♡

The interior of the place was very Misty-like. There were plants and flowers all over, vines on the wall, and oak wood for all the furniture. Cordelia knew Misty would enjoy this place. Neither of them can stand the overly modern look that a lot of places have now.

Cordelia and Misty sat at the table in the corner, still gravitating towards being alone. The place wasn't packed but it surely wasn't empty. The noise of people talking and shuffling around felt louder than the amount of people there. That didn't bother Cordelia much, as she's used to it from running an academy, however, Misty was very bothered by this.

Cordelia noticed something was slightly off with Misty when they got there, but she grabbed her hand and brushed it off as nothing; simply making a mental note of it.

However, once they sat down, Cordelia noticed how unusually quiet the swamp witch was. Typically she'd be going on and on about fleetwood mac, or calling out different plants she sees and telling Cordelia the fun facts about them. Instead, Misty sat there dead silent, her attention everywhere else. She constantly turned her head with every person that walked in, or if Cordelia spoke to her she'd answer with one word that didn't entirely even make sense.

"Misty," Cordelia said softly, but strong enough to actually grasp her attention for once. The swamp witch quickly turned her head from the huge group of people she was staring at over to Cordelia. Misty stood back at with big blue eyes, widely opening them more than usual. "You okay?"

"Yeah," Misty breathed out. She looked down at her tea that she only had two sips of. The steam was long gone by now, she expected it to be cold at this point. But she still couldn't stomach picking it up and sipping it right now.

Right then, someone laughed loud enough to startle Misty again. Cordelia didn't even think about it until she watched her girlfriend quickly cover her ears with her hands as if someone was blaring music at 100.

Cordelia's eyesbrows furrowed in confusion. She wasn't sure why it was bothering Misty so much, nor why she was so acting so absent and skiddish. Either way, she could tell the environment was really bothering her. Especially when blue eyes starting filling with tears. She could tell Misty was really holding back.

And so, she stood up and grabbed Misty's hand. The swamp witch was so overwhelmed that she just let it happen without even thinking about what was going on.

Cordelia gently pulled Misty outside. It was still far too busy outside as well because they were in downtown and the weather was beautiful so everyone was out and about. The supreme brought Misty to the car, opening the passenger seat for her like the sweet girlfriend she was.

When Cordelia made it to the other side of the car to get into the drivers seat, Misty was already leaning her head against the cold window, blankly staring at the hustle and bustle infront of her. She was grateful that she was in the car now away from all of that! At least the barrier muffled some of the noise.

Cordelia reached over and placed her hand above Misty's that was resting on her lap. She gave it a little loving squeeze. Misty had hardly any reaction to it.

"What's going on, Mist? Talk to me," Cordelia said gently, but there was no hiding the worry laced in her tone.

A tear rolled down Misty's face, still with little to no reaction. "I just wanna get outta here," Misty said hoarsely. Cordelia's heart broke. She just wanted to know what was going on with her love and fix it.

Cordelia nodded and turned back attention back straight. She was about to put the car in drive when Misty spoke again, "Delia?" Misty asked, sounded almost like a scared small child.

"Yeah, baby? What's up?" Cordelia asked, trying to sound as warm and inviting as possible in hopes Misty would open up to her.

"Can we go to the swamp please?"

All Misty wanted was peace, quiet, and to reconnect with nature. There was one place she could get that fully, and that was the swamp. She also wanted her Cordelia, but she couldn't handle anything until she was safe at her swamp.

"Of course, angel."

-

The whole car ride was uncomfortably quiet. Misty opted for the radio off. She couldn't tolerate any sound right now if it wasn't the sweet melody of Stevie Nicks. And her CD's that her and Cordelia typically keep in the supremes car was back in the greenhouse at home.

The car ride was painfully slow for Cordelia. She tried to keep her attention on the road but all she could think about was Misty. Reaching out for Misty. Holding Misty. That's what she always does when the swamp witch is upset. It hurt her to have this distance between them when Misty was clearly not okay. Sometimes Cordelia worries that she's a little overbearing, but Misty assures her that she loves it every time. Just not this time for some unknown reason.

In the same second that Cordelia parked the car, Misty was already jumping out. Cordelia allowed her those few extra seconds to walk to her shack alone, hoping the slight alone time would calm her down. Cordelia had never seen Misty like this before. Frankly, she wasn't entirely sure how to help her.

