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Frodo lay in his garden and watched as the clouds morphed and floated by in the great blue sky. It was a warm summer day in the Shire and there was no better thing to do than lay in the cool grass and let the breeze run through his dark hair. The Gaffer and Bilbo were out with Frodo talking about how the Day Lilies and tomatoes were coming along. The Gaffer had brought along his son, Sam Gamgee, over to teach him about how different plants had to be laid out, but he couldn’t pay attention. Not when an angel of a Hobbit laid out in a sea of green.
“Sam, you ninny-hammer,” The Gaffer grumbled, “no time for lolly-gagging now! We have work to do.” The gaffer smacked Sam upside the head gently and continued. Bilbo chuckled and walked back into Bag-End to fetch some drinks for the loyal gardeners. Frodo sat up because he could feel a sunburn coming on. He glanced over to the gardener and his boy. The young Sam's face was rather red and cheery. His soft, dark blonde, wavy hair fell to his face as he gently laid tomato seeds into the damp soil. Years of dirt stained his sun-kissed fingertips dark and his dull green eyes carefully scanned the soil for any lumps or bumps.
Frodo caught himself staring and quickly looked away, acting as if he was deep in thought about the grand willow that stood tall in the garden. Frodo heard whispers and the faint rustling of clothes behind him. Footstep bounded towards where Frodo sat.
“Hullo Frodo,” Sam's voice whispered as he sat next to Frodo.
“Hey Sam,” Frodo replied, “How was work today?”
“Oh you know, same old same old,” Sam sighed and laid back on his wrists. Frodo heard Bilbo calling out for The Gaffer to come inside and get some food and a drink. The Gaffer gave an accepting grunt and made his way into Bag-End.
“It’s hot out today, Sam isn’t it,” Frodo stated slowly. Sam didn’t say anything but Frodo knew he agreed.
“Well,” Frodo began, “since it’s so hot and you’re off work for a bit, how would you like to go down to the creek? Just to cool off.”
Sam paused for a minute, looking deep in thought. “I mean, I’d like to Frodo but, you know how my old Gaffer is,” Sam said solemnly.
“Oh, to hell with that old hag,” Frodo groaned while rolling his eyes, “Come on, let’s go. It’s not like he’ll notice. We’ll only be gone for a minute!” Frodo pulled Sam to his feet and dragged him to the edge of the garden.
“I know a shortcut,” Frodo said while giving Sam a mischievous grin. Sam was worried as he looked back to Bag-End. I mean, Frodo does have a point, Sam thought carefully, I’ll only be gone a minute. Frodo and Sam jumped over the hedge at the edge of the garden. They raced over the hills of Hobbiton to get to their destination. About halfway across the Shire an ear-piercing “GAMGEE,” cried out from the East. Sam turned his head in surprise and worry. Frodo just rolled his eyes and gave a hard look to the hobbit that yelled. “Y…Yesum?” Sam mumbled in the direction of the cry. Lobelia Sackville-Baggins stomped out into her front yard, not daring to leave the border of her home.
“Just what do you think you’re doing with Bilbo’s boy?” Lobelia shouted disgustedly. “Aren’t you supposed to be out at work?” Lobelia’s eyes glanced down to see the two boys’ hands interlocked. She gave a horrible gasp at what she saw.
“What would your Gaffer think, Samwise?” She guffawed. Sam was confused for a second and then looked at what she was looking at. He blushed embarrassingly at his and Frodo's intertwined fingers. A wave of shame washed over him and he quickly released his grasp on Frodo. He didn’t even know when he had grabbed his hand but he was deeply ashamed of himself for acting upon his past thoughts. What would my Gaffer think, Sam asked himself.
“Please Mrs. Lobelia, don’t tell my Gaffer! He won’t take it well and you know how he is with his health and all,” Sam desperately begged.
“I’ll have to think about it Sam-boy,” She paused, thinking for some time.
“Tell you what, if you come over early tomorrow morning and help clean out my garden and wash my dishes, a word won’t leave my mouth.”
“Oh, bless you Mrs. Lobelia! I’ll be over as soon as I can tomorrow, you have my word! I just hate to imagine what the Gaffer would do if he knew I was, -erm,” Sam cut himself off. He gave a half-smile to Lobelia as she walked back into her hobbit hole.
