Bruise and Batter My Heart

credit goes to SunnyRose

Summary:

Thorin thought everything was going well with the rebuilding of Erebor until Bilbo continued to show up injured. Upon investigating what could be causing his hobbit such pain, he discovers Bilbo is engaging in an old dwarven courting custom...but for who??

If Thorin was being honest, he hadn't spent a whole lot of time thinking about what life would be like after they reclaimed Erebor. Perhaps he just assumed the ruling aspect would come naturally. Perhaps he hadn't expected to survive that long. Yet, by some stroke of luck, here he was, surrounded by his kith and kin, once more in the halls of his forefathers. And every day, he had to ask himself if he really knew what he was doing.

Thorin had been raised as a prince in these very halls. Trained to follow in the footsteps of Thror and Thrain and be the king Erebor needed. However, the Erebor of the past had different needs from the Erebor of the present, and scraping by the skin of his teeth in Ered Luin was not exactly the same qualifications. Thorin spent less time out amongst the people, performing the jobs that needed done, and more time in his study organizing those jobs. Coin was no longer an issue, but food and supplies were, and it required negotiating alliances and trade rather than just traveling to the next city and purchasing what his people needed.

Of course, Thorin wasn't in this alone. His company fell into their positions seamlessly to better assist him. Balin becoming his direct advisor, Dwalin taking on issues of security, Gloin taking on the position of Master of the Coin, and really everyone falling into jobs they were best suited for. There just always came a point at the end of the day where Thorin was ready to throw it all away and get back to the road where he was most comfortable. In times like this, he was so thankful that Bilbo decided to remain in the mountain.

Every evening, Thorin found his way to Bilbo's suites, the Queen's suites, not that he would ever mention that little detail. Bilbo would have a lavish dinner prepared with their meager rations somehow, and he would invite Thorin to sit and share his day with him. Considering Bilbo had made himself rather useful in the negotiations to get more food to the mountain, he was quite certain that nothing he said was a surprise to the hobbit. Yet, he would listen and nod his head, offering advice where he could, and affirming his confidence in Thorin's abilities where he couldn't. Having dinner with Bilbo was the highlight of his day, and he always left feeling a little lighter, and a little more capable to face the challenges of the next day.

Thorin owed Bilbo so much. He wished he could find a way to express that to him. To tell him that he desired this to be their life until the end of days. Yet, he didn't have the right. He lost it during his time spent under the goldsickness. But this was enough. Having his friendship would always be enough. At least until he opened the door for their dinner, and found a most horrifying sight awaiting him that had him across the room in a moment.

"Who did this to you?" Thorin growled.

Bilbo blinked owlishly up at him. Or at least as well as he could around the bruised and puffy skin that nearly closed his left eye completely. Thorin forced his hands to remain at his side and not hold the hobbit close in an attempt of protection that was offered too late. Bilbo slowly reached up towards the damaged skin, wincing when he pressed a little too hard.

"Oh, this?" He laughed. "I was...hit by a rock if you believe it."

Thorin's brows furrowed together. A rock? Where had the hobbit wandered that was still so unstable? Did Thorin have to worry about the mountain crashing down upon their heads now? Bilbo must have seen something to give away his thoughts as he tugged at Thorin's hand, holding it gently between his own.

"No, stop. It's nothing to be concerned about. It was a...fluke of sorts. The area was thoroughly investigated afterwards and there should be no more falling rocks any time soon. I promise you, I am fine."

Thorin stared skeptically at his eye that was already beginning to change colors to blue and purple. His hand tightened around Bilbo's before nodding. Bilbo gave him a brilliant grin as he coerced Thorin with very little effort into helping set the table. If Bilbo didn't want to make a fuss out of it, Thorin would try to act like things were fine. However, his mind mulled on it for the rest of the dinner. The mountain wasn't safe for Bilbo. What if Bilbo decided that it would be better for his health to return to the Shire? He had said he was happy in Erebor, but how many more accidents before that changed?

