mountainson

[mountainson]

The eagles are coming

[mountainson]

Thorin ‘absolutely and undeniably besotted with his burglar’ Oakenshield

[mountainson]

we don't talk about braiding someone's hair as a love language nearly often enough

[mountainson]

Suddenly Thorin feels somewhat wrong-footed, like he has stepped into some kind of foreign territory. Bilbo wasn't worried about the quest? What was there besides the quest? He frowns slightly, wondering what could possibly be on Bilbo's mind as he listens and brushing his hair over his shoulder. The shirt he wears is too large and uncomfortable -- which would be fine, but the neckline drops scandalously and all of a sudden he feels like he ought to cover up.

Turns out, he's right.

There is a warmth blooming in his stomach that he wonders at, because it comes in at full force and makes him feel a little dizzy. He's felt it before -- right before the Carrock, where Bilbo had expounded on wanting to help them, and there, as they'd hugged, and sleeping next to him at Beorn's house, and...

He clears his throat, unsure of what to say. What does one do with... feelings, he wonders? Dwarves are not so forward -- they have their Ones and are simply... suddenly there, changing as if overnight. At least, that is what he has observed. Hadn't Dwalin mentioned something about him changing?

Oh Mahal.

"It may interest you to know..." he pauses, because a lesson in Dwarrow history probably isn't what Bilbo wants right now, but he needs to hear it. "That... Dwarves. Carry in their heart one, and only one person over their entire lifetime. We are a fiercely loyal people, and may spend their entire lives with their One. I have not been so lucky."

But he has, he realizes. He has, because ever since he'd walked through this Hobbit's door ( to his own chagrin ) there has always been a charge between them. Something instinctual, intrinsic, that he has been trying and failing to deny for this entire year and has slowly been losing to, his heart being stolen away piece by piece by a little Hobbit from the Shire.

There is the tiniest upturn of his lips then, as he gazes at Bilbo. Just say it, you fool. You know you're done for. "Until now, I think."

Bilbo sighs, letting out an almost exasperated laugh. "No, no, I mean..of course I'm worried about the mountain, considering there's still a dragon in there, but that's not what I want to discuss. Um..."

Ah, this is awkward. How does he even begin to explain how he feels? Hobbits are very forward with their emotions, letting everything out in the open. If someone has feelings for someone, it's a simple matter of asking. From what Bilbo has been able to tell, though, dwarves are...quite different. He just hopes he isn't about to make an utter fool of himself.

"W-well...you see, um..I have been doing quite a bit of thinking lately. About some things. And I have come to the conclusion that...that I.." This is definitely the most embarrassing thing he's ever done in his life. What is he, a child? He's fifty years old! And yet he feels like a boy confessing to his childhood crush in the schoolyard.

His face is red again, and he clears his throat, trying his best to gather himself. He really wishes he could do this properly...but maybe this is as proper as they'll ever get again on this quest. "I-I have come to the conclusion that I..have..feelings...for you, Thorin. E-ever since, um, you hugged me on the Carrock? I-I just..maybe even before then, I don't know, but that's when I realized it, and I really haven't had a chance to say anything until now. I know there's far more important things to worry about than that, but...it's out there now, so...um, there you have it."

[mountainson]

"Yeah, I know."

If there is one thing he knows about his relationship with Bryn, it is that -- while they may not be in love with each other ( thank god they are ) -- they love each other. He has always loved him, in any capacity, and would do anything for him at the drop of a hat. He knows Bryn feels the same; so naturally, he knows Bryn will be there for him. He just doesn't want him to worry over every little detail, because that drains them both, seeing as they worry about each other even more.

He's quick to make a noise of assent, glancing warily over his shoulder as they make their way back down the mountain. If Bryn, too, had heard an echo, then maybe there was something -- or someone -- up there that they didn't know about. He didn't want to know; he just wants Bryn safe. As they climb down, though, he ponders the words.

