Unscripted Love | Lingorm

The Ties That Binds

As night fully took over, the soft orange glow of the setting sun faded into a velvety dark sky, studded with the first stars of the evening. The secluded beach they had spent the evening at, now bathed in the coolness of the night air, felt like a dream—a fleeting moment they would both cherish. Ling and Orm made their way back to the car, feeling the lingering excitement of the day settle into a calm, unspoken connection between them. They drove back to Ling's home in comfortable silence, the sound of the road beneath the tires and the distant hum of the city guiding them back.

Once inside Ling's apartment, the warmth of the familiar surroundings enveloped them. Orm, who had been unusually quiet on the drive back, seemed lost in her thoughts. She hovered near the doorway, as if she had something on her mind but was struggling to voice it. Ling, noticing the tension in Orm's posture and the slight nervousness in her expression, approached her with a gentle smile. She wrapped her arms around Orm's waist, pulling her closer, feeling the warmth of her body as she rested her forehead against Orm's.

"What's wrong?" Ling asked softly, her breath a whisper against Orm's ear. Her hands held Orm tenderly, urging her to share whatever was bothering her.

Orm hesitated, her gaze shifting downward as a faint blush crept across her cheeks. She seemed shy, unsure of how to phrase what was on her mind. Finally, after a few moments, she admitted in a soft voice, "I've never been in a relationship before... so I don't have much experience."

Ling's lips curled into a small, amused smile, a chuckle escaping her. She rested her chin on Orm's shoulder. "That's nothing to worry about. You have me."

Orm's eyes widened slightly, and she pulled back to look at Ling. There was a flicker of something in her gaze—curiosity mixed with jealousy. "What's that supposed to mean? You have a lot of experience?"

Ling blinked, surprised by the question, and before she could help it, her own face flushed a deep red. "No! I don't—" she stammered, momentarily flustered by the unexpected turn. "I haven't either. I'm just like you."

Orm's eyes narrowed in playful disbelief, a soft pout forming on her lips. "That's hard to believe... You're beautiful, smart, and successful. It doesn't make sense that you've never been in a relationship before. I mean, you're 29, Ling."

Ling laughed at that, unable to help herself. "Did you just call me old and inexperienced?"

Orm's pout deepened, but it was paired with a laugh of her own. "No! That's not what I meant!" She sighed, her cheeks glowing from the compliment. "Actually, it comforts me that I'm your first."

There was a quietness that followed, but it felt like Orm still had something more to say. Ling's intuition kicked in as she watched Orm, who now seemed to be struggling to get her words out. Ling gently pulled Orm even closer, taking one of her hands and softly cupping Orm's face with the other. The warmth of their closeness was grounding, and Ling's voice came out as a soft encouragement.

"Hey," she whisperedd. "Just say it. I'm listening."