Happy Christmas Eve, everyone!

We know by your comments your really enjoyed our surprise. We're so glad! It was the whole idea. We had been planing it for a while and are delighted with the way it's turning and the chapters that are for this week. We hope you like this one, and then the one from Saturday. As a teaser: Saturday has one of Hikari's favorite scenes (even if her list is ever growing).

No warnings for this chapter. Today it's Christmas. No heavy stuff.

Music...

- I Believe In You (feat. Francis and The Lights) - Kacy Hill, Francis and The Lights

- I Want You Around - Snoh Aalegra

- Sunn - Beau Diako

- Tell Me - Neil Frances, The Undercover Dream Lovers

- Vivid Memories - Otaam, Sitting Duck

- After All - Ben Rector

- Some Say - Nea

Chapter 11

From: kakwet1990

To: anne_shirleycuthbert

Subject: Re: Here goes with corrections!

Melkita'ulamun,

I sent directly the word document you sent me to my father. Well, more like printed it and gave it to him, so he could carry it around. You'll have plenty of comments- not a worry about that. I'll get back to you as soon as we have comments, so we can understand better how they would prefer to go about it, I know it's an important subject for you.

Now, are there any new developments with Gilbert? You've been awfully quiet the past few weeks and that's not like you. Spill the beans my kindred spirit- I know something happened. I can just read in between your lines, don't forget that. I'm just not sure of whatever happened to be a good thing, and I am indeed a bit worried. So try to appease my concerns? Any more fighting?

How are your dreams coming along, come to that? You haven't mentioned them and I happen to remember they gain strength as you lose security. Please let me know and reach out whenever you need.

Love you.

K.

The boxes arrived at some point. Gilbert brought them up when he arrived from his shift, putting them in the shared shopping cart that was available in the building. Anne was typing away an answer to Kak'wet's latest email on the sofa, headphones on, and didn't see him come in. Telling her a bit of the hideous fight with Gilbert, it's resolution and how the dreams weren't really allowing her to truly rest. A messy bun, she kept wearing his hoodies every day and he could not get himself to care. He had offered. And he thought she looked hot wearing his clothes, and now that he knew she was not naked under them he could handle it. He left the boxes next to the door, went to leave the cart in its place and came back. She was still writing.

"Hi there," he said, putting a hand on her shoulder so as not to startle her. She looked up and put down the headphones, the melodic voice of Kacy Hill singing I believe in you fading from her ears.

"Hi! Is it afternoon already? I lost the sense of time…" she said, getting up.

"Yep. Don't worry about that, good work day?"

"Well, at least it's flowing now. I'll make a thousand changes later, but for now it makes sense."

"So, guess what arrived," he said, offering his hand for her to get up. She received it and he was glad she was more accepting every day of the little gestures he had with her.

"My boxes?! Oh, what a wonderful surprise!" she said, going quickly to the door. "I'll miss wearing your hoodies, to be honest, but I'm glad to have something different to wear."

"Well, keep using them. They're yours to take. Do you want to unpack now or wait until tomorrow?" She looked at him.

"I… I'm still not sure about unpacking everything, Gil. It's…"

"I know. You said so yourself. I meant the clothes. If you ever want to unpack anything else, feel free to do so. I'm glad to share a house with you, even if it is for a short time," he cut her gently. He would never force anything, but he also wanted to state how glad he was for her to be there. She sighed, more relaxed.

"Thank you. For everything."

"No problem, really, Anne. Do you want any help? I could use some distraction, to be honest."

"How was work today? I'm sorry I didn't ask before… The effect of the boxes, I think," Anne said, ashamed.

"I'd… prefer not to talk about it, to be honest," Gilbert said quietly. He had lost a patient that had been a promising case and had taken a sudden and sharp turn for the worse. He had honestly thought the kid would be able to beat the disease and they all had been so optimistic after the last results they'd had. Anne looked at him, worried.

"Oh, Gil," she said, and went to hug him. He was surprised, as hugs were coming back slowly between them, but usually initiated by him. Still, he received it gratefully and hugged her back. "I'm sure you did your best. You always do. And whoever is this patient is so lucky to have you as their doctor." He sighed. They separated and she looked at him in the eyes, a latent energy between them.

