Disclaimer: I do not own The Hobbit

Bilbo went out, seeming to not notice Thorin sleeping on his front porch but when he came back, arms full of groceries, and Thorin was awake he faltered. The steely glare he had meant to send ended up becoming more of a tired expression directed at the dwarf. "Help me carry my things inside." Bilbo sighed heavily. "And don't bleed on my cabbage!"

"I'll try not to, Master Baggins." Thorin said in a soft delighted purred as he took the sacks of produce and walked into the familiar home after the hobbit. It was earthy and a tad small for a dwarf of his size but it was Bilbo and that meant he loved it. He put the things in the pantry before going back out into the main sitting area where Bilbo seemed to be waiting for him, arms crossed over his small chest.

"I'll not have you stomping around making a mess of the place." Bilbo huffed indignantly as he led Thorin to the washroom. "Clean up and then I'll patch up your wounds. And don't take your time! Second breakfast is shortly." Bilbo was trying to seem put out by Thorin's presence but Thorin knew better. When he was done cleaning himself he dried off, and began tying his long hair in braids until he realized that it would take far too long and ended up just tying it up in a pony tail. Bilbo walked in with a stern look on his face and, seeing Thorin about to put his dirty torn clothes back on, he huffed, snatched them away and sat the blushing dwarf down.

"It is indecent-" Thorin tried to protest as he covered his unmentionables with his large hands.

"Oh hush." Bilbo swatted Thorin's hand before tying bandages over the lingering cuts. Thorin felt like he was half dressed with all the bandages Bilbo tied on him. Most of his arms, hands and legs were tied up tightly. When he was done, Bilbo made to leave.

"My clothes?" Thorin faltered.

"Frodo's in the kitchen so he won't see you indecent. Go to my room and find something to wear." Bilbo said impatiently before leaving. Thorin didn't think anything of the hobbits would fit him but he did as he was told.

As he suspected, nothing of Bilbo's fit. After a long struggle, and just as he was going to pull the sheets off the bed and tie them around his body, Bilbo walked in. "I said don't take your time." Bilbo grumbled.

"Nothing fits me." Thorin huffed, clearly tiring of being polite to the little hobbit. Thorin wanted to go back to the time when he could say anything and the hobbit would still shield the young prince with his own body. But those times were gone now. Bilbo, done his adventures, and Thorin, a king.

"You missed second breakfast, grumbling about indecency, track mud and blood and whatever else all over my house, used up almost all of the bandages I have." Bilbo was mumbling unhappily as he went through his clothes. "Fine. If nothing fits you...stay in here." Bilbo said as he left the room at last. Thorin sat on the end of the bed waiting rather impatiently before Bilbo finally returned with Thorin's just washed clothes near dinner time.

"Thank you master Baggins." Thorin said softly as he began dressing.

"Did...did Fili and Kili..." Bilbo stopped his voice cracking and his eyes watering. He hadn't said their names since he set out for the journey home.

"They did not make it as far as I know." Thorin mumbled softly.

"I'm sorry Thorin." Bilbo mumbled looking at the large scars on Thorin's back as the dwarf dressed.

"Those who were there said that you did all you could for the three of us." Thorin said seemingly casually.

"It wasn't enough. I should have done more." Bilbo murmured.

"You did more than could ever be asked of you. You must know that?" Thorin looked searchingly at Bilbo for a moment before holding his arms open for Bilbo to walk into.

"Nothing I could have done would ever be enough for those boys. For you." Bilbo shied away from Thorin's open arms, denying the invitation for a hug. He instead, sniffled, wiped his face on his handkerchief and turned back to Thorin with a hardened and yet dead look in his eyes.

"You had best get to the dining room; Frodo should be laying out the dishes now.

"Bilbo-" Thorin tried to comfort his clearly broken burglar but the hobbit shied away, leaving the room before Thorin could make any more advances.