A/N: Thorin being curious, Bilbo is dodging the subject

Bilbo awoke suddenly afraid that he was left alone in the middle of tangled forest full of voices, but he was just surrounded by noisy dwarves that got ready for move out. Bilbo rubbed his eyes regretting shortness of his sleep. At Bag End he would dose off in his chair half of the afternoon but here there was nothing but marching on. He moved to gather his things and only then noticed the cover, Thorin's cover that was laid over him. That made him pause a bit but then he just shrugged it off and hurried with packing. If he stalls a bit longer they'll be moving along regardless of his tardiness at breakfast. Since they didn't have second breakfast first one was fairly important.

He was lucky enough to make it before Bombur put away all the food in his stomach. He considered it to be an efficient way of cleaning up all the remains. When they were back on the road Bilbo considered added weight to his backpack in the form of Thorin's cover. Was he now obligated to carry it around for Thorin or did Thorin gave it to Bilbo? Why would he just give away useful cover? Maybe he was afraid that Bilbo will truly become an ice statue.

After they've stopped for lunch, way too late for Bilbo's liking, Bilbo sat on safe distance from Thorin and pondered it some more. He thought how in different circumstances he would just ask Thorin why must he carry his equipment, maybe he would even do that angrily. Bilbo missed his anger because it seemed he had lost it after that hug Thorin gave him. That hug somehow protected Thorin from Bilbo's anger. Bilbo wasn't used to that. He valued his own anger, resentment and rant, he thought of it to be his way of handling others, of protecting his own and himself.

But Thorin seemed removed from all that. It seemed that all Bilbo's anger would just evaporate in collision with his blue opal eyes full of sadness, anger, regret, worry and kindness. Maybe it was because it seemed Thorin was burdened enough already, but it would probably be more truthful to say that Bilbo wanted to protect Thorin, to make his emotions less sharp, his worries less deep, to keep him company. But that were just futile dreams he could indulge in his safe chair, maybe he'll do just that when he gets back… if he gets back. Here on the road, always on the lookout, it was dangerous to look wistfully in the distance removing yourself from your surroundings.

"Master Baggins" Thorin spoke up as he could read Bilbo's mind and Bilbo jumped feeling guilty. "To the lookout, I'll accompany you, I'm bothered by those rocks, and maybe you can see something beyond trees if we get you to high branches."

"I'll go" offered Kili quickly.

"No, my sister-son, I need to stretch my legs, you and Fili will go to the west and see the path before us. Maybe you'll find a suitable shelter for the night."

"That's not fair" Fili complained. "That's because of that Troll business. It was bad luck, it wasn't our fault. Bilbo was there too."

Thorin glared at him for a moment.

"But he wasn't the one keeping guard, was he?" Thorin said with menacing voice and Fili dragged his brother up.

"We'll find a good spot" Fili said retreating.

Thorin stared at their back and they hurried forward like they can feel his gaze upon them. Thorin turned and Bilbo jumped up not ready to argue, or speak.

"And you did save the day, with the Trolls" Thorin spoke up when they were out of sight and Bilbo cringed inside from his cold tone remembering his accusing voice when he said that it was Bilbo's fault Trolls caught them.

"Well…" Bilbo couldn't really find a right respond to that so he hurried forward.

He found a right kind of tree that doesn't acquire any assistance and went up feeling relieved for escaping Thorin's closeness. It brought discomfort to Bilbo, mere Thorin's presence presented a problem for him. He hoped that it'll diminish soon, Thorin's effect on him, or it'll be hard to even walk behind him, let alone talk.

"Only deer and squirrels" Bilbo muttered when he got down gesturing to get back but Thorin didn't move. Bilbo swayed on his feet wanting to run but staying put feeling like Thorin would pin him down if he tried to run, like reflex, nothing more.

"Why have you escaped last night?" Thorin asked watching him carefully. "We have only shared place by the fire, and talked. If the wizard saw you run it could be awkward in many ways. Why risk such embarrassment instead of just greeting and getting warm by the fire."

"Well… um…" Bilbo was lost for words swaying his hands and considering running away as fast as he can.

"I mean I understand the inconvenience of being treated like a child, but isn't it more embarrassing to be caught running from any situation. Running away is worse than anything when it comes to shaming" Thorin continued and Bilbo felt like he's been sobered up. Treated like a child? That made him angry again.

"Listen, Thorin" Bilbo advanced at him taking a determinant stand pointing at the ground beneath his feet. "I might be small, but I'm not a child. And there was no way for the wizard to see me, he himself said I could be invisible if I wanted to, remember that? And I just wasn't in the mood of smiling and explaining myself being… cold. We Hobbits aren't used to being treated with such familiarity. Honestly I don't know when did some Hobbit hug me last, we just don't do stuff like that."

"What do you do?" Thorin stroked his beard and Bilbo cursed him inwardly because now he wanted to do just that, to stroke his beard.

"We wave to each other" Bilbo clasped his hands behind his back to discourage them from any silly action. "Usually with our pipes, and there is nodding, and shaking hands if it's a big event. Hugging is silly business, we see no point in indulging in it too often."

Bilbo nodded when he finished feeling satisfied. That was well said and it'll probably keep Thorin at safe distance. But then again Thorin proved him wrong because instead of retreating and returning Thorin stepped forward and suddenly hugged Bilbo with his firm arms. Bilbo stood there feeling awkwardly and sad. Why had he said all those things? Now he can't even hug him back.

"Hugging is mandatory when dwarves are in question" Thorin said not letting him go. "You should have get used to it by now, but I'll respect your boundaries… to some point."

With that he let him go and Bilbo forced his eyes to stay dry and detached. Thorin smiled like he can see through his weak attempt in staying unchanged Hobbit from Shire.

Hugs are welcomed :)