Here is the second chapter! Thank you sooo much for reviewing and liking this story! I, myself, LOVE this story! Um, what else... Yes, this chapter is dedicated to Bofur's Hat :) Enjoy!


"Bilbo," the manager of Starbucks Coffee boomed as Bilbo entered his office. "I have been meaning to talk with you. Do you have a minute?"

The young man nodded and sat in a chair he was motioned to. He quietly waited to hear his boss' words.

"I am terribly sorry to have to tell you this, but..." the boss paused, trying to build suspense. "We need to lay you off."

Bilbo sighed and leaned back into the chair.

"There are budget cuts left and right. We need to gain more money and, in order to do that, we need to lay off a few hundred workers." He took in Bilbo's pained expression. "Do not fret, I am sure there are other jobs out there." The boss offered a smile which Bilbo did not take. He stared coldly at his ex-boss and stood to leave.

"Thank you for letting me know," he said flatly.

"Bilbo," the boss said, raising to his feet from behind the desk. "What has gotten you so upset?"

Upset?! UPSET?! Bilbo thought. Uh, the fact that I just got laid off! AND the fact that I may never see Thorin again! That is what has me so upset! Bilbo turned to give his ex-boss the coldest stare he could muster. "Nothing has me upset," he managed in a heartless tone. "If you do not mind, I have someone I need to find."

Before the boss could retort, Bilbo had left the room rather quickly.

He held back tears that threatened to fall as he strode to the door of the coffee shop. He ignored the chatter of his old coworkers and walked through the doors and out into the cool air of the afternoon. He walked in the direction of Arkenstone Mutual, and by the time he arrived at its steps, he was already crying. He sat up on the brick wall and bawled into his palms that covered his face. People who walked passed him stared with curiosity as Bilbo sobbed. He didn't know how long he'd been there, but when he lifted his face from his hands, a glossy black coupe pulled up to the curb. Bilbo wiped the tears from his eyes and watched the spotless black car come to a stop. He took a sharp intake of breath when Thorin stepped out of the car.

He was dressed no different from when Bilbo first saw him. He wore a fine black suit with a grey top and a light blue tie. Bilbo nearly melted at the sight of him. Thorin's long black hair with little streaks of grey was tied in a neat pony tail, much to Bilbo's disappointment. He looked rather hurried. The younger man hoped he wouldn't notice him. However, that was not the case.

Thorin rounded the car and leaped up onto the sidewalk where he took long strides towards Arkenstone Mutual. He picked his ringing cell phone out from his pocket and answered it. His long strides became rather short and steady as the phone conversation deepened. He seemed to be somewhat upset as the person on the other side of the call would not hang up.

Bilbo noticed how Thorin walked around other people on the sidewalk. He felt his heart drop; Thorin was polite to everyone and not just him. He watched as Thorin put the phone back in his pocket and swiftly picked up his pace. He was now nearing Bilbo and the younger man felt the tears well up in his eyes. He tried desperately to blink them away, but as Thorin caught sight of him, they fell from his eyes. He quickly ducked his head away and attempted to wipe the falling tears when Thorin stopped in front of him.

"Bilbo?" he asked, his rough voice making Bilbo more upset that he couldn't make coffee runs to his company anymore because of some stupid boss. Thorin watched as the younger man began to cry. Hesitantly but comfortingly, Thorin placed a hand lightly on Bilbo's shuddering shoulder. He focused his clear blue eyes on the man before him. "Bilbo?" he tried again. "What is wrong?"

The younger man shook his head and turned his face further away from Thorin. He sobbed more and felt Thorin pull his close. He rested his head on the older man's chest as he felt strong hands stroke his back reassuringly. He cried as hard as he could, letting out all the emotions that plagued him that very moment. He was surprised when Thorin did not pull away but only held him tighter.

"I am here," he heard him say softly. "I am here. You are fine with me."

Bilbo's sobs quieted as Thorin kept soothing him. Finally, he pulled back only to see Thorin's clear blue eyes study him with great concern. He wiped his eyes and sighed, staring at the tear stains on Thorin's grey top. "I... I'm sorry," he croaked, hesitantly touching the fabric that was damp.

