AN: I apologise now my brain is warped. I don't own any of the characters I am just corrupting them. Dwalin and Thorin a sprawled out shirtless in front of my log fire and have pinched my beer…I don't know if I am happy or sad.
I do so love the fact so many people like my work enough to add me to their favourites or follow me, thank you, I am a very happy writer. Could I be greedy and ask for reviews :D
Warnings for this chapter: Some hot action and major fluff.
FanFiction Queen:The title of the last chapter means hot spring in ancient Nordic.
Fallendarkness666: I don't think the review page likes your name lol, it changed again. Only a little fluff in the last chapter, I have given you a warning this time though :D. Happy you still like.
Chapter Fifty Three – Two Turtle Doves.
The sun had reached its highest point when a shadow fell across Ori's relaxed form, he cautiously opened a brown eye and smiled up at Dwalin. Soon the warrior was straddling his hips, carefully keeping his weight away from the scribe's bruised stomach. Ori ran long fingers into his One's still wet hair and arching his back pulled Dwalin down for a searing kiss. He groaned deeply as the warrior licked at his lips and let the larger male deepen the kiss. His head was swimming with want when Dwalin slowed the kisses to gentle, languid presses of their lips. He growled as Dwalin drew back to sit at his feet, forcing himself to sit upright so he could glare at the large dwarf, "Why did you stop?" he whined, "I was enjoying that."
Dwalin ran a hand over his bare calf, fingers gentle as they traced the bare skin, "you don't know what seeing you with bare feet does to me Ori," he muttered following the tendons that flexed under his touch. "There's something about you wandering about without boots or shoes that I really can't resist." He rolled to his knees as he was talking so he was kneeling at Ori's feet. The scribe leant forward to watch him better when Dwalin fell silent. He hissed as large battle scared hands swept across the top of his feet, eyes widening in disbelief as a strong thumb pressed gently into the arch of his foot. He swallowed hard as Dwalin started to gently massage his feet, he'd never heard of a massage being so sensual before. Sure he knew it was used to help recovery after a bad injury but he had never heard of it starting a fire in the lower belly or sending shivers through a dwarf's form.
When the hands reached his ankles Ori lost control and he as good as dived forward, pinning Dwalin's body with his own. He wrestled the warrior's arms above his head and held them there with one hand as he traced the muscles down the strong arms with the other, "You," he pressed a kiss to Dwalin's lips as he talked, before moving lower to pepper kisses across a square jaw and down a long throat in between his words. "Are…A…Tease!" he wrapped his fingers in the loose hair and tugged Dwalin's head back before dragging teeth down the now arched neck. "I need to feel you properly Dwalin," he groaned as the warrior rolled his hips upwards, "Shit!" he cursed staggering to his feet and pulling Dwalin up with him. A quick glance around convinced him and he set off across the grass to what he thought was a barn, stopping occasionally to steal kisses from the taller dwarf.
Dwalin didn't complain, in fact he could barely keep his hands to himself until they reached the wooden structure he was being dragged to. Knowing Ori wore nothing but the thin tunic had heated his blood, and then the scribe had surprised him to his reaction to the foot massage he had attempted to give just simply to get his hands on those feet. He pushed Ori against the wooden wall as soon as they were inside the barn. He knew Ori was allowing him control and he took what he could eagerly, as he kissed down the scribes slender neck ne hissed softly as the fingers in his hair tugged slightly. He relinquished control quickly when he felt a hand snake under the hem of his tunic. He closed his eyes and groaned deeply, only opening them when he felt Ori straddle his waist, he didn't know when they had ended up on a blanket covered hay pile or when his tunic had ended up hanging from a pitchfork or when Ori's had landed on the hay loft ladder. In fact he didn't care and when Ori grinned down at him with lust blown eyes and mused hair he couldn't bring himself to care. He arched up at the feel of nails on his chest, the pain of them raking over slowly healing bruises only adding to his excitement. He gripped Ori's hips tightly and happily met his mouth with his One's once more.
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Thorin swore loudly as a shooting pain in his side awoke him. He gasped and pressed a hand to his aching ribs, it seemed Bilbo's extra strong tea had finally worn off completely since he hadn't topped it up recently. There was a warm weight to the other side of his aching ribs and he realised his hand was still entangled with Bilbo's, so he tried to relax in case he awoke the smaller male.
