You are mine

Present

The soft morning light seeped through the curtains, casting a warm glow over the bedroom. Ling stirred first, shifting slightly against the comfortable weight draped over her waist—Orm. Their bodies were tangled beneath the sheets, a reflection of the comfort they had grown into over the past year.

Orm groaned, burying her face against Ling’s shoulder as she reached blindly for her phone on the nightstand. Ling chuckled, reaching for her own device, already dreading the flood of notifications waiting for them.

“Ready to see how much we broke the internet?” Ling teased, unlocking her screen.

Orm cracked one eye open, grumbling, “Do I have to? I want to stay in our bubble”

Ling smirked and nudged her. “Oh, you have to. Because Marisa sent us a gift.” She held up her phone, showing Orm the video compilation their makeup artist had sent—a chaotic montage of social media clips, tweets, and over-the-top reaction videos to their Bangkok Icon Awards debut.

__________________________________________

Later that day, Orm leaned against her car, waiting for Ling to finish her shoot. She had spent most of the morning at her meeting, but her mind had been elsewhere—on Ling, on their new reality, on what came next.

When Ling finally emerged from the building, she looked effortlessly stunning, her hair still slightly tousled from the shoot. She spotted Orm and grinned, jogging over.

“You didn’t have to wait,” she teased.

Orm shrugged. “Wanted to.”

Ling chuckled. “Well, you’re about to make headlines again, because guess who’s watching us?”

Orm turned her head slightly and sure enough, a few photographers lingered at a distance, cameras ready. She tensed for a moment before relaxing.

“Let them watch,” Orm murmured. “I don’t care anymore. I only care about you. ”

Ling smirked, stepping closer until their faces were just inches apart. “Oh? You’re embracing the attention now?”

Orm huffed. “No. I’m embracing you.”

Ling tilted her head playfully. “Then prove it.”

Without another thought, Orm leaned in, pressing a soft, deliberate kiss to Ling’s lips.

It wasn’t rushed. It wasn’t hidden. It was real. They were so real and both loved it.

The flashes erupted immediately, capturing the moment that would no doubt dominate headlines within the hour. But Orm didn’t care.

She felt Ling smile against her lips before pulling back slightly, whispering, “That was very hot of you.”

Orm rolled her eyes. “You’re impossible.”

Ling winked. “And yet, you love me.”

Orm’s voice was soft but certain. “Yeah. I really do.”

Ling grinned. “Good. Because now, everyone knows you’re mine.”

With a final squeeze of Orm’s hand, Ling stepped into the car.

This was their new normal. And Orm wouldn’t trade it for anything. She loved being with Ling and she wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world, she was hers and that’s the only thing that matters.

The car ride to Ling's apartment was filled with a comfortable silence, the soft hum of the engine mingling with the faint sound of the city waking up around them. Orm kept one hand on the steering wheel, the other resting on the console, fingers occasionally brushing against Ling’s when she reached over to adjust the air. Ling watched the city pass by, her heart steady but full, her mind not on the view but on the woman beside her.

When they arrived at Ling’s apartment, Orm parked the car with practiced ease. They exited in sync, moving through the lobby with the kind of effortless coordination that came from countless mornings just like this. The routine was familiar—the quiet elevator ride, the soft beep of the apartment door unlocking, the way Orm automatically kicked off her shoes and Ling hung their jackets.

Inside, Ling dropped her keys in the small bowl by the door, glancing back to see Orm already padding toward the kitchen, opening the fridge like she owned the place. And maybe she did, Ling thought because it felt wrong when Orm wasn’t there. Ling leaned against the doorway, watching her with a small smile.

“You’re always doing that,” Ling murmured.

Orm glanced over her shoulder, eyebrow raised. “Doing what?”

“Making yourself at home.”

Orm chuckled softly, closing the fridge and turning to face her. “That’s because I feel at home with you.”

