Warm Apple Cider

C. to Fantasyinallforms

"Thorin, why are you staring at this apple tree?" Bilbo asked cautiously.

"Because you've been shivering for two days," Thorin replied curtly.

"I'm now more confused than when I initially asked the question." Bilbo snorted. "Are you planning on picking them? It's a good season for it. In another month, all the fruit will have fallen down." Bilbo reached for an apple on one of the lowest branches but couldn't quite grab it, even with his adorable little jumps. Thorin grabbed the branch and bent it low so Bilbo could take what he liked.

"I take it you like apples?" Thorin asked

"I love apples! This time of the year makes me miss the fall celebrations around the party tree. Bell Gamgee's apple tarts are the year's highlight for anyone lucky enough to grab one before they're gone." Bilbo sighed and cleaned the dirt off the apple before taking a big bite. Thorin had to look anywhere else but his face as the juice dripped down his chin, begging to be cleared away. "They're delicious! Thorin, you've got to try!" When he turned around, Bilbo handed him the apple, encouraging him to take a bite. He stifled a groan and took the apple, trying not to think too carefully about the fact that Bilbo's lips had been wrapped around it seconds ago. It was sweet and perfectly ripe, as he had been told. When he confirmed this, Bilbo beamed and grabbed as many apples as he could carry to bring to their companions.

Thorin went back to staring at the tree. The winds had become harsher as their elevation gradually increased. For the past two nights, he had witnessed Bilbo shivering even after he had offered his warmer coat. He needed something to warm him up from the inside. There was a recipe that the dwarves had adopted after their exile when food was scarce and warmth was hard to come by. All provisions had to be used in their entirety, and if there was a secondary use, then that was even better. They had learned that if they boiled apple cores, it released the last of the juice, and if mixed with alcohol, it was hydrating and warming.

Immediately upon spotting the apple tree, he halted their march and made camp. He could make Bilbo something to keep him warm, and he wouldn't have to use apple scraps to do it. He beckoned Fili and Kili over with the instruction to get every ripe apple they could down before moving on to speak with Bombur. He found the dwarf taking stock of his supplies, which now included a new apple.

"Bombur a moment of your time, please," Thorin called. The large dwarf looked up cheerfully.

"Of course, what can I do for you, Thorin."

"I need a pot and to know what spices you have." He gruffed.

Bomber's eyebrows shot into his forehead. "Are you planning on cooking tonight?

"Cooking no. But I am making something. Your spices?" Thorin waited for Bombur to overcome the initial shock before reading into his bag to pull out a large tin filled with small compartments. I have the basics: salt and pepper. Some dried garlic and parsley. I have a few orange and lemon peels left, and Oh, I have a few cinnamon sticks, clove, and at least one nutmeg in here, it looks like." Bombur looked at him questioningly, waiting for him to ask to use one or many.

"I need the nutmeg, clove, and cinnamon. The orange peel, too, if you can spare it." Bombur handed them over without question, knowing full well what the king was up to. The boys returned with their tunics pulled up to make makeshift baskets, bantering about who could carry more. They had brought more than he needed, which was good. They could dry what they didn't use that night and use it later. Thorin surveyed the area and smiled when he saw Bilbo leaning against a tree wrapped in Thorin's coat, speaking to Ori. There was a turning point on this journey when the concerns of that hobbit had become his. He had rebelled against it at first because all those who had traveled with him were his family now, but not like Bilbo. Bilbo was his beating heart living on the outside of his body. Handsome and clever, and stubborn and painfully vulnerable. More than all the others in this camp spare his nephews, Bilbo was his priority.

The night drew in, and as expected, the air grew cold. Bilbo had fallen asleep against the tree, and Thorin could hear his teeth chattering from where he sat. He gave his pot a sip and then turned to his friend.

"Dwalin, what's in your flask?" Thorin barked.

"Something I'm not sharing," Dwalin replied. He pulled out the flask to take a sip, and Thorin snatched it from his hands. He gave it a sniff.

