Ambassador to Madness

Credit goes to SunnyRose

Chapter 11: Sharing of Worlds

Summary:

Bilbo and Thorin give each other their second courting gifts.

It's been twenty-three days since Bilbo's revelation about Thorin being in love with him, and he still hasn't kissed Bilbo. He was Bilbo's husband. They lived together. This was getting so absurdly ridiculous that there had been many times over the course of the fortnight that Bilbo thought maybe he had been wrong. Thorin didn't love him, he was just using this courting business to be closer to him as a friend. But that didn't account for all the flirting.

Bilbo would be sitting on the couch reading a book, and Thorin would plop himself next to him and start reading over his shoulder, murmuring commentary into his ear. After the disastrous soup, Bilbo threw himself into making a dish Thorin would actually enjoy and the compliments he showered on Bilbo's apple cobbler had the hobbit blushing about it for days later. Then there were the little touches and the shy smiles whenever he brushed by Bilbo. And to top it all off, every night before they left for bed, Thorin would linger in his doorway. Almost as if there were an invitation on the tip of his tongue in between all those good nights. Bilbo desperately wished that were the case.

So what did Bilbo do with all that? He tried to appeal to his husband in return. He wore more of those shimmery shirts that always had Thorin's eyes following him. He continued to eat from Thorin's plate and hand-fed him homemade treats. Bilbo even gave the dwarf a foot rub which felt particularly scandalous until he reminded himself that they were in fact married . Yet, it all amounted to nothing. No confessions, no invitations, not even a simple kiss. Bilbo wasn't sure what else he could do. He supposed he could talk to Thorin about it, but what if he were wrong? What if that wasn't the kind of relationship the dwarf was after?

Bilbo fell face first into the couch with a groan. His thoughts were starting to give him a headache. The door opened a little while later, and Bilbo had yet to move from his spot. He heard the booted footsteps slow down before Thorin chuckled.

"What are you doing?"

Was that fondness in his voice? Or was Bilbo imagining it?

"Trying not to think." He responded, his voice muffled by the fabric of the couch.

"How's that working for you so far?" Thorin teased.

"Perfectly well."

Thorin chuckled again before lightly shaking his shoulder.

"Come on." He ordered. "I have a surprise for you."

Bilbo's head popped up as he narrowed his eyes at Thorin.

"What kind of surprise?"

"I'm giving you a tour of Erebor."

Bilbo huffed. "I'm pretty sure I've done that already."

"Not like this." Thorin pressed.

Bilbo lifted his head only to immediately wish he had kept it buried in the pillows. Thorin's blue, blue eyes were pinning him in place. Imploring him to agree. And if that weren't enough, he had his head tilted with that soft, warm smile he so rarely used. What was Bilbo to do against such an expression?

"Alright." He sighed. "Let's hope this tour doesn't end with me passing out in the markets."

Thorin ducked his head sheepishly. "I can't make any promises other than we won't be going to the markets."

"Brilliant." Bilbo declared. "So where to first?"

***

When Bilbo pictured exploring Thorin's kingdom with him, he didn't imagine they were going to start miles below the surface. He clung tight to Thorin as the darkness seemed to press in on all sides, clinging around the small point of light in the form of a torch in Thorin's hand. Thorin gave Bilbo's own hand a quick squeeze as if sensing his uncomfortability.

"Just a bit further." He promised.

"I certainly hope this isn't where you plan on leaving my body to die." Bilbo hiccuped.

"Why would I leave your body? That's evidence." Thorin snorted.

"I know that I started it, but that's not funny."

"I promise you will like this." Thorin huffed.

Unless something about their situation drastically changed, Bilbo didn't see that as being likely. Bilbo felt like the darkness would be never ending, ever suffocating around them. Just where were the other dwarves? Why was this such an isolated tunnel? And why was Thorin perfectly comfortable using it? He was quite certain he would go mad if he had to take one more step, and that was when Thorin paused. He turned back around to Bilbo abruptly, and Bilbo had a very small moment to fear for his life before common sense caught back up to him.

