Rina stepped into the kitchen mid-stride—and froze.
Her eyes went straight to Rhea.
Oversized black shirt. Mid-thigh. Bare legs. Ling's shirt.
Rina lifted one eyebrow slowly. Very slowly.
"Well," she said, voice calm, lethal. "This is… domestic."
Rhea's confidence evaporated in half a second.
She moved instinctively, stepping behind Ling and grabbing the back of her shirt, half-hiding like a caught crime scene.
Ling blinked. "Why are you hiding now?"
Rhea hissed under her breath, "Because you didn't warn me your whole family is awake."
Rina crossed her arms, amused. "Oh? Now you're shy?"
She tilted her head. "Interesting. Because five minutes ago you were apparently fearless enough to stand in front of her like that."
Rhea peeked from behind Ling's shoulder, eyes narrowed. "That's different."
Rina smiled. "How?"
Ling answered flatly, without thinking. "You're not me."
Rina's smile widened into something feral.
"OHHH."
She clapped once, delighted. "So that's the rule."
Rhea groaned. "Ling."
Rina stepped closer, circling them. "Let me get this straight. You terrorize professors, blackmail my cousin emotionally, walk around her room half-dressed—" she leaned in toward Rhea "—but I get modesty?"
Rhea muttered, "You enjoy this too much."
"Of course I do," Rina replied cheerfully. "You never let anyone see you like this."
Ling shot her a warning look. "Rina."
Rina raised both hands. "Relax. I'm not telling Aunt. Yet."
Rhea stiffened. "Yet?"
Rina shrugged. "Depends how entertaining you are."
Rhea tightened her grip on Ling's shirt. "You're evil."
Rina laughed. "And you're wearing my cousin."
She leaned closer, lowering her voice conspiratorially.
"So tell me—did she give you the shirt or did you steal it?"
Ling answered before Rhea could. "I gave it."
Rina looked at Ling now, really looked. The softness. The lack of armor.
"…Wow."
Ling frowned. "What?"
Rina smirked. "Nothing. Just never thought I'd see the day."
Rhea peeked out again. "Can you stop staring like I broke something?"
Rina shook her head. "Nope. You did."
She stepped back, grinning. "Anyway—eat fast. Aunt's radar is strong today."
Ling tensed. "She's nearby?"
"Down the hall," Rina said casually. "Very awake. Very suspicious."
Rhea froze. "Ling."
Ling exhaled through her nose. "I've got this."
Rina pointed between them. "You two are terrible liars. Adorable. But terrible."
She turned to leave, then paused at the door.
"Oh—and Rhea?"
Rhea braced. "Yes?"
Rina smiled sweetly. "Next time, don't hide. Own it."
Rhea swallowed. Ling's hand found her wrist, grounding.
Rina walked out laughing.
Rhea whispered, "Your family is unhinged."
Ling, quiet but certain: "They already like you."
Rhea glanced up at her. "…That's not comforting."
Ling's mouth curved, just barely. "It should be."
She didn't let Rhea touch the plate.
At all.
Rhea realized it the moment she reached for the spoon and Ling calmly slid the plate a little farther away, then sat beside her instead—too close, shoulder pressed, presence heavy.
"Ling," Rhea said slowly, warning already in her tone. "I can eat."
Ling ignored it. She picked up the spoon, tested the temperature like it mattered, then brought it up between them.
"Open," she said.
Rhea stared at the spoon. Then at Ling. "Excuse me?"
Ling's gaze didn't waver. "You said you were hungry."
"I didn't say I was incapable."
Ling leaned closer, voice low, controlled. "You didn't sleep properly. You were crying last night. Your knee is injured. You're hiding in my house wearing my shirt."
A pause.
"Let me."
Rhea scoffed. "You're treating me like a baby."
Ling's mouth twitched. "You're acting like one who won't eat."
Rhea crossed her arms. "I will eat. Myself."
Ling didn't argue. She just waited—spoon still there, patience terrifying.
Rhea held her stare for a full five seconds. Then, irritated, she leaned forward and opened her mouth just enough to take the spoon.
Ling watched closely. Too closely.
She didn't pull the spoon away immediately, like she wanted to be sure Rhea actually swallowed.
Rhea chewed, glaring. "Happy?"
Ling nodded once. "Very."
She scooped water next, holding the glass this time. "Drink."
Rhea laughed incredulously. "You're insane."
"Drink," Ling repeated, softer but more dangerous.
Rhea took a sip. Ling tilted the glass herself, careful, thumb steady against the rim.
From the doorway, Rina stopped dead.
She didn't say anything at first. Just watched.
Ling feeding Rhea. Water included. Like this was normal.
Rina cleared her throat deliberately.
Ling didn't even look up. "Go away."
Rina blinked. "Wow. No 'good morning'?"
"Not now."
Rina leaned against the doorframe, smirking. "I leave you alone for ten minutes and you're hand-feeding your girlfriend."
Rhea choked slightly. Ling immediately steadied her, hand on her back.
"Slow," Ling murmured. "I've got you."
Rhea recovered and snapped, "I'm not—"
Rina cut in cheerfully. "Relax. Labels later."
She pointed at Rhea. "You hid behind Ling when I walked in, by the way."
Rhea glared. "You enjoy this."
"Immensely."
Rina's gaze shifted to Ling, more serious now. "Aunt's still around."
Ling finally looked up. "I know."
Rina raised a brow. "And you're still doing… this?"
Ling answered without hesitation. "Yes."
Rina studied her for a moment, then sighed. "God help us all."
She left, shaking her head, muttering, "Dadi needs to see this."
Ling brought the spoon back to Rhea's lips. "Ignore her."
Rhea hesitated this time. "Ling… this is a bit much."
Ling paused. Her voice dropped. "I nearly lost you once. I won't pretend I didn't."
Rhea's expression faltered for half a second.
Ling took advantage of it, feeding her again—slow, deliberate, unashamed.
"Eat," Ling said quietly. "Let me do this."
Rhea didn't argue anymore.
She let Ling feed her. Bite by bite. Water when needed. Ling wiping a drop from her lip with her thumb like it was instinct.
By the end, Rhea leaned back slightly, full, flustered, exposed in a way she hated admitting.
Ling set the plate aside. Her hand stayed on Rhea's waist, grounding, possessive.
"There," Ling said softly. "Now you can fight me again."
Rhea looked up at her. "You're unbearable."
Ling's mouth curved faintly. "And you stayed."
From the hallway, Dadi's voice floated in—calm, knowing.
"Ling," she said evenly. "Eat something yourself too."
Ling didn't look away from Rhea. "I will."
A beat.
"When she's done breathing like that."
Rhea shoved her lightly. "You're impossible."
Ling caught her wrist, steady, eyes dark but controlled.
"And you're exactly where you're supposed to be."
For now.