"Give it back, Pippin!"

"I don't have it! I don't even know what you're-oomf!" The tween hobbit doubled over, gasping a bit from the punch he'd received in the stomach.

"I don't believe you, cousin, give it back to me, now!" Dilly Took continued to beat his younger cousin for some time, encouraged by his friends.

"What is it?" Pippin finally wheezed. Tears were running down his apple cheeks, but he knew what would happen if he tried to fight back. "what do you want back?"

Dilly grasped Pippin's chin and raised it so he was looking into the frightened eyes. A shout came from behind.

"Dilly Took!"

Merry Brandybuck was sprinting up up the hill towards them, looking livid. "What in the Shire do you think you're doing?"

Dilly put more pressure on Pippin's chin, and looked at his other cousin innocently. "Why, Merry!" he ignored the glare. "Did you want some fun with our darling cousin as well?"

"Let him go." The Brandybuck snapped, eyes flashing. Dilly turned back to the younger Took and looked carelessly, unhurriedly, at the frightened, crying hobbit. He smiled coldly, then chuckled. Merry let out his breath, but did not relax.

"Silly boy." Dilly took on a fond tone. "You'll just give it back next time, won't you?"

"Y-yes." Pippin wept, trying not to look at Merry.

"Good lad." Dilly ran his hand through the curly brown hair. "See you soon, Pippin, Merry." the lot wandered off casually down the hill. Merry kept his eyes on them until they were out of sight, and then rushed to Pippin, catching the younger hobbit as he crumpled to the ground.

"Oh, Pippin," Merry murmured, gathering his favorite cousin into his arms, "My sweet Pip. Did they hurt you?"

"Not much, Merry." Pippin gasped. In truth his head was burning, his arm was bruised, one of his legs was in a bad way, and his ribs hurt like hell, but he knew that wasn't what Merry wanted to hear. "can you help me get home?"

When they reached the Thain's hole, Merry was surprised by Pippin whispering in his ear, "Not the door Merry. My window." Obligingly, the Brandybuck supported his cousin to the round window into Pippin's room. Pippin transferred his weight from Merry's shoulder to the wall and pulled the window open. He crawled in, shuddering at the pain. Broken ribs again. Merry followed.

"Right Pip. Off-" a cold hand was clamped over his mouth and he stared at his wide-eyed cousin in confusion,

"Merry." Pippin breathed, "please be quiet."

"Off with your shirt then, Pippin." Merry kept his voice low.

"No." Pippin made his slow way to the basin of water by the far wall and splashed his face. "I'm fine, Merry, really, I just need some rest. You can go now."

"What if I don't want to go?" Merry crossed his arms."

"Well then." a smile tugged at the Took's lips. "You can stay. I'm fine and I'm going to nap now." Please leave so I can get undressed and fix myself.

"And what" Merry approached him "if I don't believe you?" he put his hand on the younger hobbit's arm, who flinched.

"Why shouldn't you believe me?" a strained laugh, "I'm tired so I'm going to take a nap. What's so-"

"Hush, Pippin." Merry's hands swiftly pulled the suspended straps down off Pippin's shoulders and started to unbutton his white shirt. When he got to the last button, the Took came to his senses.

"Merry!" He hissed, blushing and still trying to be quiet. "I'm fine! Leave me alone and-" "No!" Merry cut him off, eyes flashing. "Pippin, sweetie," his eyes softened as he pled. "let me see, please!"

Pippin hesitated, and then slowly opened his shirt, eyes down. Merry looked for a moment and then raised tear-filled eyes to meet his cousin's.

"Oh, Pip!"