#avonlea

A firm pat on his back, made him jump lightly out of his skin. Sebastian coming at his side. Giving his shoulder a few more pats. Nudging him with his head to the stairs. Not wanting to stay in the boiler room for another hot minute.

Their breaks were precious so he wanted to spend every given time above deck. Gilbert couldn’t agree more. Feeling the wind on his skin was a liberty. A liberty he had always had in Avonlea. A home he felt himself sail back to. 

Both of them headed towards the stairs. Making their way up to the upper deck. Making sure to stay on the backside of the ship. To avoid many encounters with the passengers. The working class and passengers should be separated.

Surely when they smelled like coal and were covered in dust. Sebastian took a deep breath on deck. Spreading his arms behind him. Gilbert chuckled a bit. Sebastian’s stretch ended with a yawning groan. Dropping his hands beside him with a loud growl. 

“Need a drink?” Sebastian offered with a cheeky smile. Gilbert nodded with a soft laugh. His friend patted him firm on the back before heading back inside. Searching for two cold drinks to enjoy on their break.

Gilbert moved towards the railing, grabbing the bar firm. Closing his eyes, letting him lean back, taking in a deep breath of fresh air. Feeling the sun warm on his face. Feeding him the extra energy he needed from being cooked up inside almost the entirety of the day. 

Lowering his head, a figure caught his eye by his side. Making him turn his head more. Staring at her for a moment before looking curiously around. No other soul around.

Wondering why a girl would be this close to the end of the ship. Where solitude was priority. His eyes narrowed, seeing her stare at her hand. Curiously he found himself coming closer. Seeing she was fidgeting a ring around her finger.

The ring twisted around your finger. Gaze fixated on it with a mindless faraway look. Wind playing with your hair and dress. Taking a deep sigh, you batted your eyes down.

Jaw tensing, you pulled the ring off in one swift motion. Without a second thought, you raised your hand. Tossing the ring into the ocean. “Wait! Wait! Wait!” A desperate voice barged in your presence. 

Making you blink surprised at the boy hanging over the railing. Hand out with a breathless gasp for any failed attempt to catch it. Furrowing your brows, you stared at him curiously.

He exhaled deep. “I can’t fish that back up for you.” He let out with devastation. “I don’t want you to.” You responded. His head shot in your direction with confusion. Placing your hands on your hips, you gave him a soft glare. “I deliberately threw it away.” Marking your point. 

The boy blinked confused. “Won’t…won’t your husband be sad?” He wondered, eyeing you up and down. Seeing you were a girl of class. Your laughing caught him off guard. Feeling slightly tempted to laugh along to kill the awkwardness. “I could care less about my fianceé.” You explained with a correction. “Don’t…don’t you like him?” Gilbert asked with curiosity. 

“Like him? I loathe him.” You stated, moving your arms to a crossed position. “His ring does me nothing. Merely a trinket to waste away. If it wasn’t for my aunt and uncle to set me up with him, I’d still be free.” Explaining further to the stranger.

Somehow feeling compelled to tell him more of your story. “Truly?” Gilbert asked. You gave him a proper look. Showing him a soft smile, holding a handkerchief out to him. Gilbert accepted it nervously. Folding it neatly in his hands. Not wanting to stain it too much. 

You cleared your throat, pointing at his face. For that was the purpose you had given it. Gilbert chuckled shyly, dapping your handkerchief gently against his cheeks and forehead.

Trying to minimize the contact of coal dust. Sighing loud, you turned to lean against the railing with your back. “I ran away. This is me running away from my problems. Lame I know.” Looking over at him sheepishly. “I think it is rather brave.” He responded, joining you at the side. 

Hearing you laugh made him ease up. Something caught the side of his eye. Seeing Sebastian holding two drinks. Clearly making a face before sneaking away. Trying not to draw any attention to him. Gilbert sighed at his friend’s silliness.

