Merry woke up early the next morning. Something was tickling his nose, and he slowly realised that it was Pippin’s hair. He sighed quietly and shifted a little, carefully so Pippin would not wake up.

He looked fondly at his younger cousin, a wave of love washing over him. Pippin’s body was pressed against his own, his head resting heavily on Merry’s shoulder, his warm breath steadily brushing against Merry’s neck.

Merry smiled to himself. The memories of last night were still fresh with him, every scent, movement, and sound imprinted in his mind so he could treasure that night forever and ever.

Merry had to start thinking of something else, he felt he could just burst with all the happiness and love he felt. Naturally, his thoughts averted to food – his second love after Pippin (he was a hobbit, after all).

He wondered what time it was, if it was anywhere near breakfast. They would, of course, have to get a bath before eating. Would it be time soon? He was hungry.

Had they eaten much yesterday? He couldn’t rightfully remember. He had had breakfast, not much since he had been too worried to feel hungry. Then Pippin had come back, and… he thought that somewhere after sleeping and bathing and before Pippin had teased him back into bed a supper had been eaten.

That was just two meals. Could that be true? No, hang on; they had had a late snack too. That was still only three meals. Merry shook his head. Pippin definitely had a strange way of making him forget about the world.

His mind drifted back to Pippin as he mumbled something in his sleep and moved even closer to Merry. Merry considered waking him up. It must be time for breakfast soon enough. They could have a bath and get ready.

He brushed a lock of hair out of Pippin’s face. He looked so peaceful; it would be a pity to wake him up. Would it really? He knew that Pippin would look just as sweet when he woke up.

He smiled and leant forward. “Mushroomsss.” He whispered softly in Pippin’s ear.

Pippin’s green eyes flew open in an instant. “I’m hungry.” He said, sleepily.

Merry chuckled. “Well, that’s nice. No, ‘yesterday was great, Merry’ or ‘I love you, Merry’. I see that I’m still not more important than food then.”

Pippin snuggled closer to him. “Oh, Merry, I’m sorry. I love you. But, I spent all day yesterday with you, and I think I missed a few meals."

Merry smiled and kissed his forehead. “Was just thinking that. Let’s go have a bath?”

Pippin yawned and nodded. “Yes, come on.” He jumped out of bed, dragging Merry with him.

It was a few hours later when they were finally washed and full. Pippin was sat on the bed, and Merry was kneeling behind him, trying to tame his cousin’s unruly curls.

Pippin sighed. “Give it up, Merry, it won’t work.”

Merry put the comb on the bedside table. “You’re right. Turn around and let me see you.”

Pippin turned around, and Merry smiled and nodded. “Perfect.” He stated. “Just perfect.”

Pippin leant forward just enough for the tips of their noses to touch. “You always say that, Merry.” He whispered. “You probably thought I looked all perfect when I was full of butter yesterday.”

Merry smiled. “I couldn’t say otherwise.” He gave Pippin a soft kiss then sat up straight. “But, come now, we will never get out of here if we keep this up.”

Pippin smiled wickedly. His green eyes were suddenly intent on Merry’s, and Merry found himself trembling.

“No, Pip.” He chided weakly, shaking his head.

Pippin sighed and sat up. “Ok, ok. Will we go then? The sooner we go, the sooner we come back.” He smiled.

Merry was quiet for a while. “How about we stay over at Bag End tonight? I’m sure Frodo wouldn’t mind.”

Pippin bit his lip. “I thought your Pa told you not to. People are talking about him, and since that party business and Bilbo went away, and…”

Merry snorted. “I think he could do with the company. Besides, since you went and talked to him yesterday, I’m sure we could be less quiet there than here.”

Pippin blushed. “Maybe.” He said.

“Let’s pack.”

Frodo looked a little surprised as he opened the door to find his cousins outside. “Merry! Pippin! Come in!” He opened the door wider, ushering them inside and hugging them each in turn. He whispered something to Pippin as he hugged him.

Pippin chuckled. “Frodo!” He protested and wriggled out of Frodo’s embrace.

Frodo lightly tapped Pippin’s nose with his finger. “Sorry there, I forgot for a while that you’re not a baby any more.”

Merry calmly met Frodo’s gaze as he looked at him, and Frodo nodded slightly. “Of course,” he mumbled, and then he smiled. “Well, I suppose you would like some tea, and maybe a scone? Sam brought some this morning.”

Pippin took to the idea. “A scone would be nice. And some tea too. Frodo, can we stay the night?!”

Frodo shook his head and gestured for them to come into the kitchen. “I see you’re still yourself after all, Pip.” He said, and put some water in the kettle to heat it. Pippin smiled bashfully.

“Of course he is.” Merry said, a little dryly. Frodo turned around and met his gaze, and it was almost challenging.

“Sorry.” Frodo said quietly, and put two cups on the table. “Sorry.”

Pippin looked at each of them in turn. “Frodo, do you think Sam would like some tea?” He asked tentatively, trying to change the subject.

“What?” Frodo looked at him, the question slowly registering in his mind. “Oh, maybe, I don’t know. It’s a while ago since we had breakfast. Do you want to go ask him?”

Pippin jumped off his chair. “Want to come, Merry?”