The next day, Thorin took his concerns to Balin, determined to make it his first priority of the morning. They walked with the engineers discussing the mountain's stability and which areas still suffered from the dragon. They discussed what to do about falling rocks and came up with a sort of net that would catch the rocks before they made it down to the walkway. For the first time in a long time, Thorin left work feeling satisfied.

The days passed, Thorin continued to take dinners with Bilbo, and slowly his eye healed. All his worries faded with the bruise, and he wouldn't have given it another thought until he arrived at Bilbo's door only to find him limping. There was a wrap around his ankle, and Thorin could clearly see it was fatter than the other. That icy feeling of dread took over once more.

"Oh this?" Bilbo scoffed when Thorin brought it up. "I...tripped going down some stairs. It's not a big deal. Oin thinks the swelling will go down by the end of the week."

Thorin's heart squeezed and his eyes went wide. Stairs?! He now had to look out for stairs? He supposed they did need to re-install the pulley elevator system that was common in Erebor of old, but while they were still working on cleaning and rebuilding it didn't seem like a high priority.

"Thorin!" Bilbo gripped his arm, pulling Thorin out of his thoughts to see the hobbit's brows were furrowed together. "I'm fine. Please don't worry so much. I promise to be more careful from now on."

Thorin took a deep breath before letting it out with a sigh.

"I'm holding you to that. And in the meantime, you're going to sit down and I'm going to finish making dinner."

Bilbo laughed and teased him about his cooking skills, but ultimately relented. Thorin talked the next day to Balin about elevators, and he was of the same opinion that it would have to wait for later. However, they did consider the idea of making ramps. Especially in areas they were having to rebuild from scratch. Most importantly though, Thorin had them put in railings once more. Not the golden ones of old, but sturdy ones made of dwarvish iron. That at least seemed to dissipate most of his nightmares about Bilbo falling deep within the mountain, never to be seen again.

The problem of Bilbo continuing to get hurt though seemed to persist. A sore shoulder from pressing up against an immovable door. A broken finger from getting it jammed in a tight space. A fat lip from hitting himself in the face on accident while trying to lift some rubble. Bilbo had never been this accident prone on the quest, and Thorin's stomach turned after every injury reminding him just how unsafe his halls were for a hobbit. Finally, he could not take it anymore! He forewent his crown and donned a heavy cloak, deciding to follow the hobbit in secret. To determine that no accidents befell him that day.

Of course, Bilbo was too sneaky and clever for him, and when he rounded a corner the hobbit had practically disappeared. He was going to need an expert in the art of stealth. Luckily, he knew just the dwarf.

"I can't believe you thought you could follow Bilbo. Our burglar who managed to sneak his way under Thranduil's pointy nose for weeks." Nori cackled.

Thorin attempted to ignore the heat rising to his cheeks as he crossed his arms and lifted a brow.

"Will you help me or not?"

Nori shrugged. "Sure."

Thorin was a bit taken aback by the ease with which Nori agreed. The former thief noticed and gave him a strained smirk.

"We all love Bilbo too. Probably not in the same way, but we do. We don't want to see the hobbit hurt."

Thorin nodded, choosing to ignore Nori's jab as he thanked him. Now at least, he could get some work done with the peace of mind that Nori would be watching out for Bilbo.

***

Thorin was getting no work done. His thoughts strayed to what Bilbo could be doing at the moment and what sort of trouble he was getting himself into. He had hoped Nori might check in, but either the thief hadn't found him yet, or he felt he needed to be close to Bilbo which implied Bilbo could be in danger. Finally, Thorin could stand it no longer. He jumped to his feet, determined to search the whole mountain if he must. He decided to start with Bilbo's rooms as he knew the hobbit would have to return sometime soon to begin dinner preparations.

He was just about to round the corner when he heard voices. One of which he recognized, the other he did not. He carefully peered around the corner to see Bilbo being supported by another dwarf. Bilbo's arm was tight around his ribs and he hissed with every step. Thorin was about to jump out and offer his assistance to his injured hobbit when the dwarf said something that stopped him in his tracks.

