Posted originally on the Archive_of_Our_Own at https://archiveofourown.org/
works/5412377.
  Rating:
      Explicit
  Archive Warning:
      Underage
  Category:
      F/M, M/M
  Fandom:
      The_Hobbit_-_All_Media_Types
  Relationship:
      Bilbo_Baggins/Thorin_Oakenshield, Bilbo_Baggins/Bofur/Thorin_Oakenshield,
      Fíli/Sigrid, Kíli/Tauriel, Bard_of_Laketown/Thranduil
  Character:
      Bilbo_Baggins, Thorin_Oakenshield, Bofur, Thranduil, Bard's_Children,
      Bard_of_Laketown, Dís, Fíli, Kíli, Frodo_Baggins, Sigrid
  Additional Tags:
      Fluff, hurt_comfort, Threesomes, seasonal_themes, Halloween, Christmas,
      valentines_day, Weddings, Anal_Sex, Masturbation, Blow_Jobs, Oral_Sex,
      dirty_talking, Sarcasm, Netflix_and_Chill, Casual_dating, Falling_In
      Love, Florist_Bilbo, jeweler_thorin, Happy_Ending, Smut
  Collections:
      Have_a_Happy_Hobbit_Holiday
  Stats:
      Published: 2015-12-13 Chapters: 10/10 Words: 36483
****** Finding Happiness ******
by mandysimo13
Summary
     When Thorin's nephew gets engaged to his arch nemesis's step-daughter
     he's not so thrilled at first. But after a few choice words from his
     sister he is determined to be happy for the young couple. In the
     process he meets a charming florist by the name of Bilbo Baggins. But
     Bofur has also taken a liking to Bilbo. Together they decide to let
     Bilbo choose which man he'd prefer.
Notes
     Sorry this is late but hopefully you enjoy! Merry Christmas
     stargazecas!
***** The Proposal *****
Fili sat on his bed and stared at the little box cupped gently in his hands
that held the most beautiful ring in the world. At least, he thought, it would
be the most beautiful ring in the world because, if all went according to plan,
it would be gracing the most beautiful hand in the world. He spent weeks
thinking about Sigrid and marriage and still couldn’t believe he had found his
one, his true love. It seemed unreal to find happiness so young in life. And
yet it felt so impossibly right that he smiled that dopey grin that Sigrid had
called his “stupid happy face” whenever he thought about spending the rest of
his life with her. He never imagined that when he and Kili were sent with
Thorin to that jewelers’ expo two years prior that he would find the love of
his life.
He knew that their families would probably never see eye to eye. Business world
grudges and conflicting personalities don’t mix well over family dinners. Their
rivalry between his uncle Thorin and Thranduil Oropherion had made him so
nervous that it had taken nearly a year for him to admit to his family that he
was dating Sigrid Bowman, step-daughter to Thranduil. No one was happy, least
of all Thranduil and Thorin when they found out, but they had ultimately
grumbled and let the two of them be in peace and bliss, despite their mutual
distaste for each other. He knew that the two men would be equally as unhappy
to hear about their engagement.
If she said yes, he reminded himself.
Fili was still lost in thought, planning out how he would finally pop the
question, when Kili slammed the front door open.
“Brother!,” Kili called as he strode into the room with a smile so wide it
threatened to split his face in half. “I have something to tell you! Something
wonderful!”
Fili smiled indulgently at his little brother and closed the little box with a
soft click. “I have something to share as well, Kee.” He gestured for him to
speak first and rose from his bed, discreetly tucking the box into his pocket.
“But you look near to bursting with excitement, what has you so worked up?”
“Oh Fee! She’s perfect!” He began pacing and twirling about the room, gesturing
wildly, his hair swirling about his head at every sudden movement. “She’s so
beautiful! Red hair the color of a blood moon, so tall and pale that she may as
well be a blood moon as well! And funny, and an archer, and...and…” He finally
ran out of steam and turned to face his brother, smile still stretching his
face. “She’s the one.”
Fili chuckled, laying one hand on his brother’s shoulder. “Who is this woman
you speak of? I was not aware you had met anyone.”
“Just now! At the range. She flowed in from my dreams it seems and-”
“Kili,” Fili said loudly to stop further rambling. “Who is she?
” Kili sighed happily. “Tauriel. Tauriel Sylvan.” His eyes hooded halfway shut
in happiness.
“And she’s beautiful like a blood moon and tall and an archer like yourself,
then?” Kili nodded and Fili laughed. “Well then, I hope to meet her someday.”
He averted his gaze and pulled the ring box out of his pocket. “Perhaps she can
be your date to my wedding.”
Kili’s eyes widened suddenly in surprise. “You didn’t! You’re getting married?
Why didn’t you tell me!”
Fili smiled shyly. “Because I haven’t asked Sigrid yet. I haven’t figured out
how yet.”
Kili wrapped his brother in a hug that pushed the air from his lungs. “This is
fantastic news, Fee! You must go do it immediately so I can be happier! Mother
will be so happy! And Uncle-”
At the realization that Thorin would have to be told he stiffened. “On second
thought, perhaps you should just elope and share the news when you return.” He
chewed his bottom lip nervously.
Fili laughed and shook his head. “No, Sigrid deserves a proper wedding.” He
showed Kili the ring and they both smiled fondly at it.
“It’ll look beautiful on her,” Kili said softly. “I’m so happy for you, you
both are so lucky.” He hugged his brother to him once more and after several
seconds he pulled back and said, “so, let’s discuss how you’re to propose.”
 
                                      ~*~
 
Fili felt more confident about proposing after discussing it with Kili. Neither
he nor Sigrid were one for big to-do’s and so a loud, boisterous event at a
restaurant or some such would be out of the question. But neither did he want
to do it in front of family and friends to avoid any awkwardness that would
arise from longstanding tension between their families and, therefore, a higher
probability of being turned down. Eventually he settled on something very
simple.
That afternoon he cooked while Kili babbled on and on about the new woman in
his life. Apparently, Tauriel Sylvan was a pro volleyball player and an archery
hobbyist. Kili showed him pictures of her and video of her playing and she was,
indeed, very lovely. She looked to have the energy of a deep stream, powerful
but calm. And she had a truly beautiful smile. He wished his brother all the
best with her.
At one point he stopped his brother’s gushing and asked, “have you actually
asked her out yet?”
Kili’s eyes grew to the size of dinner plates, panic clear on his face. He
clutched his hair in his hands and said, “oh gods, I have to actually ask her!
How do I do that? How do I do that without looking like an absolute idiot?”
Fili laughed and prised Kili’s fingers from his poor hair. “We’ll figure it
out, I’m sure.”
Later that evening Kili made himself scarce. Sigrid came to join him at the
boys’ apartment and they shared a lovely dinner of rabbit stew with homemade
bread. Everything was lovingly prepared just for her. He even made the dessert,
chocolate mousse, from scratch. After they ate they sat together on the couch
sipping wine and enjoying the quiet evening together. They cuddled close and
she kissed his cheek, sighing softly, happily. His arms wrapped around her
pulled her close and he returned the gesture of sentiment with a kiss to her
forehead. And he decided, right then and there, this was the moment.
The perfect moment.
He took the plunge.
He cleared his throat and said, “Sigrid.”
“Hmm?” Her head still laid comfortingly against his chest.
“I have a question of some importance to ask of you.” At that her head jerked
up. He smiled to put her at ease and gently ushered her so that they could both
sit up proper. He then smoothly glided to one knee on the floor in front of her
and pulled the ring box from his pocket, where it had been since Kili left. He
saw her eyes widen and tear up, mouth parted slightly in surprise.
“I was wondering if you’d do me the honor of being my wife?”
He opened the box to reveal the ring he had chosen. “If you’d be so kind?”
She nodded, lost without words. After a few seconds her face shone with
happiness and her thoughts seemed to catch up with her and she finally said,
“yes, Fili. Of course I’ll marry you!”
Fili couldn’t remember being happier.
 
                                      ~*~
 
Fili couldn’t remember being so disappointed.
He decided to break the news to his family the next morning, as had Sigrid to
her’s, and he as soon as he did he rethought Kili’s idea to elope. There they
stood in his mother’s kitchen, the smell of cinnamon rolls wafting through the
air, and all he could focus on was Thorin’s fury. “You would combine our family
with that blond haired jerk?” Thorin was furious. His hands were tangled in his
hair, tugging at the scalp. “What were you thinking?”
Fili frowned. “I was thinking that I love her.”
That stopped his pacing. He flinched at Fili’s words. Thorin looked at Fili,
angry at his uncle’s reaction, and he looked suddenly contrite. “I’m sorry,
Fili. That was wrong of me.”
“You’re damn right it was,” Dís said, snapping a dish towel at him.
Thorin clutched his arm where the towel connected with it, stunned. “Ow! Dís!”
“Serves you right,” she sniffed. She tossed the towel at her scowly brother,
who clutched it in fear, and walked to collect her son in a hug. “Nevermind
your sourfaced uncle. I am very happy for you, my boy.” She smoothed the hair
atop his head and said fondly, “she’s a lovely girl. I couldn’t be prouder of
your choice.”
His mother’s arms around him made Fili relax and allow himself to smile. “Thank
you, mother.”
Kili chose that moment to waltz into the kitchen. “Ooh, are we having cinnamon
rolls?”
“Tell him! Tell him,” their mother urged.
Kili stopped in his tracks, suddenly scared. “What did I do now?”
Fili smiled and pulled his brother into a one-armed hug, his arm slung around
Kili’s neck. “Nothing.”
“What’s happened then?”
“Kee, she said yes.”
At that his brother whooped for joy and practically leapt onto Fili in his
excitement and eagerness to hug him properly. “That’s amazing, brother!
Congratulations!”
“Yes, yes,” Thorin grumbled from his lone spot against the counter. “Truly
amazing.”
Fili and Kili frowned at him and Dís whipped around to face her brother,
stalking towards him with her finger wagging. “You better get happy for your
nephew this instant, Thorin, or so help me-”
Thorin threw up his hands in surrender. “I’m sorry! I’ll behave,” he promised.
“Good,” she said sternly. Then she pointed to Fili and said, “now go hug him
and tell him you’re happy for him or there will be no more free food coming out
of this kitchen for you.”
Thorin looked more upset at the suggestion of no free breakfast forever than he
did about Fili’s announcement. He quickly pulled Fili into a hug. With genuine
affection in his voice he said, “truly I am happy that you have found love,
Fili.”
The sincerity in Thorin’s voice made Fili more at ease and he returned the hug.
“Thank you, uncle.” They pulled apart and Thorin chuckled suddenly. “What’s so
funny?”
“Can you imagine the look on Thranduil’s face when Sigrid tells them all the
news?”
They all knew exactly what face he would make and the thought of it had them
all in stitches. Their laughter continued until the timer for the rolls sounded
and reminded them that breakfast was done baking.
 
                                      ~*~
 
Thranduil sniffed primly, frowning impeccably. “You cannot be serious.”
Sigrid smiled happily, seemingly unaware of her stepfather’s surly and
displeased reaction. “I am very serious,” she said, still wrapped in her
father’s arms.
“Oh, my dear girl,” Bard said, hugging her tightly. “I couldn’t be happier for
you! Fili is a delightful boy, I’m sure he will make you happy.”
“Do you forget whose family he belongs to,” Thranduil reminded them.
“The Durins,” Sigrid said brightly. “I know you’re not fond of them,
particularly Thorin, but what da says is true. He’s a very nice boy.”
“There are plenty other nice boys who do not come from such irritating
families,” Thranduil said quietly.
Bard let his daughter go gently and they shared a look they had shared many
times before. One that said “he’s such a prima donna I can’t stand it” but they
both knew he would come around. Instead of scolding, Bard just ran his hands
along Thranduil’s shoulders and arms, rubbing soothingly. “Love, you can’t tell
me you’re not the least bit happy for Sigrid.”
He didn’t deign a response beyond a sniff.
“Can’t fool me that easy, you big ol’ romantic, you.” He pressed a kiss to
Thranduil’s temple and felt the man beneath his fingers shiver slightly. Bard
smiled and continued his soothing petting. “Please tell me that you’ll be happy
for this union? That you can put your ridiculous grudge with Thorin aside for
the time being?”
Thranduil sighed dramatically. “Very well,” he turned and put a finger to
Bard’s lips to stop his reply. “I didn’t say I would be happy to join that
family of his. But I suppose,” he looked pointedly at Sigrid, “for you I can
make nice.” He sighed dramatically, “I can take the high road and be above
Thorin Durin, as usual.”
Bard grinned beneath his finger. He kissed it and leaned up to whisper in
Thranduil’s ear, “later you can be above me as usual, too.” Thranduil blushed
and sputtered, gliding gracefully out of the room.
***** The Meaning of Flowers *****
Bilbo hummed to himself, coffee cup in hand, as he walked to open his shop. It
was a lovely, crisp morning, just beginning to turn cold with the promise of
fall, right at the end of September. Despite the wide array of flowers that
filled his shop seasonally in summer and spring, fall was his favorite season.
The colors were so rich, the plants so fragrant in their attempt to cling to
summer.
The bell above his shop door tinkled and signalled the beginning of his day as
he walked through it. He began his morning with his comfortable routine,
spritzing and watering plants that needed it, pruning dead leaves here and
there, checking his arrangement, shipping and delivery lists for the day.
Finally his morning prep was done and he was ready to open right on time.
Within five minutes of turning the sign to “yes, we’re open” his neighbor paid
him a visit.
“Good morning, Bard!” Bilbo gave him a bright smile. “To what do I owe the
pleasure? Need a few orchids to spruce up your displays? Or, I did just get a
new shipment of greenhouse cherry blossoms, if you’d like.”
Bard shook his head and walked up to the counter. “Actually, I’m here on a
personal errand. I have wonderful news for you.”
“Oh?”
“Sigrid is getting married.” Bard’s face split into a big grin. “Her young man
proposed just a couple days ago.”
“Well that is fantastic news!” Bilbo rounded the corner and hugged his old
friend to him. “I am very happy for you and your family. Why, it seems like
just yesterday she was a tiny thing, tottering around my rosebushes.”
Bard sighed happily, “truly, no one feels that more than I.” He released his
friend and broached the subject he came to discuss. “I was wondering if you
might supply the flowers for the ceremony? You always have such a beautiful
selection and the kids want a rather short engagement.”
“Of course! When are they thinking?”
Bard’s smile took an embarrassed lilt and he toyed with the hair at the back of
his head. “The young romantics have chosen Valentine’s Day to be the day of
their wedding.”
Bilbo giggled and covered his mouth to hide his smile. “Oh dear, they truly do
want to move things along quickly then?” Bard nodded while Bilbo went back
around to his appointment book. He checked his dates and saw he had two other
weddings booked for the same day. Nothing he couldn’t handle. There were some
advantages to having a small clientele. “I only have a couple of deliveries to
make that day, small ceremonies. Would she and her fiancé like to come in to
discuss their preferences sometime later this week?”
“I’m sure that will be fine. Sigrid and Kili will be so happy you’ve agreed to
take them on with only a few months to plan.”
Bilbo waved his hand in front of his face dismissively. “Nonsense. She worked
here, quite competently as I recall, for a couple summers before Thranduil
snapped her up to help design his new lines. She’s always been a delightful
girl.” Then an idea struck him. “In fact, consider it my gift to her.”
Bard’s mouth dropped open, “oh no, Bilbo. We could never accept such an
extravagant gift! We will be more than willing to pay you for your time and
material.”
Bilbo penciled in Sigrid’s name on Valentine’s Day in his planner. “I’m sure
you would but I insist.” After some drawn out back and forth discussion Bard
assented to Bilbo’s gift and assured Bilbo they would be in the next day to
discuss the arrangements.
On his way out Bard looked back over his shoulder and said, “oh, and of course
you are invited to the festivities. It wouldn’t be a party without you, I
know.”
Bilbo laughed and said, “well thank you, Bard. I graciously accept your
invitation.” He made a shooing motion and added, “now scoot before your husband
comes looking for you. I’ll have a new shipment of orchids in later this week
if he would like to come and choose a few for his displays.”
Bard said his thanks and left Bilbo alone with his flowers, excited at the
prospect of watching one of the children he had watched grow into adulthood
walk down the aisle. It’s all terribly romantic, he mused to himself as he
began that day’s arrangements.
 
                                      ~*~
 
“You know, uncle, you didn’t have to join us.” Fili tried in vain to dissuade
Thorin from coming with them to the florist’s, knowing it was next door to
Starlight Jewelers, Thranduil and Bard’s rival jewelry store. They specialized
in diamonds and silver while Misty Mountain Gems dealt more with gold and
copper jewelry and precious stone insets. While there was not a lot of direct
competition between the two, there was still long held dislike between the two
men that Fili was keen to avoid being in the middle of.
“Nonsense,” Thorin said coolly. “I want to prove you both, and your banshee of
a mother, that I am supportive.” His eyes flicked up to look at his nephew in
the rearview mirror while they were idling at a stoplight. “Helping you plan
the particulars is the least I can do.”
“And I’m sure it has nothing to do with the fact that Starlight Jewelers is
just next door and will give you a chance to critique Thranduil’s fall line,”
Fili said knowingly.
“Actually,” Sigrid spoke up from the passenger side, “most of the fall line,
Melamin, features a lot of my own designs.”
Thorin’s eyes went wide in surprise before he schooled his face into something
more pleasant. “I look forward to seeing your talent first hand. Kili has told
me a lot about your work, I’m quite keen to see it,” he said coolly.
He caught Fili’s self satisfied smirk in the mirror that seemed to say, that’s
right. Better keep your snide comments to yourself. He suppressed the urge to
return the look.
The rest of the quick ride was silent. They found parking right away and made
their way to the shop. The name of the shop, The Prancing Posey, brought a
smirk to his face. From the look of the place, with its ivy covered brick,
windows filled with a jungle of plants and the pretty pink awning shadowing
over the sidewalk, he expected an old maid like his grandmother, surrounded by
posies, roses and geraniums. What he saw when they walked through the door made
him do a doubletake.
Behind the counter stood a short, slightly chubby man with crazed, honey-golden
curls. His back was to them when they first entered but, upon hearing the bells
above the door tinkle, he turned and then Thorin lost his breath. Immediately,
the man’s face broke out into a big smile and he held up his arms in greeting.
“Oh, Sigrid, love! How wonderful to see you!” He rounded the counter and
collected the girl in a tight hug.
Sigrid, who towered over him, bent and embraced him. “Hello, Bilbo,” she said
warmly. “It’s good to see you again.”
The man, Bilbo, held her close for a moment longer, eyes closed in happiness,
before pulling away and taking in the woman before him. “It has been much too
long, I fear.” Then he turned his attention to the two men who stood sheepishly
behind her. “I assume one of these handsome gentlemen is your fiancé, Fili is
it?”
Fili extended his hand and said, “that would be me, sir. Fili Durin, at your
service.” 
Bilbo chuckled, “lovely to meet you, Fili. But none of that “sir” business.
Just Bilbo if you please.” His eyes danced over to Thorin where they swept over
him, making the man blush. “And who is this,” he asked to no one in particular.
Fili pushed Thorin closer to Bilbo and introduced him. “This is my uncle,
Thorin Durin.”
Bilbo’s mouth quirked in a smirk. “Uncle, you say?”
Thorin coughed into his hand and explained, “my brother-in-law preferred my
sister’s name it seemed.”
Bilbo nodded, accepting the information without another thought. “Well, shall
we?” He gestured to the backroom. “Frodo,” he called as he led the little
troupe to the backroom to discuss their arrangements. A young, dark haired boy,
still in his teens, popped his head out of the back. “Yes, uncle?”
“Man the counter, if you would. I have a consultation to begin.”
“Sure thing,” he said, gliding out and wiping his hands on his apron. “Good to
see you, Sigrid,” he said politely before stepping behind the counter. She
waved in reply and the four of them walked into the back to plan.
During the whole consultation Thorin was entranced by Bilbo’s enthusiasm and
overall knowledge of flowers. While he and Fili mostly sat and watched, Bilbo
and Sigrid talked animatedly about all sorts of possibilities. Roses, how about
roses? No, no, roses are much too cliché. More cliché than getting married on
Valentine’s Day? There was laughter and a warm, familiar feeling that stemmed
only from people who had known each other a good, long time.
“What do you think, uncle,” Fili asked, intruding on his thoughts.
He was so wrapped up in watching Bilbo’s hands as they gestured about his face
while talking that he had missed the question. He shook his head, in confusion.
“I’m sorry, must have missed the question.”
Bilbo held up two flowers, one in each hand. “Sigrid and Fili have settled on
white gardenias and blue violets.” He smiled an easy smile and said, “they wish
to know your opinion.”
Thorin looked at the flowers and thought they looked rather pretty; the almost
iridescent violets paired beautifully with the snow white gardenias. “I think
they’re beautiful.”
Bilbo leaned over to hold them a few inches from Thorin’s nose, “care to
smell,” he asked.
Thorin swallowed thickly, feeling suddenly nervous at his close proximity. He
nodded and leaned in the necessary inches to breathe in their scent. The
combined perfume of the flowers teased his nose in a pleasant way, their
sweetness filling his nostrils. He hadn’t realized his eyes were closed until
Bilbo cleared his throat, snapping him out of his reverie. Embarrassed, Thorin
leaned back and nodded. “They’ll do, I suppose.”
Fili smiled and Sigrid giggled. “Good, I’m glad you approve,” she said. Her
attention refocused on Bilbo as soon as Thorin had given his approval and
Thorin soon caught himself staring at the florist again, aware that Fili was
watching him out of the corner of his eye.
Thorin was vaguely aware of Sigrid designing her bouquet, gardenias and blue
violets of course. But when she added gillyflowers, Bilbo and Sigrid shared a
secret smile between them. To Thorin it seemed as if they had a whole
conversation in silence before they moved onto the bridesmaids’ bouquets. By
the time they were done Thorin was sure he had averted his gaze half a dozen
times in an effort to not be caught staring.
When the consultation ended Bilbo walked them out and relegated Frodo to the
greenhouse behind the shop. “I’ll have a mockup fixed up for you next week. I
rather enjoy the arrangement for your bouquet,” he admitted. “Think I’ll add it
to my list of offered bouquets.”
Sigrid giggled behind her hand. “Oh stop it, you don’t mean it!”
Bilbo took her hand and patted it. “I’m being quite sincere! I think it’s
beautiful and full of sentiment.” He jokingly wagged a finger at her and said,
“I will forever be upset that Thranduil stole your talents from me but, alas,”
he sighed, “I knew I had to let you go sometime.”
She hugged him and said, “we’ll be back next week to look at your mockups.” She
let him go and headed towards the door. “Time to go visit the dads. Thranduil
is insisting that he supply my jewelry for the wedding.”
That snapped Thorin out of his wandering gaze. “What,” he asked confused.
Fili rolled his eyes and Sigrid uttered a soft “oops” under her breath. Both
averted Thorin’s gaze. “Thranduil is doing the jewelry?”
Sigrid toyed with her fingers and looked at a point at the wall behind him
rather at him directly. “He said he wants to. As his wedding gift to me.”
Thorin pressed his lips together, disappointed that he hadn’t had the chance to
offer his own jewelry to the couple first. “I see,” he mumbled, disappointment
apparent in his voice.
“What’s this now?” Bilbo piped up, confused. “What’s the matter?” Fili coughed
into his hand and told Bilbo that Thorin and Thranduil were both jewelers.
“Oh,” Bilbo gasped, understanding dawning on him. “What kind of jewelry do you
specialize in,” Bilbo asked, full of interest.
Thorin looked at him directly for the first time since their introduction.
“Mostly gemstones, gold and copper. Emeralds, rubies, opals, that sort of
thing.”
“Oh well, then,” Bilbo reasoned. “If you like, you can come back tomorrow with
some samples of pendants and I can see if we can incorporate your gems into the
arrangements. Give it a little Durin touch,” Bilbo said happily, nudging
Thorin’s ribs with his elbow.
Thorin liked the idea a lot but it was not his wedding, not his flowers. He
looked at Sigrid and Fili expectantly and found relieved looks on their faces.
The betrothed shared a silent look between them and, after a nod from Sigrid,
Fili said, “I think that’s a fantastic idea.”
Thorin was so happy with the prospect he pulled the two in a tight hug and
said, “thank you.” After a moment the couple extricated themselves from
Thorin’s embrace and Sigrid said, “we’ll just pop over next door. Would you
like to join us, Thorin.”
Thorin nodded and said he would be along in a minute. Satisfied, the couple
walked out the door, bell tinkling, and Bilbo and Thorin were left alone.
Thorin let out a breath he hadn’t known he was holding. He scrubbed his face
with his hand, suddenly tired. He turned to look at Bilbo and smiled
sheepishly. “I suppose I should thank you,” he said shyly.
Bilbo smiled back at him and said, “You look like you have some beef with
Thranduil, I won’t ask why, but it is definitely understandable. Gods know he
is difficult to deal with at times.” He shoved his hands in his pocket and
rocked on his heels. “But when I saw how disappointed you were I couldn’t help
but try to put a smile back on your face.” He turned a hundred watt smile on
him and said, “frowning does you no justice.”
Feeling his face heat under Bilbo’s gaze, Thorin changed the subject. “So,
violets?”
“Yes,” Bilbo said, back in professional mode. “And gardenias for most of the
arrangements and Sigrid added gillyflowers to her bouquet. I think it’s rather
sweet, don’t you?”
Thorin’s brow creased in confusion. “Well, I think they’re pretty but why would
it be sweet?”
Bilbo rubbed the back of his head, realizing Thorin’s ignorance. “Sorry, I
forget that not everyone knows the language of flowers.”
Thorin asked, genuinely interested, “flowers have meaning?”
“Oh yes,” Bilbo said, skirting around the counter, putting space between them.
“Gardenias are a symbol of blooming love, something I’m sure those two would
like a lifetime of. Blue violets are a symbol of faithfulness and dedication to
one’s love. And gillyflowers,” Bilbo said, pointing to a bouquet of them
sitting in a vase across the way from them, making Thorin’s head turn.
“Gillyflowers represent contentment with one’s place in the world.”
The flowers’ meanings floored him. They truly did love each other deeply, and
Sigrid’s choice of flowers proved it all the more to him. Once again he felt
ashamed for the way he reacted when Fili first told them the news. He promised
himself then and there to make sure that, from there on out, he would keep his
bitterness with Thranduil between them and not let it affect the pure love Fili
and Sigrid shared.
“That’s a lovely statement,” Thorin finally said.
Bilbo redirected his gaze from the flowers to Thorin. “Isn’t it?” He shook his
head to shake thoughts that Thorin couldn’t guess at from his mind. “Anyway,
bring by some pendants tomorrow. We’ll see how we can incorporate them into the
design.”
Thorin nodded. “Yes,” he said softly. He tipped his head in a short bow and
said, “until tomorrow, Bilbo,” before walking out the door.
***** A Challenge Made *****
“You have got to help me, Bofur,” Thorin said hurriedly. He burst into his
offices after dropping Fili and Sigrid at his nephews’ apartment. His mind was
racing as to how he would impress Bilbo with his designs, please his nephew and
Sigrid, and put Thranduil in his place all without seeming like he was trying
to steal the spotlight from the couple on their special day.
Bofur was enjoying a sandwich at his desk, feet propped up on it, while he
leaned back. When Thorin came in with a panicked look on his face he planted
his feet on the floor and sat up straight. “What’s the matter, Thorin?”
Thorin filled him in on what Thranduil was planning for Sigrid and Fili’s
wedding. He had put together three collections of jewelry for Sigrid to choose
from, depending on what style of dress she chose. Each one was beautiful,
ranging from classically understated to over the top. The necklaces were
stunning and paired with a bracelet and earrings. He had to admit it; each
collection was exquisite and Thranduil knew his stuff when it came to diamonds.
It made Thorin’s blood boil.
“That bastard,” Bofur concurred. “What do you need my help with, though?”
Thorin told him of Bilbo’s plan to incorporate their designs into the bouquets
and boutineers and Bofur grinned. “I think I have a few ideas.”
Together they perused their pendants from their new line, Amrâlimê, trying to
decide what would look best. Thorin pulled out his phone to show Bofur the
pictures he had taken at the shop and realized he had captured one of Bilbo
holding the gillyflowers. The man’s soft, happy expression trapped him and he
found himself sighing despite himself. His raptness garnered Bofur’s attention.
He waved a hand between Thorin’s face and his phone, “hello! Earth to Thorin!”
Thorin blinked, knocked out of his thoughts. “Huh?”
“You stopped mid sentence.”
“Did I?”
Bofur nodded, concerned. “You were smiling.” He gave Thorin a suspicious,
squinted look. “It’s weird.”
“Well,” Thorin ran his fingers along the sides of his phone, toying with it.
“The florist...he…”
Bofur laughed. “Oh, I see! He’s cute, is he?” He slapped Thorin’s back with one
hand while he clutched his stomach with the other, laughing heartily.
Thorin scowled. “Back to the task at hand.”
They chose for the boutonnieres to use a rose gold and sapphire tie clip for
Bilbo to weave into the stem. For the bridesmaids’ bouquets they picked a
simple teardrop pendant that could be woven into the handle that could be later
strung on a necklace. The hardest was to find something that would incorporate
well with the bride’s bouquet while keeping its own charm. The two men couldn’t
choose between two different pendants, one of Bofur’s design and one of
Thorin’s.
“They both look good with the flowers,” Bofur agreed.
“But which do you think Sigrid would choose,” Thorin countered.
“Why don’t you just ask her?” Thorin rubbed his chin in thought, ignoring
Bofur’s question. Then Bofur jabbed him gently in the ribs, “maybe you’d fancy
Bilbo’s opinion.” His eyebrows wiggled suggestively and it made Thorin’s cheeks
grow hot and red.
Rather than give into his teasing, Thorin ordered Bofur to put everything in
boxes. “I’ll call Sigrid and tell her to meet us at the shop tomorrow. And
you’re coming with me. You can help me from getting so distracted.”
Bofur laughed. “If he’s able to fluster you, stone-faced Thorin, then what
makes you think I’ll be of any help?”
 
