Summary: You're still in over your head and you're not sure that you'll be able to make it. (Continuation of Fluff'n'Stuff's chapter Sink)

Sitting in front of the fire, you tried not to think about everything that had lead up to this. You were still in disbelief at today and it wasn't even over yet. The afternoon had been filled with water games and splashing for the others, but it had been quieter for you.

Fili had taken you away from the main group, saying lessons would be easier if you didn't have an audience. You hadn't expected him to actually teach you, but he had. Or at least he had tried.

"My uncle taught me," he said softly, holding your hands as he led you deeper into the water. "None of us will ever be good at deep water or long distance swimming, but we can keep our heads above the water and that's what counts."

You licked your lips nervously, clinging to his hands. "I can't do this," you whispered.

"Yes, you can. You just need to relax and trust me. Do you trust me, buttercup?"

Staring at him, you nodded slowly. "I'm scared."

Fíli lifted your hands and kissed the back of them. "I know, but you'll be okay."

You stiffened when he wrapped an arm around your waist and tugged you close to him.

"Just hold onto me," he murmured. "I'll keep you safe."

Shivering, you looked over to where Fíli was standing with his brother. He had kept you safe and you had actually started to enjoy it. You weren't a great swimmer by far, but the water didn't terrify you anymore. He had gotten you to tread water and float on your back. You had nearly panicked when your head had gone too far back, but Fíli had been there, his hands cupping you gently.

Your teeth ran over you lower lip as you not so covertly watched him. The firelight was flickering on his bare torso and was a stark reminder that you were wearing his tunic. He had given it to you when you had left the water since your dress had not been dry enough to wear. You hadn't even had a chance to protest before he had tugged the material over your head and wrapped you up in a towel.

The others had barely paid any mind to you. Well, most of them anyways. A few of the other lasses hadn't been too keen on the way Fíli had been hanging around you. You had tried to shoo him away, but it had only seemed to make it worse.

"Buttercup, hold still," he chided, dropping a towel over your head and rubbing your hair.

"Fíli, stop it," you said frantically, trying to push him away. "I can dry my own hair."

"I'm only helping."

"You could help by putting your pants on," you muttered, trying not to notice the water trailing down his muscled torso or the way the cloth wrapped around his hips was sitting low and clinging to him far too much.

Fíli paused, tipping your chin up so you'd meet his gaze. "No sense in putting them on when I'm still wet," he said casually.

"Then dry off and put them on."

He smiled, his moustache twitching. "Can't. Used my towels on you," he protested. "And it's still hot out so I thought I'd just sun dry."

And he had. For a while before he and his brother had started wrestling on the grass and that had been quite the distraction. The only saving grace was that you hadn't been the only one to stare. The males that had come with had cheered and placed bets on who would win. The girls had tittered and giggled as the princes had wrestled. You had blushed as you overheard them wondering if the cloth wrappings would come undone.

They hadn't and Fíli had come out the winner.

Your toes curled into the grass as you remembered the brilliant smile he had given you after he'd won. Looking back at the fire, you blew out a breath. What was even going on? How had you wound up here? Spending the day at the lake with the princes was not what you had planned for today.

Giving the tunic a tug, you couldn't help feeling completely exposed. It was hanging down to your knees but it wasn't enough. You wanted to change into your dress, but it was still wet apparently despite the heat. Fíli said that he didn't want you to catch a chill and you couldn't wear it until it was dry. So your dress was hanging up, you were in his tunic and you didn't know what to do.

But you were beginning to suspect that someone was continually dunking your dress in the water to keep you in his tunic.

Glancing over when someone sat beside you, you weren't overly surprised to see that it was Fíli. You forced yourself to look back at the fire as he stretched out, leaning back on his arms. "Now what?" you asked when silence prevailed between you.

Fíli let out a sigh and crossed his legs at the ankles. It drew your attention to his bare feet and it almost felt more intimate than him being half naked. It was like he was stretching out in the comfort of his room with someone he loved. "Relax, drink some ale, sleep beneath the stars," he murmured, not seeming to notice the blaze of colour in your cheeks.

"How romantic," someone around the fire sighed.