"Weird dreams..." Well, he's had quite a few. Where does he start? "I have a lot of dreams about gold lately," he confesses, scratching the back of his head. "But I figured, you know, that's just me worrying about the business. And I have these... I don't know, Bryn, how do you even explain them? It's you and me. It's always you and me in them, but we're... not us. It's like a kaleidoscope. One minute we're in some fields, one minute we're on a mountain, and -- you know, there's this sword that keeps appearing... I don't know. It sounds stupid, sorry."

Hundreds of millions? Oh, god. That's...a lot worse than Toren had originally let on. Part of Bryn is a bit irritated that he wouldn't tell him, but another part of him understands because now he's going to worry. Bryn has always been a chronic worrier, especially when it comes to Toren. He wishes he could help him. There's no pile of gold hiding under a mountain (or any mountain, for that matter, what is he thinking about?) or anything that could seemingly help all the problems that Toren's grandfather has left for him.

"...Well, no matter what happens, Toren, I'll be with you every step of the way. Promise." He would've been, regardless, but even moreso now. They stick by each other, through thick and thin. It's always been like that, but his thoughts are rudely interrupted again by--

I am not my grandfather!

I will not part with any of it, not one single piece.

Bryn blinks a few times, then looks back up at Toren. "Uh..maybe. Which reminds me--have you, um...been having any weird dreams, lately? Though..hm, maybe we should get going first. It's starting to get dark." The sun is beginning to properly set now, and the thought of having to trek back down a mountain in the dark isn't really appealing. "It is something I've been wanting to ask you for a bit."

[mountainson]

"Yes, an unfortunate circumstance. But I must thank you all the same." He isn't so free with his gratitude, either, so he hopes Bilbo will appreciate the magnitude of it. Honestly, though, Thorin thinks he might just need to resign himself to being forever grateful for Bilbo's presence in his life. The last time he thanked him, they'd started hugging on the Carrock.

That hug. Dwalin still likes to tease him about it; to the point where he had wanted to take him to the side of a road and pummel him for it. So he'd been a little... affectionate. He'd almost died, and the last memory he'd had before waking up was a little Hobbit from the Shire defending his honor against the Pale Orc. How could he not be a little... charmed?

Was that even the word? Impressed, then, he decides firmly, watching Bilbo as he in turn watched him. He decides that the shade of Bilbo's eyes is rather fetching, and that he looks good with his curls grown long. "And what is that?"

Probably some worry about the journey, Thorin thinks. Or something about the jewel that he was meant to burgle. Honestly, any number of things could be going through that Hobbit's mind; he'd been more than surprised at the turns it could take in the past. "Bilbo, if you are worried about the mountain, or the quest -- "

"Well, yes, I'm a bit cold...you know I've been ill the past few days, what with going down a river and all." It was true. The first few days they were here, Bilbo had a cold that had mostly passed now, but it's been hard to get warm ever since. It was almost winter, and winter in the Shire typically isn't so cold. He's not really used to this kind of chill, which is why he huddles against Thorin now...even if it is a bit embarrassing.

But he shakes his head anyways, looking up at him. They're so incredibly close that Bilbo would be surprised if Thorin couldn't feel just how hard his heart is pounding in his chest. "You don't--you don't have to give me the blanket. I'm fine, really."

Is he, though? Here he is, chest to chest with Thorin Oakenshield, of all people, and he thinks he's about to die from embarrassment. On the one hand, he could try to go back to sleep, mortified as he is, and try to forget about it come morning.

On the other hand...

On the other hand, when would he ever get this opportunity again? The worst thing that could happen is Thorin could tell him no (and that is a terrifying prospect), but what if he didn't? Bilbo swallows hard, his brow furrowing. "A-actually, um...th-there is...there is something else that's been on my mind as of late, Thorin."

