The Captain's Heart

thirty-eight

1st August 2022 - six months and eight days old.

The morning sun peeks through the curtains which they'd half closed when they returned to the room in their drunken state before collapsing into bed.

'Oh fuck, no...' Leah moans turning her face to burying it against Imogen's chest as the brunette groans and tightens her arms around her. They've had about two or three hours of sleep, and the sheer exhaustion she felt combined with not properly drinking alcohol for over a year resulted in her getting drunker than she had initially intended.

'Who's room is this?' Imogen asks, her voice rough as she slowly opens her eyes to take in her surroundings.

'G's... She bunked up with someone? Not sure who because my mum and grandma have Rory in my room.' Leah replies, remaining in her position as Imogen slowly begins to run her fingers through her hair.

'You've got to get ready for your victory show.' Imogen says softly as she leans down to kiss the top of the blonde's head.

'My head hurts.' Leah replies.

'I'm not surprised.' Imogen says.

'Why don't we get up, grab some food and go see Rory... You'll feel better after you have some food and a shower. I'll find you some paracetamol?' Imogen suggests.

'Mm... Just five more minutes here and I'll be fine.' Leah mumbles. Smiling, Imogen tightens her arms around the blonde and adjusts their position slightly until Leah is sprawled out on top of he, her face tucked into the brunette's neck.

'You can go back to sleep for a maximum of twenty minutes, Le. It might make you feel worse but it's up to you.' Imogen says.

'How was your trip home?' Leah asks quietly.

'It was good... I uh- I told my sister about you. She said she hopes she gets to meet you soon.' Imogen replies causing Leah to lift her head slightly to look at the brunette.

'You did?' Leah asks.

'Mm-hmm... I hope you don't mind. I just- She was asking and I didn't want to lie to her, there's been enough lies in our lives over the years.' Imogen replies.

'Of course I don't mind, Immy. I'm just happy that you feel comfortable telling people about us.' Leah says.

'W-What are we?' Imogen asks quietly and Leah shrugs her shoulders.

'Whatever you want us to be, Ims.' Leah replies causing the brunette to sigh.

'It's not just up to me through, Le. Whatever this is, we're both in it and I don't want you to just be doing what you think is going to make me happy.' Imogen says.

'I want you to be comfortable with whatever is going on between us. I promised we'd go at your pace.' Leah replies and Imogen nods her head.

'I know and I'm so grateful for that but I want, no I need to know where your head is at.' Imogen says softly.

'I'm all in, Ims. Nothing would make me happier than being able to call you my girlfriend but I don't want to rush you if you're not ready for that step.' Leah replies.

'I would you love to be your girlfriend... Before we take that step though, I need to talk to you. Not right now, not just before your big celebrations but over the next few days I need to speak to you about some things.' Imogen says.

'Okay... Should I be worried?' Leah asks and Imogen immediately shakes her head.

'No, not at all.' Imogen replies smiling slightly.

****

'Are you asleep?' Imogen asks softly as she glances over her shoulder at the blonde who is lying in the middle of the bed, her eyes closed and Rory spread out on her chest.

'No, just resting my eyes before I need to go downstairs to do the last Lionesses Live show.' Leah replies causing Imogen to smile as she continues brushing her hair.

'Are you sure these look okay?' Imogen asks running her hand over the waistband of the joggers she stole from the blonde's suitcase.

'Mm... Perfect. Look better on you than they do on me.' Leah replies smiling.

'There's a matching hoodie in the bag as well.' Leah says propping herself up on her elbow, using one hand to keep Rory safely cradled on her chest.

'Thanks, babes.' Imogen replies smiling. She scrapes her hair back into a ponytail before turning to face the blonde who smiles and tilts her head to the side.

'God you're beautiful...' Leah says softly watching the brunette's cheeks turn a light shade of pink as she shakes her head.

'It blows my mind that you just don't seem to see how beautiful you are.' Leah continues.

'Right you, enough of the flattery...' Imogen says shaking her head as she turns back around. It's just minutes later when she feels the blonde's arms snake around her waist as she presses a kiss the skin of her shoulder.

'You're so perfect and it kills me that you just don't see it..' Leah mumbles as Imogen leans back in her arms.

'I've missed you so much.' Imogen says, her hands settling on top of the blonde's as the rest against her stomach.

'I missed you too... Remember you were saying about maybe getting a few days away when this was all done? Did you mean it? Is that something you'd want to do?' Leah asks.

'Mm-hmm... I'd love to get away with you and Roo for a couple of days. Thinking of anywhere in particular?' Imogen asks and Leah shakes her head.

'Not sure. We can look maybe later tonight? If you're coming back to mine?' Leah says and Imogen nods her head.

'Sounds like a plan.' Imogen replies.

****

'So you and Imogen then, ey?' Beth says softly as she slides into the seat that Georgia has vacated to go chat to Mary nearer the back of the bus.

'Mm... What about us?' Leah asks, a small smile on her face.

'How long has that been going on for?' Beth asks watching Leah glance down at her phone before glancing back up at her.

'How long do you think?' Leah says raising her eyebrows at the blonde.

'Couple weeks maybe?' Beth replies and Leah shakes her head.

'We've not really put a label on it yet or anything but we've been seeing each other since Rory was like six weeks old.' Leah says causing Beth to gasp.

'Shut up! You have not. There's no way it's been that long. We would've noticed?' Beth replies and Leah smiles.

'I swear it's been that long. We just decided we wanted to keep it quiet until we got to know each other, until we figured out what was going on with us. We didn't want to rush into it.' Leah says.

'Are you happy? I know you were scared about letting yourself fall again.' Beth asks and Leah nods her head.

'So happy, Beth. I just- I feel so content when she's around. It's just easy with her. Everything just feels easy.' Leah replies causing Beth to smile.

'And I can see she adores Rory so that's a plus.' Beth says.

'Mm... She's so good with her and Roo just adores her.' Leah replies smiling.

'I'm so glad you're happy, Le. You deserve that happiness and Imogen is clearly good for you.' Beth says and Leah nods her head.

'She really is... She's just- She's amazing. I'm not quite sure if any of the other girls have figured it out but we just want to keep it quite for now.' Leah replies softly and Beth nods her head.

'I won't say a word, Le. I promise this will stay between us until you guys are ready to tell everyone.' Beth says.