Hey everyone, I hope you are all keeping well out there. This is a very self-indulgent piece I wrote this week. These two are nearly like a comfort pairing for me and I was in the mood to write another story for them. It's just a simple Dwalin/Bilbo fic, I hope you enjoy.

Bilbo sighed as he tied the leather strip around his increasingly lengthening hair, pulling it up into a tight neat bun at the back of his head. He had thankfully remembered his ties even if he did forget his scissors and his handkerchiefs. He had not been game to mention forgetting his scissors to the dwarves yet, though they had started to warm to him over the last month or so he wouldn't soon forget the teasing he got at admitting he'd forgotten his handkerchiefs.

His hair had already grown well below his shoulders, his curls turning wild and untamed. He supposed he could always ask one of the dwarves to trim his hair with a sword, but he was loathed to mangle his beautiful curls, which would no doubt happen if one of the dwarves attempted to cut it. He hadn't even had time to ask the elves for assistance as they had ended up leaving in such a hurry.

The problem was that hobbit hair grew much quicker then most realised, with hobbits usually going for weekly cuts to keep it at the desired tidy length. He sighed slightly as a few curls already managed to escape from their hold. He straightened his clothes and feeling somewhat proper again he wandered back to where the dwarrow were still bathing and washing their clothes. He couldn't help the way his eyes inevitably sought out Dwalin. Strong chest glistening with water as he scooped up sand from the creek bed and used it to scrub the dirt and grime off his body.

Bilbo quickly turned his eyes away before he was spotted staring at the large dwarf. He made himself comfortable on some nearby rocks and relaxed, letting the afternoon sun warm his chilled bones. The dwarrow had no problem washing in front of each other, but Bilbo still wasn't quite comfortable with that, preferring to find a more secluded spot that he could wash in before returning to the others.

The dwarrow who had finished washing sat around him in varying states of undress, drying themselves while they combed and re-braided their hair. It was an intricate process, one that Bilbo loved to watch. They had it down to an art, able to create beautiful hairstyles in little to no time at all. Bilbo had a little practice with braiding, but not enough that he could compare with these dwarves. He wondered if all dwarves were like this, or he just so happened to be travelling with a very particular group.

Bilbo gasped as he was pulled into Thorin's strong arms. Words ringing in his ears, I have never been more wrong. His cheeks pinked as dwarves patted him on the back and commended his bravery. He bit back a huff of pain from a particularly hearty thump by Gloin, he had had a rough few days after all. He tried not to think about the fact that he had just thrown himself into danger, to protect Thorin. It was the craziest thing he had ever done but he couldn't help the little swell of pride that was growing in his chest. Especially when he saw Dwalin staring at him with a look akin to admiration on his face.

They made their way slowly down the carrock. All were injured to varying degrees and fatigue pulled heavily at their limbs. Bilbo's feet felt like lead and his body ached all over. A large hand came to rest on his waist ensuring he didn't tumble over the edge in his exhaustion and Bilbo blinked tired eyes up at Dwalin. His mind too fuzzy to really comprehend what was happening but still appreciating the warmth of another against him. Dwalin didn't speak, merely ran his eyes over Bilbo as they continued on their way.

When they got to the bottom, Bilbo could see that they couldn't go much further. They walked a little while longer, Bilbo not really sure of the time or distance travelled, before Thorin called a halt and everyone set to setting up camp. Dwalin, who had stuck close to Bilbo even after they'd left the danger of the carrock, guided the small hobbit over towards where the fire was rapidly being set up. A firm hand gently pushed Bilbo to the ground as Dwalin grunted out a rough, "rest."

Bilbo made a token effort to stand back up to help but a stern look from Dwalin had him sinking back down to the soft grass below. His eyes grew heavy as the dwarves quietly moved around him, lighting a fire and setting up what few supplies they had. Bilbo felt a warmth along his side as he blinked heavily, struggling to keep his eyes open…

Dwalin looked down at the sleeping hobbit nuzzled into his side. A cacophony of emotions swirling inside him, though on the outside he kept his face neutral.

"Calm down, brother. Bilbo is fine" Balin said quietly from the other side of the fire.

Okay, maybe he wasn't quite as good as hiding his emotions as he thought.

"He could have died" Dwalin said hoarsely.

"Ay, but he didn't. Instead, he saved Thorin and this whole quest."

