Slow Dancing Emsiecat

Summary:

And emsie said; 'Hey I'll just write a page for this little ficlet' and Bilbo and Thorin muses said 'haha nice try, we're gonna make you stay up until 2am writing us being saps again, fool!' and Balin was a horrible horrible enabler and now I can't see straight anymore. So this is why this chapter is probably full of mistakes. Sorry!

Chapter Text

"Generally speaking the dances of the Shire are quick in order to meet our up-tempo music; I cannot honestly say I've ever heard of 'slow dancing'." Bilbo's words held in them an element of curiosity that Thorin had learnt to correctly gauge over the year they had spent in one another's company.

The hobbit was attempting to keep his tone nonchalant, but Thorin could tell he was inquisitive about the idea of a different kind of dance.

"Somehow that does not surprise me. The little I saw of your people led me to believe they would be as rambunctious as a herd of dwarflings if given food, music, and liquor in any sufficient quantity."

"You say that as if it were a bad thing," Bilbo narrowed his eyes playfully at the recently crowned king of Erebor and Thorin tried his best not to let his amusement show.

Their battles won and home beginning its' restoration was a joyous event despite all the trials they had faced, and so an impromptu celebration had been arranged for the survivors once every injured party was deemed well enough to participate.

Thorin himself had only recently been released from the infirmary, one of the last, and if he were being honest with himself; he still did not feel quite up to the fierce abandon and merriment with which a lot of their number seemed to be displaying.

From his vantage point at the head of the room seated on an elevated chair, Thorin could see most of the Company dancing in the hall amongst the large throng of bodies that made up the celebration. Dwarves, residents of Lake-town, and (Mahal help him) even a fair number of elves spun about the room in time to a decidedly fast piece of music that a number of Dain's folk had decided to play on borrowed instruments.

Thorin was willing to wager that they had chosen such music as a subtle competition of sorts, to see which race could outlast the others in the dancing.

With injuries still on the mend, Thorin had not participated in any dance thus far and was relieved to see that he was not the only one. Fíli and Kíli, still recovering from their own wounds, had chosen to leave the dancing to the likes of Nori and Bofur. The thief and miner had at some point, clasped hands and were spinning very fast in a circle; careening into anyone who dared step in the path of their somewhat drunken rotation. Kíli was jeering at them from his place by the dance floor where he sat with his head resting on the shoulder of a certain redheaded elf. Fíli was whooping and clapping in time to the music, cheering them on.

Bilbo, bless him, had decided that the dance floor was no place for a fellow as small as he during this particular set of music and so had decided to join Thorin to keep him company. He was seated beside him now commentating on the events unfolding in the hall with a carefree cheer that had been woefully lacking during their quest. Indeed, the hobbit barely seemed to notice the impropriety he was displaying, having hopped up onto the expansive arm of the throne where he perched now smiling and positively impish as he swung his legs back and forth humming along to the tune.

"You also say it like your lot are the paragons of sedate and exemplary behaviour," Bilbo added almost as an afterthought to their topic, waving a hand to indicate Bofur and Nori's wild flailing. "Those two are going to cause trouble just you wai- Ah! See there we go, stumbled right into Dwalin the daft buffoons."

"Dwalin looks pleased," Thorin's voice was laced with sarcasm as the newly appointed Captain of the Guard levelled the two with a vaguely threatening look, theatrically cracked his knuckles, and then took off after them as they ran yelping, laughing, and screaming from the irate dwarf, dodging through the crowd to try and lose him.

"Actually that's not as much of a stretch as you might think; I believe Dwalin has been looking for an excuse to knock some sense into them for a while now... looks like he finally got it," Bilbo chuckled conspiratorially and gave a cheerful wave to little Tilda who had been lifted up onto her father's shoulders.

"I can well believe that," Thorin hummed and cast a surreptitious look at his companion.

Bilbo really did look happy, and he supposed it was easy to see why. Now that the hobbit wasn't forced into daily life-threatening situations and had time to relax, eat properly, and stay somewhere safe, he positively flourished. He looked healthy; the frighteningly pale pallor of his skin and the dark circles beneath his eyes had been banished in the months since the battle and seemed to only improve even more as Thorin and his nephews had healed. He had been able to eat sufficiently to regain the worrying amount of weight he had lost whilst on the road, and now that he had found some clothes to suit both him and his environment (courtesy of Dori, Thorin suspected), Bilbo positively glowed.

