Chapter Text
June 2013 – Arnor, Massachusetts
The stampede on the stairs caught Bilbo’s attention. Then, his nephew called out, “They’re here! They’re here!”
Bilbo rushed out of the kitchen and into the living room. Frodo narrowly took the lead and made it to the front door first, practically pulling it off the hinges. Running onto the porch, they saw a black Land Rover parked in the driveway.
Kíli was already standing by the trunk with Loni, pulling out suitcases. Giuseppe was parking a second car on the street, in front of the house, and Thorin was still sitting in the front seat of the Land Rover, on the phone.
Frodo ran over to Kíli, hugging the prince and then shaking Loni’s hand. The two young men had been communicating regularly, as they had both decided to attend Oxford in the fall with Fíli.
Bilbo approached the vehicle at a more sedate pace, waiting for Thorin to realize he was there.
The king caught Bilbo’s eager gaze and swiftly ended the call. Getting out of the car, he swung the smaller man up in his arms. “Kurdûh!”
“Hello, Thorin,” Bilbo said. He pulled the king close. “I’m so happy you’re here.”
Thorin bent down and kissed him. “Me too.”
Dramatic gagging in the background brought them back to themselves. Thorin cast a regal glare at both nephews. “Enough.”
Chastened, Frodo picked up a suitcase and gestured for the others to follow him inside. “Uncle has been baking all week. I think we have enough to feed an army,” he said. “Kíli, you’re with me. The guestroom is for Loni and Giuseppe – they can fight it out for the bed and the couch.”
Upstairs, Thorin allowed Bilbo to lead him down the hall to the master bedroom. After placing the suitcases on the floor and hanging up a garment bag, Bilbo cornered Thorin against the door, demanding a kiss.
“I’ve been waiting for months and I won’t wait a moment longer.”
“And you say I’m the bossy one!” Thorin tilted his head in mock astonishment.
“No more talking.”
The king started to laugh at his beloved, who yanked on his hair in retaliation and pulled him down for more kisses.
Out in the hall, they heard Frodo talking to the others. Suddenly, Thorin drew back. “Scones?”
“Yes, there are scones, and no, you won’t get any if you stop kissing me again.”
Thorin scooped Bilbo up and cheerfully tossed the smaller man on the bed, pulling at his own shirt as he moved across the room. “Zâyungizu. You wouldn’t deprive a man of sustenance would you?”
Bilbo grinned wickedly as he started to unbutton his jeans. “Try me.”
“Oh, kurdûh, I certainly intend to.”
Downstairs, hearing another thud from above, Frodo swiftly put out a plate of cookies and suggested they might want to go sit outside for awhile. Kíli picked up the tray and fled out the kitchen door, Frodo on his heels. Giuseppe joined them as Loni volunteered to sit watch. The guard smiled to himself in the living room as more laughter drifted down the stairs. This was going to be a trip to remember.