Dwalin didn't speak again, just nodding. The other dwarrow were quiet, taking in the sombre atmosphere and letting their own aches and pains lull them in to rest.

Bilbo woke to a gentle shake to his shoulder. He blinked bleary eyes open to find Fili smiling down at him.

"Breakfast," the blonde dwarf said cheerfully, and Bilbo groaned as he stretched and sat up and took the meagre helping of food. A frown stole over Bilbo's face as he looked at the food causing Fili to laugh in response.

"Cheer up burglar, Gandalf says we are only a few days walk from a friend of his. Where we will have a roof over our heads and food in our bellies."

"I wonder if there will be scones" Bilbo thought aloud as he started eating his breakfast. His whole body ached but he pushed that aside, knowing that there were others far worse off then he. He looked around their small camp and indeed the whole company looked the worse for wear. Weary faces, though there was still an air of hopefulness around the group. Ori smiling as he chatted with Kili, Bombur sneakily making his way back to the fire for seconds, Oin and Bifur conversing happily in Khuzdul. If nothing else, they were all still alive and that was something to be thankful for.

After they had finished eating there was nothing to wash up, so they all simply gathered what few belongings they had and started walking.

Thorin caught up to Bilbo not long after they had set out.

"How are you feeling today, Bilbo?" Thorin asked and Bilbo was flawed for a moment, first the use of his name and second at the genuine care that he could hear in the king's voice.

"I am faring quite well, thank you for asking" Bilbo said and Thorin nodded imperiously beside him.

"How are you? You seemed more badly injured then I was."

"I am a little sore, but nothing a few days won't fix. Dwarves have tough skin; it takes much to cause us damage."

Bilbo thought for a moment, hobbits were probably the opposite in that regard.

They walked on companionably, Thorin occasionally making small talk and Bilbo enjoying finally feeling like he was accepted by the dwarf leader. He felt eyes burning into his back and turned around to find Dwalin staring at him, a heavy glare painted across his face. Surely Bilbo had not managed to fall out of favour with the large dwarf already? Dwalin had seemed almost worried about him the evening before. Seemed relieved that he was ok. Perhaps Bilbo had read the situation wrong, he had been very tired after all. He swung back around and continued walking, trying to push all thoughts of Dwalin out of his head.

Around mid-morning they arrived at a stream they would need to cross. Several dwarves started to shoot longing looks at Thorin, who let out a long-suffering sigh before giving a small nod. Loud whoops rang out through the clearing as dwarves started pulling off their clothes, dropping them haphazardly on the ground as they waded into the semi deep stream.

Bilbo spluttered, cheeks flushing at all the dwarf flesh suddenly exposed to him. So many hairy chests and taught muscles, his eyes didn't know where to look.

"Bilbo, come and join us!" Kili cried and it made his heart happy to see the young prince smiling. It had been too long. A large splash hit Kili in the face, causing him to splutter and choke, the prince turned betrayed eyes on Dwalin who looked at him with a hard smirk. Bilbo couldn't hold back the laughter bubbling in his throat as Fili jumped on Dwalin's back, dragging the large dwarf under the water and dunking him.

Bilbo glanced around, but there was no secluded spot that he could slip away to to bathe. He looked at the dwarves, their laughing and joking as they played and washed, some even pulling their clothes in to clean them as well. He wanted to be apart of that. Wanted to feel like he belonged.

His cheeks burned red as he slowly began to pull off his tattered clothing. His shirt tugging at his rapidly crumbling bun as he pulled it over his head. The dwarves chatter had slowly died down, but Bilbo didn't look up, didn't stop. He knew if he stopped, he would lose his nerve completely. His blush spread down his chest and to the tips of his ears, he knew his body looked very different to a dwarfs. He pulled down his pants, purposefully not thinking how small he was compared to a dwarf. He bent over, picking up his clothes and bringing them to the edge of the water so that he could wash them after he'd bathed. Lastly, he reached up and undid the leather tie that was holding his hair back. It fell in a long messy sheet, reaching halfway down his back now, he ran his fingers through it, scratching his scalp and trying to ease out a few of the knots.

He steeled himself and then finally looked up. His assumptions had been correct, and every dwarf was staring avidly at him. He self consciously moved his hands to cover himself as he took in the dwarrows expressions. Many were pink in the face, eyes widened in surprise, Dwalin seemed to be panting.

