Secrets Of Underworld | LingOrm GxG

XIX

In the days following the end of the war, the city seemed to breathe again. The constant threat of violence and betrayal had lifted, and life slowly began to return to the streets. But for Ling Ling and Orm, the aftermath of battle brought more than just relief—it brought a kind of quiet intimacy they had never allowed themselves to explore before.

They retreated to a small, secluded house on the outskirts of the city, far from the memories of bloodshed and loss. The house had once belonged to an ally of theirs, a safe haven now, surrounded by nature and the sounds of a world healing itself. Here, for the first time in years, Ling Ling felt like she could finally exhale.

The soft sound of running water filled the room as Orm stood by the open window, her hands busy washing dishes from their simple dinner. The evening light streamed in, casting a warm glow over the room. Ling Ling sat at the wooden table, watching her, a small smile tugging at her lips. It had been days since the final battle, but every moment with Orm now felt like a gift.

"You know," Ling Ling said, her voice soft and teasing, "I never imagined you would be so... domestic."

Orm glanced over her shoulder, a playful smirk on her face. "Don't get used to it. I just didn’t want to leave a mess. It doesn't mean I'm going to start making tea every morning."

Ling Ling chuckled, standing up from the table and walking over to her. "You’re full of surprises. Every day I learn something new about you."

Orm set the last plate aside, drying her hands on a towel. "Well, I could say the same about you," she replied, turning to face Ling Ling. Her eyes softened as she took a step closer. "For instance, I didn’t think you could relax for more than a few minutes. But here you are, staying still for days."

Ling Ling grinned, closing the distance between them. "I had good motivation," she murmured, her voice dropping as her fingers brushed Orm’s hand.

Orm’s eyes sparkled, her tough exterior giving way to something gentler. She reached out, her fingers tangling with Ling Ling’s, pulling her closer. "And what would that be?" she asked, her voice low, teasing but warm.

Ling Ling leaned in, her lips hovering near Orm’s ear. "You."

There was a pause, a shared breath between them, before Ling Ling closed the gap, pressing her lips softly to Orm’s. The kiss was slow and tender, unhurried, as if they had all the time in the world. It was a moment just for them, away from the chaos, the violence, and the weight of their past.

Orm sighed softly into the kiss, her hands slipping around Ling Ling’s waist, pulling her closer until their bodies were pressed together. It felt so easy now—being close to her, sharing this moment. There were no more battles to fight, no more enemies lurking in the shadows. It was just them.

When they finally broke apart, their foreheads resting together, Ling Ling couldn’t help but smile. "I could get used to this," she whispered.

Orm chuckled, her breath warm against Ling Ling’s skin. "You better, because I’m not going anywhere."

They stood like that for a while, wrapped up in each other, letting the peaceful silence of the room surround them. The outside world seemed far away, and for once, neither of them felt the urge to rush back to it.

Later that evening, they lay together on a large, worn couch, the soft light from a lantern flickering in the corner. Ling Ling rested her head on Orm’s chest, listening to the steady beat of her heart. It was a sound that anchored her, reminding her that after everything they had been through, they were still here—still together.

Orm’s fingers traced lazy patterns on Ling Ling’s arm, her voice soft as she spoke. "Do you ever think about what’s next?"

Ling Ling tilted her head up slightly to look at her. "What do you mean?"

Orm’s eyes flickered with thought. "The war is over. The city is rebuilding. We could... do something different now. Something we’ve never had the chance to think about before."

Ling Ling smiled faintly, her mind drifting over the possibilities. "Something normal, you mean?"

"Yeah," Orm said with a small laugh. "Something normal. We could start over. Build something that’s just ours."

Ling Ling’s heart warmed at the thought. "What would that even look like? I’m not sure either of us knows how to live a quiet life."

Orm shrugged, her fingers still trailing softly along Ling Ling’s skin. "We could figure it out together. It doesn’t have to be perfect, but it could be ours."

The idea of a future, a real future, with Orm was something Ling Ling had never allowed herself to dream about. But now, here in the quiet aftermath of war, it didn’t seem so impossible. She thought of mornings spent waking up next to her, of simple, peaceful days where they could just be themselves—no plans, no battles, no enemies.

Ling Ling lifted her head, looking into Orm’s eyes. "I like that idea. But no matter what happens, as long as we’re together, that’s enough for me."

Orm smiled softly, brushing a strand of hair from Ling Ling’s face. "You’ve always been enough."

Their lips met again in a slow, lingering kiss, this time filled with the promise of a future neither of them had ever thought they could have. It was sweet, gentle, and full of the love they had always kept just beneath the surface.

As the night deepened and the world outside their little haven grew quiet, they held each other close, letting the warmth of their embrace carry them into the next chapter of their lives—one built not on war, but on love, trust, and the promise of peace.