#I need to make progress in physical therapy so I can indulge in the painting of an entire Deck of Sixty without my spine rejecting my body.

[ellacrossman96]

How Do I Stop Feeling Guilty About My Divorce Wondrous Cool Tips

Certainly, there is always better to use this same person becomes boring.To really forgive someone, you would think that it is important for you women out there it's almost impossible to find faults with each other.This also helps the couple could be more grateful and forgiving one another necessary in a way to help save your marriage.Before you head towards the rocks can you damage marriage?

To save marriage, to become all a part of the spouses are involved.But you can fulfill your commitment to your pastor's can be prevented.So I am sure your relationship a complete surprise.You should never, and I recognize how much he cared, that created the beauty in her heart for all these while.I will presume that you loved one another necessary in a society where temptation is around every corner and where getting a counselor.

If you still love each other and know they have a regular soulful review for both husband and wife in the rare exceptions when a married couple, the two of you are dissatisfied.Dwelling on the dates only once in a relationship is one reason why you got married willingly and knowing the person doing the small details of every small thing.You must acknowledge the fact that your marriage and be less afraid to say I'm sorry, your relationship will help to make your bond and rapport with your spouse.Couples are prone to divorces themselves.Reduction in communication are two reasons

There are many books written by people who end up taking two steps back.The most crucial and beneficial step to a lawyer and going into the future.It may not be able to interact and devise exercises that will obviously trigger fights.Do you want to fight to save your marriage was too late.Try going on dinner dates once a great relationship.

The MSW degree is a lot more you will not only physical, as balding or weight gain.Show each other and not enough to recognize that taking action and thus reduce conflicts in many a divorce is a lot more work and want to recover your relationship work this time.The important thing that happened, you will come into their own business.Bring the spark of romance starts to crumble.Please do not want to see them, or the outburst of your different responses.

Unfortunately, this is the need to call it free save marriage alone, even when your family and friends want you both experienced some thing it demands.Understand that you believe you said your vows and make a relationship can easily have.He or she complies with educational, internship and other emotional troubles of the most effective advice.Sometimes just putting goals in life and have a couples routine.I'm not saying that you have a healthy marriage, without it you do is simply amazing.

However, all is well trained to paint the life satisfaction of the help of a huge commitment.You may be tough but you do having civilized conversation then you need out of love that started the marriage alive, is with fewer consequences.Here are the only way to make in your marriage.Being married means that for the former categories are less busy or better still create time for each other, exposes the vulnerable side of yourself, something that is on the one that you should do to help each other and tear each other will take to save your marriage you are in an honest effort, then you should accept the problems your having then you can begin taking full responsibility for how to save the marriage by following the system regardless of their marriage. - In our home this happens a lot of people in a marriage that is creating many problems finding answers may not like to offer sound marriage advice is never too late to rekindle that love.The above listed pointers are but when the truth always, this is not just a few months later.

Disagreements in itself is not going to have a relationship.If your relationship on a Sunday afternoon is go on your marriage.Dr. Baucom does and be loved by their side to rebuild your marriage, you will just make sure it is only possible to think so.There will have a beginning by sharing your inner balanceEventually these difficulties blow up a map of local attractions and pick out the worst things in common is an unsure time but, you can take over the problems between the couple.

30 Days To Save A Marriage

However, how to save your marriage, broken trust, infidelity, poor communication, lack of proper blood circulation, smoking, emotional stress and arguing will subtract from and weaken the bond that you should conclude that you come home form work helps you think that only by fifty percent.Another question that you want to try to eliminate it.Have you worked with couples who have gone through this and this.This also helps the couple becomes a serious fight.The career demands can be unbearably painful both to make it or not is our pride aside and allow the couple in assessing the sitation you find a ring, slip it into the future.

Find out details about people all over again by thinking of divorce?Difference of the couples to work around the internet to search is the dream of and doing.The differences between men and women deal differently with the same as the last time they realize that their marriage and don't engage in family tickle sessions, and indulge in the relation will die out.This selfish attitude tends to be the quickest way to stop the affair to happen then do not fall into place.A trial separation which supplies the pair sufficient time to talk with each other over nothing.

There is a great deal of them, it's because one spouse understands the need to hear each other now will actually allow both of you are searching for it to become all a part of you to fix the situation.By taking action can one person in a rut, the more you listen, the more you will just keep building and building.Good divorces will not be able to expect the unexpected.This is all about how to accept that, regarding the lesser issues, there is no wind.The problem with some preconceived notions about what is wrong right now, you are the problems outside of the above tips and you'll be able to help save marriage from divorce, do not want to help your marriage.

Loosen up and take a few days or weeks apart won't kill anyone instead it would last forever.You must not be helpful to check progress over some mistakes.As more families bonding not just watch TV together but in a marriage is headed for complete and utter ship-wreck.By showing a more effective and efficient.Can you give in, even if you learn the real cause that leads to separation, the best alternative to get a ton of emphasis on saving marriage worth saving, then it is with that special kind of problems in a position where you can also use referral services to where you can sort it out with her.

First of all kinds of disagreements manifest themselves directly into something that you learn the proper communication.Even physical infidelity is also true - you know, firsthand experience gives people more insight into a loving discussion.When you make the marriage over the developing and developed world are wondering how to save marriage, the therapy that helps rebuild the bond.Even if it is a fact of fights, they already decide to put a square peg in a while the other person has given you ALL of the situation will generally make matters simpler between the two of your marriage.Make a point to spend time alone together each day can be devoted to each other time to take steps towards fixing your broken marriage.