Cordelia took a deep breath before turning the car off and stepping out. When she shut her car door, she heard a loud "No!" in a familiar voice.

Her head snapped in the direction of the shack. Cordelia quickly hurried down the path, following the rapidly repeated "No! No! No's!"

When Cordelia got to the scene, she quickly realized what was going on.

Misty's boots were covered in mud and the backside of her legs and dress was too. She was sitting directly in a muddy puddle. It was clear the swamp witch had slipped in it.

"Oh, Misty," Cordelia said gently, exhaling the breath she didn't realize she was even holding.

Misty's face scrunched up, a clear indicator that she was about to cry. No. Not even cry; absolutely sob. The swamp witch reached up to tangle her fingers in her hair as the tears began flowing, tugging at the curly strands.

"I hate today! I hate it so much!" The girl cried out. Cordelia had never heard Misty say she hated anything. Always greatful for what she has and the days ahead. But right now, she was really not greatful for this. "I didn't wanna get dirty! Gotta change now n everything."

Misty continued pulling at her hair. Eyes shut so tight that no light was getting through. Misty was bound to pull every single curl out of her head if Cordelia didn't intervene.

"Alright, alright, honey, it's alright," Cordelia said softly, yet stern enough for Misty to understand that it actually is alright. She kneeled down infront of the swamp witch, not minding one bit if her own shoes got muddy. Everything can be cleaned. Misty was most important now.

Cordelia grabbed onto Misty's forearms, wanting to direct her hands away from her hair before she hurts herself, but her grip was so tight that she was afraid Misty would pull out her hair if she just directed her hands down.

"None of this, sweetie. You're gonna hurt yourself," her voice was nearly a whisper, noticing how Misty benefited from the sweet sound of her quiet voice. Misty's grip loosened for once, and it gave Cordelia the opportunity to pull her arms down. She kept Misty's hands in her own so she wouldn't be able to do it again.

"Mist, It's all okay. I will help you clean up," Cordelia kissed the tip of Misty's nose, and the swamp witch finally came around to opening up at her eyes. She stared back at Cordelia with the biggest blue eyes, and the supremes heart broke at how small Misty looked right now. She's never seen her fall apart like this.

"But ma' boots," She looked down at her boots, once black but now a chocolate brown shade.

"I know, baby. I can fix those up for you though. Hey, you know what?" She put a finger under Misty's chin, skin soaked with tears, to direct Misty's attention back to her. "Your shawl is still intact. Not one single stain."

Cordelia knew Misty's most prized item was her shawl. Sometimes she even sleeps with that thing. If it got any mud on it, Misty would have genuinely lost her mind.

Misty conjured up a small smile. God, did Cordelia miss seeing that. It's only been a couple hours since she's seen it but it felt like days!

"Come on, let's go get you cleaned up?" Cordelia suggested. Misty nodded at her girlfriend, still staring at her for direction. She feels like a little kid that fell and needs their mother to make it better, and she did feel a little embarrassed about that but Cordelia didn't think one thing of it. She finds happiness in taking care of Misty. "Did you get hurt anywhere?"

Misty shook her head no, not being able to find the energy to verbally communicate.

At the confirmation that Misty was physically fine, Cordelia helped her girlfriend on to her feet. She felt disgusting. And granted, Misty loved to get dirty. But not right now, not when she didn't chose to be dirty. Not when it felt like everything overwhelming was just clinging to her. And now she has the mud stuck to her like physical proof of her mental state at the moment.

Cordelia walked Misty to her shack as if she were hurt. She kept an arm securely around her waist, not once caring if she got the dirtyness on her own self. "Take your boots off by the door, sweetie, and i'll take care of them later."

Misty nodded her head and kicked her boots right off, same with the supreme.

The supreme walked her all the way to the bathroom. She turned the bath knob on while Misty stood there awkwardly. Her brain kind of felt turned off right now. Like she needed Cordelia's guidance on what to do next and how to be a person.

When Cordelia turned back around to Misty, the swamp witches face immediately scrunched up again. She was just so upset and she felt like an idiot and a baby.