"I need you to close your eyes."

Bilbo blinked, feeling his brows furrow together. What could he possibly be saving himself the sight of when he already couldn't see anything.

"Please?" Thorin tacked on.

Bilbo sighed. Very reluctantly, he did as he was requested. Thorin took his hand again asking for Bilbo to trust him as he led him further on the path. They came to a stop, and Bilbo very nearly opened his eyes right then if Thorin hadn't given him the warning of 'not yet'. All Bilbo knew was that if this ended with him looking at a bunch of rocks, he might just throw one at his husband's head.

"Okay, now."

Bilbo blinked against the sudden emergence of light. There were torches all around the circular cavern that had been lit...and Bilbo couldn't see much else other than the stone walls surrounding him, and oh wait! Nope that was rocks. He was definitely throwing one at Thorin's head.

"Well this is...hmm."

Thorin chuckled. "Look up."

It was with heavily implied exasperation that Bilbo did just that. He expected it would be more rocks only for his jaw to drop the moment he caught sight of why Thorin brought him down here. He was left stunned. Somehow...he was staring at the night sky. Glittering specks in the torchlight against a blanket of black. The colors blinked down at him in all shades of the rainbow. It was absolutely beautiful. Just when he thought he couldn't be amazed anymore, a shot of light like a shooting star whizzed through the blanket of darkness.

"What was that?" He asked breathlessly.

Thorin chuckled, but he sounded just as awestruck.

"The light caught one of the silver veins." He explained.

And it made it sound so much simpler than the effect of what he was seeing as he watched another "shooting star" streak through his line of vision.

"I don't know that even the Valar know a sight as beautiful as this."

"Yes." Thorin agreed. "That's why it's one of my favorite places in all of Erebor."

Something tickled at Bilbo's memory. Thorin had told him about this once. So long ago.

"When I asked you about your favorite parts of Erebor...you talked about a diamond mine that looked like stars."

Thorin grinned, clearly pleased he remembered. "That's right. Today, Bilbo Baggins, I will take you on a tour of my favorite places."

Bilbo felt a well of emotion spring to life inside him. This was so much more than a simple tour. This was Thorin giving Bilbo an insight into himself. He reached for the dwarf's hand, giving it a squeeze.

"I can't wait to see it."

It was so hard to steal themselves away from the diamond mine, but Thorin found a way, not taking him up very far before they entered the next spot on his list. An underground lake that, for some reason, glowed with a bluish light. Thorin pointed above where glowing worm-like creatures clung to the dripping rocks, releasing their juices into the water.

"We call them glowworms. The first time I saw a firefly, I thought they were one and the same."

Bilbo laughed. "We call them lightning bugs. My mother would help me collect them in jars and I would fall asleep to their light. In the morning, they would be gone and I thought perhaps they evaporated into dreams. I learned years later that my mother would come in and let them out through the window, but still. It was a nice thought."

Thorin hummed in appreciation before leading them up to the forges. The heat was unbearable even from a distance, but Thorin didn't take them in very far. He stopped just close enough for them to listen to the clings and clangs of the dwarves' hammers falling upon the metal. Every once in a while, the 'DONG' of a giant hammer would go off, and Bilbo couldn't stop himself from staring at Thorin. Standing there in the reddish light, his eyes closed, appreciating the symphony happening just beyond them. He was absolutely beautiful.

They continued to work their way up the mountain, Thorin pointing out his favorite statues or tapestries before finding themselves down a guarded hallway that would lead them to Ravenhill. Bilbo was not so impressed with the large roost and hundreds of large ravens staring down at him as he watched his step around the many droppings, but then Thorin took him out on a platform that stole his breath away. Facing south, it was like the world was laid out before their feet. There was Dale, and Esgaroth on the Long Lake, and beyond that...Bilbo could only dream.

