Chapter Thirty One

Kili kept what Bard told him to himself. He felt guilty, but he knew that Fili was already out of his mind with worry for him. Why add to that? Besides, everyone was already watching him like a hawk. It's not like Smaug could do anything anyway.

His friends had, thankfully, eased up a little on guard duty though. He still had at least one person with him at all times at school, but that didn't really bother him that much, especially since that one person was usually Fili.

A small part of him couldn't help but remember his plan from when he was younger to keep Fili from falling in love with anyone. He shook his head with a small smile. He was an idiot to not realize he was in love with the blond sooner.

"What are you smiling at?" Eomer asked teasingly as he walked with Faramir and Kili towards study hall. Kili would have protested that the older boy didn't need to rush to their history classroom to walk them, but he was fairly certain that Eomer's actions had absolutely nothing to do with him. Faramir, of course, was quietly thrilled at the attention.

"Just remembering some of the stupid things I used to think as a kid," he answered wistfully.

Faramir chuckled. "I think we all used to think stupid things when we were kids. Thankfully some of us have grown up," he said, giving Eomer a pointed look.

"Just because I like to eat cereal and watch Saturday morning cartoons, he says I'm not grown up," Eomer mock-groused in a long-suffering tone. "Can you believe it, Kili?"

"I believe Frodo has the same Saturday morning routine," he replied thoughtfully. "Maybe you two should schedule a playdate."

Eomer scowled as Faramir laughed. "You two are horrible and I don't like either of you."

Even though the words were obviously said in jest, Kili saw the flicker of doubt in Faramir's eyes. Making a split second decision, he stopped walking. "Crap! I forgot my notebook in my locker. You guys go on and I'll meet you at the library."

They both turned with identical frowns on their faces. "Kili, I don't think that's a good idea," Faramir said.

"It's fine. I'll be five minutes," he assured, giving Eomer a meaningful look. The older blond looked puzzled before shame overcame his expression. Good, Kili thought. He knew he could count on Eomer to understand Faramir's self-doubts.

He dunked around the corner and leaned against the wall, not really needing anything from his locker so resolved to just loiter for a few minutes to give them a little privacy before following after them.

It really was his rotten luck that Smaug would choose that moment to catch him unawares.

He jumped as he was suddenly bracketed on both sides by a pair of arms and stared up at those hated icy green eyes with dread.

"Leave me alone," he said through gritted teeth, moving to dunk under one of his arms, but Drake was quicker. He grabbed Kili's shoulder and pressed him back against the wall.

"Now, now, don't be rude," he chided in a pleasant voice. "I just want to talk."

"Well, I don't want to talk to you," Kili shot back, shrugging out of Smaug's hold.

"But I know a secret about you," the senior replied with a sharp smile. "One I'm pretty sure you don't want certain people to know."

"You know nothing about me," he snapped, pushing him back and making to storm away.

"I know who you're in love with," Smaug said, stopping him in his tracks.

He was bluffing. He had to be. There was no way he had figured out Kili was in love with Fili. It was impossible.

"And why would I care about that?" he asked coldly, looking back at him with false bravado.

Smaug stepped closer with a grin and leaned in close. "Most people don't want the fact they're in love with their brother widely known," he whispered softly.

No.

"Kili!" Aragorn's voice called out, though to Kili it seemed like he was calling from far away. His blood ran cold as he looked at Smaug with horror. Drake was smiling serenely, as if he hadn't just caused Kili's world to collapse on him.

"Lose your minders and meet me under the bleachers after your archery practice," Smaug said, making a quick retreat just as Aragorn reached Kili.

"What'd he say to you?" Aragorn asked urgently, eyeing him critically.

Kili knew that he wasn't doing a very good job at pretending to be unaffected. He was sure his face was pale, and he could feel himself shaking. He felt dizzy all of a sudden, and reached out blindly to steady himself against the wall.

He was terrified, but he didn't know what frightened him more. What Smaug wanted from him or Fili finding out.

He shuddered at both options. He couldn't lose what he had with Fili. He didn't know what he'd do if he did.

But could he let Smaug…?

He squeezed his eyes shut and tried to keep his breathing regular as he felt panic begin to set in. No. That wasn't an option either.

"Kili," Aragorn said, strong arms wrapping around him just as he felt he might collapse. "Just breathe, okay?" That was easy for him to say, Kili thought unkindly. "I'm taking you to the nurse."

"No, I'm fine," he gasped breathlessly, knowing that he was fooling no one. "Please, can't we just go to the library?"

He blanched as he realized that that was where Smaug would be too, but he was sure if he saw the nurse, she'd take one look at him before sending him home.

And he couldn't go home. Not until after practice. Because as much as he was dreading meeting Smaug again, he had to know exactly what the older boy wanted from him.

Aragorn frowned. "Just go to the nurse's office and lie down for study hall, okay?" he suggested gently. "She won't send you home as long as you don't look contagious or anything."

