He's not coming.
He never wanted to go in the first place. He just decided it would be best to just not turn up at all. Just not face him.
Thorin shook his head and forced himself to stop pacing. He was coming. He was only a few minutes late. It didn't mean that he was standing him up. Bilbo said he didn't drive so maybe the bus was just late. Jesus he would have had to take the bus. Thorin hadn't even offered his date a lift. Not that he could have picked him up on his motorbike but - Christ just not even offering.
A sweaty hand found it's way onto Thorin's face as he wiped his tired eyes. God he was such an idiot. No wonder Bilbo had just chosen to skip. It was surprising with the amount of mess- ups Thorin had already committed. Not offering a lift was only one of them. The first being literally with in thirty seconds of meeting the poor man...
...
''Mr. Durin.'' Thorin froze. The small man in front of him smiled up at him, his entire face lighting up with the action. Thorin's mind was completely blank.
''Mr?''
''Baggins. Bilbo Baggins.'' Shit of course. Thorin shook his head trying to clear his mind.
''Sorry, of course.'' Bilbo waved a hand, still smiling.
''No worries. Your a busy man, and I am sure you've had a long day.''
''Fili said that you needed to see me.'' Thorin said as he remembered the real reason why he was there. ''He said we should definitely come and talk to you.'' Bilbo tilted his head slightly, confusion clouding his features.
''I have no idea why. Fili is doing fine in English. In fact, that boy has a wild imagination. He was writing about a dragon the other day. A dragon that could speak.'' Thorin sighed inwardly.
''I apologize, that would have been me. It's my work, someone recently took over my business and obviously I had to try and explain to Fili and his brother why we were moving all the time. I think he took the fact that I called the man a 'mean dragon like man' a little too literally.'' Bilbo laughed.
''Well it was an excellent story any how - do you mind?'' The small man asked, in the middle of removing his maroon jacket but then looking up at Thorin, his eye brows lowered. Thorin shook his head.
''Not at all.'' Bilbo smiled in return and shrugged off his jacket, relieving a tight waist coat and shirt.
''Sorry, I look a mess.'' Bilbo said sheepishly, running a hand through his hair and letting out a sigh. ''The school is a bit mad on 'professional looking teachers' when it comes to parent's evening. We don't want to upset or offend anybody. I just didn't know if you were like some who wanted to keep a strictly professional conversation.'' He blushed deeply, fumbling on his words and he tried to explain his question.
''I've got no problem. As long as your comfortable.'' Bilbo's blush deepened drastically. Shit, Thorin thought, I've made him uncomfortable. What the hell was he thinking? 'As long as your comfortable' Christ Thorin, he cursed himself. Way to go to make the man feel anything but comfortable.
''A-anyway,'' A hand returned to Bilbo's hair and he shook it out, trying to mask his blush in the harsh classroom lighting. ''As I said, Fili is doing fine. He's hard working and enjoys what he does. Of course, if your looking for area's of improvement, spelling possibly - but I'm sure he won't thank me for saying that - and...'' The man paused, adverting his eyes as he searched for something else. ''I would say he talks an awful lot but-''
''Yes, other's have said that.'' Thorin gave a weak, apologetic smile as he looked over his shoulder at the door in which his two nephew's were told to wait outside quietly.
''No. I was going to say, I like that. He's a kind hearted boy and all his actions are- Sorry, I sound like I'm sucking up to you now.'' It was Thorin's turn to blush, scratching his beard in the hopes that the English teacher had missed it.
''It's fine.''
''I'm looking forward to teaching Kili too. Fili talks a lot about him and I sure he too is just as wonderful.'' Bilbo gave a small shrug. ''You have two great sons.''
''Oh. There not my sons. Nephews. I'm their uncle.'' Bilbo gasped suddenly, a hand flying to his mouth as the blood rushed back to his cheeks.
''I'm so sorry. I didn't- I'm so stupid - I just - I guess I assumed and it was wrong of me and Fili never said that it would be you coming and not his father- I'm so sorry - Okay I'm just going to stop talking. '' Thorin let out a small laugh.
''It's okay, no need.'' Thorin swallowed. ''Their father past away. They didn't really know him - well Fili did - but their dealing with it. It's -'' He stopped himself. He made a promise to his nephews to not use the words 'it's fine' when it wasn't. It was fine that Bilbo didn't know. It was fine that he would instantly assume Thorin to be he father. But the situation wasn't fine.
