#bain x reader

High.

High up from the ground is what you were.

You found yourself atop a crane, one towering over the bank you and your crew were robbing, but the scene of bloodshed below wasn’t what had you paralyzed up in that tower.

Thought your feet were planted firmly against the metal surface, you felt light, as if you were going to faint. Yet at the same time, you felt like your weight could break the one thing that kept you from falling.

Looking down at the ground far below, you could feel your stomach churning with fear. You shakily brought your hand to your mouth, as if you were going to throw up, but you couldn’t even seem to do so. You were so afraid that a single movement would cause you to fall to your death.

Everything, the sounds of guns firing rapidly, the metallic scent of blood, and the sight of cops dropping like flies, it all started to fade into a gaussian blur as you failed to try and bring your hand to the zipline that would bring you back to the safety of lower ground.

All seemed like static, like you were stuck in an endless void of fear. It was overwhelming. You couldn’t seem to grip onto that zipline, your couldn’t seem to take a step off of the platform, what was merely a simple task for your fellow heisters, seemed like a burden to you.

It was only when you could hear your name being called through your earpiece. Not Sydney, or Jacket, or even Wolf. His voice pierced through the blanket of terror you found yourself wrapped in, blinking as you finally registered him.

Bain.

“[H/N]! Get your head back in the game! Get down there and help them!” He shouted, causing your stiff form to start trembling ever so slightly. You brought your hand up to the zipline, your fingers barely grazing it before you pulled it back in a burst of panic.

“I- I can’t-” You managed to choke out through tears, your words starting to pile up in your throat like a clogged sewer pipe. Your legs were unstable, feeling ready to fall to your knees at any moment, but terrified of doing so. You felt that if you let your knees hit the platform, you would break it and plunge to your doom.

Suddenly, the chatter from the other three heisters went mute as Bain spoke up once more, this time in a much softer tone:

"Hey, hey. [H/N]. Listen to me."

You closed your eyes, holding onto one of the cold metal supports that held the crane up as you tried to focus solely on Bain's voice.

"I'm going to count from three. Grip onto the zipline, and when I say one, just jump, okay?"

"O-okay..."

"Now, hold onto it. Don't let go."

As your eyes fluttered open, you did your best to avoid looking down at the roof below you, your gaze focused on the zipline grip that you were now holding on to.

"Three."

You squeezed your eyes shut, you grip tightening along with it.

"Two."

You inhaled sharply.

"One!"

You pushed your weight off of the metal platform using your legs, holding your breath as the harsh wind blew through your hair and clothes. It was only a matter of seconds until you felt that breeze coming to a slow.

You were still holding on, terrified, but it was only when Wolf managed to tug at the medic bag that was slung across your body did you manage to open your eyes. Looking down, you realized that your feet were able to touch solid ground, and so you let your weight meet the rough roof surface, letting out a shaky exhale of relief.

Legolas liked when Bain came too because he loved seeing your eyes light up brightly as the young man spoke to you

Eventually, he would send you to meet with them on your own

(Not before he trained you with a blade, of course)

One day, you’re waiting and Bain arrives, alone in a smaller boat than what you’re used to

“I thought I was to meet you for a delivery?”

“Da’s to be here tomorrow to meet your brother”

“Then what are you doing here?”

He pulls out a basket, a red hue spreading across his cheeks as he smiles

Your heart fluttered at the sight and you found yourself seated on a small blanket as your shared a meal with him

That night, you realized you’d fallen hard for the curly haired young man

You’d go on dates as often as possible, always a secret, with only Legolas ever knowing where you really were when you told your father you were out training

One day, you arrived home from a date to find your father waiting in your chambers

“You will not see the boy again”

You’re stunned and heartbroken all at once

You try to argue but he won’t hear a word of it

“My daughter, princess of the realm, will not pledge her life to a lowly human boy”

That is the last conversation you have with Thranduil

You still try to sneak out to see Bard but you find yourself always being accompanied (read: watched) by a member of your father’s guard

Your brother tries but even he can’t get you out from underneath the guard’s watchful eyes

Until the dwarves show up

And everyone is distracted

As everyone else is caught up with capturing Thorin and company, you slip away, making your way to Laketown

You find Bain in the marketplace and you both are overjoyed to be together again

He sneaks you to his house to meet his sisters, because his house is being watched

The two of you can’t keep your hands apart, as though linking your fingers will prevent him from being away from you again

His sister mentions that he should tell Bard about the house being watched

He promises he’ll be back soon, pressing his lips against your still entwined fingers before he leaves

His older sister Sigrid keeps you company while he’s gone. “He talks of you often. It’s nice to see my brother so happy”

He’s back before you know it, Bard following closely behind and quite surprised to see you

The dwarves are even more surprised and suspicious about your presence, thinking Bard has betrayed them

“I have no interest in the petty arguments of my father, Master Dwarf”

They’re still wary of you but have more to worry about

You stay with Bain while the dwarves leave to continue their journey

When Kili and the others return, you try to help but are interrupted by the orcs’ attack

Blades drawn, you attack the creatures, protecting Bain’s sisters

Tauriel and Legolas arrive in the midst of the scuffle, finishing off the rest of Bolg’s group

Your brother is not as surprised to see you as Bard was

“I’m glad you took the opportunity presented to you”

He’s sad though because he knows you won’t go back home

“I will be sure to see you again, (Y/N)” he leaves to track the orcs, unphased by Kili’s pain

But Tauriel stays and together you heal the young prince

And Bain is in awe at the skills you possess

He doesn’t have long to appreciate it though before everyone is packing up to leave, hoping to avoid the dragon’s fury

