The Home

Offered Help, Pt. 1

    The following morning, Thorin was back at the blacksmith shop, and Bilbo was home by himself, readying a cup of tea while it rained steadily outside. Suddenly, a slow knock on the door rang throughout the house. Who could that be? Bilbo thought mildly as he set his cup down on the table and crossed to the hallway. Opening the door, he found a very wet hobbit standing on the step.
"Mr. Bilbo Baggins?" the newcomer asked nervously.
"Yes, it is," Bilbo said, smiling, "Please—come in." He stepped aside, allowing the visitor to step gratefully inside, water dripping off his jacket onto the floor.
"Thank you," the hobbit said in relief, smiling.
"Not a problem," Bilbo said, waving a hand and peering out into the storm. "Quite the weather we're having!"
"Yes—quite!" the visitor agreed as Bilbo closed the door, then turned toward his guest.
"Now, what can I do for you?" Bilbo offered politely as the other hobbit shook the water from his cloak and pulled his hood down. He looked familiar...where had he seen the dark hair and brown eyes before?
"Well, Mr. Bilbo, I am Drogo Baggins, your cousin," he said, smiling, "and I—"
"Ah!" Bilbo remembered suddenly, "I believe I saw you at the party the other night, is that right?"
"Yes, it is," Drogo confirmed, and grinned. "And that was a wonderful party, by the way."
"I thank you!" Bilbo laughed, then motioned towards the armchairs by the fire. "Please, won't you sit down?"
"I—uh, yes, please," he replied, removing his cloak and hanging on one of the pegs on the wall, where it hung, dripping puddles onto the floor.
Bilbo sat down with a sigh, Drogo across from him. "Now, what can I do for you?" he repeated, more genially this time, looking across at his guest.
"Well, Mr. Bilbo, in truth I came to ask your help," Drogo said, sobering quickly.
"Oh?" Bilbo replied, internally groaning. If he was going to ask for money....
"You see, this harvest has been quite hard on me and my wife, with her being pregnant and all, and since we live closer to the Brandywine it has been very difficult to harvest, load and move our crops to sell them further in the Shire."
"Mmm."
Drogo began to look nervous under Bilbo's gaze. "Just recently, I've been missing more and more crops. I thought that I was miscounting, at first, but it has been a week now and more and more things have disappeared. And the other day, after it rained, I was able to find the footprints of the thieves who are stealing my crops."
"And what would you need me for?" Bilbo said interestedly.
"Well, I...I cannot drive them out on my own, and if we don't get rid of them now, then they may get bolder and begin to venture further into the Shire. Even now my wife is at an incredible risk, there at the house, by herself, and after hearing of your adventures and stories..."
"You wondered if I might help and drive them out," Bilbo finished.
Drogo paused, then nodded reluctantly. "I would greatly appreciate it. You can stay with us for as long as you like, and I can give you some money for your trouble—"
"I can assure you, you needn't go that far," Bilbo smiled. "We can do this for free."
"So...you'll help me then?"
"I think I can safely say yes," Bilbo decided, then gave him a stern look. "Now, Thorin is coming with me, you understand, and if he doesn't go, I don't either."
Drogo nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, I understand completely. In fact, I was rather hoping that he would join you." He chuckled slightly. "I would be a liar if I said I was not riveted by his stories at the party, even more so then the children."
"Yes, he does have a talent for it," Bilbo laughed fondly. "So, when would you like us to come down?"
"If it's not too much trouble, I was leaving for home tomorrow morning. If all is well, we can depart from the Green Dragon after breakfast; I have a cart and pony to take us."
"I think we can be ready by then," Bilbo said thoughtfully, already making a list of things to bring in his head. He cocked his head and smiled. "I guess we will see you at the Green Dragon tomorrow morning!"
"If it is convenient for you," Drogo added concernedly, "if another time works best for you, I can return in a day or two—"
Bilbo waved a hand. "No, no, this is your problem, and we need to take care of it before they make off with the rest of your harvest."
"You are sure this will be fine with Mr. Oakenshield? He won't object to any of this? I would hate to make plans without him."
"Oh, no, something tells me he will enjoy the action," Bilbo said, eyes sparkling. "We'll see you tomorrow."
"I suppose I shall!" Drogo said happily, rising, Bilbo walking the few steps to the door as his guest swung his still-wet cloak back around his shoulders and prepared to head back out into the storm.
"Please have a good walk back to the Inn," Bilbo said sincerely, opening the door and extending a hand.
