The soft hum of the engine gradually faded as the aircraft descended. Through the small window, Saigon sprawled beneath them, a sea of golden fireflies shimmering in the night. Though it was only a little past six in the evening, the city was already fully awake, vibrant, dazzling, alive...
Orm leaned comfortably against her seat, having drifted off to sleep at some point, her head resting lightly against LingLing's shoulder.
Beneath a loosely draped lilac silk scarf that covered both of them, their fingers were intertwined, hiding the warmth of their touch from the curious gazes of the world around them.
LingLing shifted slightly, her eyes lingering on Orm's serene face. The cabin's soft lighting cast a gentle glow on Orm's fair and flawless skin, her long lashes fluttering slightly with each steady breath.
A fleeting thought crossed LingLing's mind: Orm, in this moment, was so utterly captivating that she wished no one else could ever get to see her like this. Her grip instinctively tightened, as if affirming that this person belonged solely to her.
A small smile played on LingLing's lips as she reached out to tuck a stray lock of light-colored hair behind Orm's ear.
"N'Orm~" LingLing cooed sweetly. "Wakie wakie ~ We've arrived!"
Orm stirred slightly, nuzzling deeper into LingLing's shoulder. "P'Ling~ just five more minutes..." she murmured, her voice thick with sleep as she burrowed lazily against the comforting warmth.
LingLing chuckled, squeezing Orm's hand gently. "If you don't wake up now, the airport staff might have to carry you out."
Orm's lips curled into a playful smirk as she peeked one eye open. "Well... you could carry me out too. I love it when you carry me, P'Ling~" she teased, voice tinged with mischief.
LingLing gazed at the sleepy yet adorable girl, amused yet indulgent. Her eyes, filled with unspoken fondness, softened as she watched her little baobao slowly drift back into sleep.
By the time the airplane had fully landed and the engines shut off, passengers were already retrieving their belongings and filing out of the cabin. LingLing gave Orm's hand a light tug, unable to suppress the tender smile that crept to her lips. "Come on now, Nong Orm, let's go~."
Side by side, the two stunning women walked through the jet bridge toward immigration. Maintaining a perfectly professional distance, they moved with an air of composure fitting for their public personas. Yet, their fingertips brushed ever so slightly with each step, sending warm, fleeting sparks through their skin. Occasionally, their gazes met, just for a brief second, before they glanced away with knowing smiles.
The moment they stepped into the Arrivals Hall, a thunderous roar erupted.
A sea of fans had gathered beyond the barricades, holding up welcome signs, raising their phones high to capture the moment, and calling out their names with boundless love.
Orm's eyes sparkled with excitement as she waved joyfully to the crowd, her radiant smile illuminating her face. Beside her, LingLing nodded gracefully in acknowledgment, her composed demeanor contrasting perfectly with Orm's infectious energy.
Security personnel guided them toward the waiting car, shielding them from the bustling crowd.
Once inside the vehicle, their fingers naturally found each other again, fingers entwining once more as if they were meant to be. Warmth. Comfort. Home.
As they drove through the city streets, they passed towering LED billboards flashing grand welcome messages.
Welcome LingLing Kwong & Orm Kornaphat to Vietnam!
Further ahead, another screen played scenes from the series that had brought them together, moments of tenderness immortalized in flickering light.
LingLing turned to Orm, catching the gleam of emotion in her eyes.
Orm caught her gaze, a knowing smile tugging at her lips, one that only LingLing could truly understand. A gentle warmth seeped into her chest, spreading like a quiet river flowing through her veins.
"We're so lucky," Orm sighed happily, sinking deeper into her seat. "I'm so happy! Vietnamese fans really shower us with so much love."
"They really love you," LingLing responded softly, her thumb absentmindedly tracing circles on Orm's hand.
Orm rested her head against LingLing's shoulder, her voice dropping to a quiet murmur. "And... I love you...you know.."
LingLing's breath hitched for a fraction of a second. She turned her gaze toward Orm, eyes tender yet unreadable. Then, she placed a feather-light kiss on Orm's forehead.
"Mm. I know."
They stayed like that, leaning into each other, eyes closed, letting exhaustion take over while soaking in the warmth and scent of the person beside them. The relentless schedule of their upcoming fan meeting tour loomed over them, but for now, they had this quiet moment, just the two of them.
---
Over half an hour later, their car stopped at a small, homey pho restaurant tucked away in a quiet alley. Laughter and soft conversations filled the air, carrying a sense of warmth and familiarity. The rich aroma of simmering broth curled through the night, making their stomachs rumble in anticipation.
Orm nearly leaped out of the car, dashing inside with childlike excitement. She plopped down at a neatly prepared table, eyes gleaming as she reached for the chopsticks. "I've been dreaming about this pho ever since I saw our itinerary!"
