Danger ⚠️

The sun was relentless on set, beating down as the crew bustled around, setting up for the next scene. Orm stood near Mae Koy, script in hand, mentally preparing for another long take with Jason, who—unsurprisingly—was making a spectacle of himself on set again. But Orm barely paid him any mind.

Because Ling was here.

Ling, standing just a few meters away, arms crossed, looking divine in an all-black outfit, her sunglasses perched on her nose, watching everything unfold with quiet intensity. She had been sticking close all morning, which Orm secretly loved. It was a silent "I'm here. Watching. Observing." And while Orm didn’t need protection, God, she loved how Ling had her back.

Everything was fine. Until Ling’s phone vibrated.

Orm glanced over instinctively. Ling pulled out her phone, checked the screen, and something about the way her lips twitched—half amusement, half something else—made Orm’s stomach tighten. Then Ling answered, stepping away from the set.

Orm narrowed her eyes.

Mae Koy, standing beside her, definitely noticed the shift in Orm’s demeanor. "You okay, baby?" she asked, her voice laced with amusement.

"Who’s calling her?" Orm asked, trying to keep her tone neutral.

Mae Koy barely glanced at Ling before smirking. “Ohhh. That looks like Ruby Rose.”

Orm froze.

Excuse me?

She turned her full attention to Ling, who was now a few steps away, her voice dropping into that smooth tone—the kind she used when she was relaxed, enjoying a conversation.

“…You’re incorrigible,” Ling was saying, shaking her head with a smirk.

Orm’s jaw clenched.

Jason, of all people, noticed first.

"Something wrong, Kornnaphat?" he asked, far too smugly.

Orm shot him a glare. "Shut up, Jason."

He smirked. "Ooooh, that bad, huh?" He followed her gaze toward Ling and smirked. "Damn. And here I thought I was your biggest problem. But looks like your real competition is in Hollywood."

Orm wanted to strangle him.

Her grip on the script tightened as she tried—really tried—not to let the jealousy sink its claws into her. Ruby fucking Rose. The woman every girl on earth seemed to have a crush on. The woman who was openly, unapologetically flirty. And now, the woman who was clearly very comfortable calling her wife.

She shouldn’t be jealous. She knew Ling loved her.

But… but the way Ling’s body language was too casual, the way her lips curved at something Ruby was saying, the way she was smiling—Oh, hell no.

Mae Koy leaned in, whispering, “Relax, Orm. Ruby might be a walking lesbian dream, but Ling only has eyes for you.”

Orm huffed, but her pulse did not slow down.

Then, as if to make things worse, Ling laughed—that laugh. The one that was usually reserved for their late-night conversations, for private moments when she was soft and teasing.

Oh, no. Absolutely not. Orm was done. Before she could think twice, she strode toward Ling, purpose in her every step. Ling turned slightly, catching the movement, and smirked like she already knew.

"Ah, wifey’s coming," she purred into the phone, deliberately loud enough for Orm to hear.

Orm narrowed her eyes.

Ling grinned, holding up a finger as if to say, Give me a second, baby.

Oh, she had one second, alright.

Orm didn’t hesitate—she stepped right behind Ling, wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her flush against her chest.

Ling startled slightly but recovered quickly, amused as hell.

"Someone’s feeling territorial," she murmured, covering the phone slightly.

Orm leaned in, brushing her lips against Ling’s ear. "Hang up, love."

Ling shivered. Oh, this was interesting.

"Ruby," she said smoothly into the phone, ignoring the way Orm’s fingers were digging into her waist. "I have to go."

Ruby’s voice definitely carried amusement. "Oh? Is your wife glaring at you right now?"

Ling smirked. "She’s more than glaring, babe."

Orm snatched the phone from Ling’s hand and ended the call.

Ling gasped. "Orm!"

Orm turned Ling around in her arms, pinning her with a deadly glare. "Babe?" she repeated.

Ling, completely unbothered, dragged her fingers down Orm’s chest and smirked. "Are you jealous, wifey?"

Orm’s eye twitched. "No."

Ling tilted her head, clearly entertained. "You just ended my call with Ruby. That screams jealous."

Orm huffed, gripping Ling’s hips tighter. "I just don’t like the way she talks to you."

Ling chuckled, sliding her hands up to Orm’s neck, playing with the little baby hairs there. Dangerous. "You don’t like that she flirts with me?"

Orm glared. "She doesn’t just flirt. She acts like—like you’re hers."

Ling sighed dramatically, leaning in until her lips barely brushed Orm’s. "Baby. You’re the only one I belong to."

Orm exhaled sharply, her jealousy still simmering.

Ling smirked, pressing a soft kiss to Orm’s jaw. "Ruby’s harmless. But you being this possessive? Kind of hot."

Orm groaned. "You’re impossible."

Ling grinned. "You love me."

Orm sighed, finally letting go of the tension, resting her forehead against Ling’s. "Yeah. I do."

Mae Koy, watching from a distance, shook her head and sighed. "God, these two."

Jason, standing nearby? Rolling his damn eyes. "Fucking ridiculous," he muttered.