"Thank you again, Mr. Bilbo," Drogo said, smiling gratefully and grasping his hand in a firm handshake. "You have no idea how much this means to me."
"I'm glad to be of service," Bilbo returned. "Good night!"
"You as well," Drogo called over his shoulder as he walked down the stone stairs, the rain still pouring down heavily around him, exchanging a polite greeting with the returning Thorin, who nodded back and climbed the stone stairs in a few easy steps, Bilbo waiting for him at the open door.
"Hello, love," Thorin said with a smile, bending down to kiss him before glancing back out into the rain. "Who was that?"
"A relative of mine, Drogo Baggins," Bilbo replied, closing the door and shoving his hands in his pockets as Thorin pulled off his great cloak. "He came by to ask for our help."
"Oh?" Thorin replied mildly, pulling off his boots.
"Yes, his crops are being stolen and he wants our help getting rid of the thieves."
"Hmm," Thorin said thoughtfully, standing ponderously for a moment, then pulled Bilbo to him. "It sounds like something we can handle."
"I thought so," Bilbo smiled, sliding a hand around his waist, "we can leave tomorrow morning."
Thorin smiled mischievously. "So soon?"
"Mm, I told him it was fine," Bilbo said, raising an eyebrow. "After all, it's nothing we can't handle."
"Nothing we can't handle," Thorin repeated, suddenly kissing him hard, taking his breath away. "All right, love," Thorin grinned, pulling apart and gently tucking a curl of hair behind Bilbo's ear, "if we are going to leave we had better get packed."
"I suppose we shall," Bilbo said breathlessly, still trying to catch his breath from the brief intensity of their kiss. Thorin smiled at his breathlessness.
"I'll get the swords, love," he said kindly, turning towards the trunk where they had carefully tucked their swords. Bilbo walked to one of the back rooms where their empty packs hung, weather stained and well-used. He smiled at the memories connected to them as he pulled them off the pegs, slinging them over his shoulders, the bulky, empty sacs bouncing against his back as he walked back into the sitting room, where he set them on the floor and padded into the bedroom.
"Are the swords all right?" he called over his shoulder as the metallic swish of a blade being unsheathed sounded from the hallway.
"Mmm...yes, they look fine," Thorin replied loudly. Bilbo could just see his eyes sparkle as he held Orcrist out, the light playing along the edge of the sword and reflecting in his dark gaze, searching the blade for rust or imperfections, his mouth quirking upwards in a smile at its perfection...
Bilbo pulled open a drawer and rifled through his shirts, his back to the door. Deciding to pack for a week at the least, he selected a few of his heaviest and warmest shirts, as they would most likely be spending much time outside, piling them absently on the floor beside him, he straightened and began to reach into his pants drawer when the cold touch a blade of his neck caused him to freeze, panic flooding him.
"Fallen out of practice, have we, Master Burglar?" came Thorin's teasing voice, and Bilbo relaxed, relief flooding through him, but he turned indignantly towards his offender.
"Thorin Oakenshield, was that entirely necessary?" he said angrily.
Thorin laughed. "You'll need to be in top form to take care of these thieves! You may as well start preparing now."
"You could have killed me!" Bilbo continued, rising and shaking a finger in Thorin's direction. "Couldn't I have gotten a warning, at the least?" Thorin grinned teasingly and caught his hand, kissing his knuckles.
"Sorry, love."
"You aren't getting off that easily!" Bilbo scolded, secretly enjoying the touch of Thorin's lips.
"Oh, really now, love," Thorin pleaded, pulling him closer and leaning down to kiss him, Orcrist's point resting against the floor.
Bilbo laughed and ducked out of Thorin's grasp, sprinting towards the doorway and swinging around the doorframe to make for his sword, Thorin hot on his heels.
"Stop, burglar!" Thorin called out mock angrily as Bilbo dashed ahead of him, pounding down the hallway.
"Never!" Bilbo flung teasingly back, skidding to a halt beside the sheathed blade on the ground beside the open trunk, and ducking under Thorin's quick slash of blade, swiftly pulled Sting from its sheath and brought it up to meet Orcrist, the metal clanging smartly as Bilbo staightened and threw aside the sheath, eyes sparkling as Thorin grinned back at him.
"Care for a little more?" Thorin asked slyly.