"I thought I might join you?" Bilbo said awkwardly, taking a step into the cool water. Still, no one moved or said anything, he hesitated, "or not?"

A flurry of movement and noise erupted at that.

"Nae! Come in, Bilbo, come in!"

"You're welcome to join us Bilbo!"

"Look at his hair!"

Bilbo paused his advancement into the water, looking at Kili in confusion.

"My hair?"

"Aye, I've never seen hair so beautiful. So long, look at those curls and the colour of spun gold" Kili said in awe, a few of the other dwarrow nodding in agreement. Kili made to take a step toward Bilbo, but a thump to the side of his head from Dwalin had him stopping in his tracks.

Thorin, an actual smirk gracing his lips, started to speak. "Hair is a near sacred thing to dwarrow, we care for it and rarely cut it. Only those we have strong connections with are permitted to touch it, such as family or partners."

Bilbo looked a little surprised but on closer thought realised this actually made a lot of sense. The care they took with their hair and beards was obvious and now he knew this he noticed how he had only ever seen family doing each other's braids.

"So, you like it?" Bilbo asked with a small smile, getting enthusiastic nods from all; even Dwalin nodded.

Feeling a little more confident he pulled his hair around, using it as a type of shield as he made his way into the water. Gradually the dwarves returned to their earlier activities and Bilbo felt himself starting to relax.

"Here we were thinking hobbits were nearly hairless" Fili laughed as he made his way to Bilbo, Kili hot on his feels.

"Oh, well it's not widely known that hobbit hair actually grows very fast. I forgot my scissors so have been unable to cut it" Bilbo said, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly.

"Cut it!" Kili cried.

"Oh, you mustn't cut it" Fili continued.

"Cut what?" Bofur asked

"You're not going to cut your hair are you, Bilbo?" Balin asked, his expression dismayed.

"Ah, well maybe just a trim" Bilbo said quailing under the combined stares of every dwarf. "When I get some scissors that is."

Gloin rubbed his beard thoughtfully, "a small trim would be acceptable" he conceded.

Bilbo started to wash. They didn't have any soap, but it still felt wonderful to let the cool water wash away some of the dirt, grime and blood that caked his body. He ducked under the water scrubbing his hair as much as possible before standing back up again, his hair hanging in long tendrils around his face and fanning out in the water around him.

He laid back, floating and letting his hair spread out. He closed his eyes, feeling a level of peace that he hadn't felt in a long time. All was quiet, with his ears under the water, the only sounds that of his breathing. Eventually a disturbance in the water and splashing had him lifting his head. To his amusement he found his dwarrow engaged in another water fight. Feeling courageous after his earlier acceptance he sent a wave crashing over Bofur, who laughed and with a war cry lunged for Bilbo.

"Think ya can get away with splashing me!" Bofur laughed. Bilbo squealed and tried to get away, but Bofur caught him around the waist and dragged him under the water. They both came up spluttering, tangled together, with Bilbo's hair a mess around them. Bofur tried to pull away but found the wet strands sticking to him and making escape difficult.

"I'm so sorry, Bilbo" Bofur said embarrassedly as they tried to separate. Bilbo letting out a small groan of pain as his hair was pulled.

"It's OK Bofur" Bilbo said with a smile.

"Nae, it's really not. I should not have grabbed you like that, not with your hair out as it is. I should've realised it wasn't appropriate."

Bilbo looked a bit flummoxed. Only now starting to grasp just how seriously dwarves took this hair business.

"It's OK Bofur, I don't mind" Bilbo said quietly as Bofur finally managed to extricate himself and move away from Bilbo.

A loud growl had Bilbo turning his head to find Dwalin storming out of the water and pulling his clothes on rapidly. Bilbo blinked after him, sure that he was the reason for the stoic dwarf's upset, but not really sure how.

The joking air had vanished, and Bilbo felt bad for spoiling everyone's good time. He made his way to the shore, grabbing his clothes and giving them a through though quick scrub, only realising once he was finished that he had nothing that he could change into while they dried.

With a sigh he climbed fully out of the water, covering himself as much as he could with his damp clothes as he went to find a spot in the sun to lay them to dry. He flushed crimson again at his own nakedness, making his way over to where several dwarves were laying and warming themselves in the sun, Dwalin among them. Bilbo sat a little apart, laying on his stomach and letting the sun warm his skin and dry his hair. A large shadow fell over him and Bilbo pushed himself up to see Dwalin sitting beside him, blocking Bilbo's view of the other dwarrow. Dwalin's face was set in a fierce scowl, and he swallowed thickly before speaking.

