Simmering Fingers
Summary: Headcanons for how the Dwarves + Bilbo feel about physical touch (Platonic + w/ gender neutral reader)
A/N: Y'all I'm not even a Bifur fangirl but his is SO CUTE?? omg I was kicking my feet writing that
Bilbo is just flustered in general, so if you consistently find a way to touch him, he will get unbelievably jumpy. He is expecting it, but also in disbelief that someone would want to touch him so much that it surprises him every time. The man blushes from ear to ear, especially if you're a taller individual. He would eventually come to terms with it after therapy sessions with himself and clumsily seek it out himself in the form of sweaty hand holding and awkwardly resting his hand on your shoulder when you're crouched at your bedroll or stoking the fire.
Thorin is very much a pat on the shoulder type of guy, but he isn't too touchy. He's totally fine with the bumping and shoving that comes with the rambunctious roughhousing of the Company's dwarves, but he doesn't really participate. He mostly gets bumped into when the others get careless, otherwise they try to avoid him. What he finds most strange is the gentleness of your touch. He's used to the firm and rough disposition of dwarves, but the way your fingers press so softly against his skin, as if he would shatter under any more pressure, brings him an odd sense of clarity. His mind heavy with responsibility and anxiety clouding his vision, your warm palm pressing to his neck as your fingers lay across the back of his neck pulls him from the fog and it's like he's breathing for the first time. He becomes a big fan of kissing your knuckles; it's the kingly thing to do.
Balin has become less touchy in his old age. When he was younger, he was a bit like Bofur in his jovial nature. Shouting drinking songs with his arm slung around a friend's shoulder or putting someone in a playful headlock; he definitely isn't a stranger to expressing himself through touch. However, he's old now and that man's back hurts. He said leave me the hell alone, I got arthritis and chest pains and a herniated disc, LEAVE ME BE ୧(๑•̀ᗝ•́)૭ Bro creaks when he stands up. That's why you like to give him little massages whenever you've stopped to rest. He was surprised when you first offered your help, said you noticed him wincing on the journey and might be able to fix it. The man felt brand new; you've got magic fingers, friend. It's like he's that young dwarf again, bouncing around during meals with Bofur and rubbing circles into the back of your hand in the small hours of the night as the Company winds down to sleep.
Dwalin is lowkey very touchy. He's very touchy in the usual manly sense; clapping a friend on the back, holding you in place to check for injuries, stuff like that. He likes hugging people, but that's a little too showy for his tastes. Plus, people don't often move to hug him, so he just doesn't offer. He isn't against cuddling you in bed, though. He'll never admit it out loud, but he sleeps the best whenever you're embracing.
Kili is the type to always be leaning on someone. Always nudging or poking when telling jokes, and he loves hugs. I imagine his mom cuddled him and his brother a lot, so he's used to just hugging everyone. He'd also walk around with his arm slung over somebody's shoulders all the time. His favorite thing would have to be your hand in his, though. Feeling the curve of your knuckles, the raised flesh of an old scar, the smoothness of your nails. Most of all, how soft they feel in comparison to his, calloused by years of drawing a bow.
Fili is touchy, but in a subtle way. Leaning in close while the group is talking until his shoulder bumps yours, a reassuring hand on the back when he sees that worried look on your face, or grabbing your upper arm to stop you from tripping. He's always looking out for others, and he's so engrossed in connection that he finds himself constantly touching someone. It pisses Kili off sometimes, but Fili loves to ruffle his hair when they're joking around. His favorite way to touch you is forehead kisses. Gently pushing your hair away from your forehead(I like to think that touching foreheads is an old dwarvish custom type thing used as a hello or goodbye, sort of like when Dwalin and Balin headbutt as a greeting.) He thinks it's very intimate and it makes him feel close to you.
Dori is mother. He constantly fusses over Ori, straightening his clothes, fixing his beard and tidying his buttons. Especially if they are being hosted by someone, Dori will float around and pick at everyone, making sure they are at least somewhat presentable. He's a very tidy and proper dwarf, so that is mainly where physical touch comes into play. That being said, he doesn't really participate in big shows of affection like hugs. He secretly gets really flustered; not as easily flustered as Bilbo, but he will shoo you off if you're overwhelming him (what a tsundere lmao). Most of the time it would be you initiating any type of touch but he always gets that little spark in his eye when you need your hair put up. Just by looking at him, you can tell he is something of a stylist. He absolutely loves braiding intricate designs into your hair. Sometimes you'll whine; you're feeling a little hot, a simple bun or braid will be fine. He will hear none of it. Threading his fingers through your hair, he separates the strands into sections and each time you ask, a few hours later your head is a masterpiece of delicately pinned and plaited swirls and patterns.