He probably would have stayed up there forever if Thorin hadn't slowly taken his hand to lead him away. They wound their way back down to the royal wing in mostly silence until Thorin stopped before reaching their door. Bilbo looked around only just recognizing the hallway that has been under renovation.

"Do I finally get to see what you've been working on?" He asked excitedly.

"Yes." Thorin admitted sheepishly. "It's my second courting gift to you. My gift to provide."

Bilbo felt his exhaustion melt away as he stared down the corridor with more curiosity. His dream of having a larger kitchen might actually be coming true! Thorin took his hands in his own, walking backwards as he led Bilbo down the hallway to a simple stone door.

"The door still needs some work. Right now it will only open from this side so make sure you prop it open when you step out." Thorin warned.

Bilbo cocked his head in confusion as Thorin pushed the door open, using a large stone on the ground to keep it that way. The sunlight temporarily blinded him, and he had to wonder why he was seeing sunlight at all when his mouth dropped open in amazement.

It opened into a large round room with long arched openings carved into the rock to allow the sun to pour through and the cool mountain breeze to brush his face. Like windows without glass that went all the way from the ceiling to the floor. Designs were carved around each opening, leading to the top of the domed roof where mirrors hung to maximize the amount of sunlight in the room. He took another couple of steps only to look down in surprise when his feet came in contact with something that was definitely not rock. Soil. Cool, squishy soil between his toes. He brought his eyes down to the floor, and his breath caught for a whole other reason.

Thorin had gifted him a garden. Radiating from the center of the room was rows and rows of soil, some already bearing the hesitant buds of new growth. There was a small supply shed in the corner, and benches along the edges, in front of the windows. Even bare, it was the most beautiful garden Bilbo had ever seen. Just when Bilbo thought he couldn't be any more amazed, he turned to find Thorin holding a bouquet of flowers out to him. Bilbo hesitantly took the blooms, blushing at what he found inside.

"These are the flowers that are already planted. You can send a list for whatever else you would like to Dale and there should be a merchant waiting to sell you the seeds."

Bilbo listened to him with half an ear. His eyes were glued to the blooms in his hand. Gardenia (you're lovely, my secret love), red camellias (you're a flame in my heart), and myrtle (love in marriage). Not as scandalous as the flowers on his crown, but still somehow punching a hole straight through him.

"Thorin..." He croaked. "Do you know what you've given me?"

Thorin took a step towards him, smirk on his lips as he nodded his head.

"This time, I do. Ori has been giving me advice. Hobbits court with three flowers, correct?"

"They do." Bilbo answered after swallowing heavily.

It was a promise Bilbo had never expected to receive in his wildest dreams. A promise to be so thoroughly loved. Bilbo took the next step towards Thorin so they were practically chest to chest. The flowers hanging loosely in his hand. Any and all doubts were laid aside as his eyes trained on Thorin's lips. The dwarf, seeming to have similar thoughts, bent his head. Their lips barely whispered against each other as their breaths mingled. Which was of course the perfect time to be interrupted.

"Your Highness?" The guard asked uncertainly.

Thorin turned his head to the side, muttering Khuzdul curses under his breath.

"This had better be good, Tarvem." He growled.

To her credit, she barely even flinched.

"Sir, the war council has been called. There was another orc pack. This one, a little too close for comfort."

"Orc pack?" Bilbo repeated incredulously, looking between the guard and Thorin.

Thorin's lips pursed together as he gave her a short nod.

"I'll be right there, Tarvem."

Recognizing a dismissal, Tarvem retreated back inside the mountain. Thorin opened his mouth as if to say something before closing it and shaking his head. Bilbo had half a thought to reach out and steal that kiss anyways, but even he could recognize the moment had been lost. Bilbo gave him a weak smile instead as he placed his hand on Thorin's arm.

"I had a wonderful time today, Thorin. Thank you. And thank you for the garden. I'm eager to make good use of it."

Thorin gave him a small smile in return. "I'm glad you like it."

They shifted in place, not quite sure what to do with themselves now. Bilbo decided to take the first step and reached down to take Thorin's hand giving it a quick squeeze.