                                      ~*~
 
Thorin called that night and asked if Sigrid would be free to look at her
choices of pendant and then, after acquiring her consent to meet the next
morning, he called The Prancing Posey to confirm with Bilbo. The second call
was much harder to disconnect. Bilbo’s voice through the phone pulled at Thorin
and he couldn’t stop himself from smiling. He had the unshakable urge to ask
the man out.
But he hesitated. There were so many reasons it was a bad idea. For one, he was
a vendor for his nephew’s wedding, technically an employee, it would be
inappropriate. Secondly, Bilbo had admitted to having a working relationship
with Thranduil and being friends with Bard. He didn’t have any problems with
Bard other than his choice of husband. But was Bilbo close to Thranduil? Thorin
couldn’t stomach the idea of having to be friends with that blond tree.
But oh, he wanted Bilbo to keep talking to him about everything and everything.
About his flowers, his shop, coffee, the weather...anything.
It's absurd, he scolded himself. You only met the man once, how can you be so
obsessed?
But obsessed he was. And Thorin was baffled as to how it happened or why.
He passed the night tossing and turning, dreaming of honeyed curls and bright
blue eyes. In the morning he collected himself and dressed himself carefully.
He wanted to capture the florist’s eye but he didn’t want to come off as
pretentious. He chose a pair of slate grey trousers and a midnight blue dress
shirt. The outfit played off his dark complexion and hugged him nicely. After
debating about it for way longer than he cared to admit, he even rolled up his
sleeves to show off his rather impressive arms.
He looked at himself in his bathroom mirror and liked what he saw. Then he
frowned and buried his face in his hands. “You’re overthinking this,” he spoke
aloud. Desperate, desperately obsessed, he scolded himself. And then he
couldn’t put off leaving any further. He forced himself to grab his keys, sling
on his coat and pick up Bofur.
After his friend slid into the passenger seat Thorin pulled out onto the street
and asked, “coffee?”
“Love some.”
 
                                      ~*~
 
The two men pulled up outside The Prancing Posey with coffee and jewelry in
hand.
“You’re so smitten,” Bofur ribbed, taking a sip from his own cup. “Bringing him
coffee and everything.”
Frowning at his friend he replied logically, “it’s early. And chilly. I’m sure
it will be welcome.”
Bofur grinned and shook his head, motioning for him to lead the way into the
shop. The now familiar tinkle of the bells alerted those inside of their
arrival and almost instantly Bilbo appeared from the backroom.
“Good morning, Thorin,” he called, smile on his face. Then his eyes swept over
to Bofur while he stepped from behind the counter and extended a hand. “And you
are?”
Bofur shifted the bag with their boxed jewelry to his hand that held the coffee
and shook Bilbo’s hand. “Bofur, at your service.”
“Pleasure,” Bilbo assured. He spotted the extra coffee cup in Thorin’s hands
and quirked an eyebrow. He gestured to the pair of cups in his hands and
chuckled, “fueling your caffeine addiction?”
Thorin felt his ears grow hot and he stretched out the hand that held the cup
meant for Bilbo. “We-”
“You,” Bofur corrected, grinning.
“I,” Thorin choked out, “I thought you might appreciate some coffee.” Thorin
felt like squirming beneath Bilbo’s gaze. “You know...since it’s so early.”
Bilbo’s smile shifted from teasing to warm and took the offered cup. “Well
thank you, Thorin. It is much appreciated.” He breathed in the aroma that
curled up from the lid before taking a cautious sip. He hummed appreciatively
and then Thorin let loose a breath he hadn’t known he was holding. “So,” Bilbo
said, shifting Thorin’s focus, “what have you brought me today?”
Bofur held up the bag and said, “we’ve brought a couple pieces for you to use
in the mock ups. The wedding party’s pieces are chosen but we had a
disagreement as to what to use for the bride’s piece.”
“Oh?” Bilbo led them to the backroom, sipping the coffee as he went. “Can I see
them?”
“We thought that you and Sigrid should decide,” Thorin said. “She should be
along any moment.”
“Lovely.” Bilbo gestured for Bofur to put the bag on his work table. “Let’s see
what you’ve chosen for the wedding party, shall we?” He opened the box that
held the tie clip and he nodded. “This is very nice, boys. For the groomsmen I
presume?”
The jewelers nodded and Thorin said, “we were hoping you could incorporate it
into the boutonnieres.”
Bilbo hummed in agreement. “Yes, we can slip it in with the ribbon we use to
cover the florist tape we use to secure the arrangement.” He added, flashing
them both a cheeky grin, “I think it will be very dashing.”
Pleasure at Bilbo’s approval spread through Thorin’s chest. He reached out to
pick up the box that held the necklace they chose for the bridesmaids. “And
this is for the ladies,” he said, handing it to Bilbo.
“Ah,” the florist sighed. “We can secure these with pins in the handle, where
they will dangle nicely. Save the chains for after, then?”
Thorin and Bofur nodded in agreement. “That’s exactly what we thought,” Bofur
admitted.
“Great minds,” Bilbo replied with a grin.
Just then the door’s bells tinkled and they heard Sigrid call out, “hello?”
“Back here, dear,” Bilbo called.
She poked her head in and saw Bilbo holding the little necklace. “Oh that’s
pretty,” she said happily. Thorin and Bilbo explained their idea and she
heartily approved. Thorin smiled at her fondly, more pleased than he could say
at her acceptance. They took a minute to show her the tie pins and were met
again with approval.
“You said you had two choices for me to choose from for my bouquet,” Sigrid
prompted after the smaller pieces were put back into their boxes.
Bofur and Thorin shared a look and they each took the box that held their
choices. Bofur opened his first.
Inside the box was a butterfly. It was gold with blue and white sapphires
adorning the wings. The body was made of pearls. “It is a bit flashy,” he
admitted after pointing naming the gems he had used. “But I think that this
might draw the eye a bit. It’s a brooch, so you can use it on a coat or
something afterwards.” He held out the box for Sigrid to examine.
“It’s beautiful,” she sighed. She plucked it from it’s velvet bed to inspect it
more closely. “It would definitely fit, butterflies and flowers.” She replaced
the brooch and turned to Thorin. “What did you choose?”
Thorin opened his box to show her the brooch he choose. “I also chose a brooch
for its versatility. It’s a little more understated, a classic design. Simple,”
he said in a soft voice that held a hint of pride. He had never been one for
excess decoration but, then again, this was a special occasion. His choice was
a simple, rounded flower pendant shaped in silver. The center was a perfectly
rounded pearl and the thin, geometric lines that shaped the rest of the petals
were lined with little seed pearls and small chips of alexandrite.
“Oh,” Sigrid gasped when he opened the box. He felt himself hum with pride with
her obvious admiration for the brooch. “It’s stunning!”
“Oh, yes. Very,” Bilbo concurred, leaning in to get a better look.
Seeing Bilbo enthralled with his brooch Thorin bit back a shy smile. It would
do him no good to get overly excited with Bilbo’s appreciation. But he’s
impressed, Thorin’s brain traitorously supplied.
And it was true. The two of them, Sigrid and Bilbo, took turned holding it in
their hands, cooing over it in artful appreciation.
Bofur chuckled. “I think we have our answer of which you’d prefer.”
Sigrid looked at him and bit her lip. “I’m sorry Bofur. Your’s is beautiful too
but-"
“But clearly, you’ve fallen in love,” Bofur said goodnaturedly. Smiling, he
said, “I know the feeling all too well when something of beauty captures your
eye.” He looked pointedly at Bilbo then and the man’s eyes went wide.
Thorin’s head jerked from where it had been focused on Bilbo and Sigrid to
Bofur, mouth agape. Mahal, he can’t be serious! Surely he couldn’t also be
enchanted by the little florist?
He hadn’t been paying attention to Bofur during their entire exchange. Now that
he was, he could see that Bofur had stumbled upon something he liked and wanted
and Thorin had to clench his fists at his side to prevent him from dragging his
friend off to have a discussion about calling “dibs”.
But he didn’t have “dibs”, did he? He hadn’t made a move towards Bilbo, and
Bilbo was certainly his own person. Could court whomsoever he chose. Would
Bilbo accept Bofur if the man offered?
He didn’t have long to agonize over the turn of events. Bilbo recovered his
surprise quickly, coughing into his fist. “Yes well, there are many beautiful
things in this world.” He purposefully didn’t look at anyone present, eyes
steadfastly focused on the pendant in his hands. “It’s easy to get distracted
by them all.” He made himself busy by tucking the brooch away into its box.
Then he very intently looked only at Sigrid. “So, I think we have an idea of
where we’re going here?”
Sigrid, having missed the tumultuous turn of events between the men, nodded
happily and said she couldn’t wait to see how everything turned out. Bilbo
assured her that he would have mock ups prepared the next week. She thanked him
and, checking the time on her phone, saw that it was almost time for her to
start her shift at Starlight and excused herself, leaving the men alone.
An air of awkwardness settled between the three of them. Bilbo chuckled,
rubbing the back of his head anxiously. “So, I guess that’s settled, then.”
Bofur answered quickly, “indeed it is.”
Thorin wanted to choke him. He knew Thorin liked him and yet he seemed unable
to contain himself.
Bilbo led the way out of the backroom and onto the sales floor, grabbing the
bag of jewelry as he went. The two jewelers stepped around the counter while
Bilbo stayed firmly behind it. He kept averting his eyes, unwilling to look at
either of them, a blush creeping up his neck. “So, uh,” he gestured to the bag
and said, “could I keep these? You know, for the mock ups?”
Bofur leaned on the counter, crowding into the florist’s space. “I have no
problem with it.” He turned to look over his shoulder and asked, “how about you
Thorin?” Then, noticing Thorin’s dark mood, he straightened and asked, “are you
alright?”
“Fine,” he huffed in reply. “Peachy.”
Bofur didn’t seem to understand why Thorin was so upset but he decided not to
dig further and seemed to look for a quick escape. “Right...I’ll just be
outside then.”
Thorin watched him go and didn’t turn to face Bilbo until the shop door had
closed behind him. Exhaling deeply he finally faced Bilbo and saw confusion
also written on his face.
“Everything alright, Thorin?”
Not wanting to admit his jealousy at Bofur’s ease in flirting, he blamed his
scowling on the coffee. “Uh....heartburn. Perhaps I should lay off the coffee.”
Not pressing the issue, Bilbo nodded and said, “oh yes, coffee can be
traitorous sometimes.” Like some friends I know, Thorin added silently. “But I
do enjoy a cup of tea every now and then, too.” He looked brightly up at Thorin
and he realized Bilbo left an opening for him to ask him out.
But he was a coward and instead he said, “tea is nice.”
Tea is nice?! You sound like a caveman, Thorin shouted at himself. He cleared
his throat and said, “In regards to the jewelry, you can keep everything for
the time being.”
“Thank you, Thorin.” Bilbo said, bright smile back on his face. “I promise to
take good care of them.”
“I-I’m sure you will,” Thorin mumbled dumbly.
“I mean, after all,” Bilbo said cheekily, “you do know where to find me. You
know, in case you should ever worry about your lovely gems.” He winked and
Thorin nearly swallowed his tongue.
“I...I’ll see you next week,” Thorin managed to choke out before retreating to
the safety of the street.
Once outside, a few steps from the door of the shop, Thorin clutched his chest,
feeling his heart race beneath his palm. Was he flirting with me? Is this what
flirting is like?
Bofur appeared as if from nowhere, scaring the life out of him. “Thorin?”
“Gah!” Thorin’s whole body tensed but, knowing it was only Bofur, he forced
himself to relax. “Mahal, Bofur! Scared me near to death!”
“Are you alright,” he asked softly, concern written on his face. “You seemed
really upset back there. What did I do?”
Thorin squinted at him, trying to ferret out whether or not Bofur was toying
with him or if he really didn’t know. Bofur’s expression wasn’t faked and so
Thorin sighed and scrubbed a hand over his eyes in frustration. “Why’d you have
to go on flirting with him?”
Realization dawned on him and his eyes widened in understanding. “Oh! That’s
why you’re upset?” Thorin nodded and Bofur tried to bite back a shy smile, and
failing at it. “Well, you were right. He is very cute.” He spread his arms in
surrender, “I couldn’t help it.”
“But you knew,” Thorin pressed. “Did I not tell you just yesterday-”
“Were you going to make a move,” Bofur countered.
Thorin scowled, tightlipped. “Eventually,” he replied petulantly.
Bofur sighed, “‘eventually’ means he’s fair game then, yeah?” When Thorin
didn’t agree, didn’t respond at all, Bofur tried a different tactic. “How about
this; we both ask him out. See who he chooses?”
Thorin was not a fan of this plan. It left him open to failure and failure was
not an option. “Why him? Can’t you find another man to fawn over?”
“Afraid you’ll lose?”
The challenged formally issued, Thorin had no choice. Grunting he reluctantly
agreed. “When are we going to ask him?”
Bofur grinned, knowing a good game was underway. “Not telling.” He sauntered
back to the car and said, “Come on, Thorin! Misty Mountains won’t run itself.”
***** First Dates *****
Bilbo couldn’t believe the turn his life had taken. In the span of a few days
he had gone from comfortably single, with no prospects (and quite comfortable
with that thankyouverymuch) to having said yes to dates with two separate men.
Both were handsome and charming, in their own ways.
Bofur had a happy, boyish quality to him that made him feel young again. The
ridiculous hat he had worn made him giggle, sure that he had some incredible
hat hair hidden beneath it. Not to mention the directness of his attention made
Bilbo blush. When Bofur had called to ask him to “Netflix and chill sometime”
Bilbo had laughed. If it weren’t his nephew Frodo, who had explained the
concept to him weeks prior, he wouldn’t have understood the reference. As it
was, he felt oddly flattered but had suggested they have dinner first. Bofur’s
youthful enthusiasm was exciting and catching.
But Thorin…
Thorin drew his attention. He radiated power, his business attire and neatly
groomed appearance made him very easy on the eyes. The way he dressed suggested
he meant to impress and his clothes hugged him like a glove, making Bilbo’s
imagination run wild thinking about what could lie beneath. Thorin had called
upon him in person right before closing up shop on the day they had brought the
jewelry to the shop. Despite him looking like a man who command a boardroom
full of people with a single look, he had an air of nervousness and
vulnerability about him that made Bilbo smile. Thorin had asked if he “might
allow me to treat you to tea this weekend?”. The hope that flowed up from his
nervous person endeared him to Bilbo.
He had accepted.
Bilbo had two dates with two men on the same weekend. What a novelty, you mad
Baggins, you!
He did have his reservations, of course. The two men were business partners,
friends. Things could get messy.
But Bilbo refused to think about the consequences and went about his week in a
happy blur of activity until Saturday night rolled around and his date with
Bofur arrived. They had settled on dinner and walk in the park. He changed from
his normal work clothes, well-worn maroon jumper and khaki’s into something
more befitting a date. He checked himself in the small mirror in the bathroom
and smiled at the figure he cut. He chose a green cardigan and beige button up
that looked particularly flattering on him. Deeming himself very presentable he
locked up shop and headed out to meet his date.
At the appointed hour Bilbo arrived at the little hole-in-the-wall taco place,
a restaurant named Gollum’s Precious Tacos, Bofur had suggested. He found the
young man easily in the crowded room, how could he not with him wearing such an
eye-catching hat, and moved to greet him.
“Evening, Bofur,” he greeted, holding out his hand to shake.
“Hello there,” Bofur said in return. He gestured to the general atmosphere
behind him, “now I know that this place looks like it would send you to
hospital but I can assure you,” he said, corralling Bilbo to the queue, “that
this is the best place to get tacos and sopa in town.”
Dubious at the description and the general feel of the place, Bilbo nervously
nodded. “Suppose I can give it a shot.”
After placing their order at a tiny window cut into the wall of the kitchen
they sat at a table that would look more at home on a patio than an indoor
restaurant. While they waited they talked about their day, Bilbo discussing a
new book he had started and Bofur explaining a new commission piece he was
working on.
By the time the food arrived at their table, served on paper plates which gave
Bilbo pause, they had moved onto discussing the difference between cats and
dogs. “You can’t tell me you prefer cats over dogs,” Bofur insisted with mock
disgust. “They’re so-”
“Wonderfully independent,” Bilbo offered. “Usually have a better odor than
dogs, are genuinely sweet and affectionate and, not to mention, completely
happy with living their whole lives inside the house.” He scooped his fork into
the rice and lifted it to take a bite before he finished with, “let’s not
forget that cats have no need for long walks in the snow during winter.”
Bofur laughed. “Well, I have to admit there is one advantage to owning a cat.”
Bilbo grinned and put his forkful of rice in his mouth. And then his mouth
exploded with the greasy, satisfying flavor of mexican rice. He closed his eyes
and groaned in pleasure before he could stop himself. Hearing Bofur laugh
again, he snapped his eyes open and schooled his face into something more
resembling of nonchalant. “I’ll have to agree with you, Bofur. This is without
a doubt the best sopa I believe I’ve ever had.”
Grinning in triumph, Bofur accepted the praise and tucked into his own plate.
The rest of dinner was filled with light conversation and laughter. Bofur
snapped the check up before Bilbo had a chance to, causing Bilbo’s eyebrow to
quirk up. “Well, aren’t you a gentleman.”
“Well,” Bofur reasoned as he stuck a few bills into the billfold, “seeing as I
was the one who asked you out, it’s only fair that I should treat.” He smiled a
cheeky smile at him and added, “wouldn’t you agree?”
Bilbo chuckled and said, “you make a valid point.” He stood and gestured to the
door, “shall we?”
Together they walked down the street the short way to the local park and began
a leisurely stroll through the gently lighted pathways. Their easy conversation
lapsed into silence as they walked. It wasn’t exactly awkward but it wasn’t
completely comfortable either. Bilbo buzzed with the need to fill the silence.
He cleared his throat in his fist and pointed to the moon. “Moon’s lovely
tonight,” he offered. Bofur hummed in agreement and slowed his walking to a
stop. Bilbo paused alongside him, eyes still turned to the sky.
“Bilbo,” the man whispered shyly.
The subtle change in Bofur’s voice tugged at Bilbo’s attention and he turned
his face away from the moon to look at his date. The man toyed with his fingers
before he spoke. “I’m really glad you agreed to come out with me tonight.”
Bilbo smiled warmly at him and took his fidgety fingers in his own. “I am very
pleased to be here, Bofur. It’s been a lovely evening.”
The assurance from Bilbo brightened Bofur’s smile and he stood a little taller
with confidence. “I think it has. Shall I walk you home?”
Bilbo nodded, “you may,” and led the way to his home.
Bilbo lived in a modest three story walk up in the flat at the top. When they
got to the door Bilbo faced Bofur with a genuine smile on his face. “Thank you
for treating for dinner tonight, Bofur.”
“It was my pleasure,” he replied. He gestured to Bilbo’s hand and asked, “may
I?” Bilbo nodded and Bofur took his hand and buffed a chaste kiss against
knuckles, making the man blush slightly. Letting Bilbo’s hand fall he smirked
and leaned in to confess in a whisper, “saw that in a movie once. Been dying to
try it on someone.”
He winked and Bilbo chuckled. “It’s very effective, I assure you.” He bid Bofur
good evening and let himself into his building, grinning the whole way up to
his flat.
 
