Chapter Text
Anne waited anxiously in the parlor of her boarding house, fisting the material of her green dress and then flattening it back out in a compulsive, repetitive fashion.
Gilbert was coming today, and he planned to greet her in a respectable manner, the way any respectable man courting a lady would- by meeting her, under supervision, between the hours of 2 and 4 in the parlor of the boarding house. Anne was thrilled to have a romantical suitor visiting, and even more thrilled that this suitor was none other than Gilbert Blythe, the only object of her affections.
Simultaneously, however, she was about to burst out of this nuisance of a corset. She could not breathe! Anne had not seen Gilbert since the day he left for Toronto, hurriedly kissing her and confessing his feelings before rushing off to catch his train. It was just like Gilbert to get her all riled up and leave her to suffer the consequences alone. It happened the day she broke her slate over her head, and it was happening again today. She didn’t know where to put her feelings, and this building tension was about to make her burst.
Sure, they’d exchanged countless letters, discussing their respective new universities, Green Gables, Bash and Delly, the usual. However, neither of them had been willing to even broach the topic of their relationship, each waiting for the other to make the first move. Both were still too stubborn, engaging in their never ceasing game of chicken. It was more than that, though. Anne was also terrified.
What if he changed his mind? What if he realized he made a mistake? What if he’s met a prettier, smarter, more agreeable girl in Toronto that he doesn’t have to wait weeks to hear a response from? That he can kiss whenever he wishes? These thoughts swirled through Anne’s mind as she switched from sitting to pacing to staring into the face of the clock.
“Anne,” came a deeply familiar sigh from the doorway.
Anne whipped around, eyes widening to meet the soft gaze of one Gilbert Blythe.
‘He already looks different,’ Anne thought. letting her eyes drift over Gilbert’s form. He’d filled out a little bit, probably from no longer working off all of his calories doing regular farm work with Bash. She let her eyes rake over his face. He looked healthy, his eyes bright and face full. Anne took in his spectacular chin, and then looked to the smile spreading over his face.
Gilbert quirked an eyebrow, “Are you truly well, Anne? Do you need me to call the town doctor?”
This knocked Anne out of her stupor, and she cocked a hip in his direction, a teasing smile gracing her lips.
“Isn’t that supposed to be your job? Or aren’t they teaching you anything in Toronto?”
The both stepped forward, closing the distance between them, but as they moved to embrace, a clear cough sounded from the corner chair.
It was their chaperone. Anne had asked another woman boarding there to chaperone, as she was much too embarrassed to ask any of the girls from Avonlea to sit in on her meeting with Gilbert. She also wanted him all to herself, not entertaining any other girl, at least for this moment.
However, this proved to be frustrating, as she could not kiss the only lips she’s desired for weeks, if not years, now. Courting had to be the most ridiculous construct ever imposed on a young couple! Kissing her beloved is a far cry from... marital intimacy. Anyone could surely see the ridiculousness of courting rules, thought Anne, though her cheeks still burned at the thought, and her stomach still knotted up being this close to Gilbert.
So instead, Gilbert and Anne took a seat on the couch, a respectable distance of about a foot between them. They made small talk for the better part of an hour, never ceasing in their zeal, before Gilbert leaned in close to whisper in her ear.
His words rustled her hair, making her shiver, as he breathed, “Could I compel you to a more private meeting later? There are many much more sensitive matters I wish to discuss with only you.”
Anne’s eyes widened comically and her breath caught, cheeks surely turning bright red. Despite her embarrassing reaction, she nodded hastily, breathing back “Tonight, after dark. I know a place we can go.”
Anne didn’t know if this was purely so they could speak freely about their relationship, or if Gilbert had something more improper in mind. Knowing Gilbert, it was almost certainly the former. Anne mason found herself wishing it might be the latter. A girl could dream. It was hard not to when one’s boyfriend (Boyfriend? Suitor? Friend?) was as dreamy as Gilbert, with his dark curls and dark eyes, always staring at her like he could see straight through her. His strong, methodical hands, calloused from years of labor, she imagined gripping her waist tightly, holding her close. Most of all, his soft smile, reserved solely for Anne.
Anne was snapped out of her daydream by Gilbert touching her wrist, his brow furrowed. “Did I lose you there?”
She coughed and adjusted her seat on the couch, “No, I am quite alright. I was just lost in thought. So, we’re in agreement about our next meeting?” Anne asked, trying to not give too much away to gossip for her chaperone to titter about later on with the other girls.
Gilbert nodded, smiling slightly. “Yes, I shall see you again soon. Until then,” and he with that he lifted her hand delicately, pressing his soft lips against her knuckles, lingering for a moment. Anne gasped, not expecting the contact, and felt a hot stirring in her belly. Gilbert somehow made even being a perfect gentlemen unnerving attractive.
He released her hand, and she returned it to her side, once again crinkling the green fabric of her dress as she rose to lead him out the door. She would need to find a way to keep her mind out of the gutter before tonight.