Seen by the Heart
Bofur x hobbit fem reader
A/n: Some of the fluffiest fluff I have probably ever written
Summary: As the journey to Erebor is reaching its end, Bofur struggles with how to tell the reader that he cares for her.
Bofur sighed as he saw y/n standing on the shore shivering. The rest of the company were so focused on what to do next or peeling off their own layers of sopping wet clothes that she was just left behind looking anxious. He desperately wished he had something dry to offer her, a blanket, a coat, a handkerchief, anything really, but he was just as soaked as her.
He knew exactly what was troubling her just by the look on her face; a decent lady such as herself would never strip out of her outer layers and down to her undergarments in front of the company, no matter how cold or wet she was.
Although that didn’t stop any of them from taking off their clothes in front of a woman, actually now that he was thinking about it, the company was as crass and crude as usual, almost as if Bofur was the only one who was very much aware that there was a lady in their presence the entire journey.
Bofur approached her, a kind and caring smile on his face. “You alright lass?”
“Fine,” she lied, trying to return his friendly smile. Her arms tightened around her body as she continued to try to warm up. No doubt all those skirt layers were freezing and weighing her down.
He looked her in the eye, her gaze wide and vulnerable despite the smile on her lips. The poor dear was so worried about being burdensome, that she’d never complained about how cold she felt, or how tired she was, or how desperate she was for some privacy.
“Come on,” he said, gesturing for her to follow him. “There are some tall rocks over this way.”
Her expression changed immediately, her smile finally reaching her eyes, reflecting just how utterly grateful she was that he understood her.
Bofur led her away from the group, the cluster of rocks were perfect, y/n went to go behind them but as Bofur tried to leave she stopped him. Her small hand gripped his. He tilted his head, but didn’t need to ask, the way she was shyly looking at her feet then back at him was enough for him to know that she wanted him to stay close.
“Don’t worry, I’ll stay right over here and keep watch.”
It was funny how easily Bofur understood her, all she had to do was just look at him and he knew what she was thinking or feeling. To him, her eyes were just so expressive, that even when she’d tried to hide it, he could still see what she was really feeling anyway; making it pretty much pointless for her to keep anything from him, like she did with the others.
He listened as she shuffled about, hurriedly taking off the outer layers of her dress and wringing out as much water as possible.
Hobbits really were deceptively quiet, light footed, and discreet, most of the company almost seemed to forget about Bilbo and y/n.
Bilbo literally seemed to vanish and reappear so often that Bofur had become extra vigilant when it came to y/n, worried that she’d get left behind or overlooked by the rest of the company.
In fact, Bofur hadn't really thought it through when they were escaping from the elves, when he saw the number of barrels and noted that they were one short, he simply just offered his hand to y/n as he selected one for both of them to climb into.
It was a cozy fit, but he wouldn’t deny how right it felt to have her arms around his waist and her head buried against his chest. He wouldn’t mind doing it all over again just to feel her so close and the way she squeezed him tighter as the river jerked them this way and that way.
Looking back, that hadn’t even been the first time he had done something like that during this journey.
When they were captured by the goblins he stood in front of her wanting to do his best to protect her from the wretched creatures. Then after, when they were being chased by Beorn, he ran behind her to insure that she wouldn’t fall behind the group.
Gazing out to the horizon, he knew that the end of their journey was near. No doubt, the lass was ready to return home, which meant his time with her was numbered. From the heaviness he felt in his gut, he knew there was no way he could continue to deny his feelings for her.
The problem was whether or not he should let her know and if he did would any good come of it. Would she return his feelings? And if so, would she be willing to give up her life in the Shire to stay with him? Or could he give up on making Erebor his home to stay beside her?
His brow softened and a smile formed on his face as she gently tugged on the sleeve of his shirt to get his attention. Looking back at her, he could see how grateful she was by the look in her eyes.
“Thank you, Bofur.”
“Think nothing of it, lass.”
…
Bofur had mixed feelings about being back in the barrel, on one hand he was close to y/n again, but on the other, there was a pile of fish on top of the both of them making the experience much less pleasant. The sweet hobbit also wasn’t happy about the fish, she physically cringed and tensed, curling further into Bofur as she tried to put some distance between her and the dead fish.
“Ew,” she whined quietly.
He wanted to chuckle, crack a couple of jokes about it all to lighten the mood but that could end up jeopardizing it all. So, he kept his mouth shut, instead choosing to give her shoulder a gentle squeeze.
Bofur could feel the boat rock as it came to a stop, arriving at Laketown, the final stop before reaching the Lonely Mountain and perhaps his last chance to tell her.
He thought about all the things he’d miss about her, like the way she always clapped after one of his little songs or dances, how she laughed at all his jokes, and how she’d fix his hat any time it was crooked. He loved how she’d try to keep him company when it was his turn to keep watch only to fall asleep against his shoulder after a few minutes or how she’d tug one of his braids playfully when trying to get his attention.
Honestly, Bofur was smitten the first time he saw her.
As he recalled, it was Kili or Fili who rushed to the door expecting their uncle when the company heard the knock on Bilbo’s door, only to find a sweet hobbit waiting outside with a basket full of pastries instead.