As the fires rage around your little boat, Bain notices his father atop the bell tower, shooting arrows at the enraged beast

Bain bites his lip, his eyes burning deeper than the fire surrounding you before he pulls you in and kisses you fiercely for the first time

“I love you, (Y/N)”

And he jumps out of the boat, slipping away from your outstretched hand

Tauriel stops you from following, leaning down to whisper to you as she notions to the humans in the boat

“You can help him by protecting them”

You snarl at her, unable to see reason as you watch him continue into the fire

Sickened, you couldn’t turn away from the blaze, even after you lost him in the smoke

It took Smaug dropping out of the sky to shake you from your daze

You wrapped your arms around Bain’s younger sister then, hoping to quell the ache in your heart at not knowing whether or not the man you loved was alive

When you made it to land, Legolas found you as you bid goodbye to the dwarves

He hugged you, thankful that you were safe

You stayed with the girls until you saw them take off through the crowd and followed to find Bain standing beside his father

He didn’t have a chance to move before you were wrapped around him, his hands finding your sides to pull you closer

“I love you too!” You knew the words were garbled through your tears but Bain understood

You kissed him then, lacing your fingers through his dark curls

Legolas waited for your reunion before making his way to you

“You make your way to the mountain”

You smiled at your brother, “you don’t”

“I ride north. I will find you when I return”

He faced Bain then, a glint of protection is his eyes

“You have her heart, young Bargeman, I suggest you keep it well”

Bain nodded, squeezing your fingers “I will treasure it always”

It wasn’t an easy life here on the lake, it was cold and often cruel, taking his mother when he was still far too young, but he wasn’t sure whether he could see life any other way, and while he always promised himself that he’d do everything his father did and more, a part of him was terrified of trying to live up to those expectations.

Bain jumped quickly and quietly over several boats and it was as he landed that he found himself pausing, thinking he heard a sound. Worried it was the guards, he quickly ducked into the shadows, but as he stood there, straining his ears, he realised it was something else.

Someone was crying.

This wasn’t the usual crying that could sometimes be heard behind closed doors, no, this was different, filled with fear, and very much out in the open.

Against his better judgement, Bain followed the sound and soon come around the corner to find you huddled up into a small a ball as possible, tears streaming down your cheeks.

Bain gives a quick look around, but found the streets empty bar the two of you, and he approaches carefully, crouching slowly in front of you.

Your eyes went wide and you scoot back into the wall as much as you can, looking half terrified.  “Stay…stay back!”

He holds up his hands in what he hoped was a calming manner. “Easy, it’s alright, I’m not going to hurt you.”

You sniffed, trying to stop the tears.  “Who…who are you?”

“My name’s Bain,” He said quietly, not breaking his gaze away from yours.  “Are you alright?  Are you hurt?”

Shaking your head, you wrap your arms around your knees and shiver and Bain quickly realises that you have very thin clothing on, as if you’d just been thrown out on the street.

Given the state of the town, he wouldn’t be surprised if you had.

He gives what he hopes is a warm smile.  “What’s your name?”

“Y/N.”  You gave a small squeak, shivering.  “I’m cold.”

Bain nods and slips his own coat off, ignoring the bite of cold against his skin, and holds it out to you.

You stare at him for a moment before slowly taking the coat and slipping it on, wrapping it around yourself.  “Th-thank you.”

“That’s no problem,” Bain looked you over carefully, just to make sure that you definitely didn’t have any injuries, but is quick to meet your gaze again, it dawning on him that you weren’t much older than him.  “Can you walk?”

“I don’t want to go anywhere.”  You said it quickly, fear returning to your gaze, taking Bain back a little.

“Hey, it’s okay, you don’t have to be scared, I promise.” Bain gives another smile.  “But we can offer you shelter for the night?  Get you out of this cold?”

You sniff again, and while Bain’s coat was warm, it was nothing against the chill that had already settled in your bones.  You try and return his smile as best you can, realising that he was offering you safety for the night.  “Scared?  I'm bloody terrified!”

Bain gives a small chuckle at this and holds out his hand.  “Come on, we just have to be quiet, okay?  We can’t let the guards hear us.”

Not wanting that either, not after what had happened, you nod in understanding and take his hand, letting him lead you through the streets.  Luckily, you didn’t encounter anyone and you were soon making your way up some stairs into what you guessed was Bain’s home.

“Bain,” His father’s voice greeted him worriedly.  “I was starting to wonder what had-”

He’s stopped by the sight of you and Bain is quick to stand a little in front of you.  “I’m sorry Pa, I didn’t have much of a choice, I couldn’t just leave them out there in the cold.”

Bard’s expression is worried, but kind.  “That’s alright Bain, come on, both of you over here by the fire so you can warm yourselves up.”

Bain lead you over and got you seated in the closest spot to the fire, looking relieved as he sees the heat starting to return some colour to your skin.

There are footsteps and Bard hands them both a bowl of stew.  “It’s Y/N, isn’t it?”

You took a grateful bite, your stomach hurting now that warmth was returning to your body. "Yes sir.”

Bard just nods and remains silent, taking a seat as well.  “You are welcome to stay here, for as long as you needed.”

The look in his father’s eyes told Bain all he needed to know, that something terrible had happened to you, but at a small look and shake of his head, Bain knew that his father would explain further later.

Bain’s attention went back to you as you drained the last of the stew from the bowl, and gives you a warm smile as you meet his gaze, looking a little happier now, even after whatever you had been through.  “It’s safe here, that’s all that matters.”