                                      ~*~
 
Sunday arrived and Thorin’s anxiety had reached critical mass. He found himself
lying in bed wide awake long before his alarm sounded, trying and failing not
to think of Bilbo and Bofur’s date the night before.
He replayed the conversation between him and Bofur several days earlier when
they announced their mutual success at securing a date with Bilbo. Thorin was
actually feeling rather smug, safe in the knowledge that he had asked and been
accepted by Bilbo. He found himself smiling and, of all things, humming into
his coffee the morning after he asked Bilbo when Bofur had strolled into the
office and ruined his good mood.
“You’re rather happy this morning,” Bofur had commented.
Thorin couldn’t stop his pleased smile. “I have good reason to be.”
“Well that makes two of us.”
“Oh? And why are you so happy this morning?”
“Why are you,” Bofur countered. They eyed each other for a long moment. They
both knew why the other was so happy.
“You asked him out,” Thorin stated plainly.
“And so did you.” He clapped a hand on Thorin’s shoulder. “Well done! He said
yes, then?”
Thorin nodded, scowling. “And I assume he said yes to you as well?”
“Aye, that he did.”
Thorin grunted noncommittally. “So. We both have a date with Bilbo now? Where
does that leave us?”
Bofur shrugged. “Play it out? See how things go?”
See how things go, Thorin thought sullenly to himself as he washed himself in
the shower. He didn’t care to think of how things went if Bilbo ultimately
chose Bofur over him. Bofur was younger, more energetic. Thorin was more
settled, mature. Old.
He stared at himself in the mirror, trimming his beard and tracing his wrinkles
with his eyes. He hadn’t started going completely grey just yet. Just a
sprinkle here and there along his temples. And his wrinkles weren’t so deep or
harsh yet. He was still attractive. Did Bilbo find him attractive? Would he
find the grey in his hair distinguished?
He worried over his appearance as he dressed, this time trying for a more
casual look. It was Sunday, after all. No need for suits when they were just
meeting for tea and a little breakfast. He chose a smart pair of dark grey
slacks and paired it with a silver sweater. Deciding that there was nothing
else to fret about, aside from him making a complete fool of himself in some
shape or form, he forced himself to put on a calm, collected expression and
walk out the door. He arrived at the shop first. He had let Bilbo decide the
place as he didn’t know many places other than the local Starbucks. Galadriel’s
was a quaint little place, filled with local art and comfy looking furniture.
He chose a spot next to the fireplace, an honest to gods fireplace, and waited
for his date.
He resolutely did not pull out his phone to fidget on Facebook or Reddit or
look at and agonize over the time. Instead he eyed the piece of art that hung
over the mantle of the fireplace. It depicted a white, ethereal stag walking
through a dark forest. The details were so fine, with individual dead leaves
sprinkling the forest floor and shadowy figures bleeding out from behind trees,
that Thorin was captivated. His attention was so focused that he didn’t notice
when Bilbo arrived at his side.
“It’s beautiful isn’t it,” he said, startling Thorin out of his appreciating
gaze.
“Oh!” Seeing Bilbo’s grin at his flustered face he felt his cheeks warm in
embarrassment. “Y-yes it is.” He cleared his throat and tried to put more
steadiness into his voice. “It’s captivating. The dark forest seems to breathe
through the canvas.”
Bilbo nodded and hummed in agreement. “Indeed. Legolas is an exceptional
painter.”
That got Thorin’s attention. He stared open mouthed at the painting, even more
shocked at his beauty. “You mean...Thranduil’s son painted that?”
“He certainly did. Story goes,” he pointed at the stag and said, “while he was
off abroad in Europe he went traipsing through some forest or another and swore
that he encountered that exact stag while he was hopelessly lost. Said it was
that stag that led him out of the woods and into safety when he was lost.” He
turned his smile on Thorin and added, “that is the story he tells, anyway.
Shall we?”
He held a hand out for Thorin to grasp while he rose from his chair. “There’s a
cozy little table right there,” he pointed to an empty table not far from the
fireplace, “and I, for one, am famished.”
Bilbo’s easy demeanor put Thorin more at ease, allowing him to smile and be led
to the table. “Well, we can’t have that. Do florists become fearsome when
they’re hungry?”
Bilbo chuckled, “oh, very much so. I can be a real terror, I tell you.”
When they seated themselves a server came up with menus and took their tea
orders. Thorin ordered an earl grey and Bilbo a lavender chai. When the server
left Thorin confessed, “I didn’t know you could eat flowers too. I’m learning
all kinds of things this morning.” He opened his menu and went on, “Thranduil
produced a son with a talent for painting eerily beautiful scenery, you can
drink flowers, will wonders never cease?”
Bilbo scoffed, looking at his own menu. “Now, now, Thranduil might be a royal
pain but his son is rather agreeable. Very nice young man and is always sure to
send me pictures of all the strange plants he sees on his adventures.”
“Does he? Where is off traveling now?”
Bilbo waved an unconcerned hand and said, “somewhere in New Zealand, I believe.
Running about with some man whom they call Strider, think his name is Aragorn,
and his wife Arwen.”
Thorin hummed in acknowledgement and bent his head to his menu. In no time
their tea was brought, steaming and fragrant, and they put their orders in.
When the server left Thorin said, “can’t say that I’ve ever been to a cafe that
serves full meals.”
“That is precisely why I love this place. Not only can I enjoy some wonderful
artwork and an expertly-made cup of tea, but I can enjoy it whilst eating a
stack of heavenly banana nut pancakes.”
They talked of small things while they awaited their food but once the plates
were brought the conversation turned to their nephews. Bilbo told Thorin of how
he became the guardian of Frodo when his cousins had died, raising him from a
small tyke to the strapping young man he was. Thorin told him of how proud he
was of his boys, how Fili was learning the family trade and how Kili took a
path from it and became a wood crafter.
“Fili has been coming along in etching, you should see his designs. So fine and
delicate.” He smiled softly, averting his eyes to his plate. “Looking back,
it’s obvious he and Sigrid were meant for each other. Their styles are so
similar.”
Bilbo could only nod. “I haven’t seen them for myself so I’ll have to take your
word on that.” He took a bite of his pancakes. “Your other nephew Kili sounds
like quite the troublemaker, breaking from tradition an all.”
Thorin chuckled at the warmth in the insinuation. “Aye, that he is. A right
terror, always so carefree and laughing and one for a prank. But when he works
he’s so focused. Just a couple weeks ago I watched as he put the finishing
touches on a longbow he was making. Just like his brother, the carvings in the
limbs were so ornate. Quite impressive really.”
“Does he do archery as well, or was he doing a commissioned piece?”
Thorin nodded and said, “both. The longbow was a custom order but he handles a
bow quite well himself, actually. The only other thing besides woodworking that
I have ever seen elicit such focus.” He lifted a slice of bacon to his lips and
asked before taking a bite, “and what of Frodo? What does he wish to do with
his life?”
“I don’t rightly know, to be honest,” Bilbo confessed. He lifted his mug of tea
and sipped before continuing. “At times I think he might take over the shop
from me some day, an outcome I heartily support. Other times I think he would
gladly be off roaming the earth with Legolas and Strider. But I think he would
go wherever Sam goes. Those two are so close.” He told Thorin of Frodo’s
childhood friend, Samwise, and their inseparable nature.
“It’s good that he has such a good friend,” Thorin offered.
Bilbo smiled, “indeed.” Soon enough their meal was over, mugs laid empty, and
yet they were reluctant to leave. Neither wanted their time to end so Bilbo
suggested a walk. “It’s a little brisk out but it is nice and sunny,” he
encouraged.
“I would like that very much,” Thorin acquiesced. The bill came and Thorin
reached out to take it. He glanced over at Bilbo who looked somewhere between
amused and miffed.
“You don’t mind do you,” he asked gesturing with the billfold.
Bilbo shook his head, “not at all. Just funny is all.”
Thorin quirked an eyebrow and stated, “Bofur paid last night too, didn’t he?”
Bilbo flinched at the directness of Thorin’s question. He seemed ready to brace
himself for unpleasantness and then said quietly, “you know of our date last
night.”
Thorin clenched his jaw, hoping not to sound like a crazy, possessive man. “I
knew. He told me as much a few days ago.”
Bilbo ran a hand over his face and laughed nervously. “Of course he did.” Not
looking directly at Thorin he asked, “and you are...okay with that? With me
seeing the both of you?”
Thorin licked his lips and put his money in the billfold. “We...I...that is…”
He took a deep breath and tried again. “We both fancied you and since neither
of us wanted to step aside for the other we agreed to ask and see which of us
you chose.” Keeping his eyes firmly placed on his now folded hands in his lap
he continued on. “But since you said yes to both of us we agreed to let you
make your own decisions and you would tell us, eventually, who you preferred.”
Bilbo squinted at him, suspicious. “You both liked me.” Thorin nodded. “And
both of you asked me out on a date.” Another silent nod. A moment of silence
stretched between the two of them. “Are the two of you playing with me,
Thorin?”
Thorin sputtered, “what?”
“Are you two dating me as some sort of a game? To...to see who-”
“No!” Thorin put up his hands in a surrendering motion. “Gods, no!” Thorin bit
his lip, unsure of what else to say. At length he stood and he said, “I mean
you no harm, Bilbo. But,” he sighed, “I’ll understand if you’d rather part ways
now. I’m sorry we didn’t tell you before.” He mentally kicked himself and
reached down to take Bilbo’s hand in his and kissed his knuckles briefly,
chastely. “I truly am sorry I didn’t tell you before. I’ll leave you be,” he
said, heart aching.
How could you be so stupid to allow this to come to pass, he scolded himself.
He knew that this was a bad idea. He had made his way out of the cafe and was
almost a block away, mourning the sure loss of a wonderful man before things
had even begun, when he heard Bilbo call out to him.
“Thorin!”
Thorin turned to see Bilbo rushing to catch up to him. He stood still on the
sidewalk and forced himself to keep still and accept any abuse Bilbo saw fit to
fling at him. He felt he deserved it, after all. “You know,” he puffed, his
breath coming quick after his rush. “It is terribly rude to walk out on your
date without saying goodbye.”
Thorin was thoroughly confused. He’s not mad? “You’re….you’re not upset?”
Bilbo put his hands on his hips and huffed, “well, I can’t say I’m pleased that
you both kept your knowledge of,” he waved his hand between them, “whatever
this is between us all.” He folded his arms in front of his chest and said,
“you should know that I never do this. This...casual dating...thing.”
Thorin swallowed thickly, scared to say anything.
“But, in light of the circumstances,” he blushed and didn’t quite look Thorin
in the eye, “would you be amenable to seeing where this goes?” He looked
terribly embarrassed in asking and added quickly, “I mean, we hardly know each
other. I enjoy both your and Bofur’s company but it would be unfair of me to
make an uninformed decision now would it?”
Thorin thought over the situation. As it stood Bilbo liked both Thorin and
Bofur. Both Bofur and Thorin liked Bilbo. What Bilbo suggested, casually dating
the pair of them and then deciding, put Thorin on edge. But he felt drawn to
Bilbo in a way he hadn’t felt ever before and didn’t want to stop seeing him.
It was either step aside for Bofur now and get over his crush or continue to
see Bilbo, knowing that he was up against Bofur for his affections. He didn’t
like the idea of giving up to Bofur so easily, nor the idea of him being chosen
instead of Thorin.
He had no choice.
“I know that I want to keep seeing you,” Thorin confessed. “If you wish to get
to know Bofur and myself better then I cannot begrudge you that.” They finally
looked each other in the eye and decided to let the matter rest then.
“Now that that’s sorted,” Bilbo said, moving past the unpleasant interlude. “I
believe you agreed to accompany me on a stroll in the park?”
Resolving to push everything other than his time with Bilbo aside Thorin smiled
warmly and said, “lead the way.”
***** Trick-or-Treat *****
The next few weeks for the trio flew by. Thorin and Bofur had agreed not to get
in each other’s way or play dirty in an effort to get Bilbo to choose them.
They promised to let Bilbo decide whom he wanted to date and that the choice
would be final. They had each told Bilbo as much and Bilbo agreed to take his
time to get to know them both before he decided.
But that didn’t mean that neither didn’t try their best to be attentive to
Bilbo. Each in their own way.
Bofur and Bilbo texted and enjoyed cheap food together and, once, enjoyed a
date at Bofur’s apartment where Netflix had made an appearance. Bofur had made
good on his previous suggestion of “Netflix and chill” at his flat. They
started the evening watching something that had to do with werewolves because,
as Bofur put it, “Halloween is upon us! We have to watch something spooky!” But
by the end of the movie Bilbo couldn’t tell you for any amount of money what
the movie had been about beyond the involvement of werewolves.
They had started out by cuddling on the couch, Bofur’s arm curled around the
shorter man and Bilbo’s head on Bofur’s chest. Fingertips stroked patterns into
clothing, bodies pressed close. Then at one point early on in the film a jump
scare caused Bilbo to yelp and climb half into Bofur’s lap. The man laughed and
Bilbo huffed “shut up” gruffly.
Bofur’s eyes grew intense and he said, challengingly, “make me.”
Feeling playful Bilbo leaned in, meaning to just press his lips to Bofur’s
briefly. But what had started out chaste ended with Bilbo beneath Bofur as they
clutched each other, rolling hips and panting into each other’s mouths. As the
credits rolled Bilbo found the strength to pull back before things got too far.
He pushed Bofur up so that they could sit up. When they had rearranged
themselves and sat back against the cushions, regulating their breathing, Bilbo
touched his lips and giggled.
“What’s so funny,” Bofur asked, grinning.
“Can’t believe we just spent the whole movie snogging. Feel like I’m a bloody
teenager.” And, just like that, they were both laughing uncontrollably.
Dating Bofur was just like being in his twenties again, fast paced and
exciting. Easy conversation and no lasting plans. It was light and fun and
Bilbo enjoyed the feeling of being young and enjoyed.
By comparison, Thorin was courting him. He knew he was being pursued for much
more than just a few weeks of easy companionship. He could feel it every time
they shared a comfortable silence, or when they talked for hours at night over
the phone or when Thorin stopped by in the mornings to deliver a fresh cup of
coffee for him. He felt treasured.
And then one evening Thorin showed him just how much he meant to him.
Thorin had invited him over to his own house. He said he wanted to cook for him
and Bilbo, never one to turn down a homecooked meal, was quick to accept the
invitation.
When Bilbo arrived at his house, a modest two story with white stone on the
facade, he was impressed at the simple elegance of Thorin’s home. Thorin
answered the door when he rang the bell and let him into the simply furnished
living room. Thorin had prepared for them a comforting meal of pot roast,
garlic mash potatoes, roasted vegetables and a garden salad. Bilbo was
impressed.
They spent the evening chatting and Bilbo thoroughly enjoyed the meal. When
they finished dinner Bilbo took his and Thorin’s dishes to the sink.
“You don’t have to do that,” Thorin insisted, following him to the sink.
“But you went to the all the effort of making such a nice meal that I would
feel like an absolute leech if I didn’t help a little bit with the clean up,”
Bilbo insisted in return.
“How about you help with dessert instead,” Thorin offered.
Bilbo agreed to the task. “What would you like me to do?”
Bilbo caught Thorin’s eyes drop to his lips for a fleeting second, making Bilbo
blush, before he said. “Do you know how to whip cream,” he asked.
“Ha! Course I do!”
Thorin reached up to pull a bowl down from the cabinet across from him, giving
Bilbo a lovely view of his arse, and handed it to him. “Whisk is in the crock
over there,” without moving his eyes from Bilbo he pointed to the crock full of
utensils on the counter, “and the cream is in the fridge.”
Bilbo swallowed under Thorin’s gaze, suddenly feeling too close and not close
enough to him. “Sugar and vanilla?”
Thorin stepped forward, causing Bilbo to take a step back and connect with the
counter behind him. He reached above Bilbo to the cabinet above him and pulled
down the sugar and a small vial of vanilla and dropped them neatly into the
bowl. Then he stepped back, smiling at the blush creeping across Bilbo’s
cheeks, and allowed him to retrieve the cream from the fridge.
While Bilbo whipped the cream, Thorin did their plates and wrapped up the
leftovers to be put away. By the time soft, white peaks appeared in the cream
Thorin had produced from parts unknown a pound cake and some strawberries.
“I hope you like strawberry shortcake,” Thorin said with a shy smile.
Bilbo smiled in return and replied, “love it.”
Together they sat on Thorin’s black leather couch with cups of coffee and
plates of strawberry shortcake. Bilbo groaned his appreciation when he took his
first bite. Thorin chuckled, “your appreciation for food never ceases to amaze
me.”
“You made this,” Bilbo asked.
Thorin nodded. “Last night.”
“It’s fantastic,” Bilbo praised, taking another shameless bite. When he opened
his eyes again he found Thorin staring. “What?”
Thorin slid across the space between them on the couch and reached up to swipe
his thumb across the corner of Bilbo’s lip. It came away with a smear of
whipped cream and Bilbo bit his lip, unaware that there had been food on his
face. He was about to apologize for his sloppy behavior when Thorin, eyes still
locked onto Bilbo’s, licked his thumb and sucked it lightly into his mouth.
When he pulled it back out Thorin’s lips were wet and slightly parted and Bilbo
couldn’t help himself.
Forgetting about the dessert he had been enjoying, Bilbo leaned in and kissed
Thorin. Thorin hummed once in pleasure but then pulled back, Bilbo whining at
the loss. He opened his eyes when he felt Thorin tug the plate from his hands,
setting both of their plates on the coffee table in front of them. Then he
gently cupped Bilbo’s head in his hands, on hand snaking up to brush his unruly
curls from his face and the other letting its thumb trace over Bilbo’s mouth.
Bilbo pursed his lips, kissing Thorin’s thumb as it moved only to be replaced
with Thorin’s lips.
The kiss was passionate, deep, both comforting and erotic and it made Bilbo’s
head spin. When Thorin’s tongue sought permission to enter Bilbo’s mouth he
gave it freely. He tasted the sweet cream from their dessert and groaned in
delight.
Their kiss seemed to go on forever. Bilbo had somehow found his way into
Thorin’s lap and Thorin’s hand trailed from Bilbo’s face to his back, holding
him securely and pressing their chests together. Then one of them shifted,
Bilbo couldn’t really recall who moved first, and they both gasped to feel
their erections brush together. Thorin’s head fell back into the cushions of
the couch and Bilbo chased it, finding Thorin’s neck and peppering it with
lingering kisses.
Suddenly Thorin seemed to sober and he gripped Bilbo’s hips and choking out a
strained, “Bilbo.”
Bilbo lifted his head from Thorin’s neck to look at him. “Yes?” Thorin’s eyes,
previously lidded in pleasure, were now open and concerned. Bilbo feared he had
gone too far and asked, “what is it, Thorin?”
He watched as Thorin collected his thoughts, tongue darting out to lick his
kiss-swollen lips. Finally he said, “forgive me but I feel as if I don’t stop
now I will never want to stop. Won’t be able to stop.” His right hand replaced
itself on Bilbo’s cheek and then he leaned up and pressed a small, chaste kiss
to Bilbo’s lips. “I want you Bilbo. I don’t do this with just anyone and I-”
Bilbo put a finger to Thorin’s lips to stop him. “I understand.” He kissed him
once, soft but lingering, and leaned up to give them both some space. “We don’t
have to do any more than this tonight. There will be time enough for other
things.” Then, wanting to switch the subject and give them both some breathing
room, he slid onto the couch and reached for his plate. “But for now, how about
you refresh our coffee so we can finish the dessert you’ve slaved over, hmm?”
The scene of them kissing on the couch, they way he made Bilbo feel -protected,
safe, treasured, loved- forced Bilbo to rethink his casually dating Thorin and
Bofur together. He was sure he was falling for Thorin, sure that he could be
happy with him. With Thorin came the promise of a future and while that thought
was comforting it was scary.
With Bofur things were easy. Simple. Undemanding. He knew Bofur would be happy
if they decided to do no more than their easy romping. He could continue to
feel like a young man with no worries when he was with Bofur.
But what did he really want?
He tossed and turned in bed, thinking, agonizing, over the decision. He knew he
wanted happiness in the end. I mean, what else would be the point, he reasoned.
He knew he wanted to joke and to laugh, and he certainly got that with Bofur.
But he also wanted someone who could take charge when necessary like Thorin. He
needed to find a way to break the men out of their routines with him and see if
there was more than he saw. Despite his behavior as of late, he was not a young
man. He needed to make a decision. And soon.
His thoughts drifted back to Thorin on his couch, I don’t do this with just
anyone…
Thinking of their kisses before Thorin stopped them brought a smile to his
face. Thorin’s strong hands tugging his hair, holding him in place as the
pressed against each other. Oh, Bilbo wanted more of that. Kissing Thorin
brought out something primal in him, the need to claim and be claimed. He tried
to imagine what Thorin’s teeth in his neck would feel like and felt his body
grow hot in response. His blood flow redirected south, he continued to picture
Thorin with his kiss-swollen lips, red because Bilbo had sucked them into his
mouth. He could almost hear the needful groan Thorin had elicited when they
rubbed against each other.
He was hard at the thought of forcing more sounds from Thorin. Unlike Bofur,
who eagerly voiced his pleasure, Thorin needed to be coaxed. It would be a
delightful game to Bilbo, trying to break Thorin. He stifled his own moan at
the thought and rolled over so his erection was pressing into the mattress. The
friction drew another wine from him as he rutted once, twice, into the
mattress. He tried to imagine being laid out for Thorin and Bofur. Would Thorin
take it slow like he had been or would the sight of him spread open undo him?
Would Bofur be just as enthusiastic as before, a whirlwind of activity that
spun his head?
Then the thought of being naked in front of both of them became intoxicating.
He reached beneath him with one hand and braced his upper body with the other
on his elbow, stroking slowly. He desperately wanted to be touched. By Thorin,
by Bofur, by both...it didn’t matter. He thrust into his hands as he imagined
fingers not his own stroking him. He tilted his head and stuffed two fingers in
his mouth, imagining them to be Thorin’s, wetting them for other purposes.
Right then he wanted to be stuffed from both ends, lips wrapped around a cock
and one buried inside his arse.
With spit-slicked fingers he reached behind himself to finger over his hole.
While one hand pumped his cock tight and fast the other dipped shallowly into
his hole, slipping to brush over his perineum. He let his gasps come freely
now, not bothering to muffle himself as he pictured two men lavishing attention
on him. After several more strokes and one full finger inserted into him he
came, spilling over his hand and the mattress beneath him.
After a moment he withdrew the finger and wiped his hands on the sheet. He was
briefly embarrassed by how filthy he had just been, fantasizing over two blokes
with a finger in his arse, but he felt too good to care. His need to do the
sheets in the morning and his looming decision between the two men didn’t
matter. He was finally able to sleep.
 
