Chapter Text
Ever since Nori turned ten, and developed a crush on Ryan Reynolds, Dori had put together several binders full of ideas for weddings. It was to be used for both his brothers (it was since expanded to accommodate Ori when he began developing crushes). But as they got older (eighteen and nineteen), he began to despair that he had scrap-booked for nothing because they weren’t even dating real people (just celebrity crushes, which did not count).
Until this moment, when finally Dori could use it! A week passed since Nori and Bofur’s engagement, and Dori wanted to square away details now, before they let everything slide and it became a five year engagement with no plan (which would be a tragedy - no doubt about it).
So, here they were, at
Bee’s,
for the first of what would be many meetings to plan his younger brother’s wedding.
“I would like to thank you both for joining me today,” Dori said, because it was important to start these meetings professionally. “And for asking me to plan your wedding.”
“We didn’t have a choice!” Nori protested, and Dori hushed him.
“It’s important that we solidify a few key details about the wedding now,” Dori continued, as if Nori hadn’t spoken. “First, I would like us to pick a date.”
“We talked about that,” Bofur said, before Nori could make another comment about how they had no control about any of this. “We don’t want to get married until he’s done with Med School, and I graduate.”
“I think that’s a smart choice.” Dori agreed, and he took a moment to be proud at them both for being so responsible. “Bofur, you’re in your third year, and Nori is in his second, so that gives at least a year and a half to plan, which is standard time anyway.”
“I also want M&M’s.” Bofur said. He smiled, because he was a friendly sort, but it was clear he was being completely serious.
Dori blinked. “That’s… well there’s nothing wrong with that.”
“Red Vines, not twizzlers.” Nori added. He stared at Bofur unblinkingly. “You are marrying into a Red Vines family, and that’s non-negotiable.”
Dori sighed. “We can pick out the snacks later,” He said, “But it’s important that we pick a date to work towards.”
“Oh sure,” Bofur said, nodding, “But I also wanted to talk about suits, yeah? I think we’d all look great in blue.”
“Blue?” Dori asked, “Like… navy blue?” That wouldn't be his first choice for either of them, but he could make it work.
“No, no, like electric blue !” Bofur insisted.
“I disagree,” Nori said, and Dori let out a small breath of relief. “I think I would look great in firetruck red , and I’ve always said your color is seafoam green .”
Dori could feel the heartburn.
“What if we just did a rainbow? Had every guest wear a color of the rainbow?” Bofur suggested, “We can make a statement!”
“I’m not sure if we want to make a political statement on our wedding,” Nori mused, “We could just have everyone cosplay.”
That was quite enough.
“Alright!” Dori cried out, causing several nearby customers look at him in alarm, “I see what you two are doing!”
Bofur and Nori both glanced around as the rest of the customers went back to their own business.
“I have no idea what you mean.” Bofur denied innocently. Dori gave a suffering sigh. He should have known to expect this.
“I want to get married on October 21st,” Nori finally said, taking pity on him, “Because that’s Back to the Future .”
“Nori, no.” Dori sighed.
Bofur looked sad. “But what about May Fourth? For May the Fourth be with you?”
“I want October 21st because that’s our anniversary.” Nori said. “Remember? We were marathoning Back to the Future and decided we’d try this relationship out?”
Dori felt something in him melt. “Oh, well then,” He said, “That sounds lovely. That makes it October twenty-first, 2018.”
Bofur leaned over to give him a kiss, and leaned against him.
“That’s smart thinking,” He agreed, “Because then everyone can just wear their Halloween Costumes to the wedding!”
“Exactly,” Nori agreed.
Dori groaned, loudly.
-
Later that night, Nori had a pad of paper in his lap, and Bofur curled into his side in their bed. Dori had cut their meeting short before they could drive their poor brother to an early grave - to use his exact phrasing. They had then been given homework for not behaving at the meeting, also Dori’s phrasing, that consisted of writing who would be standing on either side for the ceremony.
“We should sort out this groomsmen business before we all watch Battlestar Galactica .” Nori said, and Bofur agreed.
