The Captain's Heart

forty-three

17th August 2022 - six months and twenty days old.

It's the early hours of Wednesday morning when she sleepily makes her way through to the living room where the brunette is sitting on the sofa, the room dimly lit by the moonlight through a gap in the curtains allowing the blonde to see her tear strained cheeks.

'Ims... What's going on?' Leah asks softly as she makes her way over to the sofa, watching her girlfriend immediately reach up to wipe her cheeks.

'N-Nothing. It's fine. I'm fine... Go back to bed, babes.' Imogen says.

'I woke up and you weren't there. You've been distant ever since you went home in Monday night. I'm worried about you, Ims. I don't quite know what I've done.' Leah says taking a seat next to the brunette who sighs and shakes her head.

'I didn't mean to be distant, I'm sorry. I just- I spoke to my mum and well Logan's been in touch.' Imogen almost whispers.

'With your mum?' Leah asks and the brunette nods her head.

'Do you want to talk about it? What do you need from me right now, Ims?' Leah asks, the brunette hesitating before running her hand over her face.

'I'm right here, Ims. I'm not going anywhere. Whatever you need, I'm here.' Leah says.

'Can you just hold me for a bit?' Imogen asks quietly and Leah nods her head.

'Of course... Come here.' Leah replies. Immediately the brunette moves closer to the blonde who instantly wraps her arms tightly around her girlfriend.

'I've got you.' Leah says softly.

'I just- I don't know how to feel. He's their son, I get that he's still their son but I guess just- I don't know...' Imogen says shrugging her shoulders.

'I don't want to speak out of place here but you're still their daughter and Mia is their daughter. What he did to you both, what he put you both through is unforgiveable, Ims. Have your parents not spoke to him until now?' Leah asks.

'I didn't think so but now I just don't know. I don't think mum was even going to tell me he'd been in touch... Mia had told me about it first and mum only said when I brought it up.' Imogen replies.

'Oh, Ims.' Leah says softly.

****

It's the pain in her neck that wakes her up initially. She's sprawled out half of the sofa, half off the sofa with Imogen cuddled into her; the brunette's breathing is soft and steady as her head rests on Leah's chest, her tear-stained cheeks the only evidence of last night.

'I'm just going to get Rory...' Leah says softly as she gently attempts to move the brunette off of her.

'What time is it?' Imogen mumbles, her voice thick with sleep as she glances up at the blonde.

'Just before 8, I think. Why don't you go to bed for a bit?' Leah suggests.

'Mm... We've got training.' Imogen replies.

'I'll tell Jonas you're sick?' Leah says watching the brunette shake her head.

'No, I could use the distraction... Mia said she's going to phone later. Let me know what time she arrives and stuff.' Imogen replies causing Leah to smile.

'Yeah? That'll be good for you to get to see her, won't it?' Leah says and Imogen nods her head.

'Mm...' Imogen replies. She moves off the blonde, allowing her to push herself into a standing position and stretching her muscles slightly.

'You must be in agony... You weren't even fully on the sofa, I'm sorry.' Imogen says.

'Don't apologise. It's fine. I'm fine, I can handle night on the sofa.' Leah replies.