The Miracle of Love
Chapter 25
Kíli's day couldn't start any better. His mother had appointed him the most enjoyable task this morning: waking Thorin and Bilbo up for breakfast. And Kíli was never going to let such an opportunity pass. After all, annoying his brother in the morning was his favorite thing to do. Making Bilbo embarrassed was just a bonus.
He guessed that Bilbo slept in Thorin's bed, again, and he was right. When he entered the room, he saw the most loving thing he ever saw his brother do. Bilbo was lying on his side, his pregnancy pillow supporting his belly, while Thorin was lying behind him, one arm over him, as if trying to prevent Bilbo from going anywhere, creating a bigger spoon. They looked so peaceful, and his brother looked like a decent guy for a change. But no matter how beautiful the sight was, Kíli still had a job to do. He needed to wake them up.
"Rise and shine, sleepyhead," he whispered in Bilbo's ear, making him jump with surprise and accidentally hit Thorin. "Good morning."
Thorin winced in pain before he rolled on his back and rubbed his eyes. "What are you doing in my room, Kíli," he growled, voice thick with sleep.
"Mum told me to wake you. We're having breakfast together," Kíli explained simply.
"Mum of all people knows that I don't eat breakfast."
Kíli sighed. "Dad's here." Thorin muttered something under his breath that apparently only Kíli understood. Bilbo was far too tired to even care. "I thought that would change your mind. Come on, it's not that bad. You only have to suffer him over breakfast." He gently shook Bilbo, so that the younger teen would wake up. "You too, Bilbo. Mum said everyone. Breakfast is in fifteen," added Kíli before he left.
Bilbo rolled to the other side so that he could look at Thorin. He shook him gently. "Come on, we have to get up."
"Well, I don't want to," protested Thorin. "I'm really not in the mood to start fighting with him so early in the morning."
"Then don't fight with him. I'll be there and if he gets too annoying, you can always talk to me." Bilbo squeezed Thorin's hand reassuringly before he got out of the bed.
:::
As always when Thráin was in the house, everyone decided it was best to stay quiet. That way the chances were greater that the meal would pass without any arguments. But Thráin didn't spend much time with his family, so when he was finally at home, he was adamant to know everything that happened. And nothing escaped him. Not even the fact that his son was sitting next to Bilbo. He knew something was going on between them.
"So, who will tell me what I missed while I was away?"
"Nothing happened, dad," said Fíli.
"Nothing out of the ordinary," added Kíli.
Thráin didn't care about that. He ignored their answers completely. His interest lay in something else.
Thorin knew his father would try to push his buttons. He knew that too well. And he was determined to not give his father the satisfaction of irritating him. Not this time. This time he had Bilbo next to him. He would never believe it was possible, but Bilbo's presence calmed him down. And Bilbo squeezing his hand reassuringly when he felt his father's eyes on him, reminded him that there no point in arguing with his father, because lately he wasn't really himself.
"So Thorin," Thráin started, and Thorin's hold on Bilbo's hand tightened. It was still far from painful, but Bilbo knew Thorin wasn't enjoying this. "How are you doing?"
Thorin looked up from his plate. "Great, Father. I'm doing great as always." He even managed to force a smile on his lips.
Thráin clearly wasn't happy with the answer. "So this," he eyed both him and Bilbo, "Is what has happened to you."
Thorin pulled Bilbo's hand on the table and intertwined their fingers so that everyone could see. "Is that a problem?" he asked and Bilbo bowed his head. He had no idea what game was Thorin playing, but he didn't want everyone to notice that he blushed.
"No, son. Absolutely not! Why would it be a problem?"
"I don't know. You wanted to know, and now you do."
"I'm just as surprised as everyone here, I assume," Thráin said defensively. "I didn't know you two were even on speaking terms. The way you treated him, I'm surprised he is even talking to you."
"What happened between Bilbo and I is none of your business," growled Thorin.