"What are you going to tell His Majesty this time?"

He saw Bilbo wince and shake his head. "I don't know." He complained. "I'm running out of excuses, not that the ones I've been using have been all that great."

The dwarf hummed in sympathy. "It's at least led to many changes in Erebor. All for the better too."

"Yes." Bilbo admitted with a sigh. "I just wished they weren't based on lies."

Thorin felt his stomach twist in knots. Bilbo has been lying to him? Why?

"Well, I would say not much longer now, Bilbo. We can put all this practice behind us."

The dwarf leaned forward and carefully pressed his forehead against Bilbo's own. Something vicious and hot leaped from Thorin's chest demanding he put a stop to it. How dare that nameless dwarf push his affections onto his Bilbo! However, just as quickly as it had been born, was it doused by Bilbo's warm smile and gentle words.

"I can't thank you enough, Bulrok."

Thorin used that moment to turn away, unable to bear the sight any longer. However, as if it had been burned into his mind's eye, he failed to see much else. Even sat in his chair by the fire, staring off into the distance he couldn't forget Bilbo and Bulrok. There was a dwarven courting custom, an old dwarven courting custom, that had one battle the one they wished to court in hand-to-hand combat. It had been used primarily by warring families to prove the dwarf's prowess to both their love and their love's family. It wasn't so much about winning as much as it was about showcasing your skills. Proving you can be an even match and more so that you know your beloved's abilities. Thorin didn't know how Bilbo would have possibly come to learn about that particular courting custom, but he couldn't get it out of his head. As a hobbit in a mountain of dwarves it would make sense for Bilbo if he felt like he had to prove his worth.

Thorin growled as he jumped to his feet and started pacing. Not that Bilbo had anything to prove. He was a hero thrice over, at least, and any who thought differently were the type of idiots Thorin couldn't bear to remain in the company of. And that was all Thorin could think of this Bulrok. Hurting Bilbo in practice to train him up for their showcase. How could he stand it? Why would Bilbo let himself be dragged into it? He should have laughed in the dwarf's face for even suggesting it and moved on to better prospects.

There was a knock at his door, and Thorin called for them to enter. Nori slunk in, a thoughtful expression on his face. Thorin was unnerved by the lack of a smirk, but then again, he was fairly certain as to the news Nori bore.

"Well?" He asked.

Nori hesitated. "I can't betray Bilbo's confidence in this, but he is safe. And I think by the end of the month, should things go well, he won't be getting injured any longer."

The end of the month. Thorin's ears were practically ringing. He was going to lose Bilbo to this Bulrok in less than a fortnight! Thorin stumbled as his bad foot acted up and decided to forgo bearing his weight. Nori rushed to his side, keeping him from collapsing.

"Thorin, are you okay?"

"I'm fine." He grunted. "Leave me in peace."

"Thorin..."

"I said go!"

Nori gave him a hard look before disappearing back the way he came. Thorin went back to staring into the flames, hoping against hope it would warm the ice collecting across his heart. He shivered before burying his head in his hands. All the jokes, all the dinners, it was never to be his. Bilbo was never to be his.

***

Thorin went through the remainder of the month numb and frustrated. He absolutely refused to go to another dinner with Bilbo given the state of things, which in turn made all challenges of being king more daunting. There was a little voice that he hadn't given an ear to in many, many years that now urged him to run. Take his sword and a pack of provisions and leave Erebor as quickly as he could. It was the same voice that had whispered the same thing to him after losing his grandfather and father and brother so suddenly and having a handful of survivors looking to him for support.

He didn't though. Pride and duty and honor held him in a chokehold forcing him to endure changes he made for a hobbit who lied to him. Endure pleas for him to return to dinner before they tapered off entirely. Endure a broken heart that demanded he challenge this Bulrok who would allow Bilbo to endure such anguish for an over the top courting tradition. Somehow, through all of that, time marched on and the end of the month came upon them. A day Thorin dreaded, because as king he couldn't escape it. He would be forced to watch Bilbo and Bulrok grappling with each other. A shudder of warm fluttering anger boiled at the thought before he shut it out once again.

