Title: The Blind Date
Chapter: 4/25
Summary: Elrond and Bilbo decide to set up their two respective best friends on a date. After all revenge was in order. AU- set in modern times.
Genre: Humour, drama, romance.
Warnings: slash, references to m-preg and non-con in later chapters. Some OOC simply because this is an AU, which means Thranduil and Thorin do not hate each other or have any history prior to their blind date.
Chapter 4
Thorin sat comfortably between his nephews watching Sponge Bob Square Pants. Kíli had fallen asleep while Fíli was slowly dozing off; it was almost the middle of the night and both boys refused to sleep in their beds. Kíli had not let Thorin out of his sight all day, ever since he return from his date with the elf earlier. Thorin didn't miss the glares Kíli sent his way; the pre-schooler was angry with him. Fíli was exhausted, yet was forcing himself to stay awake, every so often he'd jerk himself up. Thorin let out an exasperated huff and arose carrying Kíli with him.
"Fíli, enough, you need to sleep and so do I," Thorin said tiredly. "Get up and go to your bed, I will carry Kíli in."
"No, you'll leave again!" Fíli whined, "I don't want you to go!"
"Fíli, I cant always stay with the two of you," Thorin sighed, "Sometimes I need to go out, I need to have a break."
"But you promised," Fíli whimpered, his eyes watering. "You promised you wouldn't leave us."
Thorin froze, their behaviour suddenly made sense. His stern look softened as he knelt before his nephew, "I did promise, and I still haven't broken that promise- I always come back- I'm always here Fíli. I don't leave you behind because I don't love you or don't want you. I go out because that's what adults do; they go on dates, they socialise. I don't want to be alone anymore, Fíli. I have you and Kíli but I need more, I need what your mother had with your father."
Fíli paled slightly at the mention of his parents but nodded, "Okay, but you wont forget us will you?"
"I couldn't forget you if I tried," Thorin said, warmly as he tucked Kíli in and then lifted Fíli up to his bed. "You and your brother are the most important people in my life. You always will be!"
"I love you,"
"I love you more," Thorin smiled. "Have a good night sleep, and I will see you in the morning."
Thorin switched off the main light, leaving only the night-light shining dimly in a corner of the room. He closed the door and headed to his bedroom, yawned and scratching the back of his neck as he went. He had another date planned with the elf, that Tuesday- he had managed to book a reservation in one of the best restaurants he knew of in the city- he had never been before and it was one of the most expensive places he knew- but it wasn't like he had no money- he had his inheritance from his parents and he did work in a mine after all. His thoughts were enslaved by the elf that was slowly entrapping his every thought; he was bewitched. The long blonde hair that flowed down his back like silky satin, those eyes, they reminded him of the arkenstone. Everything about the elf was bewitching; his walk, his talk, his manner, his smile and more.
Sleep didn't come until the early hours of the morning; and by then he had two rascal dwarflings jumping on his bed.
"Pancakes! I love pancakes!" Legolas said cheerfully as he sat himself before a plate of blueberry pancakes. "Thanks daddy."
"You're welcome, my little Prince," Thranduil smiled.
"Is Ata'da coming over?" Legolas asked, hopefully. Thranduil looked at his son, mysteriously.
"Perhaps," Thranduil smiled, knowingly. "What do you think?"
"I think you should just say aye or nay," Legolas smirked. Thranduil chuckled and nodded, "He's coming?"
"Aye, he's coming," Thranduil confirmed. Legolas squealed in delight as Thranduil sat beside him with his own plate of pancakes.
"When will he be here?" Legolas asked, "Will he come now? I hope he comes now!"
The doorbell rung, and before Thranduil could say a word, the child was bolting down towards the door screaming for his grandfather! Thranduil chuckled to himself as he bite into his pancakes. He could hear his father's voice coming from the door, as he greeted his overexcited grandson.
"My oh My! Look how much you have grown!? What on Earth has your father been feeding you, my little prince?!"
"I'm not fat!" Legolas said, outraged. Thranduil spat up his wine-laced tea in amusement; his father burst out laughing and from the sounds of Legolas's complaints had swooped the child into his arms.