The words hit Ling harder than she expected, a warmth blooming in her chest. She took a step forward, then another until she was standing right in front of Orm. Without overthinking it, she reached out, her fingers gently tracing the curve of Orm's cheek.

“Then move in with me,” Ling whispered, the words escaping before she had time to doubt them, now moving closer to Orm.

Orm blinked, surprised. She opened her mouth, then closed it, her mind racing. This was everything she wanted, but fear crept in, whispering doubts.

“Ling,” she breathed, her voice softer now. “Are you sure? I mean... what if you regret it? What if…”

Ling didn’t let her finish. She shook her head, her eyes fierce with certainty. And circled her arms around her waist before kissing her.

“Orm, I love you. I love waking up next to you. I love the way you steal the blankets, the way you hum when you’re making coffee, the way you leave your books everywhere like breadcrumbs for me to find. You are the best part of my day, every day. I don’t want just weekends or late-night calls. I want all of it. I want you. Always.”

Orm felt her heart swell, her eyes stinging with unshed tears. She didn’t hesitate this time. She pulled Ling into her arms, holding her tightly like she was afraid to let go.

“Yes,” she whispered against Ling’s hair. “Yes, I’ll move in. I love you so much”

They stayed like that for a while, wrapped up in each other, until the reality of their day crept back in.

“What about this weekend?” Orm asked softly, pulling back just enough to see Ling’s face.

Ling grinned, wiping a stray tear from Orm’s cheek. “Our one-year anniversary?”

Orm nodded, her smile matching Ling’s.

“I was thinking… maybe we could escape the city. Just us. Somewhere quiet,” Ling suggested.

Orm leaned in, pressing a gentle kiss to Ling’s lips. “Perfect. Just us.”

And in that moment, with the world outside their window and their hearts beating in perfect sync, everything felt exactly right.

__________

Flashback: One Year Ago

The city lights blurred past as Orm gripped the steering wheel, her heart racing faster than the car she was driving. She’d been rehearsing the words in her head for days—no, weeks—but nothing felt right. Every version sounded too small, too weak to capture what she truly felt.

She was in love with Ling. Madly, desperately, hopelessly in love.

And tonight, she was going to tell her.

Orm parked outside Ling’s apartment, her hands trembling slightly as she turned off the engine. She stared at the building, her reflection faintly visible in the rearview mirror—eyes filled with fear and hope tangled together.

Just go, she told herself.

The knock on Ling’s door came before she could change her mind. When Ling opened it, dressed in a simple oversized T-shirt, her hair messy from lounging at home, Orm’s heart clenched.

“Orm? It’s late, is everything okay?” Ling’s brows furrowed in concern.

“No. I mean, yes. I—” Orm’s voice cracked. She took a deep breath, stepping inside without waiting for an invitation. “I need to tell you something.”

Ling closed the door, watching her carefully. “What’s wrong?”

Orm turned, her eyes meeting Ling’s with an intensity that made Ling’s breath hitch. “I’m in love with you, Ling. I’ve been in love with you for so long, and I’ve been too much of a coward to say it. I know I’ve hurt you. I know I don’t deserve another chance after everything I did—or didn’t do—but I don’t want to keep pretending like I’m okay without you. Because I’m not.”

Ling’s heart raced, her breath caught between disbelief and something deeper. Orm’s voice trembled as she stepped closer.

“I want to try,” Orm whispered, her eyes glistening with tears she refused to let fall. “I want to be better. I want to be the person you deserve. Just… let me try, Ling.”

For a beat, silence hung between them, heavy with everything unsaid. Then Ling closed the distance, cupping Orm’s face with both hands, her thumb brushing away a tear that finally escaped.

“You idiot,” Ling murmured, her voice soft but filled with emotion. “I’ve been waiting for you to say that.”

And then she kissed her.

It wasn’t soft or hesitant. It was fierce, desperate, full of all the feelings they’d both been too afraid to voice. Orm responded instinctively, her hands finding Ling’s waist, pulling her closer as if she could fuse them together.