"I think I'll have a shower. My back and neck hurt badly," he said after a moment, breaking the spell. She nodded.

"I'll put on some tea and can give you a massage later if you want. We can put on a movie. I'm not great, but I don't think I'll make it worse," she offered. He nodded and went to the bathroom. She went to the kitchen and organized everything, and then made the living room sofa a bed, so Gilbert could effectively lie down. She wasn't 100% sure about rubbing his back, but he did look tense and miserable and she felt compelled to help. He had helped her before, she thought, remembering the nightmares. And the subsequent morning episode she had decided to ignore forever. She opened a box and quickly found the leggings she had been longing for.

Gilbert came back, clad in just sweatpants. After the day she had had her first nightmare, he had been caring less and less about wearing a t-shirt or something around Anne. If she saw him shirtless, well, too bad. First she had been locked in his room. Then, well, it wasn't fair that she got around wearing that camisole and he had to wear a t-shirt all the time. And he secretly enjoyed seeing her blush every single time.

"Great. Lie down then. I thought we could watch Friends? That way you don't even have to pay attention and can relax. If you have a better idea, by all means, go ahead," she said, pink in her cheeks as she motioned the tv remote. He laughed.

"It's ok like this? Or should I put on the shirt?" he asked, showing her the one he had brought. He didn't want to make her that uncomfortable. He did want the massage, after all. It sounded promising.

"No, it's fine. Let me just get some lotion," she said, hurrying to the bathroom. He pushed play, remembering how they had seen the show reruns while in school. "Well, lie down, Gilbert," he noticed she had changed her jeans and put on some leggings, probably found in one of the boxes while he showered. He did as instructed and she sat next to him. "I'm sorry if it's a bit cold," she excused, before squirting lotion on his back. He jumped a little, not expecting it despite the warning, but then he then felt her hand on his back and, while she rubbed, he did feel himself relax and forget a bit about the kid.

"You look so uncomfortable, Anne, it doesn't make any sense," he said after a moment, trying to distract himself from her hands. They were getting all the knots of his back alright, but they were starting to create another problem. He had turned his head and was just watching her, kneeled beside him as she massaged him.

"Well, it's the way of things. I'm not Phoebe, I don't carry a massage table around," she tried joking, as he grimaced while she worked out a knot. That helped. That was painful and distracting enough from both her position and her hands. "Your back is a mess, by the way."

"I know. Yours will be too if you keep like that. Maybe you should stop, I already feel better. Honest," he said, because he didn't want to deal with Anne in pain and preferred to keep some of his. He was not about to tell her to take off her shirt so he could return the favor.

"I'm good, Gil, really. Relax, ok?"

'I can't when you're contorting like that," he insisted. She huffed. She wanted to keep massaging him because his back felt as strong and soft as she had always imagined it, and she didn't want to stop just yet. Plus, it seemed to make him squirm. How did that feel, Gilbert, huh?

"Maybe I can…" she stopped and looked pensive at him, blushed, and resumed her work on the same knot she had been working on with more energy than before. She would keep doing it this way. No need to change anything. He was squirming and she was ok and there was no need for anything else. She could soak in the tub after to get any pain out.

"Ouch, Anne, I do feel pain" he complained, as it really hurt. She relieved some of the pressure. "What idea was it? Go ahead, I don't mind," he said. She shook her head, even redder, and he turned. She sat on her feet. "How bad can it be so that you have that colour?" he asked, turning his head tolooking at her in the eyes, a glimmer in his. Now he wanted to know. And he wanted to tease her because of it.

"It's not bad, it's just… Oh, turn and let me continue," she grumbled. He did as instructed. "Let me know if this is uncomfortable, ok?" Anne said before getting up and effectively straddling him on the back. Oh. Ok. Her redness made sense now, Gilbert thought as he felt a warm wave go toward his nether regions. She continued the massage for a few minutes and he could not help but feel that what had been mostly relaxing so far was now exciting him even more in ways that were very much inappropriate. The relaxing part seemed well over. Her whole body seemed to move against him as she massaged him… He sighed as he started to get hard.

