Work Text:
Ling and Orm were in the practice rooms for a workshop today. They had taken a break to film some TikTok videos and were now waiting for lunch to be delivered.
"When will you be launching the website for Keep:Silent?" Ling asked Orm as they relaxed comfortably in a corner.
"I have to launch it by the 19th at the latest and open orders for the 20th." Orm clung to Ling's bicep, rested her forehead on her girlfriend's shoulder and closed her eyes as her body relaxed against Ling's side.
"My schedule will be too busy after. With graduation rehearsals between work, I won't be able to find time for it." Orm let out a soft yawn; the exhaustion catching up with her now that she was stationary. "I also want to handle the first batch of orders so that there's a quick turnaround."
"Hmmm... I see." Ling was going through their schedules on her phone. Orm tilted her head to glance at Ling's screen, curious as to why her girlfriend's attention was on her phone.
"How about I take you and Mae for omakase on the 19th to celebrate the launch then? We have a small overlap of free time that day." Ling pointed at the small empty spot in their calendar.
As if she wasn't in charging mode a second ago, Orm lit up at the suggestion. "Oh my god! Yes!!" Orm squealed in excitement, engulfing Ling in a hug. "I'll finally get to try omakase for the first time!" Her body was vibrating with energy.
"Great! I'll book us in." Ling grinned as sent a message to the restaurant to secure their booking then put her phone away to focus on the energised girl in front of her.
The staff in the room were unfazed by the commotion in the corner, they were used to the two being in their own bubble.
A few nights prior to the omakase date, Ling and Orm were spending time together in a video call as they didn't have a schedule together.
"I'm so sorry, Bao Bao! My shoot had to be moved up and I can't do anything to reschedule it," Ling apologised through the phone.
Brief sadness flashed across Orm's face as she wrangled with her emotions. She knew these types of things were out of their control, it wasn't the first time when schedules were changed or added at the last minute.
Orm took a breath to keep her feelings at bay. She knew Ling would feel bad eventhough it wasn't her fault. "That's okay, we can always go another time." Orm offered an understanding smile through the screen.
Ling knew that Orm wouldn't blame her but Orm had been looking forward to it for so long, she knew there had to be some disappointment eventhough it was caused by an external factor. Being attuned Orm's body language and micro expressions, Ling caught the brief falter in her demeanour through the screen.
Ling was constantly worried over Orm's health and had been hoping to use the omakase to induce a short breather. She always wondered how the younger girl could still function with a schedule more loaded than her own; being so hands-on with her new apparel company, keeping up with university projects, preparations and rehearsals for her upcoming graduation ceremony on top of work commitments. Ling knew Orm would just power through until someone steps in for her own wellbeing.
"No, you should still go. I've already paid for it so you should enjoy yourselves. If Papa has time, he should join too. Everyone's been working so hard, it'll be my treat," Ling encouraged.
"But it won't be the same without you. Who's going to eat all my leftovers when I'm too full?" Orm whined and pouted.
"I know~ I promise I'll make it up to you and we'll have omakase together another time. Just the two of us." Ling knew she had to offer a compromise to pacify her girlfriend. "That's why you should Papa to go. So, you can offload your leftovers and save space for the desserts."
"Fine! Since you promise the next omakase will just be us." Orm petulantly buried her face into her pillow.
Ling smiled at the sight through her a screen. She knew it would as time to distract Orm with another topic. "Oh! Remember you asked for graduation shoe recommendations the other day? I'll send you the model of the one I think would suit you. You'll be on your feet a lot so comfortable shoes will be important."
Orm peeped up from her pillow and launched into a discussion over shoes and graduation preparations. Just like that, the two continued conversing into the night until Orm had fallen asleep.
Orm arrived at the restaurant with her parents. She had fallen asleep right after launching the website around 2am that morning so this was her first meal of the day. They were seated at the counter that wrapped around the preparation area. Chef Shota greeted them then proceeded to explain today's menu.
Orm gasped, "18 courses!?!"
"Yes, Khun Ling Ling often has the 18 course as it has a wide selection of the finest seasonal seafood and desserts," Chef Shota explained as he began preparing the first dish, "Khun Ling Ling mentioned that Khun Orm loves uni and has a few dislikes so I have catered tonight's menu to suit your palette." He offered a warm smile.
Orm blushed. Even when Ling wasn't there, her girlfriend always found ways to make sure she was taken care of. Orm was touched but it made her miss Ling all the more.
Everyone was able to relax in the private dining room as each course was served. Orm's schedule was always so busy, it was nice to have time enjoying a nice slow meal to remind them to take a breather from all the noise and hype. She figured it was why Ling had still wanted her to have the meal even without her. Orm knew Ling often showed her love by making sure her loved ones were well fed. She picked up her phone to send an update to Ling.
Capybara: Jie Jie!! I miss youuuuuu!
Capybara: The omakase is so delicious! I can't believe I'm only having it for the first time.
Capybara: I'm halfway through the courses but I don't think I can continue. I'm so full, I could roll out of here!
00K: Is it delicious?
Orm knew that Ling was in the middle of a shoot so she thought it would be fun to broadcast live to surprise the fans and show her girlfriend that she was eating well.
Orm wanted to share her first experience with her fans and get feedback on the website. She hadn't broadcasted a live in quite some time and was excited to surprise the fans. Orm propped her phone up and started the broadcast. Within minutes, thousands had tuned in to the stream.
"Who are you with? Show us," Orm read one of the comments. "No, I'm not going to show you." She responded with mirth.
Orm happily ate each course while reading and answering questions.
