Prompt: "I think I'm in love with you and I'm terrified." - This is set in Gondolin after Maeglin had recently left his father. Also blatant disregard to Maeglin/Idril bc I felt like it.
Glorfindel's first impression of the young elf was sweet and earnest. Maeglin didn't seem to understand how to interact with others, but was eager to learn and always polite. He was quick-witted, and beyond his dramatic entrance involving the deaths of Aredhel and Eol, he made no trouble whatsoever.
Maeglin and Glorfindel did not speak much, at first. They knew each other through King Turgon, but did not interact outside of court situations. A good deal of the Lords of Gondolin judged Maeglin's pale complexion and several tattoos, and there were whispers about his father. Glorfindel neither engaged nor prevented these things, choosing to silently observe.
Their first personal meeting was quite ironic. Glorfindel shone like the sun, and Maeglin was pale as the moon, so it was only fitting that they met under starlight. Glorfindel had been working late one night, and decided to end the evening with a stroll through the starlit paths of the lower city. Halfway through his walk, Glorfindel had observed Maeglin exit a working-class house with a small smile on his lips. Several children crying "Farewell!" after Maeglin could be heard, along with a parent hushing them.
Glorfindel observed the rare smile on Maeglin's thin lips, and the bounce in his step as Maeglin turned in Glorfindel's direction. Neither of these had ever been present when Glorfindel had observed Maeglin in court.
"Good evening, Prince Maeglin." Glorfindel greeted Maeglin.
Maeglin's head jerked up and his smile tensed. "Good evening, my lord."
As Maeglin made to walk past Glorfindel, Glorfindel made a spontaneous decision. "Would you mind if I accompanied you?"
"I reside in the King's house." Maeglin answered. Glorfindel paused to consider this. It did not sound like a refusal, more like Maeglin was thinking of convenience.
"I would not retract my offer on those grounds." Glorfindel was careful to keep his tone light. He did not understand why, but it felt important that he did not scare off this young ellon.
Maeglin nodded, seeming to be searching for something to say that would break the awkward silence.
"How is your work in the forge coming?" Glorfindel remembered Rog had mentioned that the youth enjoyed metal craft.
"Good." Maeglin nodded and pursed his lips, looking to the side and shrugging awkwardly.
"That's good." Glorfindel wasn't sure what to say next, and he was beginning to doubt that Maeglin wanted to talk to him.
"I could show you something I've made, if you like?" Maeglin offered after a moment of hesitation. Glorfindel frowned, slightly taken aback by how personal Maeglin's offer was.
"I would love that." Glorfindel responded without thinking his words over, then internally cursed himself for how eager he had sounded.
"I have a few finished projects in my room, if you would like to accompany me?" Maeglin glanced at Glorfindel from out of the corner of his eye. Glorfindel's heart thudded in his chest. Between two adult elves, Maeglin's statement could easily be interpreted in another way. Even though Maeglin was of age, he was still younger than Glorfindel and the King's nephew.
"Perhaps tomorrow? It is quite late." Glorfindel countered. "I would enjoy seeing what you have made, and if you are open to it, we could dine together afterwards?"
Maeglin relaxed, perhaps having been worried after thinking over his previous words. "That is quite agreeable, my lord. Shall I seek you out?"
"I will be finishing a meeting in your Uncle's house around 10:30 on the veranda."
"Then I shall find you." Maeglin turned to Glorfindel and flashed him a smile as they stopped by the gates to Tugron's private property. "I thank you for the company, my lord."
"It was an honor, my prince." Glorfindel tipped his head to the brunette. They paused for a moment, before Maeglin averted his eyes and turned to walk through the gates. Glorfindel was left to stare after him, not quite sure why his heart rate was elevated and his cheeks warm.
A full year and a half later, and shared lunches were a bi-weekly occurrence, as well as almost daily dinners. These dinners led to late night walks in the garden, the late hour serving to the further loosening of their tongues. The topic had somehow landed on Glorfindel's orgins.
"I was born and raised in Valinor." Glorfindel had offhandedly mentioned the two trees, and Maeglin had turned to him eyes wide with excitement and curiosity.
"You saw the trees?! Were they truly as magnificent as they say? Is that why you glow?" Maeglin bounced in front of Glorfindel, forcing him to stop walking.