"Whiskey. That will work." He dumped the flask's contents into the pot and stirred it.

"You mind telling me why you just dumped the last of my fucking whiskey into that experiment you've been working on," Dwalin growled.

"It's cider like they used to make at the camps after Erebor fell. It's too cold, and we have few supplies to keep warm after the goblins." Thorin stood up. With the alcohol added, the drink was done.

"You know there are easier ways to warm someone up." Dwalin cast his eyes at Bilbo. "You're coats big enough for both of ya if you're close enough."

"I would not be welcome," he had barely finished the sentence before Dwalin snorted.

"I forgot you're stupid. Look. The nights are only going to get colder as we reach Erebor. It's too cold for anyone to sleep alone. So is it going to be you sleeping next to that little thing, or is he going to have to curl up with Bofur instead?" He was being bated, and he knew it, but Thorin's eyes still found the miner to check his proximity. He growled at himself for taking the bait.

"If he wanted to share a bedroll with me, he would ask. I will not impose myself on him and call it convenience." Thorin looked around for two mugs and ladled the cider into them until they were full. He carried them over to the Hobbit and sat them down on a flat rock. He regretted having to wake him. Despite the chattering teeth, he looked peaceful. His hair had fallen in front of his face, and his nose twitched even in his sleep. He was slumped in an odd position he would definitely be unhappy with come morning. With a hand on the side of Bilbo's head, he guided him into a sitting position. "Master Baggins." He said his name more firmly than he meant to, and his eyes flew open, slightly startled.

"I didn't mean to fall asleep. Did you want your coat back before you turned in?" Bilbo stretched, and Thorin turned away so as not to ogle him. If he had it his way, he would never see that coat again unless it was wrapped around the hobbit's shoulders.

"I came to bring you something for the cold." Thorin placed the cup in Bilbo's hands and watched with satisfaction as he curled his hands around its warmth.

"Oh, I'm fine. It's not too cold out." Bilbo argued,

"Bilbo, the entire camp can hear your teeth chattering." Blush spread across Bilbo's cheeks as he sipped the cider. The moment it touched his lips, his eyes went wide over the rim of the cup. He drained half his mug before coming up for air.

"This is amazing! Did you make this?" Bilbo took another big gulp and looked contented.

"I did. I thought you could use something to help you sleep better." He took a sip from his own cup and was pleased with the result on such short notice. When he looked up, Bilbo was staring at him, blushing all the way to the top of his pointed ears and blinking rapidly. "Did I add too much alcohol? I wanted there to be enough to keep warm. It was Dwalin's, and knowing what he drinks, I might have overdone it." Thorin took another sip to gauge its strength. If anything, it was a bit weak. Bilbo didn't seem to want to elaborate, so they sat in silence for a little while, just enjoying the sounds of the woods around them, now free of chattering. When Thorin saw Bilbo's mug grow empty, he leaned into reach for it, intending to get him a refill. To his great surprise, Bilbo took that moment to lean forward as well, intentionally surging up to meet his lips. Thorin's senses went white with bliss, and all his mind knew for the next moment was the taste of Bilbo's breath. Warm, soft lips and that slightly upturned nose pressing into his cheek. He was dumped back into reality as Bilbo drew away in panic, covering his face.

"I-I'm so sorry. I-I don't know what came over me. That was wrong. I thought maybe.... No.. no excuse, please forgive me." he made to get up, and Thorin quickly leaned forward, trapping the hobbit against the tree.

"Wait, please don't leave." He hated that he saw a hint of fear in Bilbo's eyes, but he couldn't let him up. Not until he knew what that was.

"I'm really sorry, Thorin. I misunderstood." Bilbo babbled.

"Did you kiss me intentionally?" Thorin asked. Bilbo nodded sheepishly. That was all he needed. He gathered Bilbo into his arms and returned his kiss with all the passion he could muster. The richness of the cider had never tasted better or warmed him so deeply than on Bilbo's tongue.

And if he heard Dwalin shout, "It's about fucking time." He ignored it.