When it hits around midnight, Bard and the kids return to their apartment. The kids- except Sigrid and Legolas get along very well, wich makes Bard happy. Bard stares at the ceiling, thinking about Angel. If it would've been a normal day, he couldn't sleep for sure, but it wasn't. It was a very exhausting and stressful one, and Bard just wants to sleep and recover and process. And it doesn't take much time until he's fast asleep, snoring softly.

It's the next day, the kids are exploring the city with Legolas and Bard sits at the desk and get's work done, until he hears something from upstairs. He raises an eyebrow and listens closely, wondering what that sound may be. And after a while, the sound comes again, and then, it doesn't stop. Bard squints his eyes. It's music! Of course, how could Bard be so dumb? He just can't hear the singing nor the melody. It's too quiet for that, yet so loud that Bard can hear the drums. He figures that it's okay, since it doesn't bother him much and maybe even a bit because of Thranduil's pretty privilege, but Bard makes the first reason the main one, even though it's nor true. He's lucky that no one in this house can read mines, or else he would probably be surely fucked.

After a bit of time, the music get's louder and louder, and now Bard can hear every single word, sound, melody and drums. He sighs and tries his best to ignore it, because he wouldn't want to interrupt whatever Thranduil was doing, and maybe because of pretty privilege again, because if someone like Alfrid, his old chef, would be living upstairs, Bard would already be up there to smash that fucking music box into pieces.

Thranduil has a kind of weird taste in music, it's a mix of classic, opera, 70-90ties, and Russian and German, although Bard thinks that it kind of sounds alike. With some songs, Bard could swear, Thranduil tunes in and sings along with a very beautiful and very loud voice. But even Bard doesn't have infinite patience and Thranduils pretty privilege is getting tested really hard, and eventually Bard has to get up and slowly make his way upstairs. Not to tell Thranduil to turn off the music, but to make it a bit, no not a bit, but a very much more quieter.

He's standing in front of the door and gulps. Why's he so nervous? He asks himself. It's literally just a knock and a "It would be a pleasure if you'd turn down the music, it's distracting me, thanks."
Yeah, he's got it. Bard knocks three times, and then two times after a quick pause. It takes a bit of time, the music stops and he hears light footsteps. The door opens and Bard's met with heaven once again. "Oh, good morning Bard." Thranduil says with a soft smile wich almost makes Bard melt then and there. "Morning" Bard answers. "Can I help you with something?" Angel asks. "I wanted- wanted to ask ifyoucouldturndownthe music- just a little bit, it doesn't bother me very much but I reallywanttofocusrightnow but you don't have to onlyifitdoesn'tmakeyoumucheffort please thank you." Bard splutters. Thranduil blinks a few times and slowly nods with a confused expression. "You seem stressed, is everything okay?" The blonde asks. "Yeah" "Are you really sure?" "Yeah" Angel nods and smiles. "Alright, I will turn the music down for you. Thank you for informing me about it bothering you-" "No- no, it doesn't bother me much- just- a bit- a little bit more quieter would be perfect" Bard quickly says. Thranduil puts his hand in front of his mouth and giggles. "You are funny, Bard Bowman." He says. His eyes are still squinting because of the little laugh, but they shine as big as before. "Thanks, you're too" Bard grins like an idiot and puts his hand on his neck, chuckling awkwardly. Thranduil laughs again. "Well, we'll see us again tomorrow." Thranduil says and swings around whilst closing the door, leaving a confused Bard behind. Tomorrow? Why tomorrow? Did the kids plan something? Did Thranduil plan something? Did Bard plan something and he has forgotten?

With that thought, Bard sits in his room again. Why tomorrow? When the kids arrive, he asks them about it, but they don't know anything either. Bard sighs. After arranging a bit of their old furniture they had brought with them, they're eating dinner, and, again, something that Bard made. Bard would say of himself that he is not a bad cook, and the things he makes are edible, and sometimes, his kids would agree with him, but today is not one of the sometimes.

„Dad was the food expired or something? That thing here tastes like really bad." Bain asks, making gagging and vomiting noises. Bard sighs. „Hey Dad, Bain's just being an asshole, your food tastes just a little bit like ass." Sigrid says. „Thanks" Bard says. „No problem" Sigrid grins. Bard rolls his eyes. „It's getting late, you should go to sleep."

After the kids are all in their rooms, Bard thinks of something to do. He could clean. And he probably should take a deep shower, or sleep- or smoke. Yeah, he should smoke, then shower, then sleep. That's a plan. Bard nods and makes his way out of the door after making sure that everyone is sleeping. Outside, he pulls out his cigarettes and a lighter. Bard looks at the two items in his hands. He places the cigarette in his mouth and lights it, whilst inhaling the toxic air. Immediately, he feels a wave of relief washing over him.

„Hello, Bard." Bard flinches. „Wha-" „Do not be frightened, I mean you no harm." „Oh- well- I- thanks-" Bard splutters. He hears how Thranduil giggles. He finds it adorable. „Can I have some of that?" Angel nods to the cigarette. „Oh-sure" Bard hands him the cigarette, but instead of taking it, Thranduil leans down and sucks the air out of the little thing. Bard stares at him. Everything Thranduil does is hot.
Damn- Bard really shouldn't think that!