He snorted. "There's nothing romantic about it. It's hotter than a troll's ass in that mountain. I want away from it for a bit."

"How do you know what a troll's ass is like?" Kíli laughed.

Fíli gave him a shove and they nearly started wrestling again.

You rolled your eyes and shifted away from him. You had no desire to sleep beneath the stars. Your bed was more comfortable than the ground and you weren't prepared to spend the night without any of your things. "Can I go back to the village now?" you muttered.

"We made you a tent, buttercup," Fíli said, giving his brother another shove. "Aren't you going to use it?"

Looking over your shoulder, you stared at the tent. It was finely made and the princes had set it up while the rest had started the fire and dinner. "I thought it was for you."

"Can't sleep under the stars if I'm in a tent."

"No one else gets a tent," you muttered.

"No one else is my buttercup."

Your gaze jerked to him at the possessive, but he wasn't looking at you. There he went again, saying things you didn't understand. Honestly, he made so little sense! Glancing at him, you tried not to sigh. He was going to give you a headache. You carefully stood, making sure you didn't flash anymore.

"Buttercup?"

You were proud of yourself for not looking at him. "I'm going to bed," you said quietly. "I'm tired."

You half expected him to stop you, but instead he said, "Sleep well, buttercup."

Moving to the tent, you slipped inside. Once the flap was closed, you sighed harshly. "What are you doing?" you whispered. "Why are you still here?"

Because you weren't sure Fíli wouldn't just pick you up and bring you back again.

You sank into the pile of blankets, not tired at all. You'd just wanted to get away. All day with Fíli…was too much.

Plucking at the blankets, you listened to the idle chatter outside. It wasn't long before songs broke out and they swung between tales of epic valour and wicked tunes someone had picked up at the tavern. Your lips curved upward as you heard both princes raise their voices to song. Of course they knew the words to those ones.

Your eyes slid closed as you listened to the song shift again. This time it was only Fíli and Kíli singing and the song was nearly as ancient as their people. Breathing deeply, you cuddled further into your bed and let your thoughts slowly slip away to the sounds of their voices.

Jerking as you heard a noise, you pushed yourself up sharply. What was that? You looked around the tent, but nothing was out of place. So what had you heard?

When it came again, you carefully untangled yourself from the blankets and wondered when you'd gotten tangled in the first place. Once you were free, you carefully crawled to the entrance of the tent. You peeked out to see that everyone was slumped around the smouldering fire, passed out. Counting dwarves, you noticed that a golden prince was missing.

Frowning, you left the tent and campsite. Your head turned to the lake when you heard splashing, your feet already taking you to the water. The moon was shining down on the lake, turning the water a shimmering silver. It was beautiful and you stopped well back from the edge to admire it.

Your eyes widened when a body broke the still surface of the water, as silver as the lake in the moonlight. Mouth going dry as you watched Fíli slick his hair back, you wrapped your arms around yourself as a shiver wound through you. You shouldn't be watching but you couldn't look away.

"Couldn't sleep?"

Jerking in surprise, you saw that while you'd been too busy staring at his chest, Fíli was watching you.

"Buttercup?"

Damn it, he'd asked you a question! "I heard a noise," you said lamely.

"Then I'm sorry I woke you."

"Don't be," you whispered.

Fíli tipped his head back, staring up at the sky. "It's a beautiful night," he called. "Care to swim?"

You blinked. "Swim? Fíli, no it's late. Come out."

"Can't, buttercup."

Of all the times to be stubborn! "Fíli, please."

"Buttercup, I'm not wearing any pants."

"You weren't earlier either. Why is it a problem now?"

His head tilted to the side so he was looking at you. "I'm not wearing anything now."

You stared at him. Naked? He was naked?!

He lifted a hand and held it out to you. "Come swim with me."

"No, Fíli, I don't think this is a good idea." Especially since you weren't wearing any underclothes and you were not going to swim naked with him!

"Don't make me order you," he called.

You clutched at the tunic, your face flaming. "I'm not wearing anything else," you said weakly.

"What did you say, buttercup?"

"I'm not wearing anything else," you called a little louder.

Fíli looked at you fully. "Neither am I. We'll be a matched pair."

