Once A Thief
Summary: Nori knew that if he went through with it ... he could never let him go. It's one thing to steal gold, or jewels, but another to take the youngest crown prince as his own. However, everyday the desire grew in him, and he had wondered just how long he could hold back...
Chapter 1
It was late. Very late, in fact, to anyone else. Not for Nori. This was the perfect time. No one was around. The ones that were would jump at their own shadows. It was pathetic, honestly. The only thing lurking around in the dark was a redheaded bandit, and they'd never see him if he didn't want them to. He passed a guard with what felt like a side step to him, and snaked his way down the tall staircase, and long hall to the marketplace.
There, in one of the many shops, was a lockbox. He had seen it, studied it's make from as close as he could get to it, and now, he was more than confident that he could pry the lock, and have at the contents, which he had been tipped was well worth the risk of breaking into a shop in the middle of the night. Of course, it wouldn't be the first time. It was dark, and he stuck close to the walls. He went right to the door of the shop, wishing there had been a back door, but this one was old, and made in the stone. All the more reason to take a look.
He glanced around, and saw the bouncing light of a guard's torch just around the corner. He estimated he had about three steps. Two more than he needed. He slipped his lockpick in a lifted up with such skill, the door clicked and opened up. He backed into it, and pressed it closed silently with one step to spare. He turned and scanned the room, staying low to the ground. It was empty.
There were several things lying on the shelves that would have normally peeked his interest, but he had a goal. He stood, and strolled quietly to the counter. He walked around, ducked down and opened it. There it was. Just as his informant had said. He pulled it out, and sat it on the counter. He whipped out his lockpick and worked at it. It took him only a bit longer than normal. It popped open.
He slipped his lockpick back in his pocket before slowly lifting the lid. He grinned darkly when he saw them. Beautiful, large jewels lined the box, almost too full to close. There were rubies, diamonds, emeralds, and many other different colored stones, all cut and ready to be set in rings. He closed it and slipped it into the satchel that hung loosely over his shoulder. He strolled back to the door, checking the small opening in the middle. Their was a guard walking in front of the shop, but Nori easily noticed his lackadaisical way. He slumped past and turned around the corner without looking anywhere but in front of him.
Nori easily slipped out, and dashed through the shadows, and out of the marketplace. He smirked and slowed, now walking casually through the halls, allowing himself to be seen. He knew right where to relief himself of his score, and he went straight to the tavern where he knew his buyer would be skulking around. Sure enough, the hooded older dwarf was sitting by himself at a table in the corner. Nori ordered something to drink, and hung around the bar for a moment. Getting his bearings, but he knew the place very well.
After finishing about half his pint, he strolled over and sat by the man. He didn't look at him. No need to be personal.
"You got the lockbox?" He asked.
Nori didn't even question how he knew. Word traveled fast when it mattered, and the crime community was small, but Erebor grew everyday. "Do you know what's in it?" He asked the man. All he cared about was the deal.
"I've heard."
"It's true." Nori took a drink of his pint, and scanned the room, just waiting for an offer so he could sell them and be done with it.
"I'll give you 500 Mazuldar (Gold Pieces)."
Then Nori turn and looked directly at him. "They're worth at least 1,000, and I'd love to see someone else walk out with it."
The older dwarf looked up at him and was about to speak, when a familiar voice to all rang through, and it just happened to be speaking to Nori. "Master Nori! I haven't seen you for far too long!" Kili strolled up smiling. The younger prince had always had a habit of walking around where he shouldn't. Someone so young... and beautiful, could get hurt. Fili used to come with him, but ever since his romance with Dwalin, he had become scarce, leaving Kili to run around alone, talking to lowlifes like him. Which was even more surprising, given the rumors of the relationship he was having with the King... nothing official, but there were whispers.
In the time it took Nori to look up and politely wave at the prince, the man had disappeared. "Damn it." Nori clutched his mug.
Kili sat down with him, and Nori was certain he hadn't even noticed his company. "How are you on this fine night?"
