His tookish side won out

 ❝ I can see why they’re constantly pestering for more money, ❞ Thorin muses, knowing full-well that a part-time job’s pay meant NOTHING if they were constantly going out for treats. While the boys were not horrendously frugal with their earnings, he was surprised that they’d stop so frequently. The scones must have been particularly impressive. He made a mental note to try one when it wasn’t so late in the evening, as he was lax to eat anything after 7 o’clock. 

 ❝ They must save all of their good behaviour for you. I can only suspect they’ll sing a different tune when their mother’s come back from holiday, ❞ and Thorin’s tone is oddly fond. While Fili and Kili were old enough to live on their own, he knew he would miss their presence in his little apartment. They would likely return to the Durin cottage upon Dis’ return next week. Try as he might to curb their egos, the idea of being alone again was an UNSETTLING one.  

 ❝ That also explains why they’ve stopped requesting I make them breakfast. I assumed they were tired of scrambled eggs. Good to know it’s not my cooking. ❞ And he listens, gaze lazily trained on the other.  ❝ How old is your nephew? Is he here? ❞ 

 Thorin shakes his head slightly, holding out a hand in a placating gesture.  

 ❝ No – that would be a POOR first impression. Coming for tea gives me a reason to leave the shop. Please, don’t do anything on my account. ❞

“Well I imagine the student discount does wonders for them. A 30% discount adds up after all.” It was probably the most successful business move he’d made thus far. But it was a college town after all, and the percentage of students to residents was nearly equal. “I don’t jump up my prices if I can’t help it, but I’d say the discount pays itself in full rather quickly.”

He glanced at Thorin, studying his expression. “I’ve heard very little about their mother. Or father. They speak mostly of you and a few others I can only assume are relatives.” They seemed to avoid speaking of their mother, and refused to mention their father. He gathered that there was something there, but it wasn’t his job to press. 

He chuckled. “I can’t imaging it’s that. They’re usually the first ones here. It’s quite rare to meet morning people these days. I myself am only one out of necessity.” Bilbo glanced back at the mug in his hands with a small, but sad smile. “Frodo’s eight. He’s currently staying at his cousin’s house. If he’s not in school, then he’s either here helping or playing with friends. At least my schedule’s fairly consistent.”

Suddenly, he straightened up and gave Thorin a ‘one moment’ gesture before disappearing in the back. He emerged a minute later with a small bag and a few cards, placing them by Thorin’s hands. 

 It was much easier to reign in his temper after taking a few steps away. Bilbo had been correct in his assumption that the onlookers were doing little to soothe his anger, and his BRISTLE seems to subside after being given adequate space. His gaze is set rather intently on a tree in the distance, as Thorin did not trust himself to hold a proper conversation. 

 He keeps idle tabs on Bilbo, though he does not risk a GLANCE until he’s sure the Hobbit isn’t looking. It isn’t difficult, as he was sure that the other didn’t want anything to do with him, considering his current behaviour. Nevertheless, when Bilbo finds his way back to his side, his expression shifts into something more neutral before he regards him. The Dwarven King inclines his head, fingers clenching tight behind his back, and moves to follow Bilbo. He exhales a breath he didn’t know he was holding, and his shoulders sag at the release of PRESSURE.

 ❝ I am tired from the journey, ❞ Thorin confesses, his anger now only a weak EMBER in his belly. His words are a half-truth, and while not the entire story, all he can offer without revealing too much.  ❝ Pardon my outburst, Master Baggins. It is not your fault. ❞ 

 He seems sincere – a low timbre in the silence between them. Some words are more difficult to utter than others, but they needed to be said. It was a small step despite it feeling so MONUMENTOUS to the Dwarven King.

 ❝ I will work to control my temper. ❞

“If you are tired, then you should rest as I recommended.” Bilbo retorts, though not unkindly. “I warned you that the marketplace was hardly an ideal introduction to hobbit society, and that you’d find little to set you at ease.” The hobbit himself rarely cared to venture down to the market aside from purchasing groceries, and goodness knows that he was quite familiar with the subtle and sometimes ridiculous art of hobbit nicety. 

He shifted the basket in his arms and nodded towards the road he planned to take to the notary. If Thorin choose to return to Bag End, then he should be able to find his way back without trouble. All that remained was to send out a handful of letters and bring his signed paperwork to be officially recognized. Luckily, there was a post box right next to the notary. Well, rather a smart feature of design, but the point remained.