Your cheeks were definitely hot now. "Turn around?" you squeaked.

He obediently spun around, but you still hesitated.

Fiddling with the hem, you waited a second and looked over your shoulder at the camp. You swallowed hard and tugged the material off. Practically running into the water, it didn't help with how hot your face was even though the water was chillier now. You pulled your hair over your shoulders to help cover your breasts and crossed your arms. "Thank you," you whispered.

Fíli turned back to you and smiled. "Good," he said softly, reaching out to catch your hips.

"Why are you doing this?" you whispered.

His smile grew and he pushed your hair back. "Because you're my buttercup," he murmured, his hands trailing down your neck and shoulders.

You shivered as he stroked down your arms. "Fíli, I don't understand," you said weakly.

A deep sigh left him. "Because you're quite stubborn," he said, pulling you closer and spreading his hands out on your back, "and you never see anything even when it's right in front of you."

"You're right in front of me."

His lips curled. "Yes, I am," he agreed. "Do you see me?"

Shivering again, you hesitantly reached out to touch him. You heard a low rumble leave him when your palms pressed flat to his chest. Your fingers curled slightly, dragging through the short hair covering him as they trailed down.

"Buttercup."

"That really isn't a meaningless nickname, is it?" you whispered, looking up at his face.

"Nothing about you is meaningless."

Warmth flooded you. Rising up on your toes, you wrapped your arms around his neck and kissed him. His hands flexed against your back and pulled you closer. Your gasp mingled with his moan as your bodies pressed together and you felt all of him. Chills chased across your skin as he parted your lips and slipped into your mouth.

You clung to him, feeling a different heat warm you. You'd felt it before when he'd kissed you earlier, but it paled in comparison to this. This was like standing far too close to a forge but it was so much more than just heat. Something was coiling and tightening inside you, making you squirm in an effort to relieve it. But all it did was rub you against Fíli.

He moaned again, arms squeezing you. His body shifted and you shuddered as you felt something hard grind against your stomach. You knew you should be embarrassed, being naked in an equally naked prince's embrace. There were a handful of dwarves sleeping nearby and they could wake to see you at any moment. But you found that you didn't care. Being in Fíli's arms, feeling and tasting arousal for you, was liberating.

Tearing his mouth from yours, he pressed his forehead to yours as you panted for air. "You were damn hard to catch, buttercup," he rasped.

"Catch?" you echoed breathlessly.

"Always hiding, always running away. You thought I didn't notice, but I did."

Your heart trembled. "Why?"

His fingers ran through your hair, twisting through the thick strands. "I knew the first time I saw you, picking up your books, that you were mine."

If your heart had trembled before it was thundering now. "O-Oh. Really?"

"Yes, really, you little fool," he chuckled.

You thumped his shoulder with your fist. "I'm not a fool."

"No, you're not," Fíli agreed, "but I was beginning to think I was for hoping for this."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be. You're mine now."

Your breath caught as he walked you back to shore, his arms strong around you. Was he going to tuck you back in? No! You wanted more time with him! The night was still young and-Blinking, you stared up at him when he carefully lowered you to the sandy shore. You could feel the water lapping at your feet, the sensation tickling but all of your attention focused on him when he moved over you.

He braced his weight on his elbows and watched your face for a minute. "If you want me to stop at any time, tell me," he said lowly.

"Stop what?"

Fíli smiled and you shuddered at the wicked desire on his face. "This."

A startled gasp left you when he lowered his head to kiss your neck. Your head tipped back as he moved down, his lips leaving a trail of fire on your skin. All of your senses focused on his kisses, wondering where he was going to go next. You moaned softly when he moved up the swell of your breast. Jerking when his lips closed around your nipple, he hissed as your hands tugged on his hair.

You couldn't find the words to apologize as he sucked on you. Little bursts of white hot desire pulsed through you, making your skin feel tighter. Shifting under him, you felt his erection again, the thick flesh hot and hard against your thigh. You licked your lips, fingers curling into his hair again as he switched breasts, his tongue flicking over your nipple. It took concentration to get them to uncurl and only one listened.