"Come let's find that father of yours," Thranduil looked over his shoulder and smiled warmly at his father who strolled in chirpily. "Good morning, ion-nin!"
"Morning adar," Thranduil smiled, he held up the teapot as his father sat beside him; his grandson still in his arms. "Tea?"
"Is that wine I smell in it?" Oropher asked, his dark brow rising. Thranduil smirked, "Just like your mother."
Thranduil grinned at that statement. "How are things in Greenwood? And Ereinion, who is winning the chess game?"
"I am of course. I've left things in Silinde's capable hands," Oropher smiled, Legolas began to devour his pancakes again. "Ereinion came by the other week- he's still as charming as ever."
"I was in Imladris Friday night," Thranduil smiled, "It's nice how it only takes an hour to travel these days. Had you left Greenwood today, in the past, you would not have arrived until the next full moon."
"Cars, man's only good invention," Oropher said brightly.
"The internet and the telephone are nice," Thranduil smiled, "We do not need to send messengers anymore."
"Aye, Dínendal was complaining about the internet the other day," Oropher chuckled. "He no longer travels as much as he use to."
"If I remember correctly, he hated the travelling," Thranduil laughed.
"No, he hated the coming back to find out I forgot to mention something and having to return again," Oropher chuckled. "I did that intentionally after the first time."
"That's just cruel," Thranduil said, shaking his head. "No wonder he wanted to return to Loth-Lorien after that seven time you did that to him!"
"He loves me!" Oropher snorted, "Besides, its not like it came with out benefit, his heart was still in Loth-Lorien- every time he went he was able to spend sometime with that Aewenel lady."
"Who?"
"One of Galadriel's servants," Oropher smiled, a bittersweet smile. "The last time he went he finally approached her; when he returned back to Greenwood… he found out she had been slain by orcs. He was devastated; they had planned to marry there and she would return with him."
"These orcs have plagued our lives for too long, adar," Thranduil sighed, "It is a pity they have the same rights as we all do."
"Pity indeed," Oropher sighed, before he turned his attention to the pancakes and like Legolas, scoffed them down quickly. "Mmm, these are good, did you make them?"
"Aye," Thranduil nodded, "They are not too sweet?"
"No, perfect," Oropher replied, "How has school been Legolas? Are you studying very hard?"
"It's good, I coloured in a horsey!"
"He is in first grade, adar," Thranduil responded, "I'm not sure one can study the ABC."
"And how is that job of yours going?" Oropher asked. "Erestor pushing you hard?"
"Hardly, he's so organized I hardly do anything," Thranduil chuckled. "I told you he colour codes his pens right?"
"Sounds just like him- Ereinion was complaining that his latest advisor is a halfwit. And what is this, I have heard you are dating now?" Oropher said, his eyebrow rising, "Why was I not informed?"
"Well, it has only been two dates, adar," Thranduil blushed weakly. "I'm not sure what to make of this yet. There is definitely something between us that I would like to explore. He seems like a great man."
"He's a man?" Oropher asked, his brow almost popped off.
"Well, no, Thorin is a dwarf," Thranduil said quietly. He held his breath as his father stared at him from behind the teacup. He then did the only logical thing he could possibly do after learning his son was dating a dwarf. He sprayed the liquid out of his mouth in surprise. Thranduil winced.
"A dwarf?! My son is dating a undersized, hairy, classless ape of a dwarf!?" Oropher asked, his voice rising, Legolas eyed his grandfather with worried eyes. "What the hell is wrong with you!?"
"There is nothing wrong with me!" Thranduil said defensively. "I'm dating him! I'm not going to go and marry him! I've been out with him twice and I only met him last week!"
"Does he know you are a prince?!" Oropher asked, angrily. "I know of dwarves and their greed- he must know- why else would a dwarf choose to date an elf!"
"He didn't know I was an elf! It was a blind date!" Thranduil snapped, slapping his hand across the table. Legolas quickly slid of his chair and ran out of the room. "Oh thank you! You just scared my son out of the kitchen! Thank you very much adar!"
