A Spark in the Darkness || lingorm ff

Late Nights & New Feelings

They moved to Orm's room, where she quickly made space for Lingling on her bed. Orm's heart raced as they settled in, both propped up against the pillows. "What should we do now?" Orm asked, trying to sound nonchalant, but her heart was racing with anticipation.

"Maybe we could watch a movie?" Lingling suggested, her voice soft yet eager.

"Great idea! I've got a stash of the best romantic comedies," Orm said, grabbing the remote. She couldn't help but notice how close they were sitting. The warmth radiating from Lingling's body made it hard to concentrate on anything other than the sweet scent of her hair.

As the movie played, they both settled into a comfortable silence. Lingling's laughter filled the room during the funny moments, and Orm couldn't help but steal glances at her. Each time Lingling smiled, Orm felt a warmth blooming in her chest-a mix of affection and something deeper, something that made her heart race.

Halfway through the movie, Orm noticed Lingling's eyelids growing heavy. "Are you still with me?" she teased, nudging Lingling playfully.

Lingling laughed softly, "I'm trying! This is really cozy."

"I promise I'll keep you awake," Orm said, her tone light but filled with an unspoken promise. "I can't let you miss the best parts!"

Lingling managed a smile, but before long, her head slowly drooped onto Orm's shoulder. Orm's breath caught in her throat. She had to resist the urge to wrap an arm around Lingling and pull her closer, but she didn't want to disrupt this delicate moment. Instead, she gently rested her head against Lingling's, savoring the closeness.

As the movie played on, Orm felt a mix of joy and nervousness fluttering inside her. She was hyper-aware of every little detail: the way Lingling's hair felt against her cheek, the warmth of her body, the steady rhythm of her breathing. It was intoxicating, and Orm fought against the urge to lean in closer.

After a while, Lingling stirred and lifted her head, blinking sleepily at Orm. "Did I fall asleep again?" she asked, a hint of embarrassment coloring her cheeks.

"Just a little," Orm said softly, unable to hide her smile. "But you looked so cute, I didn't want to wake you."

Lingling's cheeks flushed deeper, and she glanced down, a shy smile playing on her lips. "Thanks," she murmured, looking up at Orm with those big, expressive eyes.

Orm's heart raced again, caught in the moment as she realized just how much she cherished Lingling. "So, do you want to stay here for a bit longer?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper, filled with hope.

Lingling nodded, settling back against Orm's shoulder. "I'd like that."

The two of them lingered in the comfortable silence, the air thick with unspoken words and shared glances. Each moment felt like a promise of something more, and Orm couldn't help but dream of what their future might hold. They were no longer just study partners; they were becoming something more significant.

As the night wore on, Orm felt herself caught between wanting to express her feelings and the fear of ruining their friendship. She desperately wanted to reach for Lingling's hand, to hold it and let her know how much she cared, but the anxiety held her back. Instead, she focused on the movie, trying to ignore the butterflies in her stomach.

Lingling shifted slightly, tucking herself closer, and Orm felt her heart race again. It was so tempting to pull Lingling in even more, to wrap her arms around her and make sure she felt safe and cherished. But she kept her hands to herself, reminding herself that this was just a cozy night with a friend.

As the credits rolled, Orm's mind was a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. She turned to Lingling, who was still looking a bit drowsy but content. "What do you think? Was it worth staying up for?" Orm asked, trying to keep her tone light.

Lingling smiled, her eyes sparkling even in the dim light. "Definitely! I had a great time."

Orm felt a surge of happiness at her words. "I'm glad. We should do this more often."

Lingling's gaze met Orm's, and for a moment, time seemed to stand still. Orm could see the warmth in Lingling's eyes, a flicker of something that felt deeper than friendship. She felt her heart race as she searched Lingling's face for any hint of what she was feeling.

"Orm?" Lingling's voice broke the tension, and Orm felt a jolt of electricity at the sound of her name.

"Yeah?" Orm replied, her voice slightly shaky.

"I'm really happy we're friends. You make things so much fun," Lingling said, her smile softening.

Orm felt a rush of affection wash over her, but she also felt the familiar tug of fear. She wanted to tell Lingling how much more she felt for her, how special she was, but the words caught in her throat. Instead, she nodded, forcing a smile. "You make studying a lot more bearable."

Lingling chuckled, her laughter light and genuine. "Okay, that's fair! But seriously, I'm really glad to have you in my life."

Orm's heart swelled at her words, and she found herself leaning in slightly. "Me too, Lingling. You mean a lot to me."

Lingling's smile widened, and for a heartbeat, Orm thought maybe she saw a flicker of hope in Lingling's eyes, too. But just as quickly, Lingling's gaze dropped, and Orm felt the moment slip away.

"Let's get some sleep," Lingling suggested, yawning adorably. "We've got a big day of studying tomorrow."

"Right, sleep sounds good," Orm replied, though a part of her wanted to keep talking, to explore this connection between them.

As Lingling settled back against the pillows, Orm felt a sense of longing wash over her. She knew she had to control herself, but it was becoming increasingly difficult. The way Lingling looked so peaceful, the warmth of their shared moments, it all tugged at her heartstrings.

"Goodnight, Lingling," Orm whispered, her voice barely above a breath.

"Goodnight, Orm," Lingling replied, her voice soft and sleepy.

As Orm closed her eyes, she found herself hoping that this was just the beginning of something beautiful. And she knew that, no matter what, she wanted Lingling by her side.

_to be continued _