Okay so this is my first fanfic ever, but I won't be asking for people to be nice. Anyway. Just thought I'd take a stab at some University AU with some Bilbo and (not)dwarf bonding, but mostly with You know who. Hint: He's a certain hot prince. Anyway, I hope someone enjoys/reads this. It's what I've come up with over the break. I may do more if people like it.
Bilbo always knew he was small. He also enjoyed cooking and watching television with hashbrowns and tea in front of him. Bilbo also knew he was terrible at sports and athletics, mostly due to his size. Because of that this he gave up on trying to impress throughout high-school. His parents only ever really cared about good grades and a clean nose, so naturally he stuck with sciences and math. And as it turns out, having no extra-curriculars help get you to one of the best schools in the country: Erebor. His parents couldn't have been prouder, and Bilbo couldn't be more terrified. He had never ventured out of the Shire suburbs, and Erebor was out east over the Misty Mountains. He tried to argue that residence was too expensive, but they insisted that with all of Bilbo's scholarships, he had basically gotten a free ride. So, much to Bilbo's consternation, the argument was over, and near the end of the summer and old family friend named Gandalf showed up to drive him and his worldly possessions to Erebor and help Bilbo move in.
Bilbo sighed against the Window of the grey truck, and Gandalf chuckled.
"Don't be so glum," he almost scoffed, "I thought you wanted to go to Erebor. You did apply, after all."
Bilbo fidgeted in his seat and glanced out at the forest they were traveling through, "I only did it to make my parents happy. " he tapped his toes and twiddled his thumbs nervously. Mirkwood was a huge forest that the two travelers needed to pass through in order to get to Erebor. The whole forest was capable of blotting out the sun and casting eerie shadows over the road. It made Bilbo nervous to say the least, as he always feared what he couldn't see in the darkness. "besides, I didn't think I'd actually get accepted."
Gandalf actually laughed this time, which ended in the older man throwing a coughing fit and nearly driving off of the road.
"Bilbo Baggins! I have always known about the greatness you have inside you, and everyone seems to be sure of it but you!" he scolded good-naturedly, but Bilbo just rolled his eyes. He had heard enough of that conversation.
"I don't belong in Erebor! I'm just Bilbo Baggins! I'm supposed to stay home and inherit my house from my parents! I have to. . . I have to. . ." Bilbo trailed off into silence after his outburst, only the quiet sound of him catching his breath in the almost silent vehicle. Gandalf looked ahead into the forest and shook his head, but said nothing.
They arrived at the university late in the afternoon, and after asking for directions twice, as well as a trip to the University Help Centre, Gandalf pulled into the residence area on campus. As they drove through the congested roads, Bilbo couldn't help but gawk.
Hundreds of kids, his age ore older, were carrying furniture and suitcases up stairs and through doorways. Everyone was laughing and smiling with excitement. At least, everyone but Bilbo.
Gandalf pulled up and parked next to a large, three-story condo with the name Bag End plastered onto the door. The entire building was made of red brick, besides the door and Window frames, which were of wood. The paint job also made Bilbo wince. The wood was painted with the most hideous shade of hunter green he had ever seen. The doorknob also clashed, as the brass was rusted and chipping off.
Bilbo slid out of the passenger's seat and sighed heavily, somehow unable to tear his eyes off of his residence building. Gandalf handed him his suitcase and in return, Bilbo shot him an exasperated look. Gandalf rolled his eyes and beckoned Bilbo to follow him. Both of them climbed the stairs, and Bilbo fumbled with his key card to open the door.
Luckily, his name was posted on the first door to the left of the entrance, the printed name on a pink sticky note spelled Billy Baggins. Bilbo didn't read the other name below his, as he was too nervous to stand still long enough. He quickly jiggled the doorknob until it opened and almost fell into the room behind it. Gandalf was only able to catch him by the collar of his shirt and haul him onto his feet.
The flat was bigger than he thought it would be, complete with a kitchen, bathroom and living room. The living room was equipped with a cheap looking ikea couch and armchair surrounding a coffee table. The entire space had white carpets, and the kitchen's floor was laminate and boring.
"Hello?" Bilbo called, walking towards the back of the flat, where he found two bedrooms and a linen closet. Both rooms were identical, and held a bare bed, night stand and empty closet.