"Anyway," Bilbo turned his attention from his study of the dancing folk in the hall and back to Thorin. "What was it you were telling me about your dancing styles? You have slower dances or some such."

"Ah, yes..."

Thorin cleared his throat and tried to banish such foolish earlier thoughts of how well his friend looked and instead tried to concentrate on Bilbo's question... It was a little difficult given the hobbit's bright grin and flushed cheeks, but he managed tolerably well.

"These dances are more common, it's true," he nodded towards the fast-paced dance everyone was participating in at that moment. "However, it seems to be a shared trait amongst dwarves, men, and even elves that slower dances are popular as well."

"Elves? Oh dear, how you must loathe to share that with them," Bilbo teased and yelped when a scowling Thorin reached up to flick at his ear for the insolent comment.

"Yes, elves... It is a dance usually performed by a pair and naturally the music for this type of dance would be a lot slower as well."

"Well, how do you dance it then, there can't be much rhythm to it, surely?"

"Not so much... there are a few specific dances that are quite interesting and require a certain amount of grace and footwork, but generally this type of dance requires very minimal concentration or skill. It allows for partners to talk to one another you see."

"Hm, well that doesn't sound too bad," Bilbo looked thoughtful. "I'm not entirely sure it would become popular back in the Shire though."

That was something else Thorin had noticed. Before they had reached Erebor, if Bilbo talked of the Shire he would refer to it as 'back home' or 'my home'. Now though, it was as if Bilbo was merely mentioning some far away place, a place that no longer held as much significance to him. Thorin felt he probably should not feel as pleased about that as he did. The Shire was Bilbo's home after all, and the dwarf king could not help but feel that he had stolen Bilbo away from it.

"You're fretting over something silly again, I can tell," Bilbo murmured from beside him. "If it's important I won't ask you to stop your brooding on it of course, but I have a feeling you're blaming yourself for something you don't need to again, so please don't do that."

Bilbo's words were firm but kind and Thorin felt slightly startled that he could read him so easily.

"You are far too perceptive for your own good, Bilbo."

"Indeed, I have been told that. However, in this case I think I've just learnt to read you personally quite well, that's all," Bilbo shrugged not seeming to realise how some might see this as a trait between a pair more intimately acquainted than just friends. "Your face goes very still and blank you know, but your eyes look sad and troubled when you start blaming yourself for something."

"As I said, perceptive," Thorin tried to smile but the action did not quite meet his eyes and Bilbo patted his arm in a consoling gesture.

"If you do need to talk-"

"I will be sure to come to you first," Thorin replied dutifully. Though he was slightly confused as to why Bilbo really did seem like the best idea when he had family all around him...

"Wonderful," Bilbo fairly chirped and sat a little straighter, the smile he had worn all evening back in place at Thorin's promise.

From the other side of the hall there was a crash and a scuffle as Dwalin finally collared Bofur, Kíli's rambunctious laughter at the scene reaching them from across the room.

"Since Your Majesty is resting, perhaps I'd better go stop Dwalin from tipping Bofur head first into an ale keg or something," Bilbo snickered and hopped lightly down from his seat on the arm of the throne. "Please do come and find me if you want to tell me more about those dances of yours." Not giving the king time to answer; Bilbo flashed him a quick smile and gave a polite bow, then scurried off the dais to weave through the crowd to prevent a potential fight from breaking out between their friends.

"You should ask him to dance," Thorin jolted as Balin appeared at his elbow as silent as a ghost.

The elderly dwarf was red faced and a little breathless, causing Thorin to hide a grin. He had spied Dís cajoling Balin into dancing with her a while ago, reminiscent of when his sister had been naught but a young dwarfling. Unfortunately, it seemed Balin could no longer keep up with her exuberance as he once had and must have excused himself under the pretence of coming to talk to Thorin.