"Master Oakenshield?" Bilbo's soft voice sounded near to his ear and a gentle hand tilted his face to meet worried gold-flecked-green eyes. "I think it's time I took a proper look at your wounds." The hand on his cheek tucked a stray strand of hair behind his ear and the hand grasping his squeezed lightly. "I will help you to the pools, then leave you to have some privacy to undress and get in the water while I get some healing herbs okay?"
Thorin nodded slowly, loathed to lose the peace of the morning but also wanting the pain he felt to subside. Bilbo tugged him to stand and without releasing his hand led him down the steps and across to the structure that had been built around the hot spring. The hobbit kept his steps slow, pressing himself into Thorin's least painful side to act as a support if the dwarf needed one. He was rewarded with a gentle smile and with a final squeeze of Thorin's fingers released his hand.
Left alone Thorin glanced around the building. It was a strange construction with a thatched roof and partially enclosed walls made of wood. The top half of the walls were empty between the supports, allowing the building to be flooded with a soft light. The spring bubbled merrily, gently steaming in the cooler air as it flowed across smooth pebbles and over a ledge into a wide pool. Thorin noticed that around the edge of the pool the rock had been hollowed away to form a sort of bench, while at one end of the pool had steps cut roughly into the stone. What he had first taken as flags, was in fact a huge slab of cracked rock. Thorin stamped a foot, wincing a little as the movement sent jolts of pain through his leg, the sound he got in return however reassured him. The pool had been formed in solid stone and would probably outlast his nephews.
Smiling despite the pain he was now in Thorin quickly stripped out of his under-trousers and unwound the bandages from his form. He grimaced at the sight of his torso and clenched his jaw to wade into the chest deep pool. The heat made his open wounds scream, while at the same time easing the bruises and aching bones. When the pain was bearable again he waded across to perch carefully on the ledge cut from the rock, the extra height exposed more of his chest, but he was under no illusions that he would have to probably let Bilbo see more than he was comfortable with for the hobbit to treat his injuries and so merely rested his arms along the edge of the pool and tipped his head back.
Bilbo froze at the entrance to the building and swallowed. Battered and bruised as he was Thorin Oakenshield still made a gorgeous sight. The muscled torso and silky dark hair were wrapped in tendrils of steam, making him appear even more like a character from a book. Forcing back his body's appreciative reaction Bilbo stepped through the opening and carefully placed down his bundle. He quietly stripped off his still damp shirt and under trousers, reminding himself Thorin knew of his tattoos and piercings waded into the hot water. He couldn't help but whimper a little at the pain it caused the grazes on his skin and found himself staring into Thorin's now open blue eyes. He smiled across and pushed a mug of steaming pain relieving tea into the dwarf's large hand, before walking back across the pool to dig out the cleansing herbs Oin had given him.
"Dammit Bilbo," winced Thorin as he got a good look at the bruises littering the hobbit's back. "Why didn't you go and see Oin?"
"Drink your tea," Bilbo looked at Thorin carefully, and not seeing the disdain he'd expected he stepped towards the dwarf, "It is just me being stupid, don't worry about it they are nowhere near as bad as yours."
"That doesn't make me feel any better," hissed Thorin taking a swig of the tea, "hey this tastes like the one at Rivendell." He grinned momentarily dropping the issue of Bilbo's disregard for his own health, "Other than the honey why does it taste different?"
"It is a mixture of lavender, feverfew and willow bark. The lavender drowns the bitterness of the willow bark and the honey stops all the tastes clashing." He reached Thorin's side and place a hand on his arm desperately fighting not to invade the dwarf's personal space since neither of them were clothed. "Are you sure you are okay with me even being here, let alone seeing to your injuries."
Thorin drained the tea and turned to look Bilbo directly in the eye, he took a step closer and putting the mug on the edge of the pool place a reassuring hand on the strong but narrow shoulders, "I am sure Bilbo," his voice was soft and he swallowed at the odd thoughts racing around his mind, "I trust you to do this, you have looked after me and mine time and time again, I can trust you."
For a second he thought he had said something wrong as Bilbo closed his eyes and bowed his head. Just as he was about to step back the hobbit raised his head and smiled widely at him. Looking carefully Thorin could see his eye colour was hinting more slightly towards a dark green, but the predominant colour seemed to be amber. "Thank you Master Oakenshield," It was with the clearing of the hobbit's throat that Thorin realised Bilbo was as nervous as him, he strained his ears to catch the softly spoken words, dipping his head to hear better. "Would you return the favour then Master Oakenshield," Thorin frowned and Bilbo took a deep breath, "I can understand if you cannot bring yourself to, after all you are royalty and I am not I can always go and see Oin later."