Anne was trying hard to concentrate on her hands, but was very much aware as well of how he felt below her. She knew her touches were no longer as innocent as they were when she had started (they had not been for a while), but couldn't help herself. His back was firm, the skin so soft. His shoulders were much more broader now than what they'd been when they were teens. And she had wanted this for so long. And it was only a massage, she was not trespassing any boundary or anything, right? She let out a breath slowly, trying not to lose her bearings as she felt a warmth gather in her center.

"Anne, I… I think it's good now, really," said Gilbert after a moment, his voice hoarser than he wanted. Because if she kept at that pace, he was not going to be responsible for what he did. He would just turn and kiss her senseless and make love to her just as he had dreamt of doing it so many times in the past few weeks. Years. And he was actually trying to take images from her out of his mind. She didn't answer, not really trusting her voice, and kept massaging him, her hands going down the sides of his back. Gilbert swallowed. This was a form of torture, he knew. She was seeking revenge from the other day and it seemed to be very sweet for her. "Anne… it's enough, seriously," he insisted after a few minutes, the erection throbbing against the sofa. God, this was exciting and uncomfortable and so good and everything at the same time, but he needed her off him now or he would not be held accountable for anything. She cleared her throat.

"Oh… ok. I'm going to put the bread in the oven," she said, as she got off him, an apparent nonchalance in her tone. He didn't dare to move yet. He knew he had a very stiff erection in that moment and tried to think about anything that would help distract his body. He buried his head in his arms. Anne scurried off to the kitchen and turned on the oven. She tried to calm herself and her ragging heart. She felt so hot and bothered she didn't even know what to do. What had she been thinking? She had wanted to do that, yes, even more after how he had pushed her the other day, but she hadn't counted on getting… like this. She was startled by the beep that announced the oven had reached the temperature and put on the loaf quickly inside, sighing. She had to control herself, for fuck sake. Or else she didn't know what would come of it.

"Anne, I… thank you for the massage, really. I had no idea you had those skills." Gilbert said to her, from the kitchen's door. He had his t-shirt on, now. He had felt confident enough to get up now. She nodded, but blushed brightly again. He chuckled. Not so unaffected, then? Revenge came back to bite you? You will see Anne, let's see who has the last word in this.

"Something I developed over the years," she answered, looking at the floor. She would never do that again. Or sleep with him. Not happening.

"Are you ok?" he asked, knowing full well what was happening.

"Yup, all good. I had just forgotten about the bread. So, do you want something for dinner?" she asked him, trying to change the subject. He looked at her with dark eyes. He knew what he wanted. She blushed again. She was nervous and unsettled and it only made him smile.

"I could honestly have some cereal and call it a night," he answered finally. She nodded and took some bowls. While she prepared herself some oatmeal, full of fruit, nuts and healthy things, he poured himself some cheerio's that she looked at disapprovingly. They went back to the living room and sat closer to each other than they had in all the weeks Anne had been there, except when they went to that park. Or when she had nightmares.

Gilbert retrieved her bowl and got up when the alarm of the oven went off. He went to the kitchen, organized a bit, took out the loaf and followed Anne's instructions to put it to cool down on a rack, and went back to the sofa. A little while later Anne excused herself to go to bed.

"Blythe, I'm going to Timmies for a double double. Wanna come or you're too engrossed in that?" Fred asked him, putting his face through his office door.

"I'll go with you, just give me a sec," he said, looking for his wallet and leaving the treatment plan he was going through to rest for a moment. He needed to clear his mind. "How's Ella?"

"Fine. Glad that there seems to be an end on this lockdown from hell," he said. "She's been working like crazy and doesn't pay any attention to anything I tell her about setting boundaries. You know how she is."

"She'll get sick. Tell her not to get her hopes up? I'd rather wait until the date is closer and there's no major resurgence before chanting victory."