Trying not to dwell on how Balin had worded his remark, Thorin replied. "I could not manage to dance as they are doing at the moment, much like Fíli and Kíli; I'm still not healed enough."

"You know I don't mean for you to take a turn about the room as it is now. Wait until the slower music starts then ask him," there was mischief in the old dwarf's gaze and Thorin gave him a rather unimpressed look.

"You are not at all subtle, Balin."

"Why should I need to be subtle when you are as blunt as a rock to the head? He wants to know more about the dances, and you clearly wish to court him. Why not go ahead and take the chance."

Thorin was not quite sure he liked it when his eldest friend and advisor was this forthright.

"Please tell me that is the ale talking."

"I've not had nearly enough of that to deal with your foolishness, laddie. I am simply telling you straight. He likes you, he was trying to hint for you to ask him but as usual, it sailed right over your regal head. Now, I think it would be a real waste of an evening if you didn't even try to woo him, so I'm telling you now: as soon as those dwarves start playing a suitably slow piece of music, you will get yourself out into the hall proper and find Master Baggins and ask him to dance... Otherwise I might just have a bit more of that ale and let slip to him how much you've been pining over him since the Carrock."

"I believe this might be called mutiny by some, old friend," Thorin bit out with no real heat whilst wondering just how long Balin had been stood nearby and how much he had heard, he didn't think he would like the answer if he asked however and so kept quiet.

Balin chuckled, reaching out to pat the king's shoulder fondly. "Think of it less as mutiny, and more that this old dwarf is tired of seeing you remain alone when there's one you love out there who is more than willing to return it."

"Balin, he-" Thorin scrubbed a hand over his face and sighed. "He does not deserve to be tied here if he wishes to return home. If he accepted me courting him... well I can't very well up and leave myself to return with him to his Shire now, can I?"

There was no point denying he wished to court the hobbit, not when his old friend clearly had a good idea of what was going on; trying to hoodwink Balin had never ended favourably for anyone be they friend, foe, or even family.

"Why not?" Balin asked bluntly. "I said it once before, lad. You've done honourably by our people; but if you now wished to go chase some new future for yourself, there'd be none here who would begrudge you, and you have others to take your place. Besides, who's to say Bilbo would even want to return to the Shire anymore? Our dear burglar has not wistfully mentioned the place in many a month now. Perhaps he considers Erebor his home instead."

Thorin felt an unfamiliar swoop in his stomach at the words, as they so closely echoed the suppositions he had had before regarding Bilbo's stance on home.

Still, he could not even entertain the idea of Bilbo staying somewhere he was unhappy...

"Trust yourselves to make the right choice, for goodness sake. I am not asking you to propose to him this instant, just go and ask him to dance," Balin huffed and actually shooed the king from his throne.

"Insubordination, that is what this is," Thorin shook his head fondly and eased himself from his seat with a small wince, too long in one attitude did that to him since the battle, and he longed for the day when he would be completely free of any discomfort.

"Aye, most likely, but it is of a friendly sort. Now go, before I call the lads over here to hound you... or your sister."

The threat was more than enough, and Thorin grumbled softly before making his way down from the dais himself to go and find Bilbo.

"Since I don't see Bofur upside down in an ale keg, am I correct in assuming you managed to soothe tensions here, Master Baggins?"

"Thorin!" Bilbo turned to wave the king closer and Thorin obliged, wandering over to stand beside the hobbit by a table full of food. "There was really little need for me, truth be known. Ori managed to calm things quickly enough, he's quite good at that with Dwalin you know."

"Is he now?" Thorin shared a knowing look with Bombur whose cheeks bulged like a greedy squirrel as he helped himself to another slice of pie. The portly dwarf awkwardly returned the smile and offered the king a plate of his own, which Thorin politely declined.

"Yes, it's rather sweet actually- oh! Should you be here, I mean you're not straining your injuries or anything are you?"

"I am fine, Bilbo. To be honest I do need a little exercise to build my strength up again."

"Well, so long as you're sure..."

It was Óin who interrupted them as he bustled by with his brother, nodding to the king approvingly. "Aye, lad. Thorin will be fine. I daresay he might do well from joining in the next dance actually. It won't wear him out, and it will only help return his strength-"

The healer trailed off as Glóin elbowed him roughly for some reason, and Bilbo stared after them as the pair walked off bickering.