[mountainson]

"Were you, now?" Thorin will simply ignore the jibe about being jealous, because despite the fact that he doesn't need to be, he has a bad habit of falling prey to it anyway. It's not good for his health; especially since Bilbo has just gotten here, and he's got more of that in store for him, he's sure. "And was your rush worth it?"

Obviously it was, because Bilbo is getting rather comfortable in his lap. A fond smile plays at Thorin's lips and he spends a good while brushing the Hobbit's hair back to perfection. It has grown since last he's seen him, and the curls are quite becoming. He'll have to remember to fashion some clasps for braids -- he's not sure if proper beads will take to such fine hair, yet.

"Hm. You presume much, burglar." Thorin clicks his tongue and raps Bilbo upon the head with the comb, gently admonishing him before he sets it away. "But yes, I would, and you would do well to remember it."

And then he's lifting Bilbo out of the tub, smiling to himself because yes, his burglar is back where he belongs. He settles Bilbo in his bed, shoving aside the blankets for him to climb underneath before following suit. "And I have missed you. Sleep now; you've a full schedule on your plate, twelve more Dwarves and a dinner included."

"Thorin, I think the vein in your head is about to burst. Am I making you a bit jealous?" If Bilbo is being honest, he thinks he quite likes it when Thorin is jealous, even if it's all meant in jest...but he won't say that part out loud.

He wiggles a little in his grasp once he starts to comb through the knots in his hair. Bilbo is typically more put together than this, but the excitement of being so close to Erebor the past few days left him neglecting other things. "Oh, please, Thorin. I was just so eager to get to you that I didn't even really think about it." Because while Bilbo has patience for a lot of things, returning to Erebor and Thorin isn't one of those things.

However, the poor, little Hobbit might be more exhausted than he thought. The feeling of Thorin brushing his hair is enough to make him drowsy, and he yawns, rubbing at his eyes. "I think...I think I ought to get some rest. As for my requests, I'm sure you can accommodate it because it's me, darling, and you'd do anything for me, wouldn't you?"

He laughs softly, settling against Thorin's chest and doing his best not to fall asleep there in the tub. "I've missed you so much. I'm so glad to be back here where I belong."

[mountainson]

Thorin frowns, though not unkindly. He just isn't sure how this is funny, considering they've just been touching in a very intimate manner that he most certainly didn't intend on. Really, this isn't so bad. He's slept in closer quarters and with Dwarves stranger to him than Bilbo is now, but, still... it's Bilbo.

And... he doesn't mind that, very much. Worse still, he's not sure why that is. But it's enough to keep him on edge a little bit; enough that he's very hesitant to lay back down, on his side as he observes the Hobbit to make sure that he isn't going to get a head rush from how red he's turning.

"...I suppose not," he hedges, because that's true. But he's never reached out and cuddled someone in his sleep before. He's not entirely sure if he should tell Bilbo that or not, because if he does... then doesn't that imply that Bilbo is special in some manner?

Blue eyes regard Bilbo again, even as Thorin rests his head back upon the pillow.

"I'm warm?" Thorin repeats dubiously, one heavy brow quirking. "Are you cold, burglar? You may have the rest of the blanket if you so wish it."

Oh, Bilbo is mortified.

It's not like he didn't like it, but the fact of the matter is that he hadn't even so much as thought about bringing up his feelings to Thorin. There were so many other important things that were still in their way (like the matter of a dragon in the mountain!) that Bilbo really didn't deem it something he could talk about until after all this was over. Still, he is acutely aware of just how close Thorin is to him, even after pulling back. His face has probably turned about ten shades of red.

What is a poor hobbit to do? Though he doesn't think any hobbits have had relationships with dwarves before, so he really is out of his element here. So he sighs, hiding his face in his hands for a moment before he starts to laugh. It's just absolutely ridiculous, isn't it?

"Thorin, don't apologize. It was my insistence that you sleep in the bed with me. The floor can't be comfortable, and we haven't slept in...I don't know how long. It's not your fault. Can't really control what you do in your sleep and all..."