With the remainder of his friends and a handful of others, Thorin approached the training arena. Each step, a new accomplishment. When he arrived, he could see Bilbo standing in the center of the ring, wringing his hands as he glanced around. He looked over at Bulrok and gave him a gentle smile which had Thorin's fists clenching at his side as he averted his eyes. When he dared to look up again, Bilbo was watching him. His gaze open and vulnerable and Thorin was clenched with hunger of how much he missed him. Avoiding him these past weeks have been awful, and he could only assume from the dark circles under his eyes and the nervous expression, it's been the same for Bilbo. He vowed then and there that he would make an effort to rebuild their friendship after this. Even if that did come with more time spent with Bulrok.

When it seemed there would be no more to come, Bilbo looked back to Bulrok who gave him an encouraging gesture. Bilbo cleared his throat before pulling himself up to his full height.

"With regard to the courting customs of Durin's Folk, I, Bilbo Baggins, stand before you today to challenge the one who I would have as my betrothed. With you as my witnesses, I will prove my strength and wits in battle worthy of his station."

Thorin actually felt physically nauseous. Bilbo was a beauty. Speaking with such conviction in a training tunic and trousers. His golden head shining in the firelight. He made Thorin feel unworthy in a way that just made him hate Bulrok all the more for doing this to him.

"And so I would challenge Thorin, son of Thrain, son of Thror, King Under the Mountain. If he would have me."

Thorin's ears were ringing and the nausea had yet to recede. Did...did he just say? Thorin automatically looked over at Bulrok to see how he would react, but he was just grinning widely in support. Thorin looked over at his friends stopping on Nori who gave him a smirk and nodded. All of Thorin's senses were suddenly thrown into hyperfocus as he shifted his attention back to Bilbo. Wonderful, perfect Bilbo who was fidgeting under his stare. His eyes shining with nerves and hope. Him? All of this was for Thorin?

There was a poke in his back from Dwalin and a hissed 'go' from Balin before Thorin was able to allow himself to be carried forward by his booted feet. Booted feet...what if he stepped on Bilbo's long furry toes?! Alarm must have been written across his face as Bilbo approached him and took his hand gently in his own.

"You need not do this if you don't want to." He urged quietly, his voice flat and eyes downturned.

Thorin slowly grabbed Bilbo's chin, tilting it back up to him. "The only reason I would not court you this way is because Bilbo Baggins doesn't have anything to prove to me or my people."

Bilbo gave him a small but warm smile. "You would court me though?"

"I would." Thorin answered with a nod.

"You've been avoiding me."

"I saw you with Bulrok and I thought..."

Bilbo's brows furrowed together before understanding dawned his features. He grabbed Thorin's large hand in both of his, giving it a gentle squeeze.

"Bulrok was helping to train me. Dwalin recommended him as a good teacher of hand-to-hand combat. That's it. I promise you."

"I believe you." Thorin admitted softly, his throat tight.

"And I'm sorry for lying about my injuries as well."

"I forgive you."

"OI! ARE YOU TWO GOING TO FIGHT OR CONTINUE MAKING DOE-EYES AT EACH OTHER?"

The other dwarves roared with laughter as Thorin turned to glare at Nori.

"Well, what do you say?" Bilbo asked him when he turned back around.

Thorin hesitated, and Bilbo gave him a challenging raise of the eyebrow. Thorin sighed and shook his head in mock exasperation as he started to strip down to his tunic and trousers enduring the whistles and calls from his fellow dwarves as he did so. He also took his boots off thinking of Bilbo's bare feet. He stood across from Bilbo.

"Ready?" He asked.

"Ready." Bilbo agreed, and then he lunged.