Orm snapped her head toward him. "Jealous, Jason?"

Jason scoffed. "Of what? Your sappy-ass romance? No thanks."

Orm smirked. "Good. Then stay the hell out of my business."

Jason grumbled something under his breath, absolutely annoyed at how unshakable Orm and Ling were.

Ling, still in Orm’s arms, smirked up at her wife. "Guess we both know what it feels like now, huh?"

Orm huffed, kissing her nose. "Guess so."

Ling whispered against Orm’s lips. "We should go home soon, so I can properly reassure you."

Orm’s eyes darkened. "Now that’s an idea I support."

The ride home was quiet. Not the comfortable kind, where Orm and Ling could bask in each other’s presence without needing words—no, this was a silence thick with something else. Something unspoken. Something simmering beneath the surface.

Orm’s grip on the steering wheel was just a little too tight, her knuckles slightly white as she focused on the road. Ling sat beside her, her head resting against the window, but she wasn’t asleep. She could feel it. The shift in Orm’s energy.

She bit her lip, hiding a smirk.

Oh, my love. You are so obvious.

She knew exactly what was bothering Orm. The way her wife had ended that call with Ruby Rose—clipped, firm, possessive—made it painfully clear.

Ling stretched, tilting her head slightly. “Something on your mind, baby?”

Orm’s eyes stayed on the road. “No.”

Ling bit back a laugh.

Oh, so she was going to play that game.

“Hmm.” Ling hummed, fingers toying with the hem of her dress. “You seem tense.”

Orm exhaled through her nose, her jaw ticking slightly. “Long day.”

Ling glanced at her, dragging her gaze along Orm’s profile—the sharp line of her jaw, the slight furrow in her brows, the way her lips pressed into a firm line.

Jealousy suited Orm. Ling didn’t push. Not yet.

Instead, she reached over and placed a gentle hand on Orm’s thigh, stroking her softly through the fabric of her pants. She felt Orm stiffen for a fraction of a second before she exhaled and relaxed just slightly.

Ling smirked. There she is.

The rest of the drive continued in that same tense quiet, filled with touches that were almost too casual, fleeting glances, and an atmosphere that felt charged with something unsaid.

When they finally pulled into their driveway, Orm cut the engine and sat still for a moment. Ling, still watching her wife’s every move, waited.

Waited for Orm to say it. To admit it. But Orm only unbuckled her seatbelt and stepped out of the car. Ling smiled to herself, shaking her head slightly. Stubborn.

She followed Orm inside, locking the door behind them. Their home was quiet, dark except for the faint glow of city lights filtering through the windows. It was late, but Ling wasn’t tired.

And neither, she suspected, was Orm.

Orm disappeared into their bedroom first, her silence still thick, still lingering. Ling took her time slipping out of her heels, stretching as she walked down the hall, her bare feet making no sound against the wooden floor.

When she entered their room, Orm was already half-undressed, her back to Ling as she pulled her shirt over her head, revealing the smooth muscles of her back.

Ling leaned against the doorframe, crossing her arms. “You know…” she started, her voice light, teasing, dangerous, “…if you have something to say, you could just say it.”

Orm stilled for just a second.

Then she sighed, running a hand through her hair before turning to face Ling. Her expression was unreadable, but her eyes—her dark, intense, jealous eyes—gave her away completely.

“I don’t have anything to say.”

Ling raised an eyebrow, stepping forward. Slowly. Deliberately. “No?”

Orm clenched her jaw. “No.”

Ling tilted her head, her smirk deepening.

“Not even about Ruby?”

There it was. Orm’s entire body tensed.

Ling took another step closer, watching her wife struggle so hard to keep her cool. Watching her pride battle against her emotions.

She reached out, brushing her fingers over Orm’s bare shoulder, trailing them down her arm.

“I mean,” Ling mused, pretending to be completely innocent, “she’s very charming, don’t you think?”

Orm scoffed, turning away slightly. “Sure.”

Ling chuckled. Oh, my love. You’re fuming, aren’t you?

She trailed her fingers lower, over Orm’s wrist, until she was lacing their fingers together, pressing her palm against Orm’s.

“She’s a great model,” Ling continued. “Knows exactly how to pose, how to work with her partner. Very… comfortable with me.”

Orm inhaled sharply. “Ling—”

“And,” Ling added, stepping even closer, pressing herself against Orm’s front, “she did say that if I weren’t so disgustingly in love with my wife, she’d totally try to steal me.”

Orm snapped.

In one swift move, Orm spun Ling around and pinned her against the wall, her hands gripping Ling’s waist firmly, possessively.

Ling gasped, but her smirk never faded. If anything, it grew wider.

Orm’s voice was low, dangerous, dripping with jealousy. “She said what?”

Ling grinned, sliding her arms around Orm’s neck. “Oh, so now you have something to say?”

Orm narrowed her eyes, pressing in closer, her lips barely brushing Ling’s. “You think this is funny?”

Ling hummed. “A little.”

Orm exhaled harshly, her grip tightening. “Ling.”