"I miss that Phi so much. We're not together today because she's working. I just messaged her - I'm halfway there but I can't continue. I'm full. First time omakase. I miss you."
Orm read a comment asking, "Which Phi are you talking about?" She looked away, thinking whether she needed to be specific with who she was missing. Just then, the chef had placed a tuna nigiri on the plate so she took the chance to show it off to the fans and change the subject.
A fan had commented, "Next time, can you add a skirt? I want to buy it for my girlfriend." Orm looked at the screen as if sizing up the fan. "Are you bragging?"
Fans were really trying to rile her up by suggesting new items and wanting to gift them to their partners. Just as she was about to have a spoonful of soup, Orm read another provoking comment, "Next time, I want a blanket. I want to use it with my partner." She almost rolled her eyes.
Orm thought some of these fans were bold. She wished Ling was with her so she could fight back. "Oh, okay. Thanks for letting me know what you'll use it for. Thanks." She continued sipping her soup, pretending the comment didn't affect her.
Mae Koy had to hold back a snicker. The interactions and banter between fans and her daughter were always pure entertainment.
12:01 am
Orm had her headset on, listening to her favourite songs as she focused on her computer screen. She had collected feedback from the live stream and had an impromptu team meeting to make some last minute changes as soon as she arrived home. Pushing her glasses up the bridge of her nose, she continued typing the measurements of each garment.
Orm was in the zone; blocking out everything around her to ensure the website would be seamless when sales officially opened at 10am today. She didn't realise the message notifications and missed calls flash on her phone screen, or the soft knock when her mum stuck her head through the door to check in on her.
Orm had just finished doing a purchase test run and pulled up X to compile a post when she felt arms wrap around her shoulders, and a gentle kiss on the crown of her head. The surprise pulled her out of her flow state. Orm looked up to see the face she'd been missing all day. She tugged her headset down so it rested around her neck and she beamed at Ling with a giant smile.
"Hey there, miss CEO. I see you're pulling another all-nighter," Ling greeted with a loving smile. She leaned down to plant a kiss on Orm's forehead, letting her lips linger on the soft skin. "I missed you, Bao Bao." Ling murmured.
"Jie Jie! I missed you too! Thank you for treating us today. I'm still so full, I didn't even need to have dinner." Orm was elated, her favourite person was here. She stood to give Ling a tight hug.
Ling returned the embrace, gently caressing Orm's back. Orm relaxed into the comfortable hold, letting out a satisfied sigh.
"I'm glad you enjoyed it. Mae said you ate a lot and you know I love it when my girl is well fed." Ling planted a kiss on Orm's temple.
"I really would have had a food coma when I got home but I needed to get the website ready to take orders. I'm almost done though. Just let me send out this post." Orm gave Ling a peck on the mole on her cheek before reluctantly pulling away.
Ling lounged on the beanbag beside the desk and watched Orm tap away at her keyboard. It was extremely satisfying for Ling to see her girlfriend focused and in her element. She was proud of how quick Orm got her business off the ground. Keep:Silent orders were ready to be shipped out in a few days while Ling was still at the stage of procuring stock for her own brand despite lanching preorders a month earlier.
Once the post notifying everyone about the 10am sales launch went out, Orm turned her computer off and swivelled her chair to face her girlfriend. "You must be so tired after today's shoot. Why didn't you go home directly? There's another shoot tomorrow right?" Orm questioned, worried Ling wasn't getting enough rest between schedules.
"You didn't answer any of my messages or calls. So, I called Mae and she said you were still up working. Your place is closer to both shoots so I figured I'd sleepover tonight and head over from here in the morning." Ling pulled a paper bag from her tote bag and placed it on Orm's lap. "Also, I thought you might want a sweet pick-me-up after all your hard work. I skipped my morning gym session to bake it."
Orm's eyes brightened as she pulled out a container from the bag. It was a brownie with "Keep:Silent" written in icing on top.
"I know we didn't end up having omakase as we planned. So, I was hoping to score some brownie points with home made brownies and cuddles." Ling beamed.
"Ling Ling Kwongggg~ You're the best!!" Orm launched herself at Ling, wrapping her arms round her neck whilst clutching the container. Tears welled up in her eyes.
It was a small gesture but it was all Orm really needed. No matter how hard she tried to hide it, the fatigue, stress and expectations did take its toll even if she enjoyed her work and studying.
Orm settled herself on Ling's lap, allowing Ling to wrap her arms around her waist. "This is too precious to eat," Orm said with a pout.
Ling narrowed her eyes at her girlfriend. "Don't even think about storing it in the freezer. Mae was nagging when you kept the fanmeet cookies there." Ling stood her ground. She often spoiled her girlfriend but not if it'd get her in Mae's bad books.
After sharing the brownie and catching up on their day, they cleaned up and got ready for bed.
The girls slipped under the covers and settled in for the night. Ling had her arm under Orm's neck and the younger one was cuddled up against Ling's side with an arm drapped across Ling's stomach. They gazed into each other's eyes and leaned in for a kiss. Both were feeling content with being in each other's space and having a small moment of time to themselves.
"Good night, Jie Jie." Orm let out a yawn as she nuzzled into the crook of Ling's neck.
Ling planted a kiss on Orm's forehead. "Sweet dreams, Bao Bao."
Orm's eyes fluttered close as Ling carded her fingers through Orm's hair and gently caressed her scalp. After a few minutes, Ling felt Orm's body slacken when she fell asleep. Lulled by the soft rhythmic breathing of her girlfriend, Ling too succumbed to sleep.