"Go. It sounds like they need you."

Thorin hesitated for another second longer before nodding and taking his leave. Bilbo waited until he was completely gone before he slumped with a sigh. His eyes wandered the incomplete garden around him, ideas rolling in his head with what to do with it. But not tonight. Tonight he went back to his suite alone.

***

There was a bit of a surprise waiting for him upon his return. The first was rectangular and wrapped in cloth with a note reminding him not to change anything. Bilbo knew immediately what it was, even if he was rolling his eyes at the instruction. He moved to pick it up and nearly buckled under the weight. Would Thorin be able to actually use this? It wasn't too heavy holding it with both arms, but if he were trying to use just one? He might just drop it on his toes. He had to trust Torlan knew what he was doing as he hurried to hide it in his room, huffing and puffing the whole way. Once there, he had to see what it looked like. He peeled away the cloth, and his breath caught.

A silver plated shield in the shape of an oaken branch. The detailed work was incredible! It really looked like real wood, but there were little shapes hidden in the plate as well. Thorin's crest, the ravens, and as Bilbo had requested, the acorn and oak leaves. Bilbo ran his hand gingerly over the grooves. He just knew Thorin was going to love it! And after the success of Thorin's second gift, Bilbo couldn't wait to give it to him. Setting it aside, Bilbo picked up the second item that had been delivered to their rooms. A letter from his grandfather.

My dear Bilbo,

I don't know how you did it, my boy, but the council was near unanimous in favor of you keeping your seat. We received Ered Luin's offer of coalition from a 'Dis, daughter of Thrain'. Your husband's sister, I presume? In any case, the negotiations are happening now and it looks like the beginning of a very beneficial partnership and we have you to thank for that.

Moving on to the issue of your house, it is yours to do with as you see fit. Mr. Greenhand is still coming over daily to maintain the estate in your absence, and he and I hold the only two copies of your key to keep certain cousins out of your silver. (Although Lobelia may have made off with one or two of your spoons. We are looking into the matter with little success, but your set is definitely short.)

I do wonder though when you will be returning to manage your affairs to your satisfaction? It's certainly not proper to leave a smial sitting around empty for most of the year, and I can't imagine your dwarf, as important as he is, taking many holidays halfway across the world. I know you would prefer to stay by your new husband's side, but at least consider coming back next spring or summer. Your family would love to offer their congratulations before you leave us forever.

While I've never known you to be so impulsive to marry only a few weeks after meeting your prince, I couldn't be happier for you, my honey B. He must be quite the dwarf. I wish you a lifetime of happiness and only request that you write to your dear grandpappy a bit more.

With all my love,

Gerontius Took

Bilbo wiped away the couple of tears that somehow managed to make their way down his cheeks. He forgot, sometimes, how much he missed his grandfather. They had been much closer when Bilbo had been younger, and Gerontius wouldn't stand for his 'favorite daughter' not to visit at least every month. After Belladonna's death, he knew that his grandfather took it hard. Bilbo should have let them lean on each other. Instead, he had isolated himself and stolen away for a few moments of peace. To be fair though, neither of them expected a wizard to come requesting Bilbo's presence on a journey far away. Bilbo realized though, he had truly done the old hobbit a disservice. He had lost Belladonna and Bilbo within a matter of months.

Bilbo sighed as he set the letter aside on his desk to send a reply later. He had a lot to think about. He knew there was something in the contract about spending time in the Shire. Maybe he needed to consult with Balin. He knew the older dwarf would understand. The only thing standing in his way was...Thorin. Not that he saw his husband denying him, but there's just been so much going on lately. Bilbo didn't feel like he could leave Thorin. Not yet anyways. Maybe not ever. He didn't know. He couldn't make that kind of decision right now. Even if his grandfather already thought he knew his heart. What his grandfather knew was a lie, and that was something Bilbo couldn't face. Not yet.

