For once, breakfast wasn't prepared. Everyone just came in, got food, then left. Bilbo set the rule that whatever dish they dirtied, they had to clean it afterwards. Surprisingly, everyone decided to adhere to that rule, which made Bilbo a very happy little man

Thorin tried to keep his distance from Bilbo. Every time he came in the room he could feel his presence. What had him so bothered, he would never know. Once, he saw the man walk around with a glass in hand—dark red liquid that he occasionally sipped on. He noticed his nephews catch on to what he had, feeling the pit of his stomach begin to ache.

But nothing motivated him to stop their plotting. He was too lost in his mind. He was anxious, but he didn't know why. He ruled out that he was just becoming ill, even if he was with this lot.

It was almost noon when the doorbell rang. Bilbo jumped up, swiftly shuffling through the men moving around the small room. Thorin stared as Gandalf came in. He glared at him, wishing for him to catch on fire.

He stepped in, carrying something large, but whatever it was, it was obscured by his large coat. "Gandalf, why have you brought a guitar?" Thorin shot straight up in his seat. Did he really bring his-?

"This belongs to Thorin," he said with a glance in his direction. "Oh," the short man also turned to look at Thorin, his eyes displaying a hint of shock.

Thorin could only stare at Bilbo and nod, possibly making the most idiotic face he could muster. Everything he did in front of Bilbo angered him to no end. He wasn't meant to ever act like this, he was in charge of twelve men, most over his age, and therefore he should not act like he has a crush on their host.

While Bilbo was distracted by Gandalf, Fili and Kili whispered harshly to Bofur. Bilbo turned in time to see Bofur rush into his kitchen, but thought nothing of it as Bofur was one of the more respectable people among the group.

He guided the old man inside, taking his coat to hang in the nearby closet. Gandalf leaned the instrument against the couch Thorin was paralyzed in and gave him a wink. Thorin gripped the arm of the chair, trying not to let his anger take over and beat the man senseless with his guitar.

"I guess I didn't exactly explain why I brought that over." Bilbo gave him his full attention, toes curling into the carpet. "You have some very strange neighbors. I found one of them 'taking samples' from your guitar there. I can only assume that was his excuse for trying to steal it." Thorin nodded, not really appreciating his gesture, nor wanting to think of neighbors at this point.

Bofur came out from the kitchen empty handed, making Thorin more than a little nervous as he sat back down with his nephews. 'I have an awful feeling we're going to be kicked out by the end of the day.'

"Did you not have the house locked up!?" Bilbo's outburst turned Thorin's head around again. "Of course I did! The damn bloke somehow made it through a window!" Thorin watched the flabbergasted expressions cross Bilbo's face as he tried to think of a response. It was quite hard to keep from laughing at the small man's fuming. "Did you call the cops on him? You should do something about that!" Gandalf smiled down at him, "I don't think that will be necessary when he catches sight of these men."

'Which may be sooner than expected,' Thorin thought as he turned to find Bofur and his nephews gone. Dread washed over him. Everyone else spoke in hushed tones, which only strengthened the idea that something bad would come soon.

"Anyway, I need to take a seat. I had to walk over here." Bilbo scrambled to usher him into the dining room to, no doubt, make him tea. Thorin took this chance to put his guitar under the bed in his room so no one would find it and break it. Before he set it down, he looked over it. It had been a while since he'd been able to relax and play anything. But then again, his life was so chaotic, why would he even bother with a hobby.

He immerged from the room looking a bit more sour than usual. Ori was the one to greet him as soon as the door shut behind him. He looked very worried. However normal it was to see Ori flustered, at this point, it was just another bad omen. "Uh, Fili and Kili…they, uh…" A door swung open. "I'm done with you lot!" The front door shut, rattling the house's walls. Definitely not good.

Then came the frantic cries from Bilbo. The sound of eleven large men crammed into one small space with a short man sounded throughout the house. Suddenly, two people squeezed their way out. It was Nori, who seemed rather upset, and Bilbo, who looked as if he'd been yelling over eleven large men.

Ori went to his brother's side, trying to calm him down. Bilbo messed with his hair, tugging on it, obviously trying to deter an oncoming headache. 'As soon as the party calms down, there's no way he won't throw us out.'

"Could you please do something about this!?" Bilbo's wide, angry blue eyes glared at Thorin. Panic washed over him, and he felt his heart sink to his stomach. He managed to ask, with more edge to his voice than intended, "What have they done…?"

"You're bloody nephews have broken into my wine cooler! Everyone is helping themselves in there, and I don't quite appreciate it!" Thorin knew that if they had all been in on this, there was no way he could stop them. If they all had the courage to defy him, then why would they listen to him, especially if they were piss drunk.