Knowing he was going to tease him later about it. “If you truly don’t love him, you were in your right to run away.” Gilbert said, facing you. His comment made you snort loudly. “Or a true fool to dive in somewhere without a proper thought.” You added. 

“I hope my new destination can bring me new opportunities.” Saying with a soft sigh. “I’m sure. Where are you…?” Gilbert couldn’t finish his sentence at the loud whistling of the steam engine.

Marking the end of his break. Cursing lightly under his breath, he hated that he was forced to go back to work. He’d rather spend time with the ring throwing girl. “I…I have to go.” He let out with a deep sigh. Patting the railing nervously. 

“I must go back…” Fidgeting with the handkerchief in his grip. Clearing his throat, he offered it back to you with a silly smile. Hoping you wouldn’t be too bothered by the coal dust. “Keep it.” You moved his hand back with your touch. Letting his finger rub over the fabric, he smiled.

“I wish you well…” Glancing cheekily back at you. “Oh, Y/n Y/l/n.” You filled in with a curtsy. “Gilbert Blythe.” He responded. Hearing the steam engine a second time, he knew he had to make haste. Moving back from you. Groaning loud, turning back with a hurry. Taking your hand briefly in his. “I hope to see you again, Y/n.” Blurting out with haste. 

Making you smile. Watching him make haste to the lower decks. “So do I, Gilbert Blythe.” You whispered to the winds. Taking a deep breath, you turned back around. Leaning against the railing. Watching the waves crash against the ship. Wondering what your new destination brings you. A place hidden on Prince Edward Island. Avonlea. 

Luggage in your hand, you boarded off. Following the little crowd heading off. The strong sea wind had settled down. Taking a stress relieving breath at the green fields. Now this was a place where you could find peace.

A place far enough for your aunt and uncle to find you. Certainly far enough from that bloated toad of a fianceé of yours. A mother’s boy who hadn’t handled anything of hard work in his day. Everything always handed over on a silver platter. A man with no personality, no humour or sense. 

Following the crowd down the hill to the first town below. Pamphlet in your hand, you made your way over to the train station. Buying yourself a one way ticket beyond Charlotte’s town. Coming to join the platform while waiting for the train. Humming lightly a tune, luggage bouncing in your grip before your knees.

“Y/n?” You suddenly heard loudly. Jumping in surprise at the mention of your name. Surprised anyone would call for you since you knew no one. Turning your head, your heart thumped in your chest. Hoping it wasn’t your fianceé that had found you. 

Between passing people, pushed a figure his way through. Exhaling relieved at the sight of a familiar face. Gilbert Blythe making his way over to you. “I…I didn’t know you’d be here.” He let out, nearing you. “I’m headed for Avonlea.” You told him, showing him your ticket. Gilbert smiled, making you look confused back at him.

“That is where I am headed too. I…I live there.” He proudly announced. “Really?” You exclaimed. Gilbert hummed loud. “Born and raised.” Pressing a fist firm to his chest. His gaze went down to your luggage. “Do…do you already have a place to stay?” He asked. 

You shrugged your shoulders. “I was thinking about going to a hostel. Do you know any good places?” Asking since he’d knew which places would be good. He shook his head. “I won’t let you stay at any hostel.” He said back. “Then what are you suggesting?” Saying with curiosity.

“You could stay with me on my farm…” Rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly. “It’s kind of lonely after my father…” Swallowing his next words back in. “I…I mean I could use a bit of company…” Redirecting his choice of words. You laughed softly. “Are you asking me to stay with you, Gilbert Blythe?” Quirking your eyebrow up with a cheeky glance. 

“Yes…” He said, looking shyly away. “Okay.” You announced. “Lead the way, farm boy.” Tilting your head with a sweet smile. Gilbert smiled in return, offering to take your luggage.

Feeling less emotional about returning to a ghost of the past. A place he once had left with sadness. Glad he could share his return on a sunnier side. With someone new, he could get to know better.