Nori had never really understood Kili's fascination with him, but from the moment they met, he had just insisted on being his friend, no matter how much Nori pushed back, but over the years, as Kili got older, Nori learned to appreciate it. There were too few dwarfs in Erebor now that saw him as any more than a lowly thief. "A bit stressed, to be honest with you." He took another drink from his mug, finishing it.
Kili laughed at him. "What would you have to be stressed about?" He glanced up at the prince, who just smiled back at him. "You don't have to answer that." He giggled and looked around the tavern. He was a good at keeping a seemingly normal conversation with someone who had far too many secrets. Nori had always admired him, in a lot of ways. He knew he was attractive. He had a bit of a feminine way about him, but that wasn't the thing that made Nori catch himself staring. It was his sincere smile, and careless demeanor that attracted the thief to him. He was the embodiment of what Nori could never have or be.
Nori had admitted to himself long ago that he loved him. So, he kept his distance.
"Don't you have somewhere else to be?" Nori asked him. It was actually something he said to the young prince often. It started when he was younger, and annoying, but now it was more out of concern. His way of telling Kili he really shouldn't be there.
"Not really." The prince turned and looked at the thief. "I'm just ... killing time."
"This isn't the kind of place for killing time."
"You always say things like that. I'm not a kid anymore. I'm sixty-five."
Nori just shook his head, and looked in his empty glass. His eyes then scanned the room, and he noticed a few people staring over at the prince, who was talking to a waitress, and order some drinks. Most of them were travelers, and each more shady than the last. He watched them as the waitress poured the ordered drinks quickly. He wasn't sure if any meant to speak to him, or perhaps something darker, but he wouldn't let them. Nori had his own thoughts about what he could do to the young prince, but he had suppressed them for the most part, but he would never allow anyone else to touch Kili in such a way. It bothered him enough that Thorin might be. He felt like a Smaug himself in guard of a treasure.
He downed half of his mug in one gulp, and Kili smiled at him. "Are you in a hurry?" He asked him.
"Maybe." He finished off his mug in three other large drinks.
Kili didn't even try to match his pace. "Are you really gonna leave me here with no one to talk to?"
Nori stood, and threw some coins on the table. "No." He said. "You're gonna come with me. It's loud and perilous here."
Kili just laughed at him. Nori knew that Kili didn't understand his way, but he always seemed intrigued. Far too trusting. He took a few drinks of his own ale, and left it half-finished on the table. He followed the thief out, and Nori made sure to give hard stares at the men who had been watching his young counterpart. They averted their gaze, and he led Kili out.
When they made it out to the halls, Nori felt much better, but Kili seemed confused. "Where are we going?" He asked.
"Nowhere." Nori said simply, "Just getting you out of there."
Kili scoffed, and Nori knew he was officially annoyed. "I can take care of myself."
"You don't pay enough attention. Besides, there's nothing there for you."
"I'm not looking for anything. I'm just bored."
Nori didn't answer him, and just kept walking. Kili followed him, which was a bit off putting, but also pleasant. He didn't spend much time with other dwarves, and he liked it that way, but something about Kili's company had always been comfortable to the thief. He was enjoying the silence, but Kili wasn't one for that.
"Who was that older dwarf you were talking to?"
"Who?"
"The one you were talking to when I greeted you. He left as soon as I did."
"No one."
"No one?"
Nori didn't respond, suddenly wishing he would just be quiet, or even that he was alone again. The way Kili spoke to him just lit him up inside. At first it was anger, and frustration, but as he came into himself, now it was passion. He hated it, and loved it all at the same time. However, he always found himself being short with him, and treating him like a child, but it was just his way. He didn't know how to be anything else... and if the prince saw what was really under the surface, he'd never look at him again. Oh... but he wanted to show him...