Thorin finally realised what Bilbo was rambling on about and raised his hand to wrap around the hobbit's mouth, "I am honoured you trust be to do so Bilbo, especially after the way I have treated you."
His hand was pushed away, "Ah piddle," huffed Bilbo and Thorin couldn't help but giggle at the disgusted expression on the hobbit's face. "Now you are just being silly." He hopped down from the ledge and pushed Thorin back so he was sitting down again. Moving to stand in front of the dwarf he smiled wryly, "This might hurt."
"When doesn't it," grouched Thorin offering a joking smile in response. He didn't know what he had done wrong as Bilbo gasped and slammed his eyes shut again and Thorin caught mutterings about trying to kill somebody. Before he could react however Bilbo had swiped a lathered cloth across his chest and Thorin bit down on his lip to stop himself crying out. For his part Bilbo was being as gentle as he was able, however the red tinge at the edges of the teeth marks had him worried and he knew he had to make sure they were as clean as he could get them, no matter if it caused Thorin pain.
The dwarf breathed through his nose, closing his eyes as he tried to ground himself, slowly the pain receded as the tea started to kick in. He released his grip on the ledge slightly and leant back when gentle hands pushed at his shoulders. He didn't dare open his eyes though, he wasn't brave enough to look at the hobbit while they were this close, this intimate. The gentle sweep of the cloth was starting to drive him mad until it dropped lower and swept across the gash on his lower stomach. A strong hand on his shoulder stopped him jumping up and he opened his eyes to be met with the sight of apologetic amber-hazel ones. He reached up and grasped the hand on his shoulder softly, Bilbo nodded and dipped his head to continue his work.
With how close the hobbit was Thorin could see several fine silver scars marring the smooth skin and without thinking he raised a hand to trace one of them, before drawing it back as if burnt when Bilbo gasped and stilled. "I'm sorry."
"It's fine," the voice wobbled and Thorin had a sneaking suspicion that there may have been tears in Bilbo's eyes, but he couldn't see them as the smaller male still had his head bent as he continued cleaning Thorin's wounds. He wasn't expecting anything further, and had mentally started to kick himself when Bilbo spoke again, "I am just not used to anyone touching them that is all." Amber-hazel eyes flashed to blue ones and Thorin was horrified to find he had been right about the tears, Bilbo went on before he could speak, "back home they are too strong a reminder of just what I am, just what I have done. Out of all the hobbits in the Shire there are maybe eight others who understand just why I refuse to hide them as I did with the original ones."
He stepped away from Thorin, slipping back into brisk healer mode, "Right that's your front clean, so unless you have any wounds on your legs that need cleaning turn around."
Feeling as if he had lost a moment to connect with the hobbit Thorin stood and turned so Bilbo could make sure the wounds on his back were not infected, therefore he was surprised when Bilbo continued, "You asked about my memory last night, it was a flashback to when I was in what the elders decided was berserker-hibernation mode. Up until last night I have remembered nothing of the Fell Winter after my mother fell, one day I will tell you what happened if you wish to know, but not today." His voice wavered and Thorin ached to turn and enfold him in a hug, but the dwarf dared not move and Bilbo continued, "The memory was of an attack on Tighfield Village. I don't know why it has returned to me now but it did, I remembered how my friends and I-the ones I mentioned in Rivendell-had heard orc horns in the night and how we had rushed to their aid. When we got there most of the village was burning and bodies laid strewn, mutilated beyond recognition. Gardener was barely turned fourteen but he fought as if he were a seasoned warrior. I was the oldest of the group and apparently I was their leader as such, I have never thought of myself as such. We fought with flinched, traded and makeshift weapons. We had no armour but our rage and our clothing. My tattoos cover the scaring I got that night." He paused and Thorin risked turning, he unconsciously reached for the hobbit at the look on the smaller male's face, Bilbo however looked him dead in the eye, "I do not know if I wish to remember just what else I did that winter Master Oakenshield, but I do know if it were not for that winter I would not be the hobbit I am today."
Thorin nodded, "I know words aren't my strong point so I am not going to try, I would probably insult you," he got a watery chuckle in response, "I believe we maybe close enough for you to drop the Master Oakenshield thing if you wish, my name is Thorin."
Bilbo nodded, "Thorin," the name rolled off his tongue ad Thorin suddenly had an urge to hear it again in the lilting Westron. Bilbo nodded again, "I would wish thank you, now turn around again so I can finish cleaning the wounds on your back."
