I do not own Lord of the Rings.

I do own my OCs.


XXVIII


"Th-That was..."

"Uh-huh."

"I-Is it... Is it always like that?"

"The only reference I have is from jerkin' off, but if ya still want an answer, fuck no. This was a million times better, seriously, I think I'm fuckin' shakin' again." He raised his clean hand, which was indeed trembling slightly, "Like, look at this shit!"

Legolas couldn't help but laugh breathlessly, feeling proud that he was the one that caused this reaction, although if the trembling goes on for any longer he's going to worry. "I think I am as well." He looked down at himself and huffed, dropping his head back on the bed, "I need a new tunic. Perhaps we should clean ourselves... Especially you."

Jupiter followed his gaze to his hand covered in... their essence. A wicked thought crossed his mind and a mischievous smirk rose up to his face. He kept eye contact with Legolas as he gave a testing lick to his hand. The elf blanched at him, "Jupiter!" He cried out incredulously.

"Mm, you taste good, sug'." He gave him a wink before sitting up and getting off the bed, disappearing into the bathroom.

Legolas groaned and covered his eyes with his forearm, making the man laugh in the bathroom as the water ran in the sink. It didn't take long for Jupiter to return with a damp washcloth, helping the blonde clean up before telling him to take his shirt off. As soon as it was taken off, a new band t-shirt was tossed to him and he slid it on as Jupiter put away the dirtied shirt.

The scientist sat back down beside him and gave the other a small smile when he received a short kiss, "Did you like it?"

"Did I like it?" The elf repeated the question as if it was the dumbest thing he has heard from Jupiter's mouth, "Of course, I did! I never thought it would be like that. It was amazing and I will admit, I'm more than willing to do it again with you right this second."

"Oh." Jupiter's eyebrows shot up, "Oh. Well then, why the hell didn't you stop me from cleanin' you up?"

"Because, my rose, I was afraid that it would end up going too far if we continued. Not to mention that I still have some concerns about what we just did."

"Concerns?... Do you regret it?"

"You are asking the most idiotic questions today, Jupiter. No, I do not regret it." Legolas sighed, "I just do not know how two males bond, it is unheard of and it was never explained to me, so I am just worried if what we did..." He trailed off.

"Oh," The redhead relaxed tremendously. "I mean, all we did was just rub our dicks together-"

"Jupiter!"

"-So if you're talkin' about sexual intercourse, then what we did doesn't count as bondin'." He paused, "Woah, did we just find a loophole to the whole bonding thing?"

"I suppose." Legolas shrugged, relieved, although a bit embarrassed by how bluntly he was speaking of their previous... activities. Then he too paused, "Wait, Jupiter, you know how two males bond?"

"Of course I do."

The elf nearly rolled his eyes at his almost offended tone, "Do not leave me in the dark, tell me how it is done."

"Someone sounds eager- Ow! Fine, I'll stop teasin' you, jeez." Jupiter rubbed his arm where he had been punched rather hard. He loves the fact that Legolas doesn't hold back on him, "Two guys having sex is no different from how a male and female do it. Only... With more steps and a different place."

Legolas furrowed his brows in puzzlement at his explanation, wondering what he could possibly mean by a different place. How can it be just like with a male and female? Not unless-... "No." It can't be. "You are not saying that it goes... You are jesting."

Jupiter shook his head at his accusation, "Dead serious." There was absolutely no lie written on his face.

"So then it would go in..."

"Yep."

"But that... Is it really?..."

"Yes, Legolas, it goes in the ass." The scientist told him straightforwardly, which was probably a bad idea since Legolas looked a little scared, "You look terrified."

"How can you be so calm?! I would have never thought that would cross anybody's mind to put it there. How can that be pleasurable on the receiving end?" Legolas snapped incredulously, still trying to wrap his mind around the fact that Jupiter was indeed telling the truth.

"Very, actually." Jupiter's eyes lit up and he leaned in close, "Wanna practice? Give you a lil' taste of what it's like?"

"Who says that I'll be the one to be taken?" Legolas glared playfully, "For all we know, it may as well be you that will be taken when we bond."

The redhead momentarily froze. A pink hue gathered around his nose and cheeks as he lightly ruffled the hair at the back of his head. He had been joking with his offer, and he knew that Legolas knew it, but he wasn't exactly expecting him to say that last part. "So you... Really do plan to bond with me?"

Legolas, too, realized what he had just said. They may be courting, but they have never really talked about it, the both of them bonding in the future. If he were speaking the truth to himself, he had never expected himself ever bonding with another, let alone consider it. For much too long he has reflected over the thought of bonding with Jupiter and the thought made his heart jump, warmth overwhelming him along with an underlying sadness.

It has come to the point that his contemplation made an abrupt turn from being a lovely thought to a strong desire. To be bonded with Jupiter... His heart, his soul, his body yearned for that connection. He can feel his soul constantly reaching out towards Jupiter, merely brushing over him as it continued its futile, everlasting stretch in hopes of intertwining with the other's soul, tangling into a tight bond, whether Legolas liked it or not.

"One day I wish to." The blonde said carefully, "I want to."