"I'm not surrendering to you, if that's what you want," Bilbo returned, smiling, swinging Sting out to place Thorin on the defense. He had a little formal sword combat training from their journey, and a fierce joy overtook him as he fell back into the old moves, Sting feeling light and natural in his hands, the blade moving quickly, his eyes bright and breath quick.
Thorin fended off Bilbo's attacks, moving smoothly backwards, pleased to see that he had remembered much of what he had learned. "You're doing well," he commented happily, slightly out of breath and stepping out of Sting's path.
"Am I?" Bilbo replied, grinning and lunging forwards again to catch Thorin open, but Thorin was too quick and shoved his blade aside, catching his sword hand and swooping down to plant a kiss on his lips.
"Not well enough, though," he said lowly, staring teasingly into Bilbo's eyes.
"You—" twisting out of Thorin's grasp, Bilbo pinned Thorin's arm against the wall and swung Sting up to Thorin's throat.
"Better?" he gasped triumphantly.
"Mmm..." Swiftly, Thorin caught Bilbo's sword arm and swung it over the hobbit's head, causing Bilbo to stumble back, pressed against Thorin with the dwarf lord's sword at his neck. "A little better, love," Thorin said into his ear.
Bilbo struggled against his grip. "Thorin Oakenshield, let me go, for goodness sake!"
"I don't think so, love," Thorin replied lustily, kissing at his neck.
"Yah!" Thinking quickly, Bilbo hooked a foot around Thorin's ankle and pulled hard, causing Thorin to gasp and fling an arm out to catch himself as he toppled to the ground. Twisting in the air, Bilbo came down on top of Thorin, flinging the sword out of his grasp and straddling his hips, holding him down as he held Sting's point at Thorin's collarbone.
"Not bad," Thorin praised, panting. Bilbo grinned triumphantly, but Thorin was up once again, smacking his wrist away and surging upwards with a shout, lunging for his sword as Bilbo climbed to his feet, rolling to his knees and swinging Orcrist up to catch Sting as Bilbo brought it down towards him. Pressing firmly against each other, panting and bright-eyed, they grinned at each other before Thorin threw Bilbo back and rose to his feet, squaring off against the hobbit once again.
"Ready for round two?" Bilbo said, flexing his fingers on his sword hilt.
"Ready when you are, love," flashing a dashing smile his way.
Bilbo blushed scarlet against his will. "Don't try to pull those tricks on me," he said firmly.
"You're blushing, love," Thorin said lowly, smiling and stepping closer, Bilbo backing up.
"So what if I am?" Bilbo said defensively, the heat creeping down his neck.
"I'm distracting you," Thorin continued, walking closer. His eyes were so deep and dark...
Bilbo shook himself and lunged forwards to meet Thorin's blade. "Not quite!"
Thorin laughed, knowing full well that it was quite the opposite, Bilbo realized. "Come on, love, let's sharpen the rest of those skills," Thorin said, sliding his blade away and stepping forwards to place him on the defensive.
They sparred into the rainy night, laughing, ducking behind furniture, darting around doorways, Thorin giving gentle pointers to Bilbo, for though he had put away his sword for months, fighting was still second nature to Thorin, his swordplay still professional, his movements still fluid. It felt wonderful to be using that side of himself again, everything aligned and crackling, but Bilbo slowly began to improve, catching Thorin more frequently off guard. Finally, Bilbo managed to flip Thorin's sword out of his grasp, sending it clattering across the floor and causing Thorin to step back, hands raised.
"Ha ha!" Bilbo laughed triumphantly, holding Sting steady, "I have you now!"
"All right, I surrender," Thorin conceded, panting.
Bilbo smiled happily, also out of breath, then let Sting fall to his side, gazing satisfactorily at Thorin across from him. "Well?" he asked anxiously, "How was I?"
"Very good," Thorin said approvingly, crossing to pick up Orcrist from the floor. "You did very well. You've remembered much from the trip."
Bilbo smiled and swelled with pride and turned towards the hallway, picking up the sheaths for both Sting and Orcrist and meeting Thorin in the doorway.
"Here," Bilbo said, handing him the sheath and tucking Sting back in his own.
"Oh, thank you love," Thorin said kindly, sliding Orcrist back into the leather sleeve and leaning it against the wall. "We'll have to sharpen them tomorrow," he mused as Bilbo set Sting next to the other great elven blade. Sighing contentedly, he turned towards the hobbit with a bow.
"Well, since you are the victor, I am subject to your will," he sighed, "what would you have me do, my one, true, beautiful love?"
