The Delight of Texture

[lanthirel.livejournal.com]

Title: The Delight of Texture, a drabble series in five parts
Author: Lanthirel
Characters/Pairings: Frodo/Sam
Rating: PG-13
Warning: hobbit slash, but only erotica
Source: the movie-verse for characterization (but AU, as much slash is)
Disclaimer: Tolkien implied in a letter that we could play in his sandbox.
Notes: written for the velvet challenge at tolkien_weekly




THE DELIGHT OF TEXTURE

a five part drabble



a. Texture

When Sam was learning to be a gardener, he soon realised that texture was important. The Gaffer would patiently explain about the feel of dirt and plants, running them through his hands. Sam followed, quickly feeling the differences between damp soil and dry, sick leaves and well.

'Twas only when he saw Frodo in his new brown suit that Sam realised that texture counted elsewhere. Not only did his fingers desire to caress the soft velvet, but he yearned to touch the even softer skin underneath. Never did he dare to dream that Frodo felt the same way about him.



b. Nature

Frodo Baggins often and secretly blessed the older hobbit for adopting him. With the passing of his parents, he had indeed felt lost in the warrens of Brandybuck Hall. Now, Bag End was his home, in its garden setting in the heart of the Shire.

Amongst their many and varied activities, Bilbo and his nephew often took long walks about the countryside. Not only did the one-time adventurer introduce Frodo to the Shire hobbits, he also showed the younger hobbit the natural beauties of his new home. Frodo enjoyed nature with his eyes and ears and nose only, for some time.



c. Velvet

Not until one late summer day, when he observed Sam re-planting some flowers did it occur to Frodo that texture in nature was important as well. And then a certain longing came upon him. He hied himself off to the tailor's, spending some time stroking all the fabrics. At last he settled on a soft brown velvet to be made into a walking suit.

Frodo could only hope that Sam would wish to run his hands over it as well, just as the gardener liked to run his nimble fingers through nature. 'Twas just another side of Nature, after all.



d. Twilight

Sam always checked by the Bag End gardens on the days he wasn't working there. It was late evening, but all to the good. As he opened the back gate, he spotted Frodo, hands busy pulling the sweet rambling roses to scent and sniff. Sam's hands involuntarily reached out; then thinking better, he shoved them in his pockets.

But Frodo had heard the gate and turned in time to see the treacherous gesture. He approached his gardener slowly, his own fears welling up, only to be calmed by the desire he glimpsed in the other's eyes. He threw caution to the breeze.



e. Delight

"Do you like my new suit, Sam?"

"Oh, yes, Mr. Frodo..."

"Please, Sam, call me Frodo?"

Twilight gathered under the trees, shadowing them in the gloaming.

"That wouldn't be right, sir."

"At least, not in public."

The two hobbits moved closer, unknowingly, until their noses almost touched.

"Sam, the velvet's soft."

Their lips met. Trembling in the first kiss, then longer and deeper, all full of unexpressed longings.

Sam's hands roamed over the velvet, even as Frodo framed Sam's face with his hands.

"But you, dear master, are sweeter still."

Together, they explored the delight of texture in the garden.

Comments

[bed4good.livejournal.com]

You know, that was a very genteel story. Almost Victorian. Very romantic and quite good.

[lanthirel.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

I'm rather fond of what are called sweet stories in the romance field, moreso than I am of the more graphically sexual stories (although I read all of it, I would rather write erotica than more graphically). I love the traditional (or trads as they are called) Regency romances, but the major book publishers have ended their trad lines in favour of the Regency historicals, which are full of sex, and seem to miss having a feel of the era. :( I figure that anyone who is experienced and a writer could write a decent sex scene(s), but it probably takes a decent writer to write about the slow unfolding of emotions, IMHO. Like Jane Austen, as example. (My hero!)

I used to read lots of Victorian romances, and romantic suspense, but moved on to the Regency era, as that's when some very interesting changes were happening in culture, literature, the arts, and social manners and mores. However, Tolkien is in so many ways a product of the Victorian/Edwardian era, so that fits.

Again, thank you for your wonderful comments! :)

[bed4good.livejournal.com]

I totally agree with you. In fact I almost mentioned Jane Austen in my comment. I think a lot of women enjoy stories where they can totally feel the emotions that are developing. I know I enjoy them a lot more than just a quick romp in the hay with nothing but sex. I want a relationship first. That's one thing I have always enjoyed about Tolkien. He develops his characters and you become so involved with them that they are family. You cry with them and you laugh with them.