He dropped his suitcase onto the floor and turned to Gandalf.
"We forgot the hangars." He huffed, and Gandalf shrugged dismissively, depositing a pillow and set of sheets onto the bed.
"Maybe he hasn't arrived yet." Gandalf suggested.
Bilbo scoffed, "Well, then he's terribly late." he then worried at the hem of his shirt and went to the kitchen. Inside was a small refrigerator, a stove, and sink. The cabinets were painfully empty. Bilbo peered from the door frame, almost appalled, "we have to go get groceries."
The next few hours consisted of Bilbo and Gandalf moving in and then leaving to collect groceries. The two of them returned with an entire fridge full of food, along with some soup cans and hangers. The bed was then made, clothing hung and everything wiped down until it was spotless. Bilbo even had time to make himself dinner after Gandalf had left to check into a hotel.
Bilbo sighed contentedly as he sat in front of his full plate. He took pride in the efficiency of which he had been able to set up his new home. Bilbo looked about and smiled at his good work, he was so caught up in the moment he barely heard the knock at the door.
Bilbo made an exasperated sound as he stood and hurried to the door. Upon opening it, his face fell in disappointment. A man with broad shoulders and muscled arms in a black shirt eyed him expectantly.
Bilbo blinked, "Um,"
"Dwalin." the man growled roughly and pushed past him and through the door. Bilbo stood frozen in place and pursed his lips, brow furrowed . He was only interrupted by a loud roar from the kitchen.
Bilbo visibly jumped and rushed back to the kitchen, imagining a worst-case scenario that involved a broken plate. Instead, he saw Dwalin seated at the table, wolfing down the dinner Bilbo had prepared himself.
"'S good. " the intruder grunted through a mouthful. Bilbo pursed his lips once more and bit his tongue, trying not to get annoyed at the man's awful table manners. He was going to politely ask this new student what he was doing here when a knock at the door stopped him.
Thinking that it was Gandalf, Bilbo stormed down the hall to the doorway and flung it open. Instead of the tall grey familiar face, a shorter man somewhat resembling his other visitor smiled at him.
"Balin." he shook Bilbo's hand politely and wandered into the flat, laughing and roughly exchanging a greeting with Dwalin. Bilbo was too dazed at first to notice that the two friends had found the fridge and cupboards, but then heard the clanging of pots and snapped out of it.
The two were muttering to themselves quietly as Bilbo snuck in, wringing his hands.
"Um," Bilbo squeaked, vying desperately for their attention, "now I know that we're all really excited for school and all, but. . . Um. . . I've just moved in, but. . . I don't mean to be rude. But, I'm sorry." Bilbo blinked at the two men taking, and noticed that neither of the two were paying any attention to the flustered host, "Um, excuse me?"
Both of the intruders slowly turned and Bilbo shrunk under their gaze. Their faces and body language intimidated him to no end, though the two said nothing.
"Um, well, never mind." Bilbo waved his arms curtly and flushed pink, and the two men continued unloading the cupboards without hesitation. Bilbo was about to protest with an excuse of money trouble, but there was another knock at the door. The noise made him jump, but he scuttled off to the door once more. He winced as he opened it, praying to God that it was there man that was two visitors late of an explanation.
When he opened his eyes he almost sagged, as two more unfamiliar faces smiled at him expectantly.
"I'm Fili," The blonde one rocked on his heels excitedly.
"and I'm Kili" the darker haired one giggled, looking up at the taller man, "The Durin brothers, at your service." the last portion was spoken by the two of them in unicine, the two giving curt nods before pushing past Bilbo and wiping their feet on the carpet.
"Ah! Dwalin and Balin are here!" one of the two roared from the kitchen.
"I can't wait until the others get here!" the other laughed heartily.
The comment barely registered in Bilbo's already befuddled mind. He turned towards the kitchen with wide eyes and an overall shocked look on his face, "O-others?" he managed to sputter, and he heard the clanging of plates once more. He was just about to bustle back to the kitchen and abjure the use of cutlery and dishes, but the knock at the door interrupted him once more.
He was halfway between scolding and cursing when he was cut off by a group of people faceplanting onto his doormat, with Gandalf chuckling softly behind the moaning group.