"It is my business, boy! You are forgetting that I'm the one paying for this whole charade-"
"Then stop!" interrupted Thorin.
"Don't test my patience, boy! It's already running thin." He looked at everyone at the table. "This whole family is suffering because of your actions! Because you are foolish and you never use your head. You only see what you want, not how you are going to get it. Everything you have, I gave you! My money is paying for all the damage you caused. Not even once did you put your effort into achieving something. You were born with a silver spoon, but you are forgetting that I can take it away from you whenever I want." Thráin took a deep breath to steady his racing heartbeat. "I will be the one suffering the consequences of your actions for the rest of my life, not you. The least you can do is show me respect."
Thorin remained silent for a moment, as did everyone else, before he pushed away from the table stood up and left. Bilbo, unsure what to do, stayed with the family and allowed Thorin some space.
:::
A light knock on his door made Bilbo look up from his books, and the next moment Thorin stepped into his room. "Are you avoiding me too?" he asked and Bilbo shook his head before he pushed the books away and made some space on the bed for Thorin to join him. He didn't have to invite him. Thorin easily found himself on the bed, his head resting in Bilbo's lap.
He took a deep breath and relaxed. He needed some time to think things through. Bilbo, by now, knew him enough to know that when ready, Thorin would tell him everything, and until then he would keep him comfortable and relaxed. Running his fingers through Thorin's hair only made things faster, because a few minutes later Thorin sighed. It wasn't a bad sigh, it was a sigh that meant that Thorin was ready to talk.
"About what happened this morning-"
"It's okay, Thorin, you don't need to explain anything to me," Bilbo interrupted.
"I want to… What my father said, no matter the way he said it, it is true. I hurt you, and yet you still talk to me, allow me to kiss you, allow me to be in your life. How can you do this?"
Bilbo ignored Thorin's question and continued to run is fingers through Thorin's hair. "Can I ask you a question?"
Thorin only nodded in response. He was enjoying Bilbo's ministrations far too much to open his eyes.
"Do you promise to tell me the truth?" Thorin nodded again.
"That night when we slept together," started Bilbo slowly, still gathering his courage, "Why did you pick me? I've seen you with girls, and I know that you slept with many of them, but that night you picked me. Why?"
Thorin let out a breath before he looked Bilbo in the eye. "I only slept with girls because it was easier for me. They don't complicate that much about one-night-stands. With guys, it's always harder, because they are shy and it's a miracle if you find someone who isn't, you know, looking for something serious. As you might have guessed, I'm not really good at this whole relationship thing."
Bilbo couldn't help but laugh. "I've noticed." Thorin took his hand and kissed his knuckles. "How did you know I liked you?"
"I didn't know you liked me," corrected Thorin. "But I did know that you liked guys."
"How?"
"Bofur," Thorin explained simply. "He didn't stop talking about you, so I knew there was something about you. And then there was the staring," Thorin teased.
"I didn't stare!" protested Bilbo.
"Fine, you were resting your eyes. Does that sound better?" Bilbo nodded in response. "And then when I approached you, you seemed like a nice, willing person-"
"That's enough, thank you." Bilbo hesitated for a moment before he asked the next question. "What about what you told your father?"
"What about it?" questioned Thorin and looked at Bilbo, who was biting his lower lip. "About what I said about us?" Bilbo continued to stare at Thorin, hoping that he would get his answer soon. "You still didn't answer my question. Why are you so nice to me after everything I've done to you?"
"Explaining why you love someone, it's like trying to describe how water tastes like," Bilbo answered quietly, hoping that his confession wouldn't scare Thorin away.
He didn't scare Thorin away. The older teen smiled before he spoke. "I want what I told my father to be the truth. But only if you'll have me."
Bilbo lost his ability to speak, his heart was racing, and he couldn't believe his ears. Did Thorin just ask him to be together? "You-you mean like a couple?" stammered Bilbo and Thorin could help but to laugh at Bilbo's loss of words.
