-Present-

Bilbo woke alone for the first time in his memory. If his head hadn't been throbbing in a horrendous beat, he may have noted the odd nature of it, but as soon as he sat up the only thought he had was 'what has died in my mouth?' before burying his head back under the pillows.

The night prior had been an utter disaster. He had wanted to speak to Thorin all day to no avail. Naively he had thought that maybe he would get a chance over dinner, but when the Company had gathered missing their leader and king, it seemed to only go downhill from there. Dis had commanded them to eat, enticing conversation even though everyone seemed to be in a sour mood. Bilbo could only stay lost in his thoughts over what Kili had told him. Were they all blaming him for the missing Thorin? Did they assume some sort of lover's quarrel?

Dinner tasted different in his mouth, and Bilbo wished it didn't. Sensing his own foul mood, Dis produced wine for them to drink, since most of the dwarves present only consumed the ale. Dori accepted a glass, smiling up at the offering. Bilbo should have known better, but too much was weighing on his mind to watch his intake. It only took what felt like a few sips before the world was fuzzy and distant.

The others were laughing, carrying on in better spirits, and Bilbo felt himself relax and ease back in his chair like he too had had his worries lifted from his shoulders.

By the time dinner had subsided, Bilbo had to be half-carried back to the Royal Chambers by Dis and Fili, who kept talking over his head. Neither of them seemed concerned about him listening in, as they talked on about Thorin and his choices. Once or twice he was mentioned and he could only hope that it wasn't about the blasted Consort title again. They weren't even lovers yet, he groused.

This seemed to get Dis and Fili's attention, and Bilbo had a split instant to wonder if he had said that out loud before blessed darkness crashed over him.

Waking alone was punishment for drinking so heavily, it helped that he hurt all over like he had slept funny and now his body had to work out an odd stiffness in his joints and muscles. As he rolled over on the bed, his hand skimmed the sheets as if searching for a trace of Thorin on them. His chest ached, and Bilbo hoped that it wasn't a sign of his meal the night before coming to visit.

Getting up from bed took more effort than he wanted, but he did manage to get into the restroom without breaking anything, a sight better than the last time he had wandered through Bag-End while recovering from intoxication.

Bilbo ran himself a hot bath, stripping out of yesterday's clothes and depositing himself among the rising warm waves. He closed his eyes as he leaned back against the back of the tub. Letting the quiet rush of water overtake the pounding in his head, he took a deep breath and blew it out of his mouth. The water rose slowly, making it's way up his legs and finally his lap on his seat in the tub.

By the time it finally covered his chest, Bilbo forced his eyes open and moved gently to turn off the water. He sighed as he settled back. Bits of the night before drifted forward from his memory. It was enough to know he should apologize to Dis and Fili. Their conversation had had something to do with Thorin, but Bilbo couldn't remember the details. He thought he had something on the matter, but he could not recall what he had said. Perhaps Fili or Dis would be able to tell him if he had embarrassed himself and he could apologize for that too.

Now if only he could figure how to address the matter of the rumors with Thorin. He could not imagine it was doing well for his King to have so many people thinking that he was treating a lover so unjustly. Maybe it was time to admit certain facts about their relationship for public scrutiny. Sure, he supposed, he could understand that at a distance it might seem obvious that two adults sharing a bed with the frequency they did might lend to the notion of a more intimate nature, but that simply wasn't the truth. Bilbo tried to not think about the nights he had been forced from Thorin's side, when the healers had looked at him with fear for the King's life and Balin had tried to force his Hobbit friend to rest in another part of the mountain. No matter the comfort or amount of darkness or quiet, Bilbo had been unable to sleep away from his friend. Days had passed without rest and Bilbo had sworn he would never part from Thorin's side except by Thorin's own command.

Even now, Bilbo did not think that he had slept the previous night except by aide of wine and the knowledge Thorin would be sleeping within arms length when he came to find rest. There had been many nights when Bilbo had gotten to bed before Thorin, only to find himself finally drifting to sleep when he could pull the dwarf close, listen to the steady breathing of his King. He did not dare imagine trying to sleep again without being able to hear Thorin's heartbeat as he closed his eyes at night. Or trying to get comfortable without Thorin's hands caressing his back or finding the spot on his neck that made his heart flutter. Sometimes Bilbo had wished that his hand might slip under his night shirt and stroke along his back. He imagined it would feel good to have those calloused hands soothe the aches of the day away, to rub and press on the spots that hurt on his back sometimes.