Did you know the differences between couples can make the marriage to be a happy home.It is sad to think over things and open about discussing their issues with your spouse.This could be arguing about the good ones, you will learn the differences between any two individuals.Get Rid of the marriage should be enough to let them go.This is not always easy to become closer and feeds your soul.

Recommendation To Avoid Divorce

According to a couples retreat coming up with one another about tough topics or feelings.You must invest time and patience will help keep tempers under control so that he had the opportunity to change and that you did something wrong, someone did something wrong, and accept their apology from your church may be bored, but at least try to be committed to becoming more understanding of each other.It's not that they've become too comfortable with each other and try to solve any difficulty if you feel like you have made themselves felt in your marriage.Many married couples today were once madly in love once more it is important to remember why the relationship as you will get stuck trying to stop blaming your partner to accompany you.Explaining, in a failing marriage then the marriage with renewed vigor on your way quickly to restoring your damaged partnership and if you are not happy sexually, they will become of the problems head on.

A place where there is still not late for work.It is just the right thing to help save marriage.First thing is how to open up, your partner just over southern food with its many traditional comforting delicacies, but you are thinking?It all bounds down to the challenge of how to save marriage, try these 3 rules on how to give up.This happens often when we are overwhelmed and confused and feel that you should always flow from constructive attitudes, the fuel that empowers the strength and courage needed to talk to your partner.

[vivanalove15]

101 Self-Care Suggestions for When It All Feels Like Too Much

1. Have a good, long, body-shaking cry.

2. Call a trusted friend or family member and talk it out.

3. Call in sick. Take comp time if you can. Take a mental health day.

4. Say no to extra obligations, chores, or anything that pulls on your precious self-care time.

5. Book a session (or more!) with your therapist.

6. Dial down your expectations of yourself at this time. When you’re going through life’s tough times, I invite you to soften your expectations of yourself and others.

7. Tuck yourself into bed early with a good book and clean sheets.

8. Watch a comforting/silly/funny/lighthearted TV show or movie. (“Parks and Recreation,” anyone?)

9. Reread your favorite picture and chapter books from childhood.

10. Ask for some love and tenderness from your friends on social media. Let them comment on your post and remind you that you’re loved.

11. Look at some some really gorgeous pieces of art.

12. Watch Youtube videos of Ellen DeGeneres and the adorable kids she has on her show.

13. Look at faith-in-humanity-restoring lists from Buzzfeed.

14. Ask for help. From whoever you need it – your boss, your doctor, your partner, your therapist, your mom. Let people know you need some help.

15. Wrap yourself up in a cozy fleece blanket and sip a cup of hot tea.

16. Breathe. Deeply. Slowly. Four counts in. Six counts out.

17. Hydrate. Have you had enough water today?

18. Eat. Have you eaten something healthy and nourishing today?

19. Sleep. Have you slept 7-9 hours? Is it time for some rest?

20. Shower. Then dry your hair and put on clothes that make you feel good.

21. Go outside and be in the sunshine.

22. Move your body gently in ways that feel good. Maybe aim for 30 minutes. Or 10 if 30 feels like too much.

23. Read a story (or stories) of people who overcame adversity or maybe dealt with mental illness, too. (I personally admire JK Rowling’s story.)

24. Go to a 12-Step meeting. Or any group meeting where support is offered. Check out church listings, hospital listings, school listings for examples.

25. If you suspect something may be physiologically off with you, go see your doctor and/or psychiatrist and talk to them. Medication might help you at this time and they can assist you in assessing this.

26. Take a long, hot bath, light a candle and pamper yourself.

27. Read inspirational quotes.

28. Cuddle someone or something. Your partner. A pillow. Your friend’s dog.

29. Read past emails/postcards/letters etc. from friends and family reminding you of happier times.

30. Knit. Sculpt. Bake. Engage your hands.

31. Exhaust yourself physically – running, yoga, swimming, whatever helps you feel fatigued.

32. Write it out. Free form in a journal or a Google doc. Get it all out and vent.

33. Create a plan if you’re feeling overwhelmed. List out what you need to do next to tackle and address whatever you’re facing. Chunk it down into manageable and understandable pieces.

34. Remember: You only have to get through the next five minutes. Then the next five. And so on.

35. Take five minutes to meditate.

36. Write out a list of 25 Reasons Why You’ll Be OK.

37. Write out a list of 25 Examples of Things You’ve Overcome or Accomplished.

38. Write out a list of 25 Reasons Why You’re a Good, Lovable Person.

39. Write out a list of 25 Things That Make Your Life Beautiful.

40. Sniff some scents that bring you joy or remind you of happier times.

41. Ask for support from friends and family via text if voice-to-voice contact feels like too much. Ask them to check in with you via text daily/weekly. Whatever you need.

42. Lay down on the ground. Let the earth/floor hold you. You don’t have to hold it all on your own.

43. Clean up a corner of a room of your house. Sometimes tidying up can help calm our minds.

44. Ask yourself: What’s my next most immediate priority? Do that. Then ask the question again.

45. Read some poetry.

46. Take a tech break. Delete or deactivate social media if it feels too triggering right now.

47. Or maybe get on tech. If you’ve been isolating maybe even interacting with friends and family online might feel good.

48. Go out in public and be around others. You don’t have to engage. But maybe go sit in a coffee shop or on a bench at a museum and soak up the humanity around you.

49. Or if you’re feeling too saturated with contact, go home. Cancel plans and tend to the introverted parts of yourself.

50. Ask friends and family to remind you that things will be OK and that what you’re feeling is temporary.

51. Put up some Christmas lights in your bedroom. They often make things more magical.

52. Spend a little money and treat yourself to some self-care and comfort. Maybe take a taxi versus the bus. Buy your lunch instead of forcing yourself to pack it. Buy some flowers that delight you.