                                      ~*~
 
Halloween loomed, just a week away, when Bofur and Thorin came together to ask
him to a party. “My sister Dís is having a halloween party,” Thorin started.
“To which I am also invited,” Bofur interjected.
Scowling a bit at Bofur’s interruption, Thorin continued. “We would both like
you to come, if you’d like.”
“Please say you will, Bilbo,” Bofur pleaded.
Bilbo rubbed his chin in thought. “I would be going with both of you?” The two
men nodded. “And that will not be a problem?”
Bofur shrugged, obviously unconcerned. Thorin, a little less easy said, “We
would like you to come but not if you think splitting your attention will be
too much. If you think it would be awkward then I don’t want to pressure you.”
“But you will miss out of Dís’s amazing cooking and the chance to meet Kili. I
know you think Fili’s a gentleman but just you wait til you see both brothers
in action.”
Bilbo found himself smiling despite the possibility of embarrassment. “Well, if
you both wish me to come how could I say no?”
Bofur grinned widely and Thorin smiled fondly. “Thank you,” Thorin said
genuinely.
“Truly,” Bofur said. “You’ll have a great time, I promise.”
They were about to leave when Bilbo had a thought, “wait, this is a Halloween
party, yes?” The two men said it was. “Are costumes required?”
Thorin smacked his forehead and Bofur groaned in forgetfulness. “How could we
forget to tell him, Thorin?”
“I have no idea.” Thorin directed his next words at Bilbo. “Yes it’s a costume
party. Dís is one for theatrics. Something I am quite positive her youngest
inherited from her.”
Bilbo grinned and leaned over the counter. “What will you two be wearing?”
Thorin’s cheeks turned red and Bofur laughed. “I’m going as Batman,” Bofur said
proudly. “Been Batman every year for five years now. It has never failed me.”
Bilbo chuckled and looked at Thorin. “And you?” Thorin cleared his throat and
mumbled into his hand. “I’m sorry, couldn’t hear you.”
“I’m going as Robin Hood,” he said a hair louder in a pained voice, just loud
enough for Bilbo to hear.
Bilbo giggled and asked, “with the tights and everything?”
Thorin scowled and Bofur laughed. “Oh no, no tights for this outfit.”
At Bilbo’s raised, questioning eyebrow Thorin sighed heavily and said, “my
nephews picked it out for me. I promised to wear it.”
“If not tights then what will you be wearing?”
Bofur opened his mouth to speak but Thorin’s hand clamped over it and all that
managed to be heard was muffled, intelligible words. “You’ll just have to wait
and see,” Thorin said, tugging Bofur out the door with him.
“Aw you big tease! Can’t leave me in suspense,” Bilbo called even as the door
closed and they were gliding past his view in the window. Bilbo crossed his
arms and huffed to the empty store and thought about what he would go to the
party as.
Halloween arrived and Bilbo felt a little ridiculous as he drove up to Dís’s
house. He knew it was Halloween and that he was not the only one out and about
in costume but that didn’t mean he would feel any less ridiculous until he was
surrounded by other people in costume. He had finally settled on Arthur Dent
from The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. Mostly because he owned a bathrobe
and beach towel and the outfit did not need much fussing about with.
Like a good guest, he had asked in advance if he should bring anything and
Thorin told him that Dís wanted him to bring something that, in her words,
“contained a buttload of alcohol”. Keeping with her instructions he made some
very dangerous jello shots. Towel draped over his shoulder and tupperware full
of jello shots in hand, Bilbo walked up the drive to Dís’s house.
He could hear music from the street and wondered if they’d get any noise
complaints from the level of noise as he walked to the door. When he reached
the door he saw a sign that said “Beware all ye who enter here” and another
beneath it that said “just come on in”. Smiling at signs he turned the knob and
walked inside.
Immediately he was assaulted with loud music and dim lighting when he entered
the front hallway. There was a large group of people of whom he didn’t know
laughing and dancing in the living room and what looked like a pathway to a
kitchen. He followed the path and found the kitchen and a woman who looked
remarkably like Thorin and dressed to resemble Morticia from The Addams Family.
Bilbo cleared his throat and said unsurely, “uh, hello?”
The woman turned her head to look at him and said, “ah, you must be Bilbo.”
Bilbo nodded and pointed in her direction and asked, “Dís?"
“Guilty as charged.” She swept over to shake his hand. She quirked an eyebrow
and smirked at the jello shots in his hand. “Dangerously boozy?”
Bilbo laughed, “that they are.” He held them out for her to take and she did
so, plucking one out to taste. The moment it was in her mouth she grimaced and
swallowed before choking out, “you weren’t kidding.”
“No I was not,” he laughed.
Her eyes took him in thoroughly once more and then, deciding something in her
own mind she jerked her head and said, “my brother’s out on the back patio. I’m
sure we’ll run into each other again.”
Bilbo saluted in parting and followed Dís’s directions out to the back patio
where he did indeed find Thorin.
And he was wearing black leather trousers.
Thorin hadn’t noticed him yet so Bilbo took the moment to watch him. He had let
down his hair, long and wavy and just begging for Bilbo to run his hands
through. He had paired his black leather pants, lord help me, they’re tight,
with a black, flowy shirt and black leather vest. Almost as an after thought,
there was even a bow strapped across his back.
Bilbo’s mouth suddenly went dry with wanting. Good thing I’m wearing a
bathrobe, he thought silently. He pushed out of the shadows of the doorway and
said, “I thought Robin Hood wore green.”
Thorin, hearing his voice turned his head and smiled at him. His eyes were
glassy and his cheeks were red. Been drinking, I see, Bilbo noticed. “Bilbo!
Glad you made it!” He reached out and pulled him into a hug.
Unused to the easy affection from Thorin, Bilbo chucked and hugged him back.
“Good to see you too, Thorin,” he patted his back and pulled out of the hug,
smiling.
Thorin’s eyes roamed over him, rubbing the towel between his fingers. “Let me
guess…” he hummed for a moment before eyes going wide and letting loose an “oh”
of recognition. “Arthur Dent!”
“Yes! Good job, you!”
“Who’s Arthur Dent,” Bilbo heard Bofur from behind him. He turned his head to
see him dressed in the traditional black suit one expected to see on Batman,
complete with utility belt and cape.
Bilbo turned fully to face him and held out his arms so Bofur could see his
outfit more properly. “Isn’t it obvious,” he asked, mockingly.
Beneath the mask Bofur squinted, analysing for a moment before saying, “I give
up. Who’s Arthur Dent?”
Bilbo rolled his eyes and said, “really. The younger population have no taste.”
“I heartily agree,” Thorin added. “Can you believe my nephews picked this for
me? I look ridiculous! No taste!”
Bilbo rounded on him and said, “in this regard I’m going to have to disagree,
Thorin. Where are your nephews, by the way? I need to thank them for providing
me with such a gorgeous display for me to ogle.” He wiggled his eyebrows
suggestively. Christ, and I haven’t even had a drop of alcohol yet.
“I think Fili and Kili are inside with the rest of the company. Would you like
to meet them,” Bofur asked, commanding his attention again by grabbing his left
hand. “We can grab you a drink on the way.”
“Sounds good,” Bilbo said, gesturing for Bofur to lead the way. But before
walking through the door he held out his right hand to Thorin and asked,
“coming, Thorin?”
Thorin nodded and took his hand and together they made their way to the dining
room which had been temporarily converted into a bar and buffet. “Pick your
poison,” Bofur said.
“Hmm….surprise me,” Bilbo replied.
In a matter of seconds Bofur had thrown together a concoction that was bright
red and smelled suspiciously like cherries. He took a sip and tasted nothing
nefarious. “You sure there’s alcohol in this,” he asked, taking another sip.
“If Bofur made it,” Thorin piped up, refreshing his own drink with what looked
like rum, “then you can guarantee it’ll knock you on your ass.”
“Well, guess I’m lucky I have two attentive men to keep an eye on it for me.”
He eyed them both, taking another sip. “Can’t have me damaging my fine assets.”
He choked back a laugh at his own joke, schooling his face into nonchalance.
“Shall we,” he said before breezing past them both and into the living room.
Now that he knew where to look he picked Fili out right away. He was dressed as
a pirate, complete with cutlass and hat, and standing next to a young man also
dressed as a pirate. Bilbo walked right up to him and said, “good to see you
again Fili.”
Fili reached out to shake Bilbo’s free hand. “Likewise. I see you’ve found my
uncle and Bofur,” He gestured with the hand that was curled around a red solo
cup at the men behind him.
The other young man dressed as a pirate spoke loudly in an exaggerated pirate
voice, “ARRRG! WHO BE THIS?”
Fili snorted into his drink. “Brother, this is Bilbo. The florist for our
wedding and a friend of Sigrid’s.” He gestured to the man and said to Bilbo,
“this is my brother Kili.”
“Ah, Kili. I’ve heard so much about you.”
Kili did a loud, cackling laugh in keeping with his pirate persona and said,
“all bad I hope!”
“And deserving of every bit,” Thorin said from behind Bilbo.
Bilbo grinned at Thorin’s loosened behavior and asked, “speaking of Sigrid, is
she here tonight?”
Kili shook his head, “she had to attend a party with her fathers. A terribly
dull party I’m sure. All Thranduil’s friends.”
Bofur and Thorin snorted and giggled into their drinks. “No doubt about it,”
Bofur said, smacking his lips after taking a swallow from his cup. “He’s a
stiff one, not much fun is he?”
Without realizing it Bilbo had finished his drink and was feeling rather warm
and playful. What the hell did he put in here? “I don’t know. I bet a stiff one
could be very fun.” He was proud of himself for keeping a straight face for the
three seconds it took for everyone to get it and then he too was laughing
uncontrollably.
“Oi, you’re filthy,” Kili said, laughing and clapping a hand on Bilbo’s
shoulder. “I like it, s’exactly what my dear uncle needs.” Bilbo bit his lip,
shifting his gaze to Thorin who also looked sheepish.
Bofur laughed and said, “yes, I’m quite sure a filthy, stiff one is exactly
what Thorin needs.”
“Oh gods, I did not need to hear that about my brother,” Dís said, carrying a
tray of jello shots.
“Nor I, thanks,” Thorin said at Bofur.
Dís held out the tray and everyone took a shot. After they all swallowed there
was a general uttering of “dear gods what’s in this?” and Bilbo laughed. He was
pleased when everyone dove back in to grab another so he indulged in another
one as well. Before long, Bilbo was taking advantage of Dís’s buffet of
Halloween themed foods. Just as the boys had said, Dís’s food was well worth
the hype. In particular, Bilbo enjoyed her chocolate chip pumpkin cookies.
In the span of two hours the small group in the crowd had grown thoroughly
drunk and Bilbo was definitely feeling Bofur’s intoxicating drinks. “Dís,”
Bilbo swayed, pleasantly drunk but needing to pee, “could I trouble you for the
loo?”
Dís pointed to the stairs and told him which door and he left the group to make
his way to the bathroom. He did his business and washed his hands and looked at
himself in the mirror. Slightly disheveled hair, glassy eyes, red cheeks, but
not too bad. He could still stand mostly straight and was nowhere near sick.
The party was turning out to be a fun time. He turned to exit the bathroom and
nearly collided with Thorin.
“Oh, Thor-mmph!-”
Thorin had swooped in the moment he opened the door, lips latching onto Bilbo’s
and pushing him back inside the bathroom. Bilbo’s surprise was quickly being
replaced with arousal and he could do nothing more than clutch at Thorin’s
shoulders and move where Thorin directed. He ended up being pushed up against
the counter, crushed between the granite and Thorin’s chest.
After a minute Thorin let him breathe and he pulled back, leaving Bilbo dizzy.
“Sorry,” he rasped.
Bilbo scrunched his eyes in confusion. “What? Whatever for?”
“For attacking you like a wild animal.” He leaned in and kissed him, gentler
this time, before continuing. “But I have been wanting to kiss you ever since
you came waltzing in in this ridiculous bathrobe.” He hands were tugging
lightly on the ties, teasingly.
“Hmph, not ridiculous. Smart I think considering.”
“Considering?”
“This.” He pressed Thorin’s hand to his groin, to feel his burgeoning erection.
“I’ll be able to hide this whereas you,” he said feeling Thorin’s own promising
erection, “don’t have a chance in hell of hiding this in your incredibly hot,
tight trousers.”
Thorin’s breath came out in a growl that set Bilbo’s blood on fire when he
touched him. This new, animalistic Thorin was certain to drive Bilbo wild and
he loved every second of it. They dove back into kissing, groaning into each
other’s mouths. Bilbo slotted a leg between Thorin’s and rubbed his thigh along
the length of Thorin’s erection, ripping a deep growl from him. Needing to get
his hands on the smaller man, Thorin reached down to cup Bilbo’s arse in his
large hands, gripping those cheeks roughly for a moment before lifting Bilbo
onto the countertop. Bilbo’s legs automatically spread obscenely to accommodate
Thorin, who moved into the space between them to push aside the flaps of the
bathrobe and reveal Bilbo’s plain grey t-shirt. He let his hands wander over
Bilbo’s chest, feeling the warmth that came from the soft flesh beneath the
fabric. When his thumbs brushed over the smaller man’s pebbled nipples Bilbo
keened into Thorin’s mouth.
A loud knocking startled them making them part in haste.
“Oi! Get your own room, Thorin! I have to pee,” Dís’s voice said loudly but
full of good humor.
Thorin dropped his head to Bilbo’s shoulder. He groaned in embarrassment while
Bilbo laughed louder than he meant to. “Sorry, Dís, we’re coming,” he said,
sliding off the counter.
“Didn’t need to know that,” Dís called back.
Still laughing, now uncontrollably, Bilbo opened the door and glided past the
siblings who shared a knowing look between them. He was down the stairs and
being greeted with a new drink by Bofur before Thorin dared to make an
appearance.
“You were gone a rather long time,” Bofur commented.
“I...may have taken a detour,” Bilbo confessed. Thorin’s red face when he
rejoined them and Bilbo’s further mussed hair and red lips said it plainly
enough.
Bofur didn’t look too put out though, just shrugged and said with a smile, “I
thought of taking advantage of the empty bathroom too, but Thorin beat me to
it. Rather jealous of his quick thinking.”
Bilbo shook his head, covering his smile with a sip of his drink. He still
didn’t taste the alcohol but didn’t doubt that it was there. After finishing
half of it in one go he asked Bofur, “enjoying yourself?”
“Aye,” he said, tipping back his own cup. “I see you are,” he added with a
cheeky grin.
“Yes,” he nodded, feeling a little dizzy with the movement. “But I think I need
to find some water and a seat very soon. Not as young as I used to be.”
“Are you well, Bilbo,” Thorin said, suddenly concerned.
Bilbo made a dismissive gesture in front of of his face, flapping his hand too
close to his face and clipping his nose. “Just fine, I promise. Just would like
to sit is all.”
Bofur looked at Thorin and he leaned up to whisper in Thorin’s ear. After
Thorin nodded then he said, “you know, Bilbo. Thorin has his own room here, if
you’d like to sit somewhere a little quieter.” 
That surprised him. “Do you?”
Thorin nodded and said, “Dís insisted I have one for when I visit. For holidays
and such.”
Suddenly remembering his fantasy of having both Bofur and Thorin at once he
couldn’t resist asking. “Can we see it?” He finished his drink and shook the
cup gently for emphasis, “after getting some water of course.”
Thorin gave him a heated look and stared at Bilbo’s lips. “Of course,” he said,
plucking the cup out of his hand. “Are you joining us,” he asked Bofur.
“Wouldn’t miss it for the world,” Bofur confessed.
Cannot believe this is happening! Am I dreaming, Bilbo thought excitedly to
himself. You mad Baggins!
Together, the three of them went to the kitchen and they all drank some water,
slowly drinking it and chatting. When he was finished Bilbo put his cup
purposefully on the counter and said, “well, let’s see your room, Thorin! I
could use a good sit.”
Thorin led the way back up the stairs, Bilbo right behind him and Bofur
bringing up the rear. When they reached the right door Thorin opened it and
ushered them all inside.
It was a cute little room, a queen sized bed with blue covers and sheets, a
little wooden dresser with a telly perched on top. Not much decoration, just
like Thorin. “Rather sparse,” Bilbo said without thinking.
Thorin licked his lips, “well, I don’t sleep here often. Why decorate?”
Bilbo shrugged and dropped himself down onto the bed, in the middle near the
edge, finding it rather comfortable. The energy in the room felt charged,
heady, and Bilbo felt as if he were too far from both of them. They all knew
why they were here and Bilbo was eager to live out his fantasy. He waved his
arm in invitation, “come on boys, going to stand all night or are you going to
join me?
***** Living a Fantasy *****
Simultaneously the two men moved towards Bilbo and he felt his heart speed up
with excitement and anticipation. They sat on either side of him, Thorin near
the foot of the bed and Bofur near the head, and each dropped a hand on one of
Bilbo’s thighs. Bilbo couldn’t contain the grin on his face and he giggled.
“I think this is the most ridiculous thing I think I have ever done,” he
confessed to the air.
Bofur chuckled next to him, “is that so? But we haven’t done anything yet.”
Bilbo, suddenly very serious looked at Bofur. He rid him of his ridiculous
Batman mask and took his head in his hands and kissed him. Bofur groaned into
Bilbo’s mouth and he tasted of cherries, it was intoxicating. He swept his
tongue inside the younger man’s mouth, tasting and mapping. While they kissed
he could feel Thorin’s hand move up his thigh, feeling it dip into the crease
of his pelvis. He moaned at the feeling, wishing he had two mouths so he could
kiss them both.
He pulled back for breath and Bofur opened his eyes, pupils blown with desire.
Bilbo wanted this. He really wanted this; two ridiculously sexy men doing their
best to please him. He wanted to be naked and kissing and touching and tasting
them before he woke to find it all to be an amazing dream.
But he had to be sure before they went further that it was truly okay with
everyone present. He couldn’t let himself fully enjoy until he knew.
He sat back a few inches on the bed so that he could see both of them face to
face. “You both are okay with this, yes?”
“I am very okay with this,” Bofur said hungrily.
Bilbo looked directly at Thorin. “And you?”
Thorin bored into Bilbo, making him feel his eyes over every inch of his body.
“I have wanted you for some time, Bilbo Baggins.”
Bilbo licked his lips and nodded, blushing and curling a strand of hair around
a finger. At length he said excitedly, “I confess, I had fantasized about
having the two of you at once.” Then he forced himself out of giddiness and
said, “but I needed to be sure this was okay.”
Thorin reached over to caress Bilbo’s cheek. “It’s all fine, Bilbo. Whatever
you need, let me,” he glanced over to Bofur who watched them, entranced, “let
us give you what you want. What you need.”
Assured that what was about to happen was acceptable to everyone Bilbo nodded
determinedly and said, “yes. Gods, yes,” before surging forward to take
Thorin’s lips with his own.
Thorin groaned in relief and Bilbo felt Bofur’s hands caressing him through his
robe. Then, without seeming to have moved, Bilbo was sandwiched between the two
of them, Thorin to his front and Bofur to his back, and there were two sets of
hands roaming over him. He felt Thorin undo the ties on his robe and Bofur pull
it off his arms. When his neck was free from the fluffy collar of the robe
Bofur clamped his lips to the exposed skin, kissing and sucking lightly,
drawing moans from him. While Bofur nibbled his way up and down one side Thorin
worked the other, lips trailing upwards to latch onto his earlobe, sucking it
in and driving Bilbo crazy. Their attention was too much and yet not enough.
“Gods,” he panted to the space between them, his hands scrabbling for a hold.
He reached back with one hand to grip at Bofur’s hair and the other snaked into
Thorin’s tugging at the base of his skull. He could feel them kissing and
lapping at the skin at his throat and he could feel hands tugging at the hem of
his t-shirt and dragging up. He let them pull it up and off. Even shirtless
Bilbo felt too warm, pressed between them and he panted, “too warm, so warm.”
“Perhaps we should rid ourselves of our clothes,” Bofur suggested.
Bilbo nodded and he said, “but I want to watch you.”
Together, the two men crawled off the bed and Bilbo braced himself with his
hands behind him and watched as Bofur and Thorin stripped themselves of their
costumes. Thorin’s vest dropped unceremoniously to the floor, his shirt flung
to the other side of the room in his haste to remove it. His pants and shoes
joined Bofur’s shoes on the floor as Bofur worked his suit off. When they
reached for their pants Bilbo said softly, “stop.”
Both Bofur and Thorin stopped their movements, each standing in their pants and
Bilbo grinned with mischief gleaming in his eyes. “Those are my job,” he said
as he slid off the bed to stand in front of them. He eyed them both, finger
tapping his chin. “Who do I want to see first?”
He could see they were both hard, tenting out the front of their pants. He
licked his lips and then circled them to look at their clothed arses, pinching
each in turn as he passed. Thorin looked ready to burst at having to restrain
himself and Bofur looked as if he was having the time of his life, ready for
anything.
He decided to take pity on Thorin first.
He pressed a kiss to the muscle above his heart, trailing kisses downward,
lapping briefly at his nipple and hooking his thumbs into Thorin’s pants.
Slowly, achingly slow, Bilbo tugged the pants down as his mouth moved
southward. When his penis sprung free of it’s cloth prison Bilbo considered it
with an appreciative eye. Thick, long and red, pulsing with each beat of
Thorin’s heart and Bilbo wanted to taste it. Bilbo knelt briefly to slide
Thorin’s pants all the way off before leaning in to lap just once at Thorin’s
swollen head, satisfied in the gasp he pulled from Thorin. He then stood and
kissed him briefly.
He turned his eye to Bofur and said, “you’re turn, big boy.”
Bofur’s grin nearly split his face and he let Bilbo repeat his movements on
him, mouth moving over him as he pulled Bofur’s pants off. When he uncovered
Bofur’s penis his eyes drank it in. Longer but not as thick as Thorin’s, red
and glistening with precome. He couldn’t help himself. He licked across Bofur’s
head once, too, tasting the saltiness of his skin.
Then he stood and kissed him too before taking a step back. He was the only one
left wearing any clothes and he desperately wanted them off. He had worn a
simple pair of red plaid pajama pants and he toyed with the drawstring. “Should
I take these off now?”
“Yes,” came Thorin’s raspy reply.
“By all means,” Bofur said at the same time.
Grinning between the two of them he pulled the drawstring, loosening the pants
and kicking off his shoes before hooking his thumbs into his waistband and
tugging downward. He sighed when his cock was freed from his pants and closed
his eyes, squeezing once at the base of his cock, not wanting to get over
excited. Then he heard Bofur’s amused chuckle and he opened his eyes.
“You filthy thing. Not wearing any pants,” he said, taking a step forward.
“Full of surprises,” Bilbo said confidently.
“Of that I’m sure,” he said before bending down to kiss Bilbo, biting his lower
lip harshly.
The sharp spike of pleasure pulsed in him and he gripped Bofur’s arms to steady
himself. He pulled back from Bofur’s ministrations to see Thorin eyeing him
with clear intent, hand slowly stroking his own cock. It was an image Bilbo
liked very much.
He stepped back from Bofur and crooked two fingers at the men as he sat on the
bed again. “What are you waiting for,” he said cheekily.
They didn’t need any further guiding. Thorin dropped to his knees in front of
Bilbo and Bofur once again sat at his side. Thorin spread Bilbo’s legs to
accommodate him and began kissing up his thighs, letting his breath ghost over
his most sensitive areas, not yet touching him where Bilbo wanted him the most.
Bofur took up kissing him again and let one hand glide over Bilbo’s chest,
trailing exploratory fingers here and there, toying lightly with his nipples.
Overwhelmed in the best way, Bilbo was unable to do much more than hold himself
up, bracing himself with his hands behind him as the two men worked over him.
And then he felt Thorin’s tongue make a long, slow stripe along his cock and he
whined into Bofur’s mouth.
As much as he wanted no barriers between them, Bilbo knew that wasn’t the
smartest decision. He pulled back and asked, “do you have condoms?”
“Yes,” Thorin said, voice raspier than ever in his lustful state. He reached
over to the nightstand next to the bed and pulled out a box of condoms. Bofur
