Ink & Intentions (Lingorm)

18. Between Snowflakes and Secrets

The first morning on the mountain was bright, cold, and bustling with excitement. Orm had barely slept, her mind tangled with thoughts of Ling, who'd been avoiding her more than ever. She looked across the breakfast table, stealing glances at Ling, who seemed intent on ignoring her while whispering something to Wisanu.

It was infuriating.

But with the others chatting away, the tension was easy enough to mask—for now. Orm forced a smile and focused on Ying, who was sipping hot chocolate across from her with a mischievous glint in her eyes.

"So, Orm," Ying teased, leaning over the table. "You seem extra bright-eyed this morning. Maybe a little something—or someone—on your mind?"

"Excuse me?" Orm sputtered, nearly choking on her coffee as Ying's smirk grew. Wisanu and Ling both glanced up, and Orm tried to hide the heat rising in her cheeks.

"Oh, come on, Orm," Tan chimed in with a grin, elbowing Bow beside him. "Don't act all innocent! Who gets up this early unless they're in love with mountain air or... someone else?"

Bow snickered, raising her eyebrow at Orm. "Right! We've all noticed how hard you've been staring across the room."

Orm blushed furiously, glancing at Ling, who looked away, suddenly very interested in her toast.

"Don't be ridiculous," Orm mumbled, trying to play it off. "I was just... excited to ski, that's all."

"Uh-huh. Sure," Ying said, winking. "Well, this mountain trip should be very 'exciting,' don't you think?" She put air quotes around "exciting," causing Orm to roll her eyes.

"Enough about me," Orm countered, eager to change the subject. "Shouldn't we be talking about how Tan made us all miss the sunrise because he couldn't find his scarf?"

"Hey!" Tan laughed, throwing his hands up defensively. "In my defense, I had it right by the window. It's not my fault Bow thought it was 'aesthetic' and moved it for her photo."

Everyone laughed as Bow gasped in mock offense. "Tan, if you call my photos anything less than an art form, we're having words."

Ling laughed lightly, the tension momentarily lifting as everyone playfully bickered. Orm relaxed a little, her spirits lifted by the lightheartedness. Even Ling's face softened, and she looked up, meeting Orm's gaze for a brief, unguarded second. But as quickly as it came, the connection was broken. Ling returned to Wisanu's side, making Orm's stomach twist with both irritation and longing.

The group hit the slopes mid-morning, gliding across the snow as the cold air nipped at their faces. Orm tried to focus on the rush of the wind, the thrill of skiing, but her eyes kept drifting toward Ling, who was skiing with Wisanu, laughing at something he said.

The sight twisted Orm's heart in a way she wished she could ignore. She turned to Ying, her lips set in a frustrated line. "Why does she keep pulling away?"

Ying shrugged, flashing Orm an empathetic smile. "Ling's complicated. Sometimes people run when they're scared of getting hurt."

"Or when they're hiding something," Orm muttered, her gaze darkening as she watched Ling throw her head back, laughing at something Wisanu said.

"Oh, now you're jealous," Ying teased. She leaned over, whispering in Orm's ear. "I mean, if you really want her attention, you could always make her a little jealous too."

Orm's eyes widened. "Ying!"

"Hey, just saying. Maybe she needs a push," Ying replied with a wink. Before Orm could protest, Ying glided down the slope, leaving her to contemplate her friend's words.

That afternoon, the group explored the quaint mountain town near their lodge. They drifted through shops, browsed ornaments, and laughed over souvenirs. Despite herself, Orm found herself enjoying the afternoon, though her gaze often strayed to Ling, who kept her distance, her attention always on Wisanu or Bow.

After a quick lunch, the wind picked up, the sky thick with the promise of fresh snow. Orm noticed Ling wander off, taking a quieter path toward the edge of town. Her curiosity piqued, Orm trailed after her, watching Ling's solitary figure framed against the backdrop of frosted pines and thickening clouds.

Ling stopped in a small clearing, looking out over the snowy valley below. Her face softened, and for a moment, Orm saw the vulnerability behind her guarded expression.

"What are you doing out here by yourself?" Orm asked, breaking the silence.

Ling jumped, spinning around to find Orm standing behind her. Her cheeks flushed, either from the cold or from Orm's sudden appearance. "I... I was just enjoying the view."

Orm nodded, stepping closer, and a gust of icy wind swept over them, making Ling shiver. Orm hesitated, watching as Ling hugged herself, clearly struggling against the cold. Her face softened, and she found herself reaching out, closing the space between them.

"You're freezing, Ling," Orm murmured, her voice barely audible above the quiet.

Ling shook her head stubbornly. "I'm fine. Just... surprised."

But Orm could see her shivering, her pale cheeks and reddened nose betraying her bravado. Before she could overthink it, Orm slipped her arms around Ling's shoulders, pulling her close.

Ling's body tensed, but slowly, she relaxed in Orm's embrace, her cold hands pressing against Orm's back, gripping her coat tightly. They stood in silence, the snowfall thickening around them, dusting their hair and shoulders.

The warmth of Ling's body against hers, the softness of her breath against Orm's neck—it all felt surreal, like something Orm had only ever dreamed of. She closed her eyes, savoring the moment, wishing it could last.

"Orm..." Ling's voice was barely a whisper, breaking the stillness between them.

Orm's heart raced as she opened her eyes, meeting Ling's uncertain gaze. "Yes?"

Ling's face softened, her eyes searching Orm's. But before she could speak, she pulled back, her expression shifting to a guarded mask once more. "We should head back," she said, her tone distant.

Orm's chest tightened as she watched Ling turn away, her heart aching with the familiar sense of loss. Without another word, she followed Ling back down the path, her mind racing with unspoken questions.

Later that evening, everyone gathered in the cozy lodge, huddled around a crackling fire with hot drinks in hand. The warmth was welcome, and the chatter light, yet the air was thick with unspoken tension.

Tan nudged Ying, a mischievous glint in his eye. "So, what's everyone's plan for tomorrow? More skiing, or should we all try snowboarding and see who falls the hardest?"

Bow laughed, raising her cup. "Definitely snowboarding! I'm calling it now—I'll be the last one standing."

"Oh, please," Wisanu teased, rolling his eyes. "I saw you almost face-plant getting off the ski lift today."

Orm chuckled, trying to join in, but her gaze kept drifting to Ling, who sat by the fire, her expression distant.

As the laughter continued, Ying leaned over to Orm, nudging her gently. "Talk to her. Make her see what she's running from."

Orm sighed, glancing at Ying. "She won't even look at me. What am I supposed to do?"

"Maybe make her remember that she doesn't really want to be anywhere else but here," Ying replied, a glimmer of encouragement in her eyes.

Orm nodded, a newfound determination filling her. But before she could work up the courage, Ling stood abruptly, her eyes downcast as she announced she was heading to bed.

"Already?" Tan teased. "We haven't even started our hot chocolate competition yet."

Ling offered a faint smile, her gaze flickering to Orm. "I'm... just tired. Long day."

The others let her go, but Orm couldn't shake the feeling that Ling was pulling away once again.