Jupiter took a deep breath once he heard the words come out of his mouth. He nods his head and doesn't say anything until he looks at him again, placing his hand on his knee, "I want to, too, but I think we both know it's a bit too soon. No matter how much we want to bond with each other."

"Yes, it is for the best." Legolas nods in agreement. Usually, it takes years for Elves to seal the deal and for the both of them to agree upon marriage. He has even seen it take years for partners to kiss. Compared to that, he and Jupiter are moving at such a pace that it would be downright scandalous. But he would be lying if he said he regretted it and didn't enjoy the fact that he was stomping on a few customs of his realm. "...But I believe that we should continue with this - what was the word you used? - loophole that you have discovered. You had said something about practicing?"

"Everyday I taint you little by little, don't I?" Jupiter grinned wickedly, giving him a chaste kiss on the corner of his mouth, "Before we do any 'practicing', I think we should go on at least one date. I mean, I just jerked you off 'n we haven't gone on a da- Holy shit, I haven't asked you out on a date yet."

Legolas was rather puzzled by his shock, "What is a date?"

"It's basically just somethin' a couple does to hang out. Like a romantic engagement. I mean, people usually go on them when one of them wants to pursue the other, but people in a relationship do it too for fun." He explained, "So... Will you go out with me?"

"Hm... I don't know."

Jupiter groaned and dropped his head into his hand the second he heard his teasing tone, a smile unwillingly tugging on his lips as he huffed out, "You fuckin' suck."

"Oh, fine. I suppose I will go out with you on this date. What shall we do on it?"

"That's for me to know 'n for you to find out, doll." The scientist chuckled at the look on his face, "It's raining all weekend so at six after school on Monday we will go on that date."


"Do not think I have not noticed, Legolas."

The elf crossed his arms as he leaned back against the opposite wall that his close friend was leaning on. He was careful not to let out any emotions that will give away his steadily rising anxiousness but was also careful not to completely cut off all of them. The man in front of him was much too observant for his own good and not to mention that he has known him for quite a few years. "What are you implying, Estel?" He asked innocently.

Aragorn sighed quietly as he shook his head in exasperation, causing Legolas to wince. He saw right through him... As per usual. It had not been long after he decided to leave Jupiter's room in order to let everyone know that he was in fact still alive. Then, out of nowhere, Aragorn had casually asked if they could speak with him alone. Legolas had then led him far down through the hallway leading to the lab until they were out of earshot of the others.

"I am sure you know exactly what I am implying." The ranger said matter-of-factly, "That day when I found you in front of the mirror in the bathroom, you looked so heartbroken. I was frightened by how lifeless you appeared at that very moment as if the will you had dwindled down from a raging fire into a measly spark. The very next day, you are the complete opposite. You were the happiest that I have ever seen you and I had wondered what caused this sudden change, but then I remembered what you had told me, how you understand Arwen's suffering." He paused, "I also do not believe that the bruise on your neck is from sparring."

Legolas's shoulders sagged. It was no use trying to hide it, Aragorn knows. He... should have expected this. At least one member of the Fellowship would have found out before the two of them wanted to, but he was hoping that no one would discover their relationship until they had no choice but to reveal it. He smiles humorlessly, "I can never keep a secret from you. You are much too talented at figuring them out, mellon-nîn."

"That is because you are never careful enough." The man said teasingly, causing Legolas to huff, "So you are courting now, correct? How have you been fairing?" He asks softly, no judgment whatsoever, only understanding. He himself is courting an elf as well, so he knows better than anyone else what it feels like to fall for a different race that gives so many risks.

The questions made the archer feel better. It gave him a sense of normalcy. He will later be given a talk about the consequences of this, especially with the whole different worlds issue, but he will try not to worry about it now. "I am fairing well... Very well, actually." He looked off to the side as his smile grew into something warm, "It had been difficult when dealing with our feelings, but we managed. He has been nothing but caring to me and he always manages to make me smile, even when he does not mean to. Jupiter is everything to me and I do not regret confessing my affections towards him. I'll never regret it."

"Wha- Jupiter? Did you just say Jupiter?"

His head snaps up at the incredulous question and looks at the shell-shocked ranger in confusion, "Yes?..." His brows furrowed, "Who did you think I was speaking of?"

"Manny, of course!" Aragorn bursts, "All this time it wasn't her? I was so sure it was, but I suppose it makes sense that it is Jupiter. You spend so much time with him, and the both of you have been inseparable." He leans back heavily on the wall with a hand on his forehead, "Forgive me, I wasn't expecting..."

Legolas shrugged at his trailed off apology, "It's alright, I understand. I was surprised myself that you were so calm about the relationship considering that we are both males. All along you had thought it was Lady Manny, it makes much more sense now."

"Indeed." The ranger took a breath, "As long as you are happy, my friend. If you and Jupiter care for each other as much as I think you do, then it would be impossible to break what you two have."

The elf felt warmth fill him hearing Aragorn's supporting tone. He now felt guilty for not telling him sooner, he should have trusted him more to not judge him or make him reconsider the courtship. Before he could even thank him, a voice cut through the brief silence between them.

