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Laudna slowed down as the rest of Bells Hells filed out of the giant toad. Her gaze naturally fell to Imogen, who seemed to be in deep discussion with Orym. She looked at her furrowed brows, something that seemed to be a permanent fixture on her girlfriend’s face these days. She imagined running her thumb along the wrinkles, smoothing them out and pressing feather-like kisses to the spot.
She swallowed, her throat thick and her eyes suddenly brimming with tears.
Imogen hadn’t stopped talking about death. Her death, specifically. And each time she brought it up, Laudna’s slow beating heart dropped just a bit further. It seemed to reside in the pit of her stomach, heavy, filled with impending grief she didn’t know what to do with. And so she turned around.
“Jirana? May I ask you something?”
The old woman fixed her gaze and something in her expression softened, a painting of sympathy that Laudna wanted to wash away. “Of course, dear.”
“How do you grieve for someone who isn’t yet gone?”
Two calloused hands took her own. “You live. You spend every moment like it’s your last. Let yourself feel that grief, but don’t let it overcome you. Not while she’s still here to chase it away.”
Laudna clocked the specific word, and found Jirana’s eyes flitting from her, to the familiar head of lavender hair that got harder to see with each passing moment.
“She’s still here. So cherish that.” Jirana released her hands after a brief squeeze.
Laudna took in a deep, shaky breath, still fixated on Imogen’s foggy form.
“I will.”