i've got my eyes on you

IV

Ling remained perfectly still, her body at ease despite the awkward angle of the couch. N'Orm's head was still resting gently on her shoulder, and the weight of it, combined with the warmth from their quiet surroundings, had lulled Ling into a state of half-consciousness. The soft murmur of the stream outside was like a lullaby, filling the air with a rhythm as soothing as a heartbeat.

As the minutes passed, N'Orm shifted slightly, instinctively nestling closer into Ling's side. Without realizing it, her legs curled up under her on the couch, her arm slipping naturally across Ling's middle, fingers resting lightly against the soft fabric of her white tee. The motion was subtle, unintentional, but it brought the two of them even closer. Ling, too drowsy to notice the change, simply leaned back further into the couch, her head resting gently against the cushion.

N'Orm's breath slowed, syncing with the easy rhythm of the afternoon, and soon enough, both of them drifted into the kind of deep, undisturbed sleep that felt like falling into a warm, endless pool. It was the kind of sleep that only came when everything else in the world quieted, when the weight of responsibility disappeared, and all that was left was the simple comfort of being beside someone who felt like home.

As the sun began to sink behind the trees, painting the room with a soft golden glow, N'Orm stirred first. Her eyes fluttered open slowly, adjusting to the light, and for a brief moment, she didn't move. She was still cocooned in warmth, her cheek resting against the soft fabric of Ling's shoulder.

Her body was still pressed against Ling's, the subtle rise and fall of Ling's chest steady and calming beneath her. N'Orm didn't pull away; instead, she turned her head ever so slightly, just enough to let her eyes take in the sight of Ling beside her.

And the sight made her breath catch in her throat.

Ling was still asleep, her face relaxed, her usually alert eyes now closed, her lashes casting soft shadows on her cheeks. The late afternoon sunlight filtered through the glass windows, casting a soft, almost ethereal glow around her. Her features were delicate but strong—an effortless beauty that looked as if it were painted straight from heaven.

Ling's white tee clung loosely to her, the cotton soft against her skin, the simplicity of it making her look even more serene. Her wide, relaxed jeans were bunched slightly from where N'Orm had shifted against her, the casual outfit only adding to the effortless grace that Ling always seemed to carry with her. It wasn't just her physical beauty—it was the calm, steady presence she exuded even when asleep, the way her lips were slightly parted in peaceful slumber, the gentle rise and fall of her chest.

N'Orm found herself holding her breath, afraid to move, afraid to disturb the perfection of the moment. She wasn't used to seeing Ling like this—unguarded, completely at rest, without the usual poise and precision she showed the world. Here, in the quiet, it felt like Ling belonged to another world entirely, a world free from the weight of fame and responsibility.

N'Orm's gaze lingered, her heart fluttering for reasons she didn't quite understand. She had always admired Ling's beauty, but seeing her now, so close, so effortlessly perfect—it made her feel something deeper, something she wasn't quite ready to name.

Just as she was about to let herself get lost in that feeling, the soft chime of the doorbell echoed through the villa, breaking the quiet. N'Orm's heart jumped slightly in her chest, but before she could react, Ling stirred beside her, her body tensing for a brief second before her eyes slowly opened.

N'Orm panicked, her body instinctively freezing. She wasn't ready to break the moment, wasn't ready for Ling to catch her staring. So instead of moving, she did the only thing that came to mind—she pretended to fall back asleep.

Her breathing evened out, her body relaxing into Ling's again, though her heart was now racing beneath her calm exterior. She felt Ling shift beside her, felt the warmth of her movement as she stretched ever so slightly, her head turning toward the source of the sound.

Ling blinked away the last remnants of sleep, her eyes still hazy as they adjusted to the soft light of the evening. The doorbell chimed again, and with a soft sigh, Ling gently untangled herself from N'Orm's soft embrace. N'Orm, still feigning sleep, felt the absence immediately—Ling's warmth slipping away, the cushion of the couch shifting as Ling stood up quietly.

For a brief second, Ling looked down at N'Orm, her lips curving into a small, affectionate smile. She stood there, watching N'Orm for a moment, the sight of her stillness, the peacefulness of her face, tugging at something deep in Ling's chest.

How can she make something so simple feel so... complete? Ling thought to herself, brushing a hand through her slightly tousled hair before moving toward the door.

As Ling reached the door, the bell rang one more time, and when she opened it, Mae Koy stood there with a wide smile, bags in tow, the rest of the team trailing behind her. The evening light caught the cheerful lines of her face as she grinned up at Ling.

"Finally, you two! I was beginning to think you'd forgotten about us," Mae Koy teased, stepping inside and immediately glancing around the villa. "Looks like you two have had a relaxing afternoon."

Ling's smile widened, a soft laugh escaping her. "You could say that."

As Mae Koy and the team filtered into the villa, Ling's eyes drifted back to the couch where N'Orm lay, still in the same position, her back turned slightly as if still asleep. The room felt different now, with the evening bustle of arrivals and conversation filling the air, but Ling's thoughts stayed with the quiet moments they had shared that afternoon.

And, even though the villa was now alive with new energy, a part of Ling wished they could go back to that peaceful moment on the couch—just the two of them, the quiet, and the soft rhythm of their shared breath.