Ling’s smirk softened, her fingers threading into Orm’s hair. “Baby,” she whispered, tilting her head slightly, “you know you’re the only one for me.”

Orm swallowed hard, the tension between them still thick, still charged. But beneath the jealousy, beneath the frustration, there was love.

So much love.

Ling kissed her.

Not playful. Not teasing. Just reassuring. Slow. Deep. Real.

Orm melted into it, sighing against Ling’s lips, her grip loosening just slightly.

When they pulled apart, Ling cupped Orm’s face, pressing their foreheads together.

“I love you,” Ling murmured.

Orm closed her eyes, exhaling. “I know, baby. I just—”

Ling smiled. “You just don’t like seeing me in someone else’s lap?”

Orm grumbled. “No. I really don’t.”

Ling chuckled, brushing her thumb over Orm’s cheek. “And I don’t like Jason breathing near you. Guess we’re even.”

Orm let out a soft laugh, finally—finally—letting the tension ease from her shoulders.

Ling kissed her again, softer this time. “Come to bed, love.”

Orm nodded, following as Ling led her towards the bed.

The jealousy wasn’t completely gone. The tension wasn’t completely resolved.

But for now, Orm was exactly where she wanted to be.

Wrapped up in her wife.

And that was all that mattered.

____

It had been two days since the Ruby incident and Jason’s little altercation, and things had finally settled into something resembling normalcy. Ling’s constant presence on set served as a silent but powerful message—Orm Kornnaphat was untouchable.

No one dared to overstep anymore. Not Jason. Not anyone.

Mae Koy sat beside Ling in the VIP viewing area, casually scrolling through social media on her phone while Orm was immersed in her latest scene. The set bustled around them, a well-oiled machine of directors, lighting techs, and crew members, but Mae Koy barely noticed any of it—until a certain headline stopped her cold.

Her breath hitched. “Oh my…” she whispered, eyes widening.

Ling, who had been absentmindedly watching Orm, turned at the sound of Mae’s voice, a small smile playing on her lips. She didn’t yet realize the shift in Mae’s expression.

“What’s wrong, Mae?” Ling asked, glancing at Orm briefly before focusing back on Mae.

Mae hesitated for a beat, uncertainty flickering across her face. Finally, she spoke carefully, her voice too measured. “Darling… did you receive any offers for a sapphic movie in Hollywood?”

Ling blinked. “What?”

Mae held onto her phone a second longer, watching Ling’s reaction closely.

“I mean… something official? A contract? Anything?”

Ling frowned. “No, Mae. Why?”

Mae didn’t answer right away. Instead, she turned her phone around, wordlessly handing it to Ling.

Ling took it without thinking, but the moment her eyes landed on the headline, her breath caught in her throat.

"Ruby Rose and Adam Steele Want Lingling Kwong for the Next Hollywood Sapphic Movie"

Ling’s mouth nearly fell open.

“What the…” she muttered, quickly skimming the article.

The piece wasn’t speculative—it was bold, written as if the deal was already in motion. Attached to it was a clip from a late-night show where Ruby and Adam were grinning, talking like it was a done deal.

“So, I can see by your reaction that you had no idea,” Mae said, sighing.

Ling barely heard her. She was already scrolling, scanning, her heart pounding.

“This doesn’t make sense,” Ling mumbled, more to herself than anyone else. “P’Mam would have called me if this were real.”

“Well, sweetheart,” Mae said gently, placing a reassuring hand on Ling’s thigh, “you also have a Hollywood manager. Mr. Jackson might have done something on his end. You know how fast things move in that world.”

Ling’s jaw clenched. She did know. And if Jackson had gone ahead without consulting her—

Mae gave her a knowing look. “You should probably make a call.”

Ling didn’t need to be told twice. She shot up from her seat, phone in hand, already pulling up Jackson’s contact.

Across the room, Orm felt the shift before she even saw it.

Her eyes flickered toward where Ling and Mae sat, instantly noticing the tension in their body language. Mae was speaking carefully, her expression serious. Ling, however, looked different.

Something was wrong.

Orm’s stomach tightened.

She followed Ling’s movement, watching as her wife stood up abruptly and walked out, phone pressed to her ear. Shit.

Mae must have sensed Orm’s gaze because she looked up then, catching Orm’s eye.

And she smiled.

Orm’s heart sank.

Not because the smile was comforting—but because it was the smile. The one Mae always gave when she knew something important but wasn’t ready to say it just yet.

Fuck.

Orm tried to focus on finishing her scene, tried to push away the nagging unease curling in her gut. But every second that passed without Ling returning made her more restless.

The moment the director called the final Cut!, Orm barely waited for the scene to wrap before rushing over to Mae.

“Mae,” she said, slightly breathless. “What’s going on?”

Mae sighed, setting her phone aside. “Something from Hollywood came up.”

Orm’s heart pounded. “What kind of something?”

Mae met her daughter’s gaze, her voice careful.

“Something involving Ling… and she wasn’t aware of it.”

Orm exhaled sharply, her pulse drumming against her ribs.

And for some reason—she had a really bad feeling about it.

