Round 1 for Bracket C has closed! Even though these tropes did not win, it came with some awesome recs we'd like to share. Round 1 for Bracket D has already begun. We can't wait to see what else you rec for us!
Beach Burglary - Melibe (T)- When Thorin agreed to take his nephews to the beach, he knew it would be anything but relaxing. He was prepared to handle water safety, roughhousing, incessant demands for ice cream, even a seagull attack. What he's completely unprepared for is a cute man smiling and waving at him.
Bilbo's recently orphaned young cousin doesn't like to swim, but he loves to play in the sand. Since Bilbo adopted the boy, a shady spot at the beach has become their favorite retreat from the challenges of navigating a new life together. An unexpected meeting with a handsome stranger and two boisterous children is hardly what Bilbo's looking for--but it could be just what he needs.
A Dragon's Tale by vtforpedro (T)- Bilbo Baggins has been a hobbit for many long years and he should very much like to keep it that way, thank you very much.
An old friend drops by Bag End with the offer of an adventure and despite Bilbo's refusal, the idea of only thirteen dwarves and a wizard facing a dragon may just convince him yet. After all, he has experience with the Great Dragons of the North. Once upon a time, he was one.
The Family of Things by lucradiss (T)- Or, in which this is another Dragon!Bilbo fic. Over the last 200 years, Bilbo has found contentment within his life at Bag End, and he does not long for adventure, much less to face one of his kin. But he does so anyway, because the ruin of Erebor has deprived him of his favorite tea for the past sixty years, and finds that, in spite of his life of cruelty, he does not have to be lonely.
Through the Darkness, Rise by starsailorwrites (T)- During the Battle of the Five Armies, Bilbo dies. On the other side, he's met by the Essence of the Universe - and they are not pleased with this turn of events. Deciding to send Bilbo back, they give him two advantages: knowledge, and strength.
Bilbo is born as a dragon of the First Age with all the memories of the hobbit Bilbo Baggins. First, he has to survive several thousand years as a dragon... and then, when he's finally a hobbit again, he has to deal with keeping his identity secret while traveling with the Company of thirteen dwarves. With guilt eating him up and worry of the future gnawing at his bones, Bilbo sets off for the March of Erebor. He can only hope he won't fall for a certain dwarven king on his way there... again.
Wild Wings - DomesticGoddess (E)- Wounded and stranded in a strange forest, Thorin finds himself in the care of a lovebird, a reclusive and mysterious race. He’s not impressed. His host appears backward and primitive. But Bilbo seems content enough to play caretaker while Thorin heals, and that is a mercy. Isolated with the halfling, Thorin has little to do besides navigate the barriers between them and learn more about his host. The more he learns, the more he finds himself drawn to the selfless, hardworking hobbit.
But how can he be sure that this growing attraction between them is anything more than an intimacy brought on by isolation? Besides, Thorin’s a king. He’ll have to return to his kingdom, and Bilbo has never left the forest.
The Hobbit: A Suicidal Journey by vividpast (T)- Bilbo has been planning to kill himself for a while. However, he wants to go out with a big bang and not just a common death. Cue Gandalf and his invitation to a dangerous adventure that will surely give him an opportunity to die in a lot of interesting ways. Now, if only those bothersome dwarves stop saving him at every attempt . . . Full prompt inside. Half serious, half not.
An Ode to Broken Things by Wizards_Pupil (NR)- “Thorin, I have a weak heart. It has trouble pumping enough blood through my body. That’s why I’m always so low on energy. And…” Bilbo swallowed, forcibly keeping his eyes on the flickering flames. Thorin wasn’t moving by his side. “And it’s failing. There are healers in Greenwood who have gifts for mending hearts, but there isn’t much chance it will work. I haven’t been very responsive to any other methods, and… Well… I don’t have very long.” Bilbo dropped his eyes to his hands. He’d ripped the four-leaf clover Bofur had given him. It seemed horribly symbolic of his life.
Headed to Greenwood to see the healer Thranduil, Bilbo Baggins and Gandalf the Grey hitch a ride with thirteen dwarves headed to Erebor.
Bilbo had hoped it would be like the adventures he read. That there would be orcs, sword fights, torture, revenge, trolls, chases, or escapes.
He had never expected miracles or true love.
Bruise and Batter My Heart by SunnyRose (G)- Thorin thought everything was going well with the rebuilding of Erebor until Bilbo continued to show up injured. Upon investigating what could be causing his hobbit such pain, he discovers Bilbo is engaging in an old dwarven courting custom...but for who??
Alone this Yuletide by Emsiecat (T)- 'Alone this Yuletide? Irritated with prying and nosey family members?
I am an out of work blacksmith currently trying to make my way by any means necessary that does not involve my resorting to thievery (prisons are most uncomfortable, I've unfortunate first hand experience). However, if you would like me to be your strictly platonic companion for any social function, but have me pretend that we are in a serious courtship, so as to torment your family and ward off unwanted suitors then I am more than obliging...'
After becoming increasingly irritated by overtures of romance from various Shire residents following the death of his mother four years ago, Bilbo is more than ready to resort to desperate measures. That is, up to and including pretending to be in a serious relationship with a certain surly blacksmith currently inhabiting the Bindbale Woods.
It's a good idea after all; all they have to do is pretend to be in love over the Yuletide period and Bilbo's family and suitors will surely leave him alone after that. It's perfect! And nothing can possibly go wrong, right? Certainly nothing as preposterous as falling for one another for real...