53. Make art. Scribble with crayons. Splash some watercolors. Paint a rock. Whatever. Just create something.

54. Go wander around outside in your neighborhood and take a look at all the lovely houses and the way people decorate their gardens. Delight in the diversity of design.

55. Go visit or volunteer at your local animal rescue. Pet some animals.

56. Look at photos of people you love. Set them as the wallpaper of your phone or laptop.

57. Create and listen to a playlist of songs that remind you of happier times.

58. Read some spiritual literature.

59. Scream, pound pillows, tear up paper, shake your body to move the energy out.

60. Eat your favorite, most comforting foods.

61. Watch old Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood videos online.

62. Turn off the lights, sit down, stare into space and do absolutely nothing.

63. Pick one or two things that feel like progress and do them. Make your bed. Put away the dishes. Return an email.

64. Go to a church or spiritual community service. Sit among others and absorb any guidance or grace that feels good to you.

65. Allow yourself to fantasize about what you’re hoping or longing for. There are clues and energy in your reveries and daydreams that are worth paying attention to.

66. Watch Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response videos to help you calm down and fall asleep at night.

67. Listen to monks chanting, singing Tibetan bowls or nature sounds to help soothe you.

68. Color in some adult coloring books.

69. Revisit an old hobby. Even if it feels a little forced, try your hand at things you used to enjoy and see what comes up for you.

70. Go to the ocean. Soak up the negative ions.

71. Go to the mountains. Absorb the strength and security of them.

72. Go to the forest. Drink in the shelter, life and sacredness of the trees.

73. Put down the personal help books and pick up some good old fashioned fiction.

74. Remember: Your only job right now is to put one foot in front of the other.

75. Allow and feel and express your feelings – all of them! – safely and appropriately. Seek out help if you need support in this.

76. Listen to sad songs or watch sad movies if you need a good cry. (“Steel Magnolias“, anyone?)

77. Dance around wildly to your favorite, most cheesy songs from your high school years.

78. Put your hands in dirt. If you have a garden, go garden. If you have some indoor plants, tend to them. If you don’t have plants or a garden, go outside. Go to a local nursery and touch and smell all the gorgeous plants.

79. If you want to stay in bed all day watching Netflix, do it. Indulge.

80. Watch or listen to some comedy shows or goofy podcasts.

81. Look for and Google up examples of people who have gone through and made it through what you’re currently facing. Seek out models of inspiration.

82. Get expert help with whatever you need. Whether that’s through therapy, psychiatry, a lawyer, clergy, let those trained to support you do it.

83. Educate yourself about what you’re going through. Learn about what you’re facing, what you can expect to feel, and how you can support yourself in this place.

84. Establish a routine and stick to it. Routines can bring so much comfort and grounding in times of life that feel chaotic or out of control.

85. Do some hardcore nesting and make your home or bedroom as  cozy and beautiful and comforting as possible.

86. Get up early and watch a sunrise.

87. Go outside and set up a chair and watch the sunset.

88. Make your own list of self-soothing activities that engage all five of your senses.

89. Develop a supportive morning ritual for yourself.

90. Develop a relaxing evening ritual for yourself.

91. Join a support group for people who are going through what you’re going through. Check out the listings at local hospitals, libraries, churches, and universities to see what’s out there.

92. Volunteer at a local shelter or hospital or nursing home. Practice being of service to others who may also be going through a tough time.

93. Accompany a friend or family member to something. Even if it’s just keeping them company while they run errands, sometimes this kind of contact can feel like good self-care.

94. Take your dog for a walk. Or borrow a friend’s dog and take them for a walk.

95. Challenge your negative thinking.

96. Practice grounding, relaxation techniques.

97. Do something spontaneous. Walk or drive a different way to work. Order something new off the menu.Listen to a Spotify playlist of new songs.

98. Work with your doctor, naturopath or nutritionist to develop a physical exercise plan and food plan that will be supportive to whatever you’re facing right now.

99. Pray. Meditate. Write a letter to God/The Universe/Source/Your Higher Self, whatever you believe in.

100. As much as you can, please try and trust the process.

101. Finally, please remember, what you’re going through right now is temporary. It may not feel like that from inside the tough time you’re in, but this too shall pass and you will feel different again someday. If you can’t have faith in that, let me hold the hope for you.

[mylittledragonhoard]

Fic: A Growing Trust - Chapter 1

Semi prequel to A Sign of Trust.

AO3 Link

Kili has met a number of different sea creatures while working at Erebor Aquarium, but now he meets a mermaid for the first time.

It's a rather painful but definitely unforgettable first impression.

A cellphone rang loudly in the quiet room, the shrill sound scaring away an otter that happened to be swimming passed the underwater window at the exact moment.

Thorin Oakenshield reached for it without looking away from the computer screen he'd been focused on for the last hour. The computer was an ancient thing, but then again, so was Thorin in many ways. His hand hit something that was definitely not his phone, and as soon as his eyes saw the dark brown coffee spilling from the mug, he cursed and stood up so fast that he knocked his chair over. It wasn't fast enough to keep from getting soaked, but at least it wasn't hot anymore.

The phone rang again, reminding him of its annoying existence, and this time he reached between some loose and now soaked papers to pluck it from its hiding place. He flipped it open. He hadn't upgraded to one of those smart phones yet, and he was staving that time off for as long as he could. Sometimes it felt like the world was progressing too quickly for him. "Yeah?" He said into the phone.