"What I'm asking you, Bilbo Baggins," started Thorin as he sat up so that he could look Bilbo in the eye, "Is if you would accept me as your boyfriend." In that moment of silence, even breathing sounded loud.
"Yes," almost cried Bilbo and threw himself into Thorin's embrace. "A million times, yes!"
"You aren't going to cry, are you?" asked Thorin when he heard Bilbo sniffle.
"No," answered Bilbo, tears streaming down his cheeks. He wiped most of them on his sleeve before he smiled at Thorin. "I'm so happy right now!"
"Then stop crying," said Thorin and cupped his cheek.
"I can't. The hormones," Bilbo complained and allowed Thorin to pull him in his lap. He wrapped his arms around Thorin's neck and snuggled into his chest. "Happy."
"What?" asked Thorin.
"Right now, I'm happy," Bilbo clarified.
Thorin smiled at him before pressing his lips to Bilbo's. He never thought that kissing him would come so easily. The way thing started between them… Thorin could only hope that it would only get better. It was hard to admit it, but Ori was right. He needed Bilbo by his side. No matter how much it hurt he wouldn't exchange those kisses for anything in this world. And apparently neither would Bilbo. The younger teen had become quite skilled in kissing, and Thorin would proudly take all the credit for that. Bilbo was no longer shy when it came to kissing when they were alone and he was sure no one would disturb them.
After few light kisses Bilbo wanted more. He moved so that he could straddle Thorin's thighs before he kissed him again, more passionately this time. All Thorin could do was let out a moan as Bilbo pushed him back into the headboard and continued to kiss him. His hands exploring what they could reach, while he went lower. Firstly kissing Thorin's jaw, then proceeding to his neck where he sucked a light bruise, making sure that Thorin wouldn't accidentally forgot that he now belonged to him. Belonged to him. Just thinking about that sent shivers down Bilbo's spine and he couldn't help but press closer to Thorin, and rolling his hips, feeling friction where it felt good. Very good.
He broke the kiss only to look at Thorin's eyes. His pupils were dilated and he was breathing heavily. Thorin smirked before he put one hand on the back of Bilbo's head and pulled him in a searing kiss. He could feel Bilbo's clever fingers pulling at his shirt and it didn't take long before it was free from his pants and Bilbo could finally reach under his shirt. Blunt nails felt amazing on his skin and he could only hope that Bilbo wouldn't notice what effect it had on him. But Bilbo did notice, and knowing that Thorin was enjoying this as much as he was he grew even bolder.
Thorin's belt was easily undone and Bilbo couldn't help but smile into the kiss. He thought this would be harder to do. He could feel Thorin's hands on his back, going lower until he felt them gently squeeze his butt. He reached for the zipper of Thorin's pants and that was when Thorin caught his hand.
"Bilbo, no…"
Bilbo pouted because Thorin broke the kiss, but more than that, he pouted because Thorin refused to go further. His pout quickly changed into disappointment because Thorin rejected him. He didn't want to do more than this, Bilbo thought as he moved off of Thorin and sat back on the bed.
"Hey, hey…" said Thorin and cupped his cheek before placing a kiss on Bilbo's lips. By the look on the younger teen's face he was sure that Bilbo would refuse to return the kiss, but surprisingly Bilbo kissed him back. "You look cute when you're pouting," he teased.
"Ugh…" Bilbo shoved at Thorin playfully before reaching for his book. Fun time was apparently over before it even began.
Thorin knew he had to say something. "It's not that I don't want it," he started, "I think it's more than obvious that I do." Bilbo couldn't help himself but to glance at Thorin's obvious arousal. The realization that he managed to cause that made him blush, but deep down he felt proud about it. "But look, I don't want to rush into things. The last thing I want right now is for you to regret something we've done. If you're still up for it, we will do it when it feels right, when we know each other better."
"We have been getting to know each other for long enough," Bilbo tried to argue, only to be interrupted by Thorin.