-----------------------------------------

Avonlea was a small town with a limited number of residents occupying it. They may be awfully spiteful sometimes, especially when it comes to those who take pleasure in gossip, but they sure are compassionate and genuine, if not every one.

Your father made his way to approach Gilbert Blythe. ❝Gilbert, good lad. Might I trouble you for a favor?❞ His tone was inquisitive, yet the vague certainty and subdued confidence in his eyes did not go unnoticed by the younger male.

❝Of course, sir. May I ask what it's about?❞

❝Could you possibly escort my Y/n home? It seems that my daughter is set on offering comfort to her dear friend.❞ The facial expression he conveyed seemed to be dejected and hopeless. As hard as he tried to play it out, Gilbert could see through your father—at some point.

He did not want to interject, though. Nor dare to confront him about it. Gilbert did not seem too keen to expose him, instead he appreciated your father's not-so-well-hidden intentions to play match-maker.

Mr. L/n had his fingers on his temples with his brows slightly furrowed, no doubt expressing helplessness. ❝It's just that I promised my wife I would be back as soon as possible after things here have settled down...❞ He then laughs slightly, thinking back on what had happened before his departure towards the site of the regretful incident. ❝We almost couldn't leave the house when M/n became too panicked and worried for our safety, you see.❞

Your father shoots him a careful and hopeful look. His spirits seemed to be more lifted and assured when Gilbert nodded with a smile. ❝I'd be happy to walk Y/n home, sir.❞

❝Thank you, Gilbert. My wife and I appreciate it. I'll be off now then, good night.❞ He did not even wait for a reply from the younger male.

Gilbert watched the older man walking towards the path leading to his home—well, in long strides with graceful haste more like.

His gaze then falls over you. You appeared to be the image of serene and composed, yet the strands of your h/c curls frame your face with an ethereal unruliness in them, given the accident that occured at the Gillis' family house. Who would still look presentable after that? The people who stayed home, obviously. Everyone who wanted to help scurried over to offer their aid as soon as the news reached them. Including you and your father.

While your father took the buckets back with him, you were only carrying a cozy shawl sprawled over your shoulders to warm you up from the biting cold of the night.

You and the girls were formed in a small group. With a look of compassion and gentleness in your expression, you shared a conversation directed to Ruby as the recipient of your good intent. ❝I would be delighted to accommodate you and your family to our humble residence, Ruby…❞ You started with a soft smile, in a genuine benign manner towards your dear classmate.

Ruby was hell-bent on refusing to stay with Anne and wanted to be with you and even considered staying with Diana. She had a conflicted facial expression etched on her face with her brows furrowed. Her mouth opens in an attempt to refute.

But then, you spoke again with the same tenderness. ❝But I think you should accept Anne's offer and spend some time to get to know her better. It could do you good, the both of you.❞ The calm temperament you reasoned with seemed to be taking effect since you've made your serenity contagious to Ruby.

Diana was quick to put in more words for Ruby to agree, knowing where you were going with this. It would be beneficial for not only Anne and Ruby, but also to your other classmates who always seem to misunderstand Anne. Maybe spending time with Anne would change the perception of the girl into a more positive note if they get to know each other better and resolve past ill sentiments that Ruby once had for Anne.

❝Y/n is completely right, Ruby. I've always had fun whenever I am with Anne. Please give her a chance as I have?❞ Diana casts a careful and cautious look over her sandy-blonde friend.

Eventually, Ruby nods her head—albeit hesitantly.

Diana wraps her arms around Anne as she bids her farewell. ❝I'll visit soon, all right?❞ Your brunette friend leaves the three of you with a wave of her hand and follows after her father who waited for his daughter by the tree.

Speaking of fathers, you don't seem to locate yours as you scanned around the area. At all.

Gilbert's tall stature does come to your line of sight, though.

You gulped lightly, as you seemed to struggle looking away from him. You forced yourself to focus your attention back to your friend. Pulling yourself together, you smile softly at her. ❝It's all right, Ruby. You're in good hands.❞ Being the good friend that you are, you tried to comfort her with the dulcet rubbing of your hand against her wool-clad arms. When her expression relaxes, only then did you talk again.

