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“Ack,” said Aredhel. “Grooooss.”

“I hope you’ve changed the sheets, is all.”

“Of course I have, you freak. I’m going to go drunk Skype Elenwë now.”

“We’re heading out,” said Celeborn, appearing from the back hallway with Galadriel hanging heavily off his shoulder. “I think Artanis needs some sleep.”

“Remind her we have coffee tomorrow!” called Aredhel and vanished up the stairs.

“C’mon,” said Celegorm, pulling Oromë upstairs after him. “Let’s test the structural integrity of my bed.”

“Hey, Coach,” said Glorfindel, who’d been sitting unobtrusively on the kitchen table. “Have fun.” He grinned. “I think alcohol has revised my comfort boundaries.”

“Good for you, G,” said Celegorm. “Now shut up.”

Oromë waved back helplessly as Celegorm dragged him off. “Um, good to see you, Glorfindel.”

“How drunk are you?” asked Maglor examining Glorfindel, who was chuckling and swinging his legs.

“Lots to totally,” said Glorfindel. “And I lost a toenail playing stump.”

“Okay,” said Maglor, “you’re not trying to get home like this. Come on, I’ve been told I have a very comfortable floor.”

* * *

In Curufin’s room, Finrod looked up as the last of the upstairs doors shut.

“I think the party is officially over,” he said softly to Curufin, who was perched on the bed with his laptop.

Finrod had been quiet ever since they’d gotten upstairs, but Curufin hadn’t minded, all too eager to put on his noise canceling headphones and work for a while with Finrod at his side.

“What’s up with you?” he’d asked at one point, when he’d looked over and noticed Finrod staring into space, his arms clasped loosely around his knees.

“Nothing,” said Finrod. “Just tired.”

Curufin had studied him a moment longer, but then there’d been another surge of noise from downstairs, and he’d ground his teeth and dropped his headphones back over his ears.

“Good,” said Curufin, now, kicking the blankets back and closing his laptop. “Then I can go to sleep.”

Finrod stretched out his legs, looking tired. He glanced over at Curufin. “Would you like me to go home?”

“No,” said Curufin, grabbing his pajamas from under the pillow and starting to wiggle out of his clothes. “You can stay, if you want.”

Finrod nodded, still looking distracted, and started to undo his belt. Before he got into bed, he seemed to pause a moment to take a breath and shake something from his shoulders. "I'm glad you don't mind me staying. I would risk falling asleep behind the wheel if I tried to drive home." He smiled, and the smile became genuine as Curufin flicked the blankets back and jerked his head once to beckon FInrod over.

"Good thing you're not going anywhere, then."

"It is a good thing." Finrod slid into bed next to him in just his tee-shirt and boxers, and Curufin turned over. As Curufin pressed himself close to the wall, he felt Finrod lay a light hand on his hip.

“Is this going to be comfortable enough for you?” Finrod murmured.

“Yes.” Curufin closed his eyes. I’m glad you’re here, he thought, but decided not to say it.

Finrod didn’t say anything else, but laid a soft kiss to Curufin’s shoulder before laying his head down on the pillow next to him. They only touched where Finrod’s hand met Curufin’s side, and Curufin quickly drifted off, more comfortable than he thought he'd capable of with another warm body at his back. Fast asleep, relieved for quiet and worn out by the day, he didn’t notice that it was a long time before Finrod’s breaths evened out and matched his own in sleep.

~*~

* * *

~*~

It was a rather subdued morning at Cuiviénen. Andreth was tucked away in an overlarge infinity scarf, so thoroughly swaddled they couldn’t even tell if she was awake. Amarië was pale and unhappy looking, with dark circles under her eyes. Galadriel was clammy and a little green around the gills, stirring her coffee mechanically but not sipping it.

Aredhel dropped her sunglasses down her nose and regarded her erstwhile friends. Despite having drunk the most the night before, she was by far the most alert of the bunch. “Okay, which of you bitches wants to start the debriefing?”

“Na’ me,” mumbled Andreth, retreating further into her scarf.

“Mmhmm. Amarië, you want to share why you look like someone kicked your dog? Everything okay?”

“Yes,” said Amarië miserably. “Everything’s fine.”

“Oooh, so convincing.”

“I don’t want to talk about it.”

“Artanis?” said Aredhel brightly, turning to her cousin. “Anything to add?”

“I’m unemployed, and I have to tell my dad I’m not planning on going to grad school,” said Galadriel unexpectedly, and then got up. “Do excuse me, I’m going to be violently ill in the bathroom now.”