“Come on Sam, let’s continue,” Frodo said, obviously annoyed. They walked across the Shire for a while until they made it to the edge of Bywater. Here Frodo took a turn towards the woods. They walked about a mile when Frodo finally announced their arrival. Hidden on the outskirts of the forest was a quaint stream that flowed to the Brandywine. It was clear blue and clean. Its rushing waters made a great roar that made it hard to hear Frodo sometimes. Grand rocks and moss lay haphazardly around and in the creek. The sun peeked behind the trees and made wonderful reflections off the water, making it look like the rivers at Rivendell based on Bilbo’s stories. Frodo rolled his pants up to his knees and placed a foot in the water. A cool blanket washed over his ankles and he gave a deep sigh. He placed both feet into the creek and let himself relax on the bank. Sam was worried, he didn’t know how to swim and the water seemed very fast. Frodo, of course, noticed. Of course, he did.
“Are you coming Sam? It’s not that deep, I swear!” Frodo encouraged him. So, Sam, not wanting to disappoint his master, walked up to the stream’s edge and sat by Frodo. And of course, Frodo was right. The cool water rushed by Sam’s ankles and he could feel the bottom of the creek. Sam smiled and let the sun lay its rays across his face.
“It’s such a beautiful day,” Frodo said uncompelled. Sam glanced at Frodo and by god was he gorgeous. His dark curls fell in front of his face as he looked into the rushing water. His delicate hands played with the grass by him and Sam wished that Frodo would play with his hair like that. A smile crept onto Frodo’s face.
“You’re staring, Sam,” Frodo giggled.
“Sorry Sir,” Sam mumbled an apology.
Frodo paused, looked up from the water, and smiled up at the trees.
“What are you thinking about?” Frodo asked while turning his head toward Sam and tilting it. Sam waited, not knowing if he should tell Frodo all the thoughts he’d had about him recently. If my Gaffer could see me now, I'd be dragged home by my ear and I’d be givin’ a talkin’ to.
“I… I’ve had a dream like this,” Sam began, “just like this. Just you and me sitting at a creek and talking about nothing. And everything at the same time. And I’d scoot closer to you, to ‘ear you better.” And Sam scooted closer to Frodo. Frodo watched with piqued interest, leaning closer to Sam to listen better.
“And I would look you in the eyes, just like… this,” Sam said gazing into Frodo’s wild blue eyes. A new gleam of joy appeared in his pupils.
“And your hand would glide over my mine, like this,” Sam whispered. Sam took Frodo’s hand and helped him move it over his own; never breaking eye contact. A light blush crept over Frodo's cheeks. Sam leaned towards him so they were no more than an inch apart.
“Then we would… just.” Sam leaned his free hand on Frodo’s cheek and closed the gap between them softly. Frodo didn’t push back, in fact, he kissed him back with the same tenderness as Sam had. It felt like hours had passed when Sam finally let Frodo go. His mind was fuzzy and fireworks were going off in his head. His gaze softened as he looked at the sweet hobbit next to him. He felt an absolute and abundant love for the boy next to him. Love? I mean, it feels like love, but boys aren’t allowed to like other boys, Sam thought. Sam was, truly, about to go back for another kiss when the fireworks in his head became forest fires. Sam’s face faltered and he looked away from Frodo before their lips could touch again.
“This was a mistake,” Sam whispered under his breath and pulled away from Frodo. Frodo gave him a confused and sad look.
“Sam? Sam, wait what's wrong?” Frodo begged for an answer.
“It just ain't natural Frodo! What would the other hobbits say if they saw us doing this...this devil worship? What would my Gaffer think?” Sam rambled incoherently. Frodo went to touch Sam’s hand in comfort but Sam ripped his hand back as if he had been burned.
“Don’t touch me!” Sam shouted, “I just… I have to go back to work.” Sam stood from the creek leaving Frodo in the water. Frodo stood up after him; lost for words yet, having so much he wanted to say.
“Sam please…”
“Goodbye Frodo. Thank you for bringing me out here, it was… nice. I’ll see you back at Bag-End.” Sam said as he began to walk back to his workspace.
