you've already had a man who loves you. it seemed to you that this was enough, that he was a good option for you, but in return you were quite indifferent to him, you couldn't quite give him what he deserved, because you didn't think you were capable of having real feelings for someone.

but then Kili.

Kili with that eternal smile on his lips, childish and... funny, that just the sight of him was enough to make your heart beat faster and stumble in words, for him to joke about it:

"did you put water in your mouth?" or "the fish for dinner was so salty that now your tongue doesn't want to work?"

It wasn't about the damn fish, if only he knew.…

so when you went outside to get some fresh air, because Kili was laughing too loudly and your eyes were glued to him for too long, he followed you.

you sat down on a log where you had previously put out the fire.

he didn't even realize it was all his fault. you tried to escape from it, from him, but his hand touches your shoulder again, as if he's really interested in what's going on in your head.

"It's pretty cool in here when the fire is out," he says, as if you haven't noticed it yourself.

"I'll be back soon. you can go back inside."

"but I really don't want someone dear to me to freeze outside."

you're shaking a little in the wind. "I'll really be back inside soon. give me five minutes."

"five minutes is enough to get sick." he insists, "I'll just give you my cloak."

"no." your voice sounded rougher than you intended when your fingers tried to grab his cloak so he wouldn't take it off.

the next second, he just caught your hand in his palm, looking at you with an almost offended look.

"your hand is cold, but you said you weren't cold." Kili accuses you of lying.

you weren't listening to what he was saying anymore, just staring back at him for too long, mentally hoping that he wouldn't let go of your hand in his.