Soooo everyone ready for the nurses reaction to dr. Blythe's new wardrobe choices? For maybe more cuddling? We hope you like this chapter. It was really fun to write and we hope you appreciate it as much as we do. Just one last thing...We apologize in advance? You will know why once you read it. Enjoy!

Oh, and here's the music for today!

-Right Now - Ayelle

-Someone To Spend Time With - Los Retros

-narrative - yutaka hirasaka

-Move On - yutaka hirasaka

-Desperately - Michelle Branch

-Hasta La Raíz - Natalia Lafourcade

-Dive Bar - Demo Version - Caleb Hawley

At some point, Anne straightened a bit under his arm, effectively burrowing her face between his collarbone and his neck. He didn't think much of it at the beginning, as she was probably tired of the other position, but he did feel her breath just where the collar of his shirt ended. It was a delicious sensation, but by then he had decided no amount from teasing from Anne would undo him. Or at least, that was the plan.

She was not watching the series he had put on the tv. Instead, she had been reading a book, but she must have gotten bored or something (he would never know) as her kindle lay forgotten on the sofa and she started making small patterns with her fingers on his chest. He tried to focus on the show, but it soon was becoming too distracting, every nerve of his chest sensitive in anticipation of her unpredictable touch. Just following her lead (if she was caressing him, why wouldn't he?), he caressed her arm slowly, the other one resting on his side, fist clenched to ground himself.

The moment he felt her mouth give him a kiss on the collarbone- an actual, lingering, slightly open mouthed kiss, his breath hitched. He swallowed. His body was still hurting from the strenuous exercise from the day before and he would not be able to do it all over again. One time, ok. More, it was not sustainable.

"Anne," he said, his voice strained. She ignored him, another kiss closer to his neck, her hand on his chest. He stopped caressing her arm but didn't take off his hand, relishing on how toned her arm was after weeks of doing yoga daily and how soft her freckled skin always was. "Anne, please stop,"

"Why?" she mouthed into his neck before giving him another kiss and he swallowed again.

"Unless you figured it out since yesterday, please stop now," he insisted, feeling her chuckle bring even more blood down. Her laugh was so alluring. So fresh, so tempting.

"Maybe I did?" she said, biting him teasingly on the thin skin below his ear, making him inhale sharply. This was either the most delicious form of torture or the best news he'd received in years and he couldn't quite point which option was the correct one as the hand she had on his chest pushed him as she straightened.

"Carrots," he said. He would try one last time. "Are you serious?"

"Of course I am, Gil," she said, smiling before straddling him. He looked at her from below, where she had pinned him to the sofa, expectant. He felt her weight on his waist, so close to his crotch it almost pained him. If only she had...Gilbert didn't dare move a single muscle for fear of ending the enchantment and this dream. It had to be a dream. Reality could not be this good. She smiled, even more teasing in her eyes, and he saw as she came down to kiss him- a kiss so passionate it left him without the ability to think coherently. His hands shot to her- one bringing her even closer to him as it grabbed fistfuls of her silky, mischievous red hair, the other one to the low of her back, bringing her even closer to… yes, there.

When she bit his lip, he corresponded and heard her whimper and move even closer to him, his hand guiding her. His erection throbbed underneath his pajama pants and jerked slightly at her sounds. She never broke the kiss, her hands grabbing his hair, caressing the nape of his neck, just as she had the other day… And he felt like he would actually lose it.

"Anne-girl, I…" she shut him again, another hot kiss before biting his neck.

"Gil… let me take care of you tonight, ok? You've had an emotional day, let me help," she said. Her cheeks were rosy and he could tell how affected she was, even if she was trying to convey her good intentions. His hips twerked involuntarily, eliciting another whimper from her. He thought about trying to compose himself but the idea was lost immediately as she started grinding against him.

"My god… Anne," he couldn't help but say, fighting for air and control. She whimpered, grabbing his neck, his hair for stability. Gilbert helped her, guided her, his breathing becoming increasingly erratic.. He saw her expression, mouth slightly parted, eyes so shiny, the delicious movement of her hips against him… he couldn't help but let a moan escape. She smiled.

"Yes, Gilbert, relax," he heard her whisper, but he could tell how much she needed him. Just as he needed her.

