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The return to the Zhudanna inn was full of silences, which was common among them, but this time there was something that made Imogen uneasy.
Beyond the loss of Danas, the mission entrusted to them by Lord Eshteross had been carried out with considerable success and the group of adventurers were happy with the result. Despite her initial reluctance, Imogen had found that her new companions could become good friends if she gave them the chance, just as Laudna had told her the night before.
But Laudna was exactly the person she was worried about now. Once at the inn, Zhudanna had received them warmly as always, the stew was on the stove and a smell very similar to home filled every corner, the hearth was lit and in that part of the city the calm had already taken root for the evening. Laudna had come in, greeted the innkeeper, and then disappeared into their room; she hadn't come out since.
Imogen knew the woman needed her moments of solitude and introspection, but she didn't like it when she closed in on her as well. She knew what was like when that happened and if Laudna was there for her when the voices became unbearable, then she would be there for Laudna when her silences haunted her mind. This was how it was supposed to be, how they had promised each other it would be.
Dinner passed in silence as well. Zhudanna asked them how their day had been but they couldn't give her too many details; they didn't want to put her at risk if she knew more than she should; Laudna responded in monosyllables when she generally diverted the conversation (and the innkeeper's attention) to other topics with great ease.
Imogen looked at her sideways, she wanted to ask her what was happening but she didn’t want to invade her privacy; Laudna was very closed about some things, about her personal issues and it had taken a while for her to trust Imogen enough to tell her.
When the three women finished their dinner, they gathered the leftovers and washed the dishes in a synchronized and orderly effort; in no time they were ready to go to sleep but Imogen couldn't help but want to ask Laudna what was wrong with her.
When the two entered the room they shared, Laudna sat on the bed, staring at the wall.
"Okay, tell me what's wrong" Imogen stood in front of Laudna with her hands on her waist.
"Is there something wrong?” Laudna asked, her dark eyes moving up the figure in front of her until they reached the concerned frown that was staring at her intently.
"Laudna..."
The brunette looked away, there was nothing she could hide from that lilac gaze.
"Dorian" was the only thing she said.
"What about Dorian?" Imogen knew where her partner's train of thought was coming from but she wanted her to articulate it in words.
Silence.
"We had to divert attention from the noise, you know that right?"
“...”
"And Dorian was the one who was closest..."
"I know, it’s okay?" Laudna grumbled, still not meeting her eyes.
Imogen smiled a little, she found Laudna's reaction downright charming.
She took her skirts out of the way and sat on Laudna’s lap even if she refused to look her in the eyes.
"Laudna... look at me, please"
Her black eyes were still lost somewhere on the floor.
"I don't need to tell you anything, you can see what I'm thinking" the brunette finally said, looking up, the dark eyes of the sorceress slowly moving over her face. Imogen, unlike perhaps the rest of the world, felt that look as the soft, warm caress that she really meant.
"Maybe, but I want you to tell me" Imogen whispered, her fingers moved closer to the pale skin of the woman's cheek and ran over her favorite spots. "You know you don't have to feel like this, right?"
Laudna sought the warm contact with Imogen's hand, closing her eyes.
“We've been through a lot, darling… and we'll go through a lot more. I will always return to you, you know that, right? Always"
Imogen sealed her statement by moving closer to Laudna's lips to leave a kiss as soft as a butterfly. When she moved back, Laudna followed her until she found her again. They stayed like that for a few minutes, among delicate caresses and imperceptible kisses.
Their arms encircled each other but the hugs weren't suffocating or possessive. Their displays of affection were like that, free and soft but always present. It was a habit they had fallen into over a year ago, almost without realizing it.
On one of the nights when Imogen couldn't sleep, when the voices of the day haunted her even in the hours of darkness, Laudna had wrapped her skinny but protective arms around her… and it had happened. First it was her lips on her temple, seeking comfort and showing her that she wasn’t alone; Imogen had closed her eyes and let Laudna work her magic on her tired nerves. Then she felt those lips go down to her cheeks while her curious hands caressed her back, she had only managed to look for more contact, getting closer to Laudna even more and letting her face turn towards the woman. It was like a natural evolution of their relationship, it never felt forced or rushed, it just happened. And on that night of necessary closeness and comfort offered without asking for anything in return, their lips had met halfway as if it were something that simply had to happen.
Ever since, in the solitude of their room or when no one was around to look or judge them, Laudna and Imogen shared those moments of tender affection.
When they finally separated, Imogen saw how the smile had returned to the brunette’s face and she also smiled, bringing their foreheads together in a familiar gesture.
“Let's go to sleep, honey. Tomorrow will be a complicated day, and you know we can only get through it if we're together"