“I love you, Sam!” Frodo choked out not knowing what else to say. He didn’t want him to leave on a sour note. Tears caught in Frodo’s throat as Sam halted. Frodo let out a mangled sob and turned his face away from Sam’s sad glance. He wouldn’t dare to let Sam see him this vulnerable.
“I… I love you too, sir,” Sam said loudly. His chest felt heavy and tears pricked his eyes.
“Then why can’t you love me? Even in private! I don’t care how or where, I just want you!” Frodo wailed. Sam stood there dumbfounded. He hadn’t realized that Frodo had felt such a strong passion for him. He strode towards Frodo slowly; eyes full of tears. He wrapped his shaky arms around Frodo and held him as if he were made of fine china. Sam gently gave Frodo small kisses against his temple and ears.
“I’ll always love you, my dear Frodo. I’m just scared of what other hobbits will think. You are a very important and respected gentle-hobbit ‘round here.” Sam whispered.
A sob wracked through Frodo, “I don’t care what other hobbits think of me. I only care what you think and want.” Sam held Frodo and swayed with him as he cried into his shoulder. Sam then turned Frodo’s face toward him and gave him a few gentle kisses on his lips.
“Well then, Mr. Frodo, if yer willing, would you be my second half? My partner in crime? My er…” Sam paused in thought.
“Your boyfriend?” Frodo asked as he giggled through his tears. Sam blushed up to his pointed ears.
“Yeah, yeah me boyfriend,” Sam said the last word as if it were a curse. Now, he was completely willing to date Frodo, but there was a stigma in The Shire between men and men dating ever since Bilbo met that dwarf.
“Of course, I will Sam. What a silly question!” Frodo said, hugging Sam back finally. Sam smiled and felt a bit silly for being so nervous. They looked at the creek and woods one last time.
“We should get back to Bag-End and return you to your Gaffer. Shall we?” Frodo asked Sam, holding his hand out and over-dramatically bowing to him. Sam laughed and grabbed his hand as they walked.
“Shouldn’t I be the one bowing to you Mr. Frodo?” Sam asked, rolling his eyes. Frodo shoved him playfully.
“Ugh, don’t call me ‘Mr. Frodo’ while you’re mine. Enough of the formalities!” Frodo playfully complained.
“Yessir… erm I mean yes Frodo!” Sam laughed out loud. And they made the long trek back to Bag-End.
- ••
When Sam and Frodo got back to Bag-End and jumped back over the hedge they saw the Gaffer and Bilbo walk out into the garden laughing hard.
“Samwise! Where’ve you been? We’ve been calling out for you for some time now,” The Gaffer called out to the young gardener.
“I was just with Frodo, sir. He was showing me some more of his and Mr. Bilbo’s plants!” Sam lied through his teeth. The Gaffer completely bought it though. Sam and Frodo walked their way to the back door of the Shire where Bilbo and Hamfast Gamgee were.
“Well, we best be going back to Bagshot Row. Don’t want your mother waiting on us for dinner, do we, Sam?” The Gaffer asked.
“No sir!”
“Well suppose this is goodbye. Goodnight Bilbo and Frodo!” The Gaffer said merrily.
“Farewell Bilbo!” Sam said cheerily.
“Farewell Frodo!” Sam said softer.
“Goodnight Gamgee’s” Frodo and Bilbo wished them well. And they walked their way to their hobbit hole.
“What’s with you and the gardener’s boy?” Bilbo asked Frodo, rubbing his shoulder, “you two weren’t looking at the plants!”
“Agh! Stay out of my business,” Frodo said as he swatted away Bilbo’s hand playfully. Frodo walked backwards into Bag-End, sticking his tongue out at Bilbo as he did.
“You get back here!” Bilbo called out as he quickly hobbled his way after Frodo. The two ran into the hobbit-hole as the final lights of day began to fade and stars began to twinkle. A deep darkness covered the comfortable Shire and gave the rest of Hobbiton the sign to sleep. All was quiet but the sounds of crickets and water rushing far away. The grass swayed silently and now was a dull gray-blue in the shade of night. All was calm, all was quiet. And Frodo loves Sam. And Sam loves Frodo. Forever and always.