"You… Anne, you feel so good," he managed to say, which prompted even more perfect movements from her and he moaned again. "Oh yes, Anne-girl, there…" He was so close to come, so close, but she seemed even closer. "Just… god, Carrots, fuck…" He saw as a moan started to form on her throat and couldn't help but let go, feeling his release explode through his pants.

Gilbert opened his eyes, heart out of his chest. What happened? What in the… What was going on? Had that? Honestly, why was he...Where was Anne? Had it… It couldn't be. Just couldn't. He swallowed, taking his hand down to his sweats, fear forming inside him like a deep pit. Fuck. This couldn't be serious. He threw the cover to the side, suddenly very awake, and turned on the light.

Shit.

He got up quickly and took the sheets off. Shit. Fuck. Damn. This couldn't be happening. It couldn't. He was not thirteen, for fucks sake! And all his clothes in Anne's room! Shit! Well, he had left out the things he was going to wear during the day, but still! The sofa seemed clean enough, which was the smallest relief ever. Who had this kind of problem at almost thirty? For goodness sake, he was not a teen! Ugh!

First things first, however. He stripped off his sweats and went to put everything on the washer. The sooner he got it there, the sooner everything could be forgotten. Shit, this was so uncomfortable, walking in wet boxers. He looked at the clock: 4:21. Ok. So he could technically shower now and have a nap after, he would just not put his shirt yet so he wouldn't wrinkle it. He paused the washer and went to the bathroom to get his towel and take off the wet boxers. Throwing them in the washer along with everything else, he resumed the program and went to the bathroom.

Gilbert only stopped mentally cursing when he got himself under the warm spray of the shower. What had happened there? He hadn't had an accident like that in more than ten years. Probably since he was seventeen. When he had realized how she had developed over the past months. He dressed up, leaving the shirt on the hanger but clipping the suspenders. If he didn't do it now, he would probably forget about them and then suffer with adjusting his pants all day long. He opened the bathroom door, finally relaxed, as he dried his hair with the towel.

What he didn't expect was to find Anne on her cracked-open door.

"Gil? You're on mornings again? I heard some noise…" she said sleepily. He felt his ears get warm, as flashes from his dream came back. Shit. How could he get around her now? It was probably written all over his face!

"I… eh… couldn't sleep," he said dumbly.

"You're ok?"

"Yes, yes, all good. Go back to bed, Anne," he answered, just as the washer started the spin cycle that could be heard from where they stood.

"Are you washing something now?"

"Spilled a tea," was the first thing that came into his mind as he blushed furiously. Anne looked curiously at him, not understanding anything but more awake as seconds went by. "Anne, it is too early for you to be up. Go back to bed, please, I don't want you to miss out on sleep," he insisted, because he wanted her, her camisole and her shorts out of his sight.

"I'm too awake, now," she said. "I'll fetch a tea and probably do yoga or read or something and take a nap later on." Please, god, let her not do yoga now, was the only thing that came to Gilbert's mind. He nodded, as there was no way to force her to sleep, and went to the kitchen to put water to warm.

**Anne S-C (08:32): I can't hold it any longer. You better be awake. I know you said he looked good in suspenders but this is criminal.

**Cole (08:34): Had to go to the workshop early to receive a clay shipment. Been up since 7:00. 😴

**Cole (08:34): So, suspenders, right? 😏 I told you. A treat for the eyes.

**Anne S-C (08:34): It doesn't make sense 😳

"Sorry to call you, but we want to hear this live," Cole said as she answered the video call with a roll of her eyes.

"Hello, love!" Roy greeted her, still on pajamas. "So, tell us!"

Anne felt her cheeks go red.

"I wasn't expecting a questioning, I only wanted to vent my frustration!"

"You get to do both, Nan, tell us everything!"

"Well, somehow his friend Fred convinced him that scrubs is not the way to dress," she said.

"Finally!"

"About time!"

"Well, yes! But then he decided to reorganize the closet to find his nice clothes… That's when I wrote to you yesterday, Cole," she said and he nodded on the screen. "Well, this morning I woke up so early… Not even 5:00 am, mind you, because I heard noises. So I go out of the room and find him in the bathroom. You know how he dries his hair?"

"No idea, because we've never lived with him. Oh wait, I do have a memory of the dressing rooms in school. Anyway, tell us!" said Cole, excited.