took one look at them and nodded and reached out to snatch one from Thorin’s
outstretched fingers. Bilbo also reached for one but Thorin took his hand and
sucked a finger into his mouth, making Bilbo bite back a moan. “Let me,” he
said and so Bilbo did.
Gently, without applying the amount pressure or friction Bilbo desperately
wanted, Thorin rolled the condom over Bilbo’s cock before putting his mouth on
him again. He started with little laps at the bundle of nerves beneath the head
of his cock, stroking the base with his hand. Already it felt so good that
Bilbo didn’t know how he would last long enough to thoroughly enjoy the
evening. But his thoughts were soon distracted by Bofur taking up his
attentions again with his fingers playing over Bilbo’s nipples.
Bilbo cried out when Thorin swallowed him completely, down to the root, and
Bofur tweaked his nipple roughly at the same time. His hands lost their
strength and he felt himself fall backward onto the mattress and he groaned
aloud again as Thorin built up a rhythm that made Bilbo want to thrust over and
over into his mouth.
In fact, his hips moved upward involuntarily once before Bofur put his hands on
them and said, “that is terribly rude of you, Bilbo,” chuckling.
“Oh shut it,” Bilbo said, uncaring of how hoarse his voice sounded. Then Thorin
hummed around him and he fought against Bofur’s hands to thrust upward. The
harder Bofur pushed him down the more Bilbo wanted to thrust upward and it was
torture. The feel of Thorin’s tongue around him and Bofur’s thumbs tracing
patterns into his hips whilst kissing him was one the filthiest things he had
felt in his whole life.
His orgasm came creeping up on him suddenly and he panted, “wait, wait, Thorin
stop!”
Thorin pulled off with an obscene pop and looked at him. His mouth was shiny
with spit and Bilbo was sure that he would taste like sex if he leant in to
kiss him. “Too close,” Thorin asked.
“Too close,” Bilbo panted. Then he licked his lips and he said, “I want to get
my mouth on both of you.” He gestured to the head of the bed, “both of you, sit
back against the bed.”
At his command, Thorin stood and Bofur made room for him. It was a little
cramped for three people but they made do. All eyes were on Bilbo as he
examined from the foot of the bed the two men whom he was determined to swallow
down. He cleared his throat, suddenly sheepish, and said, “you two are going to
have to get rather cozy.”
Thorin chanced a look at Bofur, obviously a little nervous at the already small
space between them. Bofur took the initiative and scooted over, closing those
few precious inches between them so they were shoulder to shoulder, hip to hip.
Bilbo nodded his thanks at Bofur’s eagerness and looked at the feast laid
before him, deciding how best to go about getting what he wanted.
He started by pressing Thorin’s right leg to Bofur’s left, caressing the inside
of their thighs as he did so. The thrill of pressing his fingertips against
their warm, tender skin and receiving subtle shifts in composure in response
was addicting to Bilbo. Once their legs were sufficiently pressed together,
Bilbo placed one of his own legs on either side of Thorin and Bofur’s and
shifted his way up the bed so that he was straddling the two men’s legs as best
he could. Grinning wildly, Bilbo asked, “condoms, gentlemen?”
Instantly, condoms appeared in both the men’s hands and Bilbo delicately
plucked each one in each hand. “Thank you,” he said cheerfully. It took him a
minute but he managed to get both packages open and ready for use in each hand.
Simultaneously, he placed the rubber disks on each cock head and used his
fingers to roll each one on.
Thorin’s soft, breathy gasp was almost lost in Bofur’s louder sigh. Both hips
and legs twitched beneath Bilbo as his fingers stroked to the root of them,
smoothing the condoms over the hardened flesh. Once he was sure the condoms
were applied correctly he began his fun.
Stroking a couple times, just a quick tease, he leaned forward so their heads
were all bent so their foreheads almost touch and he said, “whom should I put
in my mouth first?”
Bilbo watched as they squirmed under his gaze, both unsure of whether speaking
would ruin their chances of having him first. He noticed Thorin curling his
fist in the sheets, trying to resist the urge to reach out and touch. For
Bofur’s part, he just sat there, breath hitching at Bilbo’s light touches, eyes
wide. When no answer was forthcoming Bilbo proposed teasingly, “perhaps neither
of you would like to have my mouth.”
“Please,” Thorin rasped.
“Yes,” Bofur panted.
Chuckling Bilbo made himself comfortable, lowering himself to eye level with
the cocks in his hands. “I believe Thorin has said the magic word.”
Bofur groaned in disappointment. “You, Bilbo Baggins are a deplorable tease.”
“Catching on are we?” Bilbo grinned briefly at Bofur before shifting his gaze
up towards Thorin. “Eyes on me, Thorin.”
“Yes,” he responded in a barely there whisper.
Keeping his one hand steadily moving on Bofur, he used the other to guide
Thorin’s cock towards his mouth. He kept his eyes on Thorin’s watching his face
as he let his tongue flick out, lapping at Thorin’s head. Thorin bit his lip,
biting back a moan, and it spurred Bilbo on. Slowly, Bilbo began to take him
into his mouth. Inch by inch he sucked him down until he was hitting the back
of his mouth, mouth stretching to accommodate Thorin’s impressive girth. Thorin
whined above him when he was finally taken to the root in Bilbo’s mouth. He
squirmed beneath Bilbo’s attention, feeling his clever tongue swirl around him
then flattening to stroke his length.
After a few minutes of having Thorin in his mouth he noticed Bofur fidgeting
and groaning impatiently beside him, Bilbo’s hands not being enough. He pulled
off Thorin with a little pop, licking his lips and turning a patient grin
towards him. “Hush, I didn’t forget about you.”
To prove the point he shifted his weight to lean towards Bofur’s swollen prick,
his other hand around Thorin to dutifully stroke him. He licked a long, fat
stripe up Bofur’s cock and smiled at the rush of air being punched from the
younger man at the action. With Bofur he took a different approach, daring to
go faster, knowing the younger man would be impatient. He sucked half of him
down in one go, swallowing around him and making Bofur moan aloud. The next bob
of Bilbo’s head saw him taking the whole of Bofur into his mouth and then he
set up a fast rhythm that had Bofur clutching the headboard in desperation.
Bofur’s mouth hung open and he panted, “fuck Bilbo, yes, oh gods please…” a
litany of curses and moans. Every one shooting straight to Bilbo’s neglected
cock.
He wanted to hear that from Thorin, needed to hear that from Thorin. He pulled
off Bofur, licking his head a few times before saying in a groaning voice,
“gods that’s sexy, I love hearing the sounds you make.” Hoping that Thorin
would understand the subtle nudge, he bent to his task for a few more agonizing
seconds, sucking down Bofur’s cock, knowing he was close, before pulling off
again to take Thorin in his mouth again, his hand taking up on Bofur where his
mouth left off.
Just like he hoped, this time when he swallowed Thorin down the man moaned a
little louder than he had before. Encouraged, Bilbo hummed around the cock in
his mouth rewardingly as he worked Thorin faster than he had before but not as
fast as he had Bofur. He kept up a steady rhythm, hollowing his cheeks and
letting his tongue lave over him.
Bilbo alternated between them for a few more minutes, keeping them right on the
edge. Eventually their hands clutched at Bilbo’s shoulders as they approached
the finish line. Knowing how close they were he suddenly became desperate to be
touched, to be filled and stretched. He needed it like oxygen, so badly that it
would embarrassing if his brain wasn’t fogged with desire.
He pulled off Bofur and said to them, “I would really like for one of you to
take me tonight.”
Thorin looked ready to swallow his tongue at the prospect, clearly not ready
for such a step. Bofur, however, was quick to accept. “Oh Bilbo, yes,” he said,
dragging Bilbo’s face up from their hips to kiss him.
When they parted Thorin still looked as though a wire short circuited in his
brain. Bilbo smiled tenderly at him and kissed him thoroughly. “Don’t worry
yourself,” Bilbo assured, “I can very well multitask and you will not be left
wanting.” He cupped his face, carding fingers through the thick hair at the
base of Thorin’s skull. When he pulled away again, “is this okay with you?”
Thorin said no words, just nodded. “Excellent. Do you have lube?” Nodding again
in silence Thorin gestured to the drawer he had pulled the condoms from. He
leaned over to procure the requested slick from the drawer and then Bilbo said,
“shall I do the honors? Would you like to watch?”
A deep groan of wanting rose from Thorin, seemingly still without words. He
grunted, gritting his teeth as he nodded while Bofur said, “please.” Bilbo
nodded once in determination, saying, “such gentlemen. All polite asking,”
before lying on his back pointed towards the foot of the bed. He scooted down
so that both men could see what he was about to do before bending his knees and
bracing his feet firmly on the mattress, legs spread beautifully. He clicked
the bottle of lube open, coating his fingers well. Bringing his hand down
towards the cleft of his buttocks he paused above his cock. Unable to resist a
few quick tugs at his amazingly still hard, sheathed and neglected cock, he
wrapped his fingers around it. He sighed in relief immediately at the easy
glide of his hand as he stroked himself for the viewing pleasure of two men.
Remembering anew of his audience he felt his cheeks grow warm.Mad Baggins….
After deciding a dozen strokes was more than enough and that he desperately
wanted to be stuffed with a cock at both ends, he slicked his fingers again and
pressed a finger without hesitation to his puckered hole.
He started by just rubbing around the ring of muscle, coaxing it to loosen
before he slipped a finger slowly inside himself. He moaned in pleasure and
heard it accompanied by two other moans of wanting. His head lolled back
against the mattress. as he let the beginning waves of that unconquerable need
built up inside him. He worked the finger inside himself until he could feel
the muscles inside loosen and relax. He worked a second finger inside and then
after a minute a third. By the time a third finger was added Thorin had reached
out to cup his knee, holding his leg out and open for better viewing as Bilbo
fucked himself on his hand. He could feel Bofur’s hand gliding up and down his
other thigh in anticipation.
Finally he felt ready enough to take Bofur’s length and he pulled his fingers
from his hole, letting them ghost up over his balls and his aching cock before
pushing himself up from the bed. Nearly boneless and vibrating from desire he
said, “Bofur, behind me.”
Bofur nodded in agreement and all three men scrambled to reposition themselves
where Bilbo wanted them. Thorin remained against the headboard but in the
center of the bed with Bilbo between his legs and Bofur behind him. Once
everything was to Bilbo’s liking his said, “I have wanted to be stuffed with
your two cocks for weeks now.” He leaned down to give Thorin’s cock a swift
lick, feeling it twitch against his tongue. “You can’t know how much I’ve
wanted this, ah-”
He cried out in surprise when he felt Bofur’s probing fingers enter him,
searching for his prostate. “You talk too much,” Bofur chided goodnaturedly.
Finding his target, Bofur stroked over the little bundle of nerves, pulling
gasping moans from Bilbo. “Would you like me now, Bilbo?”
“Oh gods yes,” Bilbo moaned.
He heard the sounds of the lube bottle being clicked open and Bofur slicking
himself and then suddenly he felt Bofur pressing against his loosened entrance.
Despite his obvious enthusiasm, Bofur was easy on him at first. He worked
himself inside by inches and Bilbo felt each and every one of them. Bilbo
clutched at Thorin’s thighs for stability as Bofur steadily worked himself
inside him. Only when Bofur was fully seated inside him did he pant to Thorin,
“you’re turn.”
With no other warning, Bilbo dipped his head to take Thorin to the root.
Thorin’s gasp turned groan made Bilbo moan around him. He was well and truly
full, so full he could burst. He shifted his hips beneath Bofur’s still ones in
a silent plea to get on with it, whining when the head of Bofur’s cock brushed
against his prostate.
Then Bofur was moving, pulling out slowly and then slamming home quickly while
Bilbo moved his head in concert around Thorin. Each time Bofur pulled out Bilbo
bobbed his head down on Thorin so that when he pulled his head up he could feel
Bofur slam into him. He keened in pleasure as he was filled again and again,
eyes tearing from the onslaught but unwilling to end it. Thorin’s hands
appeared in his hair to tug at the strands, nails scratching the back of his
neck. For several minutes the only sounds to be had were the sloppy sounds of
Bilbo’s sucking, the groaning of three men and the slap of flesh as Bofur
pounded into Bilbo.
As he neared his orgasm, nearly untouched this whole time, his rhythm faltered
and he choked around Thorin as Bofur pushed into him roughly. Bilbo quickly
pulled off Thorin and coughed, sucking air into his lungs. Bofur stopped,
feeling him cough more than hearing him. “Shit, you okay?”
“Fine, fine,” he assured.
He lowered his head to take Thorin in his mouth again when Thorin’s fingers
tipped up his chin, making him look into Thorin’s eyes. “Wait a moment,” he
said gently. Then he shifted so that he was cradling Bilbo’s body beneath him,
knees drawn up to bracket him, arms curled around Bilbo’s back. He kissed him
deeply and said, “let Bofur have his first.”
There was a flicker of emotion that Bilbo couldn’t quite identify; jealousy,
affection, hurt and lust all rolled into one. He knew then that Thorin wanted
to be where Bofur stood but for whatever reason was unwilling to do so. Instead
of voicing this Bilbo nodded and kissed him in return hard, a silent thanks for
letting Bofur finish despite his feelings, before saying, “Bofur, move.”
After that, Bofur moved fast, knowing that Bilbo could not handle much more,
over sensitive as he was. Each thrust into Bilbo sent his body moving against
Thorin’s, the friction between them delicious. Bilbo rolled his hips with each
thrust, now pushing into Bofur as he chased his own orgasm. A handful of
thrusts later and Bofur was groaning above them, digging his hands into Bilbo’s
hips as he pulsed inside him. Bofur slumped slightly as the boneless, post
orgasmic feeling settled over him. He caught himself on his hands before he
crushed Bilbo between him and Thorin, for which Bilbo was grateful.
Bofur pulled out gently, Bilbo wincing and at once feeling the loss. He whined
into Thorin’s mouth with want as he kissed him, still desperate for the orgasm
that had been just nearly there for what seemed like ages. He rutted against
Thorin, seeking more friction. Bofur released him from the cage that their
bodies had become by forcing himself to sit up and move to the edge of the bed.
Once free to move Thorin said, “let me,” in a soft whisper. Not fully knowing
what Thorin wanted to do but too blissed out to care, he nodded and let Thorin
take control.
He rolled them over so that, for the first time that evening, Bilbo was pressed
between the mattress and another body. He said in a hurried voice, “Bofur, the
lube?” Thinking Thorin meant to have his now sensitive, well used hole Bilbo
grit his teeth and raised his knees to give Thorin better access. But then
Thorin lowered himself onto Bilbo and wrapped his large hand around both of
them, ripping the breath from them both.
Bilbo could feel Thorin’s breath pass over his cheek as he exhaled with a
satisfied moan. Bilbo arched up around the feeling of Thorin wrapped around
him, unable to do more at that point than clutch at Thorin’s shoulder and enjoy
the ride as Thorin brought them closer to the brink. Bilbo found himself crying
out louder than he had before, seconds away from orgasm. Just then Thorin
gasped, “oh Bilbo,” before sealing his mouth over Bilbo’s in a bruising kiss.
He bent his head to Bilbo’s ear, making his whole body tingle anew and
whispered, “come on, Bilbo. Come for me.”
And that was the last straw. The last stimulant Bilbo needed to arch off the
bed into Thorin’s hand, crying out his pleasure as he came. Seconds later,
Thorin joined him in his ecstasy. Bilbo filled the condom he was wrapped in,
pulsing in Thorin’s hand as he bucked. Finally, after an eternity, his
collapsed onto the bed breathing hard and shaking. Thorin was perched above
him, bracing himself on his arms, hovering a hairsbreadth above him so as not
to crush him.
But Bilbo needed the grounding presence of weight and so he gently pulled
Thorin the last necessary bit so that he was lying fully over him, just as
exhausted with the marathon they had just run. After a minute he nudged Thorin
to the side and beckoned to Bofur to join him on his empty side for a cuddle.
Once he had gotten his breath back he chuckled, exhausted and said. “Now that,”
he emphasized, “I believe that is the most ridiculous thing I have ever done.”
***** Midnight Revelations and the Morning After *****
Bofur felt extraordinary. He felt high and giddy. He had just engaged in some
of the best sex he could remember, with a co-worker and good friend no less,
and he couldn’t wipe his stupid grin off his face. When Bilbo beckoned him to
cuddle next to him he did so willingly, navigating his way back to the head of
the bed and curling one arm around Bilbo’s middle with the other tucked between
his body and the mattress. Thorin’s arm was there across Bilbo’s belly too,
wrapped just as tight. They both snuggled into Bilbo’s neck, breathing hard.
Bilbo had an arm under each of them and Bofur was hard pressed to find a reason
to move.
Snuffling blissfully into Bilbo’s neck, he kissed it softly and said, “that was
quite satisfactory.”
Bilbo hummed in contentment, agreeing.
Thorin said nothing.
Bofur peeked his eyes open to see Thorin looking down at Bilbo, who was still
lying with his eyes closed and coming down from his no doubt amazing orgasm.
Thorin looked wrung out, tired. Not the ecstatic post-coital high he expected.
It became shockingly clear then that Thorin had real feelings for Bilbo. Bofur
had known that Thorin had a serious crush on the adorable florist but since he
had not come to Bofur to tell him of his feelings Bofur assumed that Thorin was
okay with sharing for the time being. He thought Thorin would either eventually
grow a pair and stake a proper claim on Bilbo or he would wait for Bilbo to
choose one of them. He had been perfectly content to tease Thorin about his
feelings and to goad him about their game with Bilbo.
He should have known better. He knew Thorin well enough that he would never see
this as an nothing less than serious. Thorin didn’t do that. Bofur saw Thorin
look at Bilbo with a mixture of despair and affection and he knew he had been
an idiot to let this go on as long as he did. He all at once felt awful for
hurting his friend and dragging out his misery. He needed to back out now.
Truthfully, he liked Bilbo an awful lot but he loved Thorin like a brother and
he knew when it was time to bow out. He would make the decision for Bilbo and
make way for Thorin.
But now was not the time. He felt Bilbo shift beneath them and say sleepily,
“m’tired.”
“You’re welcome to sleep here,” Thorin said softly, caressing Bilbo’s cheek.
“M’gross. We’re sticky.” He turned his head to nuzzle his nose against Thorin’s
and Bofur felt guilty on intruding in on such a tender moment.
“I’ll get us a wash cloth,” he said quietly. Thorin nodded and hummed his
understanding, eyes still on Bilbo’s blissed out face.
Rather than dressing in his own clothes, complicated and inconvenient as his
costume had been, he stole Bilbo’s robe for the quick trip to the bathroom. The
small trip down the hall told him that the party was over and the house was
quiet. They had been at their activities longer than he thought. In the
bathroom closet he found two washcloths, using one on himself and taking care
of his own soiled condom before wetting the other to bring back to Bilbo and
Thorin.
He opened the door quietly and saw that Bilbo had fallen asleep while he was
gone. Thorin still stroked his hair, petting him lightly and staring down at
him. He handed the washcloth to him and let Thorin take care of Bilbo and then
himself, tossing their condoms into a bedside wastebasket. Once they were
sufficiently cleaned up he dropped the cloth on the floor and returned to
Bilbo’s side, sighing softly.
Bofur cleared his throat and called for Thorin’s attention. “Thorin?”
“Hmm?”
“Can I talk to you?”
Thorin turned his tired face to him and said, “now?”
Bofur nodded, “please?”
Sighing, not wanting to leave Bilbo in an unfamiliar room alone for long he
rose and rummaged in his drawers for a pair of pajama pants, sliding them on
before following Bofur out into the hallway. Bofur lead them downstairs and
into the kitchen, helping himself to the tray of leftover cookies.
Thorin sat down on a stool heavily and said, “speak your mind, Bofur.”
Bofur munched on the cookie in his mouth, swallowing before doing what he
should have done weeks ago. “I’m standing down, Thorin.”
Thorin looked at him, brows furrowed in confusion. “Standing down from what?”
“From Bilbo.” He looked at him and saw Thorin’s face grow open, mouth parted.
“I’m not blind, Thorin. I saw how you were looking at him just now.” He took
another bite of cookie and said, “you love him. Or, at the very least, you’re
falling in love with him and it’s not right for me to stand in the way of
that.”
“But,” Thorin countered, “but what if he loves you?”
Bofur snorted in amusement. “He doesn’t,” he said confidently. “We just had
fun, Thorin. I like him too but I can see that he means a lot to you. You
haven’t been this way with anyone in a very long time, Thorin. This is
something special and I would be a complete ass if I stood in the way of that
any further.”
“You’re sure,” Thorin asked unsure that Bofur really meant it.
Bofur nodded and said, “I’m sure. If he wakes up tomorrow and I’m wrong, well,”
he shrugged, “then I’m a lucky man.” He looked pointedly at Thorin and
continued, “but I don’t think I am.” He put a hesitant hand on Thorin’s
shoulder and said sincerely, “I never meant to hurt you Thorin. And I see that
I have with my selfishness. I knew you liked him first and I stubbornly pushed
you into this. And then I suggested taking him upstairs, the both of us, to
enjoy him together.”
“It’s what he wanted,” Thorin said softly.
“But not what you wanted. Not fully,” Bofur said needlessly.
Thorin huffed, a small smile tugging at his lips. “I can’t say I didn’t enjoy
myself at all,” he confessed. “He has a way about him that makes me feel,” he
made a intelligible gesture in front of him, lost for words, “I can’t describe
exactly. I never imagined doing what we just did but it was exciting and I
enjoyed it.” But then his small smile left and he said, “then I watched as
you,” Thorin hesitated over the word, “fucked him and knew that I wanted to be
where you stood. I want him to myself.” He looked at Bofur and added with a
drawn sigh, “you were right. I’m falling in love with him. How could I deny him
anything?”
Bofur pressed his forehead to Thorin’s. “You need not worry about sharing him
anymore. With me at least.” He decided then that he would be gone in the
morning so that Thorin and Bilbo could spend the rest of the night together.
“Just do me one favor?”
“Anything, friend.”
“Let me tell him myself. I don’t want him to think I’m some coward who runs out
on him in the middle of the night. He deserves to hear it from me.”
Thorin nodded and said, “that I can do.”
“Good.” He pushed himself up from the table and said, “I’ll swap out this,” he
gestured to the borrowed bathrobe, “and change back into my clothes and head
home.”
“You sure you can drive?”
“Aye,” Bofur said, reassured in his friend’s concern. “I’ll be alright. Home is
not far.”
“Alright,” Thorin said. He rose then, too, and pulled Bofur into a tight
embrace. “Thank you, Bofur.”
Bofur was touched at the affection and snorted. “Yeah, yeah, you big ol’ sap.
Get off me,” he shoved gently, goodnaturedly, and went upstairs to collect his
clothes.
Thorin followed him and when they entered the room they saw that Bilbo had
curled on his side, facing away from the door. His lovely behind was uncovered,
neither one of them having thought to cover him before they left and he had
obviously been too worn out to shift under the sheets.
While he hunted for his clothes Thorin crossed the room to shift the covers
from beneath Bilbo’s still form to pull up and over his body. He stirred
little, out cold from the drinking and his recent orgasm. Bofur smiled at the
scene before him, sleeping Bilbo with Thorin sitting on the edge of the bed and
taking up his previous attentions and petting Bilbo’s hair.
Once dressed he walked over to see Bilbo’s sleeping face. He bent his head to
drop a kiss to Bilbo’s forehead and he whispered to him, “Thorin’s a decidedly
lucky man.”
“That I am,” Thorin agreed.
Bofur straightened and nodded in parting. “I’ll be off then.”
Thorin nodded in reply and said, “drive safe.”
“Will do.”
With nothing more to be said or done Bofur took his cape and mask in hand and
left the bedroom behind. He regretted nothing except, perhaps, not making way
for Thorin sooner. Ending things with Bilbo felt right, if a little sad. Not
looking back he got into his car and drove home.
 
