Sunrise had not quite arrived, and in the quiet of the room, there was a sense of tranquility that settled. It was dark, a light breeze drifting through the hollow in the wall that acted as a window and gave a full view of the side of the mountain and into the still-growing town of Esgaroth (it had already been rebuilt, but a number of other buildings and facilities were being added, as well as walls and taverns as such).

Kili had been first to wake up and fondly ran a hand down his brother's chest, toying with a strand of the blond hair. He was particularly enjoying this lazy morning where he could lounge about with a sleeping Fili without the worry of anyone else being awake, or rather, anyone walking in. It had not yet reached dawn, and the smell of last night's activities lingered still. Smiling, Kili dipped his head into the crook of the other's neck, mouthing at the bruise he had left on Fili's exposed collarbone from the night before.

Fili finally stirred at that, his lips curling up into a soft smile at the contact with his neck. He willingly bared it, giving the younger dwarf more access. Kili hummed against the warm skin, raising his eyes to the blond. "Morning," he greeted, "Have a pleasant sleep?"

With a yawn, Fili managed a nod. Kili had tired him out the previous night. He reached a hand under the brunet's chin, gently pulling his head up to capture his mouth in a deep kiss. Kili happily obliged, his tongue darting out to slide over the other's with a quiet groan. Fili smirked against his lips, unable to help himself. "That eager?" He questioned, a light chuckle leaving him.

In one swift movement, Kili had rolled over and pinned Fili down against the mattress, replacing the laughter with a surprised gasp. Kili grinned mischievously, a hungry look in his eyes as he claimed the elder's lips once more in a rougher kiss, the need evident. Fili was not going to give up that easily and, allowing his brother to take control for sometime, he flipped them over again, straddling Kili's hips and pinning his wrists above his head. It took him off guard, just as he had hoped.

"Is that how it is now?" Fili leaned in, his lips brushing against Kili's ear. He took the tip between his teeth with a playful growl, briefly grinding his hips down. It earned a moan from the younger dwarf and with a smirk, Fili remarked, "I don't think you're aware how loud you are. I thought my eardrums would burst last night."

"Don't pretend as though you didn't like it." Kili retorted with a raised brow, as though waiting to catch his brother out on a lie that may follow. He had been slightly aware himself of the volume, but Fili commenting on it only served in bringing a flush to his cheeks which he felt burn his face.

Kili then tore his hands free of the other's grip, tackling with Fili for awhile until the two were panting, struggling with one another for dominance. Fili won, for he had the advantage of being the stronger of the two, whereas Kili was quicker to act by instinct. A thought occurred to the blond and splaying a hand out across Kili's stomach, he began tickling him, as childish an act as it was.

When younger, the two would have done this. It had been Fili's best method of cheering his brother up. Not that Kili was upset now, but mostly because he felt like it and Kili's exposed stomach was an easy target. The temptation had been too much to resist and although he now had the upper hand of the 'fight', it would prevent Kili from winning him over again.

Kili instantly burst into a fit of laughter, twisting in an attempt to avoid Fili's hand. He swatted at it, but Fili refused to pull back. The younger shrieked, tears pricking his eyes the longer Fili kept it up. "Fili; s-stop it!"

With the distraction, neither heard the sharp knock and the bedroom door push open.

The covers had gotten tangled around their ankles in the midst of the wrestling, giving a full view of the two dwarfs. For a second, there was silence as the laughter died off when the presence of the elder dwarf became known. Thorin stood motionlessly in the doorway, his expression blank. And for the briefest moment, it seemed as though disappointment met his eyes as he slammed the door behind him.

Kili looked to his brother, panic dwelling over his face. He hastily removed himself from underneath the larger dwarf and from the bed, fetching his clothes before clumsily throwing them on himself, his hands suddenly trembling from nerves. "He saw us!"

"Keep your voice down!" Fili hissed in a whisper, gathering his own clothing and dressing himself. He was calmer, hiding every emotion that was beginning to bottle up inside him from his brother. Thorin had caught them, and it was his fault. Nor would the consequences be particularly pleasant. Fili was supposed to be the wise one. He should have known that sooner or later someone would find out.

His brother looked a nervous wreck now. He paced, his expression contorting, the guilt visible. Kili knew well they would get into trouble now and he hated nothing more than Thorin telling him off, or Fili for that matter. Getting shouted at had never gone down very well with him.

There was no more time to question the situation before said uncle stormed through the door again, rage tearing at him as if he were a savage animal. Kili seemed to shrink and backed a few paces, avoiding Thorin's dark, lethal glare as his eyes settled dangerously on Fili. He had never seen him this angry before. Not even when they were younger.

"What was that?" He demanded, anger seeping into his tone. When neither of them answered, an animalistic growl left the back of his throat. Kili had not been aware that such anger could be given off all at once by Thorin alone. The impatience grew when no reply came. "What do you think you were doing? Because I do not know."

Fili only managed a small shrug. He had no answer. Nothing would change the fact that Thorin had walked in on them and seen all he had to to know what was going on between his nephews. And the older dwarf was evidently not pleased.