"He dries it with the towel… but like, I don't know, you want to be the towel or be dried by him or something. It's like… He is careful but insistent?"

"Sounds like him. So he was drying his hair?"

"Oh yes, he was. And he was dressed… I mean, he had his undershirt on, because now that he will wear shirts he thinks it's important for some reason, and his pants, the nice ones, and the suspenders were just… hanging," she said, remembering how he looked, all freshly bathed, just shaved. "He looked… as if someone had just taken him from a fifties movie? But hotter. And cleaner. He smelled like this foresty aftershave he buys…"

"Why are you not sleeping with him, again?" asked Roy.

"Because I prefer to keep him as a friend," Anne explained, as if it was obvious.

"She is convinced they'll get together for two hours and then break up and never speak again. Because that can't happen when you're friends, right, Anne?" Cole pointed, looking at her. She blushed. "So that's your suspenders story? He didn't even have them on!"

"Oh, just wait, Cole Mackensie!" she scolded. "So there he was, and then turns and I don't know what happened with him but he had this cute blush? Like barely noticeable. And then he explained how he couldn't sleep, and he spilled some tea and was washing the sheets…" Cole and Roy looked at each other and burst out laughing. "What?"

"Oh, dear, you're so innocent," said Roy, trying to contain his laughter. "So, continue?"

"But why am I innocent?"

"Nothing, nothing! Just continue with the story. So, he spilled tea and was awake at four in the morning?" said Cole, evidently trying to bite a laugh. Anne nodded, as confused about everything as she had been in the morning. She frowned, but continued anyway.

"So, he looked like this… And then went on to prepare tea and everything. At some point, when he was about to leave, he put on his shirt… But he doesn't even go to the bathroom to change!"

"Anne, putting more layers on you doesn't count as changing. And he walks around with no shirt. Why would he go somewhere else?" Cole asked, confused.

"Well, he opened his pants! To tuck in the shirt!" Cole and Roy laughed.

"You've got it bad, girl," Cole said.

"I know! And I'm trying to get over it! But then he tucks the shirt in, and pulls up the suspenders, and… My god, I can't believe it. I've seen shirtless Gilbert Blythe. I've seen all these Hollywood actors. But this? This is something different," she said, a blush in her face.

"Darling, there's no use. You'll not get over it. And this will just keep getting worse if you don't go away or act on it. You told me about it when we met at Queens and I have told you, now is your chance," Roy insisted.

"Nan, we all support you. You and Gilbert. We all know you are meant to be together. Dancing around each other is something both of you excel at, but you have to put an end to it at some point," Cole said.

"But what if…" Anne started, Gilbert's image still in his mind, his questioning eyebrows directed at her blush when he was adjusting the suspenders in the morning.

"Anne, what if it works?" Cole insisted. "What if both of you finally get what you've been dreaming of?" She bit her lips, unsure. "Please think about it. You've told me you're open to forgiving him. I think you're there. But what about being open and honest with yourself about what you really want and not about what the safest option is?"

**Fred (10:57): I need to see you. I've heard no less than three nurses talk about how cute Dr. Blythe got a makeover and is now the hottest on the building. They were telling me that. What do they think about me, that you could somehow interest me?

**Cole (11:05): Dude, I've been debating about writing to you the whole morning. Anne bought your story about the tea, but make a move already? For your own good?

**Fred (11:10): I'm telling all the nurses how you are doing this because your wife knows better and you just follow her around like a puppy. Which you do. Only she's not your wife.

**Fred (11:17): Dr. Shephard also commented on how pro you look (just as I said!), and you still don't answer me. Blythe! Where are you?

**Fred (11:43): Blythe, by now I think you're hiding from me 😩 And the chief nurse in oncology (Mrs. Vincent?) just told me you were around not ten minutes ago with a coffee.

**Fred (11:44): Oh, and that you look great in suspenders. And that even a patient has commented something about your change to her.

**Gilbert Blythe (12:40): Don't you work? And no, they don't think that about you- they know about Ella. They just know you're a gossip. And stop telling tales, Wright 😑 Not becoming on you.