"Legolas? Aragorn?" Both of their heads swivel to where the entrance of the hallway is and saw Jupiter approaching them, glasses now on his puzzled face, "What are you two doing down here?... Oh shit, am I interrupting a private conversation or something? I can leave."

Instead of saying anything, they continued staring at him. Aragorn himself once again became amazed by the fact that someone like Jupiter is courting Legolas - no offense, of course. Jupiter looked between the two of them, at a loss of why they were staring at him like that. Especially the ranger, he was looking at him pretty weird- Wait. He looks over at his significant other and deadpans, "He knows, doesn't he?"

"Indeed he does. Although, he had thought you were Manny at first."

Jupiter snorted as he came closer, standing next to the elf, "Can't blame you, Aragorn. I would think the same thing if I thought Legolas was straight, or well... completely straight?" He looks over at him, "Are you gay?"

Legolas elbowed him in the side, "What have I told you about asking stupid questions? Besides, it does not matter to me what gender you are. You would still be Jupiter either way, no?"

The elf grinned as he gently pushed Jupiter's face away upon seeing him leaning in to give him a kiss. The man made a frustrated noise from the rejection as Legolas returned his gaze back to an amused Aragorn, "You Men are insufferable."

"Please, I have heard enough of that from Arwen." Aragorn groaned, rolling his eyes even though he was still smiling, "We will continue discussing this later. The others might be wondering where we are."


"Manny, I'm panicking."

"I can see that."

"Manny, I'm losing my shit."

"I can also see that."

Jupiter grabbed the brunette by her shoulders, and shook her roughly back and forth, "Can't you see I'm having a fucking mid-life crisis, woman?! Help me!"

Manny squealed as she was shaken before she found the right moment where she could slap him across the face once he was finished with his demand. This time, she was the one to grab his shoulders, "Get a hold of yourself! Why the fudge are you freaking out?! You've gone on a million dates before!"

"This is different, 'Manda." He said with a pale face, appearing unaffected by the slap even though his cheek was turning an alarming red, "I'm going on a date with Legolas fucking Greenleaf. My motherfucking One. You don't understand, Manny, I can't fuck this date up. It has to be perfect and I have no idea where to take him and what to wear, and I had an entire weekend to think about it! Manny, I'm beggin' you, you gotta help me."

The woman stared at him with eyes as wide as dinner plates, snatching her hands away as if he had burned her and took a large step back, "Who are you and what have you done with my crappy jerk of a bestie?"

"Manny, I'm being serious. Legolas is everything to me and I want our first date to be amazing. I don't want to disappoint him and fuck it all up."

"Holy balls of steel, what has he done to you?" Manny whispered in horror. She knew that Legolas would be a positive influence for Jupiter, even before she knew about how they felt about each other, but this was something that she wasn't really expecting. She can see in the redhead's eyes that he would literally do anything to make this date perfect and it's just a date. "You're friggin' head over heels, dude. I've never seen you like this before, it's actually scaring me a little."

"Yeah, so what?" Jupiter scowled, crossing his arms impatiently, "Will you help me or not, bitch?"

The artist sighed deeply, mostly in relief from hearing the nickname come at of his mouth. Her Jupiter was still there with his jerkness and all. "Fine. Sit there and tell me what ideas you had for the date while I look through your clothes."

His shoulders sagged as he gave a breath of relief and plopped down on the edge of his bed, watching as she tossed her hair up into a messy bun and swung his closet doors open. "Actually, I have no ideas. I mean, I do, but they're just too normal. Movies are too loud for him and we don't get to talk as much. Picnics are too fucking boring. I've thought about the zoo, but I don't think he would be happy about that..."

She winced and nods in agreement as she pulled out shirts and pants for him to try on, "So everything you think of is pretty much useless. Not surprised-"

"Fuck you."

"-So think outside the box. Think of some things he likes, maybe throw some new things he can experience into the mix." Manny paused from her search and furrowed her brows, facing him again, "Hey, do you still stay in contact with your grandma?"

"Considering the fact that her bipolar ass calls me every week to cuss me out and ask about my week, then yes. Why? What does she have to do with-" He stopped, narrowing his eyes, "Hell no."

"Heck yes."

"Nope. No way in hell. She's going to fucking crucify me for deciding to visit her now of all times. I haven't even told her about Isabelle or Legolas!"

"It's either that or you end up in an eternal loop of thinking up a date idea and tossing it into the trash."

Jupiter growled in frustration. She was right. Plus this would make Legolas really happy... "Fine. I told her the same England and Arizona story anyway. She would want to meet the others too at some point so might as well tell her about Legolas and bring everyone else there at some point in the future so they can have their fun too," He pulls out his phone and quickly dialed a number, preparing himself for the shouts that will definitely make him temporarily deaf in one ear, "But those details aren't important right now."


mellon-nin: my friend

It took me a while to think up of a date idea (you'll find out in the next chapter what it is) and I had even thought of taking them to Disney or Universal, but then I realized how boring that would be. I mean, it wouldn't be boring per se, but I think I wouldn't have been able to write it without getting bored. lol

If there are any spelling/grammar errors, please tell me so I can fix it ASAP.