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"I thought I'd never see you again," Ori murmured.
"Likewise," Fíli replied, seeming to scrutinize him.
The two continued to stare at one another, noises of the rest of the Company moving about the Hobbit's home just within their ability to hear. They had found a corner to go together farther off though, after the chaos that was the meal and then the more solemn song they'd engaged with as a whole group. Now it was just them concealed from the others, for at least a brief span of time, and Ori couldn't be happier at present.
"I've missed you," Ori whispered in a candid manner, hoping it wouldn't be too forward.
Ori refrained from leaning into Fíli, but his body swayed for a moment, nearly following the kernel of inclination to.
They had once been close; much closer than they were physically right there, or mentally, too. Once childhood friends then romantically attached, until Fíli's Adad had passed away far too suddenly. Afterwards, Thorin required both of his sister-sons' muscle power and knowledge of smithing work alongside his to provide for those they could. It meant Fíli was either working with his Irak'adad, or guarding caravans with Kíli, leaving little time for much else. Meanwhile, Ori had stayed put in the Blue Mountains and helped his elder siblings where he could, supplementing what wasn't available to them and their meager funds with his own hard work. Years had passed since they had last laid eyes on each other, but even so, Ori had thought of no one else the way he did of Fíli.
"And I you," Fíli murmured.
Soon arms were wrapped around Ori, holding him close. His head nestled against Fíli's chest while he exhaled.
"We're really doing this, aren't we?" Ori muttered.
"What, hugging?"
Ori shook his head.
"Seeking out Erebor at last. Facing a dragon."
"Ah, that. Well, it'll be alright. You'll shove some iron up his jacksie and - "
Ori glanced up and noticed the amusement glimmering in Fíli's eyes. It was as if no time had passed at all.
Shortly, Ori pressed upwards and kissed Fíli, to which he felt a hand cradle his head while another held onto his hip. It wasn't a deep kiss, but a tentative and tender one that ended with them gazing at each other fondly.
"I never forgot you," Fíli whispered.
"I still wear the necklace you gave me," Ori replied.
Fíli grinned, blindingly so, and then he shifted to reveal his own necklace that had weathered with time but hung from his neck still.
Ori's mouth popped open, before he said, "You were my first…. everything."
Fíli nodded, tucking the necklace away again, while he held Ori's gaze intently.
"And I hope to be your last, some day."
Ori's heart nearly exploded just as Kíli's voice called, "Fí?"
Fíli sighed, before he kissed Ori's forehead.
"Until next time," he whispered in Ori's ear, then stepped away to go seek out his brother.
In Fíli's wake, Ori smiled.