"Yes, imagine his fear when his father weds a filthy, gold-digging, HAIRY dwarf!" Oropher roared, throwing the teacup across the room. It shattered, showering the wall with a red liquid. Thranduil flinched and backed away slightly from his fuming father. "Break it off with him at once! I will not have my heir gallivanting with a filthy dwarf! He is beneath you!"
"Excuse me," Thranduil hissed, "He is not- Do I look like some little elfling who you can order around now!? I will not-"
He was cut of when a harsh slap knocked him into the fridge. He stumbled, grasping his cheek in shock, his eyes wide as he eyed his father.
"Do not make me repeat myself," Oropher snarled, getting into his son's personal space. "I have given you much space and leniency but you continue to disappoint me! It is time to grow up, boy!"
Thranduil sunk to the floor, still grasping his cheek as his father charged out of the house, leaving him stunned alone and in despair.
Thranduil finally picked himself up of the ground and headed towards his phone. A single tear slid down his cheek, against his stinging cheek as he stared at Thorin's number. He had to call and cancel their date- the dwarf had surprised him with a reservation at Pallani's. It was one of the best restaurants in the area. And quite expensive… He knew from personal experience.
He put his phone down. His dwarf was no gold digger.
Well at least not in the way his father meant.
The dwarf refused to let him pay for anything and was now taking him to one of the best places they could possibly go. Thranduil knew that the dwarf wouldn't let him pay again.
He was going out with the dwarf again. Oropher and his threats be damned!
Kíli's screams tore through the house as Thorin struggled to calm the pre-schooler down. The child had learnt Thorin was leaving for the third time, when he realised Glóin and Gimli had returned for the third time! He kicked and threw himself to the ground, screeching as Thorin and Glóin watched him bewildered.
"Kíli! Stop!" Thorin ordered, trying to pick the boy up. Kíli responded by laying several smacks across Thorin's forehead. The dwarf dropped the child and backed away, grumbling in pain as Kíli grabbed a box of Lego and threw it directly towards Fíli and Gimli who watched nervously. Thorin knocked the box off course before it could collide into the children, sending several Lego pieces flying everywhere.
"KÍLI!" Thorin roared, grabbing the child by the arm, forcing him to stand still. "ENOUGH! I WILL NOT HAVE YOU THROWING THINGS AT YOUR BROTHER OR COUSIN! STOP!"
"Don't hurt him, uncle," Fíli whimpered when Thorin raised his hand at the child. Glóin poised himself ready to stop Thorin, if anything got out of hand. "He is sorry, he will listen."
Thorin lowered his arm, took a deep breath but made Kíli to sit in the corner of the room, "You will sit there until you calm down. I am leaving. I will be back tonight when I finish. You will both behave for uncle Glóin. If I hear otherwise you will be in big trouble! Is that understood?"
Fíli nodded immediately his eyes shining with unshed tears, Kíli pouted and sniffed sadly. Thorin knelt behind him and placed a kiss on the back of the head of the boy.
"I will come back Kíli," Thorin said, softly stroking his hair. "Please be good."
Thorin arose, gave Glóin a nod and left the apartment, closing the door behind him. He rested his head on the door for a moment and sighed. Kíli would be fine- he would be back soon enough to comfort the boy.
He met Thranduil outside of restaurant, the blonde look a little nervous, playing with the ring on his finger. Thorin smiled at the elf, who had yet to notice him; Thranduil looked like his mind was elsewhere. The dwarf frowned slightly; there was a small bruise on the elf's left cheek. As far as he knew elves healed quickly, so it must have been a really bad bruise that was going down or a very fresh bruise.
"Hey," he greeted, resting his hand on the elf's shoulder (He had to rise on his tiptoes but he wasn't going to mention that to the elf) Thranduil flinched slightly, concern built up in the dwarf. "You okay?"
"Uh- yeah, I just- I'm fine," Thranduil nodded. "Lets just go inside."
The dwarf looked at him sceptically, but led the elf inside anyway. The dwarf watched the elf; it was as though he felt like someone was watching him or something. Once he confirmed their reservation, Thorin took hold of the elf's hand following the waiter to their table, startled when the elf squeezed his hand tightly. The elf still wasn't looking at him, his eyes darting around, biting his bottom lip.
