Before war (18+)

<3

"Legolas, being afraid is not something you should be ashamed of being. I am too. I can promise close to everybody here are, and those who are not, are foolish."

Aragorn stood a few feet in front of him, shielding him from being seen from the doorway. They were in Rohan, separated from the people preparing for war, by a simple wall. His heart was pounding in his chest, but not for the reason one might think.

"I am not afraid of war Aragorn." Legolas spoke softly, swallowing. "I am not afraid of death."

"Then what scares you?"

That voice was so kind, like he genuinely wanted to know. Legolas knew he did, as that was how Aragorn had always been. He could only sleep at night knowing the people around him were doing alright, and Legolas admired that. Himself had grown up being raised to be a leader, cold, and not to show emotions. He was not like that, thankfully, but Aragorn was even more kind than he was, no matter how hard he tried. Aragorn was just an angel.

"Losing one I care about." He struggled to get the words out. His fingers fiddled at his sleeve, hoping in vain Aragorn wouldn't notice. He knew he did, however. Those eyes saw everything, down to his deepest emotions, no matter what walls he put up. The man could read him like an open book. "Watching someone I love fall, and not being able to prevent it."

Aragorn nodded, eyes full of emotion. He almost looked like he wanted to cry himself, and Legolas could not blame him. The sound of war preparation raged around them, making him more anxious by the minute.

"Aragorn..."

Aragorn was patient, waiting for him to gather his words, which was harder than he had ever thought. He took a deep breath. War was coming, and he had no more time for games."The thought of losing you..." He couldn't stand meeting Aragorn's gaze and looked away. "You won't." Aragorn assured him. "We will always have each other's backs."

"We will." Legolas agreed. "However, words weights on my heart."

"Tell me."

The thought of losing Aragorn made Legolas want to cry. He would lose him one way or the other tonight, and he would prefer the way where he was alive. If this confession made him leave, at least he was alive.

"I care for you." He said, and his heart felt like it stopped beating for as long as it was quiet.

"I know." Aragorn nodded before giving him a small smile. Legolas admired his face at that moment and felt his stomach twist when he met the man's gaze. "I care for you too, surely you know."

"I...I..."

"You do not have to explain, Legolas." The man said softly, and it felt like the world made a bubble around them, where the sounds became less important, and just the two of them mattered.

"I can not imagine a world without you."

"...and I can not imagine one without you, mellon." (Friend)

Disappointment hit Legolas right in the chest, and he looked down, trying desperately to hold his walls up. He would not let Aragorn see as he could see his confused look. He refused to meet it. He had been foolish to hope, he realized. Aragorn was a man of honor. He would never love another elf, a man at that. He had learned his lesson with Arwen.

Instead, Legolas took Aragorn's face to give him a soft kiss on his forehead. It was all he got, and he savored it. Had he looked at Aragorn's face he would have seen the realization dawn on the man's face.

The beard tickled his palms, and he found wanting to feel more. The man was warm, despite the cold, and Legolas felt the comforting smell of the man he had felt in their youth when they had hugged more than they do now. He found himself missing those old days, in days of war.When he turned to leave Aragorn called his name, almost urgently. When he turned around the man was closer, and he met his gaze. Aragorn must have seen the surprise on his face, for he smiled. A warm hand touched Legolas cheek, and before he realized it he leaned into it. It felt too nice not to. Aragorn once more had that warm look in his eyes, and Legolas wanted to drown in them.