It was none other than Ori, the young man that had run into him on the street earlier that day. His eyes were wide as he saw the man Kili was hugging tightly while Fili and Kili looked at both in confusion.

"Do you know each other?" Kili asked, glancing from the man in his arms to his friend.

"I... Uh... Well, we kind of ran into each other a few hours ago..." Ori mumbled, scratching at the back of his neck with a nervous chuckle.

Bofur smiled reassuringly at the youth then headbutted Kili softly. "Could I please get down now?"

Kili rubbed at his chin with his left arm, allowing Bofur to finally step away from his embrace. He glanced down at the taller male, who was pouting heavily, and shook his head in a disapproving manner.

"Not only do you try to hold me hostage, but you also try to make me feel guilty about getting free after?" Bofur asked him while Fili chuckled at his younger brother.

He couldn't see behind him, but Bofur was pretty sure that Ori too was chuckling because Kili's reaction was really rather amusing.

"There is no more love in this world!" Kili grouched, crossing his arms while still pouting.

Fili rolled his eyes at his brother's antics then turned to Bofur and Ori. "Just how did you two meet?"

Ori smiled nervously as a blush crept upon his face, feeling bashful about having run into the very man he was supposed to be looking for.

Bofur looked back at the younger man, and noting just how bashful he was about it, smiled broadly at Fili. "He offered me a cup of coffee early in the morning. I had to turn it down, though, for I had nothing to pay him back with."

Ori smiled gratefully at the Irishman while Fili smiled warmly at both of them. "This is actually very good. If Ori approves of you, Bofur, it means our Uncle and Mom won't completely hate you."

Bofur blinked at his words, running them over to make sure he had heard correctly, but Kili speaking was all he needed to make sure.

"Please, Fili. We'll make sure they never meet Bofur." Then Kili wrapped his arms around Bofur and Ori.

The younger of the four blushed at the contact while Bofur only rolled his eyes. Apparently he had already become accustomed to Kili's love of physical contact.

"But, please, we shouldn't think of that now!" Kili smiled broadly. "I say we treat these two to some nice burgers!"

And once more Bofur was dragged to Kili's favorite hamburger place.

"So, before we allow you to start working, Bofur, we should get you some new clothes." Fili acknowledged as they walked out of the small shop, Kili and Bofur walking behind him.

Ori had to leave earlier because of some emergency with his brother, Nori- and Bofur was surprised to find Fili and Kili betting about what the problem could have been- so now the original three were together.

After having explained their situations a bit more, the brothers and Bofur were able to come to an understanding. Now Bofur was going to be working for the lads every day of the week for the following months and staying with them until he was able to find himself a permanent home along with other employment.

Kili had joked about not letting him even after he was able to sell his toys to the biggest companies. Bofur had found this endearing while Fili only shook his head at his brothers comment, though.

Bofur looked at Fili in slight shock. "But I cannot be taking any more of your money, lad."

Kili frowned at the use of the nickname and Bofur sighed, "Sorry, lad. I meant Fili."

The younger smiled at this and nodded, allowing them to continue their conversation.

"Nonsense, Bofur! Look, if you really feel that strongly about us buying you clothing, we could say this is an advance pay. Month's worth, even."

Bofur couldn't believe the words he was hearing. Was Fili really saying all this?

"But wouldn't that be-"

Fili raised his hand, stopping Bofur. "It would not be a bother. You would be working to pay us back the first month, then you'd be working for pay. It's not a bother at all, Bofur."

The hatted man still frowned at the idea, not liking being in debt to the youngsters, but nodded. He had already agreed to work with them so, technically, they were now his bosses. And if he had learned anything in his life it was to always to do as your bosses told you to do.

"Well... If you're alright with it, la- I mean, Fili."

Bofur didn't mind working for the brothers. They proved to be respectful, generous, patient, and not as messy as they had initially made him think.

The days went by with Bofur cleaning first the brothers rooms, then the bathroom, then the kitchen, and lastly the common rooms. The boys were usually there with him because of winter break but sometimes they had to leave to make sure their mother and uncle didn't become too suspicious.

He didn't agree with the trickery. Bofur knew family was one of the most important things in life but he wasn't in any place to tell the brothers they were wrong by lying to their mother and uncle. From what they had told him, both adults would kick Bofur out without any kind of remorse, leaving him alone in the streets once more.

And, maybe he was being a bit selfish for this, Bofur wanted to keep doing what he was doing. He didn't mind cleaning up after the boys because he finally felt as if he belonged somewhere. After five whole years of walking with no clear destination he felt as if he had found it.

Now a month had passed and the brothers were whining about having to go back to school in January.

"I don't want to go back, Bofur!" Kili moaned during breakfast, playing softly with the eggs and bacon Bofur had made for them all.

Fili munched grumpily at his own food, not feeling like his brothers whines warranted a response. Bofur sighed from his place in the island- which was in between both brothers- and patted Kili on the shoulder.

"You'll survive lad."

Kili looked at him with a pout, "How about we run away to Ireland?"

Bofur chuckled and shook his head, "Fili here would miss you."

"No I wouldn't."

Both men looked at the blonde and he frowned at both of them. "It is way too early for you two to be so happy."

"What is wrong, big brother?" Kili asked, blinking at the older.

"You two talk too-"

Before he could finish his sentence, though, a knock on the apartment door cut him off.