Fili is proud of himself. It's been four and half weeks since Kili left and he hasn't missed class or skipped a meal yet and maybe it's a little pathetic that he considers that accomplishment. His friends seem to agree with him though, seem pleasantly surprised that he's holding it together so well. He's only cried like, once...twice. Whatever. He's doing okay.
The reporters harassed him a lot the first two weeks, wanting statements and taking photos of him as though they were hoping he would have a breakdown right in front of their cameras. They've died down some, after all his day to day isn't very interesting. Class, workstudy, rehearsal, homework, repeat. The only variation are his occasional stops at his favorite coffee shop and liquor runs when his friends come over to de-stress. They are all careful not to be photographed alone with Fili, no need to start those stupid rumors.
Fili has managed to avoid any of the tabloid fodder about Kili for the moment but he knows it's only a matter of time until there's a front page spread at the supermarket. As it is, he settles onto his couch and flips on the small television to see if there's something he can watch for a fifteen minutes of mindlessness.
It's a Saturday and Ori is putting in some hours at the library but Fili decided to lounge in his comfiest pants and no shirt since they've finally struck Marat/Sade. Monday is the first rehearsal for The Goat and Fili's been cast so he's taking time off where he can find it. He settles on a ridiculous MTV news program, chuckling to himself at some of the ridiculous things they report on in the world of music and pop culture.
He doesn't realize his mistake until footage is played of Kili's most recent concert and his heart tugs at the sight of his boyfriend preforming with all of his manic energy and the lights flashing over his face. The music is inaudiable under the report though and Fili snorts as he listens.
Musical sensation Kili, recently in the news as an out bi-sexual, is making headlines again this week as he is spotted in compromising positions with his band-mate Tauriel. While many fans have previously expressed enthusiasm over the two dating there has been a backlash of anger at the development as Kili left behind a boyfriend by the name of Fili Oaks and there has been no indication the couple has split.
The newscaster keeps talking but Fili's not focused anymore, staring at the images they are playing. Kili laughing with Tauriel, just Tauriel at a table, Kili leaning a little too close to the red-head on a bench, Kili leaned in kissing her cheek and Tauriel, arms thrown around Kili's neck, him grinning against her lips. They're kissing. All of the others Fili could've discounted, tossed aside as the media spin, but not that last one. He knows the line of Kili's body too well for it to be a manipulated image and he wants to pretend he never saw it.
He turns the T.V off but he can't shake the image or the thoughts chasing themselves around, he didn't know Tauriel very well, she was the most withdrawn of the band other than Frerin who was simply busy. She had greeted him nicely when they met and he had been in the same room with her multiple times but they hadn't had a real conversation. Now he wonders if it was jealousy or worse that kept her from talking to him. He sucks in a breath, surely Kili would've told him if there was something between the two singers?
His hands are shaking just slightly when he picks up his phone and dials Kili's number. It rings through and he tries again.
Hello?
The woman's voice is sleepy and Fili hangs up immediately because she's answering his phone. He paces the living room and then decides to call Gimli so he doesn't go crazy.
He's about to dial when he phone rings in his hand, Kili's name flashing. He swallows hard and answers it.
"Hello?"
Fili?
"Hi Kee"
He curses, he sounds so small and scared and Kili just sounds sleepy.
Tauri said you called but hung up on her, what's up love?
"I-there was just-It's nothing. I just needed to tell you I loved you. That's all."
Kili laughs softly, warmly and Fili smiles a little despite himself.
Well it's good to hear it, even if you did wake all of us up to say it. I love you too Fee. Can I go back to sleep now?
Fili's smile grows and he hmm's his agreement.
"Sleep well."
Goodnight Fee
He sets his phone down and traces the edge of his thumb thoughtfully, Kili didn't seem to know why he was calling and there was still all the love and warmth in his voice. Fili trusts him and doesn't want to seem like he doesn't so he makes the decision to let it go, it was probably an old picture or maybe it was just a really good photoshop. He nods to himself and flops down to play Final Fantasy XV instead. Nothing distracts him like fictional bros with nice butts.
It's another two weeks before Fili thinks about that stupid broadcast again. He's having a rough day and opted to sleep instead of going to class for the first time since Kili left. He's laying in his bed wearing a shirt Kili left for him and scrolling back through all the texts he and the brunette have exchanged when Ori comes in.
"Dude, knocking."
Ori just gives him an unimpressed look at tugs the blanket off of him. Fili tries to protest but a pair of jeans hits him in the face and Ori points at him with his no-argument face on. Fili shuts up and starts tugging on his pants.
"You're allowed to be mopey, but I believe in limited periods of mope. We're going to the store to buy milk and you can get some comfort food and a movie. We're going to watch it together and you're going to grumble about classwork and how annoying you find the bitch twins and we're going to have a good lazy night."
Fili resigns himself too it and nods quickly, running his fingers through his hair until it lays so it's at least passable. Ori isn't fussed with his appearance just as long as he's wearing pants and Fili's grateful to his friend for letting him mostly not care.
