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Bilbo stared at the photograph he had just unearthed from the depths of his closet. It was of him and Thorin from the early days of their relationship. He could tell because of how happy they looked. In the picture it seemed that neither had a care in the world.

Looking around the room, Bilbo sighed. How things had changed.

They met at university. Bilbo was taking his bachelor's degree on scholarship, not that he needed to have a scholarship, but it looked better on his resume that he did. As a scholar, he had to work a few days a week at the school library. It never bothered him, he liked being around books.

Thorin was a law student at the time. He came into the library often. Bilbo had noticed him then, who wouldn't? Thorin had always had an air about him that demanded a room's attention. Bilbo only just admired the older student from afar.

He didn't know until later that Thorin was only in the library because he was checking out Bilbo. A few weeks into their relationship, it made sense. Thorin came from a long line of lawyers, what out-of-print books law students usually needed was already at his disposal. What new acquisitions the library got, Thorin received as soon as it was available (sometimes before).

Bilbo sighed again as he stroked Thorin's face in the picture. They were young and stupid. Young and stupid, but happy.

Nowadays, they barely had time for each other. Bilbo was always flying off to some book conference or another or he was locked up in the study writing for days on end. Thorin was always at the office, or at some political shindig. A key sliding into the lock broke him out of his reverie.

"Bilbo?" Thorin asked, "Where are you?"

"In the closet," Bilbo yelled.

"We came out years ago," Thorin joked, his head peeking into their walk-in. "What are you doing there?"

"Oh, just reminiscing," Bilbo said nonchalantly. He accepted Thorin's help getting on his feet. "How was your day?"

"Same old nuisances," Thorin complained, brushing off Bilbo's pants. "You'd think time would mellow my father and mature my brother, but you'd be wrong."

"That bad?" Bilbo asked, walking them both out of the closet and into their room.

"Just bad enough," Thorin said. "Are you packed?"

"Yes," Bilbo nodded. "I packed up your suitcase as well. Please tell me that they didn't pile work on you so you couldn't take a vacation?"

"They tried, but Dis bullied them out of it."

"She was always my favourite," Bilbo smiled.

"I thought I was your favourite," Thorin murmured as he embraced Bilbo from behind.

"You're my husband," Bilbo smirked, turning his head so he could kiss the taller man. "You're only my favourite some of the time."

"And the rest of the time?" Thorin asked, turning Bilbo around so they could face each other.

"You sleep on the couch."

Things have changed, Bilbo thought as he relaxed in his husband's arms. They may not have a lot of time together, but what time they do have, they make the most of.

This was supposed to be angsty and all that, but at some point I changed my mind. Our boys have had enough canon angst.

As always reviews are loved.