Ori was unconscious, or perhaps he had just shut down, it was difficult to tell. Oín paced the length of the room, exhausted after healing the others, but unable to rest while the boy was still not right. He might be hurt, or he might not. There was really no way of knowing without being able to touch him. Oín wasn't stupid. He wasn't going to touch the boy's hands or any such nonsense, just his head to see what was going on. But the older Rill brothers were insistent that he not use his powers. So, Ori slept, fingers twitching sporadically and lips moving like he was voicing a silent prayer. And at loss of what else to do, Oín paced.

…

Dori watched his baby brother sleep and fretted as Ori cried out, face pinching in a combination of rage and agony. Dwalin sat near Ori's head, stroking the coppery hair gently and murmuring quiet promises under his breath.

"Is it always this bad when he uses his power?" Bilbo asked softly.

"It's only happened a few times," Dori admitted. "But it's always this bad. Sometimes worse."

"What exactly is happening? I mean, it was obvious that he took Bolg's power and used it, but..."

"This isn't really my story to tell, but given the circumstances, I don't think Ori will mind," Dori said with a sigh. "When Ori was 14 he woke up one morning with strange runes on his hands and arms. I was at work, but Nori was home with a horrible hangover. Without thinking he grabbed Ori's hands to inspect them and ended up unconscious for two days. And Ori had absorbed his hangover and the ability to pick locks. We learned through a couple of bad experiences that when Ori's runes touch someone he drains their essence and absorbs their powers or skills. He also takes on whatever the person is feeling at the exact moment they touch."

Bilbo considered that for a moment before speaking. "And the longer the contact, the more he absorbs?"

"It seems that way, though we've tried not to test it too much. That's why he never takes his gloves off unless he's alone. He even sleeps in them, just to be safe." Fretting his hands together Dori continued, "It's worse when someone touches him. At least if Ori initiates it, he feels a bit more in control. It's less frightening for him that way. But it's never easy."

"Is he going to be all right?" Dwalin finally asked. "He never has to use his powers again as far as I'm concerned, just so long as he wakes up and is all right."

Dori shrugged and gave a half smile. "My best guess is that he'll wake up sometime later tonight, but I'm going to warn you now that it might not be pretty. His body is exhausted from housing powers it's not supposed to have. The more he uses, the worse it is. My biggest fear is that if he used too much he could burn himself up."

Dwalin nodded, his eyes dark. "We'll let him rest all he needs then. But somethin' tells me there's more ya ain't sayin'..."

"He took Bolg's feelings as well as his power and Bolg was angry. Some of that anger bled out when he used the power, but the rest is still in his head. Ori knows its not his own feelings, but it's still there and he still has to deal with it. It takes a huge toll on his emotions. The first few times it happened he was a wreck. The last..."

"The last...?" Dwalin pressed, worry forming deep creases between his eyes.

Dori shook his head. "No. That's a story Ori will have to tell you when he's ready. For now, let's focus on hoping he wakes up."

...

Nori sat on one of the couches with his knees pulled to his chest. He rocked slightly, never taking his eyes off his brother, though never fully focusing on him either.

"I'm sure Ori will be okay," Bofur said softly, folding his wings over the back of the couch and sitting down next to Nori.

"What if he's not?" He turned and faced his friend, eyes searching for reassurance. "He doesn't use his powers for a reason! It's too hard on him!"

"He knew what he was doing. I'm sure he wouldn't have used them unless he knew he could handle it."

"He did it to save me!" Tears welled in Nori's eyes and ran down his cheeks. "He should have just let Bolg kill me. He should have let me die..."

"No! Don't say that!" Bofur pulled the thief into his arms, clutching him tightly and placing gentle kisses along his hairline. "Don't ever say that. Don't yeh dare leave me."

Nori buried his face in Bofur's shirt and held on like his life depended on it.

…

"The boy is powerful, Dís. Potentially more powerful than anyone else in the Company." Thorin sat at the table and stared at his sister intently. "They should have told us about his power! We could have used him!"

"That's precisely why they didn't tell us, lad," Balin said with a frown. "That child could be a weapon in the wrong hands."

"But we're at war here! Smaug is trying to kill us all! Surely we should use every tool at our disposal!"

"He's not a tool, Thorin! He's a boy!" Dís slammed her hand down on the table, causing her brother to jump. "What would you do if it were Fíli? Or Kíli? Ori isn't much older than they are. What would you do if it were one of them with a power that tore them apart every time they used it? Would you ask that of your own kin?"

"But it's not the boys! They have their own skills and powers..."

"I asked you a question, Thorin. If it were the boys would you ask them to use a dangerous power?"

"No," he sighed. "I wouldn't force them to do anything that I knew would hurt them."

"But they'd do it anyway," Balin spoke up. "Those boys would follow you to the ends of the earth an' then bury themselves beside your grave."