Trailing your hand down his back, you felt his muscles bunch and jump under your touch. A low noise left him as your nails raked over him, the sound full of arousal. When you reached his hip, you took a shallow breath and slipped your hand around him to wrap your fingers around his erection.

He froze above you.

You could hear his breaths leaving him in short pants and it almost seemed like he was shaking above you. His lips were brushing your nipple, your own breaths pushing you into him. You knew without looking that he was waiting for you to do something, but you weren't sure what. You had heard whispers of what lovers did and they had made you blush and wonder. Now you had your prince and you were hesitating.

"Buttercup," he growled, his hips bucking forward as you moved your hand on him.

You breathed his name and it made him shudder.

"You're going to kill me," he whispered, rocking against you.

"Do you want me to stop?" Where had that come from?

Fíli raised his head to look at you, his eyes glittering in the moonlight. "Don't stop," he ordered harshly.

The words spurred you on. Your hand tightened on him, pumping along his cock until he was panting and growling above you. Watching in fascination when he threw his head back, you saw his emotions flicker over his face and loved that you had gotten his guard to drop like this. He was wild passion above you, all of his control gone as pleasure filled him.

You were confused when he shifted above you, his arm sliding under your head. A faint splash came before you arched into him when his fingers squeezed between your thighs. "Fíli!"

"Shh, buttercup," he warned huskily. "If we wake them up, we'll have to stop and I don't want to."

You pressed your lips together, but you weren't sure you'd be able to be quiet. This was too new. The pleasure wasn't but having someone else give it was so much different than what you were used to. When Fíli's hips rolled, you realised you'd stopped stroking him.

Taking a shivering breath as his fingers skimmed over you, you tried to get your hand to move but you were focused on what he was doing. A whimper left you when his touch slid lower and your thighs parted as much as they could between his. "Fíli," you sighed as he found your clit.

He hummed softly, his fingers rubbing small circles over the swollen bud. You moaned raggedly, trying to push your hips up into his touch. It earned you a chuckle and his hand slid lower.

You gasped shortly when he eased a finger inside you and he hissed as your hand tightened around his cock. This was…very different. His fingers were thicker than yours and even one was making you tremble.

"Durin's beard, buttercup," he rasped. "You're a virgin?"

"Why do you sound surprised?" you muttered, shooting him a look.

"I'm not, I mean, I never…really thought about it," he said lamely.

You wanted to say something, but all you could do was protest when he pulled away. "What are you doing?"

"Your first time shouldn't be in the sand with others close by," he muttered.

Staring, you realised he was serious. He was going to stop. Your hand squeezed him briefly to ensure you had his attention. "That's sweet," you said honestly, "but I want you and this is so much better than anything else."

Fíli watched you, panting softly as you started stroking him again. "Are you sure?" he rumbled.

You smiled and ran your thumb over the head of his cock. Your smile grew as he shook. "Yes."

Groaning deeply, he lowered his head to kiss you even as his fingers slid back between your thighs. His finger slipped inside you as his tongue passed your lips. You whimpered against him as he began pumping his finger, your body relaxing as you got used to the invasion.

Your fingers curled in his damp hair, pleasure flooding you as he stroked and teased. You arched off the sand when he found a spot inside you that had you seeing stars as he rubbed against it. You broke the kiss with a gasp as he didn't stop, his finger curving to strike that spot as he thrust it inside. A surprised noise slipped out of you when he slid a second finger into you.

Fíli slowed, his eyes intent on your face. "Alright?"

You nodded, feeling him stretch you. There was a bit of a sting, but it faded as his thumb rubbed circles over your clit. Your eyes squeezed shut when he slowly began thrusting them, your thighs pushing on his as you tried to spread them further.

He moved over you, shifting so he was resting between your legs. A low purr left him when your legs wrapped around him, pulling him closer to you.

Sighing as you felt how hot he was, you trembled as his fingers moved faster. When they curled again, you had to bite down hard on your lip to stop yourself from screaming. Your hand left his erection to clutch at his wrist, clinging to him as fire scorched through you. Desperate noises left you as your muscles tightened and clenched, your entire focus narrowing to how good what he was doing felt.