"I know. But you are still trying to rush into things because you are afraid I'll change my mind later. I can assure you that I won't. This will be our first time together since we are… you know, together and…"
"So you'll be my first for the second time. Never thought that was possible," muttered Bilbo under his breath, interrupting Thorin's train of thought.
"… Your first?" questioned Thorin, when he finally caught the meaning of Bilbo's words.
Bilbo sent him a look.
"Shit!" Thorin cursed loudly. "Shit, shit, shit,… Why didn't you say anything?!"
"Like it would make any difference!"
Thorin just stared at him in complete shock.
"Don't stare at me like that! You knew-"
"It's impossible to know! Shit, Bilbo! You could have been seriously hurt…"
"Yes, well, it hurt," commented Bilbo dryly.
"Why didn't you say anything?"
"I was a little busy trying to keep up with you, since you were in a such a hurry. I didn't really have time to explain that if we slept together, there was a chance I might end up pregnant if you didn't put a condom on…"
"Don't start," warned Thorin, knowing that the last time they had a conversation about this it didn't end well.
"… And oh, that I have never slept with anyone," continued Bilbo, not allowing Thorin to interrupt him.
Thorin rubbed his face in his hands and let out a sigh. The relationship with Bilbo started in the worst way possible. "I'm sorry… I never even thought about…"
"It's alright," interrupted Bilbo. "I'm over it."
"No, please, just…"
"Please let this go," said Bilbo quietly. "I'm sorry I even brought this up. We didn't really start on a very good note. Can we please forget about it and move on?"
Thorin had no other choice but to nod in agreement, before Bilbo placed a light kiss on his lips.
"So we are good?"
"We are good," assured him Bilbo before snuggling close to him.
:::
"Sooooo… How long has this been going on?" asked Kíli with a teasing smile on his lips.
"Leave us alone," growled Thorin at his younger brother while he was driving. They were going to Dwalin's house since he was the only one willing to host a party. Valla and Thráin were still in the house so having a party at Durin's mansion was not an option. Luckily Dwalin was willing to help.
"We both saw you two kiss," continued Kíli.
"Wouldn't be the first time…"
"This was different," argued Kíli. "Bilbo," he whined, hoping to get an answer from him. Bilbo looked back and smiled, giving Kíli the answer he needed. "I'm so happy for you two!"
"I can't believe you got Thorin to agree to this," commented Fíli. "I give you points for that. I thought Thorin would be alone forever."
"Now that you know you can finally leave us alone."
Once they arrived Thorin parked his car in the garage. Something he always did because the last thing he wanted was his car destroyed by some drunk teenagers.
"Fíli," called Thorin, "Watch Kíli. I really don't want him to throw up in my car because he drank too much."
Fíli nodded before following his brother in the house. He glanced back at Thorin and Bilbo, who kissed lightly before they followed him into the house.
Thorin offered Bilbo his hand and he accepted it without thinking. It was a nice feeling, knowing that his boyfriend was willing to hold his hand. Boyfriend, thought Bilbo. He would never have thought that he would call Thorin his boyfriend. Yet here he was, at a party holding his hand…while everyone stared at them. The music was loud so Bilbo couldn't tell what they were saying, but it was more than clear that they were talking about them.
"Um… Thorin… They are staring."
"Let them stare," whispered Thorin in his ear as he continued to lead him through the house. Bilbo couldn't help but feel a little uneasy with all these people staring at him. Well, at him and Thorin. But since the latter chose to ignore them, Bilbo decided to do the same.
"Thorin," called Dwalin and immediately approached his friend. "I thought you weren't coming." He didn't miss how his best friend was holding Bilbo's hand.
"Something came up, that's why it took so long."
"Right…" Dwalin still didn't tear his eyes away from Bilbo. "You can crash here if you like," he offered.
"No thanks. We'll be going back home."
"Suit yourself."
"What do I have to do here to get something to drink," he asked.
Dwalin smiled. "Follow me. Oh, and Bilbo, if you are looking for Ori, he is somewhere there," he motioned to the group in the living room before he got Thorin something to drink.