Bilbo giggled and blushed red. "Well, unfortunate and defeated Thorin Oakenshield," he continued, "Since we shall be staying over at another's domicile for the next week, I am compelled to make you a prisoner to my unending love and I command you to keep me up late tonight."
Thorin furrowed his brow in mock confusion. "Doing what, my love?"
"Oh, whatever you wish," Bilbo sighed, sliding closer and plucking at the neckline of Thorin's tunic, "We'll have to act nicely for some time after this, so let's have a night now, shall we?"
"I am subject to your will," Thorin smiled, leaning down to kiss him.
"Ah—in all seriousness, though," Bilbo said quickly, catching Thorin with a finger on his lips, "we should finish packing before we start anything."
"Very true," Thorin conceded, his eyes glowing with love. "Just don't make me wait long. I don't think I could stand it."
Bilbo smiled, eyeing him sideways. "The sooner you pack, the sooner I am yours."
"You're always mine," Thorin sighed, kissing him swiftly on the cheek before running to the bedroom.
"And I will always be," Bilbo said quietly to himself, blushing and watching his retreating back fondly.
He had hardly finished packing his own clothes in his pack before Thorin was back at his side.
"I'm ready," he said, slightly out of breath.
"You packed for a week?" Bilbo said skeptically.
"Yes, love."
"Clothes?"
"Yes."
"Cloak?"
"Yes."
"Weapons?"
"Yes, I have everything," Thorin moaned, sliding a hand around his waist, "please, love?"
"Well, I'm not done yet," Bilbo said firmly, patting down his shirts inside his bag. Thorin groaned and fell back onto the couch, running a hand through his hair and staring longingly at the hobbit.
"Can I help get you anything?"
"I need my coat by the door, and Sting, and a bottle of wine as a gift for them," Bilbo said, and he was hardly finished before Thorin was off. Chuckling to himself, Bilbo cinched his bag shut and carried it to the front door, setting it gently down beside Thorin's pack and the swords already leaning against the wall, ready to go.
Thorin returned, the coat draped over his arm and the bottle of wine clutched in his hand. He hung the coat on the peg beside his own great cloak and shoved the bottle deep within his own pack, only to rise and find Bilbo standing close to him.
"I think that's all," Bilbo sighed, lacing his fingers through Thorin's and resting his head against his shoulder. Excited as he was, Thorin's pounding heart slowed and he stood still, tilting his head to bury his nose in Bilbo's hair, breathing in his scent, his eyes fluttering shut.
"Ready?" Bilbo asked quietly, squeezing his hand.
"Of course, love," Thorin replied, eyes still closed.
Bilbo pulled apart, walking towards the bedroom. "In that case..."
Thorin followed, his breathing slowing, the rain still falling outside, drumming a sleepy rhythm on the wet ground, the golden light of candles casting a dark golden glow about them, their flickering shadows playing at their heels. Entering the bedroom, Bilbo sat down on the bed, crossing his legs and leaning back on his hands, staring up at Thorin.
"Well, as the victor of our match, I now command you to carry out my orders," he said, tossing his head.
"And as the unfortunate, how did you say, 'prisoner of your unending love', I am obliged to bow to your wishes and make love to you into the small hours of the morning," Thorin said teasingly, leaning down.
"Then let's get started," Bilbo said, turning his face upwards.
Thorin smiled at his offered lips. "You don't have to tell me twice," he replied, stepping closer and sliding his hands up to cradle Bilbo's face before bending down and crushing his lips with his own. Their breaths left them in a hiss, their eyes closing, muscles relaxing as they pressed into one another. Bilbo began creeping backwards on the bed, causing Thorin to chase him, to crawl after him, the one kiss turning to light butterfly kisses, lips meeting softly, Thorin becoming frustrated with the slight contact. Bilbo started giggling as he backed up, smiling as the dwarf lord reached for him, playing with Thorin's lips, making him almost lay flat out across the bed in an attempt to capture him once more.
Finally, Bilbo gave in, opening his mouth to Thorin's tongue, falling underneath his weight as Thorin climbed on top of him, plunging his tongue deep into his mouth and groaning with pleasure. There were nights where everything seemed to fall perfectly into place, aligning wonderfully, and...ah...this seemed to be one of those nights.
Thorin began to caress him, his fingers playing in the fabric of his shirt as he ran his fingers down his sides, Bilbo sighing in delight.
"Thorin," he murmured, arching against him.
"Mm?" Thorin said through his kisses, sliding a hand under Bilbo's back.
