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Bilbo fluffed the pillow again and turned to the other side. Wriggling around to find a comfortable position, he ignored the insistent feeling that something was missing. It was getting late now. How long has he been tossing and turning on the too-large bed?
He opened his eyes and stared into the darkened room. The shadows moved as the headlights of a car flashed in the window. He could see his half-unpacked suitcase, and the clothes he planned to wear tomorrow sat neatly folded on a chair. A little green light blinked from where his computer was plugged into the charger. A glass of water sat on the nightstand.
He took a deep breath, and the sound echoed. The room was quiet. Too quiet.
He picked up his phone, scrolling the contacts all the way to T, and hesitated when he noticed the time. 01:17 on a weekday. He was probably already asleep.
The sound of someone coughing from the next room spurred him on. He clicked on the name and pressed the phone to his ear, waiting.
Thorin picked up after six rings. “Hello?” he muttered, his voice thick with sleep.
Bilbo grimaced, feeling a bit guilty for waking him up. “Thorin.”
A pause. “Is everything okay?” he asked, sounding alert and worried.
Bilbo smiled. “Yes, I just… I can’t sleep.”
Thorin grunted, and Bilbo could hear shuffling as he turned in their bed to look at the clock. “It’s one in the morning.”
Bilbo rolled his eyes but held back the sarcastic reply. He should probably cut Thorin some slack, considering that he just woke him up in the middle of the night. “I know. That’s the problem.”
Despite the hour, Thorin barked a laugh. There was some more rustling, and the grunt he gave told Bilbo that he got up to fetch some water.
“Did Prim skimp on the pillows?” he asked, and Bilbo grinned, listening to the short sound of running water.
“No, she made sure I’m as comfortable as I can be. Frodo came to wish me goodnight personally. He can already say almost full sentences now.”
Thorin hummed and took a sip. “He’s growing up so fast.”
“He asked why Uncle Thorin didn’t come this time,” Bilbo continued. “I told him you’re busy working to earn enough money so you can buy him a really big, impressive toy. He says that he forgives you.”
Thorin laughed. “And where exactly am I supposed to find this ‘really big, impressive toy?’” he asked, and there was a clink as he put something into a dishwasher.
“You know I hate it when you put glasses in there after using them just once.”
The few seconds of guilty silence spoke volumes. “So, you can’t sleep?” Thorin said quickly to change the subject.
Bilbo chuckled and let it go. “Yeah,” he breathed, sitting up and turning the pillow to the cooler side. “It’s too quiet.”
“Have you tried listening to an audiobook?” Thorin suggested, his voice accompanied by the faint sound of bare feet on the floor.
“I did. It’s too distracting. I thought white noise might help instead, but it just makes me feel anxious.”
Thorin hummed, sounding curious. “I thought you needed quiet to fall asleep. I used to keep you awake when we moved in together.”
Bilbo punched the pillow in frustration. “Yeah, I thought so too.”
There was more rustling as Thorin climbed back in bed and settled himself. “We could chat for a little bit if you want. I don’t have such an early morning tomorrow.”
“Hm,” Bilbo considered, lying down and resting the phone next to his head. “Or we could…” He paused, suddenly feeling a little insecure.
“Yes?” Thorin prompted.
“We could… Would you mind staying on the phone? When you go to sleep, I mean.”
A pause. Bilbo was already taking a breath to say that it was a silly idea when Thorin made a soft sound. “Bilbo,” he asked, “do you miss falling asleep with me?”
He made a noncommittal sound, closing his eyes in embarrassment, but when Thorin didn’t say anything more, he finally relented. “Maybe?”
“But you always complain about my snoring.” There was a teasing quality to his voice, but Bilbo could still hear how pleased he was about this revelation.
“Well, I got used to it, I suppose.”
“You miss my snoring,” Thorin stated, his voice quivering with amusement.
“Oh, bugger off.”
“I love you too.”
Bilbo couldn’t help but grin. He listened to the small chuckle coming from his phone and clicked the loudspeaker button. The sound of Thorin’s breathing filled the room and brought it to life. Suddenly, even the large bed felt more welcoming.
“Good night,” Thorin murmured as his breath slowed down.
“Good night,” Bilbo whispered, smiling into the pillow.
Soon, the rumbling sound of Thorin’s snores filled the room and echoed from wall to wall. Bilbo felt himself slipping into sleep as he closed his eyes. A faint smile lingering on his lips.