It didn't take long before Ori decided to join them. "Bilbo! I'm so happy that you are here! And you are here with Thorin! How cute is that," asked Ori and tried to press a kiss to Dwalin's lips.
"Okay, that's enough for you tonight," he said and took the plastic cup from his boyfriend. Ori was already tipsy and it wouldn't take much more for him to pass out completely.
"Give it back!" Ori protested and reached for his drink.
"You'll thank me later."
Ori smirked before he pressed his body close to Dwalin's. "Really? And when is going to be later," he asked as he started toying with Dwalin's collar. "Are we going to do naughty stuff in your bed?" he asked, giggling.
Thorin had to look away. This whole thing was awkward.
"Not if you don't stop drinking."
Ori smiled wider. "He's charming, isn't he?" he asked before he pulled Dwalin away from the pair.
"Awkward," muttered Thorin.
"I've never seen Ori like that."
"Me neither," said Thorin before he place his cup on the table and wrapped his arms around Bilbo's waist and pulled him close. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing," lied Bilbo as he allowed Thorin to pull him close. He was a little worried how Thorin would behave around him in public, but so far he had absolutely nothing to complain about.
"You are constantly looking around. Just tell me what's wrong," insisted Thorin.
Bilbo looked up only to see Thorin watching him, waiting for him to give him an answer. "Everyone is staring," he admitted quietly.
Thorin leaned down before he place a kiss on his lips. "That's what you are so worried about? Because they stare? Let them stare, if they have nothing better to do with their life."
"They are staring because we came together," pointed out Bilbo.
"Would you rather that we pretend that we don't know each other?"
"No," quickly answered Bilbo.
Thorin, satisfied with the answer, smiled. "Good. Now stop thinking about it and kiss me. At least they'll have something to talk about."
Bilbo wrapped his arms around Thorin's neck, as the older teen leaned down to kiss him. Bilbo could feel that everyone was looking at them now, but he did his best not to think about it as Thorin deepened the kiss. Bilbo immediately opened his mouth, granting Thorin access. He got on his toes as he felt Thorin's hand on the small of his back, and returned the kiss with the same eagerness, tasting the beer that Thorin was drinking not a few minutes ago. Once they pulled apart Bilbo blushed as red as a tomato when he met a few pairs of eyes that continued to look at them. He let out a groan before he buried his face in Thorin's chest. The older teen couldn't help but to laugh.
:::
Being with Thorin, or better said being with Thorin at a party was a very nice experience for Bilbo. Apparently everyone knew Thorin. If they were his friends, Bilbo did not know, but they still came to talk to him and they were all very nice to him. He met a lot of new people and so far he was enjoying the party. No one asked about the relationship they were now in, and Bilbo was actually really glad they didn't.
"Would you like something to drink," asked Thorin while they were having a conversation with one of his old acquaintances.
"You don't have a drink. Here take mine," one of Thorin's friends offered.
Bilbo panicked for a second. "No thank you."
"It's just beer, nothing else, I swear."
Bilbo was now panicking inside. He had to find a good excuse and he had to find it fast.
"He can't," answered Thorin, and Bilbo watched as the guy offering him drink looked at him with surprise. "He was sick a couple of weeks ago, so he is still on antibiotics."
Fairly decent lie, Bilbo thought.
"That must suck for you right now." The guy looked like he really felt sorry for Bilbo because he couldn't drink. "I know how you feel. I was taking them once as well, and there was a party and I couldn't go… Man, my life sucked."
Luckily it didn't take long before Bilbo and Thorin were alone again. Until Bilbo saw someone enter the room. "Thorin… I have to…"
Thorin followed Bilbo's gaze and found Bofur standing in the middle of the living room. "It's okay. I'll go find Dwalin in the meantime and check how Ori is doing. Find me when you're done, okay?"
"Okay," promised Bilbo before placing a kiss on Thorin's cheek and walking toward Bofur who was apparently waiting for him.