They walked and Nori found he was going at a bit of a fast pace, and sticking close to the shadows. His body always reacted before his mind. He was coming up with a plan, and debating consequences in his mind. Kili followed, as trusting as ever, and Nori wished he wouldn't be so ... tempting. He started moving to his hideout. It was a place deep within the halls. It was nowhere near the city as of now, after the reclaiming of their home, and Nori had set up a wonderful place to hideout from guards, or any other reason he may need to disappear.
He knew that if he went through with what he was thinking, he couldn't go back. He wouldn't be able to let him go. He would be killed on the spot for such a crime. No, he would have to keep him or...
Oh, but it burned inside him. He had longed to feel what the price would be like under him, and his criminal side was just far too strong now. Yes, he was starting to comprehend that he had really fallen this low... to be considering kidnapping the prince, and keeping him... like the treasure he was. Thorin could never appreciate him the way he should. He was too busy... far too busy. It wasn't fair to someone who would. Someone who really loved him.
"Where are we going?" Kili asked again.
"Home."
"Your home?"
"Home away from home."
"Oh... why?"
"I'm not sure yet."
Kili laughed but Nori knew the darker meaning behind his words. Was he really going to do this? Yes. He had already decided. He felt his palms starting to sweat and his face was growing hot.
It took them a bit to get there, mostly in silence. Sometimes Kili would whistle or try to make conversation, but Nori couldn't stand his charm. He kept his eyes forward, with every step more sure. Letting the urge overwhelm him, and thinking of nothing but the instant satisfaction of having him, and claiming him as his. Once there, Nori walked right inside. It was a large home, nicely decorated, and Nori actually kept it slightly clean, for an abandoned shell of a home. He lit a small candle and sat it down and then turned to Kili, who was looking around, and tossing his coat on the table.
"You stay here?" He asked.
"Sometimes."
"Why?"
"Privacy."
Kili then looked at him, and when their eyes met, every thought fell from Nori's mind except his prize. He had never denied himself much. "Are you feeling ok?" Kili said, as Nori took a stepped toward him.
"I feel normal."
"You don't look normal. Are you hot? You're sweating."
"I'm... excited."
"For what?" Kili tilted his head, and Nori wondered if he was finally picking up on the danger he was in.
No words were needed now. It was now or never, and Nori was impulsive. He reached out, and gripped his wrists, and pulled him close. One hand dropped his arm, and wrapped around the back of his head, twisting in that teasing, windblown hair. Kili gasped and shoved back. Nori managed to keep a hold of his wrist, but was shocked when Kili didn't run, or try to pull his arm away. He just shook his head.
"Nori... I'm sorry. I didn't... mean to give you that impression." Now he tried to free his arm, but Nori tightened his grip. "I'm in love with someone..."
"Who?" Nori demanded, even though he knew the answer, pulling him closer again. Kili tried to shove away, but the thief backed them up to the wall, pressing their bodies together. "Are the rumors true then?"
"Nori..! Get off me!"
"First, tell me..." Nori whispered to him, holding his head still with one hand while the other whipped around his waist to hold them together. "Is it the King?"
Kili didn't answer and tried to turn his head, but Nori snatched it back.
"It is, isn't it?" He kissed his cheek and neck.
"Nori, let me go!" He shoved him, but Nori just threw them into the wall, causing Kili to yell out. Nori leaned down and kissed him deeply, holding his jaw very tight to keep him from moving away. Kili's hands flew to his chest, and he pushed as hard as he could finally causing Nori to take only one step back, but he used the movement to twist them around, and he threw Kili to the ground with a thud. He heard his breath hitch, and he felt a spark of guilt fly through him, but he knew what it took to conquer what he wanted... He'd done it before.
He pounced onto him, straddling his hips and pinning his hands over his head. The prince kicked, but he was trapped. "Listen to me..." Nori said deeply, and Kili slowed his struggle and looked up with fear in his eyes. "Please don't make me have to hurt you. That's not what this is about."
"What... what are you talking about?"
"You're such a treasure Kili..." He shifted so both of the prince's wrist were held down with one hand and he stroked his face with the other. Kili winced from the touch, but Nori just continued. "More beautiful than the purest gold... You need some one to adore you as such."
