It wasn't until that very moment that Thorin realized that he hated mistletoes. He didn't really mind the plant, nor the tradition surrounding them until recently. Recently being the first yuletide celebrations after the Battle of the Five Armies.

They didn't have much in terms of a feast, but what they did have was shared and no one was going to go hungry that night. With what liquor was left to ferment in the mountain after 150 years, it was also guaranteed that there wasn't going to be anyone left sober that night either.

It was Kili who suggested putting up what little yule decorations there was, clearly thinking that a festive atmosphere would help with Fili's recovery. Of course Bilbo, being the helpful hobbit that he was, remembered seeing mistletoes growing nearby, and helped Kili decorate the feasting hall with them.

The tradition of kissing under mistletoe didn't bother Thorin so much until he saw how many mistletoes that Bilbo had found himself under. And how many other dwarves seemed to be under the same sprig.

At first it was Fili. Thorin didn't think anything of it since Bilbo was the one pushing Fili's chair, the one Bifur had assembled with wheels on it so that the elder prince could go around. The two shared a peck on the lips after much blushing (Bilbo) and joking (Fili).

The second time was Nori. To be honest, Thorin thought that the thief was up to something as he steered Bilbo in the direction of the liquor table. Nothing good ever came about when Nori had that glint in his eye. Thorin's brow furrowed as he watched the thief tilt his burglar's head and capture his lips in what was most definitely a kiss that could turn anyone's cheeks red. Which would explain why Dwalin looked a bit red in the face after witnessing that.

On and on it went. Balin, giving Bilbo a fatherly kiss on the cheeks; Tauriel laughing and kissing Bilbo full on the lips; Bard smiling and kissing Bilbo's hand before being goaded to give the hobbit a 'real' kiss by his eldest. And others that Thorin didn't see or wish to see.

Deciding he needed a breather, the king went out onto a balcony. He was about to light his pipe when he heard footsteps behind him.

He met Bilbo at the doorway, the hobbit's eyes a bit wild.

"Please tell me it's just you here?" Bilbo asked. His gaze going from one side to the other. "I've had it with people cornering me with mistletoe."

"Be calm Master Burglar," Thorin said. "I'm the only one here."

"Oh good," Bilbo sighed in relief. "You have no idea how horrid it's been. Everywhere I look, there's a sprig of mistletoe hanging."

"Indeed?" Thorin chuckled. As irritated as he was with the attention his hobbit was getting, it was a pleasure to see Bilbo annoyed at something other than him for a change.

"Yes! I won't be surprized if…" Bilbo looked up. "Oh…"

"If?" Thorin followed his gaze. Right above their heads was a sprig of mistletoe, complete with bright red berries. "Oh. You don't have to if you don't want to. No one else will know."

Despite his words, Thorin's body was already leaning towards Bilbo.

"It's tradition," Bilbo replied, also leaning towards Thorin. "We don't really have to, but you dwarves are sticklers for tradition."

"True…" Thorin saw Bilbo's eyes closing and followed suit. His words barely a whisper. "But only if-"

"There you are!" Kili exclaimed. "Oh and you found it!"

The two jumped apart, both with red cheeks.

"Kili, bad timing," Fili said from beside his brother. "Go on uncle, don't mind us."

"Yeah Bilbo," Kili nodded. "Don't mind us, just kiss."

And despite the, rather enthusiastic audience, they did.

I know I'm a few days late, but I intend to make 31 chapters on this each chapter being stand-alone unless indicated otherwise.

Comments are greatly appreciated. Prompts are as well, because I really don't have enough of them yet.