"Hi," he greeted rather awkwardly.
"Hi."
"So, um, how have you been," asked Bilbo, trying to make small talk and completely failing at it.
"Good…"
Bilbo didn't know what else to ask and this was quickly becoming awkward. "How are your brothers?"
"Great…"
"All you going to be like this all night?" Bilbo finally snapped.
"Like what?!"
"Oh I don't know. Being all like 'I don't care about anything in the world'!"
"What I like to do is my business and I don't see how that would concern you."
"You're my friend!" pointed out Bilbo, louder than he meant to.
"Am I? Am I really your friend?"
"What's that supposed to mean? Of course you are!"
"Sure I am!" Bofur yelled and now more than a few pairs of eyes were on them. "That's why I learned that you are dating him from a person I don't know, who sent me a picture of him and his tongue down your throat!"
"I was planning to tell you! We just started going out and I haven't had a chance to tell anyone. You would be the first person to know."
"Right," spat Bofur. "I'll be the first to know after everyone else who saw you two exchange tender kisses in public!"
"You are acting like a child," accused Bilbo. "I don't know you anymore! You knew how I felt about Thorin and now you are making such a big deal out of it."
"I'm not making a big deal about it," argued Bofur. "I'm trying to protect you! You can't think clearly when he's around you. You're stupid and you listen to everything he says to you. He's not perfect."
Bilbo had had enough. "I don't know why I felt the need to explain anything to you!" He tried to pass Bofur, but he caught his arm and held him back.
"Did he even tell you why he slept with you?"
Bilbo pulled his arm out of Bofur's grip. "Of course he did! We can actually talk with each other. Since with you all I've been doing lately is argue."
"Right, but the part about the bet he left out?" The expression on Bilbo's face gave him an answer.
"What bet?"
"Oh, he didn't tell you about how he made a bet with me that he would get you to sleep with him before I got the chance to ask you out?" Bilbo could feel tears filling his eyes. "He left that part out… How Thorin of him, wouldn't you say?"
Bilbo couldn't hold back anymore and he let the tears fall freely. "You are lying," he said just above whisper.
"Wake up Bilbo! He is not prince charming! He is the worst that could happen to anyone. He is the ten plagues of Egypt and that's me being nice to him. I said the worst that could happen, right. You being pregnant is the testament to that!"
Suddenly the music wasn't so loud anymore and not just a few people, but everyone was staring at them. Bilbo never felt more humiliated in his life.
He's pregnant, he heard them whisper. He got knocked up. That poor thing thought that Thorin was actually dating him. Poor stupid thing. I would feel bad for him if this wasn't the best prank ever. That loser slept with Thorin…
And they didn't stop. Soon Bilbo was lost in the whispering about him. Bofur was right. He was stupid. Stupid enough to believe Thorin, to think that Thorin cared for him. Now everyone knew and he would be the laughing stock of the entire school.
"Bilbo?" Thorin questioned when he appeared in the room, Dwalin right next to him. They knew something was wrong the moment everything went silent. Thorin immediately knew something was wrong when he saw Bilbo crying. "Bilbo?" he called but the younger teen pushed his way through the crowd and out of the house before Thorin was able to catch him. "What did you say to him?!" he demanded from Bofur.
"Just the truth."
"I'm going to kill you when I get back!" he said before he ran after Bilbo. He saw him in front of the house running toward parked cars. "Bilbo wait! Please wait!" He was too late, and before he was able to catch him, Bilbo got in the car and the car drove away, leaving Thorin alone on the street while most of the people at the party had their phones out, filming everything that was happening.
Thorin was sure of one thing. He was going to kill Bofur, if it is the last thing he'll ever do.
Author's notes:
A big 'thank you' to Chamelaucium, who helped me with this chapter.
I'm sorry I didn't answer your comments for the previous chapter, but I didn't want to spoil anything. You have to admit that you suspected something like this will happen.
Feedback is always welcome.