They sat in a booth that was hidden in the corner of the restaurant; they were able to see the rest of the people in the room but were not visible themselves. Thorin's concern deepened when he noticed the elf, relax slightly. He was still too tense though.
"Thranduil, what happened to your face?" Thorin asked when the waiter left to bring back water and the menus.
"Nothing, I just walked-"
"Please don't lie to me," Thorin interrupted the elf, gently, "I ask because I care. I do not know where our relationship is heading, whether we will be more then just friends; but I am your friend- I- if some one is hurting please don't let them."
Thranduil stared at his hands, his eyes downcast, "I don't really want to talk about it just yet- I- I'm sorry."
"Fine, but whenever you are ready I'm here," Thorin said, soothingly. "So have you ever been here before?"
"Thank you," Thranduil nodded, his voice soft, feeling relieved as he smiled delicately at the dwarf, "I came a few times with my mel- my friends. The food is quite nice- very expensive but worth it."
"Money isn't an issue- I work in a mine," Thorin chuckled, "My concern is always the food itself!"
Thranduil smiled; the smile Thorin was use to seeing; the elf was finally relaxing. The waiter returned and placed two menus before them as well as a jug of water and two glasses.
"May I get you a bottle of wine?" he asked, recognizing the elf. Thorin's brows narrowed as Thranduil nodded.
"Yes please, the usual thank you," Thranduil replied.
"I'll be back in a moment for your orders sirs," the waiter smiled.
"Thank you," Thranduil said, as he looked at the menu.
"Do you drink often?"
"If alcohol effected me I'd be an alcoholic," Thranduil said honestly. "I enjoy my wine."
"How did you get here?" Thorin asked. The elf's attention was on the menu he didn't notice the tense stare on the dwarf's face.
"I walked- I always walk here," Thranduil replied, Thorin sagged relieved. "I live a few blocks away."
"I'll drop you off," Thorin said, firmly, "Walking the streets alone at night intoxicated- what with all these orcs."
"I killed thousands of those orcs," Thranduil replied, smiling brightly. "One does not stay alive so many centuries with out learning how to kill an orc! And like I said, I do not get intoxicated, perks of being elven- otherwise my liver would hate me."
"You sound like you drink a lot," Thorin said, bluntly.
"Only wine. You sound like you don't drink at all," Thranduil responded.
"I like a cold beer on a hot day here and there. Do you know what you're going to order?" Thorin smiled at the elf; at least he was relaxing again. He didn't like seeing the elf tense; it was like the elf was scared. Perhaps the wine would do him some good.
"Aye, I order the same thing every time," Thranduil said.
"Is it a salad," Thorin asked.
"No, vegetables with steak- I rather enjoy their steak," Thranduil nodded, "My suggestion. Oh and by the way- I am paying for the wine- seeing as you wont be drinking any. Which is fine by me- I hate sharing my wine."
Thorin chuckled as the waiter returned. Thranduil ordered the same meal for the two of them- and Thorin added a few appetizers; garlic prawns, French fries, warm bread with dips and something called cuisses de grenouille. When the waiter left Thorin noticed the unease was returning to the elf- he was looking over his shoulder yet again.
"My nephew threw a fit before I left," Thorin said, deciding to ease the elf with his own personal tales. "He threw a box of Lego at his brother and cousin- I had to kick it across the room to stop it."
"Which one?" Thranduil asked, facing the dwarf again.
"Kíli, the younger one, my sister always joked he had my temper, though I don't recall throwing anything at her or Frerin," Thorin chuckled, Thranduil smiled warmly at him. "In all honesty I was ready to spank him. His brother came to his rescue- something I recall Frerin doing whenever Dís was a little too mischievous for her own good. Dwarf women are rare so my father spoiled her- of course this didn't sit well with my mother- she expected us all to behave at all times."
"Having a brother and sister when you grew up would have made your childhood easier," Thranduil smiled, sadly.
"You are an only child aren't you?" Thorin asked. Thranduil nodded, "Then you will never feel the pain of losing your little siblings. I haven't seen Frerin in years…"
Thranduil looked at the dwarf sadly. "I had a lonely childhood, you are lonely now."
