Chapter Text
Jump Ahead Six Months
“Ashton, you need to go. You’re going to be late and Fearne will never let you live it down. It’s your anniversary for fuck’s sake. I don’t know why you even came in today.” Imogen handed them their boots. They kicked off their plain shoes, hopping in place as they put them on. She shielded her face from the sun, checking her watch.
“To make up for having tomorrow off! You guys would’ve been screwed.” They hastily tied them, tossing their apron to Imogen.
“And we would have survived! We have before. That’s just how things work. Your reservation is in less than an hour, on the other side of town.” Imogen draped the apron over arm.
“I know, I know! I didn’t think it would be this busy when they called me in. I have enough time to run home and shower. She should be gone already and won’t be able to judge me for being behind. Fearne and Laudna not living together anymore makes it real hard to keep tabs on her sometimes.”
“Hey, things end pal. Seasons, extra shifts. Leases. It just made sense for Fearne to move in with you and Laudna with me. I had a spare room.” She shrugged. It was still new and very much an adjustment, only a couple months now, but it was working.
“I still can’t believe you two are living together. You’ve been dating half as long as Fearne and I.”
“We embrace the stereotypes sometimes. And it’s not like we’re sharing a room or anything.” They’d talked about it, but it hadn’t felt right at the time. Maybe down the line, but not yet.
“No, but you’re sharing a bathroom. Depending on who you talk to, that’s even more intimate.” He pulled his keys free, blowing hair out of his face. They’d been growing it out, just to see how it fit. Imogen was well aware that they had an appointment to get it cut in a few days.
“It’s not that weird. There’s just a little bit more hair all over the place than there used to be. Now go! And tell her I say hello.” She shooed him away, needing him to move along.
“I’m going. I’ll see you later. Have fun with the rest of your day. If you need to scream, walk-in cooler is thatta way.”
“I am well aware of where the cooler is. Have fun.” She didn’t go back inside until he’d gotten in his car and was driving away. The rest of her shift went by just as miserably as she’d expected. Busy as hell, terrible tippers, loud kids all over the damn place. Just all around not a great time. She banged her elbow on more than one counter, dropped more than one tray of used dishes on her feet, almost screamed in the cooler. Not quite, but it got close. The night finally ended and she left with everyone else, all of them quiet and just done. It was later than usual and they all just wanted to go home. Imogen got in her car and leaned her head on the steering wheel, taking a deep breath and checking her phone. Laudna had texted a few times about an hour ago.
Hope the night isn’t too miserable. I know weekends are busy and you’re short staffed.
Did the dishes, they’ll be drying when you get in.
Going to bed, left the light in the kitchen on. See you in the morning. :) The most recent message from not even ten minutes ago.
Imogen smiled at the emoji and buckled her seatbelt. The night was over and she had the next day off to recover. She had an idea of what to do with that free time. The drive home was quiet and easy, not many people out and about just after midnight. She parked next to Laudna’s car, her guest parking pass replaced with a resident one. She smiled at the small change. Quietly let herself into their apartment, adding her shoes to the pile beside the door. The light above the stove was on, dimly lighting up the space, preventing her from adding to the bruises she knew she’d have in the morning. Took a very quick shower, hoping it didn’t wake Laudna up. It was late and she felt bad, but she needed the running water to relax her before bed. And get the food specks out of her hair. When Imogen came out, drying her hair with a second towel, Laudna’s door was open and she poked her head out, a small light illuminating her a little.
“Sorry. Tried to be quick and quiet.”
“Don’t worry about it. I wasn’t asleep yet, just reading. Long night?”
“So goddamn long. Ashton came in for a few hours and was almost late for their date. Him. Late for his anniversary dinner with Fearne. And it just proceeded to be a shit show. But that’s just how things work. We made it and I don’t have to worry about it one bit tomorrow. Work number will be muted and ignored, no help extended. Sorry y’all, but it’s not happening. You have a shift tomorrow right?”
“Yeah. Nine am.”
“Jesus Laudna, you should be in bed. Go, I’m sorry for keeping you up.”
“Imogen, you’re not keeping me up. I’m choosing to talk to you. Very different. Wanted to see how your night went and make sure you actually got in.”