Ling paced outside the studio, her grip on her phone tightening as the ringing tone dragged on. The longer it took for Jackson to pick up, the more her irritation grew. Her free hand curled into a fist by her side, nails digging into her palm.

Finally, after what felt like forever, the call connected.

“Lingling, darling!” Jackson’s voice was as smooth as ever, but there was something too upbeat about it. “To what do I owe this pleasure?”

Ling wasted no time. “Cut the bullshit, Jackson. What the hell is this about me being in a Hollywood sapphic movie?”

There was a slight pause. Then, a chuckle. “Ah, so you saw the article.”

Ling’s jaw clenched. “You knew about it.”

“Well, of course, sweetheart. I was the one who made it happen.”

Ling stopped pacing. Her breath caught in her throat, a mix of disbelief and anger bubbling in her chest. “Excuse me?”

Jackson sighed, as if she was the difficult one here. “Ling, darling, you’re the hottest name in the industry right now. Ruby and Adam see potential. They want you. I merely did what any good manager would—gave them the go-ahead to discuss it publicly. Free press, great PR, and now you have options.”

Ling’s fingers tightened around her phone. “You what? Jackson, you don’t get to make decisions for me.”

“Oh, don’t be dramatic,” Jackson said smoothly. “Nothing is signed yet, but now that the buzz is out there, it’s practically yours for the taking. And trust me, baby, this is the opportunity of a lifetime.”

Ling exhaled slowly, trying to control her temper. “That’s not the point. You let them talk about me like I was already attached to the project—without even asking if I was interested.”

Jackson tsked. “Come on, Ling. Do you know what this kind of film could do for your career? Hollywood is finally opening its doors to you. Dior, Vogue, Chanel—they love you. But this? This would cement you in the acting world, not just fashion. This would make you global.”

Ling gritted her teeth. “I am already global.”

There was a pause. Then Jackson sighed, his tone turning more serious. “Look, I get it. You feel blindsided. But I need you to understand—I wasn’t trying to go behind your back. I just saw an opportunity and I acted on it. You and Ruby? The chemistry is there. The world wants to see it. You saw the engagement numbers on the Dior campaign.”

Ling exhaled sharply. “And what about Orm? My wife?”

Jackson hesitated. “What about your wife?”

Ling scoffed. “Don’t play dumb. The way the media is spinning this, it’s making it look like I’m out here building a new power couple dynamic while my wife is back home. You think I don’t see the implications?”

Jackson groaned. “Ling, please. Everyone knows you and Orm are solid. But this is work. No one is saying you’re leaving her. It’s just a film.”

Ling’s heart pounded in her chest. “You don’t get to decide what I do, Jackson. I do.”

Jackson sighed dramatically. “So, what do you want me to do, huh? Kill the buzz? That’s impossible now. The whole industry is already talking.”

Ling took a deep breath. “You tell them that I have not agreed to anything. And from now on, you run things by me before you make any moves. And call PMam next time, she is my manager after all”

Jackson was quiet for a moment before he chuckled. “Fine, fine. Message received, my dear. No need to threaten my livelihood.”

Ling wasn’t amused. “I’m serious, Jackson.”

“I know,” he drawled. “Now go kiss your wife and assure her you’re not running off with Ruby Rose.”

Ling rolled her eyes, hanging up without another word. She stood there for a moment, inhaling deeply to push down the frustration bubbling inside her. Hollywood moved fast. Too fast.

And now, Orm was going to see all of this. Ling groaned, rubbing her temples. This was not how she wanted to spend her last few days back in Bangkok.

Taking another breath, she turned back toward the set, bracing herself. Orm was not going to like this.

Ling took a deep breath before stepping back onto the set. The last thing she wanted was to cause a scene, especially while Orm was still filming. She needed to gather her thoughts, needed to prepare for whatever storm was about to come. Because one thing was certain—Orm would not take this news lightly.

Mae Koy spotted her first, her sharp gaze assessing Ling as she approached. Without a word, Mae patted the empty chair beside her. Ling sat down, exhaling slowly.

“Well?” Mae finally asked, voice calm but expectant.

Ling rubbed her temples. “Jackson pulled this stunt. He gave Ruby and Adam the go-ahead to talk about me like I was already attached to the project—without even telling me first.”

Mae raised an eyebrow, but she didn’t look surprised. “Hollywood moves fast, darling.”

Ling scoffed. “You sound like him.”

Mae smirked. “Because I’ve been in this industry long enough to know. But that doesn’t mean it was right. I assume you put him in his place?”

Ling nodded. “I made it clear. Nothing is decided, and he better not pull anything like this again.”

Mae hummed approvingly, then glanced toward the set, where Orm was finishing up her final scene for the day.

“Did you tell Orm?” Ling asked, shifting in her seat.

Mae shook her head. “Not my place, honey. That’s your conversation to have.”

Ling sighed. She had been hoping—just a little—that Mae would have softened the blow.

Mae chuckled, seeing right through her. “Oh no, don’t look at me like that. Your wife is your responsibility, not mine anymore.”

Ling groaned, rubbing her face. “She’s not going to like this.”