**Gilbert Blythe (12:40): What are you talking about, Cole?

**Cole (12:41): Anne called me this morning to tell me all about how good you look in suspenders. Kudos about that. But then she told us an absurd story about spilling tea at dawn. She bought it and we didn't explain anything, but we do know what happened, Gilbert.

**Fred (12:41): Still want to see you! Don't avoid me!

**Gilbert Blythe (12:43): I might never talk to you again after this. Let's forget forever about this incident. But thanks for covering? And do tell more about Anne?

**Gilbert Blythe (12:43): You're behaving like a toddler! I'm not avoiding you- I work, and today's been hectic. I'll see you when I go out, around five-ish.

**Fred (12:43): Parking lot! It's a date!

**Cole (12:44): She absolutely loved you in those things. You look hot. So good move, dr. 😏 But keep it up. You'll break her at some point, I can guess. Please do. It's getting harder to deal with both of yours sexually deprived souls.

**Cole (12:44): And we'll forget about the incident, as you call it 😉 You're not fifteen.

"My goodness, dr. Blythe! Hadn't seen you this dressed up since you received your oncologist degree!" Fred said, all proud smiles. "I knew you had it in you!"

"I knew I had it in my closet," Gilbert answered. "I still don't get the reaction from everyone. I still have the same skills and knowledge, it's not like this maximises them."

"I have been telling you for years! It's all about how you present yourself," Fred insisted. "You might know exactly the same, but the crabby old patient in his seventies will actually pay more attention if you tell him how his treatment is going to be if you're clad in this- absurd as that might be," Fred explained.

Gilbert nodded, because he indeed had felt a different attitude in a couple of his patients. Not all of them, of course, but one or two had been openly more receptive to what he had to say. An old lady, who always listened intently to everything he said, had praised his new look to no end, until he had to actually remind her that he was there to tell her about the results of her MRI, not to do a fashion show.

"So, Anne has seen you like this already? What did she say?" Gilbert laughed. For all he had been so, so uncomfortable in the morning, he realized at some point Anne had no way of knowing about his dream and could finally relax enough around six in the morning. And then he had seen how quiet she was, stealing glances to his suspenders, and then how flustered she became when he finally put on his shirt and adjusted them. "What? Tell me!"

"I think it's safe to say she approves of the change," he said.

"Tell me more, Blythe!" which prompted more laughs from Gilbert.

"She was all flustered. Like, red and uncomfortable and all. It was cute, actually. Never thought wearing this would have any impact on her. She's seen me wear about everything by now, from a towel to a ridiculous costume in highschool, and the only time I got a comparable reaction was when I was either on a towel or just after exercising with no shirt on at the beginning of the lockdown," he explained.

"You do look hot in this, if I'm honest," Fred conceded, nonplussed. Gilbert raised an eyebrow. "Look, I don't care either way, but I can tell. And you do look hot. If you don't believe me, and want to avoid asking Anne, just ask any of the nurses. Or send a picture to your friend Cole, I'm sure he won't have any trouble in telling you so," Gilbert shook his head. All of that was out of question, and he didn't particularly care if he was hot or not. As long as Anne was unsettled and flustered, he would wear this every day. Especially if Cole was going out of his way to tell him he was on the right path.

Eventually the hype about dr. Blythe's new look died down at the hospital, but he was still met with a somewhat blushing Anne more days than not. She had kept up with her weird plan of wearing hoodies and pants in the middle of summer for a few days, but eventually something seemed to change in her and she came back to her camisole and flowy summer things.

After talking with Cole and Roy, she felt the curiosity of acknowledging there might be a real future for a relationship with Gilbert. Only she would never do the first step. She knew it would probably be… gladly accepted, to say the least, but she turned into a muck every time he walked in the apartment smartly dressed. And every time he decided to hang out just in pajama pants. So, until she could handle herself around him, she would not take the first step. That was not to say she would keep shying away from it. So that's when she decided to forgo the hoodie again. On purpose, this time. At least that gave her time to think. Maye getting involved with him wasn't the best of ideas? It meant putting their friendship in risk again.

"I talked with Mary and Bash this afternoon," she commented as he chopped some vegetables for a salad. She had insisted that he learn how to cook some things, for when she went back to PEI. Even if she was becoming increasingly unsure about ever doing so. How would she live so far away from him? Even if they never got involved in any sort of romantic way, she was leaning more and more towards just… staying around. Have him in her life, making up for lost time. She could look for an apartment around Hamilton or Toronto or whatever. Or go back to PEI. She hadn't decided yet.