''...So everything is really totally okay with Fili's English?'' Thorin asked, trying to divert the subject. He didn't feel like sharing the entire story of his brother-in-law with a man he had just meet - no matter how comfortable he felt in his presence.
''Yes.'' One word answer, Thorin thought. It felt like the conversation was drawing to an end, and for some reason Thorin felt like he didn't want it to. He was comfortable. Relaxed. A feeling he hadn't felt for a while now. With the stresses of work and looking after his two nephew's as their mother worked two jobs, Thorin hadn't exactly been 'calm' for a good few months. But now, just this ten minute conversation had calmed him down enough that Thorin actually believed he could sleep with out help.
''Okay.'' Silence. ''Are you fr...ee-'' Thorin started before he closed his eyes and let his voice die. Why the hell had he? What the- Thorin! He just asked if he was free - free when? For what? Idiot. Idiot. Idiot. The man probably had a girlfriend. Was probably married happily with nine children.
''Free for?'' Bilbo tilted his head again.
''For,'' Think Thorin. You can't just leave the question there, you actually have to ask him now. Damn idiot. ''...Coffee.''
The blank look that Thorin got in return was enough to shatter his dreams. Though what dreams he had, he himself didn't know. It had been such a random question. He didn't even know why the hell he had asked.
''Yes.'' What? ''Yes I am free to have coffee with you, Mr. Durin.''
''Call me Thorin.''
''Call me Bilbo.''...
...
Thorin sighed and checked his watch again , however instantly regretting it as a twinge of both guilt and self consciousness rose in his stomach.
Maybe he should just go. He was drawing attention to himself. The amount of sympathetic restaurant goers who would occasionally look up from their meals and give him a sad smile was almost uncountable. The rose was too much, he thought as he fiddled with the end of the stem. Jesus he must look like an idiot. The ironed suit. The bow tie. He had scrapped his hair back against his scalp and now that he thought about it - he probably should have shaved. It looked like he had tried too hard. He looked like he was far to serious about this relationship.
No. It wasn't a relationship. He didn't want to scare Bilbo away by bombarding him. He probably wasn't looking for anything serious right now any way. Saying yes to the coffee was a one time thing, but now Thorin had dragged him somewhere he didn't want to be. Of course Bilbo didn't want to have a meal. Fancy meals were for long time partners and married couples. Not for people on their second or third date. The message Thorin was sending looked desperate. No wonder the sympathetic glances.
Thorin sat down on the brick wall and sighed.
22:24.
Bilbo was over twenty minutes late. Thorin bit his lips and looked down the street. Nothing. Apart from an approaching car and a group of drunken youngsters, there was nobody. It had been the coffee. Oh God, of course it had. He had never meant to bring Fili and Kili along. Dis had been ill and well Bilbo got along with the boys well. But, of course, who won't turn away after being thrust into parental duties on their first date - even if they weren't Thorin's children...
...
''Thorin?'' Thorin turned, a lob-sided smile on his face as the familiar voice sounded behind his ear.
''Sorry.'' He said, moving his body to the side and pointing at the two small children sitting at the table with matching chocolate milkshakes - Fili showing his brother how to blow bubbles into the liquid and Kili trying to follow but ending up with more than half of his milkshake on the surrounding table. ''My sister is sick and -''
''It's fine.'' Bilbo said, smiling.
''Fili, Kili. You could find Bilbo a chair.'' He asked, leaning over the table and talking to his nephews mostly to hide the blood colouring his cheeks as he realized his mistake. Fili nodded and took hold of his brother's hand dragging him off the table and away from the milkshake. Thorin stood up, offering the now empty seat to Bilbo.
''Excuse me?'' Fili's voice sounded loudly through the small cafe, causing Thorin to cringe slightly by the attention it brought to himself. ''Are you using this chair?'' Next minute both Fili and Kili returned semi dragging, semi carrying the wooden chair over to the table. Thorin moved over quickly, scooping up Kili under his arm and picking Fili up, placing him on the chair and then carrying the two brothers back over to the table as they both squealed with excitement.
