Vegetable Thieves II

The aroma of mushrooms in herb-butter sauce welcomed Frodo into the kitchen. Merry and Pippin were seated side by side at the table, waiting anxiously while Sam worked at the counter transferring foodstuffs to bowls and platters.

Frodo leaned against the doorframe, the bottle of wine cradled in his arms, forgotten, as his eyes followed Sam's smooth, economical motions. Sam was softly humming one of Bilbo's favorite songs and it made Frodo smile.

"There you are, cousin," Pippin said, waving a carrot stick at him. "About time you joined us. I'm nearly faint with hunger and Sam wouldn't give us so much as a crumb while you were gone."

Sam muttered something under his breath and thumped a platter of sausages down on the table, as far away from Pippin as possible.

Merry nearly got a knee in his lap as Pippin tried a grab for the platter. Sam was too quick for him, though; he simply lifted the platter and returned it to the counter to "keep it warm while Frodo poured the wine".

There was a moment of confusion as Merry and Pip tussled, with Merry clearly winning and Pip taking up another carrot stick, biting into it with bared teeth, casting a meaningful look at Sam.

Frodo laughed, setting the wine on the table and moving across the room to slice the fresh bread that Sam had set out to cool. He paused as he passed Sam, laying a hand on the younger hobbit's arm and leaning in close to whisper an Elvish endearment in his ear. He felt Sam shiver at their closeness and had to resist the urge to follow the whisper with something more.

For a moment he wondered if Merry and Pippin suspected. Merry had been making pointed comments all day and even Pippin had been paying more attention than usual.

Not that it mattered, Frodo reminded himself as he set the basket of bread beside the small crock of honey-butter that Merry was so partial to. It was just that it still felt new and fragile, although it had been nearly two months.

Almost immediately Pippin claimed a slice of bread, biting into it with a contented sigh. He leaned towards Merry with an impish grin and asked, "want a bite?" But when Merry moved closer, ready to nibble on the bread, Pippin snatched it away, giggling.

"None of that, you," Merry scolded, smiling as he caught Pippin's wrist and took a large bite of the bread.

"Hey," Pippin protested, even as his free hand found its way onto Merry's back, bringing Merry closer rather than pushing him away.

Frodo watched the two of them wrestle, smiling at how open they were in their affection. They made it seem so easy.

"Roasted corn!"

Pippin's words startled Frodo and he turned quickly to see Sam carrying a steaming platter to the table.

Oh no.

Sam's eyes caught his through the steam and Frodo felt like melting right there. The room was suddenly too warm and he wavered, bumping hard against the table.

"Here now, Mr Frodo. Watch yourself." Sam was right next to him, one arm around his back, eyes looking deep into him. "Everything all right?" Sam was so close they could feel each other breathing.

"Yes, Sam, I just..." Frodo was drawn into those eyes, all thought abandoned as he leaned...

"Good luck for us, Merry." Pippin said loudly, startling Frodo and Sam back to awareness. "They've gone all gooey, so more for us." Pippin reached out to claim the dish of mushrooms, drawing them close. He hugged the bowl and inhaled deeply, smiling gleefully.

"Not if I do this." Merry lifted the bowl out of Pippin's arms, setting it aside as he pressed close and stole a kiss. Pippin's protests stopped immediately and he kissed back, nearly knocking Merry over.

"Now who's gooey?" Frodo demanded, laughing. He leaned over and reclaimed the mushrooms while Sam hurried the last of the bowls and platters onto the table.

They'd opted to take dinner informally in the kitchen by the fire rather than use the dining room. The day had grown cold and grey and the kitchen felt cozy.

Frodo managed to keep his attention on eating and talking until the meal was nearly over. With deliberate movements, Sam reached for an ear of corn. Frodo buried his groan in his glass of wine, but his eyes refused to move from the familiar sight.

First the husk was peeled back, carefully and slowly, gathered and twisted at the base to form a handle.

Next Sam lifted the ear of corn high plunging it into the clear jar. It was more than three-quarters full of warm water with a golden layer of melted butter floating on top. As Sam drew the corn out of the jar, he tilted his head, tongue darting out to catch any stray drops of butter.

Eyes locked on Frodo's, Sam licked his lips before lowering his mouth to the corn. He nibbled carefully at the tender kernels at the tip, then slid his tongue down the length of the ear. At the base, he bared his teeth and sank them into the golden yellow vegetable.

All but oblivious to everything else, Frodo stared at Sam, watching every move, feeling flushed and too warm. Without looking, he managed to find his glass and emptied it without tasting the tart wine.

Aware of the sudden tension in the room, Merry looked first at Frodo then Sam, and found himself mesmerized by the gardener's actions.

Pippin saw what was happening and got an idea. Leaving the table unnoticed, he went to Frodo's pantry and retrieved a small, deep red tomato. Slipping back into his seat, he leaned over and whispered, sing-song, into Merry's ear.

"I've found a to-ma-to."

With a start, Merry turned towards the younger hobbit. "Oh..."

Pippin was ready; making as much a show as Sam, he held the fruit in both hands and used his teeth to break the skin. Very carefully he caught a piece of the skin between his teeth and pulled, exposing the sweet, soft interior. A turn, and another section of skin was removed.

When he was satisfied, Pippin paused and looked over at Sam. They had been watching each other, an unspoken challege.

Sam's ear of corn was almost gone, large sections of cob visible among smaller patches of golden corn.

With an almost imperceptible nod, the two hobbits turned their attention back to what they were doing.

Pippin sank his teeth lightly into the exposed center of the tomato, sucking at the juices, then stopped suddenly, holding the slightly-deflated tomato out to Merry. "Your turn."

Not to be outdone, Sam held the ear of corn out to Frodo, his eyes asking the question while his mouth, lips butter-glossed and irrestible, curved into a teasing smile.

Frodo took the corn, licking and nipping at the kernels before worrying them free. He turned the cob again and ran his teeth over the top. Smiling at the blush of color on Sam's face he repeated the action, more slowly this time.

He was very aware of Merry as the younger hobbit used his tongue to explore the inner recesses of the tomato. The fruit was quite misshapen and as Frodo watched, Merry bit into it deeply, then leaned towards Pippin, urging the youngest hobbit to bite into the tomato as well.

Someone groaned and Frodo wasn't sure if it was him. Deciding that there was no use resisting, he set the corn cob aside and leaned over to lick the butter from Sam's lips.

Pulling back at long last, Frodo became aware of three pairs of eyes looking at him.

"Cleaning up can wait," he said shakily. "I believe we could all do with a rest. Merry, you can use your usual room."

"Thank you," and he and Pippin stood, moving quickly away, hand in hand.

Sam and Frodo weren't far behind as they walked to Frodo's room.

Just before Sam closed the door they heard Pippin's happy comment: "I told you, Merry. Frodo and Sam have the best vegetables."