Summary: Beorn is a little too comfortable around Thorin's hobbit
AU: Regular AU
Word Count: 1,234

Thorin was never really a possessive person. Greedy, yes. Selfish, sure. But he never really had to grow too obsessive over what was his because those around him often knew what was okay with him and what wasn't. The company knew not to touch Thorin's sword unless he deems it okay. They also knew not to take the map out of his coat since Thorin was the leader and only he should be allowed to read it, no matter how bad with directions he was. And finally, the company knew not to put their hands on Bella longer than necessary.

It seemed this 'host' didn't get the message, petting his massive hand on Bella's fluffy locks as she said something that made him laugh heartily. Thorin expected this. After all, his hobbit had this affect on those she came across; she was simply just a loveable person, but Beorn didn't have to be fawning over her all through dinner, nor did he have to request she sit beside him and tell him of the journey so far. After all, Thorin was the leader, so he should be asked. He was sure Bella was annoyed with all of this, too, since the skin changer kept interrupting her precious supper, which was sacred to hobbits.

Thorin tried his best to ignore the snickers Fili and Kili were making as they watched their uncle in his distress, sitting on Isabella's other side and trying his hardest to direct her attention to himself without outright just pulling her away from the skin changer so they could be alone, but the damn hobbit was apparently interested in a tale Beorn was apparently telling. Please! Thorin had many stories under his belt that were most likely far more interesting than him.

"Little Bunny, could I tempt you with a little more ale?" Beorn asked, his voice deep as he pointed to the jug that was at least as big as Bella's torso. "I see you're running short." Bella smiled kindly, even going as far as to place a hand on Beorn's much bigger one. Thorin stared, at a loss for words with his blood boiling to hot temperatures.

"Oh, please, I'd hate to drink more than I should. I hate to admit that I'm a bit of a lightweight and I'm not the most attractive thing when under the influence," Bella joked, taking her hand back and relieving Thorin only a tad. But he still hovered over her like a shadow, giving a deadly glare up at Beorn as if daring him to lay a hand below Bella's fluffy curls.

"I'm sure that's not true. Nothing you do can ever make you unattractive, Miss Baggins," Beorn complimented, making Bella turn pink. This seemed to enrage the dwarf far more than before. Well, he didn't disagree with him. He, too, believed Bella to be so unbelievably beautiful that nothing could tarnish her innocent aura, but only he should be complimenting her and making her turn pink, not a complete stranger who only met her three hours ago!

"Are you okay, Thorin?"

The dwarf was thrown from his thoughts by the soft voice, removing his glare from Beorn and down to Bella's wide eyes that seemed to see into every depth of him that she practically knew what he was thinking. He cleared his throat and tried his hardest to look at her more softly, more kindly as she so deserved.

"I am fine, Miss Baggins," he grunted, "I am just a little under the weather."

"Oh, no..." Instead of brushing it off and resuming her conversation with Beorn, she suddenly had her tiny and rather warm hand across his forehead. "Oh, dear, you do seem a little warmer than you should. Oin! Oin, could you possibly-"

"I am fine, Bella," Thorin said, taking Bella's hand off of his forehead but not letting it go. "Please, continue your conversation. Do not allow me to be a burden."

"But-"

"Really, I should just turn myself in a little early tonight and I promise I'll be great come dawn," Thorin insisted, practically drunk on her attention, but he knew if she kept looking at him the way she was doing, he was going to be spilling a lot of nonsense past his lips and she would then know how he truly felt about her and he knew he couldn't allow that. Not now, at least. He definitely did not like the attention Beorn gave her, but he knew he couldn't act on his own feelings until Erebor was seized and he would be allowed to court her properly.

"Well, if you're sure," Bella said finally. Thorin nodded curtly and got to his feet, leaving the company and Beorn at the table as he retreated to the stacks of hay that the skin changer made for them as makeshift beds, seeing as he wasn't equipped for guests and they had all been a surprise for him.

As he lay down, staring at the moon over his head he mentally cursed himself. He needed to get ahold of himself. Jealousy was not meant for a king. He couldn't act this way every time a male acknowledged Bella. She was her own hobbit and she had every right to interact with whomever she pleased. But then another selfish thought crossed his mind as he imagined an impossible reality where she only paid attention to him. Oh, yes, that was a life he wanted. He wanted just Bella and himself ruling over Erebor with absolutely no problems and no interruptions.

He didn't realize how much time he had been laying there until he saw all of the dwarves retreating to their own spots for sleep, Gandalf telling them from the dining table that he would stay awake to speak with Beorn. A few more moments passed and Thorin watched secretly as Bella stumbled up, rubbing at her eye as she yawned cutely, obviously tired. She looked around, biting her lip. Thorin wanted to kick every dwarf for being so inconsiderate. They left no room for Bella to sleep!

"Miss Baggins," he felt himself whispering before he even tried to think of a solution.

"Oh, I'm sorry, Thorin," she squeaked, jumping when she heard him call to her. "Did I wake you?"

"I've been awake," he said. "Do you need a spot for sleep?"

"Well, yes, but I'm sure I could go and speak with Beorn about somewhere else." Thorin quickly sat up as he saw her turn her back away.

"Wait!" he hissed a little too quickly. "Ah...I mean...I could move over a bit and you could fit here."

Bella blushed pink, even in the moonlight he could see it.

"Are...are you sure?" she asked.

"Of course," he replied, moving over for emphasis and patting the space beside him. Bella smiled and slowly made her way over, bending over to straighten some of the hay so it was more comfortable before she laid down fully and stretched out, still giving Thorin a generous amount of space. Once she was comfortable, she opened her eyes to meet his along with another one of her lovely smiles.

"Goodnight, Thorin," she mumbled.

"Goodnight, Bella," he called back, watching her eyes close again as she slowed her breathing into a deep sleep.

Oh, yes, he knew he could not wait for the mountain. He wanted to court Bella now.