They barely made it back into Ling's room before the door shut behind them.
Ling didn't lock it this time.
She just leaned her back against it for a second, breathing out slowly, eyes closed—like the house itself had weight and she needed one moment to reset.
Rhea watched her.
Not teasing yet. Just watching.
"You're tense," Rhea said quietly.
Ling opened her eyes. "You make things… complicated."
Rhea walked closer. "You love complicated."
Ling didn't answer. She reached out instead, hooked two fingers into the hem of her own shirt that Rhea was wearing, tugged her forward once.
Rhea stumbled just enough to land against Ling's chest.
"There," Ling said, voice low. "Problem solved."
Rhea scoffed. "You're impossible."
Ling slid her arms around her fully now, pulling her in, chin resting briefly against Rhea's hair. No rush. No force. Just claiming space.
"You're the one who snuck into my house," Ling murmured. "Cried. Fought me. Refused to leave."
Rhea's hands pressed flat against Ling's chest. "You told me to go."
Ling's grip tightened slightly. "I didn't mean it."
Rhea tilted her head up. "You say a lot of things you don't mean."
Ling looked down at her. "And you stay anyway."
That shut Rhea up for half a second.
Ling guided her backward until the bed hit Rhea's knees. She sat first, pulling Rhea with her, arms still wrapped around her waist.
Rhea ended up between Ling's legs, back against her chest again, exactly like earlier—only this time slower, heavier, quieter.
Ling leaned back against the headboard and tugged Rhea closer until there was no space left to complain about.
"Don't start," Rhea warned half-heartedly.
Ling smiled against her ear. "You're already here."
Rhea shifted, settling more comfortably despite herself. "I hate that you're right."
Ling's fingers traced lazy patterns at her waist, not crossing lines, just enough to remind Rhea she was being held intentionally.
"You smell like my body wash," Ling said.
Rhea rolled her eyes. "Your body wash smells like you."
Ling hummed. "Good."
Rhea leaned her head back against Ling's shoulder. "You're very smug for someone who begged me not to leave last night."
Ling's jaw tightened for a moment. Then she said calmly, "I don't beg."
Rhea smirked. "You pleaded."
Ling bit lightly at Rhea's shoulder through the fabric. Not enough to hurt. Just enough to shut her up.
Rhea inhaled sharply. "…See? That."
Ling smiled. "Teasing privileges revoked."
Rhea turned slightly, facing her now, knee pressed between Ling's legs, close but controlled. "You're clingy today."
Ling met her gaze evenly. "You came back."
Rhea's expression softened despite herself. "Only for today."
Ling didn't argue. She just pulled her in again, forehead resting against Rhea's temple.
They stayed like that for a while—quiet, breathing in sync, the kind of silence that buzzed instead of rested.
Rhea broke it first. "Your bed is too comfortable."
Ling replied instantly, "You're not allowed to leave then."
Rhea laughed softly. "You don't give rules. You just assume."
Ling's lips curved faintly. "It works."
Rhea reached up, poked Ling's cheek. "You're annoying."
Ling caught her hand, laced their fingers together, squeezed once. "You're still here."
Rhea looked at their joined hands, then back at her. "…Don't get used to it."
Ling leaned in just enough for their noses to brush. "I already am."
Rhea scoffed, but she didn't pull away.
Instead, she shifted closer, legs tucked in, fully settling into Ling's hold.
Rhea tilted her head, studying Ling's face like she was reading a puzzle.
"I wanna ask something," she said casually, but her fingers were already tracing idle circles on Ling's arm.
Ling stiffened just a little. "That tone means trouble."
Rhea smiled. "Any fantasy you have about me? Or… you had anytime?"
Ling froze.
Then she let out a short laugh and immediately shook her head. "I won't tell."
Rhea propped herself up on one elbow. "Why?"
Ling's ears went pink. She looked away, jaw tightening. "They're dirty. You'll run away."
Rhea blinked—then burst out laughing, not mocking, just amused. "Ling, please. Less dark maybe?"
Ling turned her face further toward the wall, stubborn now. "I said no."
Rhea scooted closer on the bed until her knee brushed Ling's thigh. "You really think I'll run?"
"Yes," Ling muttered. "You act brave but you scare easy."
Rhea gasped dramatically. "Excuse me?"
Ling glanced at her, saw the grin, and sighed. "You asked."
Rhea softened, her voice dropping. "I won't laugh. Promise."
Ling hesitated. You could almost see her fighting with herself. Then she shook her head again. "No. Not today."
Ling stayed quiet for a long moment after Rhea's insistence, jaw tight, eyes fixed on the ceiling.
"You really won't run?" Ling asked softly.
Rhea shrugged, pretending indifference, though her pulse betrayed her. "Say it."
Ling exhaled, then said it in one breath, low and restrained, like she didn't want the words to exist too loudly.
She exhaled, pulling Rhea closer by the shirt's hem, lifting it just enough to expose the navel piercing.
"Fine. One where I have you pinned, I kiss down your stomach, slow, until I reach this."
Her finger circled Rhea's navel, then tugged lightly at the piercing.
"I kiss it, suck it, then tug with my teeth—gentle at first, then harder, making you arch and gasp, your hands in my hair, begging without words."
Rhea's skin flushed, the image vivid—Ling's mouth hot on her belly, teeth grazing the metal, pulling just enough to send sparks through her core.
She swallowed, her own obsession mirroring Ling's, revenge forgotten in the heat.
"Dirty indeed". she said