Kili gave in and allowed Aragorn to help him to the nurse's office. His legs were still a bit shaky, so he was very grateful that the older teen didn't seem to mind him leaning heavily on him.

This was ridiculous, he berated himself. No matter what Smaug said, he shouldn't have let it upset him so much. Maybe something else was wrong with him? He snorted silently. Yeah, something that struck right when Smaug told him he knew he was in love with Fili. That was unlikely to say the least.

Is this what shock felt like, he wondered? Or was this a panic attack? Whatever it was, he had to get a hold of himself.

The nurse frowned over him in concern, asking Aragorn a bunch of questions that Kili didn't really hear clearly. He was glad she didn't ask him anything. He didn't think he could concentrate on breathing and try to answer her questions.

"…call his parents…" he heard her say faintly.

"No!" he gasped, trying to sit up. "Please, just let me rest here til next period."

"Shh," she soothed, pushing him back down on the cot gently.

Aragorn said something to her that he didn't catch fully, but he thought he heard the word "brother." He wanted to protest and tell them no, not to get Fili. Fili would just worry about him.

He focused hard on take deep, even breaths. They must've been working because the world soon quit spinning. He still felt oddly light and shaky, but it wasn't so hard to breathe anymore. He looked around and saw the nurse writing something at her desk in her small office in the next room. Aragorn was nowhere to be seen. She must've sent him on to study hall.

The door opened just then, causing him to start with the irrational fear that Smaug had come to gloat over him. The sight that greeted him, though, was far more welcome, even if he had protested him being sent for.

"Fili," he croaked, and the blond was instantly at his side, clutching his hand desperately.

"Kili, what happened?" he asked softly, brushing his hair back gently. "Aragorn said Smaug…"

"I had a panic attack when I saw him," Kili lied, not meeting his eyes. "Smaug didn't do anything but surprise me."

"Is he going to be okay?" Fili asked in a louder voice, turning to look at the nurse.

She gave them both a smile. "He'll be fine. Has he ever had panic attacks before?"

"Not that I know of," Fili answered for him, looking at Kili for confirmation.

He shrugged. "Not that I remember."

"Are you going to send him home?" Fili asked.

"I don't want to go home," Kili protested.

The blond frowned at him. "Kee, you need to go home and rest. I can miss Biology just this once. And you really shouldn't go to PE or archery practice today."

"For what it's worth, I agree with your stepbrother," the nurse chimed in, smiling between the two of them. "And I'm sure Fili here would just go crazy with worry for you if you don't go home."

"I don't want to make Dad or Pop leave work to come get me," Kili mumbled. "Tell you what," the nurse said sympathetically. "How about you hang out in here and rest until the end of the day and then Fili can walk you home?"

Inspiration suddenly struck Kili. "Can I come watch you rehearse instead of going to archery practice?" he asked Fili, knowing his brother wouldn't say no.

"Of course," he replied with a gently smile, stroking back Kili's hair. "But only if you rest up until then."

Kili smiled back, feeling nauseated as he thought of his plan. Fili's rehearsal usually lasted half an hour longer than his archery practice. He could sneak out to meet with Smaug and be back before anyone even knew he was gone.

"You can stay with him until the bell rings," the nurse told Fili. "I'll be just in here doing some paperwork. Try to keep him warm, too. I'd offer a blanket, but a couple of students were sick all over the ones I had this morning."

Fili wasted no time scrambling on the cot with him and pulling him close. Kili honestly hadn't realized he was cold until he was burrowed into the warmth of the blond. It was a tight fit on the cot with both of them on it, but Kili didn't care. He felt safe for the first time since his encounter with Smaug.

It might have been an illusion, considering he was planning on meeting the senior later that day, but he let it comfort him anyway.

Exhaustion hit him like a freight train and he yawned, closing his eyes as his lids became too heavy to stay open.

When he next opened his eyes, Fili was gone and a warm blanket had been thrown over him. The nurse must've noticed him stirring, because she turned to him and rolled her chair out to check on him.

"Feeling better?" she asked with a smile. "You looked cold so I hunted down a blanket from the guidance counsellor."

"Thanks," he said, sitting up and stretching. "And yeah, I am. What time is it?"

"You have pretty much perfect timing," she replied. "The final bell will be ringing in about five minutes."

He leant his head back against the wall behind the cot, ignoring the bell that rung a few minutes later. He was sure Fili was on his way here to meet him. Since was planning on betraying his trust enough later this afternoon, he figured staying put was the least he could do.

Sure enough, Fili walked in the door not five minutes later, grinning in relief as he saw Kili. "You're looking a lot better."

"I feel better," he assured him, letting him help him to his feet.

"Good. Sure you don't want to just go home? I can be late for rehearsal if you do," he offered, concern still lurking in his blue eyes.

Guilt spiked through Kili, but he shook his head anyway. "I don't mind listening to you sing for a couple of hours."

As it turned out, Fili spent most of the rehearsal sitting with Kili in the auditorium anyway as the drama teacher worked with Eowyn and another girl on their duet. From what Kili could tell, they were playing the parts of the stepsisters.

