interest in the place, they’d decided to hold their gathering there. Besides, it was vacant at the moment. Their spare keys in check, Constance and Billie could come and go as they pleased.

Despite the house’s initial silence, as Billie stepped cautiously into the main hallway, she began to hear the familiar voices of the spirits. It was always such a wonder to her. From outside, it was a plain, 20th-century manor. Inside, meanwhile, was an entirely different story. As soon as she stepped beyond the threshold the ghosts’ voices came alive and practically reverberated off the walls. Of course, she was the only one who could hear them. It still fascinated her nonetheless– the only similar place she’d ever found was the Hotel Cortez, and even it didn’t hold a candle to the original Murder House.

However, amidst the commotion the ghosts were causing, Billie didn’t hear or see any sign of the woman she was looking for. She sighed. Constance was rather unpredictable, she supposed; maybe their plans to meet up had slipped her mind, or perhaps she was just busy. She wished that woman would’ve given her a call if that was the case, though.

The medium made her way into the kitchen and trailed her fingertips along the marble countertops. Constance wasn’t there, either, but Billie always enjoyed a stroll around the place. It was a beautiful house, really. The way the light illuminated the pristine kitchen made for a pleasant sight. Even so, most people, once aware of the home’s true nature, would turn away in disgust. Billie, on the other hand, found its otherworldly occupants fascinating; they gave the house character. She smiled as she turned around, left the kitchen, and continued to roam the hallways.

She had barely made it a few steps when an peculiar object caught her eye. Billie turned to the side and found herself in front of a small, decorative table with a stunning stained glass window above it. The only object upon its smooth wooden surface was a faded floral tablecloth. Billie had been about to take another step when a weak ray of sunlight hit the table, causing something to shimmer and reflect the light.

Billie had nearly missed it because it was nearly the same shade as the pale tablecloth. It was a ring that had caught her eye– and a very old one. Its silver band was engraved with a complex pattern, and a medium-sized diamond was set in the center. She picked it up and turned it over in her hands. It was cool to the touch, the large gemstone against her skin nearly sending a shiver down her spine. It was the middle of summer… The ring didn’t seem to be dusty, either. Why was it so cold?

The answer soon became clear to Billie when she sensed a ghostly presence. It seemed to be right behind her, and, when she turned around, she couldn’t stop her eyes from widening in awe.

The spirit was none other than Nora Montgomery, one of the original owners of the Murder House. She was as beautiful as ever: her wavy blonde hair and icy gaze were accentuated by the deep blue dress that cascaded majestically around her waist. Billie had only interacted with Ms. Montgomery a number of times, but each one had left a lasting impression on her. After all, the ghost in question was absolutely breathtaking, and her beauty never failed to leave Billie at a temporary loss for words. Combined with her fascinating past, she made for an entity that the medium never passed up an opportunity to speak with her. Even though her forgetfulness was cumbersome, she still enjoyed speaking to Nora.

Once she’d recovered, Billie cleared her throat and fixed her posture. “Hello, Ms. Montgomery,” she greeted the spirit in a conversational tone. Despite her usual confidence around all manners of spirits, this one woman’s demeanor and beauty made her more nervous than she was willing to admit.

Nora merely nodded in response and glanced down at the ring, which Billie had just noticed she was still holding. “That ring… It looks so familiar. Is it yours?” Her elegant, lightly accented voice never failed to make her heart skip a beat.

“Oh, no,” Billie quickly answered, turning to the table next to her. “I found it here. It could be anyone’s, really, knowing who lives around here.” She paused to shake her head in amusement, but her gaze lingered on Nora. She took in her sophisticated appearance for what felt like the hundredth time before a sudden thought came to her. “Is… Is this yours?” The ring would only look too at home upon one of the ghost’s pale, slender fingers.

The blonde tilted her head as she studied the object. “I… I’m not sure.” Her voice had been drained of all its previous confidence. She reached out her hand for the ring, and Billie didn’t hesitate in handing it over. Nora traced one dainty fingertip over the gemstone, piercing blue eyes unblinking as she thought.

At last, recognition dawned on her face. “Oh, yes, this is mine,” she said quickly, the words difficult to decipher in her haste. “It was my mother’s. She gave it to me when…” Nora paused as she struggled to remember. “Heavens, how long ago was it?”

To avoid further stress upon the ghost, Billie hurriedly interjected, “Don’t worry about that.” She tried to keep her tone casual. “But it was your mother’s, you said?”

“Hm…” Nora tilted her head curiously. To Billie’s relief, she didn’t press the matter any further. “Yes, it was my mother’s. A family heirloom of sorts. She gave it to me upon the eve of my eighteenth birthday, I do believe.” She glanced back down at the ring and, with a satisfied grin, slipped it on her ring finger with ease. It fit perfectly.

Billie stared at her with wide, admiring eyes. It was as if the beauty she already possessed had been magnified; the ring somehow tied the ghost’s appearance together in an enchanting, marvelous way. “It looks wonderful,” the medium breathed, that uncharacteristic anxiety returning once more.

Nora gave a rare smile that took Billie’s breath away. “Thank you.”

A beat of silence filled the air, during which Billie felt her cheeks heat up. She tried to play it off with a smile of her own and was about to speak again when another voice echoed throughout the house.

“Billie Dean! Apologies for being late!”

She instantly recognized Constance’s voice and sighed. The medium had wanted nothing more than to spend a few more moments with the intriguing ghost, but it seemed the universe had other plans for her. Billie turned around to bid her farewell and was instead met with the sight of an empty hallway.