Mae’s lips twitched. “Of course, she won’t. She’s Orm. And she’s your Orm.”

Ling exhaled, shaking her head. “God help me.”

The second the director yelled cut, Orm barely waited for the cameras to reset before she was striding off set. She ignored Jason’s smug smirk from across the room, ignored the chatter of the crew, ignored everything—except the sight of her wife sitting with Mae.

Ling was tense. She was trying to look casual, but Orm knew her too well.

Orm didn’t even bother sitting. She planted herself directly in front of Ling, arms crossed, jaw tight.

“What happened?” Orm demanded.

Ling opened her mouth, but Orm shook her head. “And don’t tell me nothing, because I saw your face before you left. You were upset. And Mae just told me she didn’t tell me because it wasn’t her place. So tell me now, Ling.”

Ling sighed, glancing at Mae, who simply smirked, leaning back in her chair as if this was the best entertainment she had seen all day.

Ling turned back to Orm, meeting her gaze. “Can we talk privately?”

Orm’s jaw clenched, but she nodded. “Fine.”

She reached down, grabbing Ling’s wrist and tugging her up, leading her toward her dressing room.

Mae Koy watched them go, shaking her head with a knowing smile.

“Oh, to be young and dramatic,” she murmured to herself before pulling out her phone to check the latest gossip.

Inside the dressing room, the door barely clicked shut before Orm spun around.

“Talk.” Her voice was sharp, but there was an underlying need in it, a desperation for Ling to tell her the truth.

Ling inhaled, gripping the back of the couch. “Okay. Just… don’t get mad.”

Orm scoffed. “That’s a terrible way to start.”

Ling winced. Yeah. It was.

She exhaled. “Jackson made a deal behind my back. He told Ruby and Adam they could talk about me being in their sapphic Hollywood movie—like I already agreed to it. Without even telling me first.”

Orm’s expression shifted in an instant. Her brows furrowed, lips pressing into a tight line.

“They what?”

Ling braced herself. “They—”

“No, no, no. I heard you. I just—they what?!” Orm’s voice rose slightly, her hands running through her hair, pacing in frustration.

Ling quickly stepped closer, placing a hand on her arm. “Baby, breathe.”

Orm stopped pacing, but she was seething. “So let me get this straight. Your Hollywood manager—who works for you, by the way—went behind your back and basically told the world that you and Ruby fucking Rose are about to be the new It Couple of the lesbian movie industry?!”

Ling winced. “…Yes.”

Orm stared at her. “And you’re telling me not to be mad?”

Ling let out a slow breath. “Baby, I didn’t agree to anything. You know I wouldn’t do that.”

Orm exhaled, rubbing her face. “Yeah. I know. But the entire world thinks you did.”

Ling bit her lip. “I handled it, okay? I called Jackson and told him to shut it down.”

Orm’s nostrils flared slightly. “And?”

Ling hesitated. “Well… the buzz is already out. It’s all over the industry now. Even if they correct it, people are still going to talk about it.”

Orm knew that. She hated that.

She took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down.

“I trust you,” Orm finally said, voice low. “But I don’t trust them. And I really don’t trust Ruby Rose.”

Ling sighed. “Baby, Ruby is—”

Orm shot her a look.

Ling immediately changed her sentence. “—a menace.”

Orm huffed, satisfied. “Damn right, she is.”

Ling softened, stepping closer. “Look at me, love.”

Orm reluctantly met her gaze.

Ling cupped her cheeks, thumbs stroking her skin gently. “I love you. I love our life together. I am not goingto make some movie without you. I didn’t know about this, and I shut it down the second I did. It was only for modeling remember”

Orm exhaled slowly. “I know. I just—thinking about you with another woman… it messes with me.”

Ling kissed her softly. “I know, baby.”

Orm melted, her arms wrapping tightly around Ling’s waist, holding her close.

“I hate Hollywood,” Orm grumbled against Ling’s shoulder.

Ling chuckled. “Yeah, baby. I know.”

Orm sighed. “And I really hate Ruby Rose.”

Ling smirked. “I definitely know that.”

Orm grumbled something unintelligible, burying her face deeper into Ling’s neck.

Ling smiled, pressing a kiss to the side of her head. “Come on, superstar. Let’s go home.”

Orm sighed dramatically. “Fine. But if one more headline about you and Ruby pops up, I swear to God—”

Ling laughed, dragging her toward the door. “Let’s get you out of here before you commit a crime, my love.”

Orm grumbled but let herself be pulled along, her hand tight around Ling’s.

As long as they were together, she could handle anything. Even Hollywood bullshit.

_____

The drive back home was quiet, but it was the kind of silence that spoke volumes. Orm's fingers were intertwined with Ling’s, resting between them, a subconscious need to keep her close after the long day. The air between them had settled, no longer charged with frustration, but Orm’s mind was still restless.

She knew Ling had shut down the rumors. She knew Ling loved her, and there was no doubt about that. But something lingered in Orm’s chest, a nagging thought that she couldn’t shake.

Would Ling really be okay letting this opportunity slip away?

Would she regret it?