You barely heard his low groan over your pants for air as you bucked under him, losing control as release claimed you. You tried to be quiet, but all you wanted to do was cry out as pleasure filled you. You writhed under him, rubbing against him and loving the feel of his hard body. Your nails dug into his forearm as his fingers slowly slid out of you.

"Shh," he soothed when you protested, but his voice cracked as he shifted to thrust against you.

Your stomach clenched as he moved over your clit, your senses jumping back to life at the promise of more pleasure. A soft hiss left you as he pressed against your entrance.

His lips kissed your temple gently. "It's going to hurt, buttercup," he murmured. "I can't change that."

"I know," you whispered, trying not to think about it.

He kissed you again, his hips pushing slowly forward.

You whimpered but it changed to a moan as his fingers found your clit. Your fingers clutched at his hip as he slid in deeper with a flare of pain that he banished with his attention to that pleasurable spot.

When a low sigh left him raggedly, you realised he was fully inside you. "That wasn't…so bad," you whispered, trembling as he kept rubbing.

Fíli laughed weakly. "You're killing me," he moaned. "And it isn't that bad?"

Shifting under him, you both gasped when he moved inside you. "Oh, Fíli, more," you breathed.

He swore softly, but his hips slowly rocked against you.

Moaning as he slid inside you, your back arched at the slick friction and the pleasure he created. His hand had fallen from your clit and was grasping your hip now, pulling you into his thrusts. Your legs tightened around him, your muscles trembling as he found his rhythm and you choked on a scream as he really began moving on you.

"I'm sorry," he said brokenly, his lips moving over your shoulder.

You shook your head, clinging to him as tongues of desire and lust licked at your skin. Your heart was pounding in your chest as pleasure sparked to life inside you, making your limbs shake. Every thrust drove you closer and the ragged noises leaving him were not helping.

You jerked when he nipped at you and he groaned as you tightened around him. "A-Ass," you whimpered, shuddering as he kept biting you.

He made a low noise against your skin, but it became a growl when your nails raked down his back. His hips bucked forward and made you gasp. His lips moved to your ear and he whispered, "When we get back to the city, I'm going to find all of the shadowed corners of the archive."

Your eyes widened as you realised what he was implying and you squeaked.

"Yes," he purred. "I'm sure you already know where the good spots are."

You tried to shake your head, but you pressed it back into the sand as he ground against you. Biting your lip, you tried not to cry out as he quickened his pace.

"I can't wait to spread you out on one of those tables and take you hard," Fíli growled.

Whimpering, you clung to him. His low words were creating so many images in your head, conjuring places he could do what he was saying. His hard thrusts were making you crave it and more, wondering if he actually would take you there.

His teeth tugged at your ear before he groaned, "Come for me."

You inhaled sharply at the demand but your scream didn't echo through the night as his mouth crashed down on yours. He kissed you desperately as you came apart under him, your body torn between writhing in pleasure and collapsing in bliss. Shaking fingers moved up his back and tangled in his hair.

Fíli moaned, his thrusts still hard as you clenched around him. You could feel him tensing over you, his body shuddering as it urged him to join you. But he kept thrusting.

When his lips left yours, you whispered, "Fíli, please."

He gave a broken moan and slammed hard into you, his shudders turning harsh. You pulled him down, letting him bury his face in your neck as he moved over you in gentle rocks of his hips. He rubbed his cheek against you, making goose bumps erupt on your skin.

Sighing deeply as bliss soaked into you, you kissed Fíli's hair and smiled to yourself. Maybe coming to the lake hadn't been such a bad idea.

Fíli pushed himself up to look at you. "Buttercup," he murmured, his voice thick.

The nickname warmed you like nothing else now that you knew that it was special to him. "Prince," you teased.

His eyes flared but his lips twitched. "Let's wash up and head back."

"Mm," you hummed. "Are you going to tuck me in?"

"I won't leave that tent if I go into it with you."

You smiled again. Oh, that sounded like a good idea.

A/N: Point of advice: don't stop writing for a week, no matter how much fun the other project is. Guess what I did? Ugh, but another done! And another that got away from me! But it is over with and I can move onto the next. Thank you all for reading!

As it says it in the description, if you want the start of this story, it's the Fluff'n'Stuff chapter that I posted at the same time as this :)