                                      ~*~
 
Thorin was still reeling from Bofur’s decision when Bilbo stirred in his sleep.
Thorin had curled around the smaller man once Bofur had left, wanting to be as
close as possible now that he dared to hope that Bilbo could be falling for him
too. He had not meant to be jealous, had not meant to feel hurt at Bilbo’s
obvious enjoyment of Bofur. But seeing him being taken by his friend in front
of him had made him realize anew that he wanted nothing more than Bilbo to
himself.
He knew Bilbo had seen it, his hurt. Bilbo had asked repeatedly if Thorin was
okay, still on board with the evening’s activities. All he had to do was say
“stop” and it would be over. He need not have witnessed it. But then he would
not have had the amazing experience he had tonight. He would not have
experienced Bilbo’s cleverness in bed, somehow knowing how to please both him
and Bofur at the same time. And it was fun for a time. Navigating Bilbo’s body
with his own hands while Bofur did the same, hearing the overwhelmed gasps
being pulled from him. Feeling Bilbo’s body jerk and heave, uncertain which way
to move with the constant attention. Being pressed so close to Bofur while
Bilbo swallowed them both down. It was so intimate and he had enjoyed it.
But watching Bofur fuck Bilbo was too much. And he saw how much Bilbo wanted
it. Would he beg for me like that, he had thought to himself while watching
Bofur take Bilbo before him. But he couldn’t deny Bilbo anything and he knew he
was lost on him. He wanted to see Bilbo happy. If playing out Bilbo’s fantasy
would make him happy then he would do it.
When Bilbo stirred, shifting against him as he slowly woke, it pulled him from
his thoughts.
“You know,” Bilbo said with a yawn, ‘it’s terribly rude to stare.”
Thorin smiled and kissed his cheek. “Can’t help it. You make a lovely view.”
Bilbo stretched his arms out in front of him, arching his back, before turning
into Thorin to rest his head against his chest. Yawning again he asked,
“where’s Bofur?”
Thorin’s heart clenched in his chest. “Bofur decided to go home.”
“Hmph,” Bilbo sniffed delicately. “How rude. Didn’t even say goodbye. Kids
these days.”
Thorin laughed quietly at that. “You were asleep. He doesn’t live far. He
didn’t want to disturb your rest.”
Bilbo snuggled impossibly closer, wrapping his arms tightly around Thorin.
“Smart man.” He peeked an eye open briefly and said, “think you can sleep?”
Thorin hummed affirmatively. “I think I can.”
“Goodnight, then.”
Thorin pressed a kiss to the riot of curls atop Bilbo’s head and whispered
back, “goodnight, Bilbo.”
 
                                      ~*~
 
When Bilbo next awoke he found himself still wrapped around Thorin’s torso,
mouth open and drooling slightly. He rubbed his face, groaning in
embarrassment, wiping the moisture from his chin. His movements woke Thorin and
he ducked his blushing face into Thorin’s neck to hide his embarrassment.
“Morning,” Thorin rasped groggily.
“Morning,” he said, his voice muffled in Thorin’s neck. “Sleep well?”
Thorin’s arms wrapped tighter around him as he dropped a kiss to Bilbo’s head.
“Very. You?”
Bilbo nodded. “I did.” He sighed happily and trailed lazy kisses along Thorin’s
neck. Thorin began to shift beneath him and he began to trail fingers along
Bilbo’s still naked back. Bilbo just then noticed that at some point Thorin had
thrown pajamas on and so he asked, “when did you put clothes on?”
Thorin, eyes still closed, replied, “while you were sleeping?”
“Why,” Bilbo asked moving lips up to Thorin’s jaw, kissing lightly. “Much
preferred you naked.”
“Bofur wanted to talk,” Thorin said simply.
“Mmhmm,” Bilbo hummed as he reached Thorin’s lips. “About?”
Thorin kissed him, not caring about their morning breath, and said, “later. I
want to keep kissing you.”
Not one to argue when he was enjoying himself, Bilbo did just that. They kissed
lazily and without agenda, happy to just lay in each other’s arms and enjoy the
closeness. Just as their kisses were turning more passionate and their lower
parts were stirring in interest Bilbo’s stomach let out a growl.
Thorin chuckled into Bilbo’s mouth and teased, “hungry?”
“Mmhmm, for several things.”
“How about some bacon? Waffles?”
Bilbo thought about it as he continued to kiss Thorin, both wanting breakfast
and to not leave the bed, before his stomach protested his indecision again. He
finally said, “throw in coffee and you’ve got yourself a deal.”
“As you wish,” Thorin murmured against Bilbo’s lips.
One more quick peck and Thorin was shifting from under him, Bilbo near whining
with the loss. But the prospect of food was consolation enough so he too slid
out of bed. He bent to grab his pajama pants and jammed his feet into them.
When he retrieved his shirt he was met with a wall of Thorin who cupped his
cheek and kissed him once more deeply, Bilbo unable to stop his smiling at the
tenderness, before saying, “I’ll be downstairs. Join me when you’re ready.”
Bilbo nodded and hummed in reply before tugging on his shirt. Thorin was out
the door before his head popped through the hole of his shirt but Bilbo didn’t
mind. Not only did he desperately want breakfast but he needed to find the
bathroom again and deal with his morning needs. Snatching his bathrobe, socks
and shoes from the floor he crept out into the hallway. Not wanting to wake Dís
if she was still sleeping, he tiptoed to the bathroom and closed the door
quietly behind him.
He relieved his bladder and washed his hands, scrubbed his finger over his
teeth to get rid of their scummy feeling and rinsed his mouth out with some
mouthwash that had been left on the counter. He still felt a little stale from
the night before, especially without a shower or deodorant, but he no longer
felt absolutely disgusting. He smoothed down his hair a tad with some water
from the tap and then, deeming himself presentable enough, he left the bathroom
in search of Thorin and food.
When he entered the kitchen the smell of coffee was already starting to fill
the kitchen. Thorin was bustling around the kitchen, having already pulled out
and started heating a skillet for bacon and was lugging a waffle iron out of a
cabinet by the time Bilbo had taken a seat at the counter. “Need any assistance
with that?”
“None whatsoever,” Thorin assured. “What kind of host would I be if I made a
guest make his own breakfast?”
Bilbo smiled at that. “The kind of host who doesn’t live here and is helping
himself to food from his sister’s fridge.”
“You don’t seem so above it yourself, Mister Baggins,” Thorin helpfully pointed
out as he checked the heat of the skillet.
“I’m never above breakfast,” Bilbo said proudly.
Thorin grinned at him and Bilbo melted a little inside. Seeing this new,
relaxed side of Thorin was intoxicating. He could get used to this. While he
watched Thorin whisking together a waffle batter and lay strips of bacon into
the hot skillet Bilbo imagined what it would be like if this were their house.
If this was their house on a lazy Sunday morning Bilbo was sure he would have
muscled his way into the kitchen, insisting that he help with breakfast. After
all, he did make a mean pancake. Right then Thorin was wearing a bathrobe of
his own and was fully clothed underneath but if this was their home would he
forgoe all the layers? He hadn’t realized he was staring all moon-eyed at
Thorin while breakfast was prepared until Dís appeared from nowhere and
startled him from his musings.
“I see you stuck around last night, Bilbo,” she said coming up behind him.
Bilbo jumped in his seat, knowing he was caught staring. He bit his lip and
said, “well, those jello shots packed a punch. Better safe than sorry, right?”
Dís smiled a knowing smile, knowing his staying had nothing to do with
inebriation. Instead of commenting she just crossed over to the cabinets and
pulled out three mugs. “I hope you’re making enough for Fili and Kili and me
too, Thorin.”
“The boys stayed over, then” Thorin said while plucking crispy bacon from the
skillet.
“Mmhmm,” Dís hummed, pouring coffee. “It was really quite precious. Just like
when they were children. They passed out next to each other on the couch, hats
all askew and hair all messed up.”
“Did you happen to get a picture,” Thorin asked, smirking.
“What kind of mother do you take me for?” A moment of silence and she was
smirking too, a mirror image of her brother. “Course I did.” She giggled at
that and danced around Thorin to grab milk out of the fridge. “Milk in your
coffee, Bilbo?”
“Oh, none for me thanks. Bit of sugar, though?”
“Sure thing,” she said, pouring milk in her own cup. Bilbo watched as she
spooned a bit of sugar in a mug meant for him and then, without needing to ask,
handed Thorin a mug of black coffee. He took it without even looking at her,
eyes focused on tending the bacon in the skillet. His ease in his sister’s home
was obvious. He had never seen Thorin this at ease and comfortable before and
it warmed his heart to him even more.
Dís placed the mug she had prepared on the counter in front of him and Bilbo
thanked her before breathing in the rich scent. The warm liquid ran down his
throat and he hummed appreciatively. Not much later, Thorin had poured batter
into the waffle iron and Bilbo’s stomach growled in anticipation. Dis sat
beside him and they drank their coffee and enjoyed light conversation where
Bilbo complimented her once more on her cooking skills.
“Taught him,” Dís jerked a thumb over to her brother, “everything he knows.
Told him the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach and he took to
learning quick enough.”
Bilbo laughed and said, “well, you’re not wrong there.” Though to be honest
Thorin had done more than cook to earn his way into my heart, he mused
silently.
“Is that bacon I smell,” Kili said as he walked in the kitchen.
“Excellent observation skills, Kili,” Thorin said, not turning his back from
the stove.
“Uncle’s cooking?” Kili’s face looked so surprised that it was clear to Bilbo
that he did not do so often. “Who’s he trying to impress?”
Bilbo choked back laughter and then Kili noticed him, eyes going wide in
embarrassment. “Oh, Mister Boggins-”
“Baggins,” Dís and Thorin correct in sync.
“Mister Baggins, I didn’t know you had stayed.”
Bilbo shook his head, still laughing into his coffee. “It’s Bilbo, if you
please. I’m not nearly so old that ‘Mister’ should precede my name.”
“There’s still coffee in the pot, love,” Dis said, smoothly pulling the
attention away from Bilbo and his staying for breakfast.
“Mmm, thanks mom.” Kili strode past her, dropping a quick kiss on her cheek as
he swept by, and filled his own mug. “Milk?”
“In the fridge,” Thorin said, plucking the first waffle out of the iron.
“Where’s your brother?”
“Showering. Bastard beat me to it.” He sat on the other side of his mother and
took a sip of his coffee.
“Did you leave enough coffee for your brother,” Dís asked reproachfully after
seeing that Kili had filled his cup to the brim.
Kili pouted. “He got the hot water first so I get the hot coffee first. Only
fair.”
“Kili,” Thorin warned, “make your brother a fresh cup.”
Kili groaned and pushed up from the counter. “Yeees uncle.”
Bilbo watched the domesticity between the Durins with a curious mirth. Thorin
had obviously been a father figure for his nephews. It was endearing to Bilbo
and he wanted to learn so much more about him and his family. He wished he
could have seen him with his nephews when they were boys. He wanted to know how
he came to be the father figure instead of their biological father. He wanted
to see them on holidays and birthdays and barbecues in summer. His train of
thought was interrupted when Thorin dropped a pretty plate of waffles and bacon
in front of him.
“Guests first,” Thorin said. When Bilbo opened his mouth to protest him getting
the first plate Thorin turned his back to retrieve a crock of butter and bottle
of syrup and put them on the counter in front of Bilbo.
“I’m a guest,” Kili pouted.
Dís snorted into her coffee, “nice try.” Kili stuck his tongue out at her and
she laughed.
Thorin smiled softly and said to Kili, “another will be up soon,” and then to
Bilbo, “please, eat.”
Bilbo did as instructed. He smeared a little butter over the crispy ridges of
the waffle and then poured a generous amount of syrup over it so that several
of the crannies in the waffle overflowed. His first bite was delightful;
buttery and sugary, crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. The perfect
waffle. He couldn’t contain his groan of appreciation. Thorin chuckled over his
waffle iron. “Good?”
“Don’t fish for compliments Thorin,” Bilbo said with a smile. “You know damn
well it’s delicious.”
He plucked the second waffle off the iron and passed it to Kili. “Glad to hear
it.”
Before long, Fili had joined them in the kitchen, taking Fili’s seat when the
younger brother made a beeline for the bathroom to shower. The small group
munched gratefully on Thorin’s efforts and were well pleased. Dis commented
that she might expect breakfast made every Sunday and Thorin scowled at her,
more out of principle than any actual malice, and told her not to get her hopes
up. Fili talked about the wedding proceedings and once again thanked Bilbo for
his contribution.
Before they knew it it was nearly one in the afternoon and Bilbo realized that
he didn’t really want the day to end. He had truly enjoyed his time with the
Durins but he was gagging for a shower, hoping to any gods listening that their
activities the night before were not too obvious on him. He had checked once
and was sure to curl the collar of the bathrobe a bit tighter around his neck
but he knew he must smell like stale sex. It was definitely time to go home and
wash Halloween away.
When he announced his departure the boys said goodbye and Dís told him very
seriously not to be a stranger. Thorin insisted on walking him to his car.
Bilbo didn’t mind the company at all. Once they got to Bilbo’s car he fiddled
with his keys, trying to keep his stupid smile off his face.
Bilbo finally said, “I really enjoyed myself. Last night and this morning.”
“Me too,” Thorin concurred. Thorin looked at him with such open affection that
it made Bilbo’s stomach flip.
Bilbo bit his lip, suddenly feeling shy under Thorin’s gaze. “Call me?
Tonight?”
Thorin nodded, “of course.”
“Good.” He stood there, leaning against his car, wanting to kiss him but
knowing that if he did it would mean their time that day was over. Thorin
seemed to sense Bilbo’s reason for hesitating so, rather than making Bilbo
close the space between them, Thorin did it for him.
He crowded Bilbo against his car and bent his head to kiss him tenderly,
deeply. Bilbo automatically brought his arms up to wrap around Thorin’s neck,
tugging him closer. He could feel Thorin’s arms wrap around his waist, hauling
him up onto his toes. By the time they parted they were both shaking and Bilbo
could feel the last shreds of his restraint against falling for Thorin leave
him.
“See you soon,” Thorin whispered, trailing a finger down Bilbo’s cheek.
“Very soon,” Bilbo assured.
He wanted Thorin. No doubt about it. He would have to tell Bofur soon and that
made him feel a twinge of guilt. But then Thorin kissed him once more and all
Bilbo could feel was a swelling of happiness in his chest.
He was falling in love.
***** The Big Three *****
The winter swept in fast after Halloween. Bofur and Bilbo had met the Monday
after Halloween and made the mutual decision that things between them were
over. Bilbo explained first that he was sure he was falling for his friend and
then Bofur had confessed that he figured out the same was true of Thorin. Bofur
assured Bilbo that no hard feelings were had and they hugged and said they
would remain friends and truly meant it.
Now that their feelings were clear to each other Bilbo and Thorin made every
effort to enjoy each other and only each other. They held off on more intimate
acts for a couple weeks, to regain their footing with each other and learn how
to be a couple. As it turned out, being a couple to them meant that Thorin
stopped by The Prancing Posey every morning with a thermos of coffee from home
and often a muffin or scone from the cafe down the street. Being a couple to
them meant that Bilbo often cooked their dinner, absolutely insistent that he
woo his intended with his “most impressive skill” if he did say so himself.
Thorin had argued his most impressive skill had involved his mouth in the
bedroom rather than his hands in the kitchen but made no complaints at the food
that was set before him. They shared their nights, splitting them between
Bilbo’s home and Thorin’s, and on the nights they couldn’t they spoke over the
phone. 
The second time they engaged in anything beyond kissing and groping was the
same night they confessed their love for each other. It was so sweet and tender
it had them both struck with. It was a week before Thanksgiving that it
happened. Bilbo had been discussing his plans for Thanksgiving with Thorin
while bustling around his kitchen making dinner.
“Lobelia, awful woman, has invited us yet again to join her and the rest of the
family for Thanksgiving at her home.”
“If you dislike your cousin so much then why do you go over to her house for
the holidays.”
Bilbo shrugged as he chopped an onion to throw in a soup he was making. “If it
were up to me I’d never attend a single function she was hosting. But I have
Frodo to think about.” His knife cut through the onion with ease, the chop chop
chop sound accompanied Bilbo’s voice. “He should know his family, the good and
the bad, and decide for himself who he would like to remain in touch with.
Since she hosts a rather large number of family get togethers I have no choice.
But the boy is nearly eighteen now and next year he will be free to choose to
spend his holidays as he sees fit. Until then,” Bilbo sighed, shrugged and let
the sentiment hang.
Thorin had heard of Bilbo’s cousin Lobelia before but had never had the
displeasure of meeting her. From what he had been told she was a loud and proud
woman who insisted that Bilbo’s home was far too large for just himself and
Frodo and that they should have sold his parents’ home ages ago. She often came
by trying to weasel her way into the china cabinet to knick the silver and the
china and anything else of family value she could get her hands on. She did so
under the pretext that “a man certainly cannot have the same attachment nor
ability to care for the family china like a woman would”. And on top of it all
she still treated Bilbo and Frodo like the lost, young people they were when
their parents had died too young. Always pitying them in a condescending way
that made Bilbo grind his teeth whenever he had to endure her.
“You should tell her to sod off,” Thorin offered.
Bilbo chuckled, scooping up the chunks of onion in his hands. “Ha! Right. Then
she’d be even more of a nuisance than she already is.” He dropped the onions in
the pot and swept his hands over an invisible horizon. “Before long she’d have
the whole family saying I was mad for yelling at a “well-meaning, frail old
woman”. Frail my arse! You know,” he pointed in emphasis, “I don’t think she
truly loved my parents or me.” He scowled. “Just my mother’s china and my
father’s paintings.” He turned his back on the counter and faced away from
Thorin, crossing his arms with an irritated huff.
Without even meaning to Thorin whispered, “I do.”
Bilbo’s back straightened and he whipped around to face Thorin, jaw open. “W-
what did you just say?”
Thorin’s eyes were just as wide at his own words, mouth agape. He forced
himself to close his mouth and swallow back the emotion bubbling up inside him.
He stood and came to stand in front of Bilbo and took his hands in his own,
running his thumbs over the smaller knuckles of Bilbo’s hands. “I do. Love you,
that is.”
Bilbo nearly had tears in his eyes. “Oh Thorin,” he said softly before rocking
up on his toes to kiss Thorin’s lips. “I love you too.”
Their feelings laid bare, the two men stood there hand in hand looking into
each other’s eyes until they melted together. Bilbo slid his arms around
Thorin’s neck and Thorin gripped Bilbo around his waist and they kissed more
deeply. The truth was there for so long, hovering beneath the surface, that
once the words were said there was no stopping the tide of emotion and raw need
the two men had for each other.
Before long Thorin had slid his hands down over Bilbo’s plump behind and
gripped him, raising him onto the counter so that they could press closer.
Bilbo chuckled and said in between kisses. “Is that a favorite trick of yours
or something?”
“Are you saying you don’t like it?”
“Gods no,” Bilbo panted into his mouth, tugging at the long hair at the base of
Thorin’s skull.
“Well then you’ll love this,” Thorin said in the way of warning before he
scooped Bilbo up in his arms. Bilbo’s legs wrapped around Thorin’s waist
automatically, lips still working over Thorin’s.
When Thorin started moving out of the kitchen Bilbo keened in surprise.
“Thorin! There’s a pot on the stove!”
“Sod the pot.”
Bilbo rolled his eyes. “Now wait just one moment you great, lustful brute! Put
me down,” he said before emphasising his words with a playful smack on his
chest. Thorin did as requested and Bilbo walked over to the stove and flicked
the burner off, rendering the stove inactive. He gestured for Thorin to come
over to him, “well, as you were then.”
Thorin laughed and picked Bilbo up and carried him off towards the bedroom once
more. Once inside Bilbo’s bedroom Thorin laid him gently on the bed, chasing
the smaller man’s body with his own to lay atop him. He felt Bilbo’s hands roam
over his back, the barest hint of blunted fingernails tugging at the fabric of
his shirt. Thorin, in turn, let his right hand card through Bilbo’s curls while
his left glided up and down his side, feeling the tiny shivers his movements
elicited.
They writhed on the bed, gripping, tugging and kissing until they grew too warm
and Bilbo was tugging at the hem of Thorin’s shirt. They undressed each other
slowly, starting with their shirts and letting themselves play with the exposed
skin. Only when they began to rut restlessly against each other did Thorin run
his fingers on the underside of Bilbo’s waistband and ask, “can I?”
“Please,” Bilbo almost sighed.
With a groan of longing Thorin took his time taking off Bilbo’s trousers,
forcing his hands to steady themselves. When Bilbo was bare beneath him Thorin
took a moment to just stare, drinking in Bilbo’s body. This time it was only
for him and Thorin had a rogue possessive wave run through him. He needed to
take ownership, needed Bilbo to know how he felt. He couldn’t stop the movement
of his head as it moved down to run his nose in the crease of Bilbo’s hips,
smelling the spicy musk of the skin there. Bilbo gasped and keened while his
nose made it’s way over Bilbo’s hips and when his lips followed, ghosting
kisses in it’s wake Bilbo twitched. And then Thorin trailed his tongue down to
his inner thigh, utterly ignoring Bilbo’s swollen prick, and clamped down on
the tender skin.
/“Fuck, Thorin,” Bilbo whined, a hand tangling in his hair.
Thorin loved hearing Bilbo coming apart beneath him. He needed those sounds
like oxygen and so he bent himself to the task of pulling more sounds from
Bilbo. He ran the tip of his tongue lightly on the underside of Bilbo’s cock,
root to tip, barely even tasting, just to get Bilbo to gasp some more.
He licked him, restraining until Bilbo begged for him to have mercy. Thorin
repeated the movement three more times before Bilbo whined, “please, Thorin!
I...I want...I need…” he panted, full of desire, already on edge from so
little.
Thorin kissed his head and said as calmly as he could, hoping his voice didn’t
betray him, “tell me what you need.”
“You know damn well what I want, Thorin,” he said, less forceful than he meant
it.
“Tell me,” he insisted. He stopped any movement until Bilbo was forced to look
at him. With Bilbo’s eyes on him he kissed Bilbo’s head once more before he
added, “all you need do is ask.”
Bilbo bit his lip, biting back a whine before he said, “fuck...your mouth,” he
licked his lips, eyes full of desperation before he added, “please!”
Happy to oblige Thorin finally opened his mouth and took Bilbo into his mouth.
The rush of breath, the accompanying whine that came after it when Thorin
slowly slid Bilbo into his mouth went straight to Thorin’s neglected cock. It
twitched in its cloth prison, reminding him loudly that he was still half
clothed.
But he pushed all that aside so that he could finally taste Bilbo. As much as
he wanted to swallow every inch of Bilbo he knew he ought to ask. He pulled off
gently and asked, “do you want a condom?”
Bilbo panted and shook his head. “No, no, please, gods,” he rambled. Knowing
that he could finally taste as much of Bilbo as he wanted Thorin dove back in
and took him to the root, feeling him his the back of his throat. Bilbo moaned
above him and gripped the sheets in his hands. As Thorin pulled up, starting a
rhythm, Bilbo’s hips chased his lips with a small thrust into Thorin’s mouth.
Thorin’s large hands held Bilbo still as he worked him, swirling his tongue
along Bilbo’s length, cheeks hollowing to suck him down.
“Gods, Thorin,” Bilbo whined above him. Thorin let Bilbo slip from his mouth
and he kissed around the head.
“Like this?”
Bilbo swallowed, trying to regain his earlier calm, “if you keep that up we’ll
never get you out of your trousers.”
“Would you like me out of my trousers,” Thorin asked playfully.
“You know I would, Thorin.”
Thorin absolutely wanted to be out of his trousers too so, with one last, long
suck, he sat up to undo his own belt and fly. Bilbo stilled his fingers and did
them for him, trailing kisses all along where his fly spread open, kissing the
tented fabric that covered Thorin’s cock.
When Thorin hissed at the pleasure Bilbo chuckled. “Stand up and get these off.
I think it’s your turn, don’t you agree?”
Thorin nodded his head, standing. “Yes,” he whispered.
Bilbo knelt on the bed while Thorin slipped his trousers and pants off his hips
until he stood there naked in front of Bilbo. His eyes roamed all over Thorin
making the man blush furiously, his cock twitching at the appreciative gaze. As
Bilbo looked with eyes half-lidded he said almost absentmindedly, “I want to
taste you.”
Thorin bit his lip and moaned at the thought, snapping Bilbo out of his
thoughts. He smiled sheepishly, “if that’s alright with you?”
Thorin nodded emphatically and said, “please?”
Bilbo made him lie on the bed and spread the man’s legs so he could climb
between them. He ran his hands up and down the length of Thorin’s thighs,
enjoying the view briefly before he bent his head and took Thorin into his
mouth with no preamble. This time was very different from their last encounter.
Bilbo moved with precision then, too, but this time he did it with a different
energy. A need to taste and take everything in slowly. To truly savor not just
to tease. He ran his tongue over every inch of Thorin’s cock, sucking, tasting
his precome. Bilbo groaned at the taste and began to pick up speed, rocking his
hips into the empty air beneath his own hips as he moved over Thorin.
It took all of Thorin’s willpower to choke out, “stop, too close.”
Bilbo pulled off and asked, “where would you like to come, Thorin?” He crawled
up his body, straddling just above Thorin’s prick and said, “in my mouth? In my
hand? On my stomach?” He kissed him deeply and offered, “inside me?”
The thought of being buried inside Bilbo, to claim him inside and out, was an
intoxicating thought. He wanted nothing more than to take Bilbo, feel him
writhe and clawing beneath him. But he would defer to Bilbo’s preference. “What
would you like, Bilbo?”
Hearing his name being said with such tenderness combined with need decided
Bilbo. He had wanted Thorin for weeks and he desperately needed to feel Thorin,
any part of Thorin, inside him. “I need to feel you inside me, Thorin,” he
whispered above Thorin’s lips. “I need to feel you stretching me with this
fantastic cock of yours.”
Thorin groaned, gripping Bilbo’s sides, pressing them together to brush their
erections against one another. “Yes, I want you too,” Thorin confessed.
Bilbo leaned over to reach into the drawer of his bedside table and pulled out
a bottle of lube. Handing it to Thorin he said, “then you may have me.”
In a second Thorin had them flipped so that Bilbo was beneath him. Ever since
he had watched Bofur fuck Bilbo he had wanted to be the one to make Bilbo cry
out in ecstasy. The one to make Bilbo come over and over again. The one who he
begged for. And now that he had permission to do just that Thorin would not
waste his good fortune.
The bottle opened with a click and Thorin coated the fingers of his right hand
and he bent over Bilbo to catch his lips. He kissed him open while his fingers
brushed over his hole. Bilbo’s hips twitched but he forced himself to be still
while Thorin began his preparation. Gently, Thorin coaxed the muscles to relax
and his finger slid in with small resistance. Bilbo sucked in a breath as
Thorin breached him. A minute of gentle pumping and Thorin could add a second
finger, stretching him open. Bilbo clutched at him, digging nails in as
pleasure assaulted him with Thorin catching all his moans in his mouth.
By the time Bilbo could take three fingers with ease he was rocking up into
Thorin’s hand and he was whining with need. “I’m ready Thorin, please,” he
pleaded.
“As you wish,”
Thorin replied quietly. He pulled his fingers from Bilbo’s stretched hole and
slicked himself up. Forcing himself to go slow, remembering that there were
more times to be fast, aggressive, needful but this was not the time. Achingly
slow Thorin entered him until he was fully seated and Bilbo’s body vibrated
beneath him with need.
“Good,” Thorin asked.
Bilbo nodded and nearly sobbed, “move, gods Thorin, move!”
Their lovemaking was slow, occasionally punctuated with a fast or hard thrust.
Mostly it was them moving in time, hips moving to meet each other. Thorin’s
orgasm snuck up on him and he had to pause or it would all be over. He bent his
head to Bilbo’s neck, breathing him in and kissing him with sloppy, open
mouthed kisses.
“Do it, Thorin,” Bilbo whispered to him. “You’re close. I want to feel you.”
“And you?”
“After you,” he said, swiveling his hips to stimulate the cock inside him.
Thorin sucked in a breath, moaning into Bilbo’s neck. “Come for me.”
With permission, Thorin slammed into him over and over until the heavy, heated
feeling in his belly reached it’s peak and broke over him. He came with a
shout, shuddering above Bilbo as he filled him, hips stuttering in their
movement. Thorin braced himself on his arms so he didn’t crush the smaller man
beneath him and he felt Bilbo’s hand snake between them to touch himself.
Thorin caught it and stopped the movement.
“Mine,” he growled before pulling out and bending his head to take Bilbo in his
mouth again. Bilbo cried out beneath him and Thorin felt Bilbo’s fingers twine
in his hair. It spurred him on and he began a ruthless rhythm to pry Bilbo’s
orgasm from him.
It wasn’t long before Bilbo was crying out, “oh gods, gonna, I’m gonna-”
Thorin hummed in understanding and that’s all it took for Bilbo to fall over
the edge. He came down Thorin’s throat and Thorin swallowed him down greedily.
He sucked at Bilbo until he was spent and kissed at his sensitive head before
lapping once at Bilbo’s used and leaking hole. Their combined flavor was heady
and it caused Thorin’s spent prick to twitch once in interest. But he knew
there would be no more of that for the evening and so he crawled back over
Bilbo to kiss him thoroughly.
Bilbo didn’t shy away from the taste of them on Thorin’s lips and he kissed
Thorin back. They kissed until their breaths slowed and the Thorin finally sank
to the mattress next to Bilbo. They clung to each other, shivering in their
post orgasmic haze. After several minutes of silence Thorin said, “I really do
love you, Bilbo.”
Bilbo opened his eyes and they focused on Thorin. He cupped Thorin’s cheek and
said, “I know.” He kissed him once lightly and said, “and I really do love you,
too.” Thorin’s chest tightened with emotion. To hide it from Bilbo’s knowing
gaze he buried his face in Bilbo’s neck and trying to regulate his breathing.
Another maybe ten minutes rolled by when Bilbo chuckled, “you know, that soup
won’t be any good now.”
Thorin huffed and said, “forget the soup.” Bilbo laughed and suggested they get
take out instead. Thorin was hard pressed to think of a moment when he was
happier.
***** Christmas and New Year's Among Friends *****
“I think we should host a New Year’s eve party,” Thranduil told his husband in
a bored tone.
Bard had stretched out on their couch with a book while Thranduil worked with
his sketchpad. Looking up from the book in his hands Bard said, “oh? And what’s
brought this on?”
Thranduil shrugged. “Christmas is coming soon, New Year’s is soon after that.
We’ve not spent much time with our new in-laws to be. Perhaps we should...”
Thranduil struggled to find an appropriate phrase, “make merry.” “Make merry,”
Bard said skeptically. “With the Durins? What’s this, love? A Christmas
miracle.”
Thranduil sniffed and said, “if you’d rather not I won’t force it upon you.”
Bard closed his book and swung his legs off the couch to stride across the
room. Once in Thranduil’s personal space he wrapped his arms around his surly
husband and said, “if you’d like to have a party for our friends and family why
should I say no? I’m merely curious as to why you’re so eager to party with the
Durins.”
“They’ve invited us to their family Christmas festivities. Rather, Fili and
Sigrid have invited us.”
“Did they?” Thranduil nodded. “I told Sigrid I was hoping for a family affair,
just us. She seemed rather put out so I thought we should do something for New
Years instead.”
Bard grinned. “You old softy, you want to make our girl happy.”
Thranduil would never admit it to anyone other than Bard and his children, how
much affection he held for the small family that had become his own. “Well, she
is soon to be married. Won’t be having many more family functions with just us
will she? Better enjoy it while it lasts.”
Bard kissed Thranduil’s temple, feeling the man lean into the kiss. “I think
that is a very nice idea. You let me know what I need to do to help.”
 
