Chapter Text
Four years later
“Frodo, do you have everything you need?” Bilbo called out as he packed up some of his books. He had acquired some newer ones and needed room on his shelves.
“Yes, Uncle!” Twelve year old Frodo came into the study. “I’ve been ready for weeks!”
Bilbo laughed lightly. “Yes, I’m sure you have been.” He sighed. “Look at you. Already in year seven.”
“Don’t get maudlin, Uncle.”
“And using such big words!” Bilbo teased.
Frodo stuck his tongue out. “When is Uncle Thorin getting here?”
“Soon. Now, you behave with Fili and Kili. I expect Sam will keep you out of trouble. I’ll never know why I agreed to let those two chaperone you and Sam.”
“Because Legolas and Tauriel are coming along.”
“Oh yes, the sensible ones.”
Frodo giggled. Then the doorbell rang.
“Go on,” Bilbo shooed Frodo out of the study.
Frodo ran to the door and threw it open. “Sam!” he cried in dismay. “I’m not ready!”
“You look fine to me, Frodo,” Sam said shyly.
Frodo blushed and pulled his friend inside as he saw his other uncle and cousins coming up the pathway. “Just wait here and don’t let Uncle Thorin bully you.”
“I’ll make sure he won’t,” Bilbo said.
“You’re just as bad!” Frodo yelled as he ran to his room.
Bilbo chuckled and kissed Thorin as he came inside. “We’ve been ordered to leave Sam alone.”
Thorin cast a glance at Sam, who waved nervously. “H-hello, Thorin.”
“Sam, just treat Frodo well is all I ask,” Thorin said.
Sam nodded. “I will.”
“You got off easy!” Fili exclaimed. “Ask Legolas what Uncle Thorin said to him.”
“And where are your better halves?” Bilbo asked.
“Working. They’ll meet us there,” Kili replied. “Thranduil is keeping them busy on purpose I suspect.”
Bilbo rolled his eyes as all the Durins scowled at the mention of Thranduil. Just then, Frodo came back and took Sam’s hand.
“Let’s go before the real roasting starts!” he said as he pulled Sam out the door.
Fili and Kili laughed and followed the two boys, wishing their uncles a good night. Thorin and Bilbo watched them go fondly.
“They grow up too fast,” Bilbo murmured as he leaned against Thorin.
“I know.” He kissed Bilbo’s head and turned them inside. “I’m starving! What is for dinner?”
“Take out if you aren’t careful,” Bilbo said snarkily as Thorin shut the door.
****
After dinner, as they sat in the sitting room enjoying an after dinner drink, Thorin shifted and reached into his pocket. Bilbo swallowed his drink and coughed. Thorin looked at him in concern.
“Went down the wrong pipe,” he choked out. He watched as Thorin pulled out a piece of paper. “What’s that?”
“Ah, the number of a client. I forgot I had to make a quick call. I’ll just grab my cell and do it outside.”
“No, no, use the bedroom if you don’t want to be disturbed. Some dastardly Tooks might be outside waiting to cause trouble.”
Thorin laughed as he stood. Bilbo watched him go and sighed. He was half hoping Thorin would propose again, but he didn’t think his lover would. Dis once mentioned Thorin rarely did things twice if rejected. It was some time before Thorin came back and Bilbo began to worry.
“Everything all right?” Bilbo asked.
“Hmm. Oh, yes, yes. The client was still working and had a few questions.” Thorin cleared his throat awkwardly. “I have a question actually.”
“Oh yes?”
“I’ve asked this before, in haste, but I think perhaps I’ll get a better response.” He slowly dropped to one knee, giving Bilbo plenty of time to react. When Bilbo did nothing but stare in shock, Thorin held out the same box from all those years ago and asked once again, “Bilbo Baggins of Bag End, will you marry me?”
There was silence and Thorin’s face fell. Finally, Bilbo managed a strangled, “Yes.”
Thorin’s smile lit up the room. He opened the box and took out the ring. “It’s the same one, so I hope it still fits.”
“It’ll be perfect,” Bilbo whispered as Thorin slid the ring on his finger. Bilbo coughed and wiped at his face. “I hope the wedding ring is just as plain.”
“Perhaps,” Thorin smirked as he knelt in front of Bilbo. They kissed passionately, but Bilbo pulled back.
“Why did you ask again? Dis said you never would.”
“Ah, that was a trick.”
“A trick?”
Thorin sighed and shifted on his knees. “Dis had a plan to see if you were interested in marriage and she said you were, so here I am. Could we move to the couch? Your floors aren’t nice on my knees.”
“Oh yes!” They went over to the couch and cuddled. Bilbo played with his ring and asked, “What about Frodo?”
“Luckily his school sits right in between Erebor and Hobshire, so that will cause no problems as we move.”
Bilbo frowned and looked up at Thorin. “Move?”
“Well, I went over our Pro and Con list from four years ago, and many of the points still stand. However, I will admit a certain fondness for Hobshire and would not be adverse to spending half the year here, if we could spend half the year in Erebor,” Thorin explained.
Bilbo bit his lip as he mulled it over. “I think that’s quite acceptable.” He grinned up at Thorin. “As long as Frodo won’t be uprooted too much.”
Thorin shook his head. “No. That was my main concern.” He paused before saying, “And I think when I retire, we could live out our days happily in Bag End.”
“Oh, that sounds lovely,” Bilbo said as he blinked back tears.
“Though that does mean leaving the company in the hands of Fili and Kili.”
“Well, don’t retire right away!” Bilbo laughed.
“I shan’t!” Thorin chuckled. He leaned down to kiss Bilbo once more. They stayed on the couch for sometime. When Frodo, Fili and Kili came back, they all saw the ring on Bilbo’s finger, cheered, and then they jumped on their uncles in happiness.