So, it's the thirteenth chapter here. Since thirteen is often referred to as an unlucky number, I'm using that as an excuse for this fuckery.

I'd apologize but I'm not remotely sorry. Ehehehe.

Assuming you're already emotionally invested in this story: Here are some more feels.

His hand was shaking by the time Nori realized he had spent far too long staring at it, focusing on how the warmth of the contact with Bofur had faded to match the feel of the cool night breeze. The heat in his cheeks, no doubt from the embarrassment and slight anger of the dwarf he was so sure was his one love running away, had not left him yet, and the thought of that only angered him further. Knees shaking, though he did try to gather some confidence first, he took his first uneasy step towards Thorin and company's camp. Possibly too soon for comfort, he realized he was taking his first steps towards a sad and lonely life, now that he knew Bofur wasn't interested. He refused to let his tears fall from his eyes.

After what seemed like half an hour he was back at camp, and immediately being interrogated by his elder brother, Dori.

"Where have you been? You left for Bofur hours ago!" Dori was whisper-yelling, trying not to grab any attention from anyone else who may still be awake despite the late hour. "What did you do to him? He ran into camp and straight into bed, with a huge frown on his face, no less!"

"Dori," Nori started, before Dori started actually shouting. "I didn't do anything. I just found him, we talked a bit, and when I tried to hold his hand, he got all nervous and bolted." He risked a quick glance to Bofur's bedroll, and instantly knew the dwarf was not asleep. His breathing is quick and uneven, not slow and steady. Oh, thank Aulë he is too far to hear us. "You were right all along, Dori, he doesn't want me. I'm destined to be alone. It\s probably for the better anyway. I wouldn't want him mixed up with my past." He moved to turn around, but was stopped when Dori's thick fingers wrapped themselves around Nori's arm and pulled him back.

"I never meant any of that. He may be a free spirit, and can't keep focus from time to time, but I have no doubts that his dwarven blood will win out and he'll stick with whomever his true one is, whether or not it is you." Dori didn't look very pleased with his own words, as if he didn't want to admit the truth he'd been hiding so well. A sigh escaped him before he ran a chubby hand down his face, wiping away non-existent sweat. "I was more worried for him. You're the one who so few can find any amount of trust in, including myself for a long time. You were a thief, making no attempt at all at an honest life, Nori. He may be poor, but he knew to work for whatever little gold he could get. And I didn't know for sure that your intentions were at all honourable. I'm sorry, but how could I, when they never have been before?"

Nori took a long moment to think about it, suddenly understood Dori's perspective on what Nori had previously thought was a potential relationship. But, of course, I messed things up, completely misinterpreting everything, like always. Finally, he asked in a hushed whisper, "But what can I do about it, Dori. I don't want to give up on this, on him, on us?" His brother sighed a heavy sigh, and wholly unexpected by Nori, pulled him into a tight bear-like hug.

"Talk to the guy, Nori. It's all you can do at this point." But Nori also knew this suggestion was out of the question. He couldn't risk seeing Bofur run from him again, not after how he could practically feel his heart creaking in his chest, threatening to shatter, the last time it happened. Dori released him from his too0-tight grip. "Whatever you choose to do, Nori, just be careful. Especially with the danger of the world around us lately, I don't want to see either of you hurt over this."

Nori nodded, but remained quiet. His face was growing hot and his eyes wet, but he didn't want anyone to know this, especially not Dori. Still deep in thought, he retreated to his bedroll, instantly hating the rather close proximity to Bofur himself, and attempted to let sleep find him. It did not, however, work.

Meanwhile, across the open area that the elves had been kind enough to let the dwarven company take over for the duration of their already extended stay, Bofur held his eyes closed tightly, trying to will himself to sleep. Unfortunately his mind had other ideas and wouldn't stop over thinking. He was still stuck in the past, wondering how so much of his life could change in such a short period of time.

He did expect change. He would have to be entirely stupid to think everything would remain the same for him. Orcs, trolls, goblins, and a dragon. Of course everything is new and different. And yet the most dangerous of all experiences on this journey thus far hadn't been any of these fierce and threatening creatures. It was Nori, and his prior friendliness turned into odd, undesirable behaviours. Even now, as he tried to feign sleep, he could hear the two older Ri Brothers conversing in a quiet whisper. He couldn't make out words, but he had a feeling it was about Bofur's own mistake earlier in the night.

How could I have been so stupid? Me, the one wh was trying to keep things friendly, grabbing Nori's hand. He probably thinks I'm some strange love-struck fool, pining over him this entire trip. I swear I'm not. It's all a misunderstanding. He breathed in deeply, letting the air escape from his mouth slowly. Oh, and he loves someone, too. He's in love with someone else and I had to go and do something so foolish. I don't even love him!

But even Bofur knew these words were not entirely true. He had long suspected something in his own heart was pulling him towards Nori. He had felt it every time he neared the other dwarf, how heart would race and his palms would sweat beneath his knitted mitts. When he had first overheard the conversation between Ori, Nori, and Dori about Nori's own feelings for someone unworthy of them, pain rang through Bofur's complete being, but he kept composed for their friendship's sake. Now, however, he didn't know if he could do that any longer.

Unknown to the two miserable dwarves, silent tears slipped from the other's eyes from the hurt their mess had caused.