''Okay, now sit down you two.'' Thorin turned to Bilbo. ''What would you like?''
''The milkshakes are good.'' Fili spoke up, a grin on his face as he pinched his straw to stop the dripping.
''Fili-''
''No it's fine. I'll have a milkshake then.''
''You can have coffee.''
''I like milkshake. And they seem good - though I don't know how Kili is managing to taste any of it as it seems to be more on him than in.'' Bilbo said smiling at the two youngsters, who both returned with a wide grin.
''Tasty!'' Kili giggled.
''May you?'' Thorin asked as he stood, pointing at his two nephews.
''Of course, I'll keep an eye on them.'' Thorin gave a weak smile, trying to push the guilt of leaving his date alone with two young children on his first date to the back of his mind.
''Mr. Baggins?''
''Yes?''
''Are you here to tell Uncle Thorin that I only got three in my spelling test?'' Fili asked quietly, peering over the top of the milkshake glass with a concerned look on his face.
''No.'' Bilbo said with a wide grin. ''That can be our secret - if Kili promises not to tell anyone too.'' He looked over at Kili, who's gaze turned to Bilbo.
''I promise.'' He chuckled.
''Promise what Kili?'' A tray was suddenly placed in the center of the table and Thorin sat back down, shoving the loose change back into his jeans pocket.
''He can't say, it's a secret.'' Fili piped in, grinning widely at Bilbo.
''Oh is that right - Milkshake, they only had strawberry, I'm really sorry. I can get you something else-''
''It's fine, thank you very much.''
''What you got Uncle?'' Kili said leaning over the table in an attempt to see what was in his uncle's mug.
''Coffee. It's cold out.''
''Why no milkshake?'' Thorin shrugged. God I'm sorry Bilbo, he thought silently. Curse all cold weather and germs. He should have put his foot down at his sister taking on two jobs in the winter months. It wasn't healthy. It wasn't healthy at any time but now least of all.
''Can I try?''
''It's too hot at the moment Kili.'' Thorin said, moving the cup away from the outstretched hand of his nephew. ''It's even too hot for me to drink just yet.''
''But-''
''Kili be carefull!'' To late. Shit. Thorin lept up as hot coffee poured from the knocked over cup. He grabbed a pile of napkins and began mopping up the spilt liquid as it traveled across the table, spilling over the side and - Crap.
''Oh my God!'' Thorin dived over, a fresh napkin at the ready. He leaned across the table as the burning liquid poured onto Bilbo's trouser leg, reaching to mop the coffee that had already soaked trough the fabric and then stopped. Nope. He had not just been going to dab at the top of Bilbo's leg. Christ. The blood rushed to his cheeks again as he felt as though the coffee had just split over his face instead of the table, setting it on fire. He thrust the napkin at his date - albeit as gently as he could - and turned back to busy himself at the table.
''Oh God! I'm so sorry!''
''It's okay.'' Bilbo chuckled. Forced, Thorin thought to himself, no one would still be laughing after being burnt by coffee split by a two year old. No one. ''Really Thorin, you can sit down. I'm fine, it's gone.''
Kili sniffed as he looked wide eyed up at his uncle, waiting for the inevitable telling off.
''I'm sorry Uncle.'' He mumbled, dropping his gaze.
''It's not me should be apologizing to.'' Thorin snapped though instantly regretting the harshness in his tone. ''It's okay Kili, it was an accident. But it wasn't me you hurt. It was Bilbo.''
''Sorry Mr. Bilbo sir.'' ...
...
Jesus, the fact that Kili had split coffee everywhere, it must have burnt him. No amount of reassuring from Bilbo would convince him otherwise, and no amount of apologizing from himself or his nephew would make the situation better. Of course it had been the coffee, you bloody idiot Thorin.
''You alright there?'' A voice sounded from above him suddenly. Thorin turned his gaze up from the pair of high heeled boots on the floor in front of him to see a tall, brown haired woman standing in front of him. ''Do you mind?'' She asked. though already sitting down next to him, glancing hopefully at him. '''ave been stood up?'' She asked calmly, taking in Thorin's suit, a small smile appearing on her face.
''I don't know.'' Thorin answered plainly, cringing slightly as the woman sucked in a breath and shrugged.
''How long have you been waiting?'' Thorin checked his watch.
