Waking was a slow process, his body felt heavy and the burning in his abdomen seemed more demanding than before. He swallowed and felt the dryness in his throat, wincing as he managed to open his eyes, golden hair filling his vision and the weight on his chest was explained.

Kili smiled a bit at that, his lips pulled drily and he let the expression drop. He shifted his hand so he was able to run his thumb over Fili's cheek. Oin entered a moment later, a bag over his shoulder. He grumbled at Fili's sleeping form, prodding him until the crown prince opened his eyes.

"Ya need to move lad, I cannae get to yer brother's wound with ya layin' on him."

Fili moved back quickly, catching a hold of Kili's hand to kiss his fingers, leaving a warm trail on his skin. They were grateful for Thorin's large bed since Fili didn't have to go far.

Kili was annoyed at the loss of Fili's warmth but he understood and stayed quiet, wincing as he swallowed drily again. Oin pressed a cup of water to his lips, the liquid was room temperature and though it tasted odd it soothed his throat. That was followed with a slimy tincture that Kili struggled to swallow, and more water.

Oin motioned Fili to him, "Here, rub this inta the wound, but careful about it." He handed a tin of salve to Fili and moved the blanket down further, unwrapping Kili's bandages.

The cloying smell of healing flesh tinged the air, it was not too strong yet and Kili was relived, the scent was what it should be so no infection had set in.

Fili looked pale and a small noise caught in his throat, Kili watched him in concern. It was painful when Oin had to shift him to move the bandage but he wasn;t focused on that, sensing Fili's distress as his wound was revealed.

The healing that had been started had knitted back together much of the internal damage so his guts were no longer trying to spill. The gap in his front was not as big as the one in the back and Kili moaned allowed as Oin rolled him to his side, allowing the larger laceration to show.

Fili made another sound and Oin gave him a look that Kili assumed was meant to remind his brother to be strong.

Kili wanted to say it was okay if Fili was scared, he himself certainly was but he didn't trust his voice.

He squeezed his eyes shut as Oin began putting Salve on his front, the pain worsened as Fili's hands started on the back, his fingers were gentler than Oins but the touches still sent sharp spikes of pain through him.

As they worked Kili swallowed his whimpers and tried to keep the tears that were building up at bay.

They had finished with the salve and Oin was gathering more bandages when the door opened quietly and the elves came in.

Fili's voice sounded from over Kili's shoulder as he cracked his eyes open too look at the fair folk. "Can you help him?"

Fili didn't care about prejudices, he wanted his brother to be whole again and every second spent caring for him, seeing his wound, had been full of fear for him. He could not bear to see Kili's life end, to have his light extinguished.

Tauriel came nearer to the bed, Legolas a step behind her, "We can try, at the least we can speed his healing and prevent infection…If you both allow it?"

Kili made a noise of agreement and Fili nodded, scooting away from Kili again despite the slight whine his brother made at being separated again.

The elves placed their hands on either side of the wound and began to speak in Sindarin. Oin had an armful of bandages but didn't approach, watching the elves working avidly.

Kili felt his breath began to come easier and a strange lightness filled him, the elves themselves were radiating what appeared to be starlight.

He looked at Tauriel who was at his front and murmured, "Beautiful…Like the stars."

Behind him Fili felt his chest tighten in a new way but didn't dare move, he wanted Kili whole and would deal with the strange feeling in him when he had his husband healthy.

It was some time later when the elves were finished and they wearily moved off the bed to sit on the floor, Oin handing them cups of water.

Kili's eyes fluttered open, he had drifted in a world of bizarre colors as the healing had gone on and he looked down at himself.

Fili's hands tracing over his back softly confirmed that what he was seeing was real, his skin was repaired and the pain was almost gone. A raised red line was the evidence left and he looked at the elves in amazement.

"Thank you…Thank you." He whispered, reaching out for them. Tauriel's hand met his and she smiled tiredly, "We would not see you and your people suffer such grief. You have nothing to thank us for."

Kili smiled at her then and allowed himself to give in to his exhaustion, still clasping her hand.

Fili's gaze met the red-heads and Tauriel's brows twitched, she relaxed her grip on Kili's hand but couldn't pull away from the brunette.

Fili felt something bitter in his mouth as he curled as close to Kili as he could without jostling him. He did not sleep but watched the elves, Legolas' gaze did not leave his brother and Fili could see his own feelings mirrored in the elf.

He closed his eyes for a moment and took a breath, Kili was his, his One and his husband and that was not a bond that could be broken but the lance of pain in his heart cruelly whispered otherwise. He swallowed hard, Kili's breathing was even near him and he heard the quiet mumbled of Kili's sleep talking.

His eyes opening and his gaze boring into Tauriel as his brother whispered about starlight.