𝐋𝐎𝐓𝐑 𝐎𝐍𝐄𝐒𝐇𝐎𝐓𝐒

substitute friend [Pippin]

[Published: 30.07.2020]

"Help me out, Pippin!"

"One minute, let me just make sure this sack is securely-"

"Peregrin Took! Get me out of this bog at once!"

"Alright, your majesty! I'll oblige..."

(Y/N) was seethed at the Took; out of all the people that her brother, Merry, could have been good friends with, he chose an imbecilic, troublemaking Took- a Took! Despite having good enough brains than anyway, the two were always found doing the stupidest of things. For example, the girl had once found her brother and his best friend burning a mushroom out in the forest, seeing if it was 'attract any unusual attention', as they called it- that riddle had puzzled the girl for quite a few years.

It was late October, and the Shire was moving through Autumn; the change of seasons had brought poor Merry a dreadful cold. In return, Pippin had to search for a new partner in crime. The only candidate was (Y/N), and so that was that. Initially, the girl did it so she could get to know Pippin more, bond with him, and to keep him company while Merry was sick. She never knew such a thing would be a tiresome task.

It was this particular day, that Pippin had persuaded the girl to help him 'borrow' some vegetables from Farmer Maggots crop. Despite initially being against the whole idea, she had found herself following him into the farmland. It wasn't long later that the farmer came trampling after them, screaming hysterically- Pippin had urged (Y/N) to run. They escaped Maggot, and ended up running to an abandoned part of the Shire.

It was moments later, that (Y/N) had found herself in a bog. After calming a chortling Pippin, he managed to assist her out, a wide grin on his face. The girl huffed at his reaction, and slapped him on the arm.

"This isn't funny, Took! What will my father say when he sees me!" she indicated to her petticoat, which covered in mud, "What, that Pippin and I knicked from Maggot, and ended up falling into a bog? Do you think that will go well with him?"

Pippin merely chuckled and shrugged, causing the girl to scoff.

"Come on now, (Y/N); it's just a smudge. You can clean it off!"

"That's not the point, Pippin! I started out so you wouldn't feel lonely, and ended up being dragged into every unruly situation imaginable! Next time, just go by yourself!" this exclamation wiped the smile right of Pippin's face- his expression was shocked and melancholy. The girl halted, and glared at him for a moment; he created a ruse for her to feel sorry for him.

Moments passed, and the two were still standing there, unmoving. The girl came to realisation this was no mere joke, and softened her gaze. Pippin gulped, before finally speaking up.

"You know, I...I like spending time with you," he stuttered, "I really do. And I hoped that you'd enjoy spending time with me too, that it wasn't only because of formalities..." his ruffled a hand through his hair, "But I see now, (Y/N), that I shouldn't have been so insistent..."

"Pippin?"

"I'm sorry, (Y/N). Know that, you're not a replacement to Merry; I did want to get to know you better too. But I think it's best that I stay away now..." he hung his head, refusing to look up at her.

"Oh, why do you have to be so darn cute, Pip..." (Y/N) huffed, crossing her arms, "You're making me feel guilty..." To her surprise, he was grinning.

"Did you just call me cute?"

"What! No!"

"You just called me cute."

"Shut up, Pippin!"

(Y/N) lifted her petticoat several centimetres, before trudging forward with a huff. The other chuckled at her reaction.

"I do believe by the redness in your cheeks," he muttered, "That you did not mean to say that,"

"I didn't say you were cute!" she cried.

"Then why are you blushing?"

"Because.... it's...cold..."

"It's boiling out here, and I'm sweltering under shade; you can't fool me, (Y/N). Just admit it!"

"Admit what?"

"Playing the fool, are we?"

"Ugh! I regret ever taking pity on you, Peregrin Took! Goodbye!"

And with that, (Y/N) marched back to her home, leaving Pippin isolated, with a broken heart.

Two days passed, and (Y/N) had not seen Pippin. Though she was relieved not to be roped into another of his hair-brained schemes, she was worried. Pippin had never spent two days away from the Brandybuck house.

"(Y/N)!" Merry whined dramatically, "I need you!" the girl rolled her eyes, and attended to her brother.

"Yes?" she snapped, placing a hand on her hip, evidently agitated.

"I'm cold; could you fetch a blanket from the trunk?" (Y/N) obliged, and went over to the trunk, and began rummaging through it.

"Are you better today?" she mumbled. "Perhaps," he shrugged, "Maybe a few more days in bed,"

"Good," she replied, pulling out a blanket, and placing it over him, "Maybe you can cheer up Pippin,"

"Cheer him up?"

"Well, I haven't seen him for a few days. I assumed he was upset, but about what, now that's something to think about," she sat on the bed, and patted his legs. "What did you say to him?" Merry mused.

"Nothing!" she cried defensively.

"Sure,"

"Merry-"

"Tell me,"

"I said nothing!" she cried, springing up from the bed, "Nothing!"

"Sure," her brother smiled, placing his fist beneath his chin, "That's why you're being so defensive,"

"It was nothing," she pouted, crossing her arms, "The only thing that I could think that might've upset him..."

"Yes?" Merry hummed.

"That I-" a guilty expression washed over (Y/N)'s face, and she stroked at her left arm. She sat herself back on the bed, and shook her head, "I...said that I was... taking pity on him," there was a moment of silence, tension running thick.

"What the hell were you thinking!?" Merry cried, throwing his arms up in defeat, shaking his head, "That you were spending time with him out of pity?! Why on earth would you say that?"

"He was getting in my nerves!" (Y/N) replied, "I didn't realise how horrible it might've sounded until now!"

"How oblivious are you!?" Merry screeched, "Pippin has been admiring you for far too long from afar; and you have not realised what an opportunity you have with him!"

"I...you what!?"

"Pippin has loved you for far too many years, it's infuriating! And you haven't noticed one bit! You two would be perfect together if you paid attention, and if Pip had spitted it out already!" Merry sunk back into his pillows, and groaned, "You two are exhausting,"

"H-he...loves me?" (Y/N) stuttered, taken aback by her brother's ramblings, "And he...we...and I..."

"At last, reality has hit you," Merry said, placing an arm underneath his head, "Now go find your lover boy and snog him like there's no tomorrow," he then closed his eyes, and pretended to fall asleep.

"Merry!" She cried, slapping him across the chest, fuming; when he merely smiled and rolled over, (Y/N) marched out of the room.

For a moment, she focused on her raging anger, wondering how Merry could be so...forward- it shocked her. Then the words themselves settled into her mind, and she was reduced to a state of pure shock. She gasped, and leant against the wall, hands covering her mouth. She shook her head, before mumbling it to herself.

"Pippin loves me,"

A smile lighted her lips, and her giggled, and became overcome with glee. Now, all that was left was for them to reconcile...