Echoes of a Heartbeat [LingOrm]

Tangled hearts

Narrator's pov

Yoko burst into the room, her voice ringing out like a morning alarm. "Good morning!" she yelled, her energy filling the space. The sudden noise jolted Orm awake, her eyes fluttering open to the sight of Ling nestled against her, still sound asleep.

"Shh, she's still sleeping," Orm whispered, her voice hushed as she tightened her embrace around Ling, cradling her protectively. Ling's face was peaceful, her breathing soft and steady as she remained oblivious to the commotion.

Yoko moved closer, her footsteps quiet as she approached the bed. The usual fire in her eyes was replaced with a softer concern as she took in the scene. "So, are you two back together?" she asked, her voice cautious, as if she feared the answer.

Orm looked down at Ling, her fingers gently tracing patterns along her arm. "We definitely are," she replied, her tone filled with quiet certainty. There was a softness in her voice that Yoko hadn't heard in days

Yoko smiled, relieved. "Good. Wake her up soon; I'm going to make breakfast."

As Yoko headed to the kitchen, Orm turned her attention back to Ling. "Baby," she whispered softly, brushing a few strands of hair away from Ling's face. She caressed Ling's cheek, her touch feather-light.

Ling stirred, slowly blinking awake. "Sorry, did I sleep too long?" she mumbled, her voice drowsy and sweet. Orm shook her head with a tender smile. "Really? It's just so good sleeping next to you. It feels like I'm on the clouds," Ling murmured, her voice still heavy with sleep.

"Sweet talk at 9 a.m., huh?" Orm teased, her heart swelling at Ling's words. She wanted to stay like this forever, but she knew they had to get up. "But come on, let's get up. We need to eat."

"No! I want to stay here with you," Ling protested, wrapping her arms around Orm like a baby koala, her grip tight and warm.

Orm chuckled softly, her heart melting at Ling's clinginess. "Alright, my clingy girl," she whispered, pressing a kiss to the top of Ling's head.

......

After a few more minutes of quiet, reluctant cuddling, they finally made their way to the kitchen, their fingers intertwined as they walked side by side. The warmth between them was palpable, a stark contrast to the cold distance that had once hung in the air.

Yoko was already at the stove, flipping pancakes with a mischievous grin on her face. "Hey, lovebirds!" she called out teasingly. "So, are you two dating, or...?"

Orm didn't answer immediately. Instead, she wrapped her arms around Ling from behind, resting her chin on Ling's shoulder. "And what about you? Are you and Faye dating?" she countered, a playful gleam in her eyes.

Yoko nearly dropped the spatula. "Orm! Ling is here," she said, trying to deflect, but the flush of her cheeks betrayed her.

"I know," Orm replied simply, a hint of amusement in her voice. She tightened her embrace around Ling, her touch affectionate. "I'm just happy my baby is here." With that, Orm began to pepper Ling's cheeks with light kisses, each one more playful than the last. "Yoko, you should've seen how she was crying—literally crying more than me!"

Ling, still blushing from the barrage of kisses, perked up at the mention of Faye. "Wait, did you say Faye? As in P'Faye?" she asked, noticing Yoko's flustered reaction. Both Orm and Yoko nodded."Oh, so you're the girl..." Ling trailed off, her eyes widening with realization.

Yoko blinked, confused. "What do you mean?"

"A while ago, Faye was kind of down, getting involved with different girls, but then she suddenly seemed happier and stopped going to those parties. I figured someone special must have come into her life."

Yoko's face turned even redder as she turned back to the kitchen counter, clearly trying to hide her embarrassment. "Well, whatever. We're not dating, just hanging out. It might not even be me—it could be Sulax for all I know. I don't even know if she likes me," Yoko muttered, her voice tinged with uncertainty.

Ling gently freed herself from Orm's embrace and walked over to Yoko, her expression kind. "You know, Faye owes me a few favors. I could ask her about you," Ling offered softly, trying to ease Yoko's nerves.

Yoko, who had been slicing something, turned to Ling with a wide smile, still holding the knife. Orm couldn't help but laugh.

"Would you really do that?" Yoko asked, her eyes shining with hope.

"Of course. Since you helped me,it's the least that I could do," Ling replied calmly, taking the knife from Yoko's hand and setting it safely on the counter. "But let's keep the knife in a safe place."

"Sorry, I was so shocked I forgot I was holding it," Yoko admitted sheepishly. But their conversation was suddenly interrupted by the sound of a giggling baby munching on a waffle.

"Hey! That is my breakfast!" Yoko exclaimed.

"You misspoke—it 'was' your breakfast," the baby said with a grin. Ling couldn't help but smile, seeing the pure joy in their eyes.

........

Ling's pov

I walked into Faye's studio with determination. "Malisorn," I called out, my voice firm as I entered the space.

Faye looked up from her work, surprised to see me standing there. "LingLing? What's going on?" she asked, clearly caught off guard by my sudden visit.

"I need to ask you some questions," I said, my tone leaving no room for refusal. I knew Faye would have to answer.

"Ask away, but I'll be asking questions too," she replied, signaling that she was also looking for information.

"Fine. First, do you know Yoko Apsara?" I asked, using it as a trick question to gauge her honesty.

"Yes. Now, are you seeing someone?" she shot back, clearly trying to determine if I was being truthful as well.

"Yes. Do you like Yoko?" I asked directly, aiming to get straight to the point.

"What kind of question is that? Anyway, maybe," she replied.

"Faye, you need to answer me," I insisted. She nodded, so I repeated my question.

"Okay, so who are you seeing?" she asked, her tone revealing that she might be testing me.

"Kornnaphat," I said quickly, hoping she wouldn't catch the rush in my voice.

"What? Kornnaphat? I thought she was dating Yoko," she said, clearly surprised, and I felt a pang of jealousy about Orm.

"They're just friends," I said coldly.

"Fine, maybe I love Yoko," she admitted reluctantly.

"Right, but why do you seem to be avoiding her?"

"I am. I think she's with someone else."

"She's not."

"How do you know?"

"She told me. She said she was avoiding you because she thought you were with Lux."

"Shit," she muttered, burying her face in her hands.

"I think it's better if you talk to her," I suggested.