Ink & Intentions (Lingorm)

19. Closer than ever

Ling woke up to a quiet cough from the bed across the room, the light barely seeping through the lodge's heavy curtains. She blinked, trying to clear the sleep from her eyes, before turning to find Orm, bundled up in her blankets, eyes half-closed and face flushed, looking like she was trying to stifle another cough.

Ling got up, her heart tightening with worry. She walked over to Orm's bed and leaned down, noticing right away how warm Orm felt even at a distance.

"Orm?" Ling's voice was soft with concern.

Orm opened one eye, managing a weak, lopsided grin. "Morning, Lingling Kwong" she mumbled, her voice scratchy and soft.

Ling felt a small surge of relief at Orm's familiar teasing, but it faded quickly as she placed a hand on Orm's forehead. It was burning up. "You're running a fever," she said, voice tinged with worry.

Orm made a face, pulling her blanket tighter. "Mmm... just a little overheated," she joked, though her voice sounded tired, almost faint. She sank further into her pillow, her brow furrowing slightly as she sighed.

Ling gave her a small smile but shook her head. "You're not just a little overheated, Orm—you're practically on fire." She paused, watching Orm's eyelids flutter, her breathing shallow. "Look, I'll stay back with you today. You need someone to help take care of this fever."

Orm blinked up at her, surprised but clearly relieved. "You'd really skip skiing with everyone else just to stay with me?" she asked, voice warm but soft, as if the fever had melted away some of her usual playful energy.

"Yes. Now stay still," Ling said firmly but gently, gathering up Orm's hair and brushing it off her flushed face.

Just then, the door swung open as Ying poked her head in, a mischievous grin already forming. "You two lovebirds awake?" she called, before spotting Orm's bleary, feverish expression.

Orm managed a tired laugh. "I'd come skiing, but... I might be an avalanche hazard in this state."

Ying gave a playful eyeroll but softened. "Hey, don't worry about it. I'll fill in for you on the slopes," she teased, stepping further into the room. "Ling, ready for today?"

Ling looked at Orm with concern. "Ying, I'm gonna stay here and take care of Orm. She's burning. You guys go on without us—I've got this covered."

"Alright, mom," Ying teased, and gave Orm a wink. "We'll miss you, but I'll give Wisanu a few pointers for you out there. Hope you feel better, though." She shot them both a quick grin and a thumbs-up before heading out to join the others, who were calling her from the hall.

When they were alone again, Orm gave Ling a sheepish look. "You didn't have to stay, you know..."

"I know I didn't," Ling replied, standing up and smoothing out Orm's blanket. "But I wanted to."

Orm's lips twitched in a small, teasing smile. "Guess I must be pretty irresistible then."

Ling raised an eyebrow but couldn't help a small smile. "Very funny. Now stay put. I'll get some cold cloths for your forehead, and maybe something warm to eat."

As the day wore on, Ling busied herself around the room, trying her best to make Orm comfortable. She boiled water to make tea, carefully wrung out a cool cloth and laid it gently on Orm's forehead, watching her friend's lashes flutter as the coldness hit her skin. Every few minutes, Orm would drift in and out of sleep, her breath soft but still heavy with fever.

At one point, Ling brought over a warm bowl of soup, kneeling by the bed to help Orm sit up.

"Wow, homemade," Orm said with a grin, although her voice sounded weak. "Am I that special, or do you just have a soft spot for me?"