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The fight was brief, just a few orcs, messy and loud but over reasonably quickly. An orc lunged from behind and Thorin reacted on instinct, blade slashing going straight for the head. "Thorin!" Bilbo's voice cut through the chaos, his hands held over his head, protecting himself.
Thorin froze mid swing, Bilbo was right behind him. Too close. Close enough that Thorin's sword passed through the empty space where Bilbo's head had been just moments before. The orc fell seconds later, hit by an arrow, shot by kili. Thorin stood rigid, staring at the space his sword had just cut. He couldn't stop imagining it. Slicing through the little halflings head, his limp body falling to the ground. No more hobbit. He turned and walked away feeling as if his heart were about to pound out of his chest.
Afterwards the company re-grouped, Thorin kept his distance and stood off to the side. He answered questions abruptly, avoided Bilbo's eyes and cleaned his sword with unnerving force accompanied by unnecessary speed. Bilbo noticed but tried not to stare, it was always best to keep your distance when he was like this.
That following evening Bilbo tiptoed over to Thorin quietly while he was on watch. "You alright?" He asked. Thorin didn't look up. "I'm fine." He said short and sharp . A very silent moment passed. "I nearly killed you.
" He stated. Bilbo answered, "Yes. But you didn't." "I came closer than I ever should have." He said, voice low. Bilbo wasn't quite sure what he could do to console him. He hesitated amd then stepped closer. "Thorin if it weren't for you I wouldn't have made it ten steps out my door, I've been tripping over my own feet this entire quest." "And if you remeber rightly I did sign up for this. I read the terms and conditions." He said smiling, trying to lighten the mood. Thorin looked up at him eyes glistening "Thats right." He chuckled, " no one ever reads those." Silence stretched between them. Bilbo sat next to Thorin, close enough that their clothes were lightly Brushing up against each other, and continued the night watch.