Chapter one

To say that it had been an enormous transition to go from having only one body to look after and feed to becoming the uncle of an attention starved teen boy and another in college who had no idea how to go about working a washing machine was a bit of an understatement. He felt like he was getting the hang of it though

When Kili came home from school one day, complaining of a sore mouth, Bilbo didn't think anything of it. Surely he was being dramatic. When it happened again the very next day, however, he began to grow concerned.

The third time it happened, Bilbo decided that something had to be done.

"Kili, darling," he crooned gently to the stubborn teen. "How am I supposed to help you if you refuse to let me have a look?"

Kili gave his soon-to-be uncle a pitiful look. Bilbo sighed.

"Yes, I know it hurts but you are going to have to open your mouth at some point. How are you going to eat otherwise?" Kili gave him a panicked look like he hadn't considered this before Bilbo mentioned it.

Bilbo cradled Kili's head gently. "Come now, Pet," he said, caressing the boy's cheek with him thumb until the tension began to loosen ever-so-slightly.

That's it, Love," he crooned again as Kili parted his lips slowly, wincing at the stretch in his mouth.

Bilbo picked up his small pen light from the kitchen table and shone it into his mouth. He looked for any sign of what might be causing the teen's discomfort.

Kili gave a pained whine and Bilbo turned off the light. He rubbed gently at the sore joint with his thumb again and gave Kili a sympathetic smile.

"Well," he said. "The good news is that your jaw is in no danger of falling off." He chuckled at Kili's glare. Bilbo stood up from the table and went in search of his mobile.

"The bad new, however," He said as he fihed his phone out of his jacket pocket "is that it looks like your wisdom teeth are beginning to come in."

Wisdom teeth?" Kili asked curiously and perked up. Bilbo laughed as he dialed.

"No, Sweetheart, they do not grant you infinite amounts of wisdom." Kili went back to pouting.

"Thorin Oakenshield," said a masculine voice in Bilbo's ear on the other line. A voice that he didn't think that he would ever get the privilege to hear ever again.

"Hello, Thorin," he said. "How are you today?" Kili looked up at the sound of his uncle's name.

"Being irritated by the annoying beast you call an ex-boyfriend," he replied moodily. "Other than that, absolutely fantastic. Is there a reason you called?"

Bilbo rolled his eyes, causing Kili to giggle. "First off," he said. "Smaug and I never actually dated. We had a one night stand... on several different occasions. Second, just the fact that he exists at all annoys you, Love. And thirdly," he paused and winked at Kili who attempted a grin in response.

"Thirdly, Thorin Oakenshield, what if I simply called to hear the voice of the most most amazing and wonderful man that I have ever known and am extremely pleased to be able to call my fiance?"

There was a beat of silence on the other end as Bilbo imagined Thorin's brave attempt to process all of what he had just said.

"...did you call just to hear my voice, Bilbo?" This time Thorin sounded hesitant, almost shy and Bilbo could feel himself nearly melting at the tone. Good Lord, how had he ever managed to convince himself that he hadn't love this man? The thought now seemed almost impossible to comprehend.

He was brought back to reality by a soft cough from Kili. The teenager was looking pointedly between him and the phone. Bilbo felt himself blushing and cleared his throat.

"I always want to hear your voice my love," he said. "But, no, that is not the sole reason that I called. Your nephew needs a dentist."

"...what happened?" came Thorin's reply. Bilbo just managed to stop himself from giggling at his immediate thought that there had been an accident.

"Nothing, Dear," he said. "It's just, I think his wisdom teeth are coming through and I'd like him to see a dentist before they hurt him anymore than they already are."

Over the phone, he heard Thorin sigh. "Ah, the wonderful slice of adolescence that is wisdom teeth. I'd forgotten about that particular joyful experience."

Bilbo strode up to the teenager and started stroking his hair back from his face. "Yes, and we really should get this taken care of quickly, Thorin."

He heard the gentle clacking of a keyboard ad the occasional 'click click' of a mouse.

"Thorin?" he asked. "Are you still there?" He combed his nails through Kili's dark hair. Kili, for his part, was enjoying the attention immensely and started to purr at Bilbo's caress. Bilbo chuckled fondly.

His attention was pulled back to Thorin when the sound of a printer started and his finance said, "Right, tomorrow at 1:30 pm. Dr. Mallard's office. 147 Heathrow. I'm printing his confirmation information as we speak."

Bilbo blinked. That was fast.

"Oh, well, Heathrow isn't far from here, so I'm assuming that I'm keeping him with me tonight?" he asked absentmindedly braiding a chunk of black hair. Kili's eyes lit up at the prospect of missing school the next day.

"That's the idea," Thorin responded. "No point in moving him now. And I've got an early afternoon meeting with your ex...thing...that I can't miss. I'll stop by after work with some clothes and my insurance card."

Bilbo rolled his eyes. No matter what the situation, Thorin would always be Thorin.

The two chatted about miscellaneous things for a few minutes more before Thorin was called away for a conference call. After saying his goodbyes, Bilbo hung up ans put the phone on the table with a contented sigh.

"It's sickening how cute you two are sometimes," Kili commented offhandedly, looking up at Bilbo with a twinkle in his eye.

Bilbo tapped him lightly on the nose. "Don't let your uncle hear you say that," he said in a mock stern tone. "You know how painfully shy he can be."

The two looked at one another briefly before breaking down into helpless peals of laughter.

After a few minutes, Bilbo wiped his eyes and went to the cabinets. "I guess I should get started on dinner then, huh kiddo?" he said opening the doors to him spacious pantry.

"Seriously though," said Kili, leaning over the back of the chair. "You two really are perfect for one another."

Bilbo couldn't stop the pleased smile from slipping out. "I'm glad you think so," his smile took on a sinister gleam. "But I do have to wonder whether you will still feel that way once the honeymoon hits..."

The grimace on the boy's face was all the answer he needed. Gods how he loved this family, he thought as he laughed.

Chapter one/end