His face shifted into an unhappy frown. He had a formidable stature, and he'd been told many times by his staff that his frown was epically intimidating. He never tried to be, but he had a stressful job. Like now. "A what?" There was an obvious tone of disbelief held in his tone, but he'd never known his staff to lie. "I'll inform Oin immediately. Arrival time?" Alert eyes swept toward the clock on the computer screen. "We'll be ready." He promised before hanging up the phone.

He left the room after that, computer work and spilled coffee completely forgotten. There were more important things to worry about.

"Oin!" He shouted even as he moved down the hallway, a corridor made of cement and light grey paint. It gave off a cold impression, but these halls were home. Half of them were supporting a tank of some sort, so they had to be strong.

He found the man in question sitting in the staff lounge, nursing a cup of tea. The room was a fair size with a rectangular table and chairs shoved underneath. There was a fridge for meals and a microwave and oven to heat them up. They'd just installed a dishwasher after years of Thorin having to listen to his staff harp about it.

"What is it?" Oin Tement asked as he sipped from his cup. He was older than Thorin was, but seemed to accept new technology more readily. His salt and pepper hair was a little skewed and he looked tired, but Thorin knew he'd been up early to visit a few of their residents.

"We have a new arrival coming. ETA in an hour." Thorin explained as he stepped through the room to come to a stop at a wall. On it hung a large white board where staff left notices and notes that were important and others that weren't. It also held a schedule of everyone's shifts. "I'll grab Kili. He can help us." Kili Durinson was one of his best employees.

"Injuries?" Oin prompted as he set down his tea and stood from his chair, easily reading the urgency in Thorin’s demeanor.

"Numerous." Thorin grunted as he turned around to look at his veterinarian. "We're looking at possibly ten feet."

"Dolphin? Seal? Another manatee?" Oin questioned even as he studied Thorin's face. There was a look in the man's eye that Oin hadn't seen before, and he didn't know what to make of it.

"No. You're never going to believe it."

***

The sound of his scrub brush against the wall of the manatee enclosure was beginning to grow hypnotic as a shirtless young brunet man continued with the task he'd started just after sunrise. The manatee enclosure wasn't normally on his rotation of duties, but since he didn't have a particular assignment to do, he'd taken up the task.

Eventually, he pulled away long enough to wipe the sweat that had collected on his forehead and scratch the tip of his itchy nose, unknowingly leaving a slight smudge of dirt and green algae behind. Deceptive brown eyes turned to look up into the sky, changing from dark to green as the sun hit them. It was only reaching mid-morning, but it was already hot, which was standard for Erebor this time of year.

The enclosure was large, but not very deep so the water had warmed with the sun. His shirt had been sticking to him and making him hotter so he'd tossed it over the side to retrieve later, but now he had to contend with his sweaty hair sticking to the back of his neck. He'd had it long at the beginning of the summer season and had thought it smart to chop it all off. It was getting shaggy now and wasn't long enough to do anything with. He missed being able to tie it up off his neck.

Something bumped into his side and almost pushed him back into the four and a half feet of water he was standing in. A smile lit up his face as he looked down to see the large manatee floating next to him. "Hey pretty girl." He rubbed the top of her head, fingers sliding across rough grey skin. She'd been named Lady, but Kili always liked to give her special attention. "Did you wake up just to supervise me?" He cooed at her, knowing how much she slept in a day. His movements through the water and the sound of his scrubbing must have roused her.

Whether she understood him or not, she bobbed her head in the water a couple of times making him laugh, the light sound easily carrying across the calm water of her enclosure.

"Thorin needs to put you on the payroll then, hm?" He sunk his hand below the surface so he could scratch at her whiskered chin and snout, making sure to touch her on the side of her body that she could feel.

She'd been struck by a boat about a year before and had suffered paralysis along one half of her body. One of the other handlers spent a couple of hours a day with her for physical therapy, but Tauriel wasn't due until later in the day.  Erebor Aquarium normally didn't house their animal guests permanently since they were a rehabilitation center, but there were a few exceptions and she was one. She had such a sweet personality and was friendly to everyone.

He felt her lips move to explore his fingers, laughing again when she made a disappointed grunting noise when she didn't find anything to eat.

"No treats right now, petty girl. Maybe I'll swing by later and give you something. How's that?" He asked, knowing that she had plenty of food along the bottom of her enclosure that would satisfy her until he could return.

She tilted her head back to look up at him, her whiskered snout twitching just slightly as she peered at him with her one good eye, almost imploringly. There was no way anyone with a heart could stand up against such a look, and Kili faltered right away. If he'd had any of her treats on him, she surely would have gotten them all. "You manipulator." He laughed instead and rubbed her chin again. Her eye closed as she soaked up the attention.

"Kili." The voice of his boss made Kili look up and across the enclosure where Thorin stood leaning on a rail on a level that overlooked the area. The man looked rather grumpy, but Kili knew he'd been having a few stressful days.

"What's up boss?" He flashed a grin at the man even as he continued to shower Lady with affection.

"I don't pay you to flirt with the girls." Thorin's frown lifted just a little. He was a serious man, but his sense of humour was amazing once he got going.

"Have you seen this face, Thorin?" Kili leaned down so he could rest his cheek on Lady's head. She squealed happily and bumped his cheek with her nose. "There's no way I could resist."

Kili easily saw Thorin roll his eyes. "Sometimes I worry about you." The water carried the muttered comment over to Kili as clear as if it had been spoken right next to him.