Nora was gone.

Chapter Text

Misty yawned and turned over in her bed. She was about to let sleep claim her once more when she caught a glimpse of late morning sunlight from the windows.

Shit .

Sitting up so quickly it made her dizzy, the blonde’s gaze rapidly searched for the clock on her bedside table. It was almost noon. She groaned– she’d overslept. She supposed it was her own fault, though; she’d trusted herself to wake up at a reasonable time instead of simply setting an alarm. Still, that didn’t get rid of the fact that classes started in only a few minutes. The swamp witch reluctantly got out of bed and hurried to get ready in time.

Against all odds, Misty was able to complete her morning routine before noon. After dragging a brush haphazardly through her curly hair, she rushed down the main staircase and stopped in the dining room’s doorway. The other witches had already gathered at the table. However, that wasn’t what had caught her eye.

Amidst the elegant furniture and bright sunlight, Cordelia stood at the head of the table. The Supreme was lecturing her students, and the passion in her expression made Misty’s heart skip a beat. She always loved watching her girlfriend do what she loved– teaching the witches was no doubt one of them. The older woman’s eyes lit up as one of the girls demonstrated some type of magic. At the sight, Misty swooned and was grateful that a wall was next to her for support.

As she leaned against the doorframe, Misty completely lost track of time. Her heart beat frantically in her chest, and she was sure a blush had blossomed upon her cheeks. It wasn’t until Madison loudly cleared her throat that she was snapped out of her trance.

“Earth to swamp girl,” the movie star said haughtily. She glared at Misty, then sniffed and glanced down at the book in front of her.

Misty was about to offer a heated retort– she was actually quite embarrassed –when Cordelia began to speak. “Now, now, Madison,” she reprimanded gently. And, with a smile meant just for Misty, she added, “I’m glad you’re here– I planned a really fun lesson for today. We’re going outside in a bit, and I know you’ll enjoy it.”

At those words, Misty smiled and felt her heartbeat quicken once again. To steady her racing pulse, she took a deep breath and sat down in the chair closest to Cordelia. It was vacant, as usual; even Madison didn’t dare to take her seat.

The swamp witch glanced up at Cordelia as she came to stand beside her. An amused expression on her face, she murmured, “You should really start setting your alarm, you know.”

Misty simply laughed and took the Supreme’s hand in her own.

Chapter Text

Shelby had made a lot of mistakes in her life. But this was by far the worst one yet.

The blonde ran a hand through her hair as she hurried down the corridors of the Roanoke house. This damned house. Oh, if only she could go back and have the common sense not to buy it.

The large manor seemed charming at first– anyone would admit that. When she and Matt had first come to the press about their story, no one had believed them. Eventually, though, they had provided details that were simply too specific to ignore, and so began My Roanoke Nightmare . Shelby had thought it would be good to get her story out, to make people aware that such things really could happen. However, as much as she wished she hadn’t bought the Roanoke house, agreeing to produce that fucking show made her want to die.

It hadn’t seemed so bad at first. The script was well-written, she saw eye-to-eye with the director, and the overall production was going smoothly. The casting was where the downward spiral had started. Shelby repeatedly told them she looked nothing like Audrey Tindall, but the producers had insisted that the woman’s talent would overshadow any physical differences.

It didn’t.

Not for Shelby, anyway. Audrey was incredibly annoying and, while she was a decent actress, Shelby hated nearly every one of her performances. Perhaps it was because of personal biases, but it was excruciating to watch such a loathsome personality portray her.

The months passed in a blur. Shelby became famous, which was something she’d never expected. She went to fan events, panels, and even got interviewed by renowned news channels. Anyone would have thought her life was a dream, but that couldn’t have been further from the truth. While being overwhelmed at all times was horrid on its own, Audrey’s presence made it borderline unbearable. She overshadowed her at every panel. She spoke over her. She humiliated her. And, worst of all, the bitch won a fucking Saturn Award for it.

Once the public’s obsession with the show finally died down, Shelby had been beyond relieved. That chapter of her life had come to an end at last, and she was ready to move on. A sense of freedom had coursed through her veins at the mere thought of it. Unbeknownst to her, though, none of it would last long.

Return to Roanoke .

She could’ve strangled Sidney. There was no guarantee she still wouldn’t.

The bastard’s idea to make the cast and real life versions of the Roanoke group return to the house had ruined Shelby’s life. While yes, she could have refused, the opportunity to reconcile with Matt had been too tempting to ignore. It was also due to her ego, she supposed. Shelby was the original , for fuck’s sake. She knew the show would be a huge success, and she didn’t want Audrey to get all the recognition like she had the last time. When it came down to it, Shelby wanted the credit that she deserved. It was long overdue.

It appeared that both of those possibilities had been thrown out the window, though.

Shelby turned another corner in the hallway and found a small alcove in the wall underneath the main staircase. A cushioned bench was there, just like she remembered. This spot had become one of her favorite places during the terror she’d endured last year. It wasn’t particularly hidden, but the coziness of it brought her no small amount of comfort– and hell, did she need some of that.

Hugging her knees to her chest, she sat in the nook and took a deep breath. Reliving the past few minutes wouldn’t be easy. Still, she knew she’d have to unpack them eventually. She might as well get it out of the way.

