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In the dead of night, when the stars played and the earth slumbered peacefully, Fili found himself wide awake. It was still very early on in the days of Thorin's company, and they had yet reached Rivendell. Currently, they were camped not far from the Shire, sans any potential threats. Ones toward his life, that was. His heart however, was very much at risk right now.
He was on first watch, but wasn't exactly paying attention to the surroundings. No, his eyes were glued to a certain sleeping dwarf. One who clutched his book close to his chest even in sleep. Fili sighed hopelessly. He had known Ori to be his One long before they had left the Blue Mountains on this quest. But he wasn't nearly as certain Ori felt the same way about him.
It was a little discouraging, but the fire in his heart raged nevertheless. Ori looked so peaceful in his sleep.
Oh how Fili longed to share a bedroll with the youngest Ri bother. To braid his hair. To love him outwardly. But, now was not the proper time to express his feelings. Nor had he the means or material to even propose a courtship. It'd be inappropriate, and far too public for Dwarven standard. Those sorts of things were meant to be secretive, much like many other aspects of their rich culture. He would simply have to wait until the time was right.
When his shift ended, and Kili took over for him, Fili finally had the chance to get out his bed roll. He could have laid it out earlier, but he knew if he had there was a good chance somebody else would roll over on to it and he'd be screwed. And boy was he glad he had waited. Much to his luck, there was a spot right next to Ori perfect to lay on. So he did just that. It was subtle enough, he thought. Being close was better than nothing.
Sleep quickly consumed Fili, but not for very long. When Kili's shift ended and he was on his way back over to his own bed roll, he tripped over Fili's feet. The blonde startled awake with a sharp gasp. He shot up as far as he could, in a sleepy, confused daze. Kili muttered something, and continued on his way. Fili looked around in his daze, unsure as to why he hadn't been able go sit up fully. His chest felt heavy, warm.
Then his eyes landed on Ori, who he was partially spooning and happened to be the weight laying back on his chest. Fili was wide awake now, his eyes as big as pies. Sweet Maker, was this really happening? No, no. If this wasn't a dream, he wasn't going to take it forgranted. He slid his arms around the thinner Dwarf, tucking his face into the back of Ori's neck. He was so warm, and smelt like parchment.
If only every night was like this.
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One afternoon, on another relatively pleasant and harm free day, Fili decided he was going to very nonchalantly ride next to Ori. Everyone else chatted with another, making jokes and telling stories or even smoking. Ori, on the other hand was too absorbed in writing to conversate. Fili watched him curiously, puffing at his pipe as he did. Finally, letting his suspicions get the best of him, he spoke up.
"Hey Ori, what're you writing?"
"Hmm?" Ori sounded, looking up from his book with big eyes.
Fili nodded to Ori's book, pulling his pipe away from his lips. "You've barely looked up from that thing all day"
"Oh! Yes. I'm updating my daily logs. I haven't done it in a day or two"
"Ah. And uh.. Are you nearly done?"
"Mhm. I think I'll finish before we reach the valley"
Fili nodded, lacking the words to keep the conversation going. His eyes primarily remained on Ori until they got to the steeper hills that lead down The Last Homely House. When they settled in Rivendell, Ori approached Fili with his book in hand. Fili eyed him suspiciously as he approached.
"Yes, Ori?"
"I've decided I'm going to draw all the members of the Company, and I wanted to start with you, if you're okay with it"
Fili short circuited. Draw him? He was flattered, beyond so. He sputtered, struggling to spit out anything but an embarrassing answer. "I- Yes. Sure."
Ori's face lit up like a firework. He bubbled out a thanks that made Fili's face turn pink. He had the prince sit down on a rock and stay perfectly still. That part wasn't hard. It was not letting all the emotions running through Fili's head show that was difficult. While Kili had always been much more vocal about his feelings, Fili was the one who couldn't hide them from his expressions.
To be quite frank, he was nervous. Ori had to stare at him and take in every single detail visible to the naked eye, and then go and replicate it on paper. It wasn't as if he hadn't had his portrait done before, but this was the first time it really mattered to him. He wanted to hold a regal air worth admiring, if nothing else. He managed a straight face, but his hands trembled. He could only hope Ori wouldn't notice.