***

Bilbo found himself making good use of his garden. Every afternoon, after he finished lessons with Ori, he would walk down the hall immediately turning his face up towards the sunlight filtering down from the windows. After only a single embarrassing mishap where he accidentally closed the door and waited for one of the guards to let him in again, he always made sure to prop it open with the stone he had waiting for him before jumping right into getting his hands dirty. He would spend a few hours weeding and planting new seeds he ordered from Dale, and tending to the existing blooms.

The camellias took to the garden the best and there were several pockets of the rich red coloring his garden. The myrtle he had to transpose a little closer to the windows before he saw any results. His gardenias were being the most fickle as was their nature. Bilbo's mother used to tease him all the time about how fussy and cantankerous he was as an infant. 'Her little gardenia' she would call him. Bilbo paused as he let the pain of the unexpected memory wash over him.

He imagined he must have looked quite odd, frozen in place, eyes caught on a far off place beyond the room. That's why he wasn't offended by Thorin's worried tone when he called out his name. Bilbo shook himself free of the lingering grief as he smiled up at his husband.

"Thorin! What brings you here?"

Thorin hesitated, but to Bilbo's relief he didn't ask after his thoughts. He gave Bilbo a small smile as he surveyed his work.

"I was coming to see how you were enjoying your new garden."

Bilbo quickly rose to his feet, brushing off the clinging soil before taking Thorin's hand to lead him around to what he had done. He was almost quite certain Thorin could care less, but the dwarf humored him and at least acted interested which is what mattered to Bilbo. He ended his impromptu tour back in front of the gardenias.

"I don't think the soil is moist enough for them." He sighed. "I've been trying to figure out what I can do other than coming here three times a day to water them, but I am drawing a blank."

Thorin sat down on the bench beside Bilbo, silent and still as stone as he stared out past the windows impassively. Bilbo joined him in the quiet contemplation. He thought of the spring showers that always brought the perfect amount of humidity and moisture for any Shire garden. He highly doubted he would get that in Erebor though. His gaze drifted to the domed ceiling above. No, his garden definitely faced some rather unique challenges.

"What about a pipe system put in under the beds that would water them for you?"

Bilbo jerked slightly at the sound of Thorin's voice breaking his concentration before he gasped at the dwarf.

"You can do that ?"

Thorin smirked. "It's not any different than the pipe system that brings water to our suite. Might have to dig up a couple of the beds first, but I think we could have it done very easily."

Bilbo didn't know if he would ever not be surprised by the ingenuity of dwarven technology. Elevators that took them up and down the mountain, light crystals that could burn brighter than candlelight, and conveyor belts! Bilbo had very nearly cried out when Thorin showed him what the miners had put together. With the crank of a wheel, it moved buckets of dirt and rock on a metal platform through water allowing the dwarves lined up and down it to pick out any gold or gems they found without having to move at all.

"You look lost." Thorin teased.

Bilbo huffed looking down at his toes. "I dare say you could spend most of our marriage teaching me about the marvels your people can come up with. We must look quite primitive in comparison."

Thorin was quick to reassure Bilbo that wasn't the case, going on to cite the wonders of Shire timekeeping. It had been something early on in their marriage that had confused Thorin. Bilbo wanted to know how he was to know when it was four in the afternoon to take his tea when the bells only tolled at dawn, noon, dusk, and midnight. Needless to say, dwarves had never thought to split their day up into 'hours' and had no idea that a single day could be measured by twenty-four of them. Bilbo found he missed his clock something fierce at the beginning of his stay in Erebor, but he's slowly gotten used to it. Even if he did pick out a time between noon and dusk to take his tea in an approximation of four. Still, something melancholy must have shown on his face as Thorin opened up the conversation towards Bilbo's former home.

"So tell me about your Shire."

Bilbo looked over at him startled to see he had suddenly become the sole object of the dwarf's attention.

"Such as?"

"Just...it's your homeland. Describe it for me from the point of view of a native."

