Archive of Our Own

Orm had seen Lingling in many states—stoic and commanding, serene and focused at work, and soft and vulnerable in private moments. But tonight was a first. Lingling Kwong, the epitome of composure, was drunk.

Mae Koy had invited them both for a quiet dinner at home, and the evening had started uneventfully enough. Lingling, relaxed after weeks of rigorous work, had indulged in one too many glasses of wine, encouraged by Mae Koy's teasing. Ling, despite being able to handle hard liquors with ease, was notoriously lightweight when it came to wine. Now, slumped on the couch with a contented smile, Lingling was speaking in a voice Orm rarely heard: unfiltered and unguarded.

"Orm," Lingling said, her voice dreamy, as Mae Koy and Orm helped her to her feet. They were trying to guide her to the bedroom, but Lingling's drunken enthusiasm made every step an adventure. "Do you ever think about... the future?"

Orm suppressed a smile, exchanging an amused glance with Mae Koy, who was holding Ling's other arm. "All the time," Orm replied, adjusting her grip as Lingling swayed slightly. "What about you?"

Ling's eyes lit up, and she leaned her head against Orm's shoulder, her words spilling out in a rush. "I've been thinking... we should have two homes. One here in Bangkok, close to our work, and one in Kalasin."

"Kalasin?" Orm asked, genuinely curious, as they finally reached the bedroom.

"Yes!" Lingling exclaimed, her hands gesturing animatedly, nearly causing Mae Koy to lose her balance. "A big house with an orchard. Trees that bear fruits for all seasons. Mangoes, durian, guava, everything! And a lawn where Charsiu, Tofu, and Uni can run free without bumping into furniture."

Mae Koy chuckled, clearly entertained. "She's quite the planner when she's tipsy, isn't she?"

Orm nodded, her heart swelling as they gently lowered Lingling onto the bed. "Tell me more," she encouraged, kneeling beside her.

Lingling's expression turned serious, her brows furrowing as if she were discussing a military strategy. "We'll have a patio where we can sit and drink coffee in the mornings. And if you want..." She hesitated for a moment, then continued. "We can have kids."

Orm's breath caught. "Kids?"

Ling nodded earnestly, her hands clutching the blanket Mae Koy had just tucked around her. "Yes. If you want, we can ask our brothers to donate... you know, sperm. So it's like... a mix of both of us." Her voice softened, a rare vulnerability seeping through. "I'll carry the first one since I'm older. You... you still have your career."

Mae Koy let out a soft laugh, but it was filled with warmth. "She's thought this through."

Orm's cheeks flushed as she reached out to brush a stray strand of hair from Lingling's beautiful face. "You've really thought about all this, haven't you?"

Ling nodded again, her eyes fluttering shut. "Because I love you," she murmured. "And I want... all of it. The houses, the orchard, the kids, the dogs... you."

Mae Koy smiled fondly as Lingling's breathing evened out, signaling she had fallen asleep. She adjusted the blanket around her and sat beside Orm on the edge of the bed. "You've got the right person, Orm," Mae Koy said softly. Don't let her go."

Orm's gaze lingered on Lingling, her heart swelling with affection that felt almost too large to contain. "I won't, Mom," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

=============

The next morning, sunlight streamed into the room as Lingling stirred, groaning softly. She sat up, her face crinkling in confusion as she sat up and rubbed her temples. "What happened last night? Why do I feel like I ran a marathon?"

Already awake, Orm sat at the bed's edge with a cup of coffee and smirked. "You don't remember?"

Lingling shook her head, rubbing her temples, her brows knitting together. "Not much. The last thing I remember was I was talking with Mae and she kept on refilling my glass with... WINE! Oh, GOD! ORM! Did I say anything embarrassing?!"

Mae Koy appeared at the door walking towards the bed, her own coffee in hand and a glass of water for Ling in the other, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Oh, nothing embarrassing, honey. Just your entire ten-year plan with Orm."

Lingling's eyes widened, her hand freezing mid-reach for the glass of water. "What?"

Orm laughed, leaning in to kiss her on the forehead. "Don't worry. I loved every word of it."

Lingling's cheeks flushed, and she buried her face in her hands, groaning again. "I can never drink wine again."

Mae Koy chuckled, patting her on the shoulder. "Maybe not. But at least now I know you've got everything planned out. I gotta prepare the house for the mini Orm and mini Ling running around."

Orm grinned, taking Lingling's hand and squeezing it gently. "And for the record, I'm on board with all of it."

Lingling peeked out from behind her fingers, her expression tentative. "Even the orchard?"

"Especially the orchard," Orm replied, her smile soft and reassuring. "And the kids. And dogs. And you."

Lingling sighed, her lips curving into a shy smile. "Okay. But next time, let's stick to protein shakes. No more alcohol for me."