The kiss deepened, growing more urgent. Ling’s fingers tangled in Orm’s hair, guiding her toward the bedroom without breaking contact. Clothes fell away like whispers, soft gasps filling the space between them. Orm’s skin burned under Ling’s touch, every nerve ending alight with sensation.

For Orm, it wasn’t just physical—it was everything. Every moment she’d longed for Ling, every regret, every second of lost time—it all converged here.

As they lay together, breathless and tangled in sheets, Orm pressed her forehead against Ling’s.

“I’ve never—” Orm started, her voice barely a whisper.

Ling smiled softly, brushing her fingers through Orm’s hair. “I know.”

Orm’s heart swelled, her chest tight with emotion. “I’m yours,” she whispered, her voice trembling but full of truth.

Ling kissed her again, softer this time, filled with promise. “And I’m yours.”

They fell asleep wrapped in each other’s arms, hearts finally at peace and both were so happy to claim each other forever.

________________

Present

The afternoon sun filtered through the large windows of Mae’s cozy living room, casting a warm glow over the elegant decor. Orm sat curled up on the plush couch, a steaming cup of tea cradled between her hands. The familiar scent of jasmine drifted through the air, a nostalgic reminder of her childhood. It was peaceful, but her mind wasn’t quiet.

Mae entered the room, her sharp yet gentle eyes immediately noticing the way Orm’s thoughts seemed far away. She placed a small plate of fresh fruit on the coffee table before sitting beside her daughter.

“You’ve been quiet since you got here,” Mae remarked softly, her gaze warm but probing. “Is everything alright?”

Orm smiled, a soft, almost shy curve of her lips. “I’m okay, Mae. Just thinking.”

Mae raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. “Thinking about Ling?”

Orm chuckled, her fingers tightening slightly around her cup. “Is it that obvious?”

Mae gave her a knowing smile. “You always get this look when it’s about her. Like your heart’s too full, and you don’t know where to put it.”

Orm exhaled a soft laugh, setting her cup down. “It’s just… I didn’t expect to feel this way. Being with Ling feels… easy. Like she’s woven into every part of me. Even when we’re apart, it’s like she’s still with me.”

Mae listened quietly, her hand gently resting on Orm’s knee. “That’s what love is, Orm. The kind that doesn’t feel heavy or complicated. It just exists, like breathing.”

Orm nodded slowly, her heart swelling with emotion. “She asked me to move in with her.”

Mae’s eyes lit up, a genuine smile spreading across her face. “That’s wonderful!”

But Orm’s smile faltered slightly, her gaze dropping to her hands. “It is. I’ve wanted that for so long. But a part of me is scared… What if it’s too soon? What if I’m not enough for her?”

Mae’s hand squeezed Orm’s knee gently. “Orm, you’ve been enough for Ling since the day she met you. You’ve both been through so much, but you found your way back to each other because you’re meant to be. Don’t let fear make decisions for you.”

Orm swallowed the lump in her throat, her heart aching with both gratitude and vulnerability. “I want to be the best for her, Mae. I want to give her everything she deserves.”

Mae’s voice softened, her eyes filled with pride. “You already are, my love. Just keep showing up for her the way you do. That’s all she’ll ever need.”

Orm blinked back the tears threatening to spill, leaning into her mother’s comforting presence. “Thank you, Mae.”

Mae kissed the top of her daughter’s head gently. “Go home to her, Orm. That’s where your heart is.”

Orm smiled, feeling a sense of clarity wash over her. She stood up, grabbing her keys, her heart racing with anticipation.

She was going home—to Ling in their home.

_______

The golden hues of the setting sun painted the walls of the apartment with a warm, comforting glow. Orm moved around the open kitchen, the soft sound of music playing in the background. The aroma of garlic, herbs, and freshly baked bread filled the space, mingling with the faint scent of the jasmine candle she’d lit on the dining table. She wanted everything to be perfect—simple, cosy, just for them.