“Well,” said Aredhel, shaking her head and folding her arms as Galadriel walked very fast towards the back of the cafe. “I take it this means our party was either a smashing success or an abysmal failure. I say, when it’s that hard to tell between the extremes, you’ve done something right.”

Amarië’s phone rang, and she jumped. She looked down at it. “Sorry,” she said, a flush rising in her cheeks. “I have to... I should…” She stood hurriedly and rushed out onto the sidewalk.

“Y’all are a shit show.” Aredhel looked at Andreth. “And you. Where’d you end up last night? You look cagey as hell.”

“Who, me?”

“What a turn of events,” said Aredhel, sighing. “That I am the least of the hot messes the day after a party. Hey, are you too hungover to take a picture? I need to commemorate this moment.”

Chapter End Notes

0. Glorfindel's shirt is a real, purchasable thing. In case you're interested.

1. [ETA] For a brief, indulgent look at the morning after at Casa Feanorion, trundle over to my Tumblr.

Some people call it crazy, I call it healing

Chapter Summary

How many chapters can be summarized by saying ‘people have conversations that needed to be had, sort of’? Add this one to the pile. Also includes Skype, unlikely heart to hearts, and Beleg honestly getting ready to shank a bitch.

Chapter Notes

0. One scene involves a frankish discussion of sexuality.

1. The Narn keeps being irresistible to me, goddamnit.

Mablung ran a comb through his wet hair, looked in the mirror, poked dispiritedly at his cowlick, and sighed. “I don’t know why I’m trying so hard,” he muttered. “He knows me, right? He’s not going to care if my shirt’s tucked in or not.” But he glanced down and tucked his shirt in, just in case. “Remind me why I’m doing this?”

“Shh,” said Beleg tersely.

Mablung turned around and tried hard not to sigh again, this time in exasperation. “How long have you been on the phone this time?”

Beleg wasn’t paying attention to him. He’d turned on his heel and was pacing back down the hallway of their apartment, phone pressed to his ear. “Yes – I told you, I got your number from a mutual friend, okay? I don’t care about you, no, I am not with the police, stop calling me a narc, I’m just trying to locate a friend of mine. No, wait, let me finish – ”

Mablung shook his head. Beleg had gone around the bend, as far as he could tell. Day in and day out, there was one thing on his mind, and as far as Mablung could tell, his obsession wasn’t affording him any progress. “At least tell me you’ve eaten today,” he said quietly, but Beleg ignored him.

“No, I’m going to keep calling until I get answers. I just need a way to get ahold of him, please. I told you – Túrin. With a T. Nineteen, dark hair, he’s an athlete, and – Túrin. That’s what I said!”

Mablung watched, pity rising. He would have lost his temper long ago, thrown the phone at something, and stomped off to make someone else’s life hell. But Beleg was endlessly patient.

Until now, anyway.

Mablung jumped as Beleg let out a cry of frustration and slammed his fist against the wall. “That doesn’t make any sense! Listen, you son of a bitch, if you don’t give me a straight fucking answer, I'm going to – Wait. What did you say? I don't und - But I told you, his name is… Okay, okay, I'm listening, hang on, let me get a pen.” Suddenly frantic, Beleg was casting about for something to write with. Mablung tossed him a pen from the counter next to him, and Beleg started scribbling on the wall.

“Oh, nice,” mumbled Mablung. “There goes my deposit.”

“I ask for…Say that again? And wait…repeat that name. You’re sure…you’re sure that’s what it is?” He listened, tracing the lines into the wall, and Mablung could see his chest rise and fall with several deep breaths. “Okay. Okay. Thank you. Thank you.”

Beleg hung up, his hand trembling, and Mablung craned to see what he’d written on the wall.

N E I T H A N

* * *

Amarië

Amarië, hey

Can we talk?

You left so quick last weekend.

I’ve been trying to get ahold of you

I thought when you answered my call the next morning it meant we had things sorted out

But you didn’t actually give me any answers

Amarië I’m sorry I’m blowing up your phone with all these texts

For like three days straight

I know I’m doing myself no favors

And yet here I am again. Day...four? Good morning.

This is about Findaráto isn’t it?

I get it, I do

He’s my best friend

He’s my cousin

He’s your ex

He’s my roommate, oh jeez

But

Ugh

I just want to talk to you

Hey Turno

HEY!

I’m sorry I didn’t get back to you sooner

It’s ok!

No, it’s not.

I was just being a coward, I guess

Ignoring things is easier?

But I don’t like ignoring you

Really?

Lol. Really.

I’m glad to hear that

I think I like you too much to just avoid you until you give up.

Oh, wow

…did I just say something really stupid?

