#norki

Fili had always said that one day Kili’s idiot behavior would get him in trouble, that his need to “be the hero” would get his teeth kicked in by someone who didn’t care if he was the little Exiled Prince of Erebor. Kili knew it, too, he just didn’t think it would happen so soon.

Yet here he be, backed against the dirty ally wall with a gaggle of unsavory looking dwarfs advancing on him. 

He should’ve kept his head down. Should’ve kept walking when he saw what looked to be a fight of sorts escalating down the street. He should not have taken to account that it looked like three against one and that the one was not going to get out of this unscathed, if even alive. He should have, but Kili was rarely known for doing what he should. 

He glowered, looking around. The other dwarf he came to defend wasn’t even there anymore, darted as soon as the thugs were focused on Kili. He growled in frustration and stared down the dirty looking dwarf in front of him, who laughed unkindly.

"Looks like th’ little Hero’s all alone," the dwarf cooed, tossing a blade between his hands and leering at Kili. "Nori ain’t much of a Damsel in Distress, is he?" He grabbed Kili by the collar, knife shoving up against his neck and Kili tried to hide the rising panic in his stomach. "Now to teach this ugly lil face a lesson bout puttin his nose in other people’s business-"

Kili squeezed his eyes shut, waiting for the blow. What he didn’t expect was the weight of the dwarf suddenly ripped off him and the sounds of grunts and bodies thudding to the ground. He opened his eyes to find the three dwarfs, unconscious, and the one from before standing over them.

The dwarf- Nori- grabbed Kili’s hand and tugged him forward. “Come on, before they wake up. ” before kili could respond, they were running, ducking in and out of streets and only stopping when Kili’s eyes watered and lungs stung. He leaned on his knees, taking deep ragged breaths and ignoring the presence next to him until he spoke.

"That was pretty stupid of you. "

Kili glanced up, glaring at Nori who looked cool and collected and like he didn’t just get out of a fight. “You’re welcome.” Kili snapped, and Nori snorted.

"What exactly should I be thanking you for? Almost getting yourself killed?"

"For saving your life!"

Nori hummed. “I had it under control. “

"Sure you did. "

"You don’t know me, kid. Trust me, this was child’s play. "

Kili huffed, sagging onto the wall behind him. “Whatever. ” They went silent for a Moment, looking at each other. Nori broke eye-contact first, stepping away from the way back to the market.

"You should go home. Those three won’t sleep forever, and they aren’t gonna be happy if they see you around. "

Kili frowned. “What about you?”

Nori smirked, and kili pretended he wasn’t blushing. “Don’t worry your pretty little head about me. Like I said, I got it under control. ” Kill couldn’t help but roll his eyes, but stood and started to walk past Nori, who gave a dramatic bow that kili couldn’t help but smile at. Before he was out of reach, Nori grabbed his arm, causing kili to pause and look back.

"…Thanks. I shouldn’t be saying it because technically I saved your life," He ignored Kili’s indignant squawk,"but not everyone would be stupid enough to try and help a total stranger, so, ye, thanks." He kept his hold on Kili’s arm, looking over the younger dwarf’s face in a way that made Kili’s blush return at full force. He grinned, a small secretive thing, and let go. "Just don’t try it again. I may not be there next time watching your back."

Kili nodded, the urge to say or do something stupid, like kiss him, violently stamped down. He had enough of rash decisions for the day. “I’ll see you around.”