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Having just confessed their feelings for each other, Bilbo and Thorin found themselves behaving like tweens with a secret relationship. They snuck loving glances, held hands whenever they wound up next to each other, even going as far as sharing small kisses whenever the Company’s backs were turned.
The more observant members of their Company, Gandalf and Balin to be exact, noticed the seemingly permanent rosy hue that painted the king and his burglars’ faces whenever in each other’s presence. They, of course, made no mention of the recent developments between the dwarf and the hobbit's relationship, happily granting the two some discretion.
The pair ended beside each other once again at the back of the line of traveling dwarves, the ponies lent to them by Beorn walking side by side. The small privacy this afforded spurred Thorin on to rob his hobbit of yet another smooch. He reached over and gently grabbed the back of Bilbo’s neck, bringing their mouths flush against each other. Once they broke apart, Bilbo quipped in a hushed tone, “I thought I was the burglar, yet I always find you stealing kisses from me!”
“After the looks you’ve been giving me, it’s only fair I burgle a few kisses, Ghivashel,” Thorin leaned over and whispered against the shell of Bilbo’s ear, delighted at the shiver he prompted. Some time later, they set up camp near the outskirts of Mirkwood, wanting to spend one more evening in the open air free of the forest’s corruption.
A fire was started, and their ponies were herded together, resting near their travel packs. Each dwarf quickly found something to do. Bofur hummed a cheerful tune as he helped Bombur prepare dinner. Dwalin sharpened his axe beside Fili and Kili, who tossed pebbles at a log to see who had the best aim. Balin and Gandalf sat beside the fire, sharing a pipe as they discussed their journey so far.
Oin fussed over a pouch of herbs, and Gloin regaled Bifur with tales of his wife and young Gimli, while Bifur whittled away at a piece of wood. Dori scolded Nori for sneaking an extra piece of bread, but Nori only grinned as he slipped Ori the pilfered biscuit. Ori settled against a wood stump and scribbled away in his battered journal, determined to document every detail of the journey. Bilbo and Thorin tended to the ponies, conversation flowing freely with occasional flirting here and there.
As the sun vanished and dinner came to an end, fatigue washed over the Company, and each member slowly drifted to their bedrolls. The fire faded to a warm, gentle glow, and soon the camp was filled with the snoring of sleeping dwarves. Only Bilbo and Thorin remained awake, keeping each other company on the last watch.
Their shoulders brushed against each other with their proximity as they huddled close to the fire, intent on staying warm. Thorin leaned close and whispered to his hobbit, “You know, Bilbo, before you came along, I thought I understood what it meant to be brave. But you-“ he smiled and turned to Bilbo, “-you make me feel like I could face anything, as long as you’re beside me.”
“No one’s ever said such things to me before. I think I might be the luckiest hobbit in all of Middle-earth,” Bilbo answered as he nuzzled into Thorin’s neck. Thorin laced their hands together and replied, “You’re more than luck, Amralime. You’re the home I never thought I’d find again.” “Careful, Thorin Oakenshield. If you keep talking like that, you’ll have a hobbit completely besotted.” “I hope so,” Thorin mumbled, leaning in to press a kiss to Bilbo’s temple.
They cuddled beside the fire, and the night stretched on, the only pause to their snuggling coming from Thorin as a yawn escaped his lips. Bilbo smiled up at his sleepy dwarf and said, “Come on, dear. Even kings need their rest. Mirkwood will be no place for yawning tomorrow.” Thorin hesitated, but then remembered that they were still on Beorn’s lands; a short rest would be safe enough. He looked at Bilbo before asking, his voice a tad shy, “Would you sleep beside me? For warmth, of course.” Bilbo blushed but still set about laying his bedroll next to Thorin’s, “for warmth,” he teased as he slid beside his dwarf.
As they settled in for the night, the air turned chilly, and Bilbo shivered. He hugged his arms around himself in an attempt to hide it. Thorin glanced over, then instantly shrugged off his heavy fur coat and bundled Bilbo up, tucking the furs snugly around him and pulling the hobbit close beneath his strong arm. “None of that, Ghivashel. I’ll not have you shivering,” he murmured into his burglar’s curls. Not one to refuse such a generous offer, Bilbo nuzzled in as close as he could, his face buried in Thorin’s chest as he inhaled his dwarf’s scent.
“You’ll disappear under there.” “Maybe that’s my plan,” Bilbo whispered with a grin. “You’re so strong and fierce- who’d guess you’d be so soft with me?” Thorin pretended to scowl, “If you tell anyone I’m soft, I’ll never forgive you.” Bilbo giggled then gazed up, “I love you, Thorin Oakenshield.” Thorin stared at Bilbo in awe, then cupped his cheek, “And I love you, Bilbo Baggins. More than I ever thought possible.”