Thorin was silent as Bilbo swept the cloth across his skin again, his eyes fluttered shut occasionally when a more than normal sensitive spot was touched but he didn't flinch or fidget. When the cloth was put to one side he thought Bilbo was finished but the hobbit was pushing him to kneel on the ledge, "What?" he questioned even as he was following the directions of gentle hands. He was gently shushed and had to bite down hard on his lower lip to repress a groan as the hobbit pressed his thumbs either side of his spine at the base of his neck. Clever fingers nearly reduced him to a pile of jelly as they worked across the stiff muscles of his shoulders and down his back, skilfully avoiding deep bruising and the worst of his injuries. Thorin gripped the edge of the pool to try and hold himself up.
"Relax." The word was whispered into his ear as gentle hands pushed long strands of hair over his shoulder to better reach the skin. He tried to do as he was told but the feelings racing through his body, combined with the closeness of a naked attractive hobbit were making it slightly hard. He took a deep breath and leant back into the touch as gentle fingers now worked up the back of his neck and into his hair. His breathing quickened as tension he didn't even realise he had left his body slowly with every circle traced against his scalp.
"I know it is taboo Thorin, but if you would let me I will wash your hair for you to save you pulling your wounds." Thorin was nodding even as callused fingers pushed him to sit on the ledge again, he leant his head against Bilbo's shoulder as those fingers carefully undid the few braids he supported and the beads and clasped were placed as far from the edge as Bilbo could reach. Warm water being poured over his head startled him for a second and he spluttered until those fingers started working the cleaning herbs into his hair. This time he groaned out loud and despite the flush he could feel climbing over his cheeks didn't move other than to sink further into Bilbo chest.
It wasn't until the suds were being rinsed from his hair and long fingers untangling it that something Bilbo said had sunk in, "Tattoos?" He turned so he was facing the smaller male, "I know about the one on your back but you have had more than one?"
Bilbo raised a disbelieving eyebrow, "Aye we've had this conversation, but we were both a little tipsy so I suppose you might not remember." He ran gentle fingers against the golden tattoo on Thorin's side, "They are nowhere near as delicate as that though."
Thorin felt his blush deepen and he resisted the urge to press the wandering fingers closer, "May I see them?"
At the uncertainty in Thorin's voice Bilbo sighed and raised both his hands to cup the stubbled cheeks momentarily before he turned, "First one you already know about," he raised his arm and twisted slightly so Thorin could trace the blue and bronze swirls, "It covers the scar from an orc's blade." Thorin leant closer and he could see the thick raised band under the delicate art work. Turning fully Bilbo dislodged Thorin's fingers and raised the hair at the nape of his neck. Thorin gasped as he reached searching fingers towards the embedded stud he could see. "AH yes," giggled Bilbo, "I also have piercings, but just above those two gems is the tattoo Rosemary designed for me, it covers the scar I got when glass in one of the windows of Tighfield exploded outwards, that's the phantom pain that woke me up." He shuddered slightly as Thorin ran his thumb over the almost Khuzdaz like lines of the blue-black tattoo.
Thorin withdrew his hand and Bilbo just shrugged slightly, "Like my scars they are a bit more sensitive than the rest of my skin. He was stepping on to the ledge as he spoke and Thorin shut his eyes half afraid he would stand clear of the water and half hoping he would. A tap against his chest made him open his eyes and he sighed in relief when he realised Bilbo was merely kneeling and that through the water he could see the slightly distorted lines of a red and bronze tattoo, "and this one?" he questioned running questioning fingers over the tattoo and feeling three raised lines.
Bilbo bit his lip and breathed deeply for a couple of seconds, "that one was to cover the scars I got from a warg ripping into me. Apparently the healers were surprised I survived the infection that set in, especially as it wasn't treated until nearly a month later." He closed his eyes as rough fingers ghosted around the soft swirls painted under his skin, "of course when I first got them it was merely to cover the scars up, now I actually know what happened they symbolise so much more." He turned his head and rested his forehead against Thorin's with his eyes still shut and failing to see the surprise flare in blue eyes, he did notice the fingers falter but thought it was because of his words and so continued, "I may have lied slightly at Rivendell as well."
He slipped from the bench and Thorin turned so he could see better, he leant in when Bilbo lifted his arm up, offering the underside of his wrist for Thorin to inspect. The dwarf gasped etched on the slightly paler skin of the hobbit's inner wrist where it would normally be hidden by leather bracers was a delicate silver scroll. Grabbing Bilbo's hand he drew the wrist and therefore the hobbit closer to him as he traced his fingers around the design. There were nine, small but perfectly formed symbols. Along with the scroll there was a small flower, an axe, a pair of crossed daggers, a bow, a symbol off a human card game, a tankard, a war-hammer, and a dart all entwined in a braid of leafy vines.
