Homeward Bound

Lingling and Orm woke up wrapped around each other, their bodies tangled in soft sheets as the first golden light of morning poured through the floor-to-ceiling windows of their honeymoon villa.

The sea breeze drifted in, rustling the white curtains slightly, carrying the scent of salt and flowers. Everything was perfect—except for the fact that their honeymoon was ending.

Orm was the first to stir, stretching lazily, her limbs sore in the best way possible. As soon as she moved, however, she felt Lingling's arms tighten around her waist, a silent but firm protest.

Orm smirked, still half-asleep. "Clingy, aren't we?"

Lingling's muffled voice came from against her shoulder. "You're my wife. I'm allowed."

Orm chuckled, pressing a slow kiss to the top of Lingling's head. "I'd argue you were even clingier before the wedding."

Lingling tilted her chin up, meeting Orm's gaze with a lazy, knowing smirk. "And you loved it."

Orm laughed softly, trailing her fingers down Lingling's back. "I still do."

For a moment, they just lay there, basking in the warmth of each other, drifting between sleep and wakefulness. The entire world outside their honeymoon bubble didn't exist—no work emails, no responsibilities, no interruptions.

Just them.

BEEP. BEEP. BEEP.

The shrill sound of the alarm clock pierced the peaceful air, effectively shattering the moment.

Orm groaned dramatically, burying her face into Lingling's neck. "Cancel it. We live here now."

Lingling laughed softly, her fingers lazily tracing patterns on Orm's bare shoulder. "Tempting. But unfortunately, reality exists."

Orm sighed heavily, grumbling like a child forced to leave a playground.

Lingling, mock serious: "Mrs. Kwong, I'm going to need you to get up and help me pack."

Orm peeked up with a grin. "I liked it better when you just called me 'baby.'"

Lingling rolled her eyes but indulged her by brushing her lips against Orm's in a lingering, slow kiss. "Baby, get up."

Orm hummed, satisfied. "That's more like it."

Lingling pulled away, smirking. "Now get up."

Orm flopped back onto the bed, pouting. "Ugh. Fine. But just know, I'm not happy about this."

Lingling stood, stretching, her silk robe slipping slightly off her shoulder as she gazed out at the view of the endless blue sea. She sighed wistfully.

"I wish we had a little more time."

Orm watched her from the bed, propping herself up on one elbow. "We can always come back."

Lingling turned to look at her, softening. "For another honeymoon?"

Orm winked. "Exactly. Maybe next time, I'll survive with more sleep."

Lingling arched an eyebrow, her smirk teasingly devious. "No promises."

Orm groaned, flopping back down onto the mattress.

Lingling laughed, grabbing a pillow and playfully tossing it at her. "Get up and help me pack before I divorce you."

Orm gasped dramatically, clutching the pillow. "Already? We haven't even been married a month!"

Lingling smirked, crossing her arms. "Then move."

Orm sighed, dragging herself out of bed but not before stealing another kiss.

If this was how marriage was going to be—she couldn't wait for forever.

Packing should have been quick and easy. But nothing was ever simple when Orm was involved.

Lingling was perfectly folding her clothes, placing everything neatly into her suitcase, each item carefully arranged like a work of art.

Orm, meanwhile, was chaotically stuffing her clothes into hers like a raccoon preparing for winter, shoving items in without a second thought.

Lingling, pausing mid-fold to stare at the disaster in horror: "...Orm."

Orm, casually tossing a pair of shoes on top of her clothes: "Yes, my love?"

Lingling, expression unreadable but clearly processing deep disappointment: "What. Is. That?"

Orm: "A suitcase?"

Lingling, deep breath, hands on hips: "That is a crime against organization. You're just—throwing things in there? No folding? No order?"

Orm shrugged lazily. "Everything fits. That's all that matters."

Lingling blinked at her, scandalized. "I married a woman who doesn't fold her clothes?"

Orm grinned, completely unbothered. "You married me knowing this. No refunds."

Lingling sighed heavily, already reaching for Orm's suitcase to fix the mess. "Unbelievable."

Orm watched in amusement as Lingling began redoing all her work, muttering to herself about the sanctity of proper packing.

Orm, teasing: "You know, I'm really enjoying being married."

Lingling, not looking up, still aggressively refolding a shirt: "Why?"

Orm, leaning against the wall, arms crossed: "Because now I have a wife who will handle my messes for life."

Lingling snapped the suitcase shut with a little too much force.

Orm: "I regret saying that."

Lingling, finally looking up, deadpan: "Good."

After a long flight and far too many hours of travel, Lingling and Orm finally stepped into their penthouse, exhausted but relieved to be home.

Lingling sighed contentedly, dropping her carry-on bag near the door. "Finally."