NO

No amarie seriously I am so happy right now I am smiling like a freak

Ok I’m going to be really uncool right now

Do you just mean that like ‘oh he’s a nice person so I’ll be nice back’?

Or

Or.

aaah

Amarië I really want to ask you out

I think I want that too...

But I’m not going to lie I’m really scared I’m not ready for this

That’s ok

I haven’t actually done it yet!

I just … want to

Um

I hate that I’m about to say this and possibly mess everything up

But I need to talk to Ingo first

I figured.

I’m sorry!

No, it’s good. It’s the right thing to do. No sneaking around, right?

God. Yeah. No sneaking around…

Whatever ends up happening though?

I had a really good time with you last weekend

This is going to sound so dumb, but dancing with you was basically the highlight of the last nine months

That is SO pathetic sounding I’m sorry

No that’s actually really sweet :]

I liked it too

You’re a good dancer!

(I’m a better choreographer though)

HAH as if

You saw how hard I brought it

Yes, I did.

But I’ll cede you’re probably better on pointe than I am

Eh, probably

…shit

?

I REALLY want to ask you out

Oh god, Turno, stop being

mrrr

Stop being what?

Cute. It’s killing me.

Listen, I’m calling Ingo right now, ok?

No, that’s a lie, we live together.

I’m going over to his room now.

This is beyond weird.

Do you not want me to?

No.

No, I do.

Let me know how it goes.

I will.

And hey, if you’re lucky, maybe I’ll teach you that choreography later

Oooh, lucky indeed :D

Ttyl

(For the record, you’re really cute too)

BYE

-

Turgon flung himself up from his bed, dodged Ulmo Jr, who was stretched out on the floor with her feet in the air, and dashed out of the room. At some point halfway down the hall he realized his heart was thundering in his chest and his skin was itchy with nerves.

What are you afraid of? He’s your best friend. You’ve been best friends for 16 years. You went to elementary school, middle school, high school, and Hebrew school together. He’s the one you went to when Elenwë left you. He read your application essays. He threw up next to you at senior pub night. You share a guru, albeit a weird one who runs a bar and occasionally sells you peyote. He’s the one you tell everything. He's the one who knows you better than anyone, practically. He’s the one who…

...broke the heart of the girl you want to ask out.

This is so weird.

Finrod was at his desk, leaning his cheek on one hand and studying a syllabus with a weary expression. His eyes flicked to Turgon when he appeared in the doorway.

“Hey, Turno. Have you come to relieve me from thinking about the fall semester lesson plan?”

“Isn’t that Professor G’s job?” said Turgon, coming in and getting momentarily distracted.

“Olórin’s travelling, you know, for a change, and he asked me to take ‘a first stab’.” Finrod rubbed his eyes tiredly. “Didn’t the year just end? How am I cursing academia again this soon?”

“Isn’t the plan to be cursing academia for the rest of your professional life?”

Finrod groaned. “Oh god, you’re right. I’m starting to think Artanis had the right idea skipping the ‘grad school immediately after college’ thing. Anyway.” He shook himself and pushed away from his desk. “What’s up?”

“I…” Turgon’s heartbeat was in his ears again. “I had something I wanted to tell you. Ask you?”

“What’s that?”

“I want to ask Amarië out,” blurted Turgon, and involuntarily flinched back.

But Finrod barely reacted, just blinked and said, “Oh!”

“Yes,” said Turgon. “Um. I just, we’ve been hanging out a bit? And we caught up at the party last weekend, you weren’t there but – ”

“No, I was there,” said Finrod lightly. “Only in passing.”

“Oh. I didn’t know. I didn’t see you?”

“I know you didn’t.”

“What does that mean?”

“Nothing. Go on.”

“She and I just get along really well,” Turgon said weakly, “and I realize I really like her, and I want to…take her out. But you’re my best friend, and I know that she’s your ex and it might be…awkward.”

“Does she think it will be?”

“Well, yeah, of course, but she, she kinda seems to want to try anyway.” Turgon tried to fight back the amazed smile that had been wanting to spread over his face ever since Amarië had texted him back. “I mean, I don’t know if anything will come of it, but I don’t know unless we at least try one date.”

Finrod didn’t say anything.

“I honestly won’t do this if it’s not okay with you,” said Turgon, who honestly wanted to mean it, but was already preemptively resenting Finrod for his veto.

There was a pause.

Then Finrod tilted his head and turned the corners of his mouth up. “Of course it’s okay.”

“Really?” Turgon asked, taken aback.

“Really. It’s no problem.”

“Are…are you sure?” Turgon wasn't sure at all, but his brain was screaming at him to shut up and take yes for an answer already.

“Of course I am!” Finrod’s smile was very bright. “What right do I have to complain?”