Was that Bilbo? Thorin thought when he saw the small man rush out of the restaurant. When he looked closer he thought he recognised Bofur, the other kindergarden teacher, glaring at him just like he had killed someone before he also rushed out. His heart sank a bit but he did his best to ignore the feeling.

"A lover's quarrel?" Tora giggled and turned around to look what was going on. "Get a room, you guys." She sipped a bit on her wine while looking into Thorins eyes.
She was gorgeous, he had to admit; but he felt nothing. They had been out every Friday and Saturday for the past three weeks and had lunch together almost every day at work. She was very talkative and sometimes didn't' seem to know how to shut up.

"Speaking of rooms" she said and leaned towards Thorin. "When will you come to my flat?" Her bare leg brushed against his dressed up calf and she looked at him with seductive eyes. "We've been out on six official dates, doesn't that usually mean something?"

"I can't stay tonight" Thorin said. "I have no babysitter for Fili and Kili." It felt good to have them as an excuse for anything he didn't want.

Tora pouted a bit but understood. "Never thought I'd date such a devoted father."


When he had dropped her off she had kissed him passionately and tried to unbutton his shirt and tried to convince him to stay the night. But Thorin had yet again used Fili and Kili as an excuse to drive home.

"Uncle!" Fili and Kili shouted as he stepped into the flat and ran up to him to hug him.
He embraced them hard and the hug was long.

"Why do you smell so weird?" Kili said and sniffed his shirt.

Shit! Toras perfume had rubbed onto his clothes.
Bombur grinned and patted his shoulder.

"If I'd known, I could have taken care of them until tomorrow morning." He said and walked out and closed the door behind him. Well this was embarrassing.

"Tell me!" Kili yelled and tugged Thorins shirt.

"Soon enough" Thorin answered. "Now, why are you guys up? You should be sleeping at this hour." He stood up and shooed them towards their room. Both of the boys grunted.

"Mister Bombur said we could stay up until you got home." Fili said "We've already brushed our teeth."

"Yeah and we're not tired!" Kili filled in and tried to hide a yawn.

Thorin chuckled. "Yes you are, now go to sleep."

He pushed them into their room and put them down into their beds and kissed them good night. As he walked out of the room he heard Kili rustle in his bed.

"Uncle Thorin" Kili said and Thorin turned around. "Why do you smell so weird? Bilbo don't smell like that."

Thorin sighed and walked back to him. "Because I wasn't with Bilbo today; I was with a lady today."

Kili thought for a moment. "Why? Don't you like Bilbo? I like Bilbo."

"I'll explain when you get older." Thorin said after a while of uncomfortable silence. "Now go to sleep."


I'm sorry for the delay and for the short chapter. Life has been rather hectic.
I've been going through a rather nasty break up and house looking and school and work. I apologise.
You guys are amazing /Kumiko