by auntimeesh
Bilbo silently opened the door to Frodo’s bedroom and looked in on the sleeping form of his young charge. Frodo had been living with him for just over five months, and already he couldn’t remember what life had been like without the lad.
Moving as stealthily as if it were a dragon sleeping in that bed, he slipped into the room and carefully placed a thick envelope on the bedside table. Slipping out just as noiselessly, he closed the door with a smile and hurried down the hall to the kitchen, where he began preparing breakfast.
Half an hour later Bilbo heard the first sounds of stirring from Frodo’s room. There was the usual thumping and bumping about that he’d come to associate with Frodo washing and getting dressed. The lad was a bit clumsy in the morning and everything he did made a great deal of noise. Then there was silence and Bilbo pictured Frodo opening the envelope. He wondered what the lad’s reaction would be, and tried to still the nervous fluttering in his stomach.
Trying to be patient, he poured out the tea and set breakfast on the table, settling himself in his customary chair. He did not have long to wait. He had barely settled himself when he heard Frodo’s door open and footsteps come hurrying down the hall.
The lad burst into the kitchen, brown curls still tousled with sleep, red cheeks giving ample evidence of a vigorous wash, and eyes wide. In his hand, he held a thick sheaf of papers and he looked at Bilbo with an expression that held love and gratitude, but also the barest hint of a sorrow Bilbo fervently wished he could erase forever from the eyes and heart of his precious lad.
“Happy birthday, Frodo-lad,” Bilbo exclaimed cheerfully, knowing only time could work that sort of cure.
“Happy Birthday to you, too,” Frodo answered. “Bilbo,” he asked, brandishing the papers, “is this what I think it is?”
“Indeed it is, my lad. I’ve taken the liberty of adopting you officially. I’ve spoken to your Uncle Rory and he agreed that it only made sense, what with you living here and all. I do hope you don’t mind.” Bilbo was suddenly uncertain. Maybe this was too soon. Maybe he should have waited a bit longer before springing this on the lad.
Frodo’s face split in a wide grin. “It...it’s wonderful!” he exclaimed. “But are you sure? After you’ve had me a bit longer, you might decide you’ve made a terrible mistake.” He said this with a cheeky grin, but Bilbo could see the uncertainty lurking deep within his eyes.
“Never you fear, Frodo my lad,” he answered, a bit gruffly. “I will always want you.”
Frodo didn’t answer with words, but the sheen of his eyes and the strength of his hug were all the thanks Bilbo needed.
“Come now, lad. Breakfast is getting cold.”