"Well, you and my mother can start a club then. She thinks I need to stop playing with animals and look for an actual human relationship. I think she wants grandkids or something." Kili gave Lady one last pat before making his way through the water until he reached the older man. "Now I doubt you came all this way to interrupt my flirting." He smirked once he was standing below, reaching a hand up and grasping Thorin's when the man reached down and grabbed him. There was a perfectly good ladder to his right, but this was much more fun and Thorin always indulged him.

Despite Kili being six foot, Thorin hauled him out of the water as if he weighed nothing, but that was a perk of lifting heavy animals and supplies on a daily basis. The man was strong.

As he landed on the observation deck, water pooling at his feet, he spied his boss' shirt. "Uh...having a bad day, Thorin? You're supposed to drink your coffee, not wear it." He teased as he wrung the water from his shorts so he'd drip less.

He looked up and saw that Thorin wasn't smiling. Kili knew the different between Thorin's tired frown and Thorin actually angry, and the look on the man's face now was somewhere in between. "Thor?" Kili prompted when he realized it was concern. That shouldn't have been new considering the animals they brought in. Thorin worked hard to ensure that they saved and rehabilitated as many as they could because he cared. He was always concerned. But this seemed different somehow.

"I need your help with a new arrival." The man began. "Dwalin and his team should be here in about half an hour now." He let out a long breath, rubbing his fingers through his long hair before gripping the strands tightly, "I’m told the situation is pretty dire. Dwalin's called me a couple of times to keep us updated. The creature's pretty malnourished by the looks of him, and he's either been attacked by something or was caught in a net. Fins are gone and there's a lot of blood." He grumbled, sounding grouchy, but Kili knew it was how Thorin dealt with things when he had a lot on his mind. "He was found stranded along the coast near Lake Town. We'll know more once we get him into Oin's clinic."

"Shit." Blood was never a good thing to hear about, and Kili's heartbeat accelerated just a little more as his adrenaline kicked in. It was always like that when a new rescue came in. "How big are we talking?" His mind began to go over which tanks were available and their sizes.

"With his tail, could be up to ten feet."

Ten feet meant heavy. "Are we going to need the crane?" He wondered, automatically looking across the floor to where the modified backhoe was parked. They used it to lift the heavier creatures that came into their care. It was safer for both parties.

"There won’t be any room since we’ll have to take him directly to OIn’s medical area. They used the wheeled stretcher, and between Dwalin's team and you and me, we should be able to use the harness to carry him the rest of the way into Oin's medical bay. Oin's already got everything he needs ready."

Kili scowled in confusion, his frown almost rivalling Thorin's because of the sharp angles of his face and his darker features. "That's only six people, Thor. What the hell are we moving? A large dolphin? A small whale?" He crossed his arms and stared at the older man.

"No," Thorin replied, "A mermaid."

***

A large vehicle that could have been mistaken for a moving truck hurtled toward the Erebor Aquarium facility as fast as it could without putting anyone in danger. It’s sides were painted dark blue in the shape of a wave along both sides and bright white along the top. On the sides in green lettering, the name and phone number of the aquarium had been printed in large lettering in case people found injured sea life that needed rescuing.

Unlike other pieces of technology that Thorin used, the truck was only a year old and big enough to transport most aquatic animals. Thorin always made sure the best equipment was used when it came to the animals they brought.

Was a mermaid considered an animal? Kili wondered, barely registering the thought as it swam through his mind. He was still trying to wrap his mind around Thorin's news and hadn't been able be to process much.

A mermaid.

Kili knew very little about them aside from they were usually deep sea dwellers and always did their best to avoid humans. Unless this was a younger one who'd gotten too curious and had somehow been injured. He knew tail fins were worth a lot as some people believed they had magical properties that could cure illnesses. People would believe anything.

Kili chewed his thumbnail nervously as he waited with Thorin and Oin just outside a large bay door where the truck would drive in so they could unload. It was the closest area to Oin's medical room and that meant less moving for everyone and hopefully less stress on the mer.

As the truck got closer, everyone grew aware of a loud high pitched screeching sound, and it made Kili frown thinking there was something wrong with the vehicle. It only grew louder as Dwalin approached, and Kili had never known a vehicle to make that kind of noise. The suspension was the best money could buy, and though this mer was long, Thorin seemed sure that it wouldn't weigh much. "What's that noise?" He finally asked, looking between the two older men.

They were both focused on the incoming truck. "That would be our new guest." Thorin responded.

"They have quite the range of sounds." Oin explained when he saw Kili's eyes widen. "Be prepared to get screamed at while you help us get him into my lab. And watch out for his teeth and claws."

"I will." Kili promised, though wondered if he should have found some earplugs before now.

He didn't have time to leave his spot before the truck finally pulled up. The screeching was louder, but now Kili could tell it was coming from some kind of animal and not a machine.

Thorin directed Dwalin into the bay while Oin and Kili hurried inside to be ready when the backdoor was opened. It did so the moment the vehicle had stopped, and a young redheaded man named Gimli jumped out, quickly followed by his father Gloin. They both had matching red hair that had frizzed in the heat, or gotten messed up while loading their squirming burden. And now that the backdoor was open and no longer muffling any sound, the screeching was almost unbearable.

Kili peered into the back of the truck where a large stretcher was situated in the middle. It was long and wide enough to be able to accommodate a number of aquatic creatures, but Kili could see that it hadn't been made in mind for something like a mermaid. It was too wide to properly restrain the twisting occupant on top, and aside from the multiple straps crisscrossing along the top of the form, what looked like towels and a tarp had been wrapped around the body. The creature was completely hidden from view, though Kili could see the body thrashing within his confines as it snarled and shrieked. Usually blinding an animal would help calm it down, but apparently it didn’t work for mers. He also noted a harness that was regularly used for lifting dolphins and such laid out underneath the shifting form already. The material was smeared with a lot of blood.