LingLing laughed, following behind at a leisurely pace, watching as Orm impatiently fidgeted in her seat like a child waiting for her favorite treat.
"N'Orm, slow down. The bowl isn't going to grow legs and run away."
"But it's sooo good!" Orm pouted, then grinned. "I've loved it ever since our first trip to Vietnam."
LingLing watched her, eyes brimming with quiet adoration. "I know, I know. But just take it easy. No one's going to steal your Pho."
Orm scrunched her nose, huffing playfully before breaking into a bright grin under LingLing's affectionate gaze
When their food arrived, they ate in contented silence, enjoying the warmth that seeped into their bones.
LingLing found herself stealing glances at Orm now and then. Normally, this little girl barely ate much, but tonight, she was carefully picking up each bite, savoring it like it was the best thing in the world.
A smile tugged at LingLing's lips. Reaching out, she gently dabbed a napkin against Orm's forehead, wiping away the faint traces of sweat from the heat.
Orm blinked up at her before leaning into LingLing's shoulder with a lazy grin.
"P'Ling takes such good care of me... Am I your baby?"
"Mm, my baobao,"Â LingLing murmured, voice rich with fondness.
The simple reply wrapped around Orm like a warm embrace. She couldn't help but giggle, happiness bubbling through her as she swung her legs under the table, savoring the peaceful moment between them.
---
Their hotel, towering above the city skyline, was a masterpiece of modern elegance. Floor-to-ceiling windows offered a breathtaking view of Saigon's shimmering lights. Outside, LED screens continued to flash messages of love from their fans, glowing brilliantly against the night.
Inside their suite, the door clicked shut, sealing them away from the outside world.
Orm pressed her palms against the cool glass, eyes wide in wonder. "They did all this for us?"
"For you... they love you...." LingLing said, stepping forward and wrapping her arms around Orm's waist, pulling her close. "Miss Kornaphat."
Orm shivered at the warmth that enveloped her, the familiar scent, the steady heartbeat against her back. Orm's heartbeat faltered, and she melted into the embrace, wanting nothing more than to stay right there.
Slowly, she turned within LingLing's arms, tilting her head up with a teasing smirk.
"And you? How about you? Khun LingLing Kwong?" Orm's voice was laced with playful mischief.
LingLing narrowed her eyes, dragging out the pause just long enough to make Orm impatient. "Me?" she mused. "I'm just tolerating you."
Orm gasped, pretending to be utterly betrayed. "P'Ling...You...take that back right now!"
But LingLing didn't answer. She only let out a soft chuckle, then, without warning, she swept Orm off her feet.
"Aaa! P'Ling!" Orm shrieked, her laughter spilling into the air, legs kicking instinctively. But despite her playful protest, her arms tightened around LingLing's neck, as if she never truly wanted to be let go. "Put me down!"
"Not happening!" LingLing smiled, holding her even closer. "My baobao likes being carried, doesn't she?"
Orm pretended to struggle, wriggling half-heartedly in LingLing's embrace. But in the end, she gave in, surrendering to the warmth that enveloped her. With a soft sigh, she buried her face into the crook of LingLing's neck, letting herself be spun in the air, just for a few fleeting moments, before being carefully lowered onto the plush mattress.
Still giggling, Orm lay sprawled across the bed, her breath slightly uneven from excitement. But before LingLing could pull away, she reached up, her fingers looping around LingLing's nape, tugging her down until their faces were so close that their breaths intertwined.
LingLing braced herself against the mattress, hovering just above, her gaze drinking in the sight of the girl beneath her.
The laughter slowly faded, replaced by something softer, something unspoken. The golden city lights outside flickered in Orm's eyes, mirroring emotions that neither of them had yet put into words. LingLing reached out, her fingertips tracing a delicate path along Orm's cheek.
Orm exhaled, the faintest shiver running through her, before her eyes fluttered shut.
LingLing followed, closing her own eyes as she leaned in, pressing a feather-light kiss against the lips she had long memorized.
They melted into each other, bodies curling together in a quiet embrace. Their warmth blended, the familiar scent of each other wrapping around them like a cocoon, their heartbeats gradually syncing in a steady, unspoken rhythm.
Beyond the windows, the city pulsed with restless energy, its towering skyscrapers glowing against the midnight sky. But in this room, tucked away from the world, there was only them, wrapped in the hush of love, unspoken, a love that is not yet ready... to tell the world.
Tomorrow, the whirlwind of fan meetings, flashing lights, and deafening applause would pull them back into the embrace of their public lives.
But tonight, they had each other.
Just as they were... soft, unguarded, and utterly theirs.
--End--