#him and Bilbo have so much in common 🥰

[itsmetheabnormalone]

Rewatching Desolation of Smaug and had almost forgotten about Thorin being absolutely unhinged and bullying Smaug into firing up their forge WITHOUT WARNING HIS COMPANY

[sunnyrosewritesstuff]

This is for @smoking-old-toby's Bagginshield Firefly Day mini event! 🤩For anybody who has read my fic The Twelve Transformations of Bilbo Baggins, you'll notice I poached a bit from the story (just because I loved that scene so much). Otherwise, please enjoy my small contribution of pre-slash Bagginshield. 🥰

A Light in the Dark

Rating: G

Warnings: N/A

Words: 2560

Continuation of the Snow Hobbits Universe

Bilbo stepped away from the chatter and shenanigans of his traveling companions and out onto the beautiful balconies of Imladris once again. He sighed to himself as he leaned against the railing. The view was absolutely gorgeous. Even at night, Rivendell was a true oasis. 

“And just where have you been all day, may I ask?”

Bilbo swore he jumped a foot in the air as he whirled around, his hand over his heart.

“Thorin?!”

Said dwarf stepped out onto the alcove, that infuriating smirk ever present on his face. 

“You should pay better attention to your surroundings, Burglar.”

“Well excuse me, I didn’t realize I needed to be on the alert for danger in a literal sanctuary.”

Bilbo cursed his quick tongue the moment after he had said it. He had been doing his best not to aggravate Thorin who seemed to get annoyed by something as easy as Bilbo setting his bedroll in the wrong spot. Luckily for Bilbo, Thorin didn’t do anything more than glower and cross his arms as he came to stand next to him. 

Bilbo shifted on his feet as he drummed his fingers against the railing and shot Thorin a few questioning glances as often as he could without getting caught. His shoulders felt tight, and he could not even begin to come up with a reason for why the dwarf king was still here. His hobbit sensibilities encouraged him to come up with a topic, any topic, to engage Thorin in conversation. However, his mind was painfully blank. Just when he thought it would be better to bid Thorin good evening and wander aimlessly, a small spot of green light danced out in front of him before disappearing. Bilbo laughed in delight as another joined it and soon an entire swarm of blinking green lights existed on the patio.

“Lightning bugs!” He exclaimed in delight.

“Hmm?” Thorin asked without actually saying anything.

Bilbo shot him a curious look braving the subject hesitantly.

“Have you…ever seen lightning bugs before?”

Thorin merely snorted as his eyes followed the dots of light as well. 

“We call them fireflies and yes. I have seen them before.”

That figures. It was a rather stupid question on Bilbo’s part. After all, they were a fairly common insect. A memory from long ago came bidden, and with a fond smile, Bilbo couldn’t help but feel compelled to retell it. 

“You know, I never liked the dark.” He admitted. “I could make up so many monsters that had somehow appeared in dark corners. So when I was little, my mum and I used to spend the evening catching lightning bugs and putting them in a jar. We would then place the jar next to my bed before I went to sleep, and the glow would comfort me. However, I’d always wake up the next morning…and they’d be gone! I figured out later in life, my mum would come in and let them out through the window. Much too kind to let them die overnight, but… I always just thought they turned into dreams.”

Thorin hummed again, and Bilbo was content to believe that would be the end of their odd, one-sided conversation. At least it couldn’t be said he didn’t try. He watched as one of the bugs landed on Thorin’s outstretched hand before the dwarf blew it away. 

“We didn’t have fireflies inside the mountain when I was a pebble. But we had glow worms that would cling to the stalactites in the deep caverns. Their light was more blue than green. Still after Smaug came, and we were spending so many nights camped out under the stars, I would see the fireflies and think…the glow worms sprouted wings and followed after us. Because even they couldn’t stand us not being back in our mountain home.”

“You must miss it terribly.” Bilbo determined, softening just a little at the admission.

Thorin gave a jerky nod, his eyes still carrying out over the lawn. 

“There are parts that I do. And then there are other parts I don’t.”