“Okay. Um, after work tomorrow, did you have anything planned? Errands you needed to run or anything?” Imogen scratched her nose, still nervous around her after all these months.
“Not that I can think of.”
“Great. Wanna see a movie?”
“Sure. Have something in mind?”
“I’ve got an idea, yeah. I need to double check times, but we can figure that out tomorrow. For now, we both need to sleep. I’ve got the lights.”
“Alright. It’s a date tomorrow.” Laudna stepped over and gave Imogen a quick kiss, her fingers lingering briefly on her cheek, catching a stray bit of damp hair. Imogen kissed her back, smiling when she pulled away.
“A date.” Laudna stepped back into her room and silently shut the door. Imogen turned off the light, using her phone’s flashlight to avoid knocking into anything. Put on her pajamas and spent a little bit more time winding down, scrolling through random videos.
By the time she woke up, Laudna was already gone, coffee recently finished and sitting on the machine, still warm. Imogen poured herself a cup, with its copious amount of creamer, opening her computer to check movie times. She’d only been sort of sure the movie she wanted to see was even playing. But there it was. She bought a couple tickets, knowing where in the theater Laudna preferred to sit. With the morning to kill, she started on some of the chores they’d both been neglecting. No one ever told you as a child that laundry was never ending. There was always something that needed washed. Or dried. Or folded. Constantly. And with two people in the place now, there were more towels, more blankets, more jeans, more sweaters to be washed. So many things. But she started it. And would finish eventually. She stretched out on the couch with a book while the dryer was going on the second batch. Batch one was sitting in their single laundry basket, waiting to be folded. She’d get there. She wanted to read for a little bit.
A few more hours passed and most of the laundry got done. And that was good enough. It was a start and it’d get finished later. Probably. She’d also finished the book and was calling it a very productive day. But it was her day off and that was all she really felt like doing at the moment. She went out and got something small for lunch, electing to take it home and eat there instead of around too loud people. It was lunch, not a shouting match, but no one seemed to realize that. A quiet meal at home by herself was just fine with her. She got to choose the music going in the background and didn’t have to worry about kids throwing things in her direction. Sitting on the couch, quietly eating, she looked around. At first glance, it wasn’t super obvious that Laudna had moved in months ago. She’d gotten used to the new things. The couple art prints that had replaced some nature pictures Imogen had put up just to take up space. Random spools of red thread that had been forgotten about and replaced. A bird skull replica (maybe?) on the table beside the door, guarding their keys. Just little things that were entirely Laudna and just worked with Imogen’s own decorations. Fearne called it Southern Gothic. Sure it was a music genre, but it fit them well. And she loved it. So much. Everything Laudna brought in to try and put somewhere put a smile on Imogen’s face. It was her place too and Imogen was going to make sure she knew that and not dictate what she could or couldn’t bring in.
Evening finally came around and Laudna got home, muttering about bitter old hags and their archaic attitudes. Imogen understood that sentiment. If they weren’t shopping at a craft store complaining about ‘the misuse of their precious rainbow’, they were eating at a restaurant and tipping terribly, if at all. Or giving her hair the most horrified looks they could muster. Super fun to deal with. Laudna put her keys in the bowl that looked like a red moon, and sat down beside Imogen with a sigh, putting her head on her shoulder. It was automatic for Imogen to bring her hand up and start running her fingers through Laudna’s hair. Laudna sighed, relaxing more beside her.
“So how was your day?” Imogen asked, quietly humming to the music still playing over the speakers.
“It was a day. That’s about it.”
“Mmm. Been there, dealt with that. Still up for a movie soon?”
“Yes. Please. Anything not work related. I’m begging.” Imogen laughed as Laudna sat back, clasping her hands together to properly beg.
“Great. I got our tickets already and we’ve got about an hour. Plenty of time to unwind and snack before paying too much for popcorn and candy.”
“Excellent. I’m going to go change first and we can go from there.” Laudna stood, kissing the top of Imogen’s head before walking back to her room. Imogen smiled softly as she watched her walk away. Laudna came back out a few minutes later, normal jeans and shirt traded out for things just a little darker, a little weirder. A little more Laudna. Imogen stood and unplugged her phone, double checking the time. They were doing fine, had plenty to spare, “Alright. Shall we be on our way?”