He's rambling. It's what he does when he's nervous. "It's fine, really. It's rather cold out, and...and you're warm, and, um--right. I'm just--sorry. You can stay in the bed. I promise. I don't mind it at all--"

[mountainson]

"Stop. It's okay. We're together now. I think that's all that really matters." He does feel a little stupid, actually, because they could've gone through high school and college dating each other rather than taking ( failed ) chances on other people. Toren heaves a sigh as he strokes Bryn's hair, a thoughtful expression on his face. "We're actually pretty lucky. A lot of childhood friends get separated or something, right?"

He's about to say more on the subject -- but this, holding Bryn, kissing him, loving him, is so much better. His arms wrap around his waist and he lifts him, just a little to accommodate the height difference, but lets him down a moment later. Because he feels... lightheaded. Dizzy, like he was floating. Maybe that was just what kissing Bryn would be like. He's not complaining. It feels good, he feels giddy, like he can do anything. Even... defeat a dragon.

But no matter how good he feels in the moment, his happiness all but dies once Bryn brings up the business. He frowns and tousles his own hair in frustration, glancing off the mountain down to the view below. He'd still like to jump; just maybe a little less, now.

"I don't think so, B." He's telling the truth, which is bad, because he's not supposed to be the one under stress. He's the protector, the strong one. He shouldn't be feeling like this... but it's as if a mountain has started to bear down on his shoulders, and he can't help bowing to the pressure. "It's hundreds of millions deep. There's no possible way... I mean, restoring this company? Is gonna take everything I have, and I know I went to school for finance but I'm not -- I'm not my father. I'm not my grandfather."

I am not my grandfather.

He pauses, frowning. "...Did you hear an echo?"

"Even after all that when we were younger...I never considered that you might actually like me like that. I don't know. I always thought what we had was so good that I didn't want to ruin it. I couldn't stand the thought of losing our friendship or whatever. It sounds so silly now.." Bryn shrugs, his face still red. He's a risk taker in a lot of ways, but when it comes to matters of the heart, he's always been a bit of a loner in that department.

But he'll comply to Toren's request, grinning at him as he tugs him down into another kiss. He practically sinks into it, clutching the front of Toren's shirt like some kind of lifeline. He feels like he's two people at once somehow, memories that aren't his own of being embraced on a mountain much like this one flashing in his mind. Maybe he should talk to Toren about that. He doesn't like to talk about his dreams because they always sound so silly, but the way they keep barging in...oh, he doesn't know. Maybe it's stupid after all.

"I love you, Toren...you idiot. Um..since you're going to stay, though, that means you have to deal with...all of that with your family's company. Are you going to be okay?" he asks quietly, frowning again. Toren hadn't told Bryn the extent of the debt he had been left, but from his reaction, it couldn't be any good. "I could help you. Maybe. I'm not really good at the whole business thing, but, uh, I could try, considering I've convinced you to stay and all."

[mountainson]

Thorin is tired.

He feels as if they've not slept since Rivendell, though he knows that isn't true -- he slept for two minutes, he thinks, right before they fell into that goblin trap. That counts, right?

Because he certainly hadn't slept very much in Rivendell -- Elves -- and he didn't sleep very much at Beorn's cottage -- giant bear -- and after that, well, it's all been a tumble. Everything up until now has seemed like a loss. A loss of food, supplies, weapons -- most notably, weapons -- even dignity ( did they really need to come in through the toilet? ) but... they're alive.

And he has Bilbo to thank for that.

Bilbo, who tricked the trolls until they were defeated by daylight. Bilbo, who himself devised a very clever -- if ridiculous -- escape plan from Thranduil's dungeons. Bilbo, who decided to vouch for him, a Dwarf he barely knows but for the past few months of traveling together, in front of a crowd of potentially dangerous onlookers ( and Bard, who Thorin thinks may want to kill him. He'd made a note of that earlier. )

This is why he doesn't entirely mind when Bilbo suggests they share, although he dubiously raises an eyebrow when Bilbo declines that he sleep on the floor. He knows Bilbo doesn't really have a frame of reference, but he is rather tall for a Dwarf, and predictably, there's really not that much room on the cot.