This is fine, he told himself repeatedly. Ori flicked his eyes between the blode and his page, scratching at it endlessly with his quill. The thing about doing these portraits, was he had to be very precise. He hadn't packed the proper materials to portraits, as he hadn't thought about it until much early. If he messed up, he would have to start all over again. And that would be far too time consuming, not to mention difficult for poor Fili. Sitting perfectly still could get tedious.
While he zoned in on the paper and went a while without looking up, Fili took the opportunity to stare. The way Ori stuck his tongue out when he focused, how his brow furrowed and he squinted his eyes every so often. He was adorable. Then, their eyes met. Instantly Fili looked away. How embarrassing. Ori blinked, a little caught off gaurd. He paused, then set his quill down.
"Do you wanna take a break?"
"Huh?" Replied Fili, like an idiot.
"A break. It must be difficult, staying still so long"
"Uhm. Sure" Fili's shoulders slupped. Ori stretched, raising his arms far out with curling fists. Fili noted the way his face scrunched up, and how he arched his back while wringing out his muscles. It was beautiful. Ori, was beautiful. That much was as plain as day. The youngest Ri brother met the Dwarven beauty standard quiet well, and Fili certainly appreciated it. He himself had never been very vain, knowing he didn't meet the standard as well as most others.
His mother had always praised him for his looks though, and people often said he had 'lucky hair'. Maybe Ori throught it was a lucky color too. If Ori thought he was beautiful then he'd never think on his appearance again. For now though, that remained unknown. Awkwardly, Fili shifted. He hadn't a clue what to talk about. He couldn't just not say anything either, that'd be even more awkward.
"I'm glad I asked you first" Ori broke the silence. Fili's eyes darted to the later, confused.
"Why's that?"
"You're the perfect muse"
Fili's heart stopped. Perfect. Ori just called him perfect. His mouth hung open at a loss for words. There was no way he could ever recover from that, not in a billion years. Ori didn't say anything else after that. Fili drew a breath. He wasn't sure if Ori was trying to flirt or not (he wasn't), but he was gonna play it cool. "You're a fine one to talk about perfection."
"What do you mean?" Ori glanced up confused, met with a cool looking Fili, approaching slowly.
"I mean, if there was anyone who knew about perfection, it'd be you. You, Ori, surpass the definition of the word 'perfect'." By the time he finished speaking, he was less and a foot away from Ori, who was looking up at him in flustered awe.
"But I suppose you already knew that. You must have seen your reflection before"
Ori's eyes sparkled. He'd been called handsome by Dori before, but that was different. This was something else entirely. The way Fili looked at him made him light headed. Eyes so soft that he would have thought them to be melting if he hadn't known better. Nobody's held a gaze like that to him in all his life. He couldn't possibly utter a word to match up to Fili's. It was as if romance made his tongue.
"I- You- Thanks.."
"No need to thank me for telling you the truth"
Ori swooned. He resumed doing Fili's portrait shortly after. By the time Ori finished, it was nearly dinner time. He again praised the prince for his ability to sit still for so long, and proudly presented the piece. Fili was truly amazed by Ori's skill. It was like looking into a mirror. All of his features were captured to the t. He stared at it for some time in silence, frying Ori's nerves.
Eventually, his gaze returned to the scribe, wide eyed and astonished. Then, something inside the blonde snapped. He crashed his lips into Ori's with passion. Ori shouted in surprise, though was fast to hold on to Fili. His fingers clutched uselessly at any bit of Fili they could, desperate to anchor himself. Fili's lips were relentless, peppering kiss after kiss to the brunette.
When he finally and truly pulled away, both were breathless. Ori's eyes were blown, and his chest heaving hard. Fili searched Ori's expression, trying to gage whatever he might be thinking. Neither said a word. Then, something brilliant happened. Ori laughed. It started a weak chuckle, but turned into loud, glorious laughter that warmed the air. Fili smiled, letting out a breath of relief.
"What? What is it? What's so funny?" he urged lighthearted.
"Nothing! You're incredible!" Ori sang out in his laughter. He sounded how spring felt. When his laughter died down, he couldn't keep the smile from his face. He was so happy his jaw hurt. Fili's expression was far more gentle, admirational.
"Ori, please. Please say you'll take me in courtship"
"Without doubt."
It was Fili's turn to laugh now. The two leaned in, pressing their foreheads together. This was the start of something grand.