Bilbo perked up in surprise at this.

“Like what?”

The corners of Thorin’s lips quirked up in a false smile as his eyes seemed to scream in protest. 

“You’ll think me odd.” 

It was such a simple statement, but it carried a weight to it. There was no hesitation. No doubt. Clearly, it was something Thorin had heard many times in his life. It was almost overwhelming in how perplexed it made Bilbo. Thorin Oakenshield? Hero, king, natural born leader, odd? It didn’t add up to Bilbo. And yet…

Bilbo moved closer to Thorin, just enough so that way he could bump Thorin’s arm with his shoulder, giving a quick flash of a grin as he did so. When he felt he had the courage to meet Thorin’s eyes, he held them making sure Thorin knew how seriously he took his admission.

“I certainly know a thing or two about being odd. Would you expect another hobbit to go running out his smial after you lot? You are in good company here, Master Oakenshield.”

Thorin immediately ducked his head, and if Bilbo wasn’t so sure it was an emotion he deemed beyond Thorin Oakenshield, he would almost say that he reacted shyly. 

“I also don’t like the dark.” He claimed in a soft, near whisper. “I wasn’t afraid of it, but…mountain caves are darker than dark. I mean, look at this.” 

Thorin’s arms swept out over the view before them.

“The stars, the moon, even your insects. Even when it’s dark you can still see. The mountain isn’t like that. You’re just…trapped and blind. And the pressure! There is nothing like the pressure of having an entire mountain looming above you, and you’re the one who has to shoulder the responsibility, you’re the one who has to rise to meet their expectations…”

“Their?” Bilbo interrupted carefully.

Thorin’s mouth clicked closed and his eyes widened. Bilbo realized he hadn’t intended to share that much. It was nice though. It was nice to know that Thorin had trusted him with such thoughts that Bilbo wanted to let him know it was okay in the only way he knew how. He reached out and gave Thorin’s hand a small squeeze. The dwarf sucked in a sharp breath at the gesture before pulling away. He climbed up the three steps to go back inside, and Bilbo absolutely could not leave things this way. 

“Thorin!” He called spinning around to face the retreating figure. 

Thorin stopped, but would not face him.

“I’m…I’m glad you told me. It sounds like it’s something you’ve needed to say for a long time.”

He watched as the dwarf’s jaw locked, and when he turned to meet Bilbo’s eyes, it was not the open, inviting look he had expected.

“Make no mistake, Halfling. My father and grandfather were great dwarves. They made me who I am today! I’m not…There’s nothing…”

Before Thorin could say whatever it was he was trying to say, voices drifted towards them from below. Bilbo slowly turned away from Thorin to see Gandalf and Elrond walking with purpose. 

“Of course I was going to tell you. I was waiting for this very chance. And I think you can trust me that I know what I’m doing.”

“Do you?” Elrond returned briskly, not sounding at all how he did when he and Bilbo met earlier. “That dragon has slept for sixty years. What will happen if your plan should fail? If you should wake the beast?”

Bilbo rather hoped Thorin had left at that point as the taller beings’ conversation drifted to using Erebor as a stronghold against darker foes. Bilbo was certain it was sound logic, he just wished it didn’t sound so…cold. Erebor should be reclaimed because an entire population was displaced due to a fowl creature wanting their resources. Why couldn’t that be enough?

Bilbo risked a glance backwards only to find Thorin had not left. He stood still listening to the callous words of ancient beings, and could only hold his head high against the onslaught. Bilbo felt more irked by the conversation now.

“Have you forgotten? A strain of madness runs deep within that family.”

Oh. Bilbo could only replay the conversation from earlier in his head. Thorin’s immediate defense of his grandfather while simultaneously feeling trapped. It all made sense now. Bilbo watched out of the corner of his eye as Thorin looked away almost in shame as the two beings continued their argument before finally disappearing around the corner. As soon as they were out of earshot, Bilbo turned around to confront Thorin on what he heard.

“Thorin…”

“I am not my grandfather.” Thorin growled, cutting Bilbo off before he could begin. “They know not of what they speak.”