“We know the obvious,” Bofur started, “You have Dori and Ori, and I get Bifur, Bombur, and Bilbo. So the apartment is two and two.”
Nori half-glared. “If you get Bilbo,” he bargained, “Then I get Bard and Lobelia. You also have Dwalin so that puts us even.”
Bofur considered it, and agreed. His phone went off with a text from Ori. He checked it, and laughed.
“They can hear us from the next room,” Bofur read out loud, “And Ori said he wants to be on my side.”
Nori rolled his eyes. “I’ll promise to serve breakfast food at my bachelor party!” He called through the wall.
Bofur got another text.
“He’ll be happy to stand up there with you.” He reported with a grin.
Nori tapped his pen against the pad of paper. “You know,” He said, after a moment, “City hall opens tomorrow at eight if you’d rather do that.”
Bofur gave it deep consideration. “I don’t want to get up that early,” He decided, “And I have research tomorrow morning. I’d rather not marry you in my labcoat.”
“We could wear matching labcoats!” Nori said, “For the ceremony.”
Bofur laughed, and his phone went off again.
“Ori says that Dori is going to disown us.” Bofur read.
“That’s probably true.” Nori agreed.
-
Ori and Bilbo were both picked as respective best men for their friends. Dori hadn’t wanted the stress of both planning their wedding and acting as Nori’s best man.
(He firmly ignored Nori when he cried that Dori had chosen to be the wedding planner.)
Bofur chose Bilbo because he didn’t want to cause Bifur any undo stress (he was an Anthropologist, and would be traveling for the next year to distant countries, and Bofur didn’t want him to have to worry about planning anything while working overseas), and Bombur, at sixteen, was too young for that kind of pressure.
Bilbo was nevertheless excited. He didn't have any brothers or sisters, and his cousins lived several hours away. It was nice that one of his closest friends trusted him to this level. He and Bofur were in the middle of what color their ties should be (and all the ridiculous suggestions they were going to give Dori), when Ori came into Bee's.
"Hey Ori!" Bofur called, waving their roommate over. Ori gave them a grin, to indicate that he heard them, but shook his head. Beorn was at the counter, taking customer orders and making drinks while the rush was relatively slow. They watched Ori go behind the counter to talk to their boss. Neither could hear what was said, but they watched Beorn's face fall and Ori hand him a note.
"He's... leaving?" Bilbo asked in disbelief. Bofur raised his eyebrows in surprise.
"Looks like it."
Beorn and Ori spoke for a few more minutes, before Beorn gave him a hug and sent him on his way. That was when Ori came to their table.
"Are you leaving Bee's?" Bofur asked, and Ori nodded.
"Dwalin's brother, Balin, needs clerical help at his firm," Ori explained, "And for someone to be his sort-of assistant. I was a good fit for him."
"That's amazing!" Bofur said, pulling him into a hug. Ori smiled and returned the hug.
Bilbo was taken aback at a sudden bitter feeling that he felt. Was he... jealous? That made no sense!
"I'm happy for you," He said, once Bofur and Ori separated. Ori smiled at him. Bilbo tried to make himself believe his words.
---
It made no sense to feel this kind of bitterness. This was what he repeated to himself in the next few hours. He and Bofur went back to talking about the wedding, and Ori stayed with them for a few minutes to offer his own ideas. At that point, Bofur received a message to go to the lab, and Ori decided to go with him to say hi to Dwalin. Bilbo had a shift that was starting soon, and couldn't go with them.
As they left, Thranduil - who was on shift that day - came over to pour more hot water in his teapot.
"It's difficult to see friends move on in life." He commented. Bilbo gave him a confused look.
"Well, Bofur hardly works here anymore, and Ori is leaving soon as well. Didn't the three of you all start at the same time?"
"Well, yes. That is true," Bilbo agreed, "But it's perfectly normal for them to move on, this was never a career for any of us!"
Then why was he still there?
Thranduil gave a shrug and moved to the next table. Bilbo picked up his tea cup, but didn't drink from it.
Just what was he doing?