By: Dana
Summary: But more than that, the cold and the dark, some motion has startled him, but one he finds to be familiar.
Characters: Merry, Pippin
Pairings: None (Merry/Pippin subtext)
Rating: G
Warnings: None (Slashy subtext)
Author's Notes: Posted for my month long Birthdaypalooza, August 2007.
This is one story that I wish I could do more with. As it is, it is g-rated gen (you can take or leave your subtext, as you'd like to). But I'm happy with it, even for it feeling so incomplete as it does.
Series Index: Roads Go On and Years Go By.
fanfic100 claim:
Prompt: Not Enough (#34). Words: 300
67/100.
Disclaimer: The author makes no claim to owning the rights of anything to do with J.R.R. Tolkien or New Line Cinema. Any and all characters and situations that have been borrowed are for the author's personal use only, and for the entertainment of others.

Merry wakes, startled by darkness – cold and hateful, and for some long seconds, he forgets where he is. But winter is gone behind him, and another long spring lies before him. He is in his own proper guest-room at Great Smials, in a too-small bed.

But more than that, the cold and the dark, some motion has startled him, but one he finds to be familiar. 'Pippin,' he breathes out, and his next inhale is warmer, soft. 'What are you doing now, and it being the middle of the night?'

Pippin's laugh is small and cheery, as he pushes his way up under the covers. 'Bed's not big enough,' he explains, and that hardly makes sense – there's something else in his voice, nightmares he rather wouldn't name, and Merry wouldn't press him to do so, if only for knowing know there is no good in talking of dark things, at least while it is dark. 'And anyhow, I missed you,' Pippin goes on. 'Should I leave, then, or do you not mind having me around?'

'I don't mind,' Merry says, and he almost thinks he'll sleep easier, for having Pippin around. 'You needn't leave.' He moves, on his side, pulling his legs up, trying to make space, and Pippin pushes closer, long legs and long arms. Then Merry laughs, though not so cheerily as Pippin had at first. 'Though, we've both done a good deal of growing, Pip. Yours isn't the only bed that doesn't fit.'

A soft chuckle, and Pippin's head has come to rest at Merry's shoulder. 'We'll make due,' Pippin says, and for a soft moment, nothing else. 'Good-night, my dear old ass. I hope I don't cause you to wake with a crick in your neck.'

But Merry doesn't think he'll mind, even if he does.