''Thirty-six minutes.'' The woman gave a lightly laugh.
''Bit precise, aren't you.'' She grinned as Thorin flushed, scratching his bearded cheek in an attempt to hide it. ''Ah I dunno then. Maybe you have. This is the point where you can make your choice. You can go home - forget the date, go home to the warm and sit watch a film or something, or,'' She said looked over at Thorin. ''You could wait a bit longer. But -personally - anyone who can't be on time for that,'' She grinned widely, pointing at Thorin's face. ''Doesn't deserve the time of day.'' Thorin dropped his gaze and tried to stop the small smile.
''You're too kind.''
''And you're too modest.'' There was a pause before the woman spoke up again. ''So, are you waiting for her? There's always wine at mine.'' She said, shuffling a little closer to him and hugging her arms around herself.
''Him.'' Thorin said with a smile.
''God, I'm sorry.'' She blushed deeply and turned her head. ''I'm an idiot. You see this is what my ex said - I didn't even think to be honest. I kind of just-''
''It's totally fine.'' Thorin gave her a smile. ''I'm sorry.'' He said. ''Though you really are beautiful.''
''Thank you.''
''No need to thank me for the truth.''
''So...'' A silence fell over both of them. Thorin turned his head again to check back down the street. Still no one. ''You going to wait then.''
''Yes.'' The woman let out a sigh, stretching out her legs and resting her hand on her knees and she pushed herself up. ''Well it was worth a try, right?'' She laughed loudly.
''Right.''
''Well,'' She bit her lip, searching for something to say. ''I'm Tauriel, by the way.''
''Thorin.'' He stuck out a hand and she took it with a wide grin.
''Nice to meet you. Good luck with you date.'' She said as she took back her hand and turned to leave. ''I'm sure he'll be along soon. Stick with it Mr. Thorin. If it's mean't to be, he will come.''
''Thank you.''
''Bye.''
And with that, Thorin was alone again...
...
Fuck work and everything to do with it, Thorin thought as he strode towards the concrete playground of Blue Mountain Primary School. One hand he loosely held a bouncing Kili - who was babbling, more to himself that to anyone else - and the other his blackberry as he attempted to answer some of the email that had piled up over the day.
He had promised his eldest nephew that he wouldn't be late this time. He had aimed to leave work at half two, giving himself plenty of time to pick up Kili first and then possibly get a coffee from somedrive through before going over to the primary to pick Fili up too. However, leaving work at five past three with a blinding headache had put all thoughts of getting a coffee and chance of keeping his promise this time out of the window.
Turning the corner of the school building, the playground came into sight and Thorin had to walk only a little further until he was at the pick up gate. Shit. It was empty. There was no a person in sight, which meant that he was either so late that the teachers had taken the left children - on Thorin's pick up days, it was usually just Fili - back inside to wait at reception. Or Fili had decided to walk home alone. Which was ridicous on all levels as home was too far to walk - Fili knew that - and the school had strict rules about letting six year olds walk the streets alone, even if they were almost seven as Fili kept reminding everybody.
''Come on.'' Thorin grumbled, pulling his youngest nephew along after him, back the way they had came and up the stone steps to the main entrance of the building. He buzzed the intercom, bending down to speak as a muffled,
''Hello?'' sounded from with in the small metal box.
''It's me.'' He said simply. The door beeped and the lock slide back, Thorin moving in sync as he put a hand on the glass and pushed it open. ''Fili?'' He called, wincing slightly at the loudness of his on voice on his thumping head. ''Fili?''
''Is that your uncle?'' Thorin's ears pricked up at the sound of the voice. Looking past the wall, he walked over to the large chair in which Fili sat - his legs dangling above the ground - as Bilbo sat next to him.
''I'm so sorry Fili, I meant to leave early but-'' He stopped himself. His nephew didn't need his excuses. ''I promise I'll make it up to you, right?''
''Right.'' Fili said, a smile of his face but still the slight tinge of dissappointment lingered.
''Thank you for staying with him.'' Thorin said turning to Bilbo.
''No worries. I was on cover today so it's no problem.''
''So how late was I today? Bet I haven't broken any records yet?'' Fili shook his head, turning to Bilbo.