After arriving at the Roanoke house, she’d sat in the living room with the rest of the group. She had still been optimistic about trying to fix her life, so she’d sat down on the couch across from Audrey. It was one of the rare times she’d willingly socialized with the actress and, predictably, she’d instantly regretted it. All the woman had done was mock her, making her feel even worse about herself. What was more, after she’d stormed out of the room, she’d talked with Matt, who had been practically irreconcilable.

Everything had fallen apart. She didn’t know what to do. Matt wanted nothing to do with her, and it seemed that Audrey would be the focus of the show once again. She’d returned to this place of nightmares for no reason.

At that sudden, devastating realization, tears began to form in Shelby’s eyes. She didn’t hold them back, letting out a pained sob as they rolled down her cheeks. She was glad she was alone; she wasn’t sure she’d have been able to control her emotions either way.

And then she remembered the cameras. Shelby groaned and let her head fall against her knees.

What the hell was she going to do?

Another sob shook her body, escaping her lips in a pathetic wail. Even more tears welled in her eyes and blurred her vision. She felt utterly hopeless.

A minute or two passed, during which she cried her heart out. However, her self-loathing was cut short. A sudden noise had made her blood run cold: footsteps.

Shelby raised her head so fast that dizziness left her reeling. Once she’d recovered, she went silent and listened. She hadn’t been imagining it– footsteps were making their way down the very corridor she’d come from.

Naturally, images of The Butcher and countless other horrors rushed through Shelby’s mind. She worried her bottom lip with her teeth and felt the telltale thump of her quickening heartbeat. It really had been a mistake coming back. She couldn’t believe she’d been so stupid.

The footsteps grew ever closer, and at last they rounded the corner. She scrunched up her face in fear, not wanting to know what terrifying creature had come to claim her soul.

A shock of short blonde hair greeted her. Audrey.

Shelby let out a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding, scolding herself for being so foolish. Of course it had been Audrey. If she’d paid attention, she would’ve heard the clacking of her overly extravagant heels against the hardwood floor.

“Shelby?” Audrey said, staring at her with a concerned expression.

Audrey? Concern? Shelby couldn’t help but let out a bitter laugh. “Don’t pretend to be worried about me,” she murmured, wiping tears off her cheek with the back of her hand.

The actress tilted her head in confusion. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she replied, taking a few steps toward her. “Of course I’m concerned. You disappear and then I find you crying in this…” Her gaze settled on the nook. “Oh, this darling little hideaway…”

Shelby rolled her eyes in disgust. “You really can’t go two seconds without thinking of yourself, can you?”

Audrey looked taken aback. “I beg your pardon? Can I not simply admire this place? It’s really quite adorable.” She took another step forward and touched the cushions.

“Please just leave me alone.” Shelby had closed her eyes to try and calm herself down. Her previous sorrow had fully transformed into anger at Audrey’s unwelcome presence.

Silence soon filled the air. At Audrey’s lack of a reply– which hardly ever happened –Shelby figured she’d somehow walked away without making a sound. Shit, she sure hoped that’s what had happened.

A starling dip in the cushions next to her instantly shattered that hope, though.

Shelby opened her eyes and saw Audrey sitting next to her, her face hardly an inch away from her own. The actress’s expression was, oddly enough, one of sorrow; her lips tilted downward and her brow furrowed.

“What?”

Audrey’s frown deepened. She glanced to the side and then did the last thing Shelby would have ever expected.

She hugged her.

Shelby felt her eyes widen in shock as the blonde’s arms tightly wrapped around her– too tight. Audrey held Shelby close to her chest and settled her head upon her own.

“I’m sorry,” the older woman breathed, sounding on the verge of tears herself. She took a deep breath to steady herself. In a clearer tone, she added, “I felt terrible for what I said to you, and I just wanted to apologize. Life has been so unfair to you, Shelby. I’m terribly sorry for making it worse. And you’re right. I am selfish. But seeing you so upset just now made me realize how horribly I had affected you.”

Shelby had to be imagining things. There was no way Audrey fucking Tindall was apologizing to her.

“I… Um…”

“There, there, darling,” Audrey said. She patted her back in a manner that was meant to be comforting, but it ended up being quite awkward.

Shelby pulled away from the tight embrace and met Audrey’s gaze. Her expression was surprisingly genuine; while she was an actress, Shelby felt like this wasn’t something she’d do for no reason.

So, against her better judgment, she believed her.

“Thanks, I guess,” Shelby remarked numbly. She was still in shock from Audrey’s sudden heartfelt apology. “That… means a lot?”

The words were meant to be earnest, but instead came out sounding like a question. Audrey only laughed and patted her on the shoulder. “Oh, it was nothing. I hope we can get along better now.”

Shelby sighed, an exasperated smile forming upon her lips. A smile was a smile, though. Audrey had actually evoked some kind of happiness within her, and right after she’d felt so hopeless. Perhaps the actress wasn’t so bad. After all, Shelby would need all the support she could get within this hellhole.

“I hope so, too.”

Chapter Text

Firelight flickered, illuminating the entire room. Misty sighed in contentment and snuggled closer to Cordelia’s side.

It had been a wonderful day. It was the weekend, so she and her girlfriend had gone all around town to spend some time together. From visiting a pumpkin patch to taking a stroll in the nearby woods, the pair had enjoyed every second of their outing. It had made for a perfect celebration of the autumn season.

Now, the sun had set, casting the living room in total darkness. Cordelia had turned all the lamps off to make the atmosphere even more cozy, and Misty was glad she did. The light emanating from the flames danced on every surface, warming the room at the same time.

