The Mis-Adventures of Orophin and Rumil: Oops!  We did it Again

"You'll never guess who I bumped into in town!"  Rumil exclaimed at exactly the same time as Orophin shouted, "They're going out again!"  "Who?  What?"  They both cried, and then burst into fits of giggles.  "This is silly, Rumil.  You go first."  "Okay.  I saw Erestor in town.  He's back from his holiday.  Honestly, you’d never believe he's just spent a month in the Bahamas - he's as pale as ever.  Your turn."  "They're arranging another date.  Haldir and that man.  I heard him on the 'phone earlier."  "I thought you were happy for our brother, Orophin."  "I am, sort of.  I mean, I'm glad Haldir is happy, but you remember what happened the last time - he swore he'd never get involved with a mortal again.  I don't want to have to pick up the pieces again."  "So it's not because you don't like Severus then?"  "Well...not entirely.  Although I must admit, I enjoy seeing him squirm around me."  Orophin gave a wicked chuckle, remembering the first time he'd met Severus.  He had found the man asleep on their living room floor and had immediately grabbed his bow and arrow.  Severus had awoken with a very sharp, pointy stick aimed at his heart.  Since then, he'd been very wary of Orophin.  "But I suppose we'd better be nice.  Haldir seems intent on pursuing a relationship with him."  "Perhaps we should get to know him.  What are they doing this time, Orophin?"

After some persuasion, Haldir had relented and was allowing his brothers to come along on his date with Severus, but only on the condition that they behaved themselves and left after one drink.  Since they were going out anyway, Rumil suggested meeting Erestor for a few drinks.  Erestor had been thrilled with the invitation.  "I would love to meet up.  We have so much to catch up on and I would love to see Haldir again.  It's been such a long time and I was very fond of him."  Erestor was given the address of the pub and the time to meet them.  "Don't you think Haldir might be a little upset with us inviting along his ex, Rumil?"  Orophin had asked.  Rumil replied that he thought Haldir would be just as thrilled to see Erestor as Erestor would be to see Haldir.

Haldir sat with his two brothers waiting for Severus to arrive.  "Remember, you two promised to behave," Haldir hissed at Rumil and Orophin as Severus made his way to their table.  Rumil, eager to show his brother's new friend that he had nothing to fear from him and Orophin had jumped up to buy Severus a drink.  Orophin on the other hand couldn't help but snarl at the man.  He leaned over towards Haldir and quietly whispered, "I don't like him.  He looks very shifty looking."  After a short time of trying to make polite conversation, Erestor arrived.  He kissed Rumil and Orophin's cheeks, and then embraced Haldir.  Haldir didn't look quite as happy as his brothers had expected, but the put that down to nerves.  They decided to stay for another drink, which turned into another and another.

Erestor had started reminiscing.  Orophin and Rumil listened to his stories, laughing along with him.  When he told the one about the pink blancmange, the feather boa and the stuffed penguin, the brothers exploded in such mirth that they were left gasping for breath.  In fact, they were so focussed on Erestor and his tales; they failed to notice how uncomfortable Haldir was growing.  Nor did they see the look of disgust that had crept over Severus' face.  Neither noticed anything was amiss until Severus stood up, yelled at Haldir and walked out on him.  Orophin and Rumil looked at each other, then at their crestfallen brother.  "I don't think this was one of our better ideas."  Rumil whispered to Orophin.  "We are sorry, brother."  Orophin blushed, filled with shame.  He and Rumil left the pub.

"Think we'll be going home, now?"  Orophin nodded.  "Perhaps we should try to hail a taxi."  This time Rumil nodded.  The pair waited in silence and when a taxi passed, they hailed it.  "Can you wait just a minute?  There is at least one other."  Orophin asked the driver and sure enough, at that moment Erestor came through the door leading Haldir.  They got into the taxi and immediately began kissing and groping.  Rumil gave the driver the address then he and Orophin spent the journey alternately glancing at their brother and shaking their heads.  "He will regret this, Rumil."  "So will we, Orophin.  I think we made a huge error of judgment tonight and as soon as Haldir comes to his senses, he'll make us pay."  Rumil replied grimly.  The taxi drew up outside their block of flats.  Rumil paid the driver while Orophin scampered up to their flat.  Rumil told the driver to keep the change and hastily followed his brother up the stairs.  They hurried into their bedroom and shut the door.  They heard Haldir enter the flat - alone - and slam his bedroom door.  Orophin turned to Rumil.  "I think we've well and truly fucked up this time."  "Yeah.  We have."

The end