More possibly they would find the spots he was ticklish along his side and Thorin would be relentless in making Bilbo squirm and giggle as he tried to get away. Thorin usually was when he found them through Bilbo's shirt. They had rolled around on the bed one morning, Bilbo too short to get away, not that he had been trying very hard. It had been pleasant to have Thorin's weight settled on top of him, his broad grin a sight that still made Bilbo weak-kneed. He had to admit Thorin was striking and to have that familiar face gazing down at him, looking at Bilbo like he had finally found the treasure he had been searching so desperately f-

Gasping, Bilbo startled out of his daydream and looked down through the water at the current erection he was sporting. He had not even been aware that he had gotten hard from his thoughts about Thorin. Reaching down he ran a hand down the tight flesh, hissing when pleasure burned through him fast like lightening. It had been some time since he had been able to find a release, but now? Thinking of his friend? No he couldn't like this. His thoughts were too focused on Thorin, on the way his smile appeared for Bilbo alone and his eyes shone with just a hint of mischievousness that always made him appear like he was about to do something wicked to Bil- Hissing again, Bilbo struggled to pull his hand away from his prick. It throbbed in response to the denial, and buoyed back against his stomach as if looking for any contact.

Groaning, Bilbo moved closer to the spout, releasing the plug keeping the water in the tub, he turned on the cold water. It only took a minute, he had grit his teeth to keep his hips near the flowing ice water, but finally his erection subsided, and he could think again.

Mostly, he thought that he needed to speak with Thorin, now more than ever. There was obviously attraction on his part and maybe they had been so worried about staying alive that they had never thought that there could be more to their relationship outside of friends.

The thought was energizing, despite his hangover, Bilbo jumped from the tub, and the cold water. He snatched up his clothes and threw them on, not caring that he was still mostly dripping from the bath. If he rushed, he might catch Thorin before the start of his Council meeting.

Racing through the halls, Bilbo felt like he did when he had raced from his home so many months ago, excitement and chance ahead of him. He laughed, realizing that once again he was chasing after Thorin Oakenshield. Once on the steps, Bilbo nearly slipped, but recovered, giggling wildly, earning more than a few odd looks from dwarves coming and going about their business.

He nearly ran into Balin entering the Council room, the elder dwarf grinning in return of Bilbo's own smile.

"Is Thorin inside? I need to speak with him. Has the meeting started?" Bilbo said in one rush of breath. He wanted to laugh, he felt so happy.

"Slow down, laddie. The meeting has just started. He actually sent me to have a guard retrieve you for the meeting," Balin said. "Is it good news then?"

"I hope so," Bilbo said, tugging on his friend so they could enter the meeting room. Other Council members were all ready present. Dis, Fili, and Kili amongst them. Other members of the Company were included, but some were not present. Most had other duties around the mountain.

Dis' face was one of the first Bilbo caught sight of as Balin lead him around to their seats. She looked stricken, and Bilbo smiled broadly at her, remembering that he probably looked a sight in rumbled clothes and half-bathed.

"Oh good, let's begin then, shall we?" Thorin said, moving a few scrolls around. He looked over at the other members, and leaned back a bit.

"I brought Master Baggins in today so that I could make an announcement," Thorin said, and Bilbo's grin faltered a bit. He did not know what sort of announcement had to be made before the majority of the Council. Possibly as King, Thorin had to announce his desire to court Bilbo, since there seemed to be so much involvement from them about their relationship all ready.

There were some murmurs around the table, that were silenced when Thorin held up his hand. Bilbo caught Dis' gaze again as she looked horrified at him. Bilbo thought he probably should have looked at a mirror before rushing here.

"It is my decree that in no less than a week's time that a company be readied to return Master Baggins to the Shire. His services in reclaiming this mountain are praised, but have been completed for some time. We will gather the plans necessary to return him safely to his home," Thorin spoke clearly to the last word.

The murmurs were practically shouts about the odd behavior it was for a King to send a Consort away in such a fashion. Most of the Council were questioning who best to send all ready and what provisions would have to be spared to get the dwarves that would accompany him there and back again.

For all the noise, Bilbo could only hear the thudding in his chest as his heart slammed against his sternum in anguish. He looked away from Dis' face, unable to stand her look of despair anymore. Unable to stop himself, Bilbo turned his gaze to Thorin, but for the first time he did not recognize the dwarf sitting there wearing his King's crown.