Ink & Intentions (Lingorm)

6. Close calls

The rain poured relentlessly as Ling made her way back to the apartment, her boots splashing in shallow puddles along the walkway. By the time she reached her building, her hair was damp, and the cold was biting into her hands. She muttered to herself about the unexpected downpour, cursing her luck.

When she finally arrived at the apartment, she unlocked the door to find Orm lounging on the couch, scrolling through her phone. She looked up, her eyes catching Ling's soaked figure.

"Oh, look what the cat dragged in," Orm teased, smirking. "Decided to go for a swim on your way home?"

Ling ignored her, shaking out her umbrella and kicking off her wet boots. "Glad to know I can always count on you for sympathy, Orm."

"Sympathy's boring," Orm replied with a grin. "Besides, you look... refreshed." She glanced at Ling's drenched clothes with an amused glint in her eyes.

Ling rolled her eyes and moved toward the kitchen, ignoring Orm's smirk. "I don't have time for your 'refreshing' comments. I just need a hot drink."

As she reached up for a mug from the top shelf, her damp fingers slipped, and she felt herself lose her balance. She barely had time to react before an arm looped around her waist, steadying her.

For a moment, she was pressed against Orm, who had moved so quickly Ling hadn't even registered the motion. Ling looked up, suddenly aware of the warmth of Orm's arm around her. Orm's eyes held a playful spark, but there was something else, something unreadable in the way she looked down at her.

"Easy there," Orm murmured, her voice softer than usual. "Wouldn't want you to end up more bruised than you already are from that rain."

Ling's cheeks flushed as she stepped back, but Orm's hand lingered at her waist for just a fraction longer than necessary. Ling cleared her throat, trying to dispel the unexpected tension between them.

"Thanks," she muttered, feeling oddly flustered. "But I had it under control."

"Really?" Orm tilted her head, her eyes still locked on Ling's. "Because it looked like you were about to take the whole shelf down with you."

"I was perfectly fine," Ling shot back, but the heat in her face betrayed her.

Orm chuckled, folding her arms and leaning casually against the counter, her gaze not wavering. "Sure, counselor. Keep telling yourself that."

Ling felt her pulse quicken, but she forced herself to stay composed, turning her attention back to her mug and the kettle. Orm stayed close, watching her, a sly smile tugging at her lips.

"So, since I just saved you from certain disaster," Orm began, "I think that calls for a reward. You could at least make me a cup of tea."

Ling raised an eyebrow, annoyed but unwilling to back down from the challenge in Orm's eyes. "A reward? Please. I could've caught myself if you hadn't been hovering."

Orm laughed, clearly enjoying every bit of this exchange. "Right. Next time, I'll let you take a swan dive off the counter and see how that goes."

Ling shook her head, pouring hot water into two mugs without comment. When she handed one to Orm, their fingers brushed, and Ling felt a small, inexplicable jolt. She pulled her hand back quickly, but Orm noticed and raised an eyebrow, her smirk growing bolder.

"You're awfully jumpy, Ling," Orm remarked, taking a sip. "Are you sure you're not the one who's secretly flustered?"

Ling scoffed, taking a defiant gulp of her tea even though it was too hot. "In your dreams, Orm. I just don't like being manhandled."

"Manhandled? Oh, come on, I saved you from a very tragic fall." Orm leaned in just a bit, her voice dropping. "You could at least say 'thank you.'"

Ling swallowed, suddenly hyper-aware of the small distance between them. Her pride and her growing awareness of Orm's proximity clashed, leaving her tongue-tied. Orm took advantage of her silence, stepping back with a playful wink.

"Just think about it," she added lightly before heading back to the couch, as if the moment hadn't rattled Ling at all.

Ling watched her go, the tension still humming in the air. She couldn't quite explain the feeling Orm had stirred up—this mix of irritation, challenge, and something else she wasn't ready to name. But as she sipped her tea, trying to focus on anything but Orm's smirk, she knew this roommate arrangement was going to test her in ways she hadn't anticipated.