His company all stood with a clamour and loud laughter, everyone seeming to be yelling at each other, including Bilbo, but there was too much going on for Bilbo to register what they were saying. All the small host could do was stare at Gandalf, and the smirk on his face was more than enough information to know who was responsible.
There were shouts from the kitchen, and Bilbo saw that most of the space (including the counters) were taken up by visitors and plates of food. One particularly large man had made off with an entire tub of ice cream, and Dwalin had somehow produced a fair amount of liquor. Loud laughter erupted from the menu and Bilbo suddenly felt very small and out of place amongst the crowd. Gandalf also sat and laughed gently, but decided to hold off on the feast before him.
Bilbo, at a loss for words, could only watch as the entire company devoured his entire kitchen. The lot of them took a swig from their beers and cheered merrily, but Bilbo politely refused when offered. What irked him the most about the whole lot was the fact that none of them said please or thank you, they were also too boisterous and rowdy for his taste, as if everything was somewhat funny.
When the group was full, the lot of them washed the dishes and piled them neatly on the table. Bilbo stood dumbstruck in the doorway of the small kitchen, a look of complete astonishment on his face. Gandalf chuckled at the smaller students reaction, who merely glared daggers at the older man.
By this time, Bilbo had built up enough courage to implore the meaning of this party and to kindly get out, if you don't mind. Before he could even draw a breath, a strong knock at the door caused the room to quiet. Gandalf raised an eyebrow at him and Bilbo cursed, being cautious as he opened the door. He nervously peered out from behind the door frame and sighed with relief.
The man standing before him was a whole foot taller than him, with a thick neck and broad shoulders. His toned arms were crossed over his chest as he glared at Bilbo, puffing up dominantly and widening his stance.
"Sorry I'm late." the Scottish lilt rolled off of his tongue as he held out his hand, which Bilbo took gently. The great paw engulfed Bilbo's own easily as the stranger nearly shook him off of the mat. "Thorin Oakenshiled. I guess everyone's already eaten?" Bilbo nodded and stepped back behind the door as Thorin stepped in confidently. The rest of the company greeted the newcomer with a little more respect than they had each other, Bilbo was surprised.
"So, this is our scrummy, Gandalf?" Thorin asked, allowing his eyes to flick over Bilbo, who merely blinked and glanced from side to side.
Gandalf smiled, "Why yes, Thorin, I'm sure he'd be the appropriate choice."
Bilbo widened his eyes as panic set in, "Um, no. I'm not a scrumhalf, I actually can't play rugby! Terribly violent, much to difficult for me! I - uh. . . School's-" the company stared as Bilbo tried to sputter excuses, and Kili turned to Gandalf with a smirk on his face.
"Well, he certainly is small enough." a couple others grunted in agreement. "You ever play before?" he then asked Bilbo quietly.
"No! Never! Not in my life!" Bilbo blurted hurriedly, almost as if he were panicking. He only stopped when the Thorin held up a hand to quiet him. He looked to Gandalf, who shrugged quietly, and then he faced Bilbo once more. Thorin opened his mouth to speak, but seemed to decide against it, shaking his head slightly.
"Well," he turned to the group of kitchen-invaders, "at least you can all help me move in." the room erupted with cheers and the entire group pushed past Bilbo.
Bilbo stood in a daze for a moment, the silence almost deafening in the ruined kitchen.
"M-move in?" he squeaked at Gandalf, who smiled softly and guided Bilbo to the doorway yet again. The first name was still spelled horribly wrong, and Bilbo reminded himself that he would have to complain later. But just underneath his name, a sticky note was attached hurriedly just under it, where a name was proudly scrawled in thick letters.
Thorin Oakenshield
Bilbo groaned and sagged into Gandalf's grip, feeling weak at the knees.
"I think you should get to sleep." he grumbled and helped Bilbo to his freshly made bed and pulled the covers over him. Bilbo closed his eyes and nuzzled into his pillow, scoffing as he heard the dull clamour of too many people in his flat.
"Scrumhalf."
Well, I see that you read it.
See, that wasn't too painful, was it?
Meh. Hope you guys have a fun time back at school this week, I'm off to hide in a corner and weep soulfully. Make sure I know to write more, I'd hate to think I'm as invisible on here as I am in real life!