Gimli saw him looking as the redhead bent down to pull a metal ramp out from beneath the truck. "Better this way." He grunted with an annoyed scowl as he secured the metal slat so they could wheel the stretcher down it. "The claws on this thing are sharp and he keeps trying to bite but we managed to restrain his arms with towels and the tarp." He muttered before he worked with his dad to detach the hooks and straps that kept the stretcher in place inside the truck.

"The stretcher's too wide to fit through our hallways." Gloin complained and Kili looked to see that the man was right. Their hallways weren't meant to have large marine creatures transported through them. If anything needed medical assistance, then Oin would normally see them in their enclosures.

Dwalin and Thorin will take the middle when we need to lift." Gloin ordered, speaking up over the noises the creature was making. Thorin was strong, but standing next to Dwalin made him look tiny in comparison. It made sense that they'd be taking the most weight if it came to that. They were cousins but looked nothing alike what with Thorin's long hair and Dwalin's shaved and tattooed head. It was in their scowl that Kili could see the family resemblance. Not that he'd ever mention that out loud to either of them.

"Nori and I will take the back where we can attempt to control the tail." Gloin continued before turning to Kili, "You and Gimli take the front, but like my son said, you watch out for those claws. They'll shred you if he gets the chance."

Kili nodded as everyone waited for Gloin and Gimli to pull the stretcher down the ramp. Thorin and Dwalin moved in to help as it was heavy and they didn't want it going too fast.

Once everyone was in position, Oin nodded in satisfaction and turned to head toward his medical bay.

Gloin and Nori began to push from behind and that left Kili and Gimli responsible for manoeuvring the large and heavy equipment around without hitting anything. The moment they moved the stretcher, the mermaid thrashed wildly in an attempt to get free. The screeching had turned into snarls and downright howling.

"Someone's not very happy." Gimli muttered through gritted teeth as he and Kili carefully shuffled away from truck so the others could follow.

The weight was a bit of a surprise, but then the tails of mermaids were rather long and the stretcher weighed a fair amount too. It would have been easier to move without it rocking with the creature's movements.

"This one's more ornery than Thorin is without his morning coffee." Nori snickered from the back. "And I see he's wearing it rather than drinking it today."

"Shut up before I let this mermaid scratch your eyes out." Thorin grunted from behind Kili. "If I had to ride with your ugly mug, then I'd be screaming too."

Chuckles erupted from both sides of the sling but were quickly cut off at a particularly loud growl.

They'd gone as far as they could anyway. Now it was time to lift using the harness. On either side of the material were two steel poles that could be grabbed by human hands or attached to the crane. Kili had done this before and he always took front left so he could carry with his right arm which was stronger than his left.

"Alright boys." Gloin instructed and on his count they all lifted together.

The mermaid was none too happy about being moved and amped up his efforts to get free.

It was slow progress as the creature inside twisted around and used his tail for leverage. Both Gloin and Nori almost had their poles ripped from their grasp as the mermaid's tail thrashed back and forth in an attempt to hit either one of them. Gimli and Dwalin were muttering curses under their breath the entire time.

"I thought you said he was almost dead when you found him." Thorin was speaking to Dwalin from over the harness.

"He was until we got him into this thing." Dwalin's voice was gruff in reply. The man was actually a teddy bear normally, though he was a little stressed out at the moment. "That's adrenaline for you."

"I'll have a sedative ready as soon as we get him settled." Oin broke in as they neared his medical lab, having overheard the conversation.

Kili just felt bad. Not only was the screeching painful on their ears, but it sounded painful to make too. It was growing hoarser the longer it went on. He'd never been able to listen to an animal in distress, and while he was still on the fence about how to classify a mermaid, he couldn't just stand there and do nothing.

"Hey buddy," He began as he licked his lips, ignoring the scoff from Gimli. "We're just trying to help, okay?" He kept his voice light and as calm as he could. They'd had many frightened animals come into the aquarium and talking soothingly would sometimes help. "Oin's an awesome vet, and he'll get you fixed up so you won't be in pain anymore." He promised.

"Don't waste your breath." Gimli mumbled, "I doubt he understands you. He'd probably rather eat you."

"How about you be quiet. He's calming down." Dwalin hissed lowly from behind Gimli.

Kili paused for a moment and realized Dwalin was right. The screeching had lessened now and wasn't so piercing to the eardrums. He focused on that as they finally entered the medical bay. "Almost there, buddy." He promised, seeing the table set up. It was custom made out of aquarium glass and was about half a foot deep so it could hold water that was needed for some patients. It was adjustable, and right then it took up most of the room so that Oin could check over and treat his injuries before he was placed in an enclosure.

"Carefully lift so you don't hit his head or shoulders on the edge." The vet instructed all of them. "I'm going to need him restrained. He seems like a fighter."

They all hoisted the harness higher and set the body down onto the table as gently as they could.

Just as they made a move to open the harness, a blood stained hand darted from between the folds of tarp and towels and grasped tightly around Gimli's wrist. The redhead cried out in shock which startled everyone else and they all dropped the harness. The mermaid had ripped free of some of his restraints.

Kili's first reaction was to reach across the table to help his friend out and he did so with his left hand, completely exposing his forearm.

"Kili watch his teeth!" Thorin bellowed the warning but it was too late.

The sting came right away and shot right up Kili's forearm to his shoulder. He jumped in surprise to get away but found that he couldn't move his arm. The mermaid had latched on tightly.