Bilbo didn’t want to prickle Thorin further, but he couldn’t help realizing it suddenly all made sense! Bilbo had thought he was particularly obtuse and standoffish because of a superiority complex. But it was a defense mechanism! A way to push aside people who have compared Thorin to a mad king. To someone he trusted only to be disappointed in later. 

“I was actually going to say that it’s okay. It’s okay to love them…and acknowledge their flaws.”

Thorin’s eyes seemed to pierce him sharply as Bilbo continued to pick out the right words.

“I know I certainly haven’t lived up to my family’s expectations, but I imagine that’s not a fair comparison considering for me it was being adventurous and for you it’s…staying sane.”

A grunt escaped Thorin at that, and it was only by his upturned lips that Bilbo recognized it to be some form of chuckle. Well, he couldn’t be doing too poorly then.

“I just think, there’s nothing wrong in seeking…a light in the darkness.”

Thorin quickly sucked in a lungful of air while Bilbo stood there, wondering if it would be too much to touch Thorin again. Just for a quick moment. Before he could work up the courage, Thorin was taking another step up the staircase. Bilbo immediately took one backwards to increase the distance Thorin was clearly after. He tried not to be too disappointed by the development. In any case, he did feel like he had bonded with their leader which should hopefully make things better on the road.

“Right, well…Good night, Thorin.” Bilbo stammered, turning the other way.

“Master Baggins!” Thorin’s voice suddenly halted him.

Bilbo turned back feeling just a bit breathless.

“Thank you.” Came the soft admission.

Bilbo’s heart felt like it was exploding as a bright grin lit his face.

“You are most welcome.”

“Get some sleep. We’ll be leaving soon.”

With those being the final words before his departure, Bilbo watched as Thorin disappeared into the corridor. Bilbo hoped his words would keep Thorin from dwelling on his family’s madness for too long. He actually made Thorin smile…and laugh! Emotions Bilbo thought the dwarf was devoid of whenever in his presence. It was a heady feeling indeed that he almost gave a shout in his excitement. 

It was as he was heading back, nearly skipping, that a little tiny bug landed on his nose. It blinked once and blinked again when Bilbo reached up to transfer it to his finger.

“Of course, many thanks to you my friend. We might not have ever made this kind of progress otherwise.”

Interested in Bilbo’s whispered words or not, the lightning bug twitched its wings at Bilbo before joining its kin in the night sky once more.

***

"Thorin! Where are we going?" Bilbo laughed, continuing to let the dwarf pull him forward by the hand. 

"Just a little further, lukhudel (light of all lights)."

After the past couple of years, Bilbo had grown more used to how dark it could get in the mountain, but the deep places where he couldn't see the hand in front of his face were places he avoided. However, Thorin was confident in his steps and gentle in his urging, and Bilbo knew he couldn't be safer. The terrain finally began to level out, and Bilbo could just make out some sort of blue light ahead. Bilbo could barely make out the flash of teeth in Thorin's grin by the glow as he announced they had arrived. They turned a corner and...

"It's beautiful!" Bilbo marveled.

The cavern's walls and ceilings were practically dripping with the odd blue glow. It fully lit the space, glittering off the surface of the shallow pool below them. Bilbo turned to Thorin, only to be a bit surprised at his appearance. The glow somehow only managed to bounce off his teeth, his nails, and the silver of his hair. The rest of his intended was left in shadow. Bilbo tilted his head. It was almost as if the glow somehow highlighted the lighter colors of a person...

Bilbo huffed as he pulled on his snowy hair. "I must look ridiculous right now."

Thorin laughed as he stepped forward to press a kiss to the crown of Bilbo's head. "You are perfect. I will confess it was this effect I was after when I planned to show you the glow worm cavern for the first time."

A conversation, from long ago, niggled at the back of Bilbo's mind as his scanned his surroundings with a renewed interest. A smile pulled at his face as he remembered a balcony in Rivendell and the friendly fireflies who gave him the courage to talk to Thorin for the first time. Thorin's hand moved to cup his face, and Bilbo leaned into his hand, given a kiss to his palm.

