A Spark in the Darkness || lingorm ff

Where I Belong

Orm's POV

Waking up the next morning felt strange. There was a lingering sense of unease that I couldn't quite shake, and when I checked my phone, it all made sense. Lingling's message was waiting for me, just one word: Fine.

But something about it didn't sit right. Lingling wasn't one to downplay things like that. I stared at the screen for a moment longer, debating whether I should call her. Maybe I was just overthinking things. Maybe she was really okay.

I got ready for university as usual, trying to push the thought aside. But as I walked into the classroom, the empty seat beside mine made my chest tighten. Lingling wasn't there. That uneasy feeling was back again, stronger this time.

I waited through the first part of the class, convincing myself she must've just taken the day off. After all, with everything going on in her family, who could blame her? But when break time came, I couldn't wait any longer. I needed to know if she was okay.

I grabbed my phone and called her. No answer. My worry spiked, and without thinking twice, I headed straight to the rooftop. Lingling loved it up there, away from the noise and the stress. It was her quiet place.

When I opened the door to the rooftop, I saw her sitting at the far end, knees pulled up to her chest, staring blankly at the sky. She looked so small, so lost in that moment. My heart broke at the sight of her.

"Lingling," I called softly as I approached, trying not to startle her.

She didn't turn around right away, but I saw her wipe her face quickly. Even from this distance, I could tell she'd been crying. That strong, determined girl I admired so much looked like she was breaking, and it hurt more than I could say.

I sat down next to her, not saying anything at first. Sometimes, words weren't needed. Sometimes, just being there was enough.

After a while, I gently placed my hand over hers. "You don't have to talk if you don't want to," I whispered. "But I'm here."

Lingling stayed quiet, but her hand gripped mine a little tighter. That small gesture spoke volumes. I could feel the weight she was carrying, the hurt she was trying so hard to hide. And then, after what felt like an eternity, she whispered the words that made my chest ache.

"My parents," she said, her voice barely audible. "They're planning to divorce."

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Lingling's POV

I didn't want to tell Orm. I didn't want to dump all my problems on her. She had her own life, her own things to deal with. But sitting there, feeling the warmth of her hand on mine, I couldn't keep it in any longer.

"They've been fighting for so long," I continued, my voice shaking. "And now... now it's official. They're getting a divorce."

I could feel the tears burning in my eyes again, but I didn't stop them this time. I was too tired to keep holding everything in. "It's like everything's falling apart," I whispered, my chest tight with the weight of it all.

Orm stayed quiet, letting me talk. That's one of the things I loved about her-she didn't push me to say more than I was ready to. She just... listened.

"They're blaming me for it," I said through my tears, my voice breaking. "They said they only stayed together because of me, but now... now it's my fault they're unhappy."

I couldn't hold it in anymore. The sobs came hard and fast, and I felt myself collapse under the weight of it all. The pain, the guilt, the feeling of being unwanted by the two people who were supposed to love me the most. It was too much.

Before I knew it, Orm's arms were around me, pulling me close. "It's not your fault," she whispered fiercely. "None of this is your fault, Lingling. Don't ever believe that."

I leaned into her, clinging to her like she was the only solid thing left in my world. And in that moment, it felt true. I wasn't alone. I had Orm.

---

Orm's POV

Holding Lingling in my arms while she cried felt like the most important thing I could be doing. Her tears soaked into my shirt, but I didn't care. All I wanted was to take away her pain, to make her feel safe.

"You don't have to be strong all the time," I whispered, stroking her hair. "It's okay to cry. You're allowed to feel this."

She nodded, her sobs finally quieting, though she didn't let go of me. I wasn't sure I wanted her to. There was something about holding her like this, something that made me feel... protective. Like I was the only one who could make this better for her.

After a long while, her breathing steadied, and she pulled back slightly, wiping her eyes. "I'm sorry," she mumbled, her voice thick with emotion.

"For what?" I asked, brushing a tear from her cheek. "You don't have to apologize for anything."

She gave me a small, sad smile. "I just... I don't want to drag you into all of this. My family is a mess, and I-"

"You're not dragging me anywhere," I interrupted, squeezing her hand. "I'm here because I want to be. You don't have to go through this alone."

For a moment, we just sat there, staring at each other. There was a vulnerability in her eyes that I'd never seen before, and something about it stirred feelings I hadn't expected. I wanted to be more than just her shoulder to cry on. I wanted to be the person she could always rely on, the one she could turn to when things got tough.

And maybe... something more.

---

Lingling's POV

Orm's words, her touch, her presence-it was all so overwhelming in the best way. I'd never felt this safe, this cared for. The way she looked at me, like I was the only thing that mattered, made my heart ache in a different kind of way.

When she wiped that last tear from my cheek, something shifted between us. I could feel it. The air was different, heavier. There was a softness in her gaze, something I hadn't noticed before. And it made me wonder... could Orm feel what I was feeling? Was there something more between us?

I didn't say anything, afraid to break the moment. Instead, I leaned into her again, resting my head on her shoulder. And Orm, being Orm, didn't hesitate. She wrapped her arm around me, holding me close like it was the most natural thing in the world.

"I don't know what I'd do without you," I whispered, feeling the truth of those words deep in my chest.

"You don't have to find out," she murmured back, her voice soft and steady. "I'm not going anywhere."

---

The afternoon passed quietly after that, the weight of Lingling's tears giving way to a more peaceful silence. There was a new understanding between us now, a closeness that wasn't just about friendship anymore. Something had changed, and I think we both knew it.

After a while, we decided to pack up our things and head to lunch. Orm's mom had texted, inviting us to join her at a nearby restaurant. It felt like the perfect break after everything that had happened, a chance to breathe, to reset.

But even as we walked side by side, heading out into the world again, that connection stayed. Lingling didn't say much, but she kept glancing at me, her expression soft, almost... grateful. And I couldn't stop thinking about how right it felt, having her by my side.

As we reached the restaurant, I knew one thing for sure-whatever this was between us, it was only just beginning.

To be continued...

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