Thorin was completely unprepared for the speed at which the hobbit moved, and before he quite knew what happened, he found his arm being jerked backwards as his leg was kicked out from underneath him. He slammed into the dirt, the wind knocked out of him, as Bilbo swiftly sat on top of him with a victorious smirk. Thorin was horrified. He could not lose this easily. Everyone would be calling for how he was not worthy of Bilbo. Battle instincts took over at that point, as he used his size to roll them over, trying to grab Bilbo's hands to pin him to the ground.

The hobbit was prepared for this as he bucked and slithered like a caught fish, slipping out of his hold and immediately getting onto Thorin's back. Bilbo slid his arm around Thorin's neck and pulled back. Thorin coughed as his immediate instinct was to stand up, only Bilbo's short stature had him hanging off his neck putting more pressure there. Thorin could feel Bilbo's muscles flexing against him as he grabbed him by the back of his shirt and threw him forward, sending Bilbo crashing to the ground on his back a fair distance away from him.

Bilbo got up with a wince, and Thorin could see him favoring the ribs that had been hurt earlier in the month. They stood there, panting and staring at each other, as bets were hollered around them. Thorin was mesmerized. Bilbo's low hanging, sweaty curls. The flex of his chest with each breath. He had no idea he had this power within him. None would be able to call him an unworthy suitor, just after that short span. His chest filled with warmth as a rather possessive thought took hold. And he chose Thorin.

Bilbo rushed towards him again, and this time Thorin was ready for him. Thorin attempted to grab him by the arm as he got close, but Bilbo broke the hold easily. He went to wrap himself around Thorin's neck, and Thorin picked him up by the back of his legs to keep from getting in a chokehold, only to realize what compromising position he had put himself in when he was able to stare straight into Bilbo's surprised eyes. It was funny. He had always thought them to be a sort of mix between green tourmaline and smoky quartz, but there was actually some deep sapphire in there as well.

"You're fighting not kissing! Get on with it!" Dwalin called from the sidelines.

Bilbo and Thorin both blinked as they realized how close they had moved to the other's face. Right. Thorin threw them both down into the ground, Bilbo giving a grunt as he hit and releasing Thorin. Thorin pinned Bilbo's arms out to his side, thinking he had him for sure this time when Bilbo's large hobbit feet came up into his stomach, throwing him into a tumble over the hobbit's head. Bilbo immediately crawled up on top of him, his knees sitting on his arms, effectively pinning Thorin in place. Thorin struggled to get free, but it was no use. Bilbo had bested him.

"I yield." He murmured breathlessly.

There were cheers and complaints in equal measure from the dwarves behind him that Thorin couldn't be bothered to keep track of. His eyes were drawn to the shining hobbit above him and how they were courting now. A grin slowly split across his face.

***

After a visit with Oin, Thorin and Bilbo miraculously came out with only a few of his poultices slathered on their newly forming bruises, and hobbled their way up to Bilbo's room where they collapsed on his settee. Thorin pulled Bilbo partly into his lap, playing with the curls in his hair as they waited for Bombur's staff to bring up their dinner. They deserved a little celebration.

"I can't believe you thought I wanted to court Bulrok." Bilbo teased softly.

"Does it really surprise you that I would recognize that other dwarves might also want to court Erebor's Dragonriddler?"

Bilbo groaned at the nickname, shaking his head. "We can argue the merits of that one later. But how could you think I would be into anyone else when it's you that I cook dinner for every night?"

Thorin shrugged, not getting the importance of the issue. Bilbo gave him a small smile as he played with the buttons down Thorin's front.

"Hobbits court with food. I was showing you how worthy a spouse I could be."

Thorin leaned down and captured those lips in a soft, chaste kiss.

"You only had to step out your door and follow me on my mad quest against a dragon for me to know your worth."

The next kiss from Bilbo was a little more than chaste. Thorin drank it in like he was stuck in that forsaken Mirkwood with his last waterskin. Thorin was beyond happy for multiple reasons, but mostly, he would never have to worry about his hobbit wanting to leave him again.