Setting the table with care, Orm adjusted the silverware, then paused, her fingers lingering on the edge of Ling’s wine glass. Despite the peaceful setting, a restless tension brewed in her chest, but she shook it off, eager to see Ling’s smile when she walked through the door.

A few hours passed, and finally, the familiar sound of keys jingling at the door made Orm’s heart race. She turned, her face lighting up as Ling stepped inside, her hair slightly tousled from the day, a soft sigh escaping her lips as she kicked off her shoes.

“Welcome home,” Orm greeted warmly, walking over with a bright smile.

Ling’s eyes softened at the sight of her, but there was something off—Orm noticed it instantly. The slight stiffness in Ling’s posture, the forced smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. She brushed it off at first, pulling Ling in for a gentle kiss on the cheek.

“I made dinner,” Orm whispered against her skin, inhaling the familiar scent that always grounded her. “I missed you.”

Ling chuckled softly, her hand resting on Orm’s waist. “I missed you too.”

But Orm felt the tension—felt it in the way Ling’s fingers hesitated, the slight stiffness in her body. As Ling moved to wash her hands, Orm’s eyes caught something that made her breath hitch—a faint, dark bruise just under Ling’s eye, barely hidden by the soft shadow of her bangs.

“Ling,” Orm’s voice sharpened, filled with sudden worry as she reached out, gently cupping Ling’s face to get a better look. “What happened?” And then she sees it, the little bruise under her girlfriend's eye.

Ling froze, her body tensing under Orm’s touch. She tried to pull away slightly, but Orm’s grip remained tender yet firm, her eyes searching Ling’s for answers.

“It’s nothing,” Ling murmured, her voice too light, too dismissive.

Orm’s heart clenched. “What is this? Who did this to you?” says Orm panicking while inspecting her girlfriend’s face.

The plea in Orm’s voice broke through Ling’s defenses. She exhaled shakily, her shoulders sagging as she closed her eyes for a brief moment. “It’s Popor.”

Orm’s blood ran cold. She stepped back slightly, her hands dropping to her sides, fists clenched. “What about her? What did she do?”

Ling rubbed the back of her neck, avoiding Orm’s piercing gaze. “She’s been… sending messages. Threats. It started a few months ago, but I thought she’d get bored and stop. And today—one of her people tried to ‘send a message.’ Just a push, nothing serious.”

Orm’s face darkened with rage and fear. “Nothing serious? Ling, you have a bruise on your face! That bitch again”

Ling winced at the sharpness in Orm’s voice but didn’t back down. “I didn’t want to worry you. I thought I could handle it.”

“Handle it?” Orm’s voice rose, her chest heaving with emotion. She ran her hands through her hair, pacing the small space between the kitchen and the living room. “Ling, this isn’t just about you anymore. She’s dragging us back into the nightmare we fought so hard to escape. Why didn’t you tell me?”

Ling stepped forward, her eyes soft but determined. “Because I know how you’d react. You’d blame yourself, thinking it’s because of you, because of what happened back then. But it’s not your fault, Orm. It’s not. She is the one causing trouble”

Orm stopped pacing, turning to face Ling, her eyes glassy with unshed tears. “But it is. If I hadn’t—”

“Stop,” Ling interrupted gently, stepping closer, her hands cradling Orm’s face now. “It’s not your fault. Popor made her choices. And I made mine when I fought her. This… this is just the aftermath. But we’ll deal with it. Together.”

Orm’s jaw clenched, her hands covering Ling’s, anchoring herself in her warmth. “I just… I can’t lose you. I can’t watch you get hurt because of me.”

“You’re not going to lose me,” Ling whispered, her forehead resting against Orm’s. “I’m right here. And we’re going to figure this out. Together. I’ll never leave you because of her, you have to believe me”

Orm nodded slowly, her anger simmering beneath the surface, but her love for Ling grounded her in the moment. She pulled Ling into a fierce hug, holding her tightly as if to shield her from the world.