Thorin shook his head. "No, I don't think I could. Coming between those men and liquor is a horrible idea…" Bilbo huffed. "I'll say. One of them almost knocked my head around until my chin met my back!" Taking a closer look, Thorin noticed the right side of his face was beginning to form a large bruise. It made him angry to think that anyone would do this to him, especially with how much he has already put up with.

He growled out, "Our best option would be to wait until they're all passed out. And I recommend locking the doors." Bilbo nodded. Nori and Ori walked down the hall to their room, Nori raving about how much of a hypocrite Dori was, and other such ramblings. As soon as the door locked, Thorin laid his eyes back on Bilbo, who brushed past him, entering his own room and locking it.

"Right…" he made his way to his room. He only just noticed how large the room was without Balin, Dwalin, Fili, or Kili in it with him. Also, how very plain it was. He realized he shouldn't have been the least bit hurt by Bilbo's action, but since he couldn't do anything to resolve the matter, he felt quite useless to him.

He pulled his guitar out from under the bed and strummed the strings. It was surprisingly in tune. Fili and Kili normally would have messed it up just to piss him off. He was thankful as he began to play the few short songs he could remember to play. The sound of each string resonated through the room, and somehow helped to calm him.

'It's been a while since I've had time for myself. Maybe this is a good thing…'

Bilbo pulled out his chair, sitting at his desk. He pulled out a piece of paper and began to write furiously. He barely knew what he was writing. Whatever thought came to his head, he wrote it down and explained it in every detail he could. His pen tapped against the wooden desk as he racked his brain for more to write.

He took the paper and crumpled it up. 'Why do I even bother writing?' He threw it in the nearby trash can and stomped around his room. 'These people are just taking advantage of me, aren't they?' Why do I bother caring for others!? I'm only ever used until I'm no longer needed! This is why I've holed myself away! How ridiculously untrustworthy others are!'

He sat down on his bed, head in his hands. He rubbed at his temples trying to settle himself. 'Thorin hadn't even tried to get those rowdy men to stop! Does he not care either?' His eyes shut tightly, trying not to let that last thought bother him. He suddenly felt very achy and he leaned back onto his bed.

The soft hum of music could be heard through the wall opposite his bed. He sat up, straining his ears to listen to it. He couldn't quite place any of the songs, and they all sounded rather sad. Every half a minute, the song switched to something else. 'Thorin must be playing.'

He rubbed his right cheek as he felt his anger dissipate. Not even the crashes coming from the other end of the house broke his attention to the soft music. He felt the urge to get up and join Thorin in his room. Bilbo remembered he had been angry at him moments ago, but he couldn't remember the reason.

Bilbo stood up and paced his room once more. He turned out the light that sat beside his door. He wished to see him, but reasoned that it would not be a good choice. The music eventually became distorted. A few more plucks of the strings, trying to get the correct sound. Then, it ended.

Bilbo's hand lingered on the doorknob. 'I don't even know the man. Why would I want to see him so badly?'

He lay back down on his bed, his face void of all expression. He imagined the melodies he had just been listening to. They threatened to put him to sleep.

The guitar was slid back under the bed. Thorin sat upright as he listened to his friends yelling from around the small house. 'We've definitely overstayed our welcome.'

A soft knocking came from the door. 'It's just one of those idiots wishing to come in. They deserve to sleep on the lawn.'

"Thorin…" his name was softly called. 'Maybe it's just Ori…'

But when he unlocked and opened the door, he was not unpleasantly surprised to see Bilbo. His head was downturned and he would not look into his eyes. "May I come in?" Thorin stepped out of the way to let him in. He looked around at the blankets littering the floor. Thorin became self-conscious about the messiness of the room.

"Is it alright if I sleep here tonight?" The question left Thorin completely baffled, but he nodded. He lay down in Dwalin's bundle and stared at the wall across from him. Thorin felt extremely uncomfortable, but then Bilbo noticed his staring, making his predicament worse. He sat down in his blankets, eyes on his guitar.

"I heard you playing." Thorin gave no reaction. "It was nice."

Thorin gave in, needing to see Bilbo's face. When he looked at him, their eyes instantly met. A weary smile spread across Bilbo's face as his curls fell over his cheeks and eyes, such a radiant blue protruding from messy auburn hair.

Thorin unconsciously smiled back. He reached for his guitar, settling it in his lap. He began to play once more.

Bilbo's breathing evenly slowed down. His breaths came out in short sighs. Thorin put the instrument back, standing to turn out the light. Moonlight from the window crossed Bilbo's face, making every little detail perfectly viewable to Thorin. He stared and stared until he fell asleep.

"Good night, Bilbo."

-

"Good night, Thorin."