"Mm?" Clearly, he hadn't minded that much, because he'd fallen asleep just fine. But Thorin could feel, groggy as he happened to be, that something seemed to be jostling him awake. He grunts and opens one bleary blue eye, peeking through a curtain of hair at the burglar. "What, Bilbo?"

Bilbo is... rather close.

...Too close. What was happening? His other eye opens, and Thorin all but jumps away as he realizes that he'd been cuddling his bedmate.

"I told you the cot was too small," Thorin whispers, exasperated. "My... apologies. I will endeavor to keep myself... my hands to myself."

That sounded regal, didn't it?

@mountainson

Honestly, Bilbo is extremely thankful that they've found time to rest. Lake-town has been surprisingly accommodating to let them stay for as long as they need (although Bilbo is sure that has something to do with promises of riches from the mountain). Running from spiders, Elves, Orcs, with very little time to stop, has left him more exhausted than he thought it ever would.

There had been a bit of a predicament, though. There were only enough rooms and beds for about half of them, so they had to double up. This is how it came to be that he and Thorin were sharing a space, and even though Thorin had tried to say he was fine sleeping on the floor, Bilbo insisted that they share the bed. It was big enough for the two of them, and he was rather small, anyways.

Still...

Still, poor Bilbo had been evaluating just exactly what his feelings for Thorin Oakenshield were, and had come to the surprising conclusion that he had affection for him. And sharing a bed did little to quell that. Especially when, somehow, in the middle of the night, Bilbo woke up to Thorin's arm draped over him, holding him close.

Oh, gods...he wiggles a little, then taps Thorin's arm. It's not like he's opposed to it, but this is so embarrassing! It's almost too much for him to bear! "Thorin!" he whispers, tapping his arm again. "Thorin, wake up--"

[mountainson]

"You think so? 'Cause I feel like a lot of people would say otherwise if they saw us right now." He's only teasing because he's so fucking relieved. Relieved that Bryn hasn't punched him in the face, relieved that he's finally done what he's wanted to do for almost a decade, relieved that he doesn't actually have to leave."You're crying even more now."

It's not a bad thing. It's a wonderful thing, actually. Bryn's tears mean many things and right now they mean he's happy, and that's all Toren wants for him. It's all he's ever worked for, why he does the things he does, why he climbs these mountains and traipses through forests. He'd walk through Hell for Bryn to make him smile. He only hopes that he can continue doing it for the foreseeable future.

"Really?" His tone is both surprised and a little flat, as if he's exasperated. Even as he cups Bryn's face in his hands, patiently wiping away his tears, and he leans down to accommodate him ( Bryn has always been so tiny ) he can't help but smile and wonder about how stupid they've both actually been.

"'Cause I've known I loved you since I was, like, ten. So... all those times we kissed under mistletoe and gave each other Valentines and everything..." Toren shrugs helplessly, feeling embarrassed now. "I mean I just -- I just love you. I've always loved you. I'm always gonna love you. Especially if you kiss me again. That'd be nice."

Bryn feels his face heat up once Toren pulls him close, and he stares up at him with wide eyes. His whole life, or, well, for as long as he's been old enough to know what want is, he's wanted Toren. He's wanted to love him, to kiss him, to hold him, keep him safe forever. There's some deep seated fear within him that he might lose him one day. It almost feels instinctual. Did they lose each other in a life that wasn't this one? Do things like that even exist?

He can't ponder it for too long because Toren is kissing him and now he feels like his heart is going to explode out of his chest. Bryn has always been too scared to do it himself, too frightened about ruining a perfectly good friendship. Now, though, as he rests his hands on Toren's shoulders and returns the kiss, practically standing on his toes, he has to wonder why he ever thought Toren would reject him.