Nori is a sneaky little flirt. Being something of a trickster, he loves pushing the other dwarves around to annoy them. The ole tap their opposite shoulder and act like it wasn't you is the go-to in his repertoire. His touch has a similar charm when it comes to you; he'll sneak up behind you and blow on your ear just to see you jump, or squeeze at that sensitive spot on your side to get a squeak out of you. He's constantly poking at you just to tease. You'll get so worked up and flustered throughout the day. You're beyond embarrassed and frustrated by the time you lay out your bedroll, but he acts as if he didn't do anything as he grins at you.
Ori is shy, but unknowingly clingy. The Company settles for the night and gather around the fire for dinner and he is glued to someone's side. Personal space isn't a thing, but has it ever been? He's always been like this. He will sit right next to anyone, thighs and knees bumping. The same applies to when he gets frightened; he'll grab your sleeve with shaky hands like a little kid. However, when it comes to you, he is very aware of personal space. You hand brushes his and his face is beet red. You sit anywhere near as close as he would, he's just lost his place in his book. His brain just short circuits and he has to recalibrate his brain to even comprehend that you're speaking to him. Whenever he gets more comfortable though, he would love resting his head on your shoulder (or vice versa).
Oin is the consent KING! Since he's a practiced healer, he's very aware of how some people do not appreciate being touched. He tends to keep his hands to himself unless he's doing some medical work. Even then, he is very steady and methodical to maintain an air of professionalism and avoid making anyone uncomfortable. Since he's hard of hearing, he tends to lean into people when they're talking which sometimes results in some shoulder bumping, small things like that. That being said, he would have to warm up to more intimate touching. Of course, he wouldn't mind you touching him at all. He appreciates a squeeze of the shoulder in passing, but he is not about that PDA action. However, he is really gentle in private. Soft caresses, cradling your head as he strokes your hair.
Glóin is gruff, but not nearly as nonchalant as Dwalin. You try to hug him, the guy is grumbling and begrudgingly pats your back as if his pride will be crushed by a simple embrace. Literal drama queen. It's like the big awkward man energy; he's keeping up this façade of a strong, stoic type but he constantly breaks character. He'll be cracking up at a joke, clapping one of the boys on the back, or awkwardly pat their shoulder after they kill more orcs than him in a fight. Peak dad energy, actually. He's amazing with kids, obviously. They'll climb all over him, tugging at his beard but he tolerates it and doesn't get frustrated. He absolutely gets flustered when you touch him, but he tries to play it off like he isn't embarrassed. He doesn't have a problem touching you, though. His hand is on the small of your back whenever he can get it there, and he loves to cradle your cheek in one hand just to look at you. (Also this mf is absolutely little spoon and you cannot tell me otherwise) OMG he would also carry around a little braid of your hair in a pendant or something and Gimli always thought it was a powerful symbol of connection because of dwarvish customs related to hair yatta yatta and that's why he asked Galadriel for her hair, since it was a prominent symbol to him growing up or something eurrghh ｡°(°.◜ᯅ◝°)°｡
Bifur touches everyone a lot since he can't verbalize everything effectively. It's a lot of little nudges to get someone's attention, gently moving someone to get past, or a pat and nod to say hello. He adapted to using body language to convey his thoughts, so he's comfortable touching others but is also conscious of how they feel about being touched. He's almost like a pillar of the Company; he's looming close by to offer a comforting presence, or a quiet shoulder to lean on. He tries to have constant contact with you, whether that be holding hands or just sitting with your shoulders smushed together. His touch feels quiet yet overwhelming. It's rough but gentle, warm but sends a chill up your spine. He's very romantic in how he traces lovely words onto your skin, whispering secrets to you without ever saying a word.
Bofur is so affectionate. He loves his fellow dwarves without shame and will show it in any number of ways no matter how many people stare. This dude ABSOLUTELY boops noses. Just imagine Dwalin being super serious about something just for Bofur to go *boop* and promptly sprint away Jack Sparrow style as Dwalin Michael Myers walks after him while the rest of the Company cackles. Somebody is cold, Bofur's got two arms for ya. Somebody is tired, Bofur's got a shoulder ripe for the sleepin on. And he will absolutely put his head on top of theirs. If he isn't hugging on someone else, he's on you. He's always happy to wrap his arms around you and do anything aforementioned, but he does get a little nervous sometimes in more intimate settings. He's all charm when he's tucking your hair behind your ear with a wink or pressing his hand to the back of your neck to bring your head closer for a forehead kiss, but he melts whenever you lay your head on his chest and play with his hands. He gets a tickly feeling and finds himself rubbing his neck as a sheepish chuckle falls from his lips.
and last but not least
Bombur is the hug master. You are absolutely encapsulated in a Bombur hug, I don't care how big you are. He's not particularly touchy but hugs? He's there. He gives little pats of appreciation on the back or the knee, not much besides that. With you, however, THE CUDDLE MONSTER. You will never sleep alone again. Not that you would complain, he just strokes your back and in minutes you are dead asleep. It's impossible to stay awake when he's so warm and soft. He is unbelievably warm, so you wouldn't even know it was winter in his arms. He doesn't get flustered when others touch him, but a kiss on the cheek will have him red as rubies on Mars.