Bofur couldn’t quite remember who took the basket from her hands and began helping themselves to the scones, but it was probably safe to assume that it was Bombur.
What Bofur could remember best, however, was how he wrapped his fingers around the hobbit’s wrist and pulled her in, inviting her to join the fun. She looked up at him with big eyes and a shy smile that had his heart racing.
In fact, his heart hadn’t stopped racing, he wondered if she could hear right now how his rapidly his heart was beating while he held her close in this barrel.
…
After the harrowing experience of sneaking into Bard’s home, that surely everyone involved wanted to forget, there was a moment of respite.
The rest of the company was quick to start demanding weapons and equipment from Bard, but Bofur instead found himself watching y/n.
He watched as Bard’s daughters eagerly helped her, pulling out old dresses and clothes to see what would fit her small stature best. He smiled to himself when he saw the way y/n’s eyes lit up, thrilled over the clean clothing being offered.
The girls then led her away for a brief moment, so she could change in privacy. She re-emerged looking as lovely as ever, donning a dress similar to what the oldest daughter was wearing.
The youngest of the girls ran off to fetch a brush after y/n agreed to let her fix her hair.
“Sigrid never lets me help her with her hair,” Tilda stated, standing behind y/n. The young girl patiently began detangling y/n’s hair with her fingers first in order to undo some of the larger knots.
“Your hair is so soft,” Tilda complimented, now brushing the rest of y/n’s hair. “Do all halflings have such soft hair?”
Bofur felt a twinge of jealousy as the girl braided sections of y/n’s hair, before tying it back in a simple bun. Part of him hoped that soon he’d have the same opportunity, braiding her hair would then make it official to all the other dwarves that y/n was his one.
His jealousy quickly melted away when the girl finally finished and he saw how happy y/n was. He’d do anything if it meant making her happy.
…
After their failed attempt to sneak out of Laketown and continue their journey to the Lonely Mountain. Bofur and rest of the Company found themselves busy enjoying the food and drink provided by the Master, thanks to Thorin’s promises of sharing the wealth from the halls of Erebor.
It was late into the night now and Bofur still wasn’t exactly sure what he was going to say, but he was determined to let her know how he felt before they left in the morning.
He finished the rest of his pint, hoping it would help him find the courage to tell her. He licked his lips, staring at the back of her head for a moment. She looked lost in thought, making him hesitate, worried that he’d be disturbing her, but he’d take any excuse, or even make one up, if it meant he could continue putting this off.
Taking a deep breath, he stumbled over to y/n, who fortunately was alone and apart from the group.
In his head, he quickly rehearsed what he’d like to say, ‘Lass, our journey is almost over and before I lose my chance, I just wanted to say that I’ve really come to care for you, everything else we can figure out later.’
Then, hopefully, she’d say something that would indicate that she felt the same way, and the rest would fall into place.
He cleared his throat, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder as she turned around to face him. She looked as though she was glowing, radiating warmth and tenderness. He opened his mouth to speak but words failed him, instead all he could do was look longingly into her eyes.
Her brows furrowed as Bofur stared at her silently. She recognized this expression of his, he’d often look at her like this from afar when he thought no one else was watching and he’d hastily turn away when her eyes would meet his. It was a look of complete adoration.
Y/n felt like a fool for not understanding what it meant sooner. Probably because it was so hard to believe that an outgoing and handsome dwarf like Bofur would have any interest in a shy little hobbit like herself.
She brought a hand up to his face, her palm settling against his cheek, and a beautiful smile formed on her lips. His deep brown eyes didn’t waver from hers, revealing how vulnerable and sincere he was in this very moment, despite not being able to actually tell her.
“I love you,” she whispered quickly before losing her nerve. Immediately after the words left her mouth, her gaze shifted to her feet and her hands nervously clutched her skirts.
It took a second for her words to sink in, but finally Bofur’s lips turned upward in a goofy smile. “Really?” He asked.
Y/n nodded, feeling rather flustered after her bold declaration.
The elation he felt was liberating, like all his worries had disappeared, simply because he knew that she loved him.
Bofur cupped both sides of her face in his larger hands and angled her head up to face him. His grin grew at the sight of her timid expression, especially considering that she had just acted far more fearlessly than himself.
He rested his forehead against hers, lovingly caressing the apples of her cheeks with his thumbs, as he just continued to admire her.
Y/n bit her bottom lip and nervously rubbed one of her feet on top of the other as a few minutes went by. “Aren’t you going to kiss me?”
Bofur blinked in surprise. “Well aren’t you being mighty bold this evening?” He teased, but promptly leaned forward with his head tilted.
Y/n’s eyes fluttered shut when she first felt the tickle of his moustache then the soft touch of his lips pressing against hers. Her hands letting go of her skirt, found their way to his chest.
He held her head more firmly as deepened the kiss, smiling against her lips when he felt her knees buckle and her fingers tighten their grip on him.
Bofur sighed as they parted, his thumb tracing over her bottom lip. He couldn’t wait to make a home with her, wherever that might be, their journey was just beginning.