When they part, he blinks a few times, Toren's voice sounding far away as new images dance before him.

I could stay for a few months..or forever.

Forever? Are you sure?

Thorin, of course I'm sure.

He blinks a few times, then looks back up at Toren with a smile on his face. "Toren...you must be the most idiotic man in the world if you don't think I don't want you here forever," Bryn says, laughing shakily. Tears are still rolling down his cheeks, but for entirely different reasons now. "I--maybe I'm jumping the gun a bit, but I love you. I've loved you for as long as I can remember. I don't want you to leave...I don't know what I'd do. So please, stay."

[mountainson]

"If such is your pleasure, I sincerely doubt Bofur would dismiss you," he replies, disgruntled. Thorin has little reason to fuss -- Bofur seems to think he has found his Calling, and even if he hadn't, surely he would have said something by now. Still, the vein in Thorin's temple could only grow so far.

Thorin himself has not forgotten that they're meant to take a bath; but he's already started messing with Bilbo's hair even before he's asked, so he smiles a little guiltily when he does.

"It is all clumped together," he tuts, and avails himself of a nearby comb ( gold with inlaid jewels ) with which to start teasing out the knots. "In fact, it looks entirely un-brushed, my burglar. I would have thought spending time with thirteen dwarves would have taught you better."

Granted, they had been on a perilous quest to recover a mountain, but they still brushed when they could. This is, however, only his version of teasing, and he is wearing an easy grin when Bilbo turns his pout upon him. "Hm. I suppose I can accommodate those requests..."

Bilbo laughs as he's properly pulled into Thorin's lap. He really couldn't be happier, could he? It feels like things are finally starting to fall into place for him. Ever since his return to the Shire, he just hasn't felt...right. Stir crazy might be the word for it. Life as a Hobbit is all well and good until you get a taste of what else is out there. Especially when the love of your life is a dwarf king.

"Well, I hope I'd be sharing your chambers, unless you want me to go stay with Balin? Perhaps even Bofur? I don't think either of them would say no." Bilbo smirks, but it quickly turns into a grin. Oh, he really can't help teasing sometimes.

But he is meant to be taking a bath. right now, he nearly forgot. "Um, change of topic, could you help me wash my hair? It's gotten a bit long again, and I feel like it's all clumped together. Now, I'll stay for a couple months or so before I go back to the Shire just to get things together..I really don't know how long that'll take, but you'll wait for me, won't you?"

Of course Thorin would. He knows that. But he can't resist looking up at him with big eyes and a pouty lower lip anyways. "I'll need help transporting my things, too.."

[mountainson]

thorin: ugh elf food

thranduil: hmph. dwarf food

bilbo: well, in the shire, we call it food and we eat it

bard: yeah no kidding

[mountainson]

"You're ridiculous," he mutters, like they're five again. He's ridiculous? He's the one being practical -- thinking of things before everything else falls apart. That's what he does; keeps things going for them, no matter if that happened to be a fight, a school subject, a job, or anything else in-between. It's his own duty and privilege to take care of Bryn, and right now, that means stepping away. "Come on, don't cry, B..."

Toren's face falls a little as he watches him, watches the tears start to drop. And of course, it is his first instinct to reach out and wipe them away -- it always is, even if, sometimes, he's the one that causes them. He wonders if Bryn knows what he's saying; wonders if he knows what forever would entail. They're only in their twenties, and Toren doesn't plan to be gone that long, but... what if he is?

Can he really leave Bryn alone?

"God damnit -- " Bryn is going to make him cry. He can feel it, welling up deep inside of him. He doesn't want to leave. His heart is here, standing right in front of him and weeping its little eyes out. He bites his lip, turns his eyes to the sky, and looks back down at Bryn with grim resolve. Reaching forward, he grasps Bryn's shirt and tugs, superior strength attempting to bring their bodies and faces close.

