Bilbo was awakened by doctor two weeks after the accident, his family was there with him, so when he opened his eyes in shock to see a hospital bed the boys were there to explain it all to him. He had to be connected to a respirator, his right leg was in plaster, he had three operations because he had internal bleeding. He was in bad condition, but he would recover. Bilbo smiled sadly hearing how Kili reorganized their life, and he just held his hand as Kili told him about resigning from his dream job. Bilbo was worried with Kili's job, so having him at the restaurant to run it was a blessing. Bilbo was never one to complain, but there was a moment he had too much on his head and he had problems admitting to it. He loved the boys and never wanted to worry them, but from a time in his life we had a feeling he needed a change. He always wanted to write a book, his mother would immediately suggest writing a cook book, but Bilbo wanted to write a novel. The stay in hospital was a blessing, he had his laptop with him, Nori or Dori would bring him a tasty lunch every day, and he had lots of time to write. Kili would often come and sit with him and he was the only person Bilbo told about the book. Bilbo saw the change in Kili, and he suspected he knew what was the reason but he was waiting for the boy to speak his mind.
"Bilbo, you're the only person I trust." Kili began one evening when they were finally alone.
"Of course you can trust me, I consider myself more a friend than a father to you." Bilbo admitted. "I was wondering what was bothering you recently. It's about that job isn't it?" And Bilbo saw Kili nod. "Tell me."
"I like being back in the restaurant." Kili told him. "And now I regret taking that job, the restaurant is a place where I feel best. But that job was more challenging and demanding. My boss treated me like a slave, but I didn't mind doing anything he asked me to."
"You feel in love with him?" Bilbo asked gently and he saw tears in the boy's eyes.
"I love him more than anyone else, but he did everything to show me I was unimportant." Kili spoke trying to choke down his tears. "He ignored me, he treated me like dirt, but my heart won't stop feeling pain thinking I'll never be with him again."
"You slept with him?" Bilbo asked holding onto Kili's hand.
"It was crazy, and I loved it, but it always made me feel empty and unwanted. Being with him I felt being used and unloved. When he got a new girlfriend I had to watch them together, I had to buy her presents and do anything he asked me to." Kili confessed.
"My accident came at the right time." Bilbo noticed dully.
"I don't know what to do now, I feel so empty and unhappy I hurt too much for me to bear." Kili told Bilbo fighting with tears.
"I know what you mean." Bilbo slowly told him.
"What do you mean dad?" Kili asked looking at him surprised.
"I know what a broken heart feels like." Bilbo noticed sadly. "And I've never recovered from my unrequited love. I was too young, and he was older and I was invisible to him. I dreamt of him for a long time, but for him I was just a young brat, unworthy of his attention. It hurt me for a long time to want him, and never even have a chance to be with him." Bilbo had tears in his eyes. "It took years to come to terms with it, that he will never be in my life. That's why I took you in, there was something in you that reminded me of him. You have the same wavy hair and same wittiness and intelligence. I loved you from the first day you came to live with me." Bilbo held onto Kili's hand as both of them were crying. "You're going to be fine, we both are. We're a family and we will support each other."
After six weeks at hospital Bilbo was going to be released home, Kili was so happy he immediately got the boys to organize a welcome home party for Bilbo. All their friends and family came so there was quite a guest list and Kili decided to throw the party on Friday just after closing hours. Bombur and Bofur told him they would get the restaurant ready, Nori and Dori were responsible for the decorations, and Bifur sent out messages to all people invited.
Dwalin and Balin after careful consideration decided to take Thorin with them, so when the three of the arrived Kili was really surprised to see his former CEO. But Thorin was nice and he was friendly so Kili just eased a bit and after some time managed to have a emotionless conversation with the man.
Bilbo was surprised when Bifur drove him to the restaurant instead of home, but when he entered and saw the lavish decorations and a huge sign "You're never driving again Bilbo!" he could only laugh. His boys were all there, and his brothers were also there. He loved Balin and Dwalin, he loved and appreciated Bofur, Bifur and Bombur. The saw his old school teacher Gandalf, he saw Elrond and Galadriel and so many other dear friends. Everyone was there for him, and they all were supporting him to come back health. They all helped when Kili needed them, and his family was together and that was true happiness for Bilbo. Then he saw him there, and immediately tears came to his eyes. His brother Bofur thought it was a sign of emotions, but it was different type of emotions. It didn't matter anymore, Bilbo realized, his fascination with this person didn't matter anymore. He had his family with him, no unrequited love from the past could ruin anything in his life. He could still remember when he saw him for the first time, he was barely twelve and Balin was already twenty. Thorin was a friend from college and he came to visit them several times. Bilbo saw him last time at the age of sixteen, his hormones going wild and his heart beating crazily at the sight of this person. It's been twenty years, so he wasn't a hormone driven crazy teenager anymore. When Balin introduced them Bilbo saw clearly Thorin had no memory of him, but Bilbo decided not to dwell on it. He greeted him politely and stumbled in the direction of Kili and Frodo.
Thorin felt a stab of pain seeing the only person he ever lusted for. The little brother of his best friends, but he had to refrain his feelings, lusting for a fourteen year old was not normal by any standard. Now he wasn't a young teenager anymore, he was much older, but no less cuter. Those blond locks were still framing his face, this blue eyes were still as blue as ever. He didn't grow much from the last time he saw him. But what changed was the mature way those eyes were looking at him, and instead of trailing around like a puppy, Bilbo just went the other way to join his two sons. Thorin felt ignored, but the chance his strongest unrequited attraction would remember him was unlikely. Thorin thought he got the silent treatment just like Fili was giving Kili, and he felt a stab of compassion for the boy.