beautiful mess

IV

Dinner had melted into something softer. The sun dipped below the horizon, leaving the apartment cocooned in the gentle hues of twilight. Ling watched Orm over the rim of her wine glass, feeling the comfort of their time together settle deep into her chest. The last threads of conversation lingered, mingling with the warmth of the wine, and Ling couldn't help but think how right it felt to have Orm here, to share this space with her.

Ling cleared her throat, her fingers lightly playing with the stem of her glass. "N'Orm," she started, her voice soft, as if not wanting to disturb the quiet warmth that had fallen between them. "Do you have any plans for the rest of the evening?"

Orm looked up, blinking, and smiled. "No, not really. Why? You want me to leave already, P'Ling?" she teased, her voice light, but her eyes searching.

Ling shook her head, her lips curling into a smile, a blush brushing across her cheeks. "No, actually. I thought... maybe we could watch a movie or something. I recently invested in this home entertainment system, and I haven't had anyone over to test it out with." She gestured toward the far wall, where a projector was mounted, sleek and understated. "It's got a wall-to-ceiling projection and these amazing Marshall speakers."

Orm's eyes widened, her grin widening in excitement. "P'Ling! You didn't tell me you turned your place into a mini-theater!" She laughed, her enthusiasm lighting up her features. "I'm definitely staying, then."

Ling's heart lifted at Orm's words, a small, unspoken joy blooming in her chest. "Perfect," she said, rising from her chair. "You can pick the movie, and I'll handle these," she added, nodding toward the plates and cutlery.

Orm saluted playfully. "Aye, aye, Captain. Leave the movie selection to me." She wandered over to the entertainment area, her fingers brushing the projector remote, her gaze flicking through Ling's collection, while Ling gathered the plates and headed to the sink.

The clinking of dishes and the sound of running water formed a backdrop as Orm stood before the shelves, scanning titles, occasionally calling out suggestions, only to be met with Ling's laughter and teasing rebuttals from the kitchen. "Not horror!" Ling called out when Orm choose a particularly eerie-looking cover on Netflix. Orm laughed, shaking her head as she set it aside. It was these small, shared moments that made everything feel so real. There was something almost magical in the simplicity of their laughter, something that felt fuller, richer, as if nothing else mattered.

Eventually, Orm picked a movie, something light-hearted and comforting, and dimmed the lights in the room until the space was bathed in a soft, cozy glow. She settled onto the couch, pulling a throw pillow onto her lap, her gaze flicking to the kitchen where Ling was finishing up.

Ling returned, wiping her hands on a towel, her eyes catching on Orm leaning back against the cushions, her glasses slipping slightly down her nose. "You look comfortable already," Ling said softly, a smile tugging at her lips.

Orm grinned, patting the spot beside her. "Come on, P'Ling. I saved you a seat."

Ling chuckled and joined her, sitting down close enough for their shoulders to touch. She settled in, feeling Orm's warmth beside her, the air between them thickening with a gentle anticipation. The movie started, and Ling tried to focus on it, but her attention kept slipping to Orm, to the way her eyes softened in the dim light, the way her head began to nod slightly as she fought sleep.

Before Ling knew it, Orm had drifted off, her head lolling back against the couch, her breathing soft and steady. Ling turned her head, watching her for a long moment, her heart swelling at the sight. It was the kind of moment she never wanted to end—calm, unguarded, like time had slowed just for them. Orm's presence was all that mattered. Ling realized that in this soft, ordinary night, there was something profoundly special.