Direction Chapter 2: 2, an anne with an e fanfic

Authors note: Hi there, this story is intended to be a more in-depth look at a handful of scenes on the show without changing what they do in the show, rather enhancing what they don't show you . So much of this show is unvoiced, and conveyed in the subtleties of eye contact, facial expressions and body language. And what is said leaves you wanting elaboration. So here i have decided to give those moments a larger voice, and if it entertains anyone along the way, even better. Thanks!

Gilbert stood on the deck looking out at the ocean, Bash beside him smiling like a child with the knowledge of what awaits them. Almost as soon as Gilbert realised that he would be returning to Avonlea he began planning for Bash to come with him. He could not imagine leaving the steamer and not offering the other man a chance to share in what he himself has taken for granted. Stability, Land, fresh air and above all else, a home.

The irony was not lost on him that his revelation had come only hours after mailing his reply to Anne's letter, in which he stated that he was unlikely to return to his home in the foreseeable future. He supposed it will make for a surprise when he arrives back after all. The thought of his correspondence with Anne pulled at the corners of his lips, with the knowledge that he would one day very soon be once again within close proximity to her, his very dear friend.

When that day finally came it was so unexpectedly heartwarming to be back in a familiar place. The need to fly out of that place like a gull over the ocean was gone, replaced with anticipation for what would come next. Following rides on trains and carts alike Gilbert set eyes on his home again and he paused with Bash to take in the moment, sharing a welcome home between them before they continued to the house. Once inside the two men took great care in removing the white linen from the furniture and piece by piece, a home emerged.

Bash had chosen a room to make himself at home in, meanwhile Gilbert returned to his room to retrieved a fresh shirt which still fit him nicely and put his bag down. There he found tucked into his draw a very small edition of a book. Picking it up and studying the book for a moment he remembered when his father had brought it home for him in order to support his son with his schooling. The memory did not bring with it sorrow or pain, rather a content feeling of knowing that his father had cared for him dearly and was invested in his future. Following his thoughts down the rabbit hole, Gilbert then though of Anne's words on the day they laid his father to rest. That he was lucky. She hadn't meant for her words to come across the way they had. She had only intended for him to know that although his father was gone, Gilbert knew he had been loved. And now, after the fact, he did find comfort in that. He wanted to thank Anne for her sentiments, and even though she would not know just what it meant to him, in his hand he was holding the perfect way to do just that. He searched for some parchment to wrap the present in and put it aside until the upcoming Christmas, providing a grand excuse for the giving of such a gift.

The following day Gilbert awoke with a burst of energy. There was not a minute to loose on working towards his goal of being a doctor so he made up his mind to return to school that very day. He would spend some time with Bash after school and show him the ropes and his way around the farm but for today he was more than confident in his companions ability to hang about with no claims over his time. A simple freedom that had been lacking most of his life. And so Gilbert was off to school.

Gilbert was surrounded by a gathering of his class mates all eager to hear of his adventures when all noise ceased and the crowd began to part. Gilbert turned and there she was. As soon as he saw her he abandoned the conversation with his classmates and began to approach. His unexpected and contradictory return had indeed startled her as she jolted at the sight of him. "Anne" Gilbert said with a breath, some inner part of himself he didn't realise had been restless was suddenly at ease in her presence. He was very much amused that the first thought that came to her mind was of the gold, fearing he had returned under her misled guidance, and was quick to reassure her of its irrelevance to his being back. He had after all been sceptical of the notion of gold in Avonlea from the moment he read her letter. An unreliable narrator indeed.

Anne certainly appeared different to how he has last seen her, a blue ribbon framed her face in place of her vivid braids, and given her obvious discomfort and the chatter around them this was quite a recent change. The blue of her eyes was even more prominent than before and reminded him of the clear skies of Spain. She may have changed her hair, but she was exactly as he remembered her. "It's really good to see you" Gilbert said meaningfully and took the moment to take in her presence, holding her gaze wordlessly as had become their way. Until of course the sound of a door creaking drew their attention back to their surroundings and they moved to take their seats.

Having removed Anne's eyes from the position of being the single thought occupying his mind Gilbert now began to contemplate the implications for Anne with her new haircut. No sooner had he taken his seat did he glance in her direction. She looked very uncomfortable, her expression filled with shame as their teacher and supposed guide began setting an appalling example of appropriate conduct by referring to Anne as a boy, which all but gave the students in the room a