Thorin swallowed and stepped back his eyes wide as he closely observed the hobbit in front of him, "They represent your friends don't they?" he asked softly, "come on I had better start to see to your wounds before Balin gets guilty and thinks we have drowned each other." He was rewarded by a true laugh and set to work gently cleansing the multitude of bruises and scrapes the hobbit had seemed to accumulate. He was desperate to know about the piercings Bilbo had mentioned, but didn't ask. He didn't want to push the friendly bond that seemed to be growing between them. He bit his lip when his wrist brushed over an embedded stud in the hobbit's hips as he drew the sudsy cloth across a dark bruise on Bilbo's lower stomach but didn't say anything.
He yelped in surprise when a hand gripped his knee and the hobbit submerged himself in the water. When Bilbo reappeared his curls were plastered to his head and Thorin couldn't help but giggle, "I know, I know I look like a drowned rat."
Thorin wouldn't allow that, "You most certainly don't, but I have to admit the curls suit you better." He reached for the cleansing herbs and spun Bilbo so he could reach his hair properly, "stop protesting," he grumbled when Bilbo yelped, "you washed mine let me return the favour." He huffed happily when the hobbit leant back slightly and sank his fingers into the now soapy curls, being careful of the bruises Oin had mentioned. He giggled again when Bilbo almost purred when he accidentally brushed a thumb across a pointed ear tip. He found two other piercings as he was carefully rinsing Bilbo's hair and was surprised to find the hobbit actually had an extender.
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When they eventually emerged from the pool, they were both relaxed and Thorin barely flinched as Bilbo leant over his naked form to smear him with the herb infused honey, merely grumbling slightly when he had to move. Bilbo refused to be wrapped in bandages even when Thorin pointed out that his bruises were easily as bad as Kili's. "Thorin," he sighed and the dwarf's belly felt like it was doing flips, he pushed to his feet and began rummaging for the tunics Bilbo had brought with him, unintentionally making the hobbit's words dry up in his throat. When he turned around Bilbo was looking anywhere but at him with his legs crossed primly and his hands folded in his lap. Thorin raised a disbelieving eyebrow but still felt too relaxed to wonder just why it was only now Bilbo seemed to become body conscious. He flung the shortest tunic at Bilbo and carefully pulled the longer one over his head.
Grimacing when it only came to his knees he tied the rope belt that seemed to be with it and turned back to Bilbo, his mouth falling open as he took in the hobbit sitting in the autumn yellow tunic. He hadn't realised just how muscled the smaller male's legs were and it took him two tries to move his eyes back to Bilbo's face. He huffed at the amused glow in the strange coloured eyes. "Well don't we just look swell," the hobbit chirped merrily, causing Thorin to grin widely. "I suppose we'd best go show the others how pretty we look." With that Bilbo gathered the dirty mug, bowl and clothes in his arms before skipping away across the grass. Thorin followed at a more sedate pace after collecting the hair beads and clasps, trying his hardest not to laugh as Bilbo danced around, "I feel pretty, oh so pretty."
His grin widening and satisfied Bilbo's stitches in his wounds would hold Thorin raced forward and grabbed the smaller male by the waist, spinning them into a fast jig, before sweeping him off his feet. He grinned into Bilbo's flushed face as he proceeded to carry the hobbit across the short distance to the hall. The hobbit's laughter joined his own and the sound rang out into the lengthening shadows of the afternoon.
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The company raced from their respective places to find out who was laughing so merrily and froze at the sight of their hobbit in their kings arms. Thorin and Bilbo looked around them when the sound of pounding feet became shocked silence, "What?" they asked insinc and innocently as Thorin slowly lowered Bilbo to his feet. Looking around them their voices once again rang in laughter.
Thorin couldn't help but wonder why Bombur, Bofur and Nori were staring at Bilbo in complete awe, but the expressions on Balin, Oin and Gloin's face were enough to wipe that thought from his head. They honestly looked like they had walked in on their parents having relations.
Bilbo meanwhile had seen a very naked Dwalin trying to hide behind Ori, whose tunic was on inside out. He swiftly turned his eyes away holding in his initial laughter. He didn't manage to succeed when his eyes fell on the rumpled form of Fili and Kili though, while both were dressed, their rumpled hair was a dead giveaway to anyone brought up in the Shire.
AN: hey all leave me a review and let me know what you think please.