''Earliest he's been is just before I go in - he caught me still outside.''
''But that day you forgot your coat, so it wasn't entirely my fault.'' Thorin pointed out, smiling at his nephew.
''He's been later than this.''
''I didn't know it was my turn.''
''Uncle Thorin, wednesday is always your day.''
''I didn't know it was wednesday.''
''Wednesday today!'' Kili shouted, giggled loudly as all heads turned to him. Thorin winced again, closing his eyes against the headache and taking a deep breath.
''You okay?'' Bilbo asked, standing up in concern as Thorin swayed slightly.
''Fine.'' He ran a hand over his forehead, pushing back up hair. ''Just a headache. Long day.''
''Would you like a glass of water or a pain killer or something?''
''No, It's fine. I'll go home and have a rest - if these two allow me to.'' He smiled weakly. There was about a zero percent chance of him being allowed to rest when he got home. Dis wouldn't be back, so he would have to cunger up a snack for the two kids and then feed them shortly after that. He didn't even know when Dis finished her shift tonight but it was quite clear that it would be hours before he was allowed to 'rest'.
''Only if your sure.''
''I'll be fine. Thank you anyway.'' He replied, letting go of Kili's hand to reach in his pocket and pull out the car keys. He had left his motorbike at home as picking up children meant he couldn't really pack them on the back of it. So he had brought along the shitty second hand BMW E30 3 Series, which to be honest had it's best days the year it came out. It wasn't a bad car, it just who even had it before him...Thorin blinked.
''Well I'll see you guys later then.'' Bilbo smiled. The small blond dropped down to the floor, moving over to his brother and replacing Thorin for hand-holding duty as he lead Kili out through the door.
''Bye Mr. Baggins.'' Fili yelled from outside. His yell being instantly answered by a twin shout of,
''Bye bye Mr. Boggins!''
Bilbo chuckled lightly, turning his attention back to Thorin.
''Er...thank you for the drink the other day, by the way. I'm sorry I didn't get to thank you enough.''
''It was no problem. But I should be apologizing. I honestly didn't mean to bring the boys along and if he burnt , I'm-''
''He didn't.'' Awkward silence.
''So-''
''Would you like to do it again sometime?'' Thorin asked quickly, giving a smile that he could feel was completely and utterly lob-sided and stupid. Christ, Thorin thought, talk about jumping the gun. Once again the stunned silence was enough to set Thorin on edge. They stood there for a few minutes as Thorin fiddled with the keys of the car - the only noise in the building.
''Uncle Thorin are you-''
''Yes.'' Bilbo said, blushing deeply and diverting his gaze. ''I would like that.''...
...
Well this is every kind of awkward and more, Thorin thought as he ground his foot into the damp concrete of the pavement in front of him. Maybe he should just go home. He could stop by the supermarket and pick up a crappy film for 1.99. Possibly some crisps. Dis was home so maybe he should bring something for her too. Christ, he thought as he ran a hand through his hair. Trust him to get his hopes up.
He sighed deeply, checking his watch one last time then pushed himself up off the brick wall. Lucky he had parked his motorbike right there, he thought as he grabbed the helmet, shoving it on his head and moved to sit on the bike. He checked his phone - just in case, he thought.
Two new messages. Thirty-seven new emails.
He clicked the first message with a sigh.
We've heard about your recent accident and believe that you've been miss- delete.
The second one.
Can you pick up some milk on your way home. It's turning - Dis
Thorin bit his lip, sliding his phone back into his pocket and fidgeted in his seat. He would just go home. Maybe Dis would believe him if he said he never got her message. He just couldn't be arsed at the moment with milk, or supermarkets, or people in general. Just go. Starting the engine, he thought, in...three...two...one.
''Thor-''
A/N: why was that so damn hard? and why did that turn out so damn cheesy? Ah man. Okay, I tried so hard not to ship them. I really really did, I didn't to begin with either. Then I tried to stop my self from...then this happened. A little modern-AU that I couldn't even help myself from writing. It's shit and I know it (I probably won't do anymore with it unless people want it)
But anyway, I hope you enjoyed it c: Please review if you have the chance - it means a lot.
Oh and if you have the chance and like my writing, please check out my on going multi-chapter Hobbit fanfic called 'Unintelligible'
Thank you!