A sudden movement from Cordelia caught Misty’s attention. The Supreme had lifted her hand to play with a strand of Misty’s curly hair. The swamp witch smiled, pulling her legs up onto the couch and fully leaning against the older woman.

“I had fun today,” Cordelia murmured, hand coming to rest on Misty’s cheek. Her thumb trailed across the soft skin there, caressing it gently.

Misty instantly felt a smile form upon her lips. “Me too.” She wrapped her arms even tighter around her girlfriend. Then, a thoughtful expression furrowed her brow. “All the other girls are still out, right?”

Cordelia smirked, giving her a knowing stare. “Yes, I believe they are.”

Without another word, Misty giggled and practically tackled Cordelia. It wasn’t long before the Supreme was laying underneath her, one of Misty’s arms on either side of her head. Their joint laughter filled the air, and loving smiles adorned both of their faces.

Misty then closed the distance between them, pressing her lips to Cordelia’s. The kiss was long, passionate, and left both of them gasping for breath when Misty finally pulled away.

The swamp witch found that they were both still grinning when she met Cordelia’s bright brown eyes. Misty couldn’t help but let out a soft chuckle. “How much time do you think we have?”

Cordelia’s smirk returned in full force.

“Enough.”

Chapter Text

“ Have fun, okay, honey? ”

Doris tried her best to smile, even though she knew Harry wouldn’t be able to see her from the other side of the phone. “I will. Good luck with your writing.” And with that, she hung up.

The blonde shifted her feet nervously on the gravel pathway. All around her, colorful booths and a variety of other activities littered the otherwise dreary landscape. The gray sky overhead would have made her worry about rain if it wasn’t like that every day in Provincetown.

A cheerful voice from beside Doris caught her attention. “You ready?”

She turned to find Ursula’s expectant face staring right at her. At a loss for words, Doris merely nodded and followed as the other woman began to walk confidently down the path. The space between them was filled only by the crunching of their shoes against the gravel.

Oh, why had she agreed to do this?

It had been so sudden, too. Harry had gotten one of his sporadic bursts of inspiration and simply had to spend the day in the countryside right outside town. Doris would have been content to stay at home with Alma, but she was at the town’s music hall practicing with the local band. A day alone had sounded rather boring. And so, although hesitantly, she’d agreed to this outing when Harry told her about Ursula’s predicament. He’d meant to go with his manager to the fair and had bailed due to his sudden spike in motivation. Ursula had apparently been complaining about going alone ever since, making Doris the perfect candidate for her companion.

That was how Doris had ended up at the Provincetown Fair with Ursula.

The autumn breeze chilled the air as the two women made their way down the gravel pathway. Doris tugged her cardigan tighter around her and observed their surroundings. While she hadn’t expected much from the local fair, it was surprisingly pleasant. There were a lot of activities to choose from. Most stunning of all was the Ferris wheel that lurked in the background, towering high above the crowd.

She might have enjoyed herself under different circumstances. However, one large problem loomed over her conscience like a storm cloud.

Doris had never spent any time alone with Ursula.

It didn’t sound like that big of a deal when she thought about it, but, with her tendency to overthink, that reassurance didn’t make anything better. The woman was only her husband’s manager; still, she was rather intimidating. She radiated an aura of confidence that Doris could only dream of acquiring, and she spoke so effortlessly it was like she had a script hardwired into her brain.

She watched Ursula’s sophisticated figure sashay along ahead of her. Doris had initially been surprised that the woman had wanted to attend a small town fair. Once she’d thought about it, though, she’d realized that there probably wasn’t much else to do. After all, Ursula had only traveled to Provincetown to assist Harry. She didn’t have any other business there.

“Oooh!” Ursula’s excited squeal snapped Doris out of her thoughts.

“What is it?” she asked, glancing around nervously.

The other woman turned around and gave her a smile. “Over there! That looks so fun.” She gestured to a booth not too far away. Within it was a game of what seemed to be darts. The prizes, most of which were oversized stuffed animals, hung from a rack. “C’mon!” Ursula exclaimed. Without any further warning, she hurried over to stand in the small line that had formed.

To Doris’s surprise, a hint of a smile had formed upon her lips. Maybe playing the game with Ursula would be a good way to bring the two of them closer together. So, not allowing herself to hesitate, she joined her companion in front of the booth.

It was hardly a minute before it was their turn to play. The dart board in the back of the booth was large, colorful, and seemingly very difficult to win. The game’s attendant explained that only darts that landed in the middle of the target won a prize. Doris knew she most definitely wouldn’t win, but it would be fun either way, she supposed. She and Ursula paid the worker and received a handful of darts each.

“You wanna go first?” Ursula asked, grinning. “It’s kinda bullshit that only bullseyes or whatever count, but hey. It’s a fair, and I’m not leaving without playing any fair games. That’s the whole experience, y’know?”

Doris laughed and nodded. “I agree.” She picked up one of the darts and lifted it, closing one eye to aim. With a grunt, she released it and watched as it soared across the open space. It landed with a loud thunk against the target. Her eyes widened in shock as she realized it was quite close to the center.

Ursula exuberantly clapped her on the back. “Damn, that was good! So close, too.” She lifted her own dart and threw it at the board. She burst into a fit of laughter when it landed about as far as it could get from the middle.

“Better luck next time,” Doris said, her voice shaky with hardly suppressed giggles. She squinted and threw her next dart. Still, she didn’t hit the center, but she wasn’t too far off.

