In a classic literature phase, and just finished reading Little Women. Such a fan of the interpretation of Laurie proposing to Jo in Greta Gerwig's 2019 film adaptation, so I wrote an AU using the scene as inspiration, with Mel and Langdon, because I love hurting my own feelings. (under the read more)
I commissioned the fan art from the wonderful, amazing, and incredibly talented @rosenfinchzz! It's so gorgeous, and I can't thank you enough!
Mel and Langdon are taking their daily stroll through the woods near her family home together, as they have many times over the years. They walk side by side, and Mel confides in him about her growing restlessness at home and impending loneliness, as he and Becca prepare to depart on different adventures. Becca had an upcoming wedding, and Langdon would be moving to the city after graduating from university. Thus, both of them are leaving Mel behind.
"You don't need to remain here," Langdon reminds her gently.
"What do you suggest I do then? Run away and join a traveling circus?" Mel teases.
At her question, Langdon comes to a standstill. He stares at Mel and inhales, preparing to speak. Noticing he's no longer walking next to her, she freezes in place and faces him. She immediately can place the intention behind the look he's giving her. Their friendship spans seven years, since they were fifteen.
She knows him almost as well as she knows herself. Despite past attempts to avoid this conversation, it has been looming over them like a storm cloud. Still, Mel finds herself utterly unprepared for the question unspoken between them.
She lifts an imploring hand. "Frankie, please don't do this," she whispers.
Langdon approaches, and she turns on her heel. "I must, Mel."
"No, you mustn't!" she exclaims, marching towards the clearing at the edge of the woods and putting distance between them. Langdon follows close behind, trying to intercept her.
Mel comes to a stop once the picturesque countryside that awaits them on the other side of the woods comes into view. Langdon steps in front of her, meeting her gaze once he catches up. "I can't help that I've loved you since I've known you," Langdon says with desperation. He sounds frantic, almost as though he can't get the words out quick enough. "You've never let me show you. But, please let me ask you because I can't go on like this-"
"-I wanted to spare you from this-" Mel quietly pleads.
"-Mel, I need an answer!" His voice quivers. "I've spent all this time trying to be worthy of you, I know I'll never be good enough for you-"
"You are too good for me," she interrupts. "Better than I deserve." She continues. "You have no idea how deeply I care for you. But that doesn't change the fact that I can't love you the way you need me to." She releases a shaky breath. "And I truly don't know why."
At this, Langdon's unable to meet her eyes, his expression pained. "You can't?" he asks in a small voice.
"I can't," Mel reiterates, voice breaking, "Though I've tried. And I will not lie to you and say that I do when I don't." Her voice lowers to a whisper, "I'm so sorry, Frankie. I'm so sorry."
Langdon looks as though he's been physically struck by her words.
"I can't love anyone else, Mel," he declares dejectedly. "It's just you."
"Frankie, we would be miserable together if we married!" Mel exclaims, exasperated. "Our constant spats would surely make our marriage a disaster."
"That's not true. It wouldn't be a disaster," Langdon says. "We can be happy together if you were to say yes!"
"I cannot provide you with an honest 'yes,' so I will not say it." Langdon closes the distance between them and lowers his head to hers, foreheads almost touching. She places her hands on his shoulders. "You will thank me one day when you come to see that I am right," she declares, meeting his eyes.
Langdon tears away and proceeds further into the clearing. Mel stalks after him. "Frankie, you will find someone else who is better than me and fall madly in love with her. And she will be the woman of your dreams."
She grabs him by the arm, and he shakes free of her grip. They walk a few more paces before pausing, standing face to face once again. "But, can't you see that wouldn't be me?" Mel demands, raising her voice in frustration, "I'm plain and awkward-" She gestures to herself.
"-I love you, Mel," Langdon states in desperation.
She continues, not responding to his interjection. "- And you'd be ashamed to have me as a wife-"
Once more, he repeats, "-I love you, Mel."
"Just look at us! We're quarreling now! Don't you see we would be unhappy and find ourselves one day regretting what we've done?" She pauses for a moment. "I cannot bear the thought of you resenting me like that."
Langdon remains frozen in place, taking in her words, and nods in resignation. "Anything else?"
"No," Mel states curtly, "That is all."
Just as Langdon turns on his heel to leave, she calls out to him. "Only that," she sees a glimmer of hope appear on his face as he glances at her once more when he hears her voice, "I'm certain I will never be married."
Mel's heart nearly splits in two as she witnesses how devastated he looks, standing before her, processing her admission. "Because I'm not eager to forsake my freedom for marriage," she says earnestly.
Langdon shakes his head. "No, Mel, you will find someone you love one day, and you will accept his proposal to marry."
Mel furrows her eyebrows, an indication that she's being stubborn. "I will not."
"You will," he asserts. "I truly believe so. You will live and die for him. And I will watch."
Langdon departs and disappears into the woods, leaving Mel alone. She steadies herself as she sits in the soft grass, unable to contain the tears that begin to well once he's gone.