"We've come so far." Bilbo commented.

"We have indeed, all thanks to you." Thorin murmured before pressing a soft kiss against his lips. 

Bilbo returned the peck a second and third time before continuing their conversation.

"That may be exaggerating a bit."

Thorin chuckled while shaking his head. "No, mudùmel (comfort of all comforts). It's true. You see, I realized that night in Rivendell that perhaps Bilbo Baggins, the strange and infuriating hobbit in my Company, who had the ability to leave me breathless in just a few words, could perhaps be my light in the darkness. And here you are, the night before we are to say our vows, literally glowing in front of me."

[sunnyrosewritesstuff]

Day 2- Fighting for a Dragon’s Wish

So this one has a special dedication section. It was exactly 1 year ago today that @dimdiamond​ made this post, and this Cursed AU came to be. It is almost insane how well this has all come together, but I guess Dim doesn’t call me “madman” for nothing.🤣

If you would like for this to be my next fic, please be sure to shower it with lots of love (reblogs/likes/comments).🥰💖 All plot bunnies will be linked back to this masterpost.

Summary: The Arkenstone was no more and it’s wish granting dragon, gone with it. The traumatic events left Bilbo wanting to hang up his fighting lifestyle until thirteen rude aliens barge their way onto his planet demanding the stone. Bilbo finds himself traversing the galaxy in search of the Silmarils which may have the power to restore the Arkenstone, and along the way learn that he actually has more in common with the Ereborians than he realizes.

It had taken a long time for Bilbo to be considered a respectable hobbit. Given his particular history, many would have seen it as impossible. However, Bilbo rather enjoyed the quiet bustle the village he moved to had to offer. He all but preened in the golden sunlight that aided his small garden, and most important of all: his staff remained a walking stick only when he felt like venturing on a small jaunt through the woods surrounding his hilly home. For the first time in his life, he was completely at peace. His friends, however, had a different opinion.

“Forgive me for asking,” The tall Dale native grimaced. “You just seem so…”

“Bored.” Gandalf finished for Bard glaring down the end of his pipe at Bilbo.

The hobbit calmly sipped from his cup of tea before he deigned to answer his pseudo-father figure. Bilbo was fifteen years old when he lost his entire family in one brutal attack. Gandalf had been the one to take him in, and while he was forever grateful to the old man, he rather resented the implication that Bilbo relied on the way of the life he had been provided. 

“Rest assured, I’m quite content. The people of Hobbiton have been very welcoming, and I don’t find myself wanting for much here.” 

Both of his companions furrowed their brows skeptically, and thinking on his feet, Bilbo realized a subject change was in order.

“And Bard, how is your family? Are they…adjusting?”

Just as he hoped, the man’s expression smoothed over into pure joy. 

“Aye, they are glad to be back. And I’m more than happy to have them back. Thanks to you, Bilbo.”

“Oh, posh.” The hobbit waved off. “I was but a small part of that story. You are the real hero here, Bard.”

Rather than encouraging a turn in the conversation, Bard and Gandalf went back to frowning at him. Bilbo felt his nose twitch as his eyes fell, rather rudely, to the dark, liquid reflection of himself from his teacup. 

Bard cleared his throat. “This is a lovely home, though, Bilbo.”

The hobbit smiled as he seized the flag of truce gladly.

“Thank you, I built it myself.”

“Did you really?” Bard asked in amazement, really taking in the architecture of the smial.

Bilbo nodded indulgently, resisting the urge to rub at the callouses on his knuckles. Gandalf’s eyes seemed to zone in on the movement though. Thirty-five years, and he still failed to hide anything from the cunning old windbag.

“Bilbo, my dear boy, if this has to do with what happened with Sma…”

“No!” Bilbo cut him off, immediately jumping to his feet, teacup falling to clatter on the dirt floor.