They make short work of the store and Ori doesn't comment when Fili tosses in extra chips and Twizzlers. Ori even remembers Fili's favorite bad-day food for him, cream cheese and tomato basil wheat crackers. Fili is actually starting to feel marginally better when they reach the self checkout. Ori is handling it when Fili's gaze falls on the magazines and his stomach clenches.
Kili's on the cover, his arm around Tauriel's waist and their lips pressed together again. In the background he can see Legolas' blonde hair and he grits his teeth, turning away before the tears he feels prickling can overwhelm him. It's a different picture and his nails dig into his palms because he feels like an idiot.
Ori turns to him and frowns at his distress before his own gaze wonders to the magazine.
"oh"
The small red-head gathers their bags and gently takes Fili's hand.
"C'mon Fee. Let's go home. You can go back to bed."
Fili nods and follows him, feeling two-feet-tall when he catches a few people turning to look at him as tears start sliding down his cheeks. He holds back the first sobs until they are in the car. Ori doesn't say anything as he curls against the door and tries to control the noises leaving him as he cries.
They pull into the driveway and Ori's eyes narrow at the familiar car parked on the street. On their front step Kili snaps to his feet, smiling brightly and clearly excited. Fili hasn't noticed him yet and Ori gets out, slamming the door and putting himself between the car and Kili.
The brunette's brow furrows at the anger directed at him and Ori opens his mouth only to choke on the words as a woman's voice sounds from behind him.
"Kili, your father is demanding you bring Fili for dinner!"
"Tell him i will if he let's me get to see him first, damn."
The tall red head repeats Kili's words into a phone and shuts her own car door, walking up the drive toward them and Ori see's red.
"You-you...ooooh! I cannot believe you! You brought her here and just after Fili-"
Fili who is getting out of the car, his eyes red and shoulders held like he's expected to be slapped.
"Kee? Kee...why were you kissing her?"
Kili's eyes widen and he slaps his forehead, like this is something that slipped his mind instead of something major.
"Shit, Fee. I didn't realize you'd never noticed us do it before. Tauriel's like my sister and she actually is Legolas' half sibling. It's not like that between us."
Fili just looks lost and he can't decide if he wants to hug Kili or hit him and Tauriel is watching them all with an aloof sort of way about her. Ori's arms are crossed and the tension between them all is obvious. Fili swallows at the sound of rustling off to the side and he just knows if he looks there will be a camera pointed at their moment.
"Let's...let's talk inside."
They all nod and shuffle into the house, Ori pausing to grab the groceries. They arrange themselves in the living room, Tauriel standing, Kili on an arm of the couch, Fili on the opposite side, and Ori in a chair. The silence is thick as they all wait for someone to start. With a delicate sigh Tauriel steps forward.
"I'm sorry for the misunderstanding Fili. I often forget how my interactions with Kili are perceived. He is one of the only people who drags me out of my own thoughts and gets me to experience life and very early in our friendship he misinterpreted somethings and asked me out. We were fifteen and I was already aware of my personal tastes so I turned him down and gave him a kiss in thanks for his understanding. He wasn't even the slightest bit upset with me and it was a relief. We established then that when he'd done me a really large favor I would thank him by kissing him. Sort of an inside joke I suppose, usually it doesn't come up but, it certainly did in the last months. I am sorry I didn't make more effort to speak with you about it, or much else."
Fili wants to hold onto his ire but as Tauriel speaks her voice warms and he see's the woman underneath, the one who Kili laughs with, and he can't. He can't form words just yet either though and glances at Kili in question next. Kili gives him a slightly smile and runs a hands through his dark hair.
"I didn't think about it Fee...honest. We won't do it again if it bothers you. It's really just a quick kiss, like you'd give your, I dunno, your dog."
That breaks the tension as Tauriel looks offended and Kili shrugs helplessly, looking comically innocent for a moment and Fili lets out a breathless laugh. He extends his hand to Kili who takes it and lets himself be tugged closer to Fili.
"You idiots."
Ori huffs and stands up, calling over his shoulder as he heads for their snacks in the kitchen.
"You're both welcome to stay and watch Pacific Rim with us if you'd like to."
Tauriel looks and the couple on the couch, smiling as Kili curls around Fili and strokes his cheek gently, leaning their foreheads together. It's been a long time since she's seen him this way and it's nice.
"If you have black licorice I'll stay for anything."
Ori throws a package with surprising accuracy to land in the chair closest to the doorway and Tauriel laughs, catching Fili's surprised expression that only makes her laugh harder. She straightens and Kili grins at her with his I-told-you-so look. He was right, she thinks, there's something about this house and these two that makes her feel like she's home. Speaking of which...
"Legolas said he was going to meet up with Gimli and then they were heading over. Don't forget though, you said you'd bring Fili to dinner with your dads tonight."
Kili groans as she folds herself onto the corner of the couch beside him, and buries his face against Fili's neck. Fili looks surprised again but smiles a little, his eyes are still red but he seems okay, like he's accepted things.
If he's honest with himself it is a little weird but, well, it makes sense. Kili is so tactile with his friends and the way the brunette is holding onto him, Fili feels silly for doubting him. He'll even face dinner with the parents, even if Kili still hasn't said why they're back early. It's all periphery to the man who is leaning up to kiss him slowly.