He fell into comfortable silence as Thorin followed. It was beginning to turn into a lovely afternoon, as the sun reached it’s peak in the sky. He would miss this weather when they left for Dale. They’d turned up in winter, so he had no idea how the city fared during the warmer months. 

Frodo: For what?

 Bilbo’s words roll off of Thorin like water. He’s tempted to stop listening – as this wasn’t as it should be. Fighting like children, he thinks. Largely his fault, granted, but Bilbo wasn’t making any attempt to reconcile. In fact, he seemed all to intent on pushing Thorin as far away as he possibly could without being outright rude about it. 

  ❝ If you’re looking to buy everything at once, I’ll have the other Dwarves assist you. ❞ He snaps back, thoroughly ruffled. He is immediately disquieted by the immediate gathering.

 And his gaze snaps to Bilbo with a sudden, looming ferocity. He no longer knows where he is, nor does he care for the smattering of Hobbits that linger around them both. Thorin’s shoulders heave – he looks like he’s apt to throw something, hit something, storm off… but suddenly, he stills. Whatever warmth he’d forced into his tone was gone. He looks to Bilbo, an image of the King on the ramparts, with such coldness. It tore at him like a visceral wound.

 ❝ I am no longer sure, ❞ Thorin all but whispers. His brows draw deeper together, icy cold cracking to give way to something unfamiliar, before he’s turning his face from Bilbo. He takes a breath. The Dwarven King paces several vegetable stands away, but his expression spoke violent promises. He’d stay here until he’d settled. The Hobbits could stare if they wished, but he was done talking for the moment.

In truth, he’d been expecting Thorin’s anger as soon as he’d appeared at his doorstep. But it was clear that this wasn’t his normal moodiness. Something was bothering him, although Bilbo had no idea what. Maybe he hadn’t wanted to come along to escort Bilbo, but then what had made him? Duty? Remorse? It would be useless to try and figure it out from the little he was telling, so for now...

“Alright! Quit your gawking. That’s more than enough, thank you very much! Honestly you’re giving us hobbits such a terrible reputation.” He yelled, shooing the curious hobbits away from Thorin. He had to call a few by name to show that he would make certain their families knew about their gawking. The rest quickly got the message and dispersed. The vendors, bless them, went on with only the occasional glance Thorin’s way. 

Clearing his throat, Bilbo returned to his business, placing orders and swapping coins. Only a few things went into his basket. A bag of seeds, a sack of small brass buttons so he could repair Frodo’s jacket, and a thick cloak that had finally finished being mended. 

 ❝ That doesn’t sound like my nephews. Have they threatened you? Bribed you, perhaps? Blink twice if you’re in danger and I”ll do what I can, ❞ and his expression wanders the edge between deadpan and amused. He doesn’t actually smile properly until he’s looking down in the mug of tea he’d been handed. 

 ❝ Intimidation was a good way to go. It’s better to avoid letting them get too unruly. ❞ But he seems to puff up the tiniest bit at the praise. While they were more than a handful on several occasions, he tried to do right by them. Perhaps sometimes too strict, but both Kili and Fili knew how much he truly loved them.   

 ❝ Sugar uncle. ❞

 His laughter is immediate – a low rumble in his chest that rippled through the rest of him. That wasn’t what he’d been expecting. He settles a moment or two later, but the tell-tale signs of his amusement were still present. His eyes crinkled a little in the corners as he looked from Bilbo back to the mug.  Thorin takes a small sip and immediately returns for a second. 

 ❝ It’s very good, ❞ he admits, and he isn’t lying. ❝ I drink too much coffee, or so I’m told. My sister has been trying to get me to drink tea for years. Do you sell this bagged, or do I need to pester you to make it for me? ❞ 

Bilbo matched with his own laughter at the insinuation, loud and cheerful. The image of his two most well-behaved customers causing problems was absolutely hilarious. The sound drew a few glances over the music, including one of the nephews who seemed concerned that Bilbo was clearly laughing at something Thorin said. It was a few seconds before he settled down, although the full amusement had yet to leave his face.