"Nori, please..."
"Listen..." He barred down on his wrists, and Kili grunted in pain. "I'm going to show you how you should be treated..."
"No... Please!" Kili started to kick again, but Nori just ignored it.
"Hush, Princeling." He stood quickly, and yanked Kili up by his wrists. The prince tried to pull back, and almost got away, but Nori had just a bit better footing, and tossed him forward, causing him to land on his stomach, half way in the bedroom. Seeing him flat in front of him like that made Nori hot. He threw off his coat, and yanked off his tunic, and fell onto him. He grabbed his wrists, and pulled them behind his back. He pulled the rope from his trousers that had served as his belt and started wrapping them around his wrists.
"Nori! Don't..!" Kil was trying with everything he had, but his position was just wrong for fighting the larger dwarf, and soon his arms were bound. Once done, Nori let his hands slide all over his body, ignoring his kicks and pleas. He felt his pants growing tighter and he let out a soft moan right by Kili's ear making him shudder.
"Are you cold, Princeling?"
"Nori, please... just let me go. I won't say anything. I promise."
Nori stood, but hovered over Kili as he turned him onto his back. "Now, Kili. It's not like you to lie like that."
"I'm not! Nori, I don't want this..."
Nori hushed him and brushed his hair from his face. He really was more beautiful than gold. "I know..." He said quietly. "I know you don't, but I can't hold it back any more. I need to have you. Be mine, Kili."
"I can't." Kili said, his eyes hurt and scared, "I'm in love with Thorin..."
"That doesn't mean you can't be mine..."
"Yes it does. Let me go, please!"
Nori just shook his head and lifted him off the floor and pushed him down on the bed. Kili tried to back away from him, but he sat across his hips again and started tugging at his tunic and belt. He realized there was no way to really get it off with his hands tied. He reach in his pocket a whipped out a small throwing dagger. Kili froze.
"Don't be afraid, Princeling." He said softly, running the tip slowly down his chest. "We just need to get this off."
Kili was still as slipped the dagger onto the fabric and cut it right up the middle. He opened it gently with the knife, and marveled at the little treasure before him. He was sweating, and his body glistened in the light of the candle. He sat the dagger aside, and slid his hands slowly from the top of the young dwarf's pants to his shoulders. Kili just shivered under the tough and closed his eyes tightly. Nori felt bad for him. He knew that he was scared, and unwilling. He didn't like to see him so shaken, but there was just a fire within him that he had never been able to control. He wanted him. In the worst possible way, and now he had him. He'd already gone too far.
He leaned down and kissed him. Kili didn't fight it, but he was absolutely unresponsive. "I'm sorry..." He said in a low tone. "But it's too late now..."
"Nori... I won't say anything..."
"It's not about that." He was still sliding his hands over his chest, and now moving his body back and forth on top of him. "I can't stop. I've wanted you for too long. You should be proud of how long I waited. I don't normally observe a treasure for so long... but you're special." He kissed him again, but Kili was listening to him. "I knew you could never love me. You never will. Even if you did..." He gripped his hips hard making him jump. "I'm no good for you... So, this is the only way I can have you. The only way to satisfy this need I have..."
Kili just stared, and Nori could tell he was trying to understand.
Nori kissed him, this time deeply and used his hands to tilt Kili's head and force him to kiss back. "I love you... More than gold." He said simply. "And if you will not love me willingly, then I will take you. Just like everything else."
"I'm not a fucking trinket!" Kili was suddenly angry, but the fear was still in his voice and breath.
"No..." Nori suddenly jumped off of him and just stood over him casually. "You're not. Don't mistake my feelings." He knelt down, and got close to his face, but Kili just tensed up, almost getting used to it. "I think you are ... the most divine thing I have ever seen. No trinket, nor gold, jewel or even some petty Arkenstone could compare to just your eyes..."
