LingOrm One-shots

Something Shifted

Lingling Kwong sat in front of her vanity mirror, lightly patting moisturizer onto her cheeks as she stared at her reflection. Her mind was already far from the chaos of Bangkok, and it had drifted to the quiet countryside of Kalasin Province, where she would soon be heading to visit her family. She hadn't been home in months, caught up in the whirlwind of work and events. Thankfully, the management allowed them a break before they resumed taping for their new series, Only You.

Orm strolled in, leaning against the doorframe with her signature smirk. Loing looked at her through the mirror.

"Hey," Orm began, her tone casual but her eyes glinting with something more, "you're still planning to leave for Kalasin, right?"

Ling smiled softly, nodding. "Yeah. I miss my parents, and Char Sui and Sydney must be wondering where I've been."

"About that..." Orm wandered closer, hands in her pockets. "I was thinking... since my classes for my Masters were suspended and we have our free time... maybe I could come with you? You know, to meet your dogs. You talk about them all the time - makes me curious." She gave an exaggerated shrug, pretending her interest began and ended with Lingling's beloved pets.

Ling chuckled, half turning to face her. "You want to drive eight hours just to meet Char Sui and Sydney? They're not exactly lap dogs, you know?"

Orm grinned wider, her expression a mix of playful and sheepish. "I mean, who can resist names like that? Plus, maybe your family wants to meet the person who's been stealing their daughter's time, you know." Orm shrugged. Feigning innocence. 

Ling's smile faltered just for a second, a faint flush rising in her cheeks. She had never brought anyone to Kalasin before. Her family knew about Orm, but meeting them in person, and having Orm in her teenage home felt like a significant step.

"Okay," Ling answered. "just make sure Mae Koy allows you to go with me."

"Just that?" Orm asked, then shouted, "Mae! Mae!" Mae Koy stopped talking with Khun Dew and looked at her only daughter knowing that something was up.

"I decided that I'm going with Ling to Kalasin!" Orm continued. "And no need to answer.  I'm not asking, Mom, I'm just informing you." Winking at her mother she faced Ling. "See, she's not protesting." she smiled widely at Ling.

Ling shakes her head with Orm's antics. And Ling being Ling looked to Mae Koy and asked, "Can Orm go with me to Kalasin?"

Mae Koy nodded her head in agreement. She appreciates Ling's old style of respect for her seniors and adds that she knows that her daughter will be safe with Ling. The girl even makes her job to take care of Orm easier.

"Okay. That settles it. I am now going home with you tomorrow." Lingling said without her realizing that what she said made Orm's heart flutter.

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Early the next morning, the drive to Kalasin was peaceful. The scenery shifts from the bustling cityscape of Bangkok to the sprawling rice fields and rural villages of northeastern Thailand. Orm sat in the passenger seat, sunglasses on and one arm lazily hanging out the window, soaking in the serenity. Ling glanced at her every now and then, a smile tugging at her lips. She knew that Orm was excited, though her partner had tried to play it cool.

She was still processing Orm's spontaneous decision to come along. Orm has claimed it was because of Ling's constant talk about her dogs, Char Sui and Sydney, but Ling couldn't help feeling there was something more to her sudden interest in a quiet weekend with Ling's family.

Orm leaned back in her seat, her usual air of nonchalance intact. "so, Char Sui and Sydney, huh?" Orm said with a grin. "You think they'll like me?"

Ling gave her a sidelong look. "they don't usually like new people. They're a bit territorial, especially with strangers."