Glorfindel was struck with a sudden fondness for the ellon. "They truly were magnificent. Yes, I suppose I do glow. However, in the moonlight, your skin shines magnificently as well. I daresay you would have rivaled Telperion."
Maeglin looked shocked for a second, then doubtful. "Truly?"
"Of course. You are very beautiful." Glorfindel was suddenly aware of how close they had become. He could see every detail of Maeglin's eyelashes, every silver flare within dark chestnut eyes. Their height was not so different, Maeglin reaching up to Glorfindel's eyes.
Maeglin turned away sharply and took several steps forward. Glorfindel was struck with an acute feeling of loss.
"Maeglin?" Glorfindel rushed to catch up with his fellow lord. "Is everything all right?"
Maeglin turned around, his face blank. "Of course. I thank you for the wonderful time you showed me this evening. Have a good night." Maeglin began to walk away once more.
"Maeglin!" Glorfindel ignored the ache in his chest at the abrupt dismissal, instead pulling on his knowledge of communicating with others. "Is there anything I said that I should avoid saying in the future?"
"No, you have done nothing my lord. I am simply tired." Maeglin shifted his weight from one foot to the other, and nodded to Glorfindel.
"Alright, is there anything can do to make you feel more comfortable right now?" Glorfindel used the low, soothing tone he would have used to calm a spooked horse.
Maeglin's hands shook where he held them hesitantly in front of himself. His lips parted silently, and he stood frozen, staring at Glorfidel. Glorfindel stepped forward slowly, keeping his hands in view and his steps even and measured.
"Maeglin, is it okay if I touch you?" Glorfindel asked, aching to comfort. Now in front of Maeglin, Glorfindel still received no response.
Maeglin's eyes were clear as he stared at Glorfindel in a mix of helplessness and desperation. Glorfindel cautiously wrapped Maeglin's still shaking hands with his own. The pale elf's breathing only sped up, and Glorfindel frowned in concern. "My friend, what ails you?"
Maeglin whimpered and pulled away, stumbling backwards and falling into the grass. "I'm so sorry, please don't torture me any longer, my lord! I can't take it."
Glorfindel straightened up in alarm. "What do you mean? How have I caused you harm? I assure you, it was not intentional!"
Maeglin bit his lip, gazing up at Glorfindel with intense, tear-filled eyes. "It is no failing of yours, I-I'm sorry."
Glorfindel gulped, worried by Maeglin's distress. He knelt next to the brown haired ellon, pulling Maeglin into his arm's. Maeglin sniffled and burrowed deeper into Glorfindel's embrace. "I'm so sorry you have to see me like this."
"It is nothing, my dear. I know you are so, so strong." Glorfindel murmured, pulling Maeglin into his lap, and gently stroking Maeglin's back.
"But my feelings! They are so, horrid, my lord you would be angry." Maeglin clutches at the back of Glorfindel's tunic, feeling very small.
"I can promise you I will not be. I care for you deeply, and our relationship would not be soiled in a heartbeat."
"Truly?" Maeglin rested his head over Glorfindel's shoulder.
"Try me." Glorfindel responded in a light tone.
"I think I love you." Maeglin's voice was shaky, and Glorfindel froze. "I think I'm in love with you and I'm really scared."
Glorfindel tensed, his mind not comprehending the words he had heard. He had not even considered the possibility of their relationship taking that turn. Though, thinking of it now, he had always been drawn to Maeglin in a way he had no others. When Maeglin had first appeared in Gondolin, he had been a child, and so Glorfindel's protectiveness, curiosity, and obsession had been somewhat excusable. However, Maeglin was more grown up now. He had earned his place in Gondolin, and was soon to have his own house. As much as Glorfindel tried to tell himself this was a bad idea, he could not deny his own interest in the brunette.
"Please say something." Maeglin's quiet voice brought Glorfindel to the present.
"I... I had not thought of that possibility, much." Glorfindel tightened his grip on Maeglin when he made to get away. "But I am certainly not opposed to exploring it, and I am very glad you told me."
Maeglin pulled back to look Glorfindel in the eyes. "I will have my own house soon, within a few weeks at most. When that happens, may I have the honor of courting you?"
"Please." Glorfindel answered Maeglin breathlessly, impressed by his boldness. He struggled to resist the urge to prematurely kiss Maeglin right then and there. Instead Glorfindel tucked Maeglin even deeper into his arms, cocooning his soon-to-be-more friend.