As rehearsal went on and Fili stayed at his side, flipping through his script, Kili began to worry that he wouldn't be able to sneak away as planned. Something of his unease must've shown on his face because Fili kept shooting him worried glances.

Thankfully, Mrs. Fitz called Fili to the stage eventually to run through the opening number. This was extra helpful as it meant that Eowyn was on stage as well, and Legolas was thoroughly distracted with his accompaniment to pay any attention to Kili.

Glancing at the time, Kili discreetly slipped out of the auditorium, leaving his bad behind. He'd hopefully be back before anyone noticed, and if he wasn't, leaving his bag left him with the excuse that he just stepped out to the bathroom.

He made a beeline for the bleachers of the track field, noticing that his teammates were just packing up their gear on the field. He quickly dunked beneath the bleachers, noticing with trepidation that Smaug was already waiting for him.

The senior smiled at him as if he hadn't forced Kili to come. "There you are," he greeted. "I wondered if you would show up when I didn't see you practicing."

Kili took a deep breath and gathered his courage. He would not be cowed by Smaug. He was just like every other bully. He just had to not think about exactly what was at stake. If he thought about losing Fili, he wouldn't be able to confront Smaug.

He had to be strong. He was here to figure out what he wanted in exchange for his silence. Hopefully, it wouldn't be anything he wasn't willing to give.

The question was, what wouldn't he be willing to give for Fili?

"What do you want?" he asked, glaring at Smaug in defiance with his arms crossed in front of his chest.

"Kili, what have I always wanted?" Drake said with a shake of his head. He stepped closer to Kili, attempting to drive him back against the cross bars of the bleacher supports, but Kili held his ground, even if it meant Smaug was uncomfortably close to him. "I want you to go out with me."

He narrowed his eyes. "I know about your bet," he spat. "If your end goal is to sleep with me, you can forget it. I won't do it."

"Kili, I don't want to sleep with you," Smaug replied condescendingly, smirking down at him. "I want to fuck you. Spread those lovely legs of yours and pound that tight little ass until I fill you up and ruin you for anyone else."

Kili cringed in disgust. "I guess you're just going to be disappointed then," he said, trying to keep his voice calm. He learned a long time ago that letting bullies see how much they upset just added fuel to the fire.

"I wonder how disappointed your brother is going to be when he learns that his baby brother has been lusting after him," Drake mock-lamented. "How angry he'll be when he realizes that you've probably used every hug he's given you to jerk off to later."

"That's not true!" Kili growled angrily even as his heart dropped to his stomach. Fili might think it, though, despite the fact that it wasn't true. He knew nothing would ever make Fili hate him, but he didn't want things to change between them either. The thought of Fili not casually throwing his arm around him, or pulling him close for some innocent cuddling, broke his heart.

"Doesn't matter if it's true," he said with a shrug. "What matters is that you don't want Fili to believe it's true. So, what do you say?"

Kili didn't say anything, so Smaug pressed his advantage, stepping even closer to him and leaning in to whisper into his ear. "Come on, I'll even make it easy for you," he added in an oily voice. "I'll slip something in your drink and you won't even know what's happening. What do you say?"

He felt sick to his stomach. What could he say?

"Excuse me?" a familiar voice said as two thin fingers tapped Drake on his shoulder. The senior whirled around only to double over suddenly in pain as a red-headed figure kneed him forcefully in the groin.

Kili blinked in shock at Tauriel, who was glaring at Smaug in hate. "Stay away from my friend!" she snarled, before grabbing Kili's elbow and pulling him towards the school.

With a sinking heart, he realized she was pulling him towards the auditorium. But how could he face Fili now?

"Tauriel," he called softly, trying to tug out of her hold.

"What were you thinking meeting him alone?" she muttered, pinning him with a look of displeasure and just tightening her grip. "And the things he said! I should've done more than knee him in the nuts."

"Just wait a minute," Kili said, digging in his heels and forcing her to stop. "I've got to figure out what I'm going to do before I face Fili," he told her desperately.

She rounded on him with one hand her hip and another pointing at Kili. "If you think I'm going to let you go anywhere near that asshole alone, you've got another thing coming!"

"What's it to you anyway?" he snapped. "Since when are you even talking to me! I thought you said I was making it up!"

"I didn't mean it!" she cried in frustration. "I'm sorry, alright? You were right, and I was wrong, and now I'm trying to return the favor!"

Kili deflated at that. "I can't let him tell Fili."

"No," Tauriel stated firmly. "You should do that yourself."

"I can't!" he protested.

She set her jaw in a stubborn look. "Kili, you stopped me from doing something stupid, and I'm going to do the same for you. Now Fili is going to find out how you feel. Either from Smaug or you. And if you even think about giving into that bastard, I'll tell Fili myself."

Betrayal welled within him. "You wouldn't."

"To keep you safe? You bet your ass I would," she declared. "It's your call."

Kili couldn't even find it in him to be angry. All he felt was despair.

tbc…