Hearing and seeing people die was something he seen daily. Though it was more hearing than actually seeing. Either way, one with a light stomach could not handle the job he had. One had to be strong and not get attached. But Thranduil did. They all always did but the man, Thorin, was one he worked with for a long time but never actually met. With both of them always working, he blamed that.Â
   Paramedics were at the scene within a minute of the accident and the ear piece was cut off. He did not want to hear what they had to do or hear if he did not make it. Getting up from his computer, he rushed outside and just took in the night air.
                                   That was three days ago.
   It was the first time ever seeing him in person. Sure, a picture on a file gave him what to imagine but it was nothing like seeing him with his own two eyes. Too bad it was not on better terms like him in a nice suit and at some party or them meeting at the office by some chance. No, instead it was with the man with a bad wound and in the hospital. The doctors told they he would live which was good news but he would be on bed rest for a week or so.
   Hours had ticked by as Thranduil sat on the floor, laptop on his lap and plugged into the wall. He wasn’t just going to sit there and do nothing. He had to work and he did promise their boss he would get some stuff done if allowed to stay. He hadn’t realised he had woken up until he heard a voice causing his head to look up. Quickly, he was on his feet though was soon back to sitting with the chair next to him. “ Well, I’m…I’m the man in your ear. Thranduil if my name. ” He stated with a small smile. “ You had an accident. The vehicle didn’t come up on the radar and well…now you’re here. ”
accident. vehicle. it was all a bit of a blur, but the pain, he definitely remembered the pain. but NONE OF THAT mattered, not in that brief moment at least. thorin’s eyes moved over the other man, scanning, almost to make sure this was real. not just thoughts in a comatose mind. NO. this was real. and this was him. he knew that voice-- he knew this wasn’t a trick.Â
although everything in thorin was on red alert-- and although he had the natural instinct to REJECT the explanation and assume the worst had happened and he had been taken-- he knew it wasn’t the case. or maybe he just WANTED it not to be the case. it was far nicer an idea to simply be awake, safe, and finally meeting the man who had been in his ear for such a long time now. far nicer than the thought that he had been shot and taken hostage-- and that this was just part of the game.Â
“sorry i--” again, he shifted, attempting to sit a little more comfortable. thorin licked dry lips, swallowing thickly as his eyes narrowed on the man before him. “i know it’s you. i’d know your voice anywhere,” a hint of a smile may have played on his lips here, but thorin’s mind still felt somewhat foggy, “i just-- give me a moment to catch up.” his hand came up, rubbing at his eyes as if it might clear it.Â
one. two. three. four. five. thorin counted his breaths, tapped each finger as he did. only then did he look up again. “i’m sure you can understand. waking up somewhere unfamiliar after being shot-- and in our line of work? it’s a bit unsettling.” now, a smile did emerge and thorin took a much longer look over the man, head slanted ever so slightly.Â
“did you wait by my bedside? how sweet.” he teased lightly.Â