Bilbo stopped and looked out over his garden as he thought on Thorin's request. Where would he even begin? How could you describe an all encompassing feeling of peace? How can you talk about the monotony of an everyday routine that was broken up by gossiping neighbors and nosy relatives? How do you make a land of green feel alive to a dwarf of stone? He was clearly quieter for longer than he realized as Thorin gave a small bark of amusement.

"What?" Bilbo asked, startled slightly by the sound.

"It's just that, you are the most opinionated being I've ever met. Yet on a simple subject like 'describe your home' you're surprisingly mute. You are fascinatingly contradictory."

"Well you give compliments that seem like thinly veiled insults." Bilbo sniffed teasingly.

Thorin's laugh was a little more genuine and carefree this time. "Perhaps."

Bilbo felt the tip of his ears heat as Thorin's warm blue eyes held him under their powerful gaze. He cleared his throat as an effort to distract himself from how truly, unfairly attractive his husband was.

"B-Besides, I don't know how to describe it. It's just..."

Bilbo was hit with inspiration, and he grinned widely as he moved closer to Thorin.

"It's something you have to experience. Here! Come sit on the ground with me over here by the window."

Thorin raised an eyebrow, but looked no less amused. Bilbo patted the spot next to him as emphasis, and the prince folded himself stiffly onto the cool soil.

"Now, I need you to trust me." Bilbo directed.

"Of course." Thorin answered without hesitation.

"Close your eyes."

The dwarf prince looked uncertain but under Bilbo's silent yet eager urging, complied. Bilbo grinned widely as he started to set the scene.

"Okay, tilt your head back just a little."

He lightly pushed on the prince's forehead, directing where he wanted him.

"In the Shire, it feels like this. The warm sun hitting your face just so, and the soft, cool ground a contrast beneath your bare feet."

Bilbo carefully removed Thorin's boots at this, and while his forehead scrunched up in uncertainty, he didn't open his eyes. Soon his adorably bare toes were finding their place amongst the rest of his plants as the hobbit instructed.

"And the breeze is welcoming even as it carries the gossip of your neighbors from down the row, you can always find the scent of baked bread and the flowers that just came in bloom."

Bilbo plucked one of his camellias, and held it beneath Thorin's nose as the dwarf breathed it in deeply.

"And the best part, is it sounds like this." He sighed.

Thorin waited a moment before pouting.

"I don't hear anything."

Bilbo got close to whisper in his ear doing his best to ignore the shiver down his spine.

"Listen again. The birds are chirping in the trees, the river is babbling deep below this mountain, the leaves are rustling. There's a great deal of activity happening today."

At some point, Bilbo had closed his own eyes as he focused in on the sounds echoing from under their perch on the mountain. Perhaps the Shire didn't sound exactly like this, but it was as close to the experience as he could replicate. Different birds, different trees, different rivers, but the same harmony. So when he opened them again, he nearly jumped out of his skin to see Thorin's eyes locked on him somehow simultaneously with intention and softness.

"It sounds beautiful." Thorin murmured.

"It is." Bilbo responded just as quietly.

And just like that, the Shire wasn't even a background thought of Bilbo's mind. He was almost overly in tune to the fact that Thorin's hand had somehow managed to latch onto his, pinning it into the ground below. And the goosebumps that broke out over his arms were both soothed and raised at their knees knocking together as Thorin's perfect, mesmerizing, blue eyes leaned closer and closer to Bilbo's own. Almost immediately, his gaze switched from the eyes he couldn't get enough of to the lips framed by dark whiskers he wanted to taste with his whole being. Bilbo inhaled sharply at the lust pooling like molten metal into his stomach. This time. This time he would claim his prize.

"MESSAGE FOR THE PRINCE!"

Bilbo was convinced the universe was against them at this point.

"What is it, Roac?" Thorin growled and Bilbo had to hope that was disappointment he heard in his voice.

"Orcs in the valley! Prince Thorin needs to rally the troops!" The raven delivered.

Any thoughts of flirting and kissing were thrown aside by the rather chilling message. Thorin jumped to his feet, pulling his boots back on as quickly as he could.