"Great, what did they say?" he asked, continuing with the task she had given him. The afternoon was warm and they had the windows open. Gilbert had put on some music, mumbling how he didn't understand how Anne could just exist in the silence of the apartment sometimes. She had shrugged. She loved music, yes, but she also loved silence, sometimes. Especially when she could hear the birds outside. Smiling at that, Gilbert had put on Hasta la raíz by Natalia Lafourcade in a volume high enough for them to enjoy, but low enough so that it didn't cover the sounds that managed to come from the open window.

"To go visit at some point? Restrictions are getting looser, and they said Delly is crazy about seeing you. And me, for some reason. I have no idea why that kid seems to love me so much, but hey, I won't complain," she commented as she put on a pan on the stove and turned it on. He chuckled. He did know why she loved Anne and he was 100% responsible. But he would not tell.

She turned to look at him. With the folded sleeves of the thin striped shirt he was wearing up to his elbows, coupled with those suspenders, he had left her speechless when he asked how he could help with dinner. The slim dark grey chinos only seemed to add to the outfit, and that he went around in bare feet was just the cherry on top. His dimple as he chuckled, concentrating on the carrots, was so endearing she could not take her eyes away. She bit her lip, doubting for a second, but then took out her camera and took a picture of him, the light from the kitchen's window hitting on his hair just so.

"Hey! What are you doing?" he said, as he noticed the phone pointing at him just a second too late. She laughed.

"You're cooking! I have to record this for posterity," she explained.

"Let me see," he said, leaving the knife on the board. She blocked her phone.

"You'll see it later. Chop chop, the pan's warming," she said, grinning. He shook his head.

"Don't you publish that, Anne," he said, in what he hopped was a warning tone, but saw her face lit up and a wicked grin appear on her face and knew he had just given her the idea. "Anne, don't," he insisted but realised then he actually didn't care if she did or not. She was part of his life now and it was hard for anything to get any better. At least until she figured it out , as she said. He prayed she did it quickly and, please, the figuring included him.

"Oh yes!" she said. "Chop, Gilbert!"

He shook his head. When something got into her mind there was no way to divert her from it. He chopped the remainder of the carrots.

"Ok, so they want us to go visit?"

"Yes. They said early July? Make a long weekend out of Canada day?" she said. He nodded. Made sense.

"Sounds good to me, I can ask for a couple of days at the hospital. It has slowed down considerably, so I don't think they'll refuse," he said. "And I do want to see Delly. It's been far too long without her."

"It's not like she'll forget you," Anne said. "Today all she asked about was you. And some fairy thing I don't understand, you'll have to fill me up on that before we go."

"I will. Maybe. But no, I don't think she'll forget me," he said.

"Aren't you smug?" she teased.

"Of course I am!" he replied. "And proud of it. Not for nothing I was her second ever word in the world. Bash still doesn't forgive me. But right after Mamma, there was Gilby, not Pappa," he said, and Anne felt warm inside to see how he seemed to glow as he talked about his niece. How would he be with his own kids? She blushed at the thought, just as Gilbert turned to take the board to the pan and add the next ingredient. "Everything ok?"

"Yes! Yes. Just thinking. So, Canada day?"

"Absolutely. Let me just confirm with the hospital and then we'll confirm to them, ok?" she nodded.

"We're doing a road-trip!" she answered and he noticed how she seemed so happy at the prospect. The food was done quickly after that and they sat down, chatting about the books he had gifted her and everything she was learning just from them.

"Now imagine if you went back to study…" Gilbert said at one point. Anne's eyes turned a bit sad.

"You know it's not that easy, Gil," she answered.

"I know, but… Have you even checked where the courses are, how much they cost?" he asked. He had. And they were conveniently located in Toronto, just 40 minutes from his house by train. And she could study part time, or even virtually if she preferred. And live with him, not paying anything. Not that he was saying any of that now: she would absolutely freak.

"I checked a couple of years ago. Haven't since, I'm just saving for now and when I have enough to live and study for a few months, I'll look into a loan for the tuition. Or something. Maybe in a couple of years, if… life goes well then," she said. He nodded, not wanting to push the issue now. "And I'm actually happy writing right now. I think there might be something there."