Ursula shook her head in mock annoyance. It seemed she was really enjoying herself. Without further hesitation, she threw yet another dart and almost doubled over with mirth when it landed right next to her first.

The pair went on until all their darts were used up– except for Ursula’s last one remaining. “Well, I guess this is it,” she remarked humorously. The grin that had been upon her face earlier remained, and in full force, too.

In that jubilant moment, Doris couldn’t help but admire the blonde that stood next to her. She was beautiful, and her smile lit up her entire face.

Shaking her head to clear it, she hoped her temporary distraction hadn’t caught Ursula’s attention. She felt her cheeks heating up, but she could always blame that on the cold. “G-Good luck,” Doris said as Ursula readied herself. She hated the slight stammer that snuck into her voice.

Ursula’s only response was a slight smirk. Lifting her arm, she threw it so quickly that Doris wasn’t sure if she’d let it go until her gaze wandered to the target.

A single gleaming dart had wedged its way into the very center.

“Yes!” Ursula cheered, and, before Doris knew what had happened, she’d wrapped her arms around her in a tight embrace. It only lasted a second, but Doris was more flustered than she’d ever been in her life. She took a deep breath, hoping the influx of oxygen would somehow get rid of the pink flush that undoubtedly colored her cheeks.

She managed a shy smile. “Great job,” she said, watching as Ursula stared expectantly at the booth’s attendant. The man gave her a quick congratulations and took down a hefty teddy bear from the rack.

Ursula eagerly took it into her arms. “No fucking way, look at this!” she gushed as she and Doris left the booth and returned to the path. “It’s so cute!” She hugged the large plush close to her chest.

Doris felt her heart skip a beat for some reason, but she ignored it. Instead, she simply laughed and shook her head. “I can’t believe you actually won. And yeah, it is really cute. I love it.”

A small gasp came from Ursula, and Doris turned to find her companion’s face full of mock horror. “I can’t believe you doubted me,” she replied, splaying a hand across her chest for dramatic effect. She then shook her head and chuckled. “Joking. But yeah, I don’t know how the hell that happened. I’m surprised my darts even made it on the target at all. Beginner’s luck, I guess.”

Doris mumbled her agreement, and a beat of silence passed between them. Suddenly, Ursula gasped, genuinely this time. “I know! Why don’t you keep him?” She shoved the teddy bear into Doris’s side, nearly toppling her off balance.

“What?” she asked, steadying herself so she wouldn’t fall. “I thought you liked it. You said it was cute and all.” She grinned amidst her confusion.

“Yeah, anyone would say it’s cute,” Ursula replied, holding out the bear to examine it. “But I think it’ll make you happier.”

Doris tilted her head, a soft chuckle escaping her lips. “Really? I mean, thank you, but what makes you say that?”

“Well…” Ursula paused, appearing to think for a moment. It was the only time Doris had ever seen her hesitate before a reply; she worried about the territory they were about to venture into. However, her apprehension proved to be baseless. “I know how difficult it can be, being around writers. Harry is no walk in the park at the moment, I’m sure.” She looked at Doris, who nodded vehemently. “So… I dunno. What I’m trying to say is, I just think you could use a little happiness and cuteness in your life right now.” Holding out the teddy bear once again, she added with a smile, “And this little guy is full of both of those things.”

Doris stopped dead in her tracks and felt an overwhelming wave of happiness wash over her. That explanation had been so… heartfelt. “Aw, what?” she murmured, reaching forward and taking the bear into her arms at last. “Thank you.” She let her gaze meet Ursula’s, and they exchanged a smile. “This means a lot. And thank you for helping out my family in general.”

Ursula shrugged modestly. “What can I say? I gotta do my job right. And checking on clients’ families is more important than most people in my field realize.”

Doris nodded after thanking her once more. They continued their walk through the fair, examining the scenery as they passed. She was looking forward to whatever they'd do next. Doris’s gaze caught the gleaming Ferris wheel in the distance, and her heart soared at the mere thought of riding it with Ursula.

However, one thing in particular had begun to plague her, overshadowing all her other thoughts. In her mind, she kept replaying the moment when Ursula had said that she could use some happiness and cuteness in her life. There had been words on the tip of Doris’s tongue that she’d somehow managed to suppress: Ursula had already given her both of those things.

In the end, it hadn’t been such a bad idea to go to the fair after all.

Chapter Text

It had been five months since Misty had returned from hell.

She was incredibly grateful, of course; after all, Mallory had practically saved her life. Realizing how lucky she was, she made sure to live her life to the fullest. Half a decade ago, Misty had been too nervous to confess her true feelings to Cordelia. But now, knowing how quickly everything she had could be ripped away from her, she wasted no time in opening up to the Supreme. She’d needed a week to adjust to life in the coven again after her time in hell. But, a week later, she sat down with Cordelia and told her she was in love with her

It ended up being a tearful and heartfelt conversation. Apparently, Cordelia felt the exact same way, and had regretted not telling her every day she’d been gone. They’d shared a tender embrace afterward, crying in each other’s arms. They had started dating immediately after.

The next five months had passed in a blur– but in a good way. Misty and Cordelia spent their days going on dates, spending time with the other witches, and trying to make up for lost time.

It was on one of these dates that they now walked down a forest trail. Trees rose along either side of the dirt path, the grass still damp from a rain shower the previous day. Misty smiled and took a deep breath, the cool, refreshing air filling her lungs. She loved the outdoors, and when she glanced at Cordelia, she saw that her girlfriend was smiling just as widely.