❝I shall take my leave now. I'll see you two tomorrow, yes?❞ Your eyes trained to Anne then to Ruby's.

Anne was more enthusiastic than Ruby to reply—which you can understand because Ruby had just lost her home and would be spending time with a girl she did not exactly want to associate herself with given what the others negatively perceived of Anne.

Before you knew it, someone fell into step with you. Looking up to your side, you came face to face with the one and only Gilbert Blythe. Your brows slightly shot up, surprised at the sight of him when his house was the other way around.

❝Gilbert, I—wha...❞

❝Your father requested that I accompany you.❞ He explains, appearing completely unbothered by the reason at all. If anything, he seemed relaxed. Delighted, maybe?

And then there was this slightly upturned smile playing on his lips that sent your mind in a frenzy as he looked at you with a certain intent—something that you couldn't quite decipher.

Quickly composing yourself, you replied with a steady voice. ❝I'm sorry to trouble you then, Gilbert. Father can be quite the worrywart when it comes to his only daughter. ❞

❝It's no trouble at all, Y/n. It's my pleasure to take you home. ❞ He grins so easily at you that his stare becomes quite difficult for you to maintain.

You stayed silent after that, simply looking ahead of you—trying to ignore the racing of your heart at his words. Maybe you were overthinking it. But the way he composed the structure of his words were ambiguous, you couldn't help it.

There were endless words to choose from. Like: walk you home. But, no. He just had to choose ❝take you home❞ did he? His implications were vague if he was actually referring to your house or—

Yeah, you were overthinking things.

It might not be as complex as you imagined.

It would only be a few hours until dawn arrives. So much for sleep. You were sure that your friends—who actually cared about Ruby sacrificed their sleep just to be with her earlier and lend a helping hand to her family.

You were pulled out of your thoughts when the sudden gush of cold wind passed, causing you to slightly shiver. You tightened your shawl around you. No doubt, even your fingers were icy cold.

Just then, you felt something heavy set upon your shoulders. Startled, your fingers came into contact with something warm—which you noticed were actually Gilbert's knuckles as you clutched the plaid material he draped over your shoulders.

Your eyes captured his ever mesmerizing, enigmatic, warm chestnut brown hazel eyes, softened with genuine concern. You weren't even aware you had both come to a standstill.

You cleared your throat slightly before you looked away, continuing to tread back home. With him.

When you glanced back at him, his eyes were sparkling in bliss with the corners of his mouth pulled up into a disarmingly boyish grin that had you utterly captivated.

You did not even realize you mirrored his smile with a shyer one. But you were far too late to be self-aware. Gilbert had already seen it. You could have playfully shoved him with the way you saw his smile widening teasingly. Instead, you scoff softly—in sheer amusement at the situation with a smile gracing your lips.

Finally you reached the plinth of your home. You paused, contemplating—not knowing what to do exactly.

Biting your lower lip lightly, you divert your attention from the door, turning around to face him. He has a calm and relaxed expression on, his body language was at ease as he returned your gaze with a hint of a smile playing at his lips.

❝Good night, Gilbert.❞

His mouth parted, stretching to a full-on winsome grin. ❝Definitely.❞

Your eyebrows slightly twitched at the cryptic implication of his reply. You felt yourself purse your lips together, feeling a warmth swarm up your face.

He took a few steps backward with his body still lingered towards your direction. ❝See you later.❞ When he saw you smile softly, he waves at you.

He stood there still. As if waiting for you to make your way inside the house first before he could set his mind at ease and depart.

Giving him a peace of mind, you crossed the threshold and closed the door with a soft click. His face was the last thing you saw before it completely shut.

Oh, yes. It would definitely be a good night. You thought with a smile creeping up your lips as you made your way upstairs to your boudoir.

This interaction of yours with Gilbert barely even consisted beyond that of at least fifty words. Yet he had you on a chokehold, didn't he?

