Faking It, Lovin' It || Lingorm

Chapter 25: Taking it Slow

In the days following their reconciliation, Orm and Lingling settled into a new rhythm—one that felt more honest, more real. Gone were the pressures to prove something to each other or to the world. Now, it was about figuring out who they were together without the complications of pretending.

Lingling found herself easing into this new version of their relationship, one where her fears of vulnerability were less daunting because Orm was finally standing still, not slipping away when things became too real. They had both agreed to take things slow, learning from the mistakes of the past. There were no grand declarations or plans for the future yet, just a mutual understanding that they would work through things together this time.

One evening, as they sat on Lingling's couch, legs tangled together under a blanket, they enjoyed the quiet, each lost in thought. Orm rested her head on Lingling's shoulder, her fingers absentmindedly tracing patterns on her arm.

"You know," Orm said softly, breaking the silence, "this feels good. Just being here with you. No pressure, no pretending. I don't know why I was so scared of it before."

Lingling chuckled lightly. "Because you were too busy running from it. But I'm glad you've decided to stay." She pressed a kiss to Orm's head, the tenderness between them feeling easy and natural now.

Orm tilted her head up to look at Lingling, her smile softening. "I really am staying this time. I want this to work."

"I know," Lingling whispered, leaning down to kiss her. It was a simple kiss, one filled with quiet contentment rather than the urgency they had shared before. Lingling had always thought she needed control to feel secure, but with Orm, she was learning that trust could be enough.

As the evening deepened, they talked about little things—how Orm had a new photography project coming up, how Lingling was preparing for an important marketing pitch at work. They teased each other, shared jokes, and laughed in the way they had before everything became so complicated. But this time, there was a difference—they weren't hiding behind anything. Their connection felt more grounded.

"Remember when we used to go out and fake being this cute couple?" Orm said with a grin. "We were pretty convincing, huh?"

Lingling laughed, shaking her head. "Looking back, we didn't have to fake much. It was real all along—we just didn't know it yet."

Orm smirked. "Speak for yourself. I've always been irresistible."

Lingling rolled her eyes playfully. "Well, irresistible or not, you still have to meet me halfway from now on."

Orm's expression softened. "I will, Ling. I promise."

And for the first time, Lingling believed it completely.

As the night went on, they grew quiet again, simply enjoying each other's presence. There was no need to rush, no need to push things further. They were learning to savor the moments, knowing that real love wasn't about grand gestures or elaborate plans—it was in the everyday, in the small, meaningful ways they showed up for each other.

It wasn't perfect. There were still times when Lingling's doubts crept in, and moments when Orm's fear of commitment threatened to surface. But they were learning how to talk through it, to be patient with each other and themselves. Taking it slow didn't mean avoiding the hard parts—it meant facing them together, one step at a time.

And for the first time in a long time, Lingling felt hopeful.