Full Circle

After nearly three decades together—three decades of love, marriage, children, success, and chaos—one would think that Lingling had mellowed out when it came to Orm.

That she had grown out of her possessive tendencies.

That she had matured.

One would be wrong.

Because tonight—tonight, of all nights—Lingling was fuming.

It had started innocently enough.

They were attending a high-profile gala, an event filled with business elites, celebrities, and socialites—all of whom, naturally, gravitated toward Orm.

Because, of course, Orm had aged like fine wine.

Tall. Elegant. Stunning.

She carried herself with the same effortless charm that had captivated Lingling all those years ago.

Which was fine.

Lingling knew Orm was beautiful. That was a fact of life.

What was not fine—

Was watching some random man spend the last ten minutes trying way too hard to make conversation with Orm.

Leaning in too close.

Smiling too much.

And worse—

Orm was being polite.

Lingling sat at their table, swirling her wine, her eye twitching as she watched the scene unfold.

She was fine at first. She was fine.

Then—

The man laughed at something Orm said.

Lingling's grip on her glass tightened.

Then—

He lightly touched Orm's arm.

Lingling set her wine down.

Orm—her Orm—the love of her life, mother of her children, the woman who belonged to her and only her—

Enough.

She stood up calmly, smoothing out her dress, and made her way toward them.

Orm barely had time to react before Lingling slid her arm firmly around her waist, pulling her close.

The man hesitated, immediately sensing the shift in energy.

"Oh—Mrs. Kwong, I was just—"

Lingling's smile was polite. Sharp. Deadly.

"Existing in my wife's personal space. I noticed."

Orm blinked.

Lingling? Jealous?

Still?

After all this time?

The man stammered, clearly sensing danger.

"I—I was just complimenting her on how radiant she looks tonight," he tried, chuckling nervously.

Lingling tilted her head, eyes glinting.

"Yes, she is. And she always has been. And she is also very, very taken."

The man gulped.

Orm, mildly amused, nudged Lingling.

"Babe, really?"

Lingling ignored her.

She turned back to the man, her voice smooth as silk.

"Do you have a wife?"

"Uh—yes?"

Lingling hummed, tilting her head. "Would you like it if I hovered around her, invading her space?"

The man swallowed. "N-No."

Lingling's cold smile widened.

"Then consider this a lesson in boundaries."

The man got the message.

He excused himself immediately.

As soon as he was out of sight, Orm turned to Lingling, laughing softly.

"Baby, are you serious? We're old and you're still like this?"

Lingling huffed, crossing her arms.

"Of course I am. You're mine."

Orm shook her head, smiling.

"Even after all these years?"

Lingling leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to Orm's temple.

"Especially after all these years."

The drive home was peaceful.

Lingling sat in the passenger seat, arms folded, lips slightly pursed. She was still mildly annoyed, but Orm knew better.

This wasn't real irritation. This was Lingling Kwong irritation. Which meant she was thinking, plotting, and possibly planning to have that man blacklisted from all future events.

Orm, amused, reached over and took Lingling's hand, lacing their fingers together.

"Babe," she started, voice warm, "I think you just realized something."

Lingling raised an eyebrow. "And what's that?"

Orm smirked. "You haven't changed. At all."

Lingling rolled her eyes. "Of course I've changed. We have children, Orm."

"Yeah, but you—" Orm grinned. "You're still the same jealous, possessive, slightly terrifying woman I married."

Lingling scoffed. "I am not terrifying."

Orm just stared at her.

Lingling frowned. "I'm not."

"Babe, you made a grown man panic just by tilting your head."

Lingling hesitated. Then, quietly, "That's just a skill."

Orm chuckled. "It's been almost thirty years and you still act like you'll lose me if you don't keep scaring people away."

Lingling tightened her grip on Orm's hand. "I'm not scared of losing you."

Orm turned to look at her.

Lingling sighed, looking out the window. "I just... I love you. You're mine. And I don't like sharing."

Orm softened.

"Oh, baby."

She lifted Lingling's hand to her lips, pressing a gentle kiss to her knuckles.

"Thirty years and you still think I'd ever look at anyone else?"

Lingling exhaled.

"It's not about you looking. It's about them thinking they have a chance."

Orm laughed. "That's cute, babe."

Lingling turned to her, dead serious.

"No, it's not."

Orm burst into giggles, squeezing Lingling's hand.

"My love, you're ridiculous."

Lingling sighed dramatically. "I know."

Later that night, they were lying in bed, Orm curled into Lingling's side.

The house was quiet.

The twins were grown.

Their life had settled into a steady, beautiful rhythm.

And yet—

Here they were.

Exactly where they started.

Orm looked up at Lingling, tracing small circles on her arm.

"Do you remember when you used to do this in our twenties?"

Lingling raised an eyebrow. "Do what?"

"Scare off my admirers. Claim me like a dragon hoarding treasure."

Lingling huffed. "I wasn't that bad."

Orm snorted. "Babe, you literally once told someone I was government property and 'not up for negotiations.'"

Lingling blinked. "...That's still a valid statement."

Orm laughed into her shoulder.

Lingling exhaled, staring at the ceiling. "We really have come full circle, haven't we?"

Orm nodded, pressing a soft kiss to Lingling's collarbone.

"We did good, Ling. We built a family. We created a life. And you still love me like you did at the start."

Lingling turned, cradling Orm's face in her hands.

"No," she whispered.

Orm blinked. "No?"

Lingling leaned in, brushing their noses together.

"I love you more."

Orm's breath hitched.

Even after all these years, Lingling could still wreck her with just a few words.

"...Oh."

Lingling smirked. "Yeah. Oh."

Orm let out a soft, breathy laugh, kissing her slowly.

Lingling hummed into the kiss, wrapping her arms around Orm's waist, pulling her close.

They had changed.

They had grown.

But at their core—

They were still the same.

And that, more than anything, was the greatest proof that they had done everything right.

Orm pulled away slightly, cupping Lingling's cheek, eyes soft.

"I have loved you since the moment I met you. And I will love you in every lifetime after this one."

Lingling's heart clenched.

"...Orm."

Orm kissed her one last time, whispering—

"Forever, my love."

The End.