“We’re going to fix this,” Orm whispered into Ling’s hair. “I won’t let her hurt you. Not again.”

And in that quiet, dimly lit apartment, with the untouched dinner cooling on the table, they held onto each other, knowing that whatever storm was coming, they would face it side by side.

Flashback  

The early evening sky in Bangkok was painted with streaks of crimson and gold, the city’s vibrant hum settling into a quieter rhythm as Ling sat alone in her apartment. The soft glow of a single lamp cast long shadows across the room, its light flickering against the walls as if it, too, sensed the shift in the atmosphere.

Ling’s phone buzzed on the coffee table, the sharp vibration slicing through the stillness. She reached for it absentmindedly, expecting a message from Orm—a silly meme, a quick “I miss you”—but her breath hitched when she saw the name on the screen.

Unknown Number.

Her fingers hesitated for a split second before she unlocked the phone. The message was short, the words sharp and cold:

“You think this is over? It’s not. You’ll pay for what you did. Watch your back.”

Ling’s chest tightened, her pulse quickening as she stared at the text. She didn’t need to wonder who it was from. She knew. Popor.

The same Popor who had tried to destroy Orm’s career, their lives—the same woman whose lies had dragged them into a storm of public scrutiny, legal battles, and emotional scars that hadn’t fully healed.She hated that woman for all the wrongs she caused.

Ling let out a shaky breath, locking her phone and setting it down as if the message might burn her fingers. The room felt colder now, her heart pounding in her chest like a warning drum. She stood up, pacing the length of her apartment, her mind racing.

Should I tell Orm?

Her first instinct screamed yes. Orm deserved to know. They’d promised each other—no more secrets. No more hiding.

But then she pictured Orm’s face. The way her eyes darkened with guilt whenever the past came up, the way she clenched her jaw when anyone mentioned Popor’s name. Orm had fought so hard to rebuild herself, to move forward, to find peace after everything that had happened.

Ling clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms.

I can’t drag her back into this.

Orm didn’t need more weight on her shoulders. She’d been through enough. Ling had been the strong one, the fighter—the one who threw the punch that had landed Popor in the hospital and herself in the middle of a media frenzy. She could handle this. She had to.

I’ll protect her.

Ling grabbed her phone again, her fingers hovering over Orm’s contact name. Her thumb brushed against the call button… but she didn’t press it. Instead, she deleted the message, erasing the evidence like it never existed.

She exhaled slowly, forcing her heartbeat to steady.

I’ve got this. She doesn’t need to know.

But as she stood there, the weight of her decision settled deep in her chest, heavier than she expected. A quiet fear crept in—not for herself, but for the fragile peace she was trying so desperately to protect.

Ling sank onto the couch, her arms wrapping around herself as if to hold back the storm brewing inside her. She stared at the now-empty screen, her heart whispering the truth she refused to admit:

Hiding this might protect Orm for now… 

Present

The soft glow of the bedside lamp cast a warm halo over the room, but it couldn’t chase away the tension that lingered like an invisible fog. Orm sat on the edge of the bed, her jaw clenched tightly as she dabbed a cold compress gently against the faint bruise under Ling’s eye. The silence between them was heavy, filled with unsaid words and emotions that neither knew how to release.

Ling winced slightly at the cold touch but didn’t pull away. Orm’s tenderness, even when wrapped in frustration, was grounding. Her fingers trembled slightly as she rested them on Orm’s wrist, needing that connection.

“Does it hurt?” Orm’s voice was soft but strained, a mixture of anger—not at Ling, but at the situation—and overwhelming worry.

Ling shook her head, her eyes searching Orm’s face. “Not really,” she whispered. “It’s nothing compared to what I’m feeling right now.”

Orm set the compress aside, her gaze sharp as she turned fully to face Ling. She reached out, her hands cradling Ling’s face with a tenderness that contradicted the storm brewing behind her eyes.