Bard and Gandalf tensed, but didn’t react beyond that. Bilbo really must be losing his touch then. He could feel his hands tighten into fists as he fought to fiddle with the golden ring on his right middle finger.

“I garden.” He stated, his voice wobbling slightly. “In the afternoons, I fish, then I come home to read or draw maps or ANYTHING I FEEL LIKE DOING! This is what I want. I’m…fine. I’m more than fine, I’m here and not out there. And it’s…fine. It’s all fine.”

“Bilbo,” Bard addressed softly after a beat. “What happened in Laketown…it wasn’t your fault.”

Bilbo’s eyes widened as his chest began to heave. This was supposed to be a nice visit. He was in this nice new home, in a nice village. Why did Gandalf and Bard want to ruin it? Why didn’t they want Bilbo to have nice things? When he looked back up at the taller pair, his eyes were steel, and he could see them visibly flinch.

“Listen to me.” He demanded, feeling the power in his words and hoping it was only in his words. “Short of a sky-falling, world-ending, cataclysmic event, I will never be who I used to be again. So you might as well drop it! Either accept me for who I am now, or…I can show you the door.”

To emphasize his point, Bilbo opened the door to his smial before crossing his arms smugly. Of course, that was the point where everything went wrong. The sky darkened drastically, the ground began to quake, and a horrid noise filled the air. Bilbo bowed his head in resignation even as Bard and Gandalf jumped to their feet sprinting out into the yard. However, before Gandalf passed him, he shoved Bilbo’s worn pole into his chest. Bilbo stared down at his faithful companion morosely. This…this is why he couldn’t have nice things. Quick as a flash, Bilbo Baggins was out the door, ready to face whatever new threat beckoned him.

***

Maybe it was just Bilbo, but an alien invasion was probably about the last thing he expected to have to deal with when he woke up that morning. However, staring up at the truly massive ship as it slowly lowered itself to the grassy hillside was rather hard to pretend not to notice. Not that Gandalf or Bard would let him turn back now, both in ready positions. Bilbo merely leaned against his staff, waiting. After a lot of unnecessary fanfare, the hatch finally opened revealing its thirteen passengers. Other than the sheer volume of armor and facial hair on them, Bilbo found himself rather disappointed with how normal they looked. Even if they were flying. Well that was different. Considering it was rather hard to miss the three idiots who were the only ones not screaming and running away, the alien visitors flew straight for them.

Bard gripped his bow a little tighter, and even Gandalf tensed at their approach. Bilbo remained calmly leaning against his wooden pole. 

“We are the Company of Thorin Oakenshield, King of Erebor.” The oldest looking one addressed, landing with a bow. “We come seeking a treasure unique to your planet. Please present it to us, and we will leave you in peace.”

The tall, bald warrior scoffed. “Why are we assuming these three would know anything? They don’t look like much.”

The dark haired one in the center smirked back at him. “Aye. Especially the short one. He looks more like a grocer than a fighter.”

“Course I can’t seem to find a power level worthy of our time anywhere.” The red headed one gruffed

His hand was pushing a button on the side of the eyepiece they all seemed to be wearing. Bilbo assumed it was some sort of radar, but to read fighting power? Baffling. Of course, that didn’t bode well for them if it was outputting that all of Arda was weaker than the thirteen of them. Bilbo felt his muscles twitching at the idea of making them prove it, but he remained in control of himself. He was retired after all. 

“A treasure you say?” Gandalf finally asked.

The dark haired one from earlier landed before him. From the way he held himself as a very important alien, Bilbo was willing to bet this was their so-called King. 

“A jewel that shines with ten thousand sparks of white radiance, shot with glints of the rainbow, the Arkenstone. We heard humors that it might be found on this misera…planet.”

Bilbo narrowed his eyes as Gandalf and Bard shifted uncomfortably. 

“You can’t have it.” He finally declared.

All the Ereborians suddenly ceased with their chatter as their eyes immediately fell to Bilbo. The dark-haired one especially seemed to be trying to set Bilbo aflame with his glare alone. Quick as a flash, he was suddenly before Bilbo, holding him a foot above the ground by his cravat. Bilbo’s first instinct was to knee the asshole, but he restrained himself, dropping his staff in order to grip the Ereborian’s hand for leverage.