"Tunic."
"Mm, right, love."
Thorin sat back slowly, sighing as they unwound from each other before smoothly pulling his tunic over his head and tossing it to the floor, shaking out his hair as Bilbo undid the buttons on his shirt, but Thorin gently caught his hands.
"I'll do the rest, love," he whispered, slowly running his thumbs over his knuckles and bending down closer to him, Bilbo's eyelashes brushing against his cheek, Thorin's breath warm down his neck, causing his breath to quicken as Thorin slid back the fabric from his chest, his ribs expanding under the dwarf lord's gentle caresses, breath sounding soft and fast in Thorin's ear. Sharp desire swelled in Thorin's chest, and he hooked his thumbs under the fabric and worked it off of Bilbo's shoulders, the hobbit arching into him to slide the fabric out from under his back, then falling back into the softness of the bed as Thorin pulled the shirt out and flung it to the floor, immediately leaning into him and crushing him in another kiss, moving to once again lay fully atop him.
Thorin swiped his tongue along Bilbo's lips, and they opened, the sweetness of the hobbit's mouth flooding into his own, their tongues locking around each other, heads tilting, breaths hot on each other's cheeks. Bilbo's hands crept up to grip Thorin's back, his fingers grasping at the hard muscle there. Blood beginning to pound in his ears, Thorin bit down on Bilbo's bottom lip, garnering a small moan from the hobbit that fell sweetly upon his ears, causing him to bite harder, his own voice joining Bilbo's, whose legs crept up around his hips, wrapping around his waist as he continued to claim his lips for his own.
Suddenly ripping away from the kiss, gasping for breath, Thorin kissed Bilbo's neck passionately, causing him to cry out, his mouth open in bliss, arching into Thorin, his fingers digging into his wide back. Thorin's tongue caressed down his neck, the tendons and muscles flexing under his mouth, small nips and bites causing Bilbo to gasp again, Thorin playing with the skin to coax more sounds from the hobbit.
Fervently mouthing his shoulder, Thorin moved down Bilbo's arm as it fell back onto the bed, the hobbit's fingers grasping at the sheets while Thorin held his wrist down, pressing on his other hand to pin him gently to the bed while he kissed farther down, Bilbo moving and panting beneath him.
"Damn it, Thorin," Bilbo gasped as Thorin gently nibbled on his wrist, his own fingers flexing with pent up passion, "you're toying with me."
Thorin smiled and chuckled through his kisses, taking his time in lifting his mouth from the hobbit's wrist, sitting up slowly, enjoying Bilbo pinned, gasping and eyes shining with passion, beneath him.
"Yes, love," Thorin said, smiling seductively, his voice husky, "and you love it."
"Oh, stop," Bilbo said suddenly, throwing off Thorin's hands and surging up to kiss him hard, throwing his arms around his neck and pulling him flush against himself back onto the bed, turning over several times, his legs gripping Thorin's waist, Thorin's hands grasping at his back and thighs. The blankets wound around them as they rolled over, Bilbo coming out on top, his fingers working at Thorin's neck and shoulders, pulling his mouth away to kiss across Thorin's cheekbones, gently pushing his head to the side so he could kiss behind his ear, nipping down his neck as he slid his hands down Thorin's chest, pulling him up against himself. Thorin gladly arched up into him, tilting his head back to expose more skin for Bilbo's kisses, and the hobbit obliged, his nose pressed under Thorin's jaw as Thorin's quick pulse thrummed beneath his tongue. The dwarf lord's hands slid down his back and behind, fondling his thighs while Bilbo continued to fervently kiss his neck.
Grasping Bilbo's legs tightly, Thorin pulled them down around his waist, causing Bilbo to pause in his kisses and let out a quick breath. Heart skipping, he leapt at his chance, and Thorin rose up into him, his mouth meeting his collarbone. Bilbo arched back while Thorin sat up, their hips grinding against each other, Bilbo's mouth open in delight, his hands on Thorin's shoulders, Thorin's arm creeping around his back.
His fingers started to work the base of his spine, Bilbo panting for breath, sliding his hands into Thorin's thick hair and pulling him closer, pressing himself harder into him as Thorin rubbed his face up and down his chest.
"Thorin," Bilbo moaned, hugging him tightly, his thighs gripping the dwarf lord's hips, "Thorin."
"Bilbo," Thorin groaned in response, sliding his cheek hard down the hobbit's sternum, "oh, Bilbo..."
