When the witch reappeared she found Imogen in a rather pitiful state, rubbing at her eyes like a child and sniffling loudly. She herself was feeling a little tiny twinge for leaving her on her own like that, a twinge she was stubbornly trying to ignore. It hadn't been that long, she'd done a quick patrol of the corridors, shouted a third year and a quick visit to the kitchens. Not even an hour, not long at all.
The flash of light made Imogen jump and she quieted down very quickly. Her eyes now even redder and wide with surprise mopping at her face as Constance felt for her forehead again (the temperature rather high for her liking) in her brisk manner and pushing a glass of water in to Imogen's hand.
"Constance-"
"Fluids and vitamin c."
"Pardon?"
"Fluids. And vitamin c." Miss Hardbroom repeated, gesturing to where a freshly peeled, pithed and segmented orange on a plate sat on the tray where it hadn't before. "You're always complaining no one gets enough of either around here."
"oh. Thank you." her patient mumbled, taking a piece. Imogen ate it small slow little bites as though worried about any sudden movements. "I thought you'd- you'd gone."
"I did. But I'm quite clearly back." Constance said sulky.
"No I mean- never mind." Imogen took gulp of water for non-Dutch Dutch courage and got her act together. "Constance, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to snap. Are you-?"
"You did say and I quote, shut up or go away. Why then ask me so many questions if you wanted me to stop talking, I feel like an incompetent first year."
"No I shouldn't have-"
"No I'm well aware you shouldn't have."
"Can you let me finish a -!"
But Constance interrupted holding up hand for peace and putting her pride aside continued, "But then I shouldn't have wound you up, which under the circumstances was unfair."
Her long fingers reached out, stroking Imogen's far too warm cheek. Imogen let her, leaning in to the touch with a sigh.
"Daft witch."
"Silly blonde. And I did say Apology accepted."
"You did not."
"I meant too. If you'd let me get a word in edge ways."
"Hang on-"
"Didn't you say you were sorry?"
"Yes. Twice but I didn't realise you'd gone poof into thin air the first time."
"So then apology accepted. Twice but I don't Poof as you so kindly put it how many more times?"
"A billion." Imogen mumbled innocently insolent. Constance merely rolled her eyes, cupping Imogen's face in both hands and giving a little kiss on the fore head before she sat back down. The magic from such an action might relive Imogen's head ache somewhat for few minutes but it would lose all effect if she kept doing it at Imogen's request. Instead the gym mistress sighed and settled back against the pillows, before she asked: "Why are you being nice?"
"I'm not."
"You are. Normally you'd have started shouting and you never forgive me that easily when I've been an idiot before."
"Imogen-" Constance sighed, leaning back in the chair. She didn't feel like explaining her self but she still felt awful for their little spat. She didn't need to be Sherlock Holmes to see Imogen had certainly been crying in her absence. Sometimes she forgot how sensitive the stubborn blonde was and stated simply- "darling, You're ill."
"Well done Miss obvious. That's absolutely no excuse for being a prat and getting special treatment. Unless all the girls are getting kisses."
"You are ill. and if you think A I would do such a thing - this isn't Mädchen in Uniform! and B if I'm giving you special treatment then you're simply suffering from a fever induced delusion."
"I can't be." Imogen smirked. "There's no pink elephants and you are still in a black dress."
"Pink elephants are for drunks and Davina's cocktail." Constance reminded her. "And what else would I be wearing? And don't you dare say fairy wings and a tutu."
"Or that apron. Just that apron."
"Now you're defiantly delusional, not even your imagination could stretch that far."
"Try me-"
"Hold your tongue Miss Drill." Constance snapped with a glower, blushing furiously, the banter stopping short at that. Imogen nodded mumbling maybe that had been too far and gulped down the remainder of her water. Constance exhaled into the awkward silence that followed. But Imogen began toying with the glass, gathering up courage to speak. "What?"
"sorry I well…" Imogen started as if worried she might get a telling off. "I know you said you wouldn't kiss me but …"
"but?"
"well when you asked if I wanted anything I was just wondering if maybe, honeybear, we could-"
Constance glared at her again. "Imogen, if I'm not kissing you I'm certainly not doing that-!"
"No, no! Not that's not what I meant… could we cuddle?"
"Cuddle?"
"Please. Or just a hug. Or hand holding. If that's alright? I'll behave. I promise. I won't even get to close."
Miss Hardbroom thought about it, then nodded and moved her chair closer to the bed allowing Imogen to clamber over to her open arms with a smile and mumbled thank you. How funny it was she could move for a cuddle and not for a run, Constance smirked as the blonde settled herself in her mistress' lap and cozied up to her. Another point to wind her up about later. When Imogen was well enough to tease obviously. For now she just held her and let her be.