Orm stole a glance at Ling, who was absentmindedly scrolling through her phone. The soft glow of the screen illuminated her delicate features, and Orm could see the slight furrow in her brows. Even if Ling acted like this whole thing didn’t bother her, Orm knew better.

Ling hated being put in positions where her autonomy was questioned. She didn’t like decisions being made for her. And despite her reassurances, Orm had a feeling that something about this did affect her more than she let on.

The car pulled into their driveway, and without a word, they stepped out. The city lights cast a warm glow over their home, their safe haven, their world away from all the noise.

Ling unlocked the door, and as soon as they stepped inside, the weight of the day lifted just slightly.

“I’ll go get changed,” Ling murmured, stretching her arms above her head before heading to their bedroom.

Orm exhaled, watching her go, before heading to the kitchen. She poured them both a glass of wine, needing something to take the edge off. By the time Ling came back, dressed in one of Orm’s oversized t-shirts and her favorite silk shorts, Orm was already on the couch, waiting.

Ling raised an eyebrow, seeing the two glasses. “Are we drinking tonight?”

Orm patted the space beside her. “Just a little. Come sit with me.”

Ling smiled softly and obliged, curling up beside Orm, tucking herself into her wife’s warmth as she accepted her glass. They clinked them together in a quiet toast before sipping.

They sat like that for a while—wrapped up in each other, letting the world fade away. The faint hum of the city outside, the dim glow of the room, the slow rhythm of their breathing in sync.

Then, Orm took a deep breath.

“Baby,” she started, voice softer than usual.

Ling hummed against her, head resting on Orm’s shoulder. “Hmm?”

Orm hesitated for a beat before running her fingers gently through Ling’s hair. “Do you… do you really not want to do that movie?”

Ling stiffened slightly. Not much, but enough for Orm to notice.

She felt Ling sigh before she pulled back just enough to look at her. “You really want to talk about this right now?”

Orm nodded. “Yeah. I do.”

Ling set her wine glass down on the coffee table and turned fully toward Orm, crossing her legs beneath her. “I told you, baby. It wasn’t my decision. I didn’t like how it was handled. I didn’t like that they made it seem like I was already attached when I wasn’t.”

Orm nodded slowly. “I know. And you were right to be mad. But… putting all that aside, do you want to do it?”

Ling opened her mouth to answer, but then stopped.

Orm’s gaze softened. “Baby, be honest with me. Not with the media, not with Jackson, not with Ruby, not with anyone else. Just me.”

Ling exhaled, her fingers tracing small patterns on Orm’s thigh as she thought.

“I don’t know,” she finally admitted. “I mean… yes, I am interested. It’s a huge opportunity. And the script does sound amazing. But I also love my life here, Orm. I love us.”

Orm swallowed. “I know. And I love our life too.”

Ling tilted her head slightly, studying Orm’s face. “Then why do I feel like there’s something else you want to say?”

Orm sighed, setting her own glass down before taking Ling’s hands in hers. “I just… I don’t want you to regret not taking it, baby.”

Ling’s brows furrowed. “Regret?”

Orm nodded. “You’ve worked so hard to get to where you are. You’re a global icon, Ling. And this could be huge for you.” She bit her lip. “I don’t ever want to be the reason you hold yourself back.”

Ling’s expression softened. “Orm…”

Orm shook her head slightly. “I know it’s hard to be apart. Trust me, I know. But I don’t want you to wake up one day and think, ‘What if I had just gone for it?’ I don’t want you to look at me and wonder if staying was a mistake.”

Ling’s heart clenched. She reached up, cupping Orm’s face gently. “Baby. You are not a mistake. We are not a mistake. I would never think that. And remember what I promised you years back?”

Orm nods, of course she remembers, it was a few years back, when they have finished the secret of us, Ling had made the promise that not another woman will play her partner, never, and even after everything, the accident, her memory loss, Ling remembers every detail.

“I’ll keep that promise forever my love” finishes Ling giving Orm a kiss.

Orm closed her eyes for a second, leaning into Ling’s touch. “I just don’t want to hold you back, love.”

Ling smiled, pressing a soft kiss to Orm’s forehead. “You could never hold me back. You are the reason I have the strength to do what I do. You are my safe place.”

Orm exhaled shakily. “So you’re sure you don’t want to do it?”

Ling thought for a moment before shaking her head. “Not right now. Maybe later. Maybe under different circumstances. But I know what I want right now, and that’s us. I want to spend time with you, be with you, support you through your career too. I don’t want to take on something that’s going to pull me even further away.”

Orm finally relaxed, her hands moving up to Ling’s waist, pulling her closer. “Okay. I just… I just needed to know that you were sure.”

Ling smiled. “I’m sure, baby. I don’t want any other woman as my co star regarding sapphic projects”

Orm sighed in relief, resting her forehead against Ling’s. “Good. To be honest I woould hate it to see you kiss another woman on television”

They stayed like that for a moment, wrapped up in their own little world.

Then, Ling smirked. “But you know… if you really wanted to support me, you’d be on your knees begging me not to leave every time I go back to L.A.”

