The other day I was escaping across a bridge from the Penitus Oculatua (deftly avoids spoilers coming at him left and right!) and three Hired Thugs turned up and were passive. They even killed the Penitus Oculatus as they saw it as an assault when they tried to kill me!

Now, today they were at it again! I went on a random rampage in Solitude and these hired thugs defended me from the guards for some reason! They were even passive when I hit them!

I had the "Imperial" orc and his buddies come to my rescue when a thalmor patrol attacked me. They were very effective, too!

Oh god I hope this isn't a bug because that would mean all that hard work(well easy ;p) I went through in getting on the stormcloaks/imperial/thalmor KOS list(the thalmor have actually issued out orders to kill me) went cold turkey >_>.

@http://www.gamesas.com/user/785013-pnk/
The same thing happened to me, and in the same spot in the game, while fighting the " Penitus Oculatus "
After that, the thugs annoyed me, so I've decided to kill them.

That was a long time ago, and I'm still playing. Actually, now I'm getting close to finishing the important quests, so don't worry.
If this is a bug or whatever, it doesen't affect your gameplay, or your game in any way.
So just kill them if u don't like them