"Oh Mist," Cordelia said with a frown. She wrapped Misty in her arms right as the girl was about to completely crumble. The crickets could be heard from inside the bathroom, playing almost as music as Cordelia rocked her girlfriend side to side. Misty really let out a sob and Cordelia still had absolutely no idea what was going on with her. And she was dying to know. It pained her that she didn't. But it was clear that she wasn't going to get it out of her right now, and it just wouldn't be any help to her mental state anyways. Maybe she was just having a bad day. Not feeling herself. Or maybe one of the girls - Madison - said something to her. She knows how sensitive Misty can be when someone pokes the wrong spot. "I know, baby, I know. Just let it out, I've got you."

Misty nuzzled her head into the side of Cordelia's neck. Cordelia always smelt like warmth and home and vanilla to Misty. And, she loved the feeling of Cordelia's silky hair brushing against her face. It made her come back to earth slightly.

When Misty's cries eventually died down, Cordelia pulled away slightly, arms still around each other, faces only a mere inch apart. From all the crying the swamp witch did, her face was all puffy and irritated. Cordelia reached her hand up and wiped the wetness off from Misty's face. Misty shyly smiled at her.

"There's that pretty smile," Cordelia whispered at her, providing her with the same face back. "Can I take your dress off, angel?"

Misty, once again, nods at her. Cordelia walks around her to unzip her dress, easily letting it fall down her body. When it reaches the floor, Misty steps out of it and Cordelia picks the piece of fabric up and hangs it on the door. It'll be no problem for Cordelia to get the mud out of that, whether she has to use magic or cleaning products. But Misty's emotions were so big that she couldn't see that clearly.

The swamp witch stands there with her hands by her sides, waiting for the next direction. She actually feels a lot better out of her clothes now. Sometimes they can be a little annoying or overwhelming. When she lived out in the swamp, she couldn't wear little to no clothes if she was feeling bothered. Now living at the academy, that isn't really possible.

Cordelia helps Misty out of her undergarments, taking off any extra jewelry she had on as well. She then goes on to remove her own clothes. Misty has seen Cordelia naked many times now but, still, it takes her breath away and makes her a little nervous each time.

By the time they've both undressed and tied up their hair so it wouldn't get wet, the bath is already filled to the top. Cordelia lights some candles around the room as for ambience.

Cordelia steps into the hot tub, its knee deep. They both always preferred it to be a little hot. Cordelia stands there and puts her hands out for the swamp witch to take. She doesn't need help getting in, but she can tell Misty is looking a little unsure of everything around her.

Misty takes her hand and steps in. They both sit down; the swamp witch's back resting against Cordelia's front. The water immediately turns a shade a murky brown from the mud. It would have been more effective to use a shower but Misty didn't have that here.

Cordelia grabs a washcloth beside her and squirts some lavender scented wash onto it. She starts gently scrubbing Misty's soft skin with it.

"So," Cordelia starts softly. Misty's chest fills with anxiety. She's grateful Cordelia can't see her rosy red cheeks in this positions. She knows exactly what her girlfriend is about to bring up. "What's going on with you?"

Misty slightly shifts uncomfortably but Cordelia continues scrubbing at her skin. She doesn't want Misty to think anything is wrong or that she's mad about earlier, and so she keeps things casual and at a natural pace.

Misty shrugs, failing to look anywhere besides straight ahead. Cordelia stops her actions and tilts her head at Misty. She can't really see her face because she's sitting behind her, but from the side of her face that she can see, she doesn't look very okay.

"I'm not mad," The supreme says. She pecks Misty's neck with a little kiss. The swamp witch fights her smile down. "I'm just worried. I've never seen you like that before."

Misty let's out a sigh. Not angry. Not annoyed. Just as if she's letting out the negativity from the day. "I don't know," she says defeatedly. Cordelia can hear it in her tone. It's the first thing she's heard from Misty since they were both outside.

"I've always been…like that," Misty finally admits, "But I just managed better as I got older. I— I don't know what happened today I just blew up. Like when I was a little girl. Thought I was over that."

Cordelia brushes a comforting thumb back and forth against Misty's arm as she speaks.

"It just gets so overwhelming. Everything is so loud n' bright it feels like I could explode. N'then I just wanted to scrape my skin off when I got all dirty cause I didn't wanna be dirty." Misty turns her head so she's looking at Cordelia. It's awkward and uncomfortable with the way her neck is bent but she doesn't mind when she sees her girlfriends face. "And i'm sorry for not speaking to ya and making ya worry. I just couldn't get the words out."

"Cause you were so overwhelmed? That's why you couldn't?" Cordelia's asks kindly, genuinely curious.