“Yeah, yes. Let’s go.” Imogen picked up her keys and made sure she had her wallet and phone. She drove them, the two of them talking the entire time. She still hadn’t told Laudna what they were seeing, but she didn’t seem to mind. She hoped she was going to like it. Her eyes lit up at the theater when she realized it was the sequel to the one they’d seen a year ago.
“It may not be our anniversary exactly, but it has been a year since we met and this felt appropriate.”
“Imogen, it is perfect. You get the popcorn, I will get us drinks.” Before Imogen went inside, she pulled the small blanket out of her trunk. Compared to the people bringing in full on quilts and small pillows, this was completely normal and hardly noticeable. She slung it over her shoulder and pulled out her phone for the tickets. Stood in line, moving along at a decent pace. Paid for the monstrous popcorn, slightly smaller drink, and sour candy. Laudna was standing by one of the tables by the bar, a plastic cup of wine in each hand.
“It’s not a first date after all.” She said with a smile before Imogen could comment on them. She grinned back, thinking back to their not date-date a year ago.
“You’re not wrong. But I thought I was supposed to get it.”
“You got everything else. This is on me. And still doesn’t cover it all.” Imogen led the way to the theater and their seats, slipping by the few people already in the row. She set the popcorn and candy on the armrest between their seats and the soda in the cupholder. Gladly took the wine from Laudna and sat down, pulling the blanket off her shoulder and unfolding it. Laudna was already in her hoodie, but they both knew she was going to get cold not even ten minutes in. Six months of use was certainly doing a number on the hoodie. It had faded some and there was a coffee stain that refused to wash out of the sleeve. Imogen was glad it was well loved. The lights eventually dimmed and Imogen sat back, putting her arm down. Laudna’s hand found hers in the dark, her fingers cold. Imogen laced their fingers together, knowing it would probably take most of the move for them to warm up even a little. But maybe this would help. They quietly shared their popcorn and candy, so much like the first time they’d done this. Only this time, they didn’t pull away when their fingers brushed in the popcorn, didn’t go out of their way to not brush shoulders or lean into each other.
The movie wasn’t nearly as good as the first, sequels hardly ever were. But they enjoyed it and when the lights came on, they were both smiling, hands still together. It took them a couple minutes to untangle the blanket and get themselves out of the theater. They didn’t leave the building right away, choosing to play a few of the arcade games scattered around the lobby. They were not very good at them, but it was fun passing the time. Laudna managed to get on the very bottom of the high score list of one of the pinball machines. The bells and dings gave Imogen a headache, but she cheered when Laudna added her initials. They both knew the next kid with any amount of skill would take her place, but for now, the letters were there. Imogen looked over her shoulder, her cheer fading, confused.
“Did you really use Letters initials?”
“Yes, yes I did. Let strangers try to figure out what dirty phrase FCG could possibly be. Ready to go?” Laudna drummed her fingers on the game before stepping away for the next group to play.
“I’m ready if you are.” Imogen readjusted the blanket around her shoulders, tossing the finally empty soda cup and pulling out her keys.
“Alright. Let’s get you something for your head and call it a night shall we?”
“My head is fine.” She lied, squinting at the lights in the parking lot.
“Sure. And I’m not cold. Come on.” They held hands and made their way to the car. Imogen tossed the blanket into the trunk and handed Laudna her phone to choose something to listen to on the drive home. Over the months, they’d made a playlist of songs they both liked, a very mismatched assortment of music by now, but it worked. It was good knowing what the other listened to. Broadened horizons. Laudna hit shuffle on it and Imogen pulled out of the parking lot. The quiet and dim light of home sounded fantastic. Even better with Laudna there. Things had certainly changed in the last year, but she was glad. At a red light, she grabbed Laudna’s hand, quietly drumming along to the beat, and kissed the back of it. Just because she could. Laudna squeezed her hand in return, the street lights around them giving her a light glow. Beautiful as always. Yeah, this was well worth the wait. And she was looking forward to a hell of a lot more. As long as Laudna wanted her around, she wasn’t going anywhere.