"Bilbo, you need to get back inside." Thorin ordered.

Bilbo cast a worried look to his windows where he could see the valley laid out below him.

"Thorin, surely they wouldn't..."

"Please, don't argue with me." Thorin interrupted sternly, but not unkindly. "Not about this. I need you to remain inside until we give the all clear."

Bilbo nodded slowly realizing this was an area he had no experience. He didn't know the first thing about orcs. Didn't even really know what they looked like other than drawings he had seen in stories. If Thorin felt like it would be better for him to remain indoors, he could accept that quite easily. Still, he found himself puttering about uncertainly, feeling like he should put up his tools before he abandoned his flowers. Thorin gently grabbed his hand before he could do anything, and pulled him along behind him. The door couldn't be opened from the outside, but Thorin ordered at least five of the guards to stand in front of it to make sure.

They made it to their suite and Thorin left Bilbo to quickly head into his room. Probably wanted to change into a clean pair of trousers before he headed off for his war meeting. Bilbo thought he should perhaps do the same, but he didn't want to miss Thorin before he left. It was only minutes later that the dwarf returned wearing chain mail with his sword strapped to his waist. Bilbo's jaw dropped and spots danced in front of his eyes. Where did that daft dwarf think he was going?!

"A bit much for the council?" He offered, hoping Thorin wasn't planning on what he thought he was planning.

"I'll be leaving with the squadron when they make their patrols." Thorin answered, continuing on his path to the door.

"What?! Thorin! No!" Bilbo exclaimed, grabbing his hand and pulling with all his might to get the dwarf to stop.

It was rather ineffective as Bilbo was more or less dragged along with him, but it at least caught his attention as Thorin paused and turned to him. Bilbo tried to keep his tone firm and unwavering.

"You are a prince. You are needed here."

"I am also a warrior. And I have been summoned."

" Thorin. " Bilbo was gasping, pleading. "This is all just a little too convenient. I don't think you should..."

Bilbo's words were cut off as a pair of lips were pressed to his own. Burning, gliding, beautiful pressure that nearly had him bent in two if it weren't for the steady hand in the middle of his back. Bilbo found he could only hold on as he let himself get lost in the sensation of Thorin's whiskers rubbing against his own smooth cheeks. Thorin began to pull away, and Bilbo chased after him, stealing another kiss from him. There was a whole new list of sensations to catalogue this time: the cool brush of Thorin's braid bead against his jaw, the feel of his tongue sliding against his own, and the smell of Thorin's beard lotion engulfing him fully. It was intoxicating and entirely too much all at the same time. This time when Thorin pulled away, Bilbo let him. Their pants filling the minimal distance between them.

"Couldn't be satisfied with just the one, Burglar." Thorin teased, his pupils blown wide.

"I very well may steal the next one as well if you keep me waiting much longer." Bilbo huffed, his hands pulling at Thorin's lapels.

Thorin dipped backwards though as he ran his hands up Bilbo's arms and over his fists.

"If I had the kind of time to do all that I wanted, we would not be leaving this room for the rest of the afternoon."

Bilbo felt himself shiver under Thorin's heated gaze, but was suddenly brought back down to reality. That was right. Thorin was leaving to fight orcs. Probably to Thror's design, but Bilbo wasn't sure if he should give the old dwarf so much credit.

"Thorin..." Bilbo attempted one more time.

"I will protect all within this mountain." Thorin interrupted, leaning his head against Bilbo's own.

Bilbo felt a smile tug at his face as he closed his eyes and leaned into the gesture. All within the mountain. And that included him. Although there was something tickling at the back of his mind. Something about protecting...oh! Bilbo pulled away much to Thorin's bewilderment making him promise to wait until he got back as he hurried to his bedroom.

"I may not approve of you going out to fight orcs, but at least it will make me feel better if you have this. My second gift."

