"Beautiful day for an adventure, isn't it?" Bilbo's voice came out in a low, scratchy wheeze. Reaching a hand up, he wiped sweat from his pink forehead. "What do you say we stop by Rivendell?"

Bofur had to swallow a laugh. From the moment he'd first lain eyes on him, Bofur had known that the hobbit had chutzpah. Yet even he must realize how fantastical he currently sounded. It'd be a miracle to see him walk down his front drive!

Bofur shook his head. "Let's trouble the elves another day."

Bilbo pouted, but his expression quickly changed as he began coughing again. As familiar as the sound had recently become, it still sent Bofur's heart racing. Hurrying from his chair, he began to pound on Bilbo's back.

"Awawoh," Bilbo said, his face buried in a silk handkerchief.

"'Scuse me?"

"Erebor." Bilbo grabbed his still steaming mug of tea and took a long sip. "If you don't want to go to Rivendell," he said, his voice louder than before but still shaking, "then why not go to Erebor? You keep mentioning how much you miss Bombur and Bifur."

"Erebor? Bilbo, that'd take months!"

"I've done it before!"

Bofur squeezed his shoulders. "Let's go run off into the blue another day."

"But Bofur-"

"But what? I've got a busy enough day already. That chicken soup won't cook itself, eh?"

Bilbo blew his nose into his handkerchief. "I'll have you know that I am perfectly capable of-" His words were lost in another stream of coughs.

Bofur bit his tongue, locking a sigh between his teeth. "Laddie, I think ya should be getting back to bed." He helped him to his feet. "I'll give you an adventure. Don't ya worry."

In good time - until then, all Bilbo needed was a few more of those herbs that Doctor Zinnia had brought him during her visit the day prior. Knowing him, their journey would come sooner rather than later. After fighting orcs, tricking trolls, and surviving a flaming furnace with wings, what power did this little spell really hold?

"Y-You promise?"

"On me mother's grave."

Bilbo crossed his arms over his chest. "She's not dead!"

"She would be if she heard what ya've been saying!"

The thick scent of burning incense hit Bofur's nose long before they reached Bilbo's bedroom, another gift from his physician. Depending on how long it took to get the smell out, Bilbo could be in high spirits and Bofur would still be spending his nights on the couch.

Bofur tucked Bilbo back in. "I'll go fetch yer tea."

"I'm fine. You worry too much."

Bofur pressed a kiss into Bilbo's matted hair. "I know, fussing is your job."

With any luck, he'd be back at it soon.

His walk to the kitchen would have been brisker had Bofur not stopped to peer out a window. Bilbo was correct about the weather. Still, if life had taught Bofur anything, then it was that there were always more sunny days to come.