Fallen (Lingorm)

Chapter 39

Lingling cradled Orm's cheek, her thumb brushing over the faint mark left by Yaya's slap. Orm pouted, sticking her bottom lip out dramatically, her wide eyes turning full-on dorky.

"You're really playing it up, huh?" Lingling teased softly, leaning in to press a gentle kiss against the spot. "I'm sorry she slapped you."

Orm rolled her eyes, crossing her arms with an exaggerated huff. "Oh, very sorry," she mocked. "Sorry enough to walk her to her car and probably open the door for her too, huh?"

Lingling fought back a grin, a small chuckle escaping her. "Common courtesy, princess."

"Not common!" Orm snapped, pinching Lingling's side hard enough to make her flinch. "Courtesy is for me. Only me!"

Lingling couldn't hold back her laughter this time, shaking her head. "Are you always this crazy when you're jealous? Or is this just for me? Because let's not forget you fucking slashed my Range Rover's tires!"

Orm shot her a warning glare, her lips twitching like she was seconds away from losing it. "Better watch out then," she said darkly. "Don't provoke me, Lingling."

Lingling held up her hands in mock surrender, nodding solemnly. "Got it. No provoking the crazy princess."

Orm's expression softened as she looked at her, her eyes warm and a little sheepish. "So... we're okay now, right?"

Lingling tilted her head, studying her with a small smile. "Okay if—and that's a big if—you promise no more secrets. And no more pulling that 'I-can-do-everything-alone' bullshit. We rely on each other from now on."

Orm didn't even hesitate, nodding eagerly like an overexcited puppy. "Promise! Swear it! No more secrets!"

Lingling's lips quirked into a tight smile, teasing glint returning to her eyes. "Someone's really excited. You sure missed me that much?"

Orm wrapped her legs around Lingling's waist, pulling her into a tight koala hug that nearly knocked them both over. "I did! I missed you so much I drove Prig and Becky insane with all my whining!"

Lingling laughed, stumbling slightly before shifting to sit down on the couch, trying to create some space between them. "Okay, princess, but we're still in the office."

Orm pulled back just enough to glare at her. "So what?" she shot back defiantly.

Lingling raised an eyebrow, tapping her forehead like she was thinking. "Uh, Rule D?"

"It's Rule B, actually," Orm corrected, rolling her eyes like Lingling had forgotten something as obvious as her own name.

Lingling snorted. "Whatever."

Orm leaned in, and Lingling instinctively tilted her head, thinking it was for a kiss.

 Instead, Orm sank her teeth into Lingling's cheek, biting down hard enough to make Lingling yelp. "Seriously, Ling?! My fucking cousin?!"

Lingling hissed, pulling away and rubbing at her cheek. "Ow! What the hell, Orm? That hurt!"

"Good!" Orm snapped. "It's what you deserve."