Burning Ice Queen

The morning sunlight streamed into the bedroom as Lingling groaned softly, pulling the blanket over her head. Orm, already dressed and holding a steaming cup of coffee, immediately noticed something was off.

"Ling? You okay?" Orm asked, setting the coffee down and kneeling by the bed.

Lingling peeked out from under the blanket, her sharp eyes dull and unfocused. "I'm fine," she mumbled hoarsely.

Orm raised an eyebrow, placing a hand on Lingling's forehead. "Baby, you're hot."

Lingling blinked, a faint smile forming. "Thank you."

"No, I mean literally," Orm corrected, smirking. "You have a fever."

Lingling frowned but didn't argue as Orm gently pushed her back down. "You're staying in bed today."

"I don't want to stay in bed," Lingling pouted, crossing her arms. "I'm perfectly capable of going to work."

Orm laughed softly. "Ling, you can barely sit up. Just relax and let me take care of you."

By mid-morning, Lingling's usual icy demeanor had melted into something entirely different: an adorably demanding patient.

"Orm!" she called out from the bed. "I need cuddles."

Orm walked in, raising an eyebrow. "Cuddles?"

"Yes," Lingling pouted."

Orm bit back a laugh. "Anything else, Your Highness?"

Lingling nodded. "My blanket feels weird. Can you tuck it in properly?"

Orm knelt by the bed, adjusting the blanket meticulously while muttering, "The things I do for love."

"What was that?" Lingling asked suspiciously.

"Nothing, darling," Orm replied with a grin.

By early afternoon, Lingling's demands evolved into clinginess. She refused to let Orm leave the room.

"Where are you going?" Lingling asked, her tone bordering on suspicious.

"To grab a drink," Orm replied, amused.

"No," Lingling said, clutching Orm's sleeve. "You can't leave. What if I need something?"

Orm laughed, settling back onto the bed. "Ling, I'm a room away. You'll survive."

"But I feel so alone," Lingling whined. "You're supposed to be taking care of me."

Orm leaned closer, brushing a strand of hair from Lingling's face. "You're unbelievable."

"I'm sick," Lingling pouted. "I deserve attention."

"And you'll get it," Orm said, wrapping her in a blanket cocoon. "You're the cutest tyrant I've ever met."

Becky and Freen burst through the door an hour later, carrying snacks and an oversized stuffed penguin.

"The cavalry has arrived!" Becky announced, plopping the penguin onto the bed.

Lingling stared at the penguin in confusion. "What... is this?"

"Your emotional support animal," Becky said smugly. "It's a penguin. You're welcome."

Lingling blinked. "It's huge."

"You need huge comfort," Freen quipped, handing Orm a box of chocolates. "How's the Ice Queen holding up?"

"She's clingy and dramatic," Orm said, laughing. "She just asked me to hold her forever."

"I can hear you," Lingling muttered, her glare softened by her flushed cheeks.

Becky grinned, snapping a picture. "This is going in the group chat."

"Delete it," Lingling said weakly.

"Absolutely not," Becky replied.

By evening, Lingling's fever had started to subside. She rested her head on Orm's lap, her voice soft. "Thank you for putting up with me."

Orm smiled, brushing Lingling's hair gently. "Always. Even when you're a big baby."