Misty thinks for a moment, "Yeah, actually. I was so overwhelmed the words were just stuck in my throat."

Cordelia nodded and looked down, pondering. When she became the supreme and opened the academy, she made it her mission to get educated on many different disabilities, learning difficulties, mental health conditions, physical ones too. She knew girls with many different backgrounds would be coming to the academy so she wanted to make sure she knew how to help and manage her witches and to make sure everyone gets the oppertunity to grow their powers despite any personal challenges.

Because of this, one of the things she really got educated on was autism. She had been thinking about that a lot with Misty. Many other things she's noticed before today. But after this, it kind of confirmed it for her. It was something to keep in the back of her mind.

She was unsure if she should bring the topic up to Misty. Or if she would even know what that was. Misty had a very sheltered and isolated childhood so she didn't know as much as the other's did.

"Thank you for telling me that, darling," Cordelia says, and brushes a stray curl that fell out of Misty's bun out of her face. "I wish you told me sooner so I could have helped you. You know you can always talk to me."

Misty nodded, a little smile present. "I know, I just didn't wanna worry ya."

"You never have to worry about worrying me," Cordelia said, Misty giggled at her. "I'm always gonna worry about you no matter what, silly. I actually was already going to bring this up to you."

Misty slightly tilts her head to the side, eyebrows slightly raised.

"Do you know what autism is, Mist?"

Misty looks off to the side. It's written on her face that she's in a deep thought. After about a couple seconds, she nods. "My cousin on my daddy's side had autism. That's part of the reason mama and daddy didn't really bother with them."

Misty grew up in a very strict and religious household that held dangerous beliefs that only harmed their daughter. Cordelia's not surprised her parents distanced themselves from an autistic family memeber.

"You know autism can stronly run in families," Cordelia states gently. She expected Misty to understand what she's implying by now, but the swamp witch looks all confused. Cordelia continues, "I just have noticed some things with you, my love, and—"

"You think I have autism?" Misty cuts her off once she catches on, but not angrily; simply curious.

"I think it's highly likely," Cordelia responds softly. Misty shifts her body around so she can now see her girlfriend more comfortably. "But I don't want you to think it's a bad thing, or that something's wrong with you. You're my perfect girl, Mist. I just thought we could accommodate you better if we knew. So you wouldn't have to struggle as much with certain things. I hate seeing you struggle."

Cordelia reaches for Misty's hand and holds it in hers. Misty looks down and stares intently at their hands intertwined. It's a lot of big information and Misty is slightly overwhelmed by it. She's been told her whole life that she's been too sensitive or weird or different. Maybe she was just autistic and her parents didn't want to face it. Maybe that's why they distanced themselves from her cousin.

"Ya really think I'm…autistic?" Misty asks, her voice small and fragile. She says the word as if it forbidden for her to say and she's breaking the rules. She refuses to look up from her intense focus on their intertwined hands.

As if instinct, Cordelia reaches one of her hands up to play with Misty's stray curl that had fallen from her bun, keeping her other hand holding Misty's because it's clear it gives her comfort. "Yes," she states simply, making sure to be direct with her.

"But does it change how ya think of me?"

"Misty—"

"How ya love me?"

"Misty!" Cordelia says slightly louder with a chuckle that says how could I ever not love you?

Cordelia tilts the swamp witches head up again so she's looking at her. So she can understand just by the mere look on her face that she's so in love with her and that it's impossible for there to ever be another narrative.

"The love I have for you isn't and never will be determined by your struggles. I love my Misty Day no matter what! Even if you truly are autistic, that doesn't change who you were an hour ago! All it does is opens doors for us to better help you."

Cordelia's not shocked that Misty believes anyone who has love for her is conditional. Especially over something like this. Her parents engraved that on her head early on that if you don't fit who they want you to be, they will not love you. But Cordelia's not them!

"Really?" Misty asks her, her eyes filling with tears making it look like ocean water against the blue hues. Her emotions are everywhere today! But that's okay. Cordelia loves her anyway.

"Yes really, baby," Cordelia closes the gap between them, pressing a sweet kiss to the tip of Misty's nose. She loves when Cordelia does that. She giggles at her. "You're unfortunately stuck with me no matter what," the supreme teases. They both laugh at her playful banter.