"I didn't ask for that loyalty. I didn't ask for this responsibility." Thorin lowered his head and rested it on the tabletop. "I don't know what to do."

Dís laid a hand on her brother's arm and squeezed it gently. "Let Ori make up his own mind. He knows his power better than anyone. He knows what he can handle."

Balin murmured his agreement and for once, Thorin didn't argue.

…

"If it were my power, I'd use it," Gloín said, cracking one set of knuckles. "Take whatever power you wanted, use it, and then throw it away."

Bombur frowned, "But it hurts him. Dori said it messes with his head and his body. Why would you want a power that hurt you?"

"Because you could be unstoppable if you figured out how to use it right!" Gloín waved a first at Bombur.

"I'm unstoppable once I get moving and I can tell you that it isn't always what it's cracked up to be. Once you get going it's difficult to tell who might get in your path and end up hurt."

Bifur tapped his hand on the table to get their attention. He made a few angry signs and then looked over at Loni.

"He says that if he could choose not to use his power, he would. He'd give it all up just to be able to speak again."

Bombur watched his cousin make a few more rough signs. "You're right, Bifur. Not all powers are a gift."

...

When Ori finally came-to, the moon was high in the sky and most of the Company was long since asleep. Only his brothers, Bilbo, Dwalin, and Bofur remained awake and at his side.

"Nori?" The boy cried out, struggling to sit up and open his eyes. "Nori?"

"I'm here, I'm alive!" He moved quickly to his brother's side and helped him sit up. "We've all alive."

Ori tucked his still injured arm tightly against his chest and whimpered softly. "He's still in my head."

"I know, but it'll be over soon. It could be worse... you could have me in your head again." Nori forced a laugh, trying at a joke that fell flat.

"I didn't want to use my powers, but he was going to kill you." His face contorted in pain and he curled around himself. "It hurts so bad..."

Dori moved to his youngest brother's other side and carefully stroked the hair back from his face. "It's all right, little one. I know it hurts, but you'll be fine."

"Bolg was so angry. And I was angry too. I am so tired of people underestimating me, but I can't do anything about it because my powers are horrible. I just wanted to stop Bolg from killing Nori, but it was so easy to use the powers once he was in my head."

"You did great. You stopped the bad guys and saved my life." Nori gave his brother a strained smile.

"I only touched him for a second, just enough to knock him out." Ori's lips curled into a slightly menacing smile. "Bolg doesn't realize how much power he has. There's a whole reservoir of electricity inside him that he doesn't even know about. I only took the smallest taste of it..."

"Stop that now, Ori," Dori snapped, trying to hide his worry. "You're confusing Bolg's feelings with your own. You're not power hungry. Focus!"

He blinked, his eyes clearing slightly. "I'm so sorry, Dori! I didn't mean it! It's difficult to focus... hurts..."

"It's all right, no one is upset with you. We just want you to feel better."

Ori let out a small mewling cry and curled himself into a ball. "It's like Bolg's feelings know they don't belong in my head and they're pounding at the walls, trying to get out."

"Just take a deep breath and let it work itself out," Nori rubbed soothing circles on his brother's back. "We're right here with you."

"Thank you," Ori whispered. Looking up, he suddenly realized it wasn't just his brothers in the room with him. "Oh no! No, no, no!"

"What's wrong!?" Dori asked, as the youngest Rill tried to scramble over the back of the couch in panic. "Sit still! Talk to us!"

"Everyone knows, don't they?" Tears ran unchecked from Ori's eyes and wiped at them with one of his gloves. "They all saw what I can do."

Bilbo nodded and slowly reached out to pat his friend's shoulder. "We don't care though. You're still you. Nothing's changed."

"Well, not nothing. I doubt anyone will be teasing yeh about yer gloves any time soon," Bofur said with a kind smile. "But what yeh do with yer powers is yer own business."

"Really?" Ori sniffled, a look of hope breaking through the fear on his face. "What if Thorin tries to make me use my powers?"

"He can't make you do anything!" Bilbo exclaimed. "Your powers, your choice!"

"But he's let me stay here. And I lied to everyone..."

"If he pushes you, just touch him once," Nori smirked. "Trust me, being knocked out and having your abilities stolen really sucks."

Ori sighed and rubbed at his forehead. "I think it's starting to fade. I'm glad I only took a little of his powers. I don't want to think about what would have happened if I'd have taken more..."

"It didn't happen, so don't worry yourself," Dori tutted brusquely. "We'll make sure you don't ever have to use your powers again."

"Thanks, Dori." He leaned into his brother for a hug. "I feel a lot better now. You should go get some sleep, you look exhausted."

"If you're sure you're okay..." Dori stood up and stretched out his shoulders. "I'll see you in the morning, little one. You know where I am if you need me."