“I love seeing you so happy,” the Supreme said affectionately, squeezing Misty’s hand. Their fingers had been intertwined the whole time they’d been walking.

Misty felt her cheeks heat up. “Aw, Delia.” She moved closer to the other woman, letting their shoulders brush.

At that moment, a ray of sunlight broke through the cloudy sky to shine directly onto Cordelia’s face. It illuminated her beautiful brown eyes and gave her golden hair an angelic glow. Misty paused to take in the wonderful sight, then giggled and leaned forward to give Cordelia a quick kiss on the cheek.

When she pulled away, however, something caught her eye.

A small, limp form glimmered in the sunlight. She knew she should look away, knew that nothing good would come of it. Still, Misty couldn’t stop herself from stepping forward.

She thought she heard Cordelia’s muffled voice warn her to stay away, but it was too late. Misty clutched a hand to her mouth. A wave of nausea roiled her stomach, and her blood roared in her ears.

It was a dead frog.

The creature was lying on its back a little ways off the path, flies swarming all around. There were no visible injuries marring its slimy skin, but it was all too easy to picture a violent gash right down its stomach.

In that instant, the five years she’d spent in hell came rushing back. Misty avoided thinking about it as much as she could; even when she caught a glimpse of a classroom or lab equipment, her pulse quickened and she felt queasy. Now, faced with the same horror that was central to that half decade of torture, full-fledged panic coursed through her veins.

She sank to her knees, gasping for breath. Her heart was racing and her stomach felt like it was turning in on itself. No, no , she couldn’t take it–

“ Misty! ”

Cordelia’s concerned shout snapped Misty out of her trance.

The swamp witch glanced to the side and found that her girlfriend was crouching down beside her. Her brown eyes were wide with worry, and her lips had tilted downward into an anxious frown.

Misty was at a loss for words. She’d been so suddenly jolted out of her panic that it felt like a bucket of ice water had been poured onto her.

Cordelia, seeing her reaction, gave her a bittersweet smile. Her eyes softened sympathetically as she wrapped her arms around Misty. She held her tight, whispering, “Shh, I’ve got you.” Her hands roamed Misty’s back, rubbing soothing circles into her skin. “You’re safe, Misty. Nothing is going to hurt you. I’m right here.”

A few minutes passed, during which Misty fought hard against the tears blurring her vision. Her previous panic had faded as soon as Cordelia’s arms had pulled her close, but the touching gesture had made her more emotional than she’d expected. Her girlfriend worked so hard to make sure she felt safe. Every day the Supreme found a new way to express her love for Misty, and it didn’t go unnoticed.

Finally, she pulled back, meeting Cordelia’s gaze. It was just as tearful as her own. “T-Thank you,” Misty said, voice thick with emotion. She raised her hand to swipe away a tear that had escaped and slipped down her cheek. Cordelia’s hands tightened on her shoulders, but before she could say anything, Misty spoke again. “I’m sorry.” A wave of guilt had washed over her– she caused so much trouble for her girlfriend with the trauma she carried. Even the sight of a classroom could make her heart start pounding in her chest.

“Sorry?” Cordelia instantly shook her head and furrowed her brow. “What on earth do you have to be sorry for?” The pure sincerity in her gaze made Misty start to tear up all over again.

She choked back a sob. “I’m such a burden,” she whispered. The swamp witch glanced away from the other woman’s stare. “Everywhere I go there’s the chance I might–” Misty paused, searching for the right words “–have a damn panic attack. Like just now.”

The Supreme’s eyes widened. “No, Misty,” she murmured, shaking her head once more. “You aren’t a burden in any way, and you never have been.” She raised her hands to cup Misty’s face. Tears were spilling down both of their cheeks now. “You’ve been through so much. Trust me, what you’re going through is completely normal.”

Misty sniffled and laughed. “I really don’t deserve you, Delia. You’re too good to me.”

“Oh, nonsense. Don’t talk like that.” Cordelia smiled, tears glistening in her eyes. “You are so amazing, Mist. You’re beautiful, funny, and so, so strong. Not many people would be able to even go outside after all that. But you do that, and more. And you’re still you . You still have fun with your friends. You still like listening to Stevie Nicks, and you still love to garden.” Her voice cracked with emotion. “That’s how strong you are. After all those years, you’re still my Misty.” A fresh wave of tears streamed down her cheeks.

“Delia…” Misty practically sobbed her name. Without another word, she embraced her girlfriend and pulled her as close as she possibly could. She didn’t care that they were on the ground. She didn’t care that they were in the middle of the woods.

All that mattered was that they were together. And they always would be.

Chapter Text

“Hey, wake up!”

The sudden words made Lana jolt out of her restful slumber. She’d been wandering through a haze of dreams, all featuring her girlfriend’s lovely face.

So, when she opened her eyes to see that same face only inches from her own, she almost jumped out of her skin.

“Mary,” Lana said, sitting up and rubbing the sleep from her eyes. She looked at the blonde on the bed next to her. Mary’s expression was bright and full of excitement, causing Lana even more confusion. “What’s going on?”

Mary smiled, the sight making Lana’s temporary shock and confusion dissipate. She was simply so lovely – her perfect features, her feather-soft hair, and every dip and curve of her body. The writer shook her head to clear it, but it was difficult to focus when her girlfriend was the image of perfection.