“And who’s going to stop me, Ardan? You?”

“I hadn’t planned on it.” Bilbo grunted. “And I prefer the term hobbit or Shireling if you must know.”

Bilbo was dropped unceremoniously with a snort from his former captor.

“Thought as much. Now give us what we want.”

“Or?” Bilbo hinted.

“Or we blow up your little dirtball.” The Ereborian smirked over his shoulder.

Bilbo caught uncomfortable shifting from the others, especially the white haired one, out of the corner of his eye. Well, if worse came to worse, he may not have to fight all thirteen.

“I think what our dear Bilbo meant to say…is it’s not here.” Gandalf intercepted.

This bit of news froze the Ereborian in his tracks. 

“Not here?” He repeated.

“It has been, quite by accident, I’m sure…”

Well that was a complete lie.

“Destroyed maliciously.”

Bilbo had to plant his feet to keep from being blown over by the power physically rolling off the Ereborian in waves. All of his confidence melted in an instant. What were they? There was something else underneath Bilbo’s newfound fear as the power washed over him. It was…comforting? No, more like…familiar. Familiar like a dream. 

“I do hope you’re joking.” The Ereborian snarled, his full attention on Gandalf.

“Unfortunately, I’m not. But before you get too carried away, there may be another. And I happen to know just where to go to get the information you need.”

As if it had never been there to begin with, the power vanished, but it did not return the dark haired Ereborian’s previous good humor. 

“By all means, lead the way. However, if this is all some elaborate last ditch bid to trick us and save your planet, I will not hesitate to kill every single one of you. Starting with him.” He promised nodding in Bilbo’s direction.

Gandalf shared a look with Bilbo, and while he seemed amused by the Ereborian’s lack of faith in Bilbo’s abilities, the hobbit could see he was nervous. Bilbo gripped his staff a little tighter. He really had been enjoying his retirement. It was a shame that didn’t last long. And he had only these self-entitled aliens to blame.

“I’m afraid it will not be accessible at this time. The Tower of Imladris is a well hidden fortress after all. However, in a show of good faith, we would see you comfortably fed and sated for the night.”

The Ereborian’s frown deepened as his arms crossed. Clearly trying to weigh the advantages of Gandalf’s suggestion.

“We can afford to wait a day, lad. For this, we can wait.” The white haired one stated, placing a hand on the dark-haired one’s shoulder.

“Fine.” The Ereborian sighed. “We will do as you suggest, but he stays with us.”

“What?!” Bilbo demanded, glaring at the alien’s finger pointed in his face.

Bard seemed as if he were about to protest, but Gandalf placed a hand on his shoulder.

“Very good!” Gandalf agreed. “I was going to suggest Bilbo’s home as your reprieve considering it is large enough and not far from here.”

The nerve of him.

“Gandalf…” Bilbo began only for the older man to cut him off.

“Just for the night, my boy. And who knows? It might be quite the merry gathering.”

Bilbo turned slightly as he listened to some of the Ereborians whooping and describing their hunger in great detail. It sounded like Bilbo was about to lose three of his five pantries to this lot.

“Find your courage. You’re meant for more than books and maps, Bilbo Baggins.”

Bilbo breathed in deeply, letting it out slowly as Gandalf patted his arm. The old warrior spared one last glance to give Bilbo a wink before he whisked himself away. Bilbo counted to ten before turning to face his alien guests with a large fake smile.

“Who would like some tea?”

[somestorythoughts]

#unhinged king#him and Bilbo have so much in common 🥰#everybody’s so creative 🥰#thorin uses bullying attack#success!!

I like to think the reason he had to tell them to take cover is because they were all too busy going "what the FUCK Thorin"

Rewatching Desolation of Smaug and had almost forgotten about Thorin being absolutely unhinged and bullying Smaug into firing up their forge WITHOUT WARNING HIS COMPANY