The Beauty of Nature by octopus_fool

[octopus_fool]

B2MeM Prompt, Card and Number: N39 – Flower (Card 175 - Smells)
Format: Ficlet
Genre: Fluff
Rating: General
Warnings: none
Characters: Bilbo, Thorin
Pairings: Bilbo/Thorin
Creator’s Notes (optional): none
Summary: Bilbo tries to get Thorin to appreciate the beauty of nature.

Also on AO3.

 

Thorin stared at Bilbo as he let himself fall into the grass during their walk.

“Why are you setting up camp here? Bag End is only about five minutes away in…” Thorin pondered briefly and then pointed left “…that direction.”

Bilbo’s mouth twitched. “In that direction, actually.” He nodded to the right. “And I’m not setting up camp. I’m merely enjoying the beauty of the day, the beauty of nature.”

Thorin frowned doubtfully. “But I thought that was what we were already doing during this entire walk. That was the reason for it, after all.”

“Yes, and there’s no better way to add to that experience than by lying in the grass in the sunshine and listening to the birds. Come here, give it a try.”

Still doubtful, Thorin sank into the grass beside Bilbo. The birds sang, the sun shone and the bees buzzed. Thorin fidgeted.

“What’s wrong?” Bilbo asked, rolling onto his side and propping himself up.

Thorin wrinkled his nose. “What’s that smell? A bit like cakes and a bit like soap.”

Bilbo stared at him in confusion before understanding dawned. Bilbo jumped up and ran to the edge of the clearing.

He came back holding a cluster of creamy-white flowers, which he held in Thorin’s face.

“Is this it?”

Thorin grimaced and sneezed. “Yes. And it’s not any better up close.”

“I’m sorry,” Bilbo said and inhaled its scent deeply. “It’s called meadowsweet and it’s also edible.”

Bilbo tried it and Thorin pulled a face. Bilbo set the flowers aside as he settled back down next to Thorin.

They lay in silence for a while, listening to the birds some more.

Finally, Bilbo started giggling. “Like cakes and soap? Really?”

Thorin huffed. “Smells are hard to describe. And you knew what I meant.”

Bilbo leaned over to press a kiss onto Thorin’s nose. “Almost immediately.”

Thorin decided that this was the perfect opportunity to distract Bilbo from the beauties of nature.

 

Comments

[erulissedances]

This is adorable, and so into the idea that what smells sweet to one will smell foul to another. I loved that Thorin sneezed while Bilbo inhaled deeply and then ate a few. The two of them together are perfect foils for each other.

- Erulisse (one L)

[octopus_fool]

Yes, they really are great foils for each other! :)
I also find that while flower scents might theoretically be pleasant, they are just often so intense that they become unpleasant.

[smallhobbit]

Lovely image of Bilbo attempting to instill at love of nature in Thorin.

[octopus_fool]

Bilbo certainly has quite a bit of work ahead of him! ;) I'm glad you liked it! :)

[kayleearafinwiel]

Donut: *examines Bilbo and Thorin thoughtfully* Mine Friends. *is glad Octofish friend shared them*

*Donut examines Bilbo's flowers* Fish?

You know, I don't think Octopus thought anyone would mistake those for fish, Donut...*giggles at Bilbo's love of the flowers and Thorin's distaste, and also a certain seagull muse trying to figure out whether the flowers are fish or not* Hmm. :)

Very cute story :)

[octopus_fool]

Haha, if anyone could mistake those flowers for fish, it's Donut! <3

I'm happy you liked it!

*leaves Donut to ponder the riddle of the flowers some more*