Orm, stretching, flopped onto the couch dramatically. "I love Santorini, but wow, I think I forgot how good our couch feels."

Lingling arched an eyebrow. "So, after all the luxury resorts, private villas, and yacht trips... you're saying our couch is the highlight?"

Orm, hugging a pillow: "100%."

Lingling shook her head with an amused smirk, ready to curl up beside her wife—

BANG. BANG. BANG.

A loud, overly aggressive knock echoed through their penthouse.

Lingling, already rubbing her temples: "No."

Orm blinked, concerned. "Are we expecting someone?"

Lingling, exasperated: "No. But I have a strong suspicion."

Before either of them could react, the door swung open, revealing none other than—

Becky and Freen.

Becky, grinning like a menace: "Surprise! Welcome back, lovebirds!"

Freen, smirking, arms crossed: "Hope you two had fun. Or, judging by how Orm looks right now... too much fun."

Orm, still on the couch, groaning: "I hate you both."

Lingling, crossing her arms: "How did you even get in here?"

Becky held up a spare key. "I made Orm give me one before your departure. For emergencies."

Lingling, glaring at Orm: "We need to have a discussion about your life choices."

Orm, mumbling: "I regret everything."

Becky plopped onto the couch beside Orm, stretching like she owned the place. "So, tell me. Did you two even leave the bedroom or did you just pay for a scenic background while you—"

Lingling threw a throw pillow at her face.

Becky, dodging: "Wow. Violence. And here I thought marriage softened you."

Freen, scrolling on her phone, suddenly snorted. "By the way, you two might want to check social media."

Lingling narrowed her eyes. "Why?"

Freen turned her phone around, showing them a trending post.

#MrsAndMrsKwong—HoneymoonGlow

A compilation of photos from their trip, courtesy of Becky and Freen's dedicated snooping, was now circulating online.

Orm leaned closer, amused. "A fan cam? We got a fan cam?"

Becky, smirking: "You're practically celebrities at this point."

Lingling, stone-faced: "I should've stayed in Santorini."

Orm nudged her playfully. "You love the attention."

Lingling exhaled slowly, then turned to Becky. "I want you both out."

Becky grinned, leaning back against the couch. "Aw, babe, you missed us."

Lingling, already pulling out her phone: "I'm calling security."

After finally kicking out their uninvited guests, Lingling and Orm collapsed onto the couch, their bodies sinking into the plush cushions as the weight of the day—and their entire whirlwind honeymoon—finally caught up with them.

The penthouse was quiet now, the only sounds being the gentle hum of the city outside and their own slow breathing as they melted into each other.

Orm rested her head against Lingling's shoulder, exhaling deeply. "As much as I loved Santorini..." She sighed, closing her eyes. "I think I missed this."

Lingling, tilting her head slightly to press a soft kiss to Orm's temple, murmured, "Home?"

Orm nodded, eyes still shut, her body completely relaxed for the first time in days. "Home."

Lingling breathed in the familiar scent of Orm's shampoo, the comforting warmth of their shared space settling over her. Their home had always been their safe haven, but somehow, tonight, it felt even more special—more permanent.

Their forever.

Lingling reached for Orm's hand, lacing their fingers together, giving it a small squeeze. "And now, we start the rest of our lives."

Orm smiled sleepily, shifting slightly to curl closer into Lingling's embrace. "Hopefully with more sleep."

Lingling, smirking against her wife's hair, whispered: "No promises."

Orm groaned dramatically, burying her face into Lingling's shoulder. "Figures."

Lingling chuckled softly, her fingers gently tracing circles on Orm's back. "You'll survive."

Orm huffed playfully, though she didn't move. "I don't know... I might need extra care and attention after everything you put me through during honeymoon."

Lingling arched a brow, amused. "Oh? Are you suffering, Mrs. Kwong?"

Orm peeked up at her, smirking. "A little. But I think you enjoy torturing me."

Lingling leaned down, brushing her lips lightly against Orm's. "You have no idea."

Orm hummed, her eyes fluttering shut again. "Mmm. I like being married."

Lingling smiled, watching as Orm's breathing slowly evened out, sleep finally pulling her in.

For a moment, she just stared at her wife, the soft glow of the city lights casting golden shadows over Orm's features. She looked peaceful. Completely hers.

Lingling's heart swelled.

She leaned down, pressing one last, lingering kiss to Orm's forehead, whispering against her skin:

"I love you."

Orm, half-asleep but still grinning, murmured back, "Love you too."

Lingling wrapped her arms around Orm, pulling her even closer, and let herself finally relax.

For the first time since their honeymoon began, she didn't feel like she was in a dream anymore.

This was real.

And she wouldn't trade it for anything.