LITTLE THINGS: Kissing Cousins
by Janet Elizabeth
Dear Journal,
It's me, Peregrin, Pippin to you if you like. I have a secret for you and you can't tell a soul. I know you won't but I just wanted to say that. I'm so giddy with what has happened today that I may burst the buttons on my waistcoat if I don't tell someone. So, here comes the secret.
Merry kissed me today! Isn't that exciting? I know I was surprised and thrilled too. Oh it wasn't a big kiss like a lad gives a lass but it was nice just the same and I can only hope there will be more. I don't care what anyone says. I know we're both males and beneath our majority but then that's what being young is for. And well, it doesn't matter that we're cousins cause it's not that close in blood and well, we are both males and all. Besides, what Hobbit hasn't had a crush on an older cousin or friend of the same sex? It's perfectly natural, at least for the Tooks and Brandybucks. I won't go into the stories about the old Bullroarer that I've heard. He had quite the appetite for both lads and lasses and well, he never suffered no harm.
I guess this means that Merry and I are in love, but then again I don't really know how he's feeling. He hasn't actually said, but I know what I'd like to say to him. I'd like to sneak up close while we sleep, in fact I just may tonight and whisper that I love him in his ear. He's such a handsome Hobbit and all, with his pretty clothes. Not as fine as dear Frodo and certainly not of the same sort as Sam who is a sturdy fellow and lovely in his own way, but Merry is well ... of a different sort. More like me if you will. Footloose and fancy free, with nought a care in the world except of course for getting Frodo safely to Rivendell with the Ring.
I'm so happy that Merry and I came along on this journey, despite all the danger and these wretched midges in these marshes, but at least Merry and I can be alone sometimes. That never happened back home, where a dozen and one aunts and uncles and sisters and cousins are all crowding around and wanting us to be what we aren't. I just wish they would leave us alone. I mean, just because they caught us playing show and tell in the altogether doesn't mean we were going to do anything. We were just comparing and well, we were fairly young being still below our tweens and all. I still don't know what all the fuss was about. I know we had each other in hand but, like I said, we were only curious. Mind, it was fun while it lasted and not just for me. I could see my dear sweet Merry's smile creeping across his lovely face as we tickled each other. Ahh, I miss that, and after that they kept such a close eye on each of us. Good thing we're almost to our majority and can do as we please.
Anyway, back to the kiss. We were just bedding down for the night and Sam was snuggling up to Frodo's back, and on a side note I wonder what's going on there but then again, none of my beeswax.
So, Merry and I were on the other side of the clearing, with Strider pacing back and forth keeping watch like he does, when Merry grabbed my hand and pulled me closer. He didn't say anything but the look in his eye was a kind of scared and lusty look, like he wanted to do or say something but was afraid to. So I just looked at him, all innocent like I can do when I want, and he kept opening and closing his mouth, licking his lips and breathing heavy. Finally I leaned over to ask him what was wrong with him and that's when it happened. He just put his soft wet lips on mine and lingered on for a moment or two and then broke away. Then just like that he whispered goodnight and closed his eyes tight. I was so surprised I couldn't move for a moment. But let me tell you, I liked it, a lot. I can't wait for him and I to have some time alone together. Maybe there will be some woods where we can go tramping and maybe get some time to kiss again and who knows what more. Goodnight journal and wish me luck.
Peregrin Took
THE END
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