" A dizzytation on the horizon and you're still procrastinating with fan fiction?" You bet I am. Slightly longer chapter then normal as didn't fix well for two 'cos ooh-er bit of amateur dramatics going on. Hope you enjoy! Let me know if anything reads wrong.
Three quarters of an hour, one dress change, a clean apron, some fresh air and a cup of strong tea later Constance made her way on foot back to Imogen's quarters. She was still cross about the whole Huggle-bunny thing and Mrs Tapioca's comments. But having to deal Miss Bat, a tupperware box of worms, a rude phone call from Mr Hallow's assistant and the upchucked contents of now a now ill Maud's stomach had put things in perspective. Yes Imogen had wound her up. But then again Imogen was sick and also the only one not treating her like a govenourness or a maid, so Constance, not wanting to fall out twice in one day resolved to resolve this new issue.
She found her Imogen where she'd left her this time, abet slouched on the wrong end of the bed and with a pink scrubbed clean face and brushed hair. Constance was mildly surprised. She had thought Imogen would sneak out when her back was turned or fall back in to another long restless sleep. But no, not sleeping. or working out. Not doing anything else actually other then idaely rolling a tennis ball from ones hand to another like a tiny tennis match. The witch watched for a few moments before clearing her throat making Imogen jolt out of her daze and drop the ball.
"Hey," Imogen sat up and smiled a little at her girlfriend as she entered but her whole demeanour still looked over cast. although she could just be queasy. "How was Davina?"
"The usual." Constance dismissed as she felt Imogen's forehead for any sign of her getting any worse or better. It was becoming a habit, just like the way she brushed the fringe aside and dropped a kiss in the blonde hair hoping it would help was. She was undecided if it was warmer then she last checked, but she disliked the way Imogen's head lolled a little as she turned her head to the touch."Now, I know that look. you're over thinking something."
"It's nothing." Imogen croaked.
"It's a funny looking 'Nothing'."
"It's a funny nothing look on your face as well." Imogen shot back then sneezed. twice. "What is it?"
"shall we skip the questions and just get straight to the point?" Constance complained. "Out with it then. What's on your mind?"
"you first." Imogen replied. "it's you who stormed off. Don't think I didn't feel it."
"But-! Imogen-. Alright fine." Again Imogen was aggravating her and Constance had to force herself to the resolution she'd decided on five minutes ago"…you know I don't mind most nick names. Or pet names- I just don't like them being used in front of others." She grumbled, straightening her dress and adjusting the fastening on her collar as though they were the source of their irritation before finally admitting. "They're ours. Only between us. But there is a limit to what is tolerable."
Imogen nodded. "…The bunny thing- I guess it is rather daft. I was only teasing."
"Yes well. you can use if you really must." Constance said through very gritted teeth. "Just not often. or everyday."
"Don't be stupid-!"
"I'm stupid?! she snapped but it came out pinched and Imogen flinched. "I was trying to come to a compromise!"
"Yes but you don't like it, so I won't use it!"
"That's a relief I must say!"
Imogen glared up at her and Constance glared right back. So much for us both calming down Constance thought to herself.
Imogen was the first too look away and lay back on the bed turning on her side. she looked how constance felt, already exhausted with the topic and snapping at each other. And Imogen's attitude still didn't sit well with her. Nor did admitting her own faults to her self but still knelt down so she was eye level with the gym mistress and said, "Look, I shouldn't have gotten cross with you over it. Earlier. and now i suppose. I know you didn't mean to say anything in front of Mr Blossom so-… Well. You know."
"…Yes I know." there was an attempt at an attempted smile at least. Constance returned it tracing circles on Imogen's shoulder with her thumb. "…I'm sorry too." then Imogen looked away again her breath catching, curling up on the mattress.
"Well?" the witch asked, standing up again. Imogen blinked.
"Well what, Const?"
"Well what's brought this on?" Constance gestured. "This melancholy?"
"Not-"
"We've clearly established its a something rather then a nothing Pussycat get on with it. Are you feeling ill? have you stomach ache?"
Imogen groaned and shook her head.
"Then whatever's the matter?" Constance pressed, frustrated at this line of inquiry, especially when met with a beat of silence. she rolled her eyes and took a seat next to her beloved on the bed again, giving up for the time being and resumed the one sided shoulder rub.
"…Have I made it obvious?" Imogen mumbled after a while.
"What do you mean 'it'?" Constance asked trying very hard not to get rattled. Imogen bit her lip.
"Between us?" she whispered visibly shrinking and curling up tighter to in her little ball.
"Not to me you haven't. Imogen? Darling what are you talking about?"
"Us." Imogen said, more into her hand stopped biting her lip to start worrying at her thumb nail again. "Constance, have I made us, you and me, obvious? To Frank? And to Mrs Tappioca? Have I outed us?"
"oh."
This time Constance did push Imogen's hand away from her face and took hold of it, sliding her hand in hers.
"No. No of corse not." she said softly. "At least I don't think so. Why? Did Mrs tapioca say something to you?" Imogen shook her head. "well then. They've said nothing to me and nor has Miss Bat. You might not be able to live it down but you were spouting all sorts of other nonsense so I shouldn't worry. " A silly thing to say as her girlfriend clearly was worried.
"But what if I have I outed us and they've just not said anything to us?" Imogen persisted sitting up and looking very upset. "would he tell the others do you think? Would he tell Miss Cackle?"
While not comfortable with being secretive, the both of them had agreed early on they would prefer keeping the relationship quiet, especially from the girls. but there was no escaping the inevitable.
"I don't think so. Mr Blossom, he is somewhat oblivious to the world around him I doubt he's put the maths together. and He sees you as practically family I doubt he'd do or say anything deliberately vindictive. and even if he did accidentally," Constance sighed. "well. no use crying over a spilt potion."
"But what if he says something to a student?" Imogen fretted, pulling away. "It would't have to be much. You know what this place is like with gossip! Parents might disagree and go to the governors-"
Constance pulled her back closer and held her snug at her side.
while it was still a big risk to be two women teachers to be in a relationship at an all witches boarding school, it would have been suicidal to be together if they'd been somewhere 'normal'. The trouble with the non witch education was they took a very dim view to any thing that was the least bit queer, often unjustly linking it to deviance, traumatising students and preying on children. Cackles might not be perfect but at least the bigoted fights only tended to fight about class and blood. and gender if the wizards stuck their noses in. But, while witches turned a blind eye to that sort of thing, there were far higher percentage of non magical teachers loosing- or to say bullied out of- their jobs then magical because of their sexuality, especially when certain newspapers got involved and blew things out of proportion to sell the story. Constance hated how upset it made Imogen feel; especially as a pe teacher she already faced a stereotype and the fear that followed. even if being a lesbian might not be such an issue in the academy as it would be at say Hevershum High for example.
"Hush. Let them take if they must, I'll scare them and give them detentions. who believes school rumours anyway? we'll call it slander. Let the governors call it scandalous too boot as well." Constance insisted, " and as for the other members of staff I like to think they wouldn't give a jot. Or actually be happy for us."
Imogen clung to her tighter letting Constance fuss over her. "Y-you think so?"
"Yes. Or too happy for us even knowing our luck. But anyway, if some how we are now out of the closet," Constance continued making sure tell the most Important part to Imogen's face. "I am Not prepared to be forced to give up on you on us or my job, thank you."
At her words, Imogen suddenly grinned. for a moment she looked her normal Reassured sunny healthy self, and she all but sprung on the dazzled witch to try and steal a kiss.