Orm pulled back, raising an eyebrow. “Excuse me?”

Ling grinned. “You heard me.”

Orm scoffed. “Baby, I already do that. Every. Single. Time.”

Ling burst into laughter, tackling Orm back against the couch, pinning her down. “And I love you for it, my dramatic wife.”

Orm pouted. “I am dramatic. But only for you.”

Ling leaned down, pressing a soft, lingering kiss against Orm’s lips. “I love you, my dramatic wife.”

Orm smiled against her lips. “I love you more, my Hollywood star.”

And for the rest of the night, no more words were needed. Just touches, just warmth, just them.

______

The soft morning light seeped through the sheer curtains, casting a golden hue over the bedroom. The city outside was slowly waking, the distant hum of traffic barely audible through their sanctuary. But inside, time moved gently, unhurried, wrapped in warmth and love.

Ling stirred first, her body instinctively curling closer to Orm’s warmth. Her wife was still deep asleep, her face relaxed, lips slightly parted, arms loosely wrapped around Ling’s waist. The sight made Ling’s heart ache in the most beautiful way.

She wished she could freeze this moment. Just for a little longer.

She didn’t want to think about packing. She didn’t want to think about the airport. She just wanted this.

Ling leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to Orm’s forehead, then her cheek, then the tip of her nose. Orm groaned in protest, burying her face deeper into the pillow.

Ling chuckled. “Wake up, my love.”

Orm grumbled something incoherent, tightening her hold on Ling, refusing to let her move.

Ling smirked, trailing her lips down Orm’s jaw, pressing another slow, lingering kiss to her neck. “Baby…” she whispered against her skin.

Orm sighed, but a sleepy smile crept onto her lips. “Mmm… keep doing that, and I’m never getting up.”

Ling grinned. “That was the goal.”

Orm finally cracked one eye open, her dark gaze hazy with sleep. “What time is it?”

“Still early.”

Orm hummed, pressing her forehead against Ling’s. “Good. Because I’m not letting you go just yet.”

Ling’s heart clenched. She knew what Orm meant. Not just about the morning. About everything.

“I know, baby,” she whispered, brushing a hand through Orm’s messy hair. “I don’t want to go either.”

Orm exhaled slowly, her arms tightening around Ling, pulling her so close there was no space left between them.

Ling let herself melt into it. Into her.

For a long while, they just lay there, their breathing in sync, their hearts beating in tandem.

Then, Ling reluctantly pulled back, pressing a kiss to Orm’s lips before slipping out of bed. “I’ll be right back.”

Orm groaned in protest but didn’t stop her. She watched through half-lidded eyes as Ling disappeared into the hallway.

Minutes later, the smell of freshly brewed coffee drifted into the room. Orm smiled to herself, stretching lazily before propping herself up on one elbow.

Ling returned, carrying a tray with two steaming cups of coffee, a plate of fresh fruit, and a small dish of honey toast.

“You’re spoiling me,” Orm said, grinning as Ling placed the tray on the bed.

Ling climbed back in beside her, handing her a cup. “You deserve it.”

Orm took a sip, humming in satisfaction. “Mmm… perfect.”

Ling watched her with soft eyes. “I know you.”

Orm reached for a piece of toast, breaking it in half before offering a bite to Ling. “You know what else you should know?”

Ling took the bite, chewing thoughtfully. “Hmm?”

Orm smirked. “That if you feed me like this every morning, I’ll never let you leave.”

Ling rolled her eyes, but there was amusement in her gaze. “You already don’t let me leave, baby.”

Orm shrugged. “Exactly. So what’s stopping me from keeping you here forever?”

Ling sighed dramatically. “The fact that I have a job?”

Orm pouted. “Hate that for me.”

Ling giggled, setting her coffee aside before shifting closer. “You know I’ll always come back to you, right?”

Orm met her gaze, something vulnerable flickering in her dark eyes. “Yeah. But I hate saying goodbye.”

Ling cupped Orm’s face, brushing her thumb over her cheek. “Then don’t say it. Just say ‘see you soon.’”

Orm swallowed hard, her hands resting on Ling’s hips. “See you soon, baby.”

Ling smiled, leaning in. “That’s better.”

Their lips met, slow and sweet, a kiss that tasted like honey and coffee and love.

But then—Ling deepened it, her fingers tangling in Orm’s hair, her body pressing flush against hers.

Orm groaned softly, her hands sliding under Ling’s shirt, fingertips grazing warm skin. “You’re really going to do this to me right before you leave?”

Ling smirked against her lips. “What? You started it.”

Orm laughed breathlessly, flipping them over so she was hovering above Ling. “Oh, baby… you have no idea what you just started.”

And just like that, breakfast was forgotten.

Because if this was Ling’s last morning in Bangkok —Orm was going to make sure she felt her love in every possible way.

Steam curled around the bathroom, fogging up the glass walls of the shower as hot water cascaded down their bare bodies. Ling’s back was pressed against Orm’s chest, her head resting against her wife’s shoulder, completely at ease in her embrace. Orm’s arms were wrapped securely around her waist, her fingers tracing lazy patterns against her skin as warm water soaked their bodies.