"I know she'll get sick! It's what I'm telling her! But it's also hilarious, seeing her in pajama shorts and then all dressed up on top for her meeting. And she's been trying to bake and cook. I tell you, you're lucky with Anne," Gilbert laughed as an answer, opening the coffeehouse door.

"I do know I'm lucky. Now more so because she actually talks to me," he answered.

"Everything you dreamt of?" Fred asked, a knowing smile.

"Not quite, but I think there's a chance we'll get there," he answered, as he felt more confident every day.

"I hope you do. You deserve it after pinning for her for so long. I know I keep teasing, but honest, Blythe, don't fuck it up this time. You got your second chance and I for one never thought you would," Fred said, sipping his coffee. Gilbert smiled.

"I know. Weird thing to be thankful for right now, but if it wasn't for her poor decision making and the pandemic I would have missed her. I just wish she would confront and accept what she's feeling, you know? Or what I want to believe she's feeling, anyway."

"What do you mean?" As always, Fred lived for his gossip.

"What I said. Sometimes I can just tell she somehow still likes me but doesn't want to accept it. I can't be this good at imagining things that don't exist. So I tease her, because what else can I do? It's not like I'll force her or anything. She flushes with everything and gets squirmy like a teen. You'd have a field day. But for some reason, she is not quite there and if I do anything before it's time I know she'll be running and I'll lose her again. There again, it could all be on my mind."

"So basically you're going mental and completely sexually frustrated because you think she doesn't want to accept that she still wants you?" Fred asked, skeptical.

"Yep, that's right," he said, his voice strained as he remembered the massage from the other night. She was a tease to top it all. "It's fucking hard, Freddie. Imagine having Ella just there and not being allowed to touch her, but having her tease you everyday."

"Gosh, Blythe. Sounds like hell," Fred answered after a moment, his face pained.

"Yes. But no. Actual hell would be not having her," he answered, remembering his lonely apartment the days before Anne arrived. "This way at least you get to see her and talk to her. And she'll get there. I know she will."

"Keep telling that to yourself if it keeps you sane, mate," he threw the empty paper cup on the garbage can. "Whatever works for you, just keep it real, Blythe. I don't want to deal again with the state you were in when I met you. Now I have the actual means to medicate you."

Gilbert didn't comment when he saw Anne unpack more than clothes, not willing to break the spell. A new energy seemed to be present in the apartment and between them. Anticipation, camaraderie, and a subtle but constant flirting seemed to be the new normal. The teasing from the past few days had subsided a bit, but somehow started to become the new normal in the place. It was not a sudden change. It started small, with small gestures and signs. Almost imperceptible. A tiny touch here, a small joke there. No one would say it was flirting, had they not seen them before. But Gilbert could not lie to himself. Anne couldn't, either. They unspokenly chose not to talk about it. About how right and comfortable it felt.

One day Anne decided to forego the hoodie over the camisole, even if it was a little chilly just that day her nipples were hard and evident through the fabric. Gilbert knew it was some kind of torture. He knew she was cold and doing that on purpose. But he didn't say anything. Neither did she.

"Morning! Did you sleep well?" He asked from the island where he was having his coffee. He tried to act as if nothing was happening and was glad that she didn't arrive while he was eating. It would have been embarrassing to choke at her sight. "I left you some oatmeal on the stove. Sticky like you like it." He said, returning his eyes to the screen of his phone where he was reading the news.

"Thanks. You work today?" She said as she served a bowl and chopped some banana to put on top with almonds and cinnamon. "More coffee?"

"Yes. And yes, thank you," he said. Anne felt a bit deflated as she poured more coffee in his empty mug. She thought for a moment he was resting today. He put on some milk from the jug he had left out.

"You never get days off?"

"Of course I do. You just never notice," he chuckled. "We went on one to Service Ontario. I finish around six, but I have one tomorrow and the next day, actually. A regular old weekend for once. We have a call with the gang at around three in the afternoon and then we're free to do as you wish, the first day of stage 1 to enjoy outdoors. Did you have anything in mind?"

"I hadn't thought about the opening. But about tonight… Movie night? I was thinking popcorn, pizza… the whole thing," she said, looking hopeful at him.