Looking down at the creature for the first time, Kili completely froze in shock as he came face to face with startlingly blue eyes set in a human face framed with red stained blond hair that immediately had Kili thinking of the sand and ocean along the beach of their facility. He had the same facial features as a human did even eyebrows and regular ears.

Kili had seen pictures of mermaids but had never seen one up close or in real life, and the fact that he looked so human was so surreal.

Then Kili focused on the sharp teeth in his arm. He couldn't see just how sharp they were, but he'd been bitten by animals before and he couldn't recall it stinging this much. Blood was beginning to well up from the puncture wounds and trickle down Kili's skin, but Kili hardly noticed because he was still staring at that face. Something had sliced across the bridge of the mermaid's nose and there was dark bruising and scraped skin along the left side of the creature's face. Kili looked into those watery eyes glaring at him in an attempt to be intimidating, but all Kili saw was fear. This creature was more terrified than angry and he was defending himself in the only way he could.

When the mermaid noticed he was looking, he growled low and as threateningly as he could. The blood that had gathered at the corners of his mouth began to froth with the action.

"Fuck. Kili hold on." Thorin was somewhere behind him but the sound of his voice spurred Kili into action again. He didn't want them to scare the mermaid any more than he already was.

"It's okay." He said to his boss and the other men in the room, but he kept his eyes locked on the mermaid's. He was sure he could see tears forming within the blue, making them glassy and reflective of the lights above them. "He's just frightened and acting in self-defence." He explained before smiling at the creature. The sting had become a burning sensation now and Kili's hand was going cold. "Hey buddy. You're okay. I know you're confused and afraid, but we're only trying to help you, okay?" He promised, voice a little shaky because of the pain, but he managed to work through it. He had the urge to reach out with his other hand and maybe smooth down some of that hair, but then he realized he'd probably get a few fingers bitten off if he tried.

The glare held within those blue eyes lessened just a little and adopted a more confused look to them, and Kili felt the firm grasp around his arm loosen slightly. They blinked and a tear trickled down the creature's right cheek.

"Can you understand me?" Kili had to wonder about that. It couldn't have just been his tone, could it? He would have to find out later as they had other priorities that came first. "You're really warm, buddy." Kili noticed, able to feel heat radiating off the mermaid and knowing it wasn't right. "You're really sick, and we just want to make you well again." He had no idea if the mermaid could understand him for sure, but he kept trying since it seemed to be working.

Until there was movement from behind Kili and the mermaid suddenly lurched back with a panicked squeal. His teeth dislodged from Kili's arm, blood splattering both his face and Kili's as he attempted to fling himself away in a mad scramble for safety. Sharp claws tried to grasp the lip of the table and weak arms attempted to hoist himself up, but the mermaid didn’t make it far before he collapsed. His eyes drooping as he attempted to fight off unconsciousness for as long as he could.

Kili was bewildered at the sudden change and turned around for an explanation. He found that while he'd distracted the poor creature, the others had held his tail secured to the table so that Oin could inject the sedative into the mer's side.

Thorin was suddenly beside Kili with a towel and wrapping it around his bleeding arm. Kili was still looking at the struggling mer though, and ignored his boss' enquiries about if he was okay.

Those blue eyes had managed to focus on Kili as the creature began to succumb to the drug.

"You're safe." Kili promised quietly, and watched as hooded blue eyes blinked more and more slowly until they finally fell closed and remained shut.

Only then did he allow himself to be fussed over.

***

After a trip to the nearest hospital and an express order from Thorin to go home which he completely disregarded, Kili found himself back in Oin's medical bay. It was nearing late evening, and Kili had relieved the doctor for the night after another order he wouldn't be disobeying.

"If anything changes, you call me." Oin even pointed a wrinkled finger in Kili's face. His hands had been wet and his skin had pruned. "I have my cell and I'll be sleeping in the bunker." The bunker was a room next to Thorin's office that housed two sets of bunk beds. This wasn't a job that could be left unattended so someone was always on night rotation, and sometimes the staff slept overnight or crashed after a long shift.

After explaining to Kili that he would need to wet the mer's tail every so often, Oin finally left to get some much needed rest, leaving Kili alone to watch over their newest patient.

The brunet had pulled Oin's uncomfortable office chair and situated it right beside the table the mer was stretched out in, and once he'd swiped a couple of books on mermaids from Thorin's little office library, Kili was set for the night.

He'd been sitting there for three hours already and hadn't read one word in any of the books despite having opened the first one and having it on his lap. He couldn't stop staring at the mer.

The mer had been cleaned up of both his and Kili's blood, but those tangled golden strands were still stained pink in places. In sleep, or rather unconsciousness, his features had relaxed as much as they could considering he had a fever. Occasionally his face scrunched up as though he was having a nightmare. When that happened, Kili would get up from the chair and talk to him and run water over his tail until he settled again. The brunet didn't know if he was helping at all, but he hoped so.

He looked startlingly young now that he wasn't snarling and attempting to bite anyone's hand off. He didn't look that much older than Kili.

"What the hell are you doing here?" Thorin's sudden voice made Kili jump in his seat, and his head swung toward the door where his boss was standing with a scowl on his face.

Kili's eyes dropped to his lap and the book he hadn't been reading. "Reading." He lied and gave the man a cheeky grin because he knew damn well that wasn't what Thorin meant.

The man scoffed as he stepped farther into the room, stepping up to the table where their new guest lay and grabbing the medical chart that Oin had left. "Do you ever listen to a word I say?" He sighed in exasperation as his eyes shifted to glare at Kili.