"What was that all about?"

Thorin coughed, feeling embarrassed. "I'm not sure I'm afraid... he er, he might have a point though... apparently the next set of music is supposed to be slower, so it might be alright for me to dance this one... I was wondering if- well if you would like me to demonstrate the dance with you?" yes, that was safe enough. He wasn't asking directly for a dance, just to show Bilbo how-

Thorin was fairly certain he heard Dís groan despairingly from somewhere nearby but he put the odd thought out of his mind.

"If you're sure it won't harm," Bilbo's expression was enthusiastic, and he set aside the small plate of treats he had picked for himself as he spied the dwarven musicians readying themselves with their instruments once more. "I would like to dance very much."

The dance had been explained to him, but it was still rather surprising how simple it could be. There was no fancy footwork or change of partners, no loud stomping and clapping or exhausting pace to keep. Instead, Bilbo stood within the circle of Thorin's arms, the king's hands at his waist and Bilbo's arms looped around Thorin's neck as the moved slowly in time with the strains of the fiddle and plucking harp strings.

It was... very close, closer than he had expected. However, most of the couples on the dance floor were in the same position and so Bilbo thought little of it.

Thorin was right; it did make talking a lot easier.

"Is this all there is to it?" Bilbo queried, not unimpressed at all, merely confused. All the dances he had known were quite difficult to master; this was extremely simple.

"Well, as I mentioned there are others like... hm sorry I'm trying to remember-

"It's been a long time?" Bilbo questioned.

"Actually I've never really danced like this with anyone, except perhaps my parents as a dwarfling. I would stand on my mother's feet if I remember rightly."

Bilbo laughed at that obviously envisioning such a scene.

Flushing, Thorin averted his gaze for a moment, Bilbo's face was very close to his own after all... it was distracting.

"Ah, yes, there is this one..."

Thorin wrapped an arm more securely about Bilbo's waist and took one hand in his own. "Move your feet like so, the pace is... one, two, and three, one, two and three- that's right."

Bilbo murmured the steps to himself as he concentrated on not stepping on Thorin's feet, chuckling whenever they missed a beat or put a foot wrong.

"I suppose neither of us is particularly good at this dance," Thorin conceded after a short time and manoeuvred them back to their original dance positions, feeling oddly elated when Bilbo nodded his agreement and gravitated closer to him.

"No, it is nice though... perhaps I was wrong, folk in the Shire might like this dance very much, especially those who are courting."

"Yes..." Balin's earlier words returned to taunt him, and Thorin was hard pressed not to ask Bilbo something utterly idiotic.

The last thing he wanted was to make the hobbit feel awkward.

Instead, the king focused on the other part of Bilbo's statement and, though almost afraid to ask, found himself speaking regardless. "When you return I suppose you could teach them... you- that is... when do you think you will return to the Shire?"

"Trying to get rid of me?" Bilbo joked, though there was a slight wary hesitance in his voice which made Thorin feel bad for even asking.

"No! No, not at all, I just thought you might be missing home..."

"Hm, not as much as I once thought I might."

Thorin realised that the music was slowly and coming to an end and so took a cautious step back from Bilbo, offering him a warm smile as they stopped moving. "You are welcome to stay here for as long as you wish, just so you know."

"Thank you."

Feeling suddenly awkward over how many of their companions he could feel watching them, and plenty more besides, Thorin finally released Bilbo and nodded politely before excusing himself. "Thank you for the dance, you were right it had been a while."

Bilbo gave a short bow in return and Thorin made his way back to his seat.

The remainder of the evening passed uneventfully enough, for Thorin anyway, the party passing in a pleasant haze for the most part, until the guests were soon taking their leave and only volunteers remained in the hall to tidy the mess left from the celebration.

Thorin bid his nephews goodnight at their rooms and carried on down to his own, removing his crown and cloak as soon as he entered, quite ready to slump on the couch before the hearth and either read a little or sleep, whichever scenario happened first.