They weren’t in a rush.

Ling sighed, tilting her head slightly to let Orm press a lingering kiss against her damp shoulder. “This might be my new favorite part of the morning.”

Orm chuckled, tightening her hold. “You mean spoiled your wife with breakfast, or having me naked in the shower with you?”

Ling grinned. “Both. Definitely both.”

Orm hummed, nuzzling against Ling’s neck. “Then I’ll make sure every morning is like this when you come back.”

A flicker of something crossed Ling’s face, something Orm missed as she continued leaving soft kisses along her shoulder. Ling turned around in Orm’s arms, looping her arms around her neck, fingers playing with the damp strands of her golden hair.

Orm looked at her, a lazy smile playing on her lips, eyes filled with nothing but love. “I’m going to miss this.”

Ling cupped Orm’s cheek, letting her thumb brush against her lips. “You won’t have to miss it for too long.”

Orm raised an eyebrow. “Two months is long enough, baby.”

Ling hesitated for a second before offering a soft smile. “Let’s not think about that right now.”

Orm studied her for a beat before sighing. “Fine. But only if we stay in here for another ten minutes.”

Ling laughed. “You’re impossible.”

“You love me.”

“I do, I really, really do” Ling whispered, before pulling Orm into a slow, lingering kiss.

And so, they stayed a little longer. Because today was their last full day together before Ling’s flight, and neither of them wanted to waste a single second.

Back in their bedroom, the warm intimacy continued as they got dressed together, wrapped up in small moments that felt like home.

Orm sat at the edge of the bed, already dressed in a fitted white button-down and dark slacks, watching as Ling sifted through the closet, looking for something to wear.

Ling pulled out one of Orm’s oversized sweaters—the one she always stole when she missed her too much. She slipped it on, the sleeves hanging past her fingers, drowning her in Orm’s scent.

Orm exhaled softly, tugging Ling forward by the hem of the sweater. “I know you’re never giving that back, right?”

Ling smirked, settling herself onto Orm’s lap, arms looping around her neck. “I was never planning on giving it back.”

Orm kissed her nose. “Of course not.”

They stayed like that for a while—just touching, just existing in each other’s space. Ling’s fingers traced the buttons of Orm’s shirt absentmindedly, her gaze unreadable.

Then, Orm spoke, her voice a little more serious now. “So… when’s your flight?”

Ling hesitated for only a second before answering, “Tonight.”

Orm nodded, already feeling that ache in her chest. “And when do you come back?”

Ling was silent for a beat too long.

Orm frowned. “Baby?”

Ling inhaled slowly, brushing a hand through Orm’s hair, a soft but nervous smile tugging at her lips. “In a few days.”

Orm blinked. “What?”

Ling bit her lip. “I’ll be back in a few days.”

Orm sat up straighter, her hands tightening slightly on Ling’s waist. “Baby, you were supposed to be gone for two months. What do you mean a few days?”

Ling sighed, pulling back just enough to look at Orm properly. “I called P’Mam this morning while making breakfast.”

Orm’s heart thumped a little harder. “And?”

“I told her I wanted to terminate my contract with Hollywood.”

Silence.

A full ten seconds of nothing but silence.

Orm blinked. Once. Twice. Then—

“What?”

Ling took a deep breath, her fingers squeezing Orm’s shoulders. “I don’t want to stay there anymore.”

Orm’s mind was spinning. “Ling… baby, this is Hollywood. This is the career opportunity of a lifetime. Why—why would you just—”

Ling placed a finger on Orm’s lips, stopping her. “I didn’t like how they treated me, Orm.”

Orm swallowed, searching her wife’s eyes. “Because of the sapphic movie?”

Ling nodded. “They made decisions about me without even consulting me first. And the way they marketed it? Like I was some sort of token rather than an artist they believed in? I didn’t like it.”

Orm exhaled slowly, trying to process everything. “So, you’re coming back… for good?”

Ling’s gaze flickered, something else hidden beneath her words. “Yes.”

Orm narrowed her eyes slightly, sensing there was more to it. “Ling…”

Ling sighed, shaking her head. “There’s another reason, too.”

Orm stiffened. “What is it?”

Ling hesitated, as if debating whether to tell her.

Orm reached up, cupping her cheek. “Baby, please. Tell me.”

Ling swallowed, forcing a small smile. “I just—wanted to be home. With you.”

Orm knew that wasn’t all of it. She could see it in Ling’s eyes. But she also knew Ling—if she wasn’t ready to talk about it, she wouldn’t push her.

So instead, she exhaled, pressing a soft kiss to Ling’s forehead. “Okay.”

Ling blinked. “Okay?”

Orm nodded, looking at her with all the love in the world. “If this is what you really want, then okay.”

Ling’s heart swelled. “It is.”

Orm smiled softly, tilting her chin up to kiss her, slow and tender. “Then I guess I won’t have to miss you for too long after all.”

Ling sighed into the kiss, relieved, grateful, and so deeply in love with this woman.

Orm may not have known the real reason why Ling was coming back yet…

But soon enough, she would.