Bilbo’s breath caught as their lips met in a gentle kiss, soft at first but quickly deepening. Thorin stroked Bilbo’s jaw, and Bilbo’s fingers tangled in Thorin’s hair. Thorin shifted closer, tilting Bilbo’s chin up, and then, with a quiet, needy sound, slipped his tongue between Bilbo’s lips. Bilbo gasped, a soft moan escaping him as Thorin wrapped his arms around his waist, their kisses growing more heated with each peck. Bilbo tried to press closer, if it was even possible, his body melting into Thorin’s solid warmth beneath the glowing moonlight.
Finally, Thorin pulled away, breathing hard, his forehead pressed to Bilbo’s. “If we go on, Ghivashel, I’ll forget myself entirely.” Bilbo smiled and brushed his nose against Thorin’s, “No need to rush. I’m not going anywhere… except maybe to sleep, if you promise to hold me like this.” “One more kiss,” Thorin whispered, stealing one last sweet, lingering kiss before pulling Bilbo close again.
Bilbo burrowed into Thorin’s side, nearly vanishing beneath the layers of warmth and love. As Thorin nestled his face into Bilbo’s wild curls, both drifted to sleep in each other’s safe embrace.
Dew sparkled on the grass as the morning dawned in a golden haze. Bombur was the first up and immediately set about preparing breakfast. Bofur woke soon after and helped Bombur with his cooking. The rest of the Company slowly awoke, with Fili and Kili being the last ones to rise, yawning and trading sleeping jabs as they wandered over for food. At first, no one noticed two were missing. Fili peeked around as he poured water for tea, “Where’s Uncle? And where’s our burglar?”
“Maybe they’re off arguing about maps again,” Kili said, though a slight worry crept into his voice. Bifur, soon joined by Bofur, checked behind the packs and ponies, “Thorin’s over there, but there’s not a curly hair in sight for our burglar.” Oin shuffled by the fire and muttered, “Well, he’s not by the stew, nor by my herb satchel…” Nori squinted across a field of wildflowers, “I’ll bet the hobbit’s run off to pick berries again.” The other Ri brothers joined in on the search for the missing hobbit. Dori checked the camp’s edge, while Ori scanned the area from behind his journal. Balin and Gandalf simply watched the search in amusement, wondering when their companions would realize the burglar had gone to sleep with their king the night before.
Soon, the search picked up speed, the dwarves called out Bilbo’s name, peered under blankets, behind rocks, and into every nook and cranny. Gloin declared, “He’s not by the ponies!” “We already checked the ponies!” Kili answered frantically. At last, Fili and Kili led a nervous procession to Thorin, still curled at the edge of camp. Kili poked his uncle’s shoulder, “Uncle? Wake up… um- there seems to be a problem.” Thorin stirred but didn’t move from his bedroll. “What is it?” he muttered, voice thick with sleep. Fili hesitated, “We- well, we can’t find Bilbo.”
Thorin let out a small chuckle, shifting as he lifted his arm. The furs slipped back, revealing a thatch of curls belonging to their missing hobbit, so securely nestled in Thorin’s embrace it was a wonder he hadn’t vanished entirely. The Company burst into laughter. Bofur crowed, “So that’s where he’s been hiding!” Dwalin shook his head, “Well, at least he found a safe spot.” Fili and Kili dove in, hugging Bilbo as relief flooded them. Bilbo blinked at the crowd, scowling in mock annoyance, “You two better have woken me up this early for some good food!”
Gandalf and Balin joined, both beaming with barely hidden mirth. “It appears you’ve been promoted, Bilbo,” Balin said with a wink. Gandalf added, “And here I thought Thorin would never find himself a consort on this journey.” “Aye, and a fine match too! Our king’s heart’s finally been burglarized!” Balin exclaimed. Fili slung an arm around Bilbo’s shoulder, “Does this mean we get to call you Uncle Bilbo forever now?” Kili grinned at Thorin, “Just try not to steal our uncle away every night, all right?”
Bilbo rolled his eyes and, with a mischievous grin, turned to Thorin, pressing a passionate kiss to his lips in front of everyone. The Company whooped and whistled, meanwhile Fili and Kili hid their faces, having no desire to see their uncle’s snog. “Ugh, save that for the bedroom, Uncles!” Kili cried out, which prompted another round of laughter among the Company. Thorin pulled Bilbo close and chuckled at his companion’s antics, “Let them tease, Ghivashel. As long as you’re beside me, I have everything I want.”
Bilbo smiled and tiptoed to press another chaste kiss to Thorin’s lips, “I’ll always be by your side, Thorin.” The Company’s laughter and teasing followed them to breakfast, where Thorin sat proudly by Bilbo’s side, the pair inseparable for the rest of their days.