Returning home (Reader x Gilbert Blythe)
Requested by: Anon Forever tag: @harleyquinnswifeyfrfr, @sweetheartlizzie07, @floatlosers, @vviolynn, @evilcr0ne, @melsunshine, @ilocuras24
Steam whistled loud from the engines. Boiler room filled with hot air. Piles of coal, scattered around. Gilbert exhaled loud, drawing the back of his hand over his brows.
Feeling the sweat droplets on his skin. Lowering his hands, they were near black as night. Forming a slight chuckle that he just might have smeared it out over his face. There had already been coal dirt from before, a bit more wouldn’t harm.
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.
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