"Do you think this is acceptable? What would anyone else think if they found out the two princes were warming one another's bed?" Thorin shouted then, his face reddening. Kili swallowed hard, doing his best to copy the blond's stoic expression, but to no avail. "How long has this been happening behind my back?"

"Not long." Fili answered immediately with the truth, but Thorin would not buy it.

Kili piped up, ignoring Fili's eyes that were desperately telling him not to get involved. "Is it so bad to love your brother, Uncle?" He asked boldly. Thorin harshly glared at him.

"Not in this way. To love a brother is one thing, but to sleep with him is another. I forbid it!"

"You loved Mother!" Kili insisted in an outburst.

There was silence.

Kili instantly regretted his words, looking to Fili for help, yet he was given none. The blond's attention was not on him, but on the wall opposite, his expression revealing nothing. Thorin's face fell for the slightest second, his thoughts claiming him. Kili knew he had said the wrong thing. He had not known his mother well, could barely remember her. Not like Fili. Fili had been there, he had experienced everything, regardless of age at the time.

Finally, Thorin spoke, the words sticking in his throat. "Kili, go to your room."

"But-"

"Now."

He fled, leaving Thorin and Fili alone. Kili paused once outside the room, leaning his ear to the wall. He deserved to know what Thorin thought of them now. Would he throw them out? Strip them of their titles as princes? Or maybe the same as a nephew? He did not want to know the consequences. If Thorin disowned them, they would have nowhere to go. The only person they had was their uncle, apart from each other.

From inside the room, Thorin's voice was venomous. Kili would not be surprised if acid started frothing at the mouth. "Are you trying to bring shame to House Durin?" Thorin was quieter this time, but no less ruthless. "How are you to have an heir by sleeping with your own brother?" There was a muffled answer from Fili, and Kili strained to overhear. More incoherent words were exchanged between the two, and it took sometime before Thorin raised his voice.

"You are to be king one day in my place; of course you must." He insisted. Again, another reply came from Fili. Thorin continued, "If you don't, the realm will suffer. You hardly expect Kili to do such a thing. He's still young yet, and without sense." Kili bit back the hurt that spread painfully across his chest. His insides churned. He could not quite comprehend what the two were talking about, but the words still stung and nestled in his thoughts.

Their voices lowered again, and after awhile, there was a loud smack of metal and Fili's words were sharply cut off mid-sentence. Thorin's voice was a snarl, "Don't you dare raise your voice to me. I should remind you that I am your liege." Fili had not seemed to answer and footsteps approached the door. Kili instantly hid behind the nearest pillar, peering around. The bedroom door was slightly ajar, with Thorin's back to the outside of the room. "If I ever catch you two doing anything of the sort again, you'll be separated. Permanently." And with that, he disappeared down the hall, the thuds of boots on marble eventually fading.

Fili followed him out shortly after, his movements stiff. Kili came up behind him when no one was in sight. "Fili," he mumbled softly, frowning when his brother refused to answer and walked on. Reaching out, his fingers curled around his tense arm. Fili shook him off just as he was tugged around to face Kili.

"What do you want?" He snapped, his tone harsh. The blood drained from Kili's face at the sight of his brother. Across one half of his face, an angry red coloured his pale skin, where a bruise was slowly forming. Fili averted his eyes, turning his head a little in an attempt to hide where Thorin had slapped him. Their uncle had never once raised a hand to either of them in his life, even when they were younger. The only form of scolding they had ever received was verbal.

Kili gathered his thoughts together, the question leaving his lips before he could stop himself. "What did Uncle say?"

At that, Fili gave him a mildly irritated look, as if it were his fault for everything. Kili felt that way about the matter. Fili had accidentally kissed him, and it was Kili who had brought it up again after his thoughts had wandered where they should not have.

Permanently. The word had wormed itself into Kili's mind. Perhaps he did not want to know what their uncle had said.

When the blond did not answer, Kili urged him, regardless of the thought of separation. "Fili, please." He reached out again for his hand this time, searching for comfort.

Fili instinctively yanked his hand back. "Just forget any of this happened, all right?" The words were not unexpected, but that did not make Kili want to hear them anyway. Hot tears pricked his eyes, and upon noticing, it took all of Fili's self control not to pull the younger dwarf into a hug and to sit him down and reassure him everything would be all right. Except it wouldn't, and he was not going to lie either.

"How am I to 'just forget'?" Kili retorted, his lip quivering as he did his best to hold back from crying. He was not a child. This was his fault that they had been caught. If he had not distracted either of them, perhaps they would have heard Thorin's footsteps before he even knocked.

"You must." Fili looked like he was in pain upon delivering the answer.

"Why?" Kili demanded.

"Don't make this difficult for me, Kili," the blond exhaled sharply. "You must understand. Uncle's right. I shouldn't be doing this with you. I should never have. It was a mistake."

"Why?" Kili repeated in a pained croak. He loved Fili; he knew that now. It was genuine. It was not just some brotherly love, but one that two lovers shared. It would not be accepted, of course, it never would. Despite that, Kili's feelings were not about to just change. He would have to hide them, as he had done from others. And now, he likely had to hide them from his own brother too. "Tell me, Fili." Again, he pressed for an answer.

Fili ran a hand through his unkempt hair in frustration. "I'm getting married."