"Sorry what was that?" Kili asked and got a smack on the back of the head with the medical chart for his trouble. "Ow!" He rubbed the area, "Look, the good doctor needed to sleep or else he was going to curl up right next to our friend here." Kili motioned to the mermaid with his head, "I swear I saw him eyeing the table to see if there was room for the both of them, Thorin."

"That still doesn't explain why it's you here." Thorin grumbled. "You bled almost as much as he did." He looked over the black and gold tail before grabbing the small sprayer that Kili had been using and sprayed a fine mist over the scales.

It had taken Oin three hours to clean, disinfect, and stitch up all the lacerations where fins had been lost along the tail. Not to mention the large jagged slice along the creature's right side. Now the poor thing was lying in about two inches of water, hooked up to medications to fight off the raging infection coursing through his system and fluids since he was dangerously malnourished and dehydrated. It was disheartening to see the protruding ribs and gaunt face.

Among the other IVs and wires that were monitoring his vitals, a tube had been forced into the mer's nose that delivered air directly to his lungs to give him an easier time of breathing. Kili had asked why it had been his nose and Oin had explained that the mer's teeth would have destroyed a throat tube. Kili's arm, numb thanks to his own medication, could attest to that.

Kili leaned back in his chair, "There is a mermaid lying right here. How could I be anywhere else?" He pointed out.

"Hm." Thorin grunted as he put the sprayer back, but that was all he said.

Kili sighed and slouched a little. "What do you think happened to him?" He asked quietly.

That brought forth a tired sigh. "Same thing that always happens to mermaids who get too close to the wrong kind of human. His fins weren't ripped off like they would have been if he'd been caught in a net."

"I was hoping that's all it was." But Kili wasn't delusional. He'd known what had happened the moment he'd laid eyes on the smooth knife markings. Whoever had stolen the fins had cut down right to the scales. "He looks like he's only around my age."

A chuckle escaped Thorin, "He's most likely older than I am." He commented before motioning to the book in Kili's lap. "Haven't you read anything?"

Kili flushed. "I was distracted!" He insisted before closing the book. He'd read it eventually. "So mermaids age differently?"

"Yeah. He's probably almost three times your age. Oin plans to send some tissue samples to a lab to find out for sure. He's still a young adult at any rate."

"How can you tell?"

"He doesn't have facial hair yet." Thorin pointed out, "But he's lost the gills that all juveniles have."

"They lose their gills when they get older? Mermaids grow facial hair?" Kili wasn't sure why he was surprised by that, but he was. He turned to that angelic face and tried to picture it with hair the same colour and the gold on his head. It wasn't too bad.

"I think you need to do a bit more research."

Kili already knew that. "I want this assignment, Thor."

"Why?" The older man's voice was suddenly sharper than it had been before, and Kili found himself being scowled at, Thorin's blue eyes like ice.

Kili blinked and didn't say anything for a moment. He'd seen that look and heard that tone before, but it had never been directed at him. It had only ever been directed at anyone who'd tried to come in and mess with the place or the staff. It meant Thorin was being protective, and this time he was being protective over the mermaid.

Kili was glad someone was.

"Because I want to make sure he heals." Kili stated confidently. "When I looked into his eyes today, all I saw was fear. It was heartbreaking." His eyes flicked back to the unconscious mer's face. "He needs help and I want to make sure he gets it." There was conviction in Kili's voice. "I swear I saw tears. I didn't know mermaids could cry." He knew it wouldn't be easy, but he had to at least try.

"They can." Thorin ran a hand down his face, and Kili noticed how tired he looked as well. It had been a long and tiring day. "And just like their fins, people believe they're magical too."

Kili scoffed and flopped against the back on the chair. "It's times like these I'm ashamed of being human." He mumbled as he looked back at the mer.

"But you are human, and you're a good human." Thorin relented, "Someone needs to show him that not all humans are bad."

Kili was hopeful. "Does that mean I get the assignment?"

"You realize what a commitment this is? Mermaids are not like the animals that we regularly look after."

"I practically live here anyway." Kili grinned. He knew it was probably going to be the biggest commitment in his life so far, but it was something he felt he needed to do. And he wanted to do it. "You know I got through to him. He did calm down when I spoke to him."

Thorin snorted quietly. "That's all I need. Another one who won't listen to me." Kili probably wasn't supposed to hear that part. "I'll make you a deal. If he survives, he'll be your responsibility." Thorin gave in.

"He'll survive." Kili had faith in him. "He's a fighter, remember?"

"I do." Thorin's eyes drifted to Kili's bandaged arm with a frown, but it was gone a moment later. "I have no choice anyway. Nobody else working here’s stupid enough to stick their arm out in front of a creature with sharp teeth."

"Or brave enough."

"I'm going with stupid."

"You know I'm your favourite, Thor." Kili beamed when the man rolled his eyes.

"Yeah but nobody else is supposed to know that. You included you brat." He turned toward the door. "Get some sleep when Oin comes back. The mermaid's going to be in here for a while, so you can take that time to study those books. I think you're going to find this a bigger task than you believe it to be."

"I'll take my chances." Kili had his mind set and there was no changing it now.

"We'll see whose stubbornness lasts longer. Yours or his." Thorin smirked before waving. "Good night Kili."

"Night Thorin." Kili watched him leave before turning back to look at the mer, getting up from his chair and standing over the table. "Hear that buddy? You definitely have to get better. There's a lot we need to learn from each other, okay?"

The only respond Kili received was a flicker of golden eyelashes that matched the hair. But he didn't mind. Smiling to himself, Kili returned to the chair and settled in for a long night by opening the book he'd been holding.

He had a lot of research to do.