“C’mon, get up,” Mary replied, playfully nudging the brunette’s shoulder. She then sprung up from the bed and rushed over to the window. Her eyes widened in glee at whatever was beyond the pane of glass.

Lana bit back a groan, wishing she could’ve slept in. She had a busy week ahead of her, and it was Saturday. Still, she heeded Mary’s request. After a moment, she joined her girlfriend by the window and stared out at a rather surprising sight.

Snow blanketed the ground. The powdery substance sparkled in the morning sunlight, giving the entire scene an angelic glow. The leafless trees scattered around the neighborhood were adorned with icicles, and every roof in sight had been transformed into a sheet of white.

It was beautiful.

Lana felt her lips tilt upward in a smile, mirroring Mary’s own joyful expression. “Wow,” she breathed. “When did this even happen? It’s only November.”

The blonde shrugged. “Overnight, I guess. But isn’t it just wonderful?” Her gaze was transfixed upon the window, eyes wide in awe.

“Well, what are we waiting for?” Lana asked happily, all traces of slumber gone from her voice. The sight outside had completely reinvigorated her. Laughing at Mary’s bemusement, Lana rushed down the hallway and to the closet by the front door. She heard Mary’s soft footsteps behind her.

Lana let out a quiet chuckle. “Here,” she said, tossing Mary her boots and coat from the closet. At once, the blonde’s ice-blue eyes lit up in understanding.

A few minutes later, the couple, now clad in clothing appropriate for the weather, carefully made their way down the front steps of their home. They trudged through the yard, boots crunching down on the snow.

“Woah!” Mary giggled after nearly losing her footing. Lana quickly rushed to steady her, a smile upon her face despite her apparent concern.

Eventually, Mary suggested building a snowman, and Lana had enthusiastically agreed. And so, that was how they spent the rest of the day. They didn’t have a care in the world. All that mattered to them was the expanse of glittering white snow that lay before them. The possibilities were endless.

Chapter Text

It had been a few months since you’d figured out you were a witch and transferred to Miss Robichaux’s Academy.

However, from how slowly you were adapting, anyone would’ve guessed you’d only just arrived.

You sighed as your telekinesis gave out again. The candle you’d been trying to move toward you came to a screeching halt in the middle of the table. You’d been working at it for hours, and you still couldn’t make it go farther than that.

Cordelia’s voice from behind you made you jump. “Come on, sweetheart. You’re going to overwork yourself. Dinner ended an hour ago.”

Her soft, comforting tone did little to ease your nerves, though. Despite how close you and the Supreme had become, you felt that she just didn’t understand what you were going through. All your classmates, even those who arrived after you, could perform telekinesis and much more. It was humiliating, to say the least.

At your silence, Cordelia came to stand beside you. She placed a hand on your shoulder, waiting until you met her sympathetic gaze. “You think I don’t understand.” It wasn’t a question. “But I do. It’s hard comparing yourself to others. I lived my whole life in the previous Supreme– my mother’s –shadow. I know more than anyone that it’s hard. Unbearably hard, at times.” She paused and raised her hand to move a strand of hair out of your face. “Please don’t be afraid to come and talk to me. I’m always here to help you. Besides, you’re doing great. Just because you’re a little behind on some things doesn’t mean you’re not talented. Because you are.”

Her words touched your heart exactly as she intended. You didn’t know whether to smile or cry, so you ended up doing both. Tears streamed down your face, and Cordelia quickly wrapped her arms around you in a reassuring embrace.

“Shh,” she whispered, running a gentle hand through your hair. “Everything will be alright.”

And, for some reason, you believed her.

Chapter Text

The day Cordelia had been waiting for had finally arrived.

She was going to marry Misty.

The Supreme had lived with the immense guilt of letting the swamp witch die in her arms for half a decade. When she’d been brought back, she swore to herself that nothing would keep them away from each other ever again. The little time they’d spent together before her demise made Cordelia sure she wanted to spend the rest of her life with her.

And so, they’d begun a loving relationship and spent nearly every waking hour together. It had been two years since Misty had been brought back, but that was enough for both of them to agree upon one thing: they were forever; their love, their passion, and their relationship. Cordelia didn’t want to take any more chances– she had seen firsthand how quickly everything could be ripped away from her. Misty had felt the exact same way.

Cordelia had proposed at her girlfriend’s swamp cabin when she felt the time was right. It had been a beautiful night; fireflies darted through the air, and the cool breeze rustled the trees surrounding them. They’d been sitting on the swamp’s bank when Cordelia asked that life-changing question. Misty’s answer had come in a quick and resounding yes, and they’d spent the rest of the night wrapped in each other’s arms like there was no tomorrow.

There was, though. The very next day, they returned to the academy and told the other witches the good news. Cordelia would never forget the pure glee upon all of their faces. Even Madison had let a wide smile grace her lips, the joyful expression a pleasant surprise. They were all quick to congratulate the couple, and the conversation ended in a warm, cozy group hug.

However, that seemed like eons ago.

Cordelia sat in the academy’s living room, curling her knees up to her chest. From her position on the couch, she could see the sun peeking through a gap in the curtains. A sigh escaped her lips. She hadn’t slept a wink, and today was the day she’d been looking forward to for what felt like her whole life.