Those infuriatingly expressive, enchantingly mysterious, earth-shatteringly gorgeous empyrean hazel eyes. And that dangerously mind-blowing coy curl of the lips, and knee-numbing honeyed words were all to blame. How can someone deserve such power assigned so carelessly to a single being—destined to wield it without even being self-aware of his complete leverage over you?

Good God, you may be forsaken for all eternity for as long as Gilbert Blythe lives.

Maybe this was why Ruby was utterly infatuated with him for a long time. His charm was disarming. With no hope of breaking free from his reigns he so blissfully unaware he brought upon you.

You were not immune.

Dating Gilbert was amazing. He was such a lovely guy. Even your parents adored the boy.

He was so sweet, and you two had so much in common it was like you were made for one another.

Unfortunately, his father had gotten sick and later on passed away.

You, of course, were there to comfort him with open arms. When you were at his house one day, he told you that he wanted to explore the world for some time.

As much as it made you upset for him to leave, you supported him, as you always would. You assured him that you would be find, and that it would be a wonderful experience for him.

You spent the night with him, enjoying each other's presence before he left the next day. He promised to write to you about everything and you promised to write anything interesting that happens.

"Ughh," you groan dropping back onto Anne's bed.

You, Anne, Diana, and Cole were hanging out at the redheads house.

"Y/n? What's wrong?" Diana asks.

"I miss Gilbert, it feels like it's been forever," you sigh.

Cole frowns, "Well, he can't be gone for much longer, it's already been months."

Anne nods excitedly, "Exactly!"

You sit up and your mood brightens a bit, "I suppose you're right. Now shall we bake something?"

They nod and giggle as they go downstairs.

"Hi, Marilla!" you smile happily at the elder woman you've grown close with.

"Oh! Hello, dear," she smiles back.

"Hi, Ms. Cuthbert," Diana and Cole wave.

"Hello. What brings you all down here?"

"We were wondering if we can bake your famous apple pie," you clap your hands.

"Oh, how can I say no to apple pie?"

Gilbert runs a hand over his face as he sits on his bed next to Sebastian.

"What is the matter, my friend?"

Gilbert looks over to the man, "I miss my girlfriend," he sighs.

"Girlfriend?" He raises his eyebrows, "Is this the person you are always writing to? The one who send the letters that have you all red in the face."

Gilbert laughs, "Yeah, that would be her."

"Hm," Sebastian taps his knee. "You love this girl?"

Gilbert nods, "Very much so."

"So what are you doing here? Go back to her!"

"But..."

"Gilbert, you are a great boy. You love her and I see how upset you are without her. So go," Sebastian smiles at him.

"You're right," Gilbert falls back onto his bed.

You were reading your book when you heard a knock on your door. "Mom! Who's at the door?!"

She didn't hear you, apparently, because you got no response. You huff and mark your page, putting the book aside.

You get up and run your hands over your dress. You walk downstairs and to the door. You open it and you are crushed by a hug.

"Gilbert!" You squeeze him tightly in a hug. Both of your eyes water and you pull him inside, closing the door behind you. "I missed you so much."

"I missed you too, darling," he grabs your hands.

"How are you? How was traveling? How come you're back early? How-"

He cuts you off by kissing you softly. You melt into his hold and kiss him back.

You pull away and he grins. "I'm great, now. Traveling was eye opening. And I'm back early because I came home for you. I just got back and I came straight here, I haven't even gone to my own house yet."

"I love you so much," your lips curve into a bright smile.

"I love you so much more," he kisses your head. "I have something for you," he takes something out of his pocket.

You gasp as you look at the beautiful ring in his hand. "Don't worry," he laughs, "it's not an engagement ring. It's a promise ring. To remind you that no matter where I am, we are always forever."

"Oh, Gilbert, it's wonderful. Thank you," you blow out a breath.

He takes your hand and slides it onto your ring finger. He brings your hand up to his face and kisses your palm.