#if I learned anything from season 3 it's that Gilbert has no issue just waltzing into green gables

[seawolvesanddragons]

AWAE 25 Days of Christmas Day 16: “You’ve got a little something-”

      “Here we come a-Wassailing among the leaves so green!” Anne’s melodic voice echoed throughout Green Gables, it’s owner resonating in her solitude. Anne was a social girl, but she still appreciated her time to her own thoughts. She had spent much of her childhood in the company of her own self, and it was somewhat comforting to retreat into her own being at times. It also allowed for Anne to do things she normally would be asked to stop - such as singing Christmas carols at the top of her voice in the kitchen as she kneaded bread. 

Marilla, as she oft reminded Anne, was a fan of soft music. Not bellowing from the rafters. 

But with Marilla at Mrs. Lynde’s for tea, and Matthew out on the grounds, there was no one for Anne to bother with her singing - or to bother her. 

“Here we go a wandering, so fairly to be seen; Love and joy come to you, and to you a Wassail too-”

“God bless you and send you a Happy New Year,” a light, pleasant tenor joined in the chorus, causing Anne to jump out of her skin. She let out a yelp as she whirled around, the bread falling to the table with a thick thunk. 

Gilbert stood in the kitchen entryway, struggling not to laugh. 

“Sorry,” he apologized. “I did knock, but you didn’t hear me. I didn’t mean to frighten you.” 

“I wasn’t frightened!” Anne protested immediately. And she hadn’t been - not really. She had been slightly startled, that was all. Who wouldn’t be, when someone snuck up on them in the kitchen. That was just poor manners. That was the only reason her heart was still racing - irritation. Not because she had been frightened, and certainly not for any other reason relating to Gilbert Blythe. 

Gilbert raised a brow in the infuriating manner of his, but he didn’t contradict her. “I just stopped by to see if you had any vanilla, Mary needs some for her Christmas Cake.” 

“Right, of course,” Anne dusted her hands off on her apron. “Marilla keeps it up here, so it’s less likely to get knocked off and break.” She stretched her hand up towards the top shelf. The vanilla had been pushed back a bit though, and her hand didn’t quite reach. Anne pushed herself up on her tiptoes, straining to grasp the bottle. 

“Here, allow me,” Gilbert offered, stepping behind her to help. Anne hadn’t given up her own attempt to grab it though and their arms bumped each other. Anne felt goosebumps rise up on the grazed arm. Gilbert was a half head taller than Anne, and his hands reached the bottle easily, plucking it down. 

Anne set her heels back on the floor, determinedly ignoring any part of her that would label such assistance gentlemanly. She turned away from the shelf, and found herself centimeters away from Gilbert. She hadn’t realized how close he had stepped when he grabbed the bottle. Looking at the wide-eyed expression on his own face, neither had he. 

“Is there anything else you - I mean Mary, needs?” Anne asked quickly, feeling a bit short of breath. 

“What? No, no,” Gilbert said hastily. “This was all she asked for.” 

“Right,” Anne nodded slowly. Dimly, she was aware that they should move, now that Gilbert’s errand was over, but her feet didn’t seem to be working properly. 

“Sorry that I didn’t let you in properly before,” Anne added. She hoped Marilla didn’t hear that story - it didn’t exactly put Anne in a good hosting light. 

“Oh, it wasn’t a problem,” Gilbert said dismissively. “I liked hearing you sing. You have a beautiful voice.” 

What in heavens name was she supposed to say to that? 

“Thanks. You do as well. Have a nice singing voice, I mean,” Anne said, feeling like she might sink through the floor in mortification at her mangled compliment. This was a disaster. A calamity of concerning proportions! 

“It always annoyed Bash, when I sang on the ship,” Gilbert smiled. “I’m glad someone likes it.” He gave a miniscule frown. “Hold on, you’ve got a little something-” Without a word of warning, Gilbert’s hand cupped her cheek, his thumb brushing the freckles under her eye. Anne’s breath caught. 

Gilbert seemed to only realize what he had just done afterwards, his eyes panicked. His hand dropped to his side as if it had been stung. 

“You - you had a bit of flour there,” he said weakly, clearly mortified. But he didn’t step back, or try to leave. It was as if he were rooted to the spot, unable to move, in the same enchantment currently leaving Anne locked into place. 

Up close, she could count every shade of green and brown in his eyes. Anne had always been aware theoretically that Gilbert was a handsome boy; she was friends with Ruby after all. But now it seemed to be hitting her all at once, like a tidal wave on the beach, knocking her down and sweeping her up again. 

“Anne?” Gilbert whispered, and hearing her name from his lips moved something inside her. 

She leaned forward and kissed him lightly, hesitantly. 

Then she drew back, and waited for his response.

#these are still long #sorry #time for Anne to steal a kiss though #if I learned anything from season 3 it's that Gilbert has no issue just waltzing into green gables #awae #anne with an e #anne of green gables #awae fic #anne shirley cuthbert #shirbert #gilbert blythe #prompts welcomed please #i need new ideas #25 days of christmas challenge