“Trouble from those two is the last thing I could picture happening here. You could have told me they were Eagle scouts and I would have believed you without question. No, they’re very well behaved, for whatever reason you choose. My money is on the scones. They’re usually here bright and early for breakfast.” 

absent-minded  |  abusive  |  addict  |  adrenaline junkie  |  aggressive  |  aimless  |  alcoholic  |  anxious | arrogant  |  audacious  |  bad liar |  bigmouth  |  bigot  |  blindly loyal  |  blunt |  cautious  |   callous  |   childish  | chronic heroism  |  cheater  |  clingy   |  clumsy  |  cocky  |  co-dependent  |  competitive  |  corrupt  |  cowardly  |  cruel  |  cynical  |  delinquent  |  delusional  |  dependent  |  deranged  |  disloyal  |  ditzy  |  egotistical  |  envious  |  erratic   |  evasive |  fickle  |  finicky  |  fixated  |  flaky  |  frail  |  fraudulent  |  foul mouthed  |  guilt complex  |  gloomy  |  gluttonous |  gossiper  |  gruff  | grudge holding |  gullible  |  hedonistic  |  humorless  |  hypochondriac  |  hypocritical  |  idealist |  idiotic  |  ignorant  |   immature   |  impatient |  incompetent  | indecisive  |  insecure  |  insensitive  |  lazy  |  lewd  |  liar |  lustful  |  manipulative  |  masochistic  |  meddlesome  |  melodramatic  |  money-loving |  moody |  naive  |  nervous  |  nosy  |  ornery  |  overprotective  | overly sensitive |  paranoid  |  passive  |   passive-aggressive  |  perfectionist |  pessimist  |   petty  |  power-hungry  |  proud  |  possessive  |  pushover  |  reactive  |   reckless  |  reclusive  |  remorseless  |  rigorous  |  sadistic  | sarcastic |  senile  |  selfish  |  self destructive | self-martyr |  shallow  |  skeptical  |   sociopathic  |  sore loser  |  spineless  |  spiteful  |  spoiled | stubborn  |  suspicious |  suicidal  |  tactless  |  temperamental  |  timid  |  thief  | tone-deaf |  traitorous  |  un-athletic  |  ungracious  |  unlucky  | unsophisticated  |  untrustworthy  |  vain  |  withdrawn |  workaholic

bold   –   always  ⁄  often italic   –   sometimes underlined - used to

001.   smoking:  the  action  or  habit  of  inhaling  &  exhaling  the  smoke  of  tobacco  or  a  drug.

002.   binge  drinking:  the  consumption  of  an  excessive  amount  of  alcohol  in  a  short  period  of  time.

003.   drug  abuse:  the  habitual  taking  of  illegal  drugs.

004.   nail  biting:  a  common  body  language  sign  of  anxiety / tension.

005.   lip  biting:  a  common  body  language  sign  of  anxiety / tension.

006.   night  owl:  a  person  who  is  habitually  active  or  wakeful  at  night.

007.   early  bird:  a  person  who  rises ,  arrives ,  or  acts  before  the  usual  or  expected  time.

008.   negative  attitudes:  a  philosophy  of  approaching  life  with  criticism  &  pessimism.

009.   positive  attitudes:  a  philosophy  of  approaching  life  with  optimism  &  confidence.

010.   swearing:  the  use  of  offensive  language.

011.   superstitious:  an  irrational  belief  that  an  object ,  action ,  or  circumstance  not  logically  related  to  a  course  of  events  influences  its  outcome.

012.   inspecting  fingernails:  a  common  body  language  sign  of  boredom.

013.   scratching  your  neck:  a  common  body  language  sign  of  uncertainty.

014.   foot  &  finger  tapping:  a  common  body  language  sign  of  stress / impatience.

015.   nose  touch:  a  subtle  body  language  sign  of  deceit.

016.   flipping  hair:  a  common  body  language  sign  of  craving  attention.

017.   twirling  hair:  a  common  body  language  sign  of  flirtation.

018.   cracking  knuckles:  a  common  body  language  sign  of  readiness.

019.   hands  behind  back:  a  common  body  language  sign  of  confidence.

020.   finger  pointing:  a  common  body  language  sign  of  authority.

021.   hands  on  hips:  a  common  body  language  sign  of  readiness.

022.   hands  in  pockets:  a  common  body  language  sign  of  mistrust / reluctance.

023.   frequent  touch:  a  common  body  language  sign  of  warmth / familiarity.

024.   throat  –  clearing:  a  common  body  language  sign  of  rejection / doubt.

025.   jaw  –  clenching:  a  common  body  language  sign  of  hostility.

026.   eye  –  rolling:  a  common  body  language  sign  of  irritation.

027.   head  –  tilt:  a  common  body  language  sign  of  interest.

028.   whistling:  to  emit  high  –  pitched  sound  by  forcing  breakthrough  a  small  hole  between  one’s  lips  or  teeth;  usually  to  a  tune.

029.   humming:  make  a  low,  steady  continuous  sound  like  that  of  a  bee;  usually  to  a  tune.

