AN: Trigger warning for Sexual Assault/Rape.

When Rain returned to the room alone, Frodo was still curled up and crying. Rain lay down beside him and held him, stroked his hair. Without thinking, Frodo flung his arms about Rain's neck. He had no one else to turn to for comfort. The man wore no armor beneath his clothes, and Frodo could feel the warmth and the muscles of his chest. Rain rolled the two of them over, so he was now on top of Frodo. The hobbit whimpered but made no further protest. He closed his eyes as Rain kissed him. His mouth opened, yielding to Rain's.

This went on day after day from then on. To Frodo, it was a way to avoid a fight, to avoid getting hurt, but it was also a distraction: from guilt, loneliness, and the all-consuming desire for the Ring.

'Good boy, beautiful boy,' Rain would whisper, and Frodo would hate how his heart lifted with the praise, how easily his body was manipulated by Rain's touches. He'd be stripped and kissed and fondled. He'd spread himself out and give Rain access to everything. The hardness of Rain's cock would press against Frodo's leg, and he would return Rain's kisses. Sometimes Rain would content himself with Frodo's oiled thighs. At others he would have Frodo take it in his mouth. Frodo would suck obediently, desperately. It was strangely satisfying to have a purpose, even if it was such a dreadful duty as pleasuring his jailer. He hated himself for it, but then he hated himself already. He had betrayed all of his friends. There was no lower rung.

Rain brought Frodo gifts: princely raiment and jewelry and even books, but Frodo refused them all, pleading with Rain to instead arrange for Pippin to be released. Rain said such a request was beyond his power to grant, but Frodo stubbornly persisted. He saw the way Rain had softened towards him. The more compliant and attentive Frodo was, the kinder Rain became.

Most days Frodo slept or just lay in bed, waiting for Rain to come. When the man did appear, Frodo leapt up immediately and ran to greet him – like a dog rushes tail wagging to its master. It was gestures like this that seemed to please Rain. Frodo had become accustomed to reading the man's face, working out what delighted and what irked him.

Rain had brought Frodo a clock, so he could watch the hours go by. Rain visited him twice most days, at nine in the morning and six at night. It was only in the evening that he stayed though. In the morning, he just brought food: breakfast and also bread and water to be consumed throughout the day. In the evening, he would bring dinner and talk to Frodo. By that time, Frodo would be so bored and starved for company that he would press close to Rain and beg him to stay the night. Sometimes Rain would.

One night he was lying with his cheek pressed against Rain's bare chest, over the beating heart.

'I'd miss you,' Frodo said softly, 'I hate to admit to it, but if you never came again, I'd miss you.'

He splayed his small hand out across Rain's right breast, gazed up at Rain. 'Would you miss me?'

Rain kissed him instead of answering. His fingers caught in Frodo's curls and pulled him so close. His other hand rested on the small of Frodo's back, protective.

Frodo smiled and slid up higher on Rain, so his head rested under Rain's chin. After a few minutes, Rain spoke.

'I did it,' he said softly.

'Sorry?' Frodo said.

'I arranged for your cousin's release.'

Frodo started, stared up at Rain. 'You didn't.'

'I did.' Rain brushed Frodo's bangs off his forehead and kissed it. 'He will go along as an envoy to the Shire to help with the process of a long-term takeover. Don't worry though. Your country is already occupied, and there has been little resistance, so he should be safe.'

Frodo felt his stomach twist. The Shire had already fallen into Sauron's control. It should not surprise him with everything else that was happening, but it still made him want to vomit. But Pippin, Pippin would get out of here. Despite his grief, Frodo had to be grateful. He forced his lips into a smile.

'Thank you,' he said, 'thank you, thank you, thank you.'

With each 'thank you,' he pressed kiss after kiss to Rain's face and neck. Like a child, like a fucking child. Rain laughed and held him.