Kili's expression melted in to sadness, but there was still some shock, and Nori knew instantly that their oh-so-noble king did not even know how to romance his prize. Shocking... The prince had obviously never been told such things.
"I love you..." Nori said again, and kissed him. This time there was oddness to it. Kili didn't pull back, nor did he kiss, but Nori felt some kind of response.
Kili looked in his eyes when he backed away. "Nori..." He said in the genuine way he had, "If you love me... why do you want to hurt me?"
"I don't want to hurt you, Kili."
"But you are..."
"I'll admit it may take some getting used to, but Kili, I will love you longer than the stars shine, and I promise, with time, you'll see it."
Kili backed back away from him again, slowly, and shook his head. "You're crazy..."
Nori felt kind of hurt by the accusation but only because he felt the sting of truth. He just smiled, and stood. Thinking now, more clearly, and was weighing his options now that he had the prince right where he wanted him. He wanted to savor him... Yes, don't rush it... He could see something in Kili's eyes. Almost like he still trusted him, and at any moment, he could go from villain to hero... but Nori knew that in reality, that bad guy wins just as often. He hoped that he could pull that feeling out of him. He knew how to romance, and even if he had to do it like this... he believed he could make Kili love him.
"I'm not cray, Kili... If anything, I'm passionate."
"This isn't passion." Kili was squirming trying to sit up. Nori walked over and helped him, even if he did snatch away a bit, he ended up how he wanted to be.
Nori sat on the edge of the bed, and looked at him. "Is it not? That's what I feel. A burning passion for you... I can not express in words, Westron, or Kuhzdul, how truthful I am trying to be."
Kili hung his head, and that sadness returned. He spoke without looking up: "You couldn't tell me that without kidnapping me?"
"No." Nori said bluntly.
"Why not?" He still stared at the bed.
"Because I knew you were in love with Thorin... I knew that you had never seen me in that light. I've looked for it too many times." Nori sighed, "This is the only way to make you listen, and understand. It will all make sense soon enough."
Kili sighed, and tried to shift his hands so that he was more comfortable, and Nori felt that guilt again. "Ok..." He said defeated.
Nori stood, and walked over to the door of the bedroom. It was large, and metal. There was a hinge on the outside with a hook for a lock, but Nori pulled it to, and stayed inside then walked over to Kili and pulled his dagger out. "Turn around." He said.
Kili complied, even though he gave him a confused glance. Nori cut the rope and Kili whipped his hands around and starting rubbing his wrists. "Please don't try to run..." Nori said, almost exasperated. "I really don't want to have to teach you lesson about it."
Kili just looked up at him, and nodded.
Nori sat back on the edge of the bed, and Kili stayed pressed to the way. He was looking at him, almost like he used to... with that mild curiosity and intrigue. Almost as if he was always on the verge of asking him a question. Nori returned the gaze for what felt like half an hour before finally asking: "What is it?"
Kili shook his head as if he was unsure of asking or perhaps in shock that he was about to, but he finally looked up, his arms wrapped around his knees, and asked: "Do you really love me, or are you just playing fucked up mind games with me?"
Nori didn't skip a beat with his answer. "I love you in the deepest way one can... I am in awe of you."
"Why?" He asked that a lot in Nori's opinion.
"How could you not? You're absolutely breath-taking, your smile lights up a room, and your eyes burn no matter what emotion is in them. Your body is beyond flawless, but your beauty aside, you are positive, and uplifting. You are witty and clever. You have talent in so much, and I believe that you would make a wonderful king one day if you needed to..."
Kili looked up, and Nori saw it was another thing he had never heard before.
"I love you for who you are. You have no imperfections to me. I just want a chance to show you that..."
Kili shook his head again. "I'm sorry..." He said, resting his head on his arms to hide the stray tears, but Nori had noticed. "I can't give you that... I love Thorin. He loves me... I'm so sorry."
"You don't have to be sorry. I already knew. It doesn't matter now." He gave simple shrug. "I'm keeping you..."