“Promise me something,” Orm whispered, her voice low but filled with urgency. “Never—never—hide anything from me again. No matter how bad it is. No matter how much you think you’re protecting me. I need to know. I can’t protect you if I don’t know.”

Ling’s throat tightened, her heart aching at the raw vulnerability in Orm’s words. She nodded slowly, tears threatening to spill. “I’m sorry,” she choked out, her voice trembling. “I didn’t mean to— I just… I didn’t want Popor to ruin your life any more than she already has.”

Orm’s brows furrowed, her grip on Ling’s face tightening just slightly. “Ruin my life? Ling, you are my life. Don’t you get that? If she hurts you, she hurts me. You are everything to me.”

Ling’s tears finally broke free, slipping down her cheeks. Orm’s thumbs instinctively moved to wipe them away, her own heart shattering at the sight.

“I know,” Ling whispered, her voice breaking. “I know. But you’ve been working so hard—going to therapy, healing from what she did to you. I didn’t want to bring her back into our lives, to make you feel that darkness again. I thought I could handle it on my own. We are happy together now, I didn’t want you to feel down or responsible for this”

Orm closed her eyes for a moment, taking a shaky breath as she pressed her forehead against Ling’s. “You don’t have to handle anything on your own. Not anymore. I went to therapy to become the person you deserve. But that doesn’t mean you have to carry the weight of protecting me.”

Ling sobbed quietly, the guilt and relief intertwining in her chest. “I was scared.”

Orm pulled her into her arms, holding her tightly, as if her embrace alone could shield Ling from every threat, every fear. “Me too,” she whispered into Ling’s hair. “But we’re in this together. You’re not alone, Ling. You’ll never be alone again.”

They stayed like that for a while, wrapped in each other’s arms, letting the silence speak the words their hearts couldn’t.

Eventually, Orm pulled back slightly, her fingers brushing a stray tear from Ling’s cheek. “We’ll deal with her. Together. She doesn’t get to have power over us anymore.”

Ling nodded, her heart finally feeling a little lighter. “Together,” she whispered, leaning in to press a soft, lingering kiss against Orm’s lips—a promise sealed with love and trust.

And for the first time in weeks, the darkness that Popor had tried to cast over them didn’t feel so heavy. Because they had each other. And that was stronger than any threat.

Flashback

The room was quiet, save for the faint hum of the air conditioning and the occasional rustle of paper as the therapist jotted down notes. Orm sat on the plush gray couch, her posture tense, fingers nervously twisting the hem of her sleeve. She stared at a small crack in the wall, as if it held the answers she couldn’t find within herself.

Her therapist, Dr. Jariya, sat across from her, legs crossed, her expression calm and patient, the kind of patience that felt like an open door Orm was too scared to walk through.

But today was different. The words had been clawing at her throat for weeks, festering like an old wound that refused to heal.

“I don’t know how to forgive myself,” Orm finally whispered, her voice trembling. “For what I let happen. For what I made Ling believe.”

Dr. Jariya didn’t rush her, just nodded gently, encouraging her to continue.

Orm swallowed hard, her hands now clenched into fists in her lap. “She thought I chose Popor over her. And maybe it looked like I did. I mean… I stayed that night. I stayed when I should’ve run. But the truth is, I wasn’t running toward Popor. I was running away from Ling.”

Her voice cracked, tears welling in her eyes. She wiped them away quickly, as if ashamed of her own vulnerability.

“I was so fucking afraid,” she admitted, her voice thick with emotion. “Afraid of how I felt about Ling. Afraid that if I faced it, it would swallow me whole. So I did the coward’s thing—I ran. And in doing that, I broke her heart.”

She leaned forward, her elbows on her knees, burying her face in her hands for a moment before she found the strength to go on.

“Popor… she nearly—” Orm’s breath hitched, her body shuddering with the memory. “She nearly took something from me that night. Something I can’t even put into words. And after that, I just… shut down. I let her control the narrative because it was easier than facing what really happened. I let Ling believe the worst because I didn’t know how to fight for the truth. Not when I didn’t even believe I deserved it.”