"What's wrong?" he asked quietly and Dwalin glanced at him before looking away.

He sat up and gently rested his hand on Dwalin's arm, "what's wrong?" he asked again, this time with a bit more bite.

"Don't want the others to see you" Dwalin grunted, still not looking at Bilbo.

"And why on earth don't you want the others to see me?" Bilbo asked, beginning to feel offended. He may not be a dwarf but he didn't think he was that bad to look at.

"Because no one should see you but me" Dwalin growled, and Bilbo felt his mouth drop open in surprise.

"You… want to see me?" he murmured perplexed.

"How could I not" Dwalin said, finally turning to stare intensely at the hobbit. "All that creamy smooth skin, bruised from protecting my kind, those big hairy feet, even yer cock is so very pretty, and" Dwalin choked on his words for a moment, his eyes burning. "And yer hair, so thick and beautiful. I've wanted ye for weeks, but I'm struggling to contain myself now. Especially knowing others are lookin at yeh, have touched yeh. It makes me want to rip out their eyes and cut off their hands for even thinking about it."

Bilbo was so engrossed in what Dwalin was saying that he completely missed the nervous stirring going on behind them.

"I'm sorry to put ye in this position. If yeh just let me sit here for a moment, I will be able to get a better grip on myself."

Bilbo stared up at the large dwarf, honestly surprised that Dwalin would ever think that he would want him anywhere but right beside him.

"What if I don't want you to get a better grip on yourself?" Bilbo said shifting closer to the large dwarf.

Dwalin let out a small groan as his eyes travelled over the still naked hobbit. "Don't tempt me, Bilbo" Dwalin said, his voice sounding strained.

Bilbo blushed but shifted closer. Side pressing against Dwalin as he subtly opened his legs. He was embarrassed at his own forwardness, but he felt with someone like Dwalin, actions would speak louder then words. As Dwalin watched Bilbo ran his hand slowly down his chest before finally reaching his half hard cock. He took it in hand, forcing his eyes up to meet Dwalin's, he gave it a smooth stroke. Gasping as his hand twisted around the sensitive head.

The sound seemed to snap whatever minimal restraint Dwalin had been holding onto for in the next moment the bald dwarf threw himself on the hobbit, snarling as he pushed Bilbo's legs apart and settled over the smaller creature, sealing their lips together in a searing kiss that had Bilbo trembling and gasping for air. Dwalin shifted so that no part of Bilbo was visible to the others, the small hobbit seemingly forgetting that there were others even around as he let out a breathy moan.

A large hand pushed into Bilbo's hair, fingers tangling amongst the strands before gripping them tightly. Not enough to hurt but hard enough that Bilbo could feel it.

"Oh, Dwalin" Bilbo moaned and Dwalin groaned, leaning down and biting at Bilbo's jaw and neck, leaving marks for all to see. "My hobbit" he growled in-between nips. Dwalin pulled back slightly, taking a deep shuddering breath as he dragged a still naked Bilbo into his lap before wrapping his coat around them both and obscuring Bilbo from view. He settled back against a boulder, his kisses turning gentler. He felt soothed at having Bilbo in his arms, knowing that no one else was seeing or touching him. He pulled his coat a little tighter so that the only part of Bilbo visible was his head.

"As much as I would like to take you apart right now, watch you writhe on my cock." He pushed up, letting Bilbo feel just how hard he was for him. "It is not something I wish anyone else to see or hear. When we can afford a little privacy, I will make you scream" Dwalin whispered as he leaned close to Bilbo's sensitive ear.

Bilbo found he was quite unable to speak, so he simply nodded his very enthusiastic agreement. He curled into Dwalin's chest, trying to will his very prominent erection to go down as well as settle the searing blush on his cheeks as he realised just what he had been doing in plain sight of the rest of the company. Eventually the warmth of Dwalin's body, the feeling of thick fingers running through his hair and the rhythmic beating of Dwalin's heart calmed Bilbo. He sat up and looked at his dwarf seriously.

"Would you please braid my hair for me?"

Dwalin's look became unbearably fond and a small smile tugged at the corner of the bearded mouth.

"Ay, it would be my pleasure, my hobbit."