Ori managed a smile at his brother, then peered over at Dwalin who had been sitting silently through the entire conversation.

Bofur took the hint. "Come on, thief, let's go out on the balcony an' get some fresh air. I need t' stretch my wings..." He pulled Nori to his feet and towards the door outside.

"Err, yes... I do believe I should get some sleep as well..." Bilbo stuttered, patting Ori's shoulder in encouragement before heading down the hall.

…

"You've not said a word since I've been awake," Ori said, his voice sounding tired and defeated.

"What would ya have me say?" Dwalin replied softly, breaking his silence.

"Anything." He wiped at a stray tear and leaned back against the couch cushions. "I was expecting you to be angry or hurt. I don't know how to handle the silence. I'd rather we just get this over with."

"Get what over with? What do ya think is going to happen?"

Ori heaved a shaky sigh. "We're sort of... together... But I lied to you. I lied about having powers and about why I wore gloves all the time and about everything."

"Ya lied about everythin'?" Dwalin cocked a brow slightly.

"Well, no, I suppose not. Really I just lied about the whole power thing..."

"When ya hurt yer arm Nori said ya wouldn't let Oín heal ya because ya were jealous of our powers..."

"Jealous of useful powers maybe." He let out a small, dejected whimper. "I just didn't want anyone to find out."

"What did ya think would happen if we found out? Besides Thorin wantin' to use yer powers."

"I thought everyone would be mad at me for lying." Ori paused and when he continued his voice was barely a whisper. "And you wouldn't want to be with me anymore."

Dwalin was out of his chair in an instant, kneeling before Ori and tilting his face up so they were eye to eye. "Why would ya think yer powers would make me not want ya?"

"You don't know what it's like not to be able to touch! I can hold your hand just fine with my gloves on, but I'll never know how your skin would feel on mine. I can't trace your tattoos with my fingertips. I can't know what it's like for you to kiss my palm. I can't properly touch you! How are we supposed to be together – to do all the things couples do – when I'm like this?!"

Dwalin blinked and sat back on his heels, clearly startled by the boy's passion. "The runes that drain powers are only on yer hands?"

"Up to my elbows. That's why I'm always covered up."

"So, the rest of yer body is fine? The skin is normal? There's no other secrets I should know about?"

"Well, no," Ori admitted, looking confused.

"Then keep yer gloves on." Dwalin said with a shrug and a grin. "There's a lot we can do without usin' our hands. And besides... I think I'd enjoy yer gloves against my skin."

Ori flushed deeply and bit his lip. "So you still want to be with me? Even though my power is horrible?"

"Nothin' about ya could ever be horrible." Dwalin leaned forward and captured Ori's mouth in a brief, heady kiss. "Once yer feelin' better I'll prove it to ya. But I think it'd be best if ya rested now."

"Stay with me?" Ori's gloved hand clasped tightly around the other man's arm. "Please?"

Dwalin moved onto the couch and leaned back, pulling Ori to lay down beside him. "I ain't goin' anywhere, lad. Get some sleep."

Ori relaxed in his embrace, his breath slowly evening out as he drifted off to sleep. Dwalin stayed awake long into the night, holding Ori close and hoping his presence would keep the nightmares at bay.

…

Out on the balcony, Nori and Bofur gazed down at the twinkling lights of the cityscape.

"Everything looks so peaceful," Bofur said softly, "It's hard t' believe that Smaug is out there somewhere wanting t' kill us."

"Well, believe it, birdbrain. Unless Dís' virus worked that dragon is gonna keep coming after us." He shivered in the cool night air.

Bofur shifted his wings, wrapping one around Nori to block out the chill. "I'm glad yer brother is all right."

"Me too. Though I hope he never has to use his powers again." He traced a finger over the downy feathers on the underside of Bofur's wing. "We keep coming so close to loosing everything. I don't see how anyone is suppose to keep living like this. It's too-"

"Stop talking, thief," Bofur murmured, then sealed his lips against Nori's own.

Nori leaned into the kiss, his fingers continuing to stroke over the soft feathers. He made a content noise deep in his throat, but when they broke apart he pulled back, looking nervous. "I, uh, I'd better go check on my brother..." He ducked out from under Bofur's wing and backed up slowly. "I'll see you later? Yeah?" Without waiting for a response he hurried back through the door, leaving Bofur alone in the darkness.

...

...

A/N: What did you guys think of Ori's backstory and power? A few of you guessed that his gloves concealed a very Rogue-ish power and you were right! Lucky for him it only affects his hands/arms. So far the good 'ship Dwori seems to be holding steady. But will it last under the strain of Ori's power? And what about Nori and Bofur? Did that kiss mess up their friendship? And how awesome is it to see Dis put Thorin in his place? See you guys on Friday- Same bat time, same bat channel!