A/N: the things are pressing on. Thnx for reading, following and reviewing.

No beta, free feel to apply.

Thorin sat alone by the fire and waited for master Baggins to return. Others went to sleep. Balin informed him that master Baggins went to the lookout. Thorin didn't like that he went on his own account without being ordered to. Thinking of how clumsily he fell of that three few days ago made him reconsider how wise was to send him to the lookout by himself. What if he gets clumsy this time? Luckily there weren't Orcs nearby, but there were other dangers here in the wild.

Balin offered to stay and take watch with him but he sent him to sleep.

"My thoughts keep me company" he said dismissing Balin. "There's no use in you staring at the flames beside me. Rest some."

Balin complied and Thorin was left to his thoughts, but his thoughts betrayed him. Instead of threading well known path of his perils, lost loved ones, father, road before them, he kept looking at the dark woods waiting for the Hobbit to appear. He will have to rebuke him when he gets back. It was too dark for any reasonable lookout. But as time passed on he forgot why he should reprimand master Baggins, after all he just looked out for their safety, and instead he just started to worry.

That's why when he finally appeared Thorin smiled at him from pure relief that he's not hanging helplessly from some tree.

"Any news?" asked Thorin knowing there is none from his frustrated and tired look. Utile caution could be more irritating than confronting enemies, Thorin knew as much.

"All is quiet" said master Baggins tiredly and then offered Thorin a cover. Thorin forgot about that, but now it reminded him of sitting by the fire as Hobbit slept by his side, it was comforting in some way and Thorin was grateful for that.

"Cover me" he said deciding that it won't be bad to be warmer, and as master Baggins lowered the cover on his back he decided he didn't mind Hobbit's company, on contrary it was soothing in some way. That's why he made place for him by his side, but as master Baggins sat down Thorin discovered that there is nothing left of warm, and silent presence. Instead Hobbit sat beside him all stiff and cold, it seemed like his coldness is evaporating towards Thorin. He must be exhausted from the long walk and climbing trees, so exhausted he can't even relax enough to fall asleep. That moved Thorin in some way. Like Hobbit did since Thorin let himself trust him, it moved Thorin to be grateful for his persisting in their company, like they aren't doomed to failure.

That's why Thorin reached out and dragged Hobbit near.

"You froze on the lookout" he said covering his head to stop him from watching the flames, they kept everyone awake. "You're so cold" he continued as Hobbit didn't laugh or relax trying to make a joke like he would with Kili and Fili when they would pout "we'll have to carry you around like an ice statue" he said but Hobbit still didn't respond in any way, Thorin considered the possibility that master Baggins was already sleeping with his eyes opened when Gandalf appeared.

"Thorin my boy" he said with his grumpy voice "why are you again alone on the guard" he obviously missed Hobbit's presence as he sat opposite of Thorin. "You must sleep too. I'll be on guard tonight."

"There's no need, I'm fine" said Thorin offended by his intrusion, he wasn't a child and he knew how to weigh his strengths. Thorin was ready to argue with Gandalf of his offer but Hobbit distracted him suddenly leaving his side. Obviously he wasn't sleeping, no one could sleep walk so quickly, but what was he trying to do? Thorin watched Gandalf's face carefully to see when will the wizard notice Hobbit's departure and what will he think of it, but Gandalf stared right back at him not even darting In Hobbit's direction. Where did he go anyway? Thorin couldn't hear his footsteps.

"I see you're stubborn as ever" Gandalf spoke up continuing his thought. "But to reach Erebor we need you in good health, not crazy from exhaustion."

Gandalf mentioned crazy and Thorin instantly started to argue with him, but in the background he continued to think of Hobbit's escape. Obviously he had his pride, he wasn't going to be caught while he's been treated like a child, but how did he managed to escape without being spotted by the wizard. Maybe he had real stealth in his favour. If that was the case Thorin was a fool not to use that kind of abilities in his favour. The journey to Erebor will be long one, it would be foolish to leave Hobbit's skill unused till their destination. Better still he needs to give him opportunities to practice his skill. After all before Smaug he would have to be virtually invisible.

Thorin finally felt the fatigue catching up with him as argument with Gandalf went to more profane details like supplies and he went to sleep.

When he sat on his bunk he noticed that master Baggins sleeps besides him. He was asleep without a doubt, with his face all pressed to the ground. Thorin found the sight adorable in some way, so he smiled and took the cover of his back and threw it over sleeping Hobbit. After all it wouldn't be good to carry him around like an ice statue.

Thorin then positioned himself on his right side, like he always does, and that position brought his view on Hobbits sleeping face, who just wiggled his nose as he does when he's distracted or thoughtful. Thorin thought how far Hobbit was removed from any kind of grace or nobility, but how his honest and gentle nature is displaying all over his face.

Watching Hobbit's face instead of the constant darkness of his thoughts made Thorin fall asleep instead of threading through his thoughts till dawn.