It was a meek sounding knock at his door that prevented him from doing either however, and Thorin frowned slightly as he walked back over to the door and opened it a crack to see who wished to speak with him. His nephews and sister would never knock so quietly, and the dwarves staying within Erebor would not have come to the royal quarters without a prior arrangement.

Bilbo stood in the hallway, shuffling from foot to foot with uncharacteristic nervousness.

"Bilbo, is everything well?" Thorin frowned, concern writ over his features for a moment.

"Ah, yes, everything is fine that is- I'm so sorry, Thorin. I didn't mean to disturb you it's just that- something had been bothering me a little and I wished to talk with you about it but- well it is late and I should have waited until morning, please excuse me-"

Thorin opened his door properly and reached out to catch Bilbo's wrist before he could leave. "It's quite alright, you are not disturbing me one bit, come in and we can talk."

Ushering Bilbo inside, Thorin closed the door behind him and settled himself on the couch, indicating for the hobbit to do the same. Bilbo however, chose to remain standing, fidgeting a little in front of the dwarf king.

"Are you sure you are alright, Bilbo?"

"Yes, yes, it's just... I heard a few of the dwarves discussing something earlier and- I just wanted to ask, but it's so silly I really don't think it could be possible so I feel rather foolish and-"

"Nothing that would trouble you is foolish, please tell me, what did you overhear?" for a worrying moment Thorin's mind was full of conspiracies and plots to harm one of their own, though he tried to banish such pessimistic thoughts.

It was made infinitely easier to do so when Bilbo plucked up the courage to speak again.

"They were saying that- that you wished to court... me that is, that you were hoping that- please I really should have waited until morning, or better yet said nothing at all, so I should really be going-"

"Would it bother you?" the words were out of his mouth before he could stop himself and Thorin had a sudden and aching desire to posses Bilbo's uncanny ability of disappearing in mid-air. Realising such ability would not be granted to him, Thorin forced himself to continue before Bilbo fled. "Would you feel uneasy if that were the case?"

Bilbo was quiet, eyes resolutely looking down at the floor as if weighing his decision before he finally shook his head and spoke. "No, no I would- I would actually be very happy... I had thought when you asked me to dance... but things were a little awkward so I wondered if maybe I had misread things..."

Finally, Bilbo looked up and met Thorin's gaze unflinchingly, offering him a slightly tremulous smile.

"I would like it if you wanted to court me."

Thorin moved so quickly that Bilbo yelped, the dwarf standing and sweeping the hobbit into a hug so enthusiastic that he nearly swept poor Bilbo off his feet. "Good, that's very good. I- well it is true, I just had not realised how many of them had noticed... I do wish to court you, Bilbo. If you would be willing then-"

"Of course I would," Bilbo squeaked then as his answer led to him really being swept off his feet this time. "No, nonono, Thorin your wounds, don't-"

"Ah yes... I really don't want Óin confining me to bed rest again quite so soon," Thorin winced and set Bilbo back down and smiled when the hobbit fussed over him, gently pressing hands to his side and stomach to check no damage had been done.

The stab wound was of course well healed by now, but the damage left behind was slow to heal. Thorin was fine though, his enthusiasm having cost him nothing more than a brief moment of embarrassment.

The pair spoke properly then. Awkwardness slowly set aside to make room for proper confessions and laughing disbelief over the length of time they had felt this way for one another.

Bilbo made the first bold move, wrapping his arms around the back of Thorin's neck as he had done when dancing, but this time pushing himself closer to steal a kiss.

Thorin returned it and Bilbo nuzzled against the dwarf's cheek before murmuring. "I don't suppose we could dance again here, could we? I really did enjoy it, but it was a little awkward with so many people watching."

"Ah yes, the Company," Thorin snorted his amusement. He had felt their eyes on them too whilst they danced, and really it was rather intrusive of them. "Of course we can dance again."

Looking happier than Thorin had ever seen him, Bilbo pulled himself closer and readily rested his head upon Thorin's chest, arms loosely wound around him as Thorin's hands came to rest on Bilbo's hips.

There was no music, but none was really needed, Thorin decided, as he grinned into Bilbo's curls and danced with him before the fireplace.