Merry shook his head. “I think I’ll stay here.”

“Frodo?” Merry said when the front door had closed after Pippin, breaking the tense silence that hung in the kitchen as the younger hobbit left.

Frodo turned around. “Yes?” Their gazes battled for a while.

“Are you angry with me?” Merry’s gaze wavered a little.

Frodo shook his head. “No.”

“Ok.” Merry said. “So, what’s wrong?”

“Nothing. I was just worried about Pip.” He smiled uncertainly.

“So, you think I would hurt him?”

Frodo almost dropped the bread basket he was holding. “No, Merry. No.”

Merry looked at him intently. “Then you have nothing to worry about.”

Frodo averted his gaze from Merry. “He could hurt himself.” He put the basket down on the table.

Marry chortled. “Come now, Frodo, I’m there to make sure he doesn’t. I’m taking care of him.”

Frodo took a sharp breath. “I know.” There was a bitter tone in his voice and he turned his back to Merry as he got some preserves out of a press.

Merry got off his chair and walked over to Frodo, putting a hand on his shoulder. He could feel Frodo tense at the touch. “Are you jealous? Do you want Pippin?” He frowned at the thought.

Frodo shook his head with a small sigh. “No, I don’t want Pippin.”

Merry blinked. So, he was jealous, then? “Do you want me?” His voice quivered a little as Frodo turned to face him.

“No.” Frodo whispered. Then, a bit clearer. “No, I don’t want you.” His eyes met Merry’s. “I’m just jealous of what you have. Everything… all that love.” He shrugged, as if that would get rid of the idea from his own head. “Forgive me.” He mumbled.

Merry slowly put his arms around Frodo and pulled him to him. “Oh, Frodo.” He said, for he could find no other words suitable for a moment like this.

A quiet sob escaped Frodo, and Merry was startled. He desperately searched his mind for something to say, something that would make everything all right. “Frodo, I… I think. Frodo, you will have someone love you like that, someday. You’ll see.”

Frodo shook his head, then pulled away from Merry and dried a few stubborn tears with the back of his hand. He tried an uncertain smile. “Maybe.” He said, but he found it hard to believe.

The front door slammed shut and Pippin came running into kitchen, laughing wildly.

“Argh!” He shrieked, diving in behind Merry. “Help me, Merry!”

Sam came into the kitchen, looking less than happy and with grass in his golden curls.

Frodo laughed. “Pippin, what did you do to poor Sam?!” He exclaimed, walking over to pick some grass out so it wouldn’t fall all over the kitchen.

“I’ll have you know that that little bother-“

“Now, now,” Frodo interrupted him. “Calm down, Sam, he’s still young.”

Sam clenched his jaw, then sighed. “All right, all right, I am sorry, Mr. Frodo.” Pippin stuck his tongue out at Sam from his safe place behind Merry.

Frodo turned around. “But you still ought to try and behave yourself, Peregrin Took. Lads your age should know to do that when they’re guests.”

Pippin rolled his eyes and looked like he was going to protest, but Frodo’s stern gaze stopped him. He sighed and crept from behind Merry. “Ok, ok, I’m sorry Sam. Frodo.”

Frodo smiled. “Then that’s that sorted. Now, let’s eat.”

“Good idea.” Merry said, sitting down at the table.

“Yes, I’m starving!” Pippin said, and before Merry could react he had sat down in his lap.

Merry laughed. “Trust a Took.” He hugged Pippin to him, kissing his hair.

Pippin took a knife and started to spread strawberry jam on a scone. Breaking off a piece, he held it in front of Merry. “Open wide.” He said, then proceeded with feeding it to him.

Merry smiled. “Delicious.” He stated.

Pippin lent forward and stole a kiss, then licked his lips. “Mmmm…” he said, “Delicious.”

On the side line, Sam glanced at Frodo, who seemed deep in thought. He wondered if Frodo too had noticed that something seemed to have changed. Something *had* changed, for sure, he felt, but he couldn’t set his finger on it.

Frodo came out of his thoughts, and his blue eyes met Sam’s. “Let’s eat.” He said, and sat down at the table.

Sam shrugged, finding no use in pondering on the change, and sat down beside Frodo.

That evening, as Pippin lay safe and warm in Merry's arms, he couldn’t help but feel a little sorry when he thought of Frodo laying all alone in his own bed close-by.

“Merry?” He said softly.

Merry started out of his own thoughts. “Yes?”

“Was Frodo angry about something today?”

Merry shook his head. “No, love.”

“Did he think you hurt me?”

Merry stroke Pippin’s cheek tenderly. “Of course not. Did I?”

Pippin shook his head. “No. Well, it hurt a little bit, but not much, and it was worth it.”

Merry hugged Pippin a little closer. “Good.” He said.

“I love you.” Merry said, a little sleepily. He had soon fallen asleep.

Pippin lay awake just a little longer, pondering on everything that had happened that past two days. He sighed quietly. It didn’t seem all that easy to be grown up, after all. He almost wished he could stay a child forever.

Then he looked at Merry, and the thought left him. No, he shouldn’t wish to be a child for always. Being grown up couldn’t be all that hard, leastways not as long as Merry was with him.

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