Bilbo handed it to Thorin, cloth and all watching his face as he discovered the shield. This was much different than the soup as his eyes glittered with a magnitude of different emotions while his mouth fell open with the smallest gasp. His fingertips barely slid over the textured surface as his eyes scanned each and every engraving. Finally, a small smile pulled across his face.

"This is my master's mark." He remarked.

"Yes. And he was an absolute delight to work with." Bilbo answered dryly.

A wide grin split Thorin's face at this as he finally looked back up at Bilbo. He shifted in place under the look.

"It's just that you said he was the best, and I wanted it to be special..."

Bilbo was cut off by another of Thorin's sensational kisses.

"It's perfect." He stated when he pulled away. "I shall wear it with pride."

And well, what really else was there to say after that?

***

Bilbo thought he might have gone crazy, sitting in that suite waiting on his husband to return from what he could only imagine would be a bloodbath. His husband that Bilbo has just now gotten to kiss, and very much wanted to continue doing so. Surely fate wouldn't be so cruel as to make him a widower the moment he's truly known love?

Needless to say, he was in need of a distraction, and luckily, Bifur had sent a messenger up to let him know that his next order of clothing was available. Bilbo took the path down to the Tailors' Guild stopping just inside the door. The guild was packed full of dwarves! Every tailor was rushing back and forth to help a customer, and there was still at least half the room standing in waiting. Bilbo could feel several eyes following him as he let himself into Bifur's office.

"What in the world is going on down there?" Bilbo exclaimed.

Bofur chuckled and shook his head. "Bifur opened up his designs to the common folk. They're scrambling to get their hands on the 'Consort's fashion'."

"Oh! Well that's wonderful. And as a hobbit of great taste, I'm rather honored to be so inspiring."

Bofur snickered. "So what can we do to help a hobbit of such great prestige?"

"Bifur sent me a message. I'm here to pick up my clothes."

Bofur gave him an apologetic look. "Bifur sent that message before they had gotten so busy. He's down on the floor doing what he can to help out. He won't be able to come back up for a few hours."

"Oh. Well that's quite alright." Bilbo waved him off. "No harm done. I can come back when he's not so busy."

"Are you sure? I could go try and grab him real quick."

"Absolutely not." Bilbo stated more firmly. "I can certainly wait a little longer for my clothes, and besides. I have a couple more designs to run by him."

Bofur laughed, shaking his head. "You and your designs. I certainly won't complain, but does Prince Thorin have any room at all for his clothes?"

Bilbo scoffed, doing his best to defend his overly attuned interest in maximizing his wardrobe. Although, at this rate, Bilbo would probably need another closet. He wondered if he could fit another in his room. Of course, if he moved into Thorin's room, they could turn Bilbo's old room into a closet space...Bilbo quickly shook his head of such thoughts. They just shared their first kiss after all. There was no need to already be inviting himself into his bed. No matter how much the idea had merit.

Bilbo bid Bofur goodbye with the promise of returning later that evening after the crowds had thinned. There was a distinct lack of guards as he made his way back to his rooms, but Bilbo just assumed they had gone with Thorin. Usually he would be one to enjoy the sudden solitude, but it just heightened a sense of 'wrong' in him. He sped his way back to his suite, berating himself for his paranoia the whole time. It was only after finding himself in the safety of his sitting room that Bilbo allowed himself to relax.

He pulled himself away from the door only to hear the thump of a book on the hard ground followed by a series of light curses. Bilbo immediately perked up. Thorin must be home. That was almost otherworldly quick, but who else would be in his study? Bilbo darted to the room ready to greet his husband only to stop dead in his tracks the moment he entered the doorway. He blinked, making sure what he was seeing was really what he was seeing. But the image never changed. This strange dwarf pausing in his rifling through Thorin's papers in his desk was certainly not his husband.

Notes:

I know. Terrible place to end. I'm working on fixing that for you guys right now. In the meantime, I just wanted to say something about Gerontius. I know the Old Took shouldn't be the Thain during this point in Bilbo's life, but I really wanted to add him for this foil between Bilbo and his grandfather versus Thorin and his grandfather.