Pulling Bilbo's legs from around his hips, Thorin spread him across his lap, their faces now close together, briefly staring into each other's eyes before Thorin swiftly bent down and kissed his stomach. Letting out a breathless cry, Bilbo bent around him, his legs coming up, Thorin's strong arms under his knees and waist. His fingers dug into his back, chest heaving as he felt Thorin's tongue on the vulnerable skin of his stomach, Thorin's arm coming up around his legs to seize his hip, his thumb stroking his hipbone as he kissed him long and hard, Bilbo's stomach quivering beneath his lips.
Gently laying him back on the bed, Thorin brushed his lips along his chest up to his collarbone, lightly kissing it before nipping along its length. Relaxing back into the softness of his kisses, Bilbo trailed his hand along Thorin's spine, causing the dwarf lord to moan and shudder deeply.
Bilbo chuckled. "I love it when you do that," he sighed.
Thorin quickly looked into his eyes. "Then make me do it again," he said, almost pleadingly. Answering with a smile, Bilbo slid a hand around the back of his neck and sat up to kiss under his jaw hard, already causing Thorin to open his mouth and shut his eyes with pleasure. Twisting around him and flooded with passion, Bilbo bit down gently on the muscle that threaded through Thorin's neck, reveling in the tension between his teeth and the low groan that left Thorin's lips. Moving down a little and doing it again, Thorin's arms folded around him while his chest heaved beneath Bilbo's fingers.
"Ahhh...you know...know how to do this to me," Thorin moaned, breathing heavily as Bilbo bit down on the other side of his neck, another shudder wracking his body as the hobbit once again stroked his back.
Falling back into the bed, Bilbo still latched on to his neck, Thorin melted to his touch, completely giving himself up and dropping all guards to the hobbit's lips and touches, shivering and sweaty beneath his hands and mouth.
Bilbo felt this vulnerability, this complete surrender, and his heart swelled with love. This Thorin, exposed and fragile, was something only he had seen, and what he had fallen in love with, not just the strong king, but also the kind and trusting friend, the friendship blossoming into something more, like his kisses now—moving from butterfly touches to nips and bites, each full of love.
Biting down one last time and reveling in Thorin's groans, Bilbo finally pulled back, panting hard, straddling Thorin's hips, hands on his chest, Thorin gasping beneath him, their eyes locked, the dark ones losing themselves in the soft sweetness of the brown, the brown ones drowning in the deep richness of the dark.
"I love...I love you," Thorin said, still trying to catch his breath.
"I love you, too," Bilbo answered breathlessly, still caught up in the euphoria. Slowly, he leaned down and kissed his lips, mouthing them and feeling the simple rhythm of the kiss, Thorin's mouth opening to his tongue. Slowly, Bilbo flattened into Thorin's body and Thorin wrapped a leg around his own before turning over again, searching Bilbo's mouth hungrily as the blankets twisted around them.
Much later, they lay underneath the blankets, sweaty and tired, Thorin gently pressed against Bilbo's side, the hobbit's loving hand lightly stroking down his chest.
"You know, you are the only one to make me feel like this," Thorin said pensively as another small tremor shook him, "This vulnerable."
"Mm, I know," Bilbo answered quietly, a smile tugging at his lips.
"Very rare are the ones who have seen me like this," he sighed.
"What, half naked and in bed with a hobbit?" Bilbo chuckled.
"None have seen me like that, thank goodness," Thorin replied. "Just—myself. Without any pretenses."
"Thorin," Bilbo sighed into the darkness, "if I know one thing about you it is that you never pretend, wherever you are. Your honesty is one of your best qualities. Just because I see you with your shirt off doesn't mean that I am not the only one to see you have a good heart—wherever you go people will always see a king."
Thorin lay quiet for a few minutes, his breathing deep and even, and Bilbo began to think that he had dropped off to sleep, but his voice sounded softly in the darkened room. "I love you."
"I love you, too," Bilbo chuckled softly, running his pinkie down Thorin's nose, "now go to sleep. We have lots of work to do tomorrow," he finished in a whisper, his fingers trailing soft circles across Thorin's scar.
"Good night, my love," Thorin sighed, snuggling closer and letting out a long breath.
"Good night, Thorin," Bilbo murmured, his own breathing already slow and deep. Satisfied and happy with Thorin's quiet and steady presence by his side, Bilbo dropped off to sleep, the cold room not touching the warm devotion that burned brightly in their hearts.