"Was," Thorin smiled, "How can I be lonely with an elf like you to keep me on my toes, and that stupid fat hobbit setting me up with such terrible company!"
Thranduil snorted, "Oh, I'm dreadful!"
"Aye, what with the mesmerizing eyes, and that ridiculously long silky blonde hair, the rabbit food fetish-"
Thranduil spat up his water at that comment, causing the dwarf to cackle just as the appetizers came. As the waiter sat them on the table, Thorin's eyes bulked at the sight of something unusual.
"What the hell is that!?" Thorin asked, his voice full of surprise but quiet as he pointed at the offending appetizer.
"That's the cuisses de grenouille," the waiter said, smiling.
"Curses of what?" Thorin asked.
"They're frog legs, Thorin," Thranduil smiled.
"That's disgusting," Thorin whispered. "Why frogs?"
"A motorbike?" Thranduil eyed the offending vehicle uncertainly. Thorin pulled a spare helmet out and held it toward to the elf.
"That's my baby," Thorin smirked with a nod. He nudged the elf once more with the helmet, "Here, pop it on."
"I'm not sure," Thranduil said, hesitantly. He moved back slightly. "I-"
"It'll be okay," Thorin promised gently, taking hold of the elf's warm hand, placing the helmet in his hand. "Trust me."
Thranduil nodded, swallowing, as he slowly put the helmet over his head, his hands shaking slightly as he did. Thorin was already sitting on the bike, pulling the helmet on.
"Wrap your arms around my waist or chest," Thorin said. The elf nodded slipping his arms around the dwarf's chest. "Just hold on tight."
The dwarf finally started the engine and took to the street- Thranduil's grip tightened as Thorin sped down the street towards the elf's home. Thorin rested one hand above Thranduil's, affectionately squeezing the hand, soothingly. He turned into the next road, the turn startling the elf again. The dwarf smirked, until Thranduil squeezed him a little to tightly.
"Can't breathe, elf," Thorin gasped. Thranduil muttered at apology as finally they had reached their destination. He killed the engine and pulled his helmet off, Thranduil was yet to let him go. "We're here, Thranduil."
Thranduil nodded but still held on tight.
"You can let me go now," Thorin said, wedging the elf's hands apart. Thranduil nodded stiffly finally releasing the dwarf. "You okay."
"I think so," Thranduil whispered. Thorin smiled, spinning himself around so he could face the elf. He was yet to remove the helmet. Thorin gently lifted it up and over the elf's face, revealing the elven beauty. His eyes were big and bright under the moonlight; Thorin's breath hitched as he raised his hand, placing it lightly against Thranduil's cheek. The elf closed his eyes and leaned into the touch; Thorin's eyes widened ever so slightly when the elf leaned down, closer towards him. Thorin moved his hand behind the nape of the elf's neck, loving the feel of the elf's soft hair as he pulled the elf closer and closer until finally their lips connected. The kiss was soft, full of passion and need. They fought for domination but eventually Thranduil gave in letting the dwarf take control.
When the kiss finally stopped fireworks sounded in the distance- startling the two males. Thorin chuckled, planting another kiss on the soft lips.
"You're perfection," Thorin whispered, huskily. He pulled the elf into a third kiss.
"Your beard is tickling me," Thranduil moaned, "I like it."
Thorin responded by rubbing his cheek against Thranduil's. The elf shuddered.
"I better go inside," Thranduil whispered into his ear. "Will I see you next week?"
"If it was up to me I'd see you tomorrow," Thorin said, Thranduil blushed and looked away. Thorin made the elf look at him to kiss him once more. "But I will definitely call you."
"Good night," Thranduil smiled, he turned and made his way up to his home, looking over his shoulder to see the dwarf gazing at him, wonder in his eyes.
"Sweet dreams, elf," Thorin whispered as Thranduil finally disappeared inside his home. The dwarf drove away, looking forward to seeing his nephews.
Okay, maybe they're moving a little too quickly but that's okay! Sometimes it's the sooner, the better!