"I'll wash the dishes tonight," he said, getting up, nodding at her explanation. They could look more into that at a later date. "I did notice you swept and mopped, even when we already had agreed it was my turn."

"You work and I stay here the whole day, Gil. It's only fair," she answered, yawning. "But go ahead, wash the dishes. I don't mind," she commented, following him to the kitchen and turning on the kettle. She looked again at the picture she had taken of him and went to her instagram.

callmecordelia Guess who's learning to cook- finally? Result was not only edible, but delicious, in case anyone who knows of his abilities is concerned. Keep up learning to be a grown up doctor, dr. Blythe!

Tag Gilbert… and publish. He looked so good in that half body photo, the sun in his curls, the muscles in his forearms tense as he chopped, the smile in his eyes. Gosh, he was so handsome and hot and… everything she didn't even know why she kept doubting things.

**Jane The Dirty Details (20:05): Anne Shirley-Cuthbert what kind of picture is that!

**Josie The Dirty Details (20:05): I said it before and I say it now: Gilbert Blythe is the hottest guy ever. Not my type for anything else, but my god, he is hot 🔥 🔥 🔥

**Tillie The Dirty Details (20:05): Did you look at his arms? 😱

**Ruby The Dirty Details (20:06): Is there any way I can convince Moody to wear suspenders? 💞 Maybe if I show him how handsome Gilbert looks?

**Cole The Dirty Details (20:05): My god, he looks even better than I remembered. How sexy is that dimple just there?

"So, I have a couple of free days," Gilbert commented as he washed the last of the pans from dinner. "Remember I told you? Thursday?"

Bashfromtrini, samrobertsoon and 33 others liked your post.

Marycooks: I can't believe you're succeeding, Anne! It was about time gilbertblythe learnt anything. I gave up years ago.

"Sounds good," Anne commented, unsure of what he meant. It's not like he usually told her about his plans and free days or anything. And she didn't particularly remember what he was talking about, feeling her phone buzzing with notifications.

**Jane The Dirty Details (20:06): the dimples! the arms! the jaw! I would just undress him then and there!

**Josie The Dirty Details (20:06): Me too. Fuck him there on the kitchen counter 😏

"I was thinking about taking you out. See some plants for the apartment? Maybe go for a walk or something?" he proposed. Anne turned to look at him, a slight blush in her cheeks at the conversation that was taking place in the group she always chose to ignore and where she never replied anything. Not that it kept them from writing. Gilbert raised an eyebrow.

**Tillie The Dirty Details (20:06): Against it 😜 😜 😜

**Cole The Dirty Details (20:07): You girls know your thing 😉 😉 Maybe they're at it now and Anne finally gave in?

"Really?" she answered, absent minded, trying to get the mental image of the group chat from her mind.

"Why, yes. I just proposed, didn't I? Well, I actually did a couple of days ago, but anyway..." he asked. She nodded brightly, suddenly remembering and blocking her phone. "Great, then. Anything else you fancy doing? Not much is open, mind you, but… Are you ok? You're all red."

"Yes! All fine. Just the girls being obnoxious," she answered quickly, setting her phone screen down on the counter. He could never see that. "Maybe… I did like the trail we went to the other day. When you took me over to that other town to get the OHIP sorted out?"

"Grimsby? Yes, we can go there as well. So, here's the idea: we go out early, pack something to eat. We can go to… wait, have you ever gone to Niagara? I feel dumb asking but…"

"I haven't, actually. Never got the time when I went to Toronto," she answered. She had even forgotten about the falls.

"You have to see them. They're so… You'll just love them, I know. So, we can go out early, so we're there around nine and it's not crowded?" she nodded enthusiastically. "Ok, so after that we can come back, go to that trail in Grimsby and eat there... and then I take you to a nursery Fred recommended that's over Stoney Creek."

"Sounds like a perfect day!" she exclaimed. He smiled at her.

Notes:

So...are you team suspenders or not?

And about the dream...sorry? Please don't kills us!

On the bright side, there might be a road trip down the line, they're getting closer, having the hard conversations they need... So just maybe something will happen and Gilbert's dreams might become a reality. So there's that!