It wasn’t that she didn’t want to sleep; she did, and desperately. She knew she needed to be well-rested for the ceremony and festivities that followed. Still, every time she’d closed her eyes, a million worries had drifted through her mind. Some had been nonsensical and easy to dismiss, but others had been more realistic and continued to haunt her. So, begrudgingly, around 3 A.M. she’d left her bed– careful not to wake Misty –to sit on the couch, hoping a change of scenery would soothe her.

It didn’t. It was now seven in the morning.

She groaned, rubbing her eyes. What was she going to do? While she wasn’t as exhausted as she should be, she knew she’d have a hard time functioning nonetheless. What if she’d just ruined this special day– not only for her, but for her beloved Misty as well?

It was as if the thought had summoned her. Cordelia’s head snapped up at the sound of soft footsteps on the main staircase and grinned when her betrothed’s beautiful form came into sight.

Misty floated down the stairs like an angel. Her flowing white dress cascaded around her in a whirlwind of fabric, making her appear even more heavenly. The golden curls that fell past her shoulders streamed behind her, but her blue eyes were trained on the hardwood floor. She hadn’t yet spotted the Supreme.

Cordelia tentatively cleared her throat. Misty’s eyes instantly met hers.

“Delia? What are you doin’ down here already?”

Her voice was husky with sleep, and Cordelia couldn’t help but smile at its sweet cadence. At her partner’s questioning look, she glanced away.. “Well… I…” Taking a deep breath, Cordelia finally met Misty’s ice-blue stare. “I didn’t sleep. At all.”

Misty’s eyes widened. “Hell, why not?” Sensing that something was wrong, she rushed over to the Supreme’s side.

Cordelia welcomed Misty’s warm embrace when the swamp witch sat down next to her on the couch. She buried her face in her chest, arms wrapping around the younger woman’s neck. The only things keeping her from bursting into tears were both her physical and emotional exhaustion.

“Darlin’, what’s wrong?” she heard Misty ask. Cordelia could feel her concerned voice rumbling in her chest.

At that, she sat up and took a deep breath. She rubbed her eyes once more. “I’m just…” Cordelia trailed off, trying to gather her thoughts. She knew she could tell Misty anything– lack of trust had nothing to do with her hesitation. The Supreme just didn’t want to disappoint the woman she loved so much. Even so, it was her love for Misty that pushed her to tell her the truth. “I’m so nervous, Mist. I-I don’t know, I’ve been waiting for this day for so long and now that it’s here I’m afraid I’ll–”

“Mess it up?”

Misty’s interruption startled Cordelia, who turned to look at her with wide eyes. The swamp witch chuckled and rubbed a soothing hand down her back. “Sorry. But…” She shook her head in amusement, a grin forming upon her lips. “Honestly, I’ve been thinkin’ the exact same things, Delia, so I figured you must be, too. Weddings are pretty damn stressful, from what I’ve heard. Worrying is normal. I’m just sorry you lost sleep over it. You should have told me.”

Cordelia frowned. “But then you would’ve lost sleep, too. Besides, you looked so peaceful when I got up. It would’ve been selfish to wake you.”

“Hey, don’t talk like that,” Misty replied sternly. She raised a hand to hold Cordelia’s chin in place, forcing her to meet her gaze. “We’re in this together, babe. You can share anythin’ with me, and I’ll do my best to help you. You don’t need to worry about somethin’ silly like waking me up if you’re really strugglin’.”

The Supreme leaned back against the couch. She knew Misty was right; there was no denying it. “I’m sorry,” she murmured. “I just really didn’t want to ruin anything today.”

Misty shook her head with a reassuring smile. “You’re not gonna ruin anything, ‘kay, Delia?” She waited until Cordelia looked at her again. “I’ll keep sayin’ it until you believe me.”

“Fine, fine, I believe you,” Cordelia answered, laughing. The swamp witch’s presence had brightened her mood in ways that nothing else could, which was one of the many reasons why she loved her. After all, she had been worried out of her mind only moments ago.

“Good.” Misty stood up and held out her hand. “Now, the wedding is in a few hours. You need to get all the rest you can.”

Cordelia frowned. As much as she wanted to rest now that her worries had dissipated, she knew there were things that needed to be done. “But what about–”

Misty immediately pressed a finger to her lips. “Nope. Anythin’ that needs tendin’ to will be handled by yours truly and the rest of the witches.”

The Supreme eventually gave in, admitting to herself that Misty made a good point. “Alright.” And, with that, she stood up and let Misty lead her back to their shared bedroom. Their fingers remained intertwined the entire time.

Cordelia lowered her exhausted body onto the bed, groaning in relief when she sank into the plush mattress. Misty chuckled softly from where she stood above her. She smirked up at the swamp witch before letting her gaze become more serious. “Thanks for everything, Mist,” Cordelia said, staring at the blonde lovingly. “I don’t know what I’d do without you, baby. I love you so much.”

Misty’s cheeks reddened as a smile spread across her lips. “Aw, Delia, it was nothin’. I love you too, more than anything in the world.” To punctuate her words, she leaned down to give Cordelia a quick yet passionate kiss. “Now get some sleep, hon.”

Cordelia nodded and watched as Misty left the room. They exchanged one last affectionate glance before she closed the door behind her.

With that, the Supreme pulled the covers over her body and closed her eyes. The warm blankets enveloped her, the comfortable sensation dragging her toward unconsciousness. Her earlier worries had completely disappeared. She knew that, whenever she woke up, her wedding would be waiting for her– the day she’d looked forward to for so, so long.

Cordelia’s last thought before the darkness swallowed her was that dreams really do come true. She’d be with her Misty forever.