                                      ~*~
 
Christmas eve came on swifter than Thorin realized. One morning, a week before
Christmas, while he was puttering around the shop while Bilbo was closing up
Thorin asked if he would spend Christmas eve with him and his family. Bilbo
looked torn, stating that he would love nothing better but he and Frodo had
been invited to his horrid cousin’s again for Christmas. Thank the gods for
Frodo, though. He heard Thorin and Bilbo talking and said that he would much
rather spend Christmas with the Durins instead saying, “I think I’ve had my
fill of Aunt Lobelia for one season.” Bilbo was only too happy to oblige the
boy in leaving Lobelia to entertain their other relatives while they partook
much more enjoyable company.
Christmas eve saw them at Dís’s house with Kili and Fili and Sigrid. There was
food and laughter and mulled wine. Dís even pulled out old family photos to
embarrass her boys, Thorin included, with Christmases and birthdays past. There
were pictures of Dís’s deceased husband and Bilbo learned of his departure from
the world. Car accident, drunk driver, classically tragic. When Dís looked as
if she were about to cry Thorin just handed her another mug of Irish coffee and
said, “you know, if you keep making that face it’ll stick that way.”
She laughed and punched him and called him a prick and just like that the
tension and sadness in the air was lifted. The evening eventually devolved into
sleepy singing along to carols and giggling at their off-tune voices.
But the evening had to end at some point and it began its decline when Sigrid
announced that they should get going. “Thranduil’s making breakfast in the
morning. Tilda and Bain will be missing us if we don’t show.”
Dís rose from her chair to hug the young couple and thank them for sharing the
night with them. She kissed Sigrid and Fili’s cheeks and told them in a stern
voice, “you drive safe, now. Be careful.”
“Of course, mother.” Fili kissed her cheek in return and hugged Kili goodbye.
“We’ll call in the morning.”
Not long after the couple left Bilbo reluctantly decided to follow them. “We
should probably take our leave as well.”
“So soon,” Thorin said in a quiet voice.
Bilbo chuckled, “it’s nearly midnight, love.” He kissed him lightly on the
lips. “Frodo’s near falling asleep,” he pointed to the boy laughing sleepily
with Kili as they watched some show on the telly.
Thorin nodded and cupped his cheek, kissing Bilbo sweetly. “Call me in the
morning?”
“Count on it,” Bilbo said, smiling.
When they were gone Kili kissed his mother and uncle goodnight and went off in
search of his room. Left alone, brother and sister shared their quiet
melancholy on the couch. Dís turned off the telly and sighed. “I miss Vili.”
Thorin reached to hold Dis’s hand. “I know you do.”
She closed her eyes against her sadness. “The boys being here all the time
helped me so much. Having a piece of him around all the time. Now they’re all
grown and having lives of their own.” She smiled bittersweetly. “And my oldest
boy is going to be a husband himself.”
“You’ve done well with them,” Thorin assured her. “Vili would be so proud.”
She looked at him with a mixture of sadness, amusement and thoughtfulness. At
length she said, “you had much to do with that, you know.” She hugged him
close. “You’ve helped so much when I needed you. When the boys needed you.” She
pulled back and said, “I’m happy you found Bilbo. You deserve some happiness,
someone to take care of you for a change. Don’t you dare let him go.”
Thorin was at a loss for words. When he didn’t reply she went on, “I see how
happy he makes you. Let him continue to do so.” She pat his hand and stood to
go to bed without another word.
Later, Thorin laid in his bed missing the familiar weight of Bilbo beside him.
They had spent the night in each other’s beds, more often than not those days.
They had only known each other for three months and had been together
officially just under two months. Was it too soon to ache when he missed Bilbo?
Was it too soon to know he had for his One? His soulmate? He was surer than
anything ever before that he had found his future in Bilbo’s hands, his smile,
his bed.
He was sure Bilbo felt the same.
But planning a full life with someone you’ve known in such a short time was
crazy! Normal people didn’t want to move in with, settle down with, marry!, a
person they had only known for three months. Thorin’s breath caught in his
throat and his heart hammered when he imagined marrying Bilbo. The thought of
them sharing a home, an imagined life together had him so giddy that he nearly
split his face with a smile.
He knew he might seem silly but he couldn’t deny how he felt. But it was late
and he needed sleep. So he pushed those thoughts to the side and closed his
eyes and tried to get some rest. In the morning Bilbo would call him and then
Dis and Kili and he would share a Christmas breakfast. Later Bilbo and Thorin
would celebrate in private and exchange gifts. He fell asleep sure that he’d
found his happiness.
It was the best Christmas he had had in years.
 
                                      ~*~
 
Fili woke up not long after Sigrid on Christmas morning. He yawned and
stretched and curled to lay his head in her lap. She tapped away on her phone
while he sleepily nuzzled into her lap. “Merry Christmas, Sig.”
She dropped one hand to his head to ruffle his sleep-mussed hair. “Merry
Christmas, Fili.”
They spent a few lazy minutes in bed before they dressed for breakfast and
joined the rest of the family in the dining room. Tilda and Bain were already
seated with cups of juice and eagerly awaiting Thranduil’s famous quiche.
“Morning everyone,” Sigrid said, taking her seat.
“Morning,” Tilda and Bain said together.
“Morning sleepyheads,” Bard said, smiling fondly. “Merry Christmas.”
Thranduil came in from the kitchen carrying a pan full of artfully plated
quiche. “Merry Christmas, everyone.” He turned his eye on the two younger
children. “Ready for breakfast?” They nodded and Thranduil added. “Good, eat.
Then presents.”
“Is Legolas coming home,” Tilda asked.
Thranduil frowned, fleetingly, before replacing his cool demeanor. “No, little
one. Legolas won’t be home til after the new year.”
Bard took Thranduil’s hand and squeezed comfortingly. Fili looked on, seeing
Thranduil in a new light. He had never seen even a flicker of emotion other
than annoyance cross his face before. Seeing him show genuine emotion gave him
hope that having Thranduil for an in-law wouldn’t be as trying as he had
previously thought.
Then Bard smoothly changed the subject, “Legolas would wish he were here,
though, when he finds out that his father has outdone himself once again.” He
gestured to the food laid in front of them; quiche, sausage, fruit, hash
browns, and fresh baked croissants. “Dig in everyone.”
They all ate and chatted and had a pleasant morning. When everyone was full
Bain asked excitedly, “presents now?”
Thranduil and Bard shared a mock-serious look. “Hmm….oh, alright,” Thranduil
said, standing. “Present time, it is.” He held out a hand for Bard to take and
he helped him from his chair. “Go find your gifts,” he said with a dismissive
gesture. Without another word the youngest two were off in a flash.
Bard grinned at his children’s excitement and turned his grin onto his husband.
“Thank you, darling.” He kissed Thranduil’s cheek. “It was a lovely breakfast.”
“I agree,” Thranduil replied confidently. Though his eyes held a small hint of
sadness. “You go on, I need to make a phone call.”
“Sure thing,” Bard said. He watched Thranduil pull out his phone and retreat to
the kitchen. He turned to Fili and Sigrid and pointed a thumb towards the
kitchen. “Calling Legolas. He’s still out traveling. Think he’s Patagonia this
month.” He directed a concerned look towards the kitchen before saying, “come
join us in the living room when you’re ready, kids.”
Then he too was gone and it was Fili and Sigrid left in the dining room alone.
“He misses his son a lot,” Sigrid said quietly.
Fili nodded. “I understand. Didn’t think he was so...soft.” He smiled at his
fiance. “I think I enjoy this new side of him.”
Sigrid smiled a genuine smile at him and kissed him sweetly. “I’ve always known
it was there. I’m glad you get to see it too.”
Fili turned her towards the living room and wrapped his arms around her waist,
herding her to join the rest of her family. “Come on, didn’t you hear your
siblings? Present time!” Giggling, they walked into the living room to get a
start on the day’s main event.
Thranduil joined them not long after and seemed to be in a much better mood.
Fili couldn’t wait to tell his uncle that there was something to like about
Thranduil after all.
 
                                      ~*~
 
A couple days after Christmas and Kili tried to concentrating on hitting his
target. He pulled his bowstring taut, fingers gently pressed to his mouth to
steady himself and anchor his aim. He breathed out and let the arrow go. He
watched it fly and it landed just left of dead center and Kili sighed deeply.
Usually hitting a target dead on at thirty meters was a cakewalk. But she was
here. The object of his silent affection, Tauriel Sylvan, was just two lanes
over, breaking in a new, stunning traditional bow and looking absolutely
breathtaking. He looked over and watched her movements as she raised her bow,
pulled the line and released. Her arrow sailed to the target and he could hear
the thwunk of the arrow hitting it dead center. She smiled brightly and fist
pumped the air whispering, “yes!”
He desperately wanted to take her out on a date. Wanted to be the one to put
that smile on her face. He wanted to craft her a new bow and a hundred quivers
of arrows. He wanted to dance with her at his brother’s wedding and feed her
cake. He wanted to see if her kisses were as sweet as her laugh sounded, if her
hair was really as soft as he imagined it would be. He wanted to feel their
calloused fingers entwined, roughened from years of archery even with finger
guards.
He spoke to himself, pumping himself up to ask her out. You can do this, Kili.
She already knows you exist and she’s laughed at your jokes before. Be
confident! Girls love confidence! Pull yourself together.
He slowly packed up his equipment so that if she rejected him he could make a
hasty retreat. But if she said yes, and gods he hoped she would say yes, then
maybe they could practice together. He plucked his arrows from the target and
stowed them with the rest of his equipment and gathered it in his hands. It’s
now or never, he reminded himself. Sucking in one bracing breath he walked off
towards her lane.
He stood back as Tauriel knocked her arrow and set her stance up. The arrow
released and it sailed straight and true directly above her centered arrow and
he saw her smile break out across her face again. Then noticing him standing
there she greeted him. “Morning, Kili. Packing it in already?”
He forced himself to not panic at her piercing eyes and put on a big smile of
his own, ignoring the hammering of his heart. “Well, that depends on your
answer to the question I’m about to ask.”
“Oh?” She smirked at him. “Let’s have it then.” Keeping his voice as light with
a touch of hope he came right and said, “I was wondering if you’d help me on my
release today.” He grinned widely and added, “and then let me buy you a cup of
coffee afterwards?”
Her smile turned shy and she covered her mouth with her hand. “Well, how could
I say no to helping a fellow archer?”
Kili couldn’t stop the soaring feeling he felt at hearing her acceptance. He
sidled up next to her and pulled out his bow. “Then, by all means, I’ll follow
your lead.”
They spent the next hour practicing, walking up and down the range to retrieve
arrows from their shared target, and bumping hands and arms together in their
closeness. At one point Kili thought he would faint from joy when she came
behind him to adjust his stance, insisting that her way would give him a
steadier release. Her fingertips brushed his cheek when she adjusted his anchor
point and he gasped lightly at her touch. And then he knew he was done for
when, just like she said it would, his arrow hit dead center at 80 meters.
After practice they walked to a Starbuck’s that was just a few blocks from the
range. He ordered himself a caramel latte and she ordered a peppermint mocha.
Luckily it was just after the early morning rush and the place was empty so the
prized seats near the fireplace were free. They settled themselves in armchairs
across from each other and lay their equipment bags at their feet.
“So how long have you been shooting,” Kili asked her. “You’re awfully good.”
“Ever since I was little. When I was ten I saw Robin Hood, you know, the Disney
movie with the foxes. I wanted my own bow the second I saw it and my mum and
dad indulged me. My dad and I took lessons and it sort of became our thing.”
She frowned and held her cup in front of her face. “But then they both died
when I was a teenager and I kept doing it to kind of keep them alive, you
know?”
Kili didn’t like to see her frown but he knew exactly what she went through.
“You were lucky to have them. My dad died when I was young too, I was four so I
don’t remember him all that well. But my mom is still around, thank the gods.”
She looked at him sadly. “Sorry to hear that. It’s never nice to talk about is
it?”
Kili shook his head. “I’d much rather hear about where you got your fantastic
new bow from. It’s exquisite. I didn’t know you had a traditional bow. It’s
gorgeous.”
The smile he loved so much replaced her frown and she happily talked about her
solo trip to the country for the holiday. She had bought it as a Christmas gift
to herself. “The craftsman was just so talented, really, you should see the
wood carvings on his other pieces. Simply beautiful.”
“I would love to know who did it. I also do a fair amount of wood carving, have
a business of my own and everything.”
“Do you really,” she said excitedly. “Did you make your bow, too?”
Kili shook his head. “Not this one. This one is store bought. But I did just do
a commission for a collector. He wanted traditional runes carved into it, too.
I think it was one of my best pieces to be honest.”
“Do you have a picture?” Kili said he did and pulled out his phone and pulled
it up to show her. Their fingertips brushed as he passed her the phone and it
sent a thrill down his spine. “Goodness, that’s lovely,” she said softly.
“Thank you,” he said, smiling.
They spent the next two hours talking on and on about archery and who their
favorite archer was. When Kili said that his favorite archer was Katniss
Everdeen she laughed and said that he most certainly cannot choose a fictional
character for his favorite. They talked about their jobs and school and when
the conversation drifted back towards family Kili mentioned his brother’s
impending wedding.
“Oh! So soon,” she said.
“Aye,” Kili said. “And they’re not even nervous! I’ve never seen such love.
They’re disgustingly sweet, those two.”
“And on Valentine’s too. So cheesy! But I do think it’s awfully romantic,
despite the cliche.”
“That’s what I said!” Kili laughed. His phone buzzed and he saw his brother was
calling him. He let the call go to voicemail but said to Tauriel, “speak of the
devil.” He bit his lip and said, “I should probably get going.”
Tauriel nodded and said, “of course. See you at the range soon?”
He scooted to the edge of his chair and said, “actually, I was wondering if
you’d let me take you on a proper date sometime?”
She blushed and smiled. “I think I would like that, Kili.”
He forced himself to not whoop out loud in happiness. She’s said yes!, he
screamed in his head. Instead of making a fool of himself, though, he asked to
exchange numbers and said he would call soon to set a date.
Safely outside the Starbucks he jumped and fist pumped the air and let loose an
exclamation of triumph. “Whooyea!” He was brimming with happiness and then he
looked to the left and saw that he could see Tauriel through the window and she
was laughing. She had seen him and he knew he was red as a tomato with
embarrassment. He bit his lip and waved a tiny wave goodbye and, receiving one
in return, he walked quickly back to his car.
Once inside his car he called Fili back. After two rings he picked up and he
said, “hey Kili-”
“She said yes!,” he interrupted.
“Who said yes to what,” Fili asked.
“Tauriel! She’s said yes! We practiced together this morning and then I bought
her coffee and we talked for hours and….” he sighed happily. “She said yes to a
date.”
“Congratulations, little brother,” Fili said fondly. “Where are you going to
take her?”
Kili sat bolt upright in his seat. “Oh my god, I have to plan something!”
Fili laughed at him through the phone’s speakers. “I think I can help. Meet me
at the tailors, our suits are in and we need to make sure they fit.”
 