030.   perfectionism:  refusal  to  accept  any  standard  short  of  perfection.

031.   photographic  memory:  the  ability  to  remember  information  or  visual  images  in  great  detail.

032.   paranoia:  a  mental  condition  characterized  by  delusions  of  persecution ,  unwarranted  jealousy ,  or  exaggerated  self  –  importance,  typically  worked  into  an  organized  system.

033.   exaggeration:  a  statement  that  represents  something  as  better  or  worse  than  it  really  is.

034.   intuitive:  using  or  based  on  what  one  feels  to  be  true  even  without  conscious  reasoning;  instinctive.

035.   quick  –  witted:  showing  or  characterized  by  an  ability  to  think  or  respond  quickly  &  effectively.

036.   interrupting:  breaking  the  continuity  of  a  conversation  with  one’s  own  statements.

037.   doodling:  to  scribble  or  make  rough  drawings,  absentmindedly.

038.   irritable:  having  or  showing  a  tendency  to  be  easily  annoyed.

039.   gambling:  to  play  games  of  chance  for  money;  bet.

040.   travel  –  sick:  suffering  from  nausea  caused  by  the  motion  of  a  moving  vehicle ,  boat ,  or  aircraft.

041.   sensitive:  having  or  displaying  a  quick  &  delicate  appreciation  of  others’  feelings.

042.   melancholy:  a  feeling  of  pensive  sadness,  typically  with  no  obvious  cause.

043.   chewing  gum:  the  exercise  of  chewing  flavored  gum  which  is  not  intended  for  swallowing.

044.   fidgeting:  to  make  small  movements,  especially  of  the  hands  &  feet,  through  nervousness  or  impatience.

045.   skeptical:  not  easily  convinced;  having  doubts  or  reservations.

046.   neat  –  freak:  compulsively  obsessed  with  cleanliness.

047.   gossiping:  divulging  personal  information  about  others.

048.   prim:  feeling  or  showing  disapproval  of  anything  regarded  as  improper;  stiffly  correct.

049.   abbreviating:  giving  others  nicknames / shortening  names / giving  pet  names.

050.   having  a  catchphrase:  having  a  sentence  or  phrase  typically  associated  with  a  specific  person.

Send me a symbol for your muse to find mine…

After weeks of heavy rain, the night sky was finally clear. Originally, Bilbo had planned to simply sleep. After all, they’d been riding hard and slipping down the mountainside all day, so he was more than tired. But when he’d gone to lie down, he’d noticed just how clear the sky was, and how brightly the stars were shining through.

He sat upright when he realized Thorin was watching him, a tinge of embarrasment heating up his face, though the light from the fire hid it well.

likes  artificial  watermelon  | sleeps  in  what  they  are  already  wearing  |  eats  their  cereal  with  milk | listens  to  music  with  earbuds | listens  to  music  with  headphones  | hates  the  summer |  can  recite  past  the  first  four  digits  of  pi  | eats  frosting  out  of  the  jar | doodles  on  their  notebooks  | can  bake  cookies  |  has  a  garden  | has  had  a  snowball  fight | eats  pancakes  without  syrup  |  prefers  shorts  over  pants |  can  name  more  than  ten  superheroes  |  has  a  plan  for  the  zombie  apocalypse |  uses  the  same  password  for  everything  |  can’t  hold  their  breath  for  more  than  fifteen  seconds  |  watches  anime |   hasn’t  read  harry  potter | can  say  ‘i  love  you’  in  more  than  one  language |  prefers  mechanical  pencils  | thinks  space  is  cool | takes  personality  tests  more  than  once  to  make  sure  |  can’t  tie  their  shoes  | has  a  purse  |  likes  salads | likes  cool  colors  better  than  warm  colors  | knows  how  to  braid  hair |  reads  biographies | can  ice  skate |  knows  their  mbti  | reads  astrology  charts  |  prefers  the  star  wars  prequels  to  the  original  trilogy  |  plays  video  games | reads  the  newspaper |  likes  chocolate  ice  cream  best  | doesn’t  cuss |  memorizes  song  lyrics |  collects  coupons  | has  a  preferred  order  at  starbucks  | likes  movie  theater  popcorn  | has  seen  a  play |  owns  a  hoodie  |  would  rather  own  cds  than  online  copies |  has  written  a  poem |  can  shuffle  cards  |  subscribes  to  a  magazine   | double  dips  when  eating  |  drinks  directly  out  of  the  milk  container | keeps  a  journal.

tagged by. @lonerebor