"The whole thing? What else there is apart from pizza and popcorn?" he asked, trying to remember if they had any other thing. Sleepovers, but they were already living together.

"We used to do sleepovers and forts," she said. He laughed.

"We only did one fort, because you were thirteen and had never made one before and it was criminal you hadn't experienced that. Dad helped us to secure the blankets and everything, remember? It was such a good night" it had been a great night and he still looked back to it fondly. It was one of his favourite memories. She smiled.

"See? A fort is the way to go. Always."

"Ok, fort it is. But we're not watching any Disney movie this time, pick something else. I'm outvoting you this time, you don't have dad on your side," he said. She smiled. "And not When Harry met Sally either!"

"Hey! You're not fun. You pick it, then. I'm choosing the pizza toppings," she answered, pushing him teasingly. "So, I'll have everything ready when you come back."

"So, Anne has this plan for tonight and I need your help," Gilbert said to Fred as they strolled around the block during their lunch hour. Fred looked at him, his eyebrows shooting up. "Nothing like that, get a grip, Wright."

"I didn't get to say anything!" his friend defended himself. Gilbert shook his head.

"As if I didn't know you. So. She's got it into her head to have a movie night tonight."

"That's… quite more normal than I thought."

"Yeah, right, she's building a fort and making pizza from scratch," Gilbert said, chuckling. Fred looked at him.

"You're kidding!"

"I am honestly not kidding. She's building a fort. My only task in this is to find a movie to watch that isn't from Disney, because I banned them."

"Why on earth did you ban Disney? Disney's movies are the perfect ones to watch in a fort," Fred said, frowning. Gilbert shrugged. He wasn't looking forward to relieve the memory of the fort they had built with his dad that much and he knew if they saw The Lion King that's what would happen. "Ok, then watch a scary movie and she will be curled on top of you."

"You are seriously not helping, Fred. I actually want suggestions for the movie. Real suggestions."

"Well then… I don't know, Blythe. Something nineties, it's a fort. Come on, I haven't been in one for years, is this some weird tradition from your island?" Gilbert snorted at Fred's comment.

"Of course not. I think she just likes to relive good memories. She never had a fort in her childhood, you know? Between the orphanage and the foster homes, she never got a chance to have a fort. I found out when I was fifteen and my father insisted she had to have the experience."

"So you did a fort with her when you were teens?" Fred raised an eyebrow.

"Yep. Shortly before Bash moved in. My dad was the best making forts, you have no idea," Gilbert smiled fondly at the memory.

"My parents hated when we did them. When we were kids we always wanted to, but there was one time when we made a TV fall down and then they forbade us from doing anything again."

"How on earth did that happen?" Gilbert asked, stupefied.

"We may have used the TV to hold the blanket? I don't remember, Blythe, it must have been twenty years ago. One of those huge, boxy TVs from the nineties. But your dad made forts?"

"He was all for it. Any kind experience you imagine, he wanted me to have it. So, forts. When we made this one with Anne it was the best creation. I wonder if I have pictures. It was a beautiful thing of blankets and pillows and he even looked for the Christmas lights," Gilbert explained, remembering that night. They had watched The Lion King and it had been perfect. One of the nights that had truly brought them together.

"I wish I could have met your dad. He really sounds like the best," Fred said, pensively, as he held the hospital door for Gilbert to come in.

"He was the absolute best. You have no idea," Gilbert said. "So, movie?"

" Mighty Ducks ?"

"I love them, but no… you just gave me an idea," Gilbert said, grinning to Fred. " Breakfast Club !"

"Are you being serious? That's what you needed my help for? Come up with that?" Fred replied. Gilbert laughed, sure of his decision. But Mighty Ducks was a great backup

Notes:

Now! Any theories for the fort? How it will turn out? Movie's they're watching? Gang call? We love love love to hear from you!

We hope that you have some great holidays if you celebrate them. And if not, that at the very least you have some nice and quiet days. Lots of family and friends zoom calls and that virtual closeness that has become so... 2020.

Be safe and take care :)