Chapter Text
Ashton probably thought he was being subtle, but Imogen had seen. The Bells Hells were walking outside into the bright sunlight for the first time that day and as soon as the light hit their eyes Ashton gave an almost imperceptible flinch and their already tense shoulders wound even tighter. Most would not recognize these signs of an impeding or already present migraine, but migraines were one health condition that Imogen knew well.
Imogen studied the genasi as they gang walked through the town to whatever shop the others needed to go too now. She wondered absently why he did not just say something and take a break if he was hurting but reminded herself that he is the strong tough barbarian of the group. “You are also being a hypocrite” her own voice rang out in her mind. No matter. It was obvious that this would not end up well. Ashton’s shoulders were still even more tense than usual, his gait seemed to be wavering a little, and she could tell from the way his head hung just a little his eyes were trained on the ground. Another beam of sunlight hit the group and seemed to bounce off the crystal covering the hole in Ashton’s head and a burst of light flared within the head as she had seen only a couple times before.
That must be the issue. Head injuries were always difficult and could stay with someone long after they happened. She had seen another child when she was growing up who fell out of a tree, hit their head, and would occasionally have ‘fits’ as the adults called it for years after before they died during one of the fits. Ashton probably had similar effects from their fall, not ‘fits’ but migraines and headaches. It made sense, she knew how hard they could be to manage especially when a sense such as sight or hearing betrayed you and stabbed your head with every new sensation.
Imogen was taken from her thoughts as a cold but comforting hand found its way into her’s and she glanced over to see the bright smile of Laudna who was giving her a quizzical look. Imogen smiled back at the other girl and squeezed her hand gently trying to convey that everything was fine. Laudna wasn’t taking it however and brushed their shoulders together again.
“I’m fine. Just watching Ashton,” Imogen told Laudna in her head.
“Oh! What’s up with him?” Laudna replied and started to study the genasi in front of them.
“I’m sure they’ll be fine,” Imogen sent back.
“He is looking a bit more tense than usual. Oh, he just flinched at that noise!” Laudna continued her investigation as a door was closed loudly nearby.
“Ya, I think he may have a migraine. But leave him alone. If he needs us, we’ll be here but otherwise let him keep it to himself,” Imogen told her friend who nodded back. They walked hand-in-hand for a few more minutes watching the others. Orym keeping an eye on Fearne to make sure she didn’t get herself into more trouble. FCG and Chetney leading the way to their destination. Ashton still trying to play off the pain that they were in, that the others seemed not to notice.
Soon enough, the Hells Bells were at the store and the others were starting to head inside when Imogen saw Ashton lean against the wall by the door, obviously trying to act as sentry for the group but also taking a break. Imogen and Laudna looked at each other before Laudna went in with the others and Imogen stood next the large rock person.
“How are you?” Imogen spoke into Ashton’s mind as to not let any of the others hear their conversation. Ashton startled a bit before relaxing back into his tense state, looking out at the street but not focusing.
“I’m fine. Why are you out here, go join the others,” Ashton’s rough voice responded.
“I recognize the signs of pain, especially when it comes to heads you know,” Imogen stated getting straight to the point, how the other liked it.
“I’m fine. This happens sometimes. I just have to deal with it,” Ashton’s voice sounded gruffer.
“We don’t have a lot to do today, and the others will be just fine if you want to rest,” Imogen replied cautiously.
“No. I don’t deserve to rest. It’s just a stupid headache. I’ve had enough of them since the fall to know how to deal with them. I have to just keep going,” Ashton tried to convince her, but their thoughts tapered off near the end.
“You don’t always have to be strong you know?” Imogen said softly which caused the other to grunt.
“You don’t understand what it’s like around here. You are either strong or dead. There is no in between,” the genasi argued before trying to stand straight from their leaning position, presumably to head inside to the others away from this conversation, and had to grip onto the doorway as they swayed slightly.
Imogen reached out and grasped the hard bicep attempting to provide stability. Ashton slowly reached up and squeezed the bridge of his nose, a familiar motion to Imogen.
“I can just tell the others we’re going to go back to the tavern. No one will care,” Imogen sent to Ashton quietly to which he just nodded, apparently the pain becoming too much. Eternally Imogen sighed, glad that she had gotten to him.
“Ok, let me just let Laudna know,” Imogen murmured.
“Laudna, I’m going to take Ashton back to the tavern to rest. Just tell the others that there were too many people for me or something.”
“Alright, I’ll let them know,” Laudna’s sweet voice came through Imogen’s brain in reply. Imogen looked at Ashton and smiled turning back towards where they had just come from, her hand still on Ashton’s arm.
He looked down at her, his eyes unfocused, as he whispered, “Thank you. I have struggled since the whole, you know,” they tapped the crystal keeping their brain in their skull.
Imogen nodded, “Believe me, I understand what it’s like to have what feels like millions of needles poking into your brain. We don’t have to talk, let’s just get back.”
Ashton nodded in understanding before asking, “How did you know, not even Letters usually picks up on it?”
Imogen smiled up at the larger person and went, “Your shoulders are more tense than usual.” Ashton grunted softly before closing his eyes against the light and allowing the purple-haired girl to lead the two of them back to the sweet darkness of their tavern room for a much-needed rest. They may have trouble sometimes, but that did not mean that they were weak, and Imogen silently vowed to show them that one day at a time.