The smell of fresh, wet pine felt refreshing in Dwalin's lungs.

He laid on his back, an arm behind his head, and the soft mattress warm beneath him as the quilt above. His second arm pinned down by Bilbo's torso.

Bilbo lay half on top of Dwalin, on his stomach. His arm splayed over Dwalin's chest and his head used Dwalin's broad shoulder as a pillow.

Dwalin stared at the ceiling above him, counting the rafters. He stroked Bilbo's back lazily through the cotton shirt he wore.

Bilbo moaned in the back of his throat, snuggling closer to him. He kissed Dwalin's collarbone.

"Are you awake?" Bilbo asked.

"Yes. Don't want to get up, though. These beds are sinfully comfortable."

Bilbo peppered more kisses on Dwalin's chest.

"We don't have to get up."

"For now, no," Dwalin agreed. "But I think, sooner than either of us is going to like, Balin or some other nuisance will be coming to find us and drag our asses out of bed."

"Not if their beds are as sinfully comfortable as ours," Bilbo pointed out, kissing a white scar on Dwalin's ribs. "And if not, I would like to take advantage of—"

"Breakfast is ready!" Beorn boomed, banging on the doors.

"For the love of Mahal," Dwalin growled.

Bilbo groaned, crawling back to the pillows.

"Do we have to get up?"

"Dwalin! Bilbo! We're having poached fish and eggs!" Balin shouted. "Are you two up yet?"

"Looks like it," Dwalin sat up, stretching.

Bilbo flopped on to the bed, wrapping the blankets over him until he was a lumpy ball. "I'm not getting up," he stated. "You'll have to drag me out of bed."

Dwalin smirked, pulling on his breeches. He reached for his jerkin.

"I'm quite content to stay here all day," Bilbo announced.

"Are you, now?"

"Yes." Dwalin pulled the quilt over Bilbo, who squeaked. He tried to steal the quilt back and hide under it again. Dwalin wrapped an arm around Bilbo's waist, lifting him off the bed. "Put me down!" Bilbo demanded. "Dwalin, put me down now!"

"Not until you agree to get ready," Dwalin promised. "And come eat."

Bilbo glowered. "Fine, I'll get ready and have breakfast."

"Good."

"But after which, I'm returning to this bed…until lunch at least."

"Might as well get up then," Dwalin suggested.

"I don't see why," Bilbo stated, staring out the window. "It's dreadful outside! I've not seen rain like this since we climbed the mountain."

"It's not that bad."

"No, it's not, but I'd rather sleep in a warm bed when the weather is this unfavorable."

Bilbo pulled out of Dwalin's arms to dress.

"In Hobbiton, rarely anyone went out in weather like this unless they had to. And never without a cloak! I loathe thinking how I'd fare without one!"

"Probably worse than you already do."

"I had not expected it t be as rough as it is, honestly. I've never been on an adventure before now."

"Clearly," Dwalin laughed.

"I'm sorry," Bilbo huffed indignantly, "but Hobbits aren't accustomed to travelling so far. Erebor may be the farthest a Hobbit's ever gone in his or her life and we've not gotten there yet!"

"You didn't have to come."

"No. I didn't. But I think I would have anyway. And to think how that would have gone! Who knows what I'd forget in the race to catch up!"

Dwalin shrugged and opened the door, pushing Bilbo out while he tried to fix his near-button-less vest. He eventually gave up and let it hang open, fixing his coat over it.

"Bilbo, I'd also like to start teaching basics of combat to you so you can work around that letter opener of yours better."

Bilbo hummed. "I think that'd be wise. I might not get so lucky again."

The others were already gathered around the table, eating eggs and fish, and drinking Dori's tea.

"Good morning, brothers," Balin greeted, smirking at them, "Late night?"

"Shut it," Dwalin snapped, sitting beside him.

Bilbo sat between Dwalin and Kili, selecting a smallish, smoked haddock and an egg to begin with. He noted the muffins and grabbed the bread basket, taking one and passing it to Dwalin.

Dwalin thought on teaching Bilbo how to properly use a sword. Oh, he knew where to begin and how to go about teaching him. He trained many Dwarrows entering the army in warfare. He simply didn't know when to begin training his Hobbit.

Ideally, they'd practice outside where the room was best and the terrain ideal. They wouldn't be fighting indoors, after all, not on the road. However, he didn't want the first lesson to be out in the rain. That would be unpleasant.

Dwalin chewed his food contemplatively.

"A copper for your thoughts?" Balin asked.

Dwalin shrugged.

"Nothing of import."

Teaching Bilbo to use his dagger was actually rather important. He simply didn't want Balin interfering.

Bilbo cleaned his mouth of crumbs with a napkin, more awake than before and smiling, telling Kili a tale of his own youth. Something about pulling a fast one on his cousin Otho or Otto or some other name beginning and ending with an O.

Kili clutched his middle and slumped in his chair, laughing a little too much.

Bilbo giggled as he recalled Otto limping home and rubbing his backside. "Couldn't walk straight for days," Bilbo finished. "The hiding I got from my dad for it was worth it, honestly."

"Oh that's nothing! One time, Fili—"

Dwalin tuned Kili out. He could name a number of humiliating and funny stories involving both brothers. It wasn't anything new.

"You're relationship with Bilbo seems improved," Balin said, attempting to start another conversation.

"It is."

"Well, that's good. Just don't get too sappy, brother. I may be old, but I'm not that old to get disgusted knowing my little brother—"

"Balin, shut up."

"I'm just saying I don't want to see any goo-goo eyes. It'll make me choke something awful."

Bilbo spun his head around to face them. "What in the name of the Valar are you talking about?"

"See, Balin," Dwalin snapped, "this is why you're not allowed to talk."

"Of course I'm allowed to talk. Especially since you two are my brothers. I can mess with the both of you as often as I like."

Bilbo shook his head. "Is this normal?"

"Normal?" Kili asked. He shook his head. Fili walked by them. "It's acceptable. Brothers are nuisances."

Fili paused and glared at Kili before smirking and wetting a finger in his mouth before sliding it in Kili's ear. The younger screamed and Fili ran off, cackling, while Kili chased him, promising many injuries to Fili.

Bilbo watched them, mouth agape. "Really now! Can't they act their age?"

"Have you met a pair of siblings ever able to do so?" Balin asked, grinning. "To be fair, it's a good vengeance when the younger brother grows out of annoying us elder brothers."

Dwalin rolled his eyes. He admitted he had been quite mischievous as a child, especially if it meant riling Balin. He liked to think he grew out of it, though Balin was rather adamant that his current attachment to his brother was a form of vengeance.

It might be.

Bilbo gave him a sympathetic look. "Glad I don't have brothers then," he stated, drinking his tea.