Dr. Jariya’s voice was soft, grounding. “And now?”

Orm looked up, her eyes red but fierce. “Now? Now I hate her,” she spat, the words tasting like poison. “Not just for what she did to me, but for what she did to Ling. For putting her hands on her. For trying to hurt her. That fight… seeing Ling on the ground, bruised, fighting like hell—” Her voice broke again, the memory crashing over her. “I’ve never felt rage like that. It wasn’t just fear. It was hatred. Pure, blinding hatred.”

She took a deep, shaky breath, trying to calm the storm raging inside her. “I keep thinking if I’d been stronger back then, none of this would’ve happened. Ling wouldn’t have had to fight my battles. She wouldn’t have had to carry the weight I should’ve carried.”

Dr. Jariya leaned forward slightly, her gaze steady. “Orm, healing isn’t about rewriting the past. It’s about understanding it. You were a victim. You didn’t choose what happened to you. But you are choosing now—to face it, to grow from it. And that’s what matters.”

Orm let the words sink in, her chest rising and falling with uneven breaths. “I just want to be better. For her. For Ling.”

“You already are,” Dr. Jariya said gently. “Because you’re here. Because you’re fighting for her—and for yourself.”

Orm nodded slowly, her heart aching but feeling just a little lighter. Maybe she couldn’t erase the past, but she could write a new story. One where she didn’t run. One where she stood tall, beside the woman she loved.

Present

The soft glow of the TV flickered against the walls, casting fleeting shadows across the room. Orm lay on her back, her arm wrapped securely around Ling, who rested her head on Orm’s chest. The steady rhythm of Ling’s breathing was a comfort, grounding Orm in a way nothing else ever had. Her fingers traced gentle, absent-minded circles along Ling’s shoulder, careful to avoid the fresh bruises she had just tended to.

Orm’s eyes weren’t really on the screen. They flickered between Ling’s peaceful face and the ceiling, her mind a whirlwind beneath the calm exterior.

How did I get so lucky? she thought, her heart tightening in her chest. Ling’s warmth seeped into her, filling the spaces where fear and regret used to live. Every rise and fall of Ling’s breath felt like a silent promise, fragile yet fierce.

Orm had known love before—or at least, she thought she had. But this? This was different. This was the kind of love that carved itself into her bones, leaving traces of Ling in every heartbeat. A love that didn’t just exist but thrived, even in the silence, in the quiet spaces between words.

Her gaze drifted to the faint bruise under Ling’s eye, a dark reminder of Popor’s lingering shadow in their lives. Orm’s jaw clenched, her fingers momentarily tightening around Ling before she caught herself, softening her touch.

I’ll protect her, Orm vowed silently, her heart burning with quiet fury. No one will ever hurt her again. Not while I’m here.

She tilted her head slightly, pressing a soft kiss to Ling’s hair, breathing in her familiar scent—a mixture of jasmine and something uniquely her. The world outside their bedroom could crumble, and Orm wouldn’t care, not as long as Ling was safe in her arms.

Ling stirred slightly, her hand finding Orm’s and intertwining their fingers without even opening her eyes. That simple gesture—effortless, instinctive—made Orm’s heart ache in the best way.

She trusts me, Orm thought, her chest swelling with both pride and responsibility. I can’t fail her.

No matter what ghosts from their past tried to crawl back into their lives, Orm knew one thing with absolute certainty: she would fight. For Ling. For their love. For the life they were building together.

She squeezed Ling’s hand gently, whispering into the quiet, “I’ve got you. I love you.”

Ling hummed softly, half-asleep but comforted, her body melting even further into Orm’s side laying her lips on Orm’s neck, giving little kisses.

And as they lay there, wrapped in each other under the soft cocoon of night, Orm felt it—the unwavering, unshakable truth.

This is home.

And she would do anything to protect it.