Pairing: Aragorn/Legolas
A/N: I doubt that a lot of people are going to like this drabble because of what I make the characters do, but I'm basing this off of something that has happened to me in real life. In fact, the beginning of the dialogue in feel was an almost direct copy and paste from an IM conversation. Like I said, I doubt a lot of people will like this, but I feel like it's the most realistic situation. Also, the timing of this is right before Legolas and Aragorn make up in The Two Towers. Just fyi.
"I'm sorry."
The words hung between them like a fiery brand.
"I'm sorry," Legolas repeated. His expression was unreadable as he walked towards Aragorn. "I guess I just- I just wanted what we had, and it hurt when you stopped with those gestures that you used to do." Aragorn visibly flinched at his words, but Legolas pressed on.
"I want to say that I just didn't realize that it's a part of who you are, but I think I always knew, subconsciously, at least, that this is who you are." Legolas sighed. "I think I always knew that we'd end up like this." Legolas gave a small laugh, and all Aragorn wanted to do was cradle the Elf in his arms, but something held him back. "I've thought about it, and now I realize that I was asking for too much. I wanted you to show me that you want me around. But you're too withdrawn, too private, too far away. I've realized now that it was my mistake. I shouldn't have asked for more, I shouldn't have hoped for more, I-" Here, the confidence that Legolas had been exerting shattered.
And Aragorn saw the broken and hurting shards of the person that he once knew and lo- wanted to be around. And he wanted to cradle Legolas in his arms and soothe away his hurts, put his lover back together to the laughing, smiling Elf he had once been.
But no, something held him back, something always held him back, from touching, kissing, caressing-
loving.
The thought stole unbidden to his mind as Legolas had stolen to his bed in the middle of the night so many times.
And he wanted to break past this hold on him. How he wanted-
Legolas wrapping his arms around Aragorn, and he was crying-
"Please," he whispered, "don't go away. I'll stop asking, I'll stop bothering you, I'll do whatever you want, just don't go away again."
and he was shaking as he burrowed in Aragorn's arms. Aragorn's arms automatically went around him, forming a barrier between them and the world. His hand twined itself into those silky strands of sunlight.
"I-" Aragorn whispered hoarsely, "I-"
I just want to hold you.
-fin-