"I'm gonna do something really stupid," he informs him, and promptly follows it with a kiss. Despite his grip tightening on the shirt he remains soft, tender, almost hesitant. This isn't the right thing to do, and he knows it. That's why it's so stupid. It just makes him fall in love even more.

"You think our lives were entwined -- so you wanna go around again?" He pulls away just barely, quietly murmuring the words as he stares into his eyes. Toren doesn't doubt him. He feels it too; in the way they act together, the way their lives have played out, the way these dreams plague him. Even now, he sees it; one of his more vivid dreams, about embracing Bryn on a peak just like this one. He can't help but think it's fate. " -- Because that's what will happen, Bryn. I'm here, with you. Forever, if you want me. But I can't stay if you don't."

It doesn't make sense. It doesn't make any god damn sense! Why would Toren just decide to join the army without even discussing it first? What would you do? Bryn opens his mouth, but the words don't come, sticking in his throat like glue. He holds onto the railing, leaning back on his feet, feeling tears prick the corners of his eyes. It's so fucking stupid. He should let Toren go if that's what he wants, but he can't. He can't. Because he's selfish and wanting and in love.

"You're ridiculous, Toren," he mutters, sniffling and reaching up to wipe at his eyes. "I'd wait for you for ages. I'd wait for you for the rest of my life if I had to." His voice is hardly above a whisper, and he looks over at him again. His heart is pounding in his chest. What does he say now? He knows that the weight of everything has to be crushing Toren. All their lives, Toren has quietly dealt with his problems, only talking to Bryn about it when prodded. It's no wonder it's all culminating to this, but he can't lose him now. He really, really can't.

"Do you know why I'd wait forever for you? Because...because we've known each other forever, and I don't know what my life would be without you. I feel like I've known you...beyond anything. Like our lives have always been entwined, even before now." Bryn sighs, letting go of the railing and turning to face Toren, his brow furrowed. "Whatever is waiting for me here, I don't want it without you."

But maybe he can't stop him. He sniffles, taking his hands in his own and giving them a tight squeeze. "Maybe I'm being selfish, though. I--I just--I just don't know if I can do it alone."

[mountainson]

"'Prepared' is certainly one way of putting it," he drawls, teasing him just a little to lighten the mood. He remembers the journey well, and while Bilbo certainly was prepared in certain ways, the rest of the company would likely call it sheer luck.

( Thorin likes to call him prepared because, frankly, he likes his head. )

He is quiet for a while, as he thinks all of this over. It sounds as if Bilbo has well and truly decided to stay in Erebor. And while he fully believes him -- Bilbo is a Hobbit of great conviction -- he cannot help but wonder just how much he'll think that way, after a few years.

Still.

Bilbo was right. Being together, like this, was far more important than worrying about where he would ultimately stay. Finally, a smile forms and he chuckles, dragging Bilbo into his lap properly to press a kiss to the top of his head.

"Very well, Berzel. Then together we shall be." Forever. He won't be able to get over that for a while. "You realize you'll be sharing my chambers."

Bilbo tries not to laugh as Thorin seems to flounder. It's not that funny, and it really would be mean to poke fun at him. When Bilbo first met Thorin, he thought of him as brusque and standoffish and downright mean. Never did he think that he'd ever see such a soft side to him. It makes his heart go all aflutter.

"You think I haven't considered that? Oh, Thorin, you ought to know by now that I'm always prepared! Or...usually, anyways. I've made pros and cons lists until I nearly drove myself crazy with it, and really, the only con I thought of is that figuring out what to do with Bag End will be a pain...other than that, it's worth it."

He shrugs. It really does seem that simple to him. He can give up gardens and fields and flowers if that means he gets to be with Thorin. Traveling to and from Erebor takes far too long, and being without him is even worse, so what other conclusion could he possibly come to?

