A Spark in the Darkness || lingorm ff

A New Kind of Feeling

Orm's POV

The whole way back from the restaurant, I couldn't stop thinking about Lingling. The way her hand brushed mine when we walked, the soft glances she gave me between conversations with my mom-it all felt different, like something was blooming between us.

When we reached my place again, Lingling smiled at me, that soft, shy smile that always tugged at something deep inside me. We walked upstairs to my room, falling into an easy routine. It felt like she'd always belonged here. The tension from the morning had lifted, and now there was this lightness, this... warmth.

We hadn't talked much since lunch, and the silence between us felt charged in a way that was unfamiliar but exciting. Once we were back inside, Lingling flopped onto my bed, kicking off her shoes and stretching like she'd been waiting to relax all day.

"You always take the best spots," I teased, leaning against the doorway, watching her.

She laughed, rolling over onto her stomach and propping herself up on her elbows. "You're the one who keeps letting me, Orm. It's kind of your fault."

I shook my head, chuckling. "Yeah, yeah." I made my way over and sat down on the edge of the bed, my heart fluttering when she stayed close. It was these little moments that made my feelings so confusing lately-the casual touches, the playful teasing. It was all so... natural.

I wanted more of it.

Lingling looked up at me, her eyes shining with something soft and vulnerable. "Thanks for today," she said quietly. "For being there. I... don't know what I would've done without you."

I swallowed, feeling a warmth spread through me. "You don't have to thank me. I'll always be here for you."

For a moment, neither of us said anything. We just looked at each other, and I could feel that pull again. The same pull I'd felt earlier when she was in my arms, crying. The same pull I'd felt when I wiped that last tear from her cheek.

Before I could think twice, I reached out and brushed a strand of hair from her face. Lingling's breath hitched, but she didn't pull away. Her eyes searched mine, as if she was trying to figure out what was happening between us.

"I... um..." she started, but her voice trailed off, like she wasn't sure what to say.

Instead of speaking, I leaned closer, my heart racing as I gently cupped her cheek. I could feel her pulse quicken under my fingertips, and for a split second, I wondered if this was a mistake. But then she closed her eyes, leaning into my touch, and I knew it wasn't.

"Is this okay?" I whispered, my voice barely audible.

Lingling nodded, her eyes fluttering open again. "Yeah," she breathed. "It's more than okay."

---

Lingling's POV

My heart was pounding so hard I thought it might burst. Orm was so close, her hand warm and steady against my cheek. I'd never been this close to her before, not like this, and it felt... right. It felt like something I'd been waiting for without even realizing it.

The way she looked at me made my breath catch. There was so much care, so much tenderness in her eyes. And the way her touch lingered on my skin, like she didn't want to let go, sent a shiver down my spine.

"I didn't know I could feel like this," I whispered, my voice barely above a breath. "With you."

Orm smiled softly, her thumb brushing my cheek. "Me neither."

We stayed like that for a moment longer, just looking at each other, both of us caught in this quiet, gentle moment. I could feel the warmth of her breath against my lips, and for the first time in a long time, I wasn't afraid. I wasn't scared of what this was or what it could become.