by grievous angel
F/S, PG13
He almost fell over a huge pot full of flowers which had been placed just inside the door. A riot of colour and beauty, blues and purples, reds and pinks, all the most delicate of flowers, lovingly gathered and placed for him to find. In amongst the colourful display was a delicate looking plant Frodo didn't recognise. He dropped to his knees, his face wreathed in smiles as he looked at the display set before him, the display Samwise had left for him.
Roses aren't enough, Sam had said, and Frodo gathered the flowers toward him, burying his face in them, inhaling their scent.
"Beautiful, aren't they?" Bilbo said as he entered the kitchen. "Can't imagine what possessed him to spend his afternoon picking all these for you. What have you been talking about with that lad?"
"Nothing, I swear," Frodo answered. "I just asked him what flowers he would give me - I didn't think he would do it." He touched the plant he didn't recognise. "What do you think this is?"
"That?" Bilbo leaned forward, his eyes narrowing slightly as he studied it. "Oh, I recognise it. Let me think…" He paused long enough for Frodo to glance up and catch the twinkle in his eye.
"That's love in a mist." He reached down and put one finger under Frodo's chin, making it impossible for him to move his head away. "Love in a mist." He was silent for a long minute, gazing deep into Frodo's eyes, before nodding and releasing him.
Frodo stayed where he was, his face burning.
"Well," Bilbo said at last. "If he had wanted to make his statement any more clear it would have been hard. What about you, lad? Is it mutual?"
"What do you mean?" Frodo asked, not looking, but hearing Bilbo's sigh.
"Don't treat me like some kind of simpleton, boy. You and Samwise Gamgee …I ask you again, is it mutual."
"Yes," Frodo said immediately, finally standing up and turning to face Bilbo, regretting that he had ever prevaricated. "I didn't mean to treat you like a simpleton, I'm sorry."
"Don't look at me like that, I'm not going to judge you," Bilbo said. "Have you … been with him?"