He settles in his arms, lifting one of his hands to press a kiss to the back of it. "I'm not the same Hobbit I used to be. The Shire isn't the same to me anymore. All I want is to be together."

[mountainson]

Aaand there he goes. Toren heaves a long-suffering sigh under Bryn's little tirade, listening patiently to all the things he's heard a million times before. He doesn't blame him -- not one bit. Because, by extension of growing up with Bryn, he's basically grown up knowing his cousins. And he knows Lobelia. Unfortunately.

"B, it's not a big -- " Toren blinks and then heaves another sigh, for as soon as Bryn hits decline his own phone lights up and begins to vibrate. Unlike Bryn, however, Toren actually picks up.

"Hello? Hey, Mrs. B. Uh, no, I haven't. He's -- " Toren glances into the room, watching Bryn dress. He would have said still sleeping, but he can't, now that Bryn's hung up his phone. " -- in a huff. Uh huh. Yeah. I don't know if -- oookay."

He looks at the phone, then at Bryn, holding it out like it was a ticking bomb. With how huffy both of the Bagginses are getting, Toren thinks that's a pretty apt analogy. "Your mom wants you."

"Tell them I'm sick! Tell them I'm deathly ill! I hate the Sackville-Baggins with my entire being. They're no good. They make me miserable, always questioning my motives and trying to steal our things. No, no. My mother and father have to understand. I shouldn't have to put up with it!"

Bryn throws his hands up in exasperation...aaand right on cue, his phone begins buzzing. He stares at it like it's the most hateful thing on the planet right now, then promptly hits decline. No. He will not be participating in any awful family gatherings, thank you very much. He'll take the berating from his father later. Bryn knows what he can take, and he cannot take more than five minutes of Lobelia at a time.

"Coffee would be better, I think," he mumbles, sliding off the bed in order to dress himself, but not for any other reason than the potential of coffee. "Because I will not be entertaining anything other than coffee."

[mountainson]

"...Maybe," he hedges, sucking in one corner of his lip. Maybe I am, he wants to say, braver than he can be at the moment. Because he has to. What other recourse does he have? He knows Bryn, and Bryn will follow him to the ends of the earth if it means they'll be together. He just wishes together would mean something a little different. "What if I did?"

He looks at him then, and his heart breaks a little. That look in Bryn's eyes is too telling for someone who's known him so long -- he's scared. He's scared of the idea of them being apart and... truthfully, so is Toren. It terrifies him to think of Bryn not being by his side. But what was worse, really?

"What if I did, B? What would you do?" Toren is trying to keep his voice from shaking. He thinks he might be failing. "If I did, you wouldn't have to worry about me being tied down with work. That stupid letter... I'm going to be stuck in an office for months. Years, do you really wanna have to wait for someone like that? There's just..."

Toren pauses, trying not to sound like he's getting emotional. He has to do this with a straight face, or Bryn will never buy it. "There's just... a lot I need to get away from. Responsibilities. People." A pause. "...And some other stuff, I just... I don't wanna drag you with me. You have so much more, here."

"You're out of breath? I don't believe that. Look at you, you hardly look it. Besides, I'm talking just fine. It wasn't that steep." Oh, good lord, what is Toren avoiding now? Bryn knows all his tactics by now, and it worries him. Nothing good ever comes from Toren bottling things up. They've had more than one argument because of things like that, although they've always recovered...still. Whatever it is can't be good.

He's about to push it, but...there it is. At least he thinks there it is. So he furrows his brow, a small frown appearing on his face as he leans against the railing. "So that's why you're quiet. You're not seriously thinking of joining, are you?" Because why else would he even bring it up? Bryn has never expressed any interest in the army. The closest thing he's ever gotten to holding a weapon is garden shears, for god's sake.

He looks back over at Toren, lets out a long breath, then shakes his head. The thought of him going away makes him feel sick. They've scarcely been apart since they were children. Why would he go now? "I--please tell me you're not going to do that, Toren. Please."