[ Thorin didn't know what to expect of asking such a difficult question, but it was the only sort of open, honest response that he could give. There was no expectation when it came to a response, truly, there was only the offer of the kind of raw vulnerability that he never thought he would share with anyone, let alone even a trusted friend that had so recently tumbled into his life. But Bilbo is so much more than that, and never has it been quite so plainly obvious as it is here.
Bilbo's gentle insistence is easy enough to understand, and Thorin is willing. The fact that he is mirroring a gesture that he's seen them do, one that Thorin has personally used on him, is almost too much. Thorin has been struggling with keeping his emotions in check as it is, and this threatens to utterly undo him in a way he hasn't quite felt before, but he quietly welcomes it and the warm sense of comfort that it accompanies. And for once he doesn't move to steer this where he wills it, he simply stays, his forehead pressed lightly to Bilbo's, his eyes calmly open and lingering on Bilbo's face.
Because I know you. They've been through some of the most triumphant and the worst moments of Thorin's life, there's no doubt about that. The fact that these times have happened in such close proximity, and yet there is still that understanding and unwavering faith, only serves as a testament to Bilbo's perceptiveness and his steadfast refusal to accept anything less except the truth. He's truly known Thorin's heart for some time now, even before Thorin showed up on his doorstep some weeks ago.
He must know that Thorin could not easily stand to lose him now, as he has lost so much that was dear to him before, which would put his unwillingness to even attempt to force Bilbo to stay here in a rather different light. He'd let Frerin go, many years ago. He had been too young, too inexperienced, and Thorin would have been well within his rights then to insist that he stay behind. It was bad enough that Thorin was helpless to help his father and grandfather fight their own internal battles, but he very much failed to protect his little brother, in turn. That responsibility had fallen on his shoulders more so than anyone else's.
He knows what Bilbo is saying, and he does understand. It doesn't make the truth much easier to stomach right now, nor is it a simple thing to soothe over such long held scars, but right now, this is enough. For once in his life, he can lean ever so slightly on that determination, the loyalty and faith, and admit to himself - even if not out loud - that a moment of weakness does not make him weak.
This is why Thorin had told him that he would have been lost without him. ]
Has anyone ever told you that you speak with wisdom well beyond your years, Master Baggins?
[ This can't last too long, though. Inevitably Bilbo's awareness of their not exactly private spot will settle back in any moment bow, and they will go back to a more proper distance. ]
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Bilbo's gentle insistence is easy enough to understand, and Thorin is willing. The fact that he is mirroring a gesture that he's seen them do, one that Thorin has personally used on him, is almost too much. Thorin has been struggling with keeping his emotions in check as it is, and this threatens to utterly undo him in a way he hasn't quite felt before, but he quietly welcomes it and the warm sense of comfort that it accompanies. And for once he doesn't move to steer this where he wills it, he simply stays, his forehead pressed lightly to Bilbo's, his eyes calmly open and lingering on Bilbo's face.
Because I know you. They've been through some of the most triumphant and the worst moments of Thorin's life, there's no doubt about that. The fact that these times have happened in such close proximity, and yet there is still that understanding and unwavering faith, only serves as a testament to Bilbo's perceptiveness and his steadfast refusal to accept anything less except the truth. He's truly known Thorin's heart for some time now, even before Thorin showed up on his doorstep some weeks ago.
He must know that Thorin could not easily stand to lose him now, as he has lost so much that was dear to him before, which would put his unwillingness to even attempt to force Bilbo to stay here in a rather different light. He'd let Frerin go, many years ago. He had been too young, too inexperienced, and Thorin would have been well within his rights then to insist that he stay behind. It was bad enough that Thorin was helpless to help his father and grandfather fight their own internal battles, but he very much failed to protect his little brother, in turn. That responsibility had fallen on his shoulders more so than anyone else's.
He knows what Bilbo is saying, and he does understand. It doesn't make the truth much easier to stomach right now, nor is it a simple thing to soothe over such long held scars, but right now, this is enough. For once in his life, he can lean ever so slightly on that determination, the loyalty and faith, and admit to himself - even if not out loud - that a moment of weakness does not make him weak.
This is why Thorin had told him that he would have been lost without him. ]
Has anyone ever told you that you speak with wisdom well beyond your years, Master Baggins?
[ This can't last too long, though. Inevitably Bilbo's awareness of their not exactly private spot will settle back in any moment bow, and they will go back to a more proper distance. ]