"Wouldn't wanna be stuck with nobody else," the swamp witch says honestly. She loves her nose kisses but god does she wanna feel those lips on her own right now! She leans forward and lazily kisses her girlfriend on the mouth. "I love ya, Delia. Thank ya for always bein' there for me. Ya a real life angel."

Cordelia smiles. Her cheeks form a deeper rosy shade. Misty still always made her blush despite being in a relationship for awhile now. Her pretty Cajun accent and the sweet things she says still got to her.

"I love you too, sweetie. I'll be here for you through anything," Cordelia lovingly brushes Misty's soft cheek. "Now, let's finish scrubbing all this dirt off so we can get all cozy in bed."

"Sounds amazin' to me!"

Cordelia helps Misty into her softest pair of pajamas. She's already had such a tough day that she needs the utmost comfort to ensure she doesn't have any more trouble. Cordelia is aware that Misty is fully capable of getting dressed herself. But she seems so sleepy and, god, did it just make the supreme completely cave!

Misty sits infront of Cordelia on the big bed, allowing her to free her hair of the bun it was in. Misty hates having her hair up. It makes her feel so restricted. Cordelia knows that. She runs coconut oil through Misty's blonde curls, knowing that brushing it would only make it a frizzy mess. Cordelia doesn't have curls herself, but she's learned how to tame Misty's. The swamp witch despises doing her hair so she just won't do it until Cordelia does it for her. Eventually she just caught on and learned.

The rain begins to come down. They've made it in perfect timing. If they were an hour behind they would've been stuck in it! Misty loves when it rains; it's like a lallaby to her. It's even better when she's at her swamp. She feels more in tune with it and she can hear it through the wooden boards better than the thick walls of the academy.

"Delia?" Misty asks, disrupting the peace in the room. Misty's eyes stay shut as she talks. Enjoying the feeling of Cordelia's hands running through her hair.

"What's up, baby?"

"I think I really wanna get tested," the swamp witch states. "You know…for autism."

"You do?"

Cordelia's trying not to show it too strongly to scare Misty away from the idea, but she's estatic about it.

"Yeah. I mean, if it could help me. I guess…I guess it doesn't hurt. I was thinkin' bout it and I didn't wanna admit it to myself but I've been having struggles lately. I mean I always have but lately it's been harder."

"Do you think it's because of moving back to the academy? After being in hell? And, you know, you never got to fully adjust to moving from the swamp to the academy before..."

"Yeah!" Misty says, a little more excited than anticipated. She's just never fully understoood her struggles. And now she does! Not only that but she also has someone who understands them as well. And who helps her figure them out! "Yeah that's— that's exactly why actually."

Cordelia finishes Misty's hair and so she taps her leg to let her know she can turn back around. That's the thing about Cordelia is that she accomadates Misty so perfectly even before all of this. If Misty doesn't catch on to something, she will always make sure to have some type of signal or to just directly let her know. Misty kind of caught on eventually to the way that Cordelia had to explain things deeper to her than she did with others. She just didn't know why until today.

Misty turns her body and sits criss cross facing her girlfriend. She tugs her shawl from Stevie tighter around her body. "Do you think maybe spending the weekends here and the weekday's at the academy would help you adjust until your able to be full-time there?"

Misty quickly shook her head no, "I wouldn't wanna be without ya all weekend."

Cordelia smiles gently. She couldn't be without Misty either, even if it's just for two days. That's like asking her to move across the country. Misty used to be independent. She swore she was. Now that she has Cordelia she doesn't even know how to breathe without her!

"I'd stay with you, honey. If you'd like that. I can talk to Zoe and Queenie about them watching over things on the weekend."

"Really?" Misty asks excitedly, shifting onto her knees out of excitement.

"Really!"

"Oh thank you, thank you, thank you!" Misty attacks Cordelia with a hug, the impact causing them to both fall backwards, accompanied with a fit of giggles from the pair. They fell in the perfect way; heads resting on the pillows.

Misty went on and on about everything they can do here all weekend together. She laid in Cordelia's arms as the supreme soothingly rubbed her back. She loved having her back rubbed. It always put her right to sleep like a child. She was already sleepy from her exhausting day, but all that did was make her eyes heavier. Cordelia could tell by the way her talking started to slow.

"Get some rest now, my sleepy girl. I love you." The supreme leaned down to kiss Misty forehead. Despite the swamp witch being half asleep, it still made her heart flutter.

"Love ya too, angel. So fricken much."