                                      ~*~
 
“I cannot believe I’m going to a party at Thranduil’s house,” Thorin grumbled
as he smoothed his shirt.
“You’re going to a party at your future in-laws’,” Bilbo reminded him, leaning
up on tiptoe to press a kiss to his temple. “He’s not actually that bad.”
“He’s arrogant, uncompromising, prideful,” Thorin listed off.
Bilbo chuckled, “from what I’ve heard from your,” Bilbo counted off on his
fingers, “nephews, your sister, your coworkers-”
“Whatever Bofur says is a lie,” Thorin fibbed unconvincingly.
“I hear that you’re just as stubborn and prideful and an all around grump. It
seems that the only people you’re genuinely affectionate with are your nephews
and me.”
Thorin pouted slightly and grumbled, “I can be nice.”
Bilbo chuckled and said, “then you better start practicing because I will not
stick around for any nonsense between you and Thranduil.”
Thorin rolled his eyes and mumbled something under his breath that sounded an
awful lot like “big blonde jerk”. They drove together to Bard and Thranduil’s
house and were greeted at the door by Bard.
“Thorin, Bilbo! What a surprise to see my favorite florist.”
Bilbo snorted, “you mean your only florist. Cheeky.” He took Thorin’s hand and
said, “Thorin invited me.”
“Oh?” Bard smiled knowingly and gestured for them to come in. “Let me take your
coats.”
They were the last to arrive to the party it seemed. Dís and Fili and Kili had
arrived not long before them and Sigrid had gotten there early to help with the
setup. Among the guests were Thranduil’s business partner Elrond, Gandalf who
was a mutual friend of the Bowmans and the Durins, and scattered other people
Thorin didn’t know. Bilbo squeezed his hand and said, “rip the band-aid off, as
it were?”
Thorin nodded, “yes, I suppose. Let’s go find our other host.”
They found Thranduil in the dining room ladling out punch for Tilda. He hadn’t
seen the two men walk into the room but they heard him tell Tilda, “now you
know you have to sit while you drink this.”
“No red on the carpet,” Tilda recited as if she had been told a hundred times.
“Very good,” he handed her the little glass of punch and smoothed the top of
her head. His fond smile caught Thorin off guard. He had never seen such an
expression from him that wasn’t directed at a piece of jewelry.
Then Thranduil spotted them and his customary stoic face replaced the smile and
he greeted them both. “Bilbo,” he said, shaking his hand. “Thorin,” he said,
holding out his hand to shake. Thorin clenched his hand at his side, not
wanting to take it. Then he felt Bilbo place his hand on his lower back
silently reminding him to be nice so he raised his hand to clasp Thranduil’s
and shake it briefly.
He cleared his throat and tried to remain civil, remembering the softness
Thranduil had shown Bard’s daughter. Clearly, there was something likeable
about him after all. Thorin vowed to make an effort. Thorin spoke in response
to his name, “thank you for inviting us. We were sorry to miss you at
Christmas,” he said not entirely sincerely.
Thranduil gave him a skeptical look. “Yes, well. I thought to extend an olive
branch considering we are to be family soon.”
“Yes,” Thorin said evenly. “Seems we are.”
“And since our dear Sigrid and Fili would like to see us getting along I
figured a party with ample amounts of social lubrication would suffice,”
Thranduil explained.
Thorin nodded. “Seems like the logical thing to do.”
Knowing that Thorin was reaching his limit for not making a smart comment,
Bilbo asked Thranduil, “speaking of the happy couple, where have they gotten
off to?”
“I believe they are off in the den, tending to the music.”
“Then we should go make our hellos, I’m sure we’ll bump into each other again.”
Thranduil’s face never strayed from its calm smoothness. “I’m sure.”
Bilbo took Thorin’s hand and dragged him off towards the den and told Thorin
softly when they were far enough from Thranduil, “well that wasn’t so bad.”
“Did you see him with Tilda?”
“Yes, very sweet. He was much the same with Legolas when he was a little tyke.”
“I’ve never seen him like that,” Thorin confessed.
“Ever since his wife died, poor woman, he’s never been one to be openly
affectionate. It still hurts him, losing his wife, but luckily he and Bard have
each other.” Bilbo smiled up at Thorin. “They’ve healed each other over the
years, I think.”
Thorin could admit he never knew why Bard and Thranduil had gravitated towards
each other. Bard was always so quick to smile or offer a witty remark and keep
the peace whereas Thranduil preferred to skip all niceties, using flowery prose
to subtly insult people. But after Bilbo’s easy explanation it was suddenly
clear to see that they both had experienced painful losses in their life and
their loss drew them together. To know that Thranduil could experience loss
deep enough to hurt, enough to penetrate his mask of coolness was a shock to
Thorin. He couldn’t imagine a man like Bard sticking with a man for as many
years as he had if Thranduil didn’t have some good side. Perhaps he had just
seen it.
Surprisingly Thorin found himself enjoying the party. Thranduil and he managed
to remain civil, even going so far as to stand next to each other long enough
to have a drink together. Dís snapped a picture of the two scowling men earning
the laughing delight of most of the guests. There was music and dancing in the
spacious living room and many couples made their way to the dance floor for a
dance. Thorin even took Bilbo for a spin, Bilbo blushing and hiding his face in
his hands or Thorin’s neck at any given moment. Thranduil and Bard supplied a
hefty amount of wine which everyone thoroughly took advantage of. All in all,
the party was a success.
When the night was getting deep Bilbo and Thorin decided to head to home and
bed. Before leaving they tracked down Bard and Thranduil to say their thanks
and say goodbye. Bard hugged them both and Thranduil shook their hands. “It was
a pleasure seeing you both,” Bard assured them.
“It was a lovely party,” Bilbo replied. “I’m very happy to have come.”
Thorin said plainly, “we’ll be seeing you at the rehearsal dinner next month,
then?”
Thranduil nodded. “Indeed you will. Hard to think, the time has gone by so
quickly, hasn’t it?”
“Indeed,” Thorin mimicked. Nodding his head in departure he said, “goodnight
then.”
Thorin drove them to Bilbo’s apartment and when they were finally lying in bed
together he said, “I can understand him now.”
Bilbo propped himself on his elbow, “Thranduil?” Thorin nodded. “Dís loved Vili
like nothing I had ever seen. They were the perfect couple, so plainly in love.
But after Vili died my sister thought herself alone. Our parents gone, one
brother gone, husband gone, who could blame her.” Thorin closed his eyes and
reached out to pull Bilbo close. “She could have turned out the same way if it
weren’t for those boys of hers.”
“Or for you,” Bilbo reminded him and kissed his nose.
Thorin huffed, “yes, me too. But no one couple replace his place in her heart.
The day he died I thought her happiness had gone with him forever.”
Bilbo kissed him. “But it didn’t. She’s a very strong lady, your sister.”
Thorin chuckled. “You got that right.” He squeezed Bilbo in his arms. “Thank
you for coming with me. I still don’t like that big, blonde, jerk but having
you there made it easier.”
Bilbo laughed into Thorin’s chest. “Anytime, love.”
After that it wasn’t long before they had drifted off into a deep, peaceful
sleep wrapped in each other’s arms.
 
                                      ~*~
 
Thranduil stood in front of his living room window staring at the clear, quiet
street after everyone else had gone. He held the last glass of wine in his hand
and he sipped it periodically, barely tasting it, as he thought about the
success of the night and of his interaction with Thorin. Or, rather, his
viewing of Thorin’s interaction with Bilbo.
He had watched out of the corner of his eyes as Thorin brought Bilbo drinks, as
they held hands, when they danced in his living room. The small kisses, the
tender looks and the laughter, the pure happiness on Thorin’s face was a stark
contrast from what Thranduil had known of him that it threw him off course. He
had previously not thought the man had any tenderness, and real love, in his
whole being. Even when they had seen each other in professional settings with
his nephew in attendance Thorin was short and gruff. But this new side of him
gave him something to think on. Made Thorin tolerable to have as an in-law.
Of course Thranduil knew what many thought of him; uncaring, cold, heartless.
He was none of those things. He felt as deeply as the depths of the oceans, the
vastness of the sky and space, as broadly as the forests. But he learned many
years ago that the best way to protect oneself was to appear on the outside as
if you were stone, unstoppable, immovable. Perhaps Thorin was the same way.
Bard leaned against the wall next to him and declared the clean up done.
“Dishes are in the dishwasher, trash ready to go out in the morning and the
food is put away.”
“Thank you, Bard,” Thranduil said, still looking out into the night.
Bard looked at him with curiosity. “Something on your mind, love?”
“Thorin,” Thranduil said truthfully.
“Ah, yes. The insufferable, gruff man who brought with him our florist as a
date.” Bard smiled at him and Thranduil felt his gaze drift from the window to
husband. “What about him?”
“He looks happy is all.”
“That he does. People in love tend to do that,” Bard said with a smirk.
Thranduil nodded. “You know, I once thought him incapable of expressing
anything with the way he treats people. But now I see that is apparently not
the case.”
“I think you forget how similar you two are, Thran.” Bard took Thranduil’s now
empty glass and set it on their coffee table that had been pushed to the wall
to make room for their guests. “You both put on this hard exterior but
underneath you feel things just the same.” He kissed Bard’s knuckles. “Some are
just more choosey on when they show it than others.”
Thranduil frowned. “Are you saying I’m not affectionate enough?”
Bard laughed, “no that’s not what I’m saying, you sensitive thing.” He tipped
his head up to kiss his husband’s lips. “I’m just saying that maybe Thorin
feels as though he can show his feelings to the world now.” He cradled
Thranduil’s cheek in his hands and said, “you need not show your love for me on
any dance floor, any party or anywhere else so long as you show it to me when
it counts.” He let his hands fall to collect Thranduil’s hands and tugged him
towards the stairs to their bedroom. “And right now I’d like you to show me how
much you love me by coming to bed and laying next to me while I snore in your
ear.”
Thranduil rolled his eyes. “Charming as ever.” Secretly he loved it, the
evidence of Bard’s sleeping, peaceful body lying atop him or next to him, the
evidence of his life vibrating into his ears as he fell asleep. “Why did I
agree to marry you?”
“Because you couldn’t stop staring at my arse,” Bard said with a smirk.
“Aaand I think the wine has gone to your head.” Thranduil ushered him up the
stairs and said, “clearly it is time for you to sleep it off.”
“You know you love it,” Bard said, chuckling as he walked up the stairs.
Thranduil watched as he followed him up he thought, damn him, I really can’t
stop staring at his arse.
It took only ten minutes for the two men to go through their routine of getting
ready for bed before they slipped beneath the sheets. Bard held Thranduil close
when the blonde put his head on his chest. Thranduil, in the cover of their
dark room, pressed small kisses to his bare chest and said softly. “I love
you.”
Bard ran his fingers through the silk-fine hair of his head and whispered back,
“love you too, Thran.” He kissed the top of his head and settled down to sleep.
Before long he was snoring and Thranduil smiled at the proof of life and closed
his eyes to chase his own sleep.
***** The Wedding *****
Chapter Notes
See the end of the chapter for notes
Fili looked at himself in the mirror, adjusting his tie and his hair for the
hundredth time. He was so nervous for the impending ceremony that he couldn’t
stop fidgeting. No nervousness about marrying Sigrid, he had never had doubts
about wanting her to be his wife. But there were a great many people out there
who were going to watch them walk down the aisle and exchange vows. Was his tie
too blue? Was his tux wrinkled? What if he stumbled over his words? What if the
rings got lost? What if he tripped over his feet and knocked the candles over?
Kili appeared in the mirror beside him and clasped a hand on his shoulder.
“Calm down, brother. You have nothing to worry about.”
Fili exhaled long and evenly. “I know you’re right. Everything’s been taken
care of. Everything is on time and the chapel looks beautiful. I just can’t
stop fidgeting,” he confessed.
“If you don’t stop tugging on your hair you’ll undo the fantastic braidwork we
just did,” Kili reminded him.
“Your mother would be very upset if that happened,” Thorin teased. “Come, sit
down for a minute. We don’t have long to wait.”
Fili nodded and sat deeply on the couch in the room they were provided for
dressing. In just an hour I’m going to be a husband, he thought. His heart
hammered in his chest and his palms began to sweat thinking of the words he
would say to Sigrid in front of all their family and friends. He closed his
eyes and thought of Sigrid. Her presence in his mind calmed him. He smiled,
counting the minutes until he stood at the altar. 
 
                                      ~*~
 
“You look stunning,” Dís said, eyes tearing at the sight of her future
daughter-in-law.
Sigrid turned her face from the mirror where she was checking the finishing
touches on herself. Seeing Dís’s watery smile she pulled her into a hug. “Do I
really?”
“A true vision.”
Sigrid bit her lip and smoothed her hands carefully down the lace that covered
the front of her dress. “Do you think Fili will like it?”
“Oh Sigrid,” Dís said, cupping her cheek fondly, “how could he not?” She pulled
her in for another hug and whispered, “I couldn’t ask for a better daughter-in-
law.” Then the music started to play and she straightened, wiping the stray
tears from her eyes. “I think that’s our cue. Let’s get you married,” she said
with a smile.
Sigrid nodded, smiling in return and said, "yes. I'm ready." She had been ready
from the moment they met, the moment he asked. She breathed deeply to still the
drumming of her excited heart and recited her vows again in her head. Yes, she
was ready. 
 
                                      ~*~
 
When the doors of the small chapel opened to reveal Sigrid in her gown,
escorted by her father Bard, Fili lost his breath. She was so beautiful that he
had to stop himself from immediately moving forward to meet her. He had always
been drawn to her like a moth to a flame and he felt that tug stronger than
ever before. They only had eyes for each other as she made her way down the
aisle and finally, finally, Bard released his hold on her, kissing her cheek
before he let her go. Then Fili took her hand in his own and drew her to his
side.
The ceremony began with the normal rites, a declaration to the occasion and the
officiator talking about love and its importance. Finally he got to the point
where they could recite their vows to each other. On the night of their
engagement they decided that they wanted to write their own for each other.
they agreed that no prewritten words could ever express to each other how they
felt better than they could. Even so, they both privately fretted over their
vows, writing and rewriting a hundred times before they were satisfied. They
buzzed with energy at finally being able to speak their vows to each other.
Fili licked his dry lips and began his vows to Sigrid.
“My lovely Sigrid, you’ve fascinated me and held my heart in your hands from
the day we met. I can foresee no other greater happiness than being your
husband and everything that that privilege entails. Carrying you when you are
weak, holding you in good times and bad, someday, hopefully, a family and
sharing all that life has to hold for us. You’ve made me a very happy man by
agreeing to share your life with me and I will do my best to continue to earn
the gift of love you’ve given me. I love you, for now and forever. This I
promise and I swear.” He raised their clasped hands to his lips and kissed them
and gave the officiator a look that told him that he was done.
The officiator told the gathered crowd that Sigrid would then speak her vows.
“Fili, my rock, my love. I have never been so happy as I have been with you.
You bring joy and light to my life every day and I want to do the same for you
for the rest of our lives. Through all the ups and downs in life I want to be
your rock, your safe harbor, your muse and your eternal love. I want to share
my life with you and I’m honored that you’ve decided to do the same. No matter
where life takes us I know we will see it through well to the end as long as we
have each other. Forever and ever, I promise to love and cherish you and share
all I am with you.” She mirrored the action of Fili, kissing his knuckles,
tears of happiness standing in her eyes.
The officiator called for the rings and they proudly slipped them on each
other’s fingers. Lastly, he proclaimed them husband and wife. He said happily
and boldly to the the wedding party, the crowd gathered and, most importantly,
to the couple that Fili could kiss the bride. Fili did so with a broad smile on
his face, cupping Sigrid's face in both his hands and kissing her sweetly.
When they pulled apart everyone in the chapel cheered and the couple giggled in
happiness. The music started and they led the wedding party out of the chapel.
In the receiving line as their guests left the chapel they were congratulated
and hugged by many relatives and friends. They were wished well by many tearful
relatives and their friends joked about the activities they were sure to engage
in later that night, earning laughs and gentle cuffings in return. After the
receiving line the photographer pulled them aside to their location that they
chose for their pictures. To the couple it seemed to last for ages but finally
the photographer deemed their portraits complete and let them and the rest of
the party go to enjoy the rest of their evening. 
Later, after they received their guests and pictures were taken the couple had
a few minutes alone in their limo as they drove to their reception venue. “How
does it feel to be a wife,” Fili asked with a big grin.
“Oh, I don’t know? I’ve been a wife all of two hours now. Right now it feels,
tired but elated, hungry and above all,” she leaned in and kissed him lightly,
“stupidly in love. How does it feel to be a husband?”
He kissed her back and said, “I think that sounds about right. Stupidly in love
for the most part.” They spent the ride kissing and enjoying their few moments
of quiet.
 
                                      ~*~
 
“I’d like to thank you all for coming to my brother’s incredibly cheesy but
highly romantic wedding,” Kili said, earning a few laughs. He raised his glass
of champagne high in toasting. “I’ve gotten to watch Sigrid and Fili’s love
grow over the last couple years and all I can say is that I wish to one day be
sitting where you’re sitting.” He looked over at the newlyweds and held out a
hand to point them out, “holding hands and feeding each other ridiculously frou
frou food, so stupidly in love that I can’t focus on anything else.” He turned
his face back to the ballroom of guests and said in a mock whisper, “including
the atrocious music they’ve chosen.” Everyone laughed and Fili snapped his
napkin at his brother. “In all seriousness, I couldn’t be happier for my
brother and his new wife and the happiness they’ve found for each other.” He
gestured to them with his glass and said, “here’s to many, many years of
happiness to come. Congratulations.”
The ballroom erupted in cheers and people toasting and Fili and Sigrid kissed
to the urging of a few. The best man’s toast over, a friend of Sigrid’s rose to
deliver her speech. She spoke of how she couldn’t imagine two people better
suited to marriage and everlasting love than the couple and how she wished them
nothing but happiness. When the toasts were over the music resumed and everyone
turned their attention to the waiters that had arrived carrying out their
plates for dinner.
“That was a lovely ceremony don’t you think,” Bilbo said quietly in Thorin’s
ear to be heard over the commotion.
“Aye, it was.” Thorin whispered back in Bilbo’s ear, “almost as lovely as your
flower arrangements.”
Bilbo blushed. “Well, I had some very good direction to take. And flowers
always speak for themselves, don’t they?”
Thorin smiled at him and said, “that they do.”
After the diner was over cake was served and, much to the enjoyment of the
guests, the bride and groom managed to get icing on each other’s faces and then
on a laughing Kili who’s shocked expression had Fili doubling over in laughter.
The cake was delicious as most cakes are and then the dance floor was opened.
Fili and Sigrid had their first dance in full view of their friends and family
to the tune of Etta James’s At Last. After that the wedding party took up their
positions on the dance floor where Kili could be seen with a much taller but
beautiful redhead.
As the third dance started Thorin rose from his seat and held his hand out for
Bilbo to take. “May I have this dance?”
Bilbo smiled shyly, covering his face with one hand and taking Thorin’s with
the other. “You’re a terrible gentleman.”
Thorin led them onto the polished wood of the floor and neatly pulled Bilbo
close. “I am the perfect gentleman,” he insisted.
“There was nothing gentlemanly about last ni-”
Thorin clapped a hand over Bilbo’s mouth and he could feel the smaller man
laughing under his hand. Then, after removing his hand he leaned down and said,
“I was a perfect gentleman. I let you come first.”
Bilbo squeaked at his words and blushed furiously, “oh gods,” he whispered.
They danced that dance and the next three before leaving the floor in search of
a drink. At the bar they ran into Bard and Thranduil. Gentle conversation was
exchanged between Bard and Bilbo while their respective partners looked on in
polite silence.
Once their drinks were made Bilbo led his partner away and said, “well done,
keeping your mouth to yourself. No snide comments from either of you.”
Thorin frowned and took a sip of his drink. “I don’t know what you’re talking
about, I’m always nice.” Bilbo chuckled.
“Sure you are. I believe you,” he said with a wink.
The night rolled on and many more drinks and dances were had. Fili and Sigrid
left the party just before midnight, waved off by their guests as they climbed
into their limo. They would spend the next week on their honeymoon in Paris,
seeing the sites and finding their footing in marriage. After the newlyweds
left the party died down and people left in small groups.
Bilbo and Thorin left together and drove back to Thorin’s house to retire for
the evening. As they lay in bed, settling down for sleep Thorin felt the need
to speak. “Bilbo?”
“Yes, love?”
Thorin kissed Bilbo’s jaw. “I love you,” he said softly.
“And I you, Thorin. Immeasurably.” Thorin kissed his lips lightly.
Thorin swallowed thickly, overcome with emotion. “I’m glad that life led me to
you.” He didn’t often speak poetically but tonight had made a poet of him. “You
are my happiness, Bilbo.”
Bilbo bit his lip before kissing Thorin deeply and said, “you’re an incurable
sap and I love you with all my heart.” He pressed their foreheads together.
“You are my happiness as well, Thorin.”
Thorin smiled, happy and secure in the knowledge of their mutual love.
They had found their happiness. 
Chapter End Notes
     I hope you enjoyed everything! It was a pleasure writing this and any
     feedback is welcome. Once again, Merry Christmas stargazercas
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