Thorin chuckled lightly and tilted Bilbo's face up. "Do not be sorry," he assured. "It is fine." He watched as Bilbo nodded and put his face in his hands. "Tell me," Thorin began, "what is wrong?"

Bilbo shook his head and wiped the few tears that were left away from his eyes. "Nothing," he answered.

Thorin, knowing perfectly well that Bilbo was lying, did not press the matter and instead, offered the younger man his hand. "Come with me?" he asked.

Bilbo stared at the hand like it was on fire. He hesitated a bit before relenting and placing his small hand on Thorin's larger one. He let the taller man pull him off the brick wall and lead him to his car. "Where are we going?" he asked as Thorin held the car door open for him. "I thought-"

"We are going to a small cafe down the road and I am going to arrange my own matters quickly," Thorin answered, handing Bilbo the car keys.

"If I've bothered your day, I am perfectly fine walking home," Bilbo argued, making a move to get out of the car.

Thorin shook his head. "No," he said firmly but gently. "I was just coming in for a few meetings." Bilbo shot him a look and he sighed. "Those meetings can be rearranged; nearly half of my employees were not going to show up anyway." He watched as Bilbo sunk back into the seat, knowing that he was defeated. "Please, I will be right back, and we will go. Alright?"

Bilbo nodded and huffed, clearly angry at himself for ruining Thorin's day. "But I don't understand why I can't just walk home, seeing you have important matters to attend to. Why be more a of a bother than I already am?" Bilbo questioned, folding his arms across his chest and staring at the black dashboard in front of him. He heard Thorin sigh.

"I... There... Please..." he mumbled, still leaning on the open door. "Please, Bilbo. I will be back."

"But-" Bilbo pressed.

"Do you not wish to spend the day with me?" Thorin interrupted, his voice slightly dropping.

Bilbo looked into his eyes and swore he saw a bit of hurt behind those regal sapphires. "I'm sorry, I just... I don't want to ruin your day."

Thorin smiled softly. "My day is far from being ruined. You can be sure of that," he said. He stood upright and pushed the car door shut but not before making sure Bilbo's legs were seated in the car.

There Bilbo sat, watching Thorin pass the hurrying people on the sidewalk and jog up the steps of Arkenstone Mutual. He sighed, slightly content at the thought of going to lunch with Thorin. Maybe this is a date? Bilbo thought. No, it couldn't be a date. Thorin would have been acting weird and nervous if this were a date. But what did Bilbo know, he'd never been on a date in his life. Nearly blushing at the thought of being on a date with Thorin Oakenshield, Bilbo glanced around the car.

The interior was all black though the steering wheel was an exception, it was a dull silver. The inside was tidy and clean; free of lint and unwanted trash. Bilbo could easily tell that Thorin was a very neat person, though he hoped he wasn't too neat. There was an empty Starbucks Coffee cup in one of the cup-holders between the driver's and passenger's seat. Bilbo picked it up and read the side of the cup. He made a 'mhmm' sound as he recalled scribbling an unreadable word on that very same cup days before during his run, back when he had a job. Did Thorin actually keep the cup Bilbo had written on? Shaking his head and thinking it was impossible that he had, Bilbo continued to scan his eyes around the car. He looked down at himself and felt very out of place in this spiffy car. Turning his attention to the people out the window, Bilbo noticed Thorin approaching the car. Quickly, he slung the seat belt over his shoulder and placed it in its latch with a click. He shifted slightly to sit up more as Thorin opened the driver's door.

Bilbo watched as the taller man shrunk into his car, which seemed to hold him comfortably, and grope for the keys in the ignition. He smothered a smile and held the keys out to the side of his face. Thorin turned and smiled. He grasped the keys and locked them in the ignition.

"Thank you," he said, pulling his own seat belt on.

Bilbo nodded.

Thorin pulled the car away from the curb and drove, rather professionally, to the small cafe down the road. During the ride, he kept glancing at Bilbo every few seconds to convince himself that Bilbo was really in his car. Thankfully, the younger man hadn't noticed for he was busy gazing out the window at the passing scenery. They were halfway there when Bilbo asked Thorin a question.

"How long have you owned Arkenstone Mutual?"

Thorin thought long and hard about this question. Answering it was really simple. Saying it was an entirely different story since Thorin was sure he had swallowed his tongue long ago due to his nervousness. With a deep breath, Thorin said, "It... was... belonged to my father... and grandfather for... years." His sweaty palms grasped the steering wheel tightly as he focused on the road ahead of him. "I have... personally owned... Ark...kenstone Mutual for a little... over fifteen years." Geez! What was wrong with him? He had forgotten his own company's name! Oh boy, maybe he should have rethought this whole 'taking Bilbo out to lunch' thing.

Bilbo glanced at Thorin curiously. He knew from small encounters with him that Thorin was a highly respected man who did not falter in anything he pursued. But the way he was acting right now, threw Bilbo off. Thorin seemed a bit nervous. Why? Bilbo thought about the events leading up to them going to lunch and came to the conclusion that Thorin was... admittedly scared. Bilbo smiled to himself and leaned back into the seat.

Thorin, on the other hand, was busy sorting out a million different things in his head while trying to focus on the road ahead. He soon realized this day would not go well and had almost missed the turn into the cafe; a sure sign he was going to screw everything up. He pulled into a parking space near the door. Once he pulled the key from its place in the ignition, he sat back and ran his hands over his face and sighed.

"Is everything okay?" Bilbo asked.

Thorin nodded; he couldn't speak. Sighing heavily, he unbuckled his seat belt and placed his hand on the handle. He watched as Bilbo did the same, but he had opened the door and was now patiently waiting for Thorin at the front of the car. Taking a deep breath to calm his nerves, Thorin opened the door and joined Bilbo at the front of the car but not before locking the car.

As they approached the cafe's doors, Thorin drew a shaky breath and walked a little faster than Bilbo. He crossed in front of the younger man and held the door open for him. Bilbo thanked him and they entered the cozy cafe.

The cafe was homely. A few couches were huddled in a neat layout in the corner of the room, a lovely bookshelf looming over the set up. There were tables and chairs scattered around the cafe, a few booths sat here and there. Bilbo couldn't help but feel at home at this place. He wondered how Thorin knew about this down-to-earth place even though he dressed like and seemed to be a regal man. Without thinking, Bilbo sat on one of the couches near the bookshelf. He saw Thorin follow him and unsteadily sit down on the couch across from him. He frowned a bit as he noticed Thorin putting his head in his hands.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Bilbo asked, now concerned for Thorin hadn't spoken since that jumbled mess in the car.

"Y-Yes," Thorin said, looking up and smiling. "I am fine."

Bilbo merely nodded not fully convinced that Thorin was fine. He glanced around him and, from the corner of his eye, saw Thorin looking at him. He faced him and Thorin's gaze shifted to something else. Could Thorin have a crush on him?

"Do you want to eat anything?" Thorin asked, his first full sentence in a long while.

"Only if you'll get something too," he answered. "I don't want to be the only one eating."

Thorin smiled and nodded. "Sure," he said, standing to go order.

"Um, a sandwich of anything is fine," Bilbo answered, not really hungry for anything in particular. "Do you-"

"Mhmm?" Thorin asked as he already moved towards the counter where an employee was waiting.

"Do you want me to pay for my half or-" Bilbo asked not sure what to do since he only had twenty bucks on him (and most likely in his bank account).

"No, I'll pay for yours." Thorin smiled, a strand of silver hair falling to the side of his face. "Do not worry."

Bilbo nodded and leaned into the couch with a small smile on his face. He watched as Thorin walked up to the counter and the employee there fell for him. His heart clenched. Surely Thorin would find an interest in someone prettier and able to make money on their own, with a job. Oh boy, he felt the tears coming back. He quickly blinked them back as Thorin returned with two drinks in his hands. He handed one to Bilbo and set his down before sitting on the couch. He smiled at Bilbo who sipped his drink gingerly, testing the flavor. The tea was absolutely delicious; it was better than his and Bofur's put together. He sighed happily as he set the drink down and joined in the awkward silence between him and Thorin.

"So," Bilbo began after some time, "how has work been for you?"

"Good," Thorin answered. "A few clients have left us, but what can you expect in this economy now?" He attempted at a joke, but Bilbo refused to smile because of the situation that had happened earlier today with his ex-boss. Thorin saw the younger man internally disapprove of his joke and felt put out; this thing they were on (date or not) wasn't going to turn out well at all. "You?"

"What?" Bilbo asked, caught off guard.

"How has work been for you?"

Bilbo gulped and wished he had kept his mouth shut. The silence had been more welcoming that this question. "I... uh," he stuttered. Thorin was watching him with great concern, the same concern that had filled his eyes outside of Arkenstone Mutual. Bilbo sighed; it was bound to come out sooner or later. "I got laid off."

Thorin slightly raised his eyebrows at Bilbo's answer. "Why?" he asked, clearly unhappy at the statement.

Bilbo shrugged. "My boss told me that money was low and they needed to cut a few... hundred workers."

Thorin sighed and was about to say something when their order was ready. Giving Bilbo an apologetic look, Thorin stood to retrieve the food. Bilbo watched as the employee's hand lingered a little too long on Thorin's own. He felt his stomach tighten and fought the urge hide when Thorin returned. He smiled lightly at the taller man who had sat down opposite Bilbo for the third time. Thorin returned the smile and passed Bilbo his sandwich. The younger man took it gratefully and almost began stuffing his face.

"Hungry, aren't we?" Thorin asked, barely unwrapping his own order.

"Sorry," Bilbo said with a mouthful of sandwich. "I have not eaten anything today."

"What?" Thorin asked, taking a bite of his food. "Why not?"

"The thing and the fact that my coworker called me the previous day to tell me that was to happen," Bilbo answered. "I wasn't really hungry this morning."

Thorin nodded. "What are you going to do now?"

"You mean a job?" Bilbo asked and the taller man nodded again. "Oh, I really haven't looked. I just got laid off today and I-"

"Today?" Thorin asked, putting his sandwich down and staring at Bilbo who seemed to shrink under his gaze. "You mean when I saw you outside of my company, you had gotten laid off?"

"Yes," Bilbo said in a small voice.

"That is why you were crying?"

"Yes," he said again, remembering the pain he had seen in Thorin's sapphire eyes. "Please," he began, looking at Thorin, "I do not want to talk about this, now."

"Later?" Thorin pressed.

Bilbo nodded and rolled his eyes at Thorin who smiled. They continued eating for the remainder of the hour, having subtle conversations here and there, mainly due to Thorin's nervousness and Bilbo's persistence to stay away from that particular subject. Once they finished their meal, Bilbo sighed contently.

"Want a ride home?" Thorin asked and Bilbo nodded.

They threw their trash away and walked to Thorin's car. Once they climbed in, the heavy nervousness that Thorin had seemed to return and he couldn't remember what he was going to do next. He stuttered for a few moments before turning on the engine and getting on the main road before asking Bilbo where he lived. Bilbo answered and Thorin drove quite smoothly to that destination. He pulled up to the house Bilbo had pointed out and bid the younger man goodbye as Bilbo got out of the car. He watched as the other smiled at him and opened his house door and disappeared inside.

Sighing, Thorin knew he should head back to Arkenstone Mutual but something was nagging at him. He soon realized what it was. Turning off the engine and stepping out of the car, Thorin nervously walked up to Bilbo's green door. He knocked once or twice before the door opened.

"Oh, Thorin," Bilbo said. "I didn't... did you need something?"

Thorin looked down at his feet and thought that his heart was going to thump its way out of his chest. "I... uh... I..." he stammered. "I... Can... I..."

"Yes?" Bilbo asked, deeply concerned for the redness of Thorin's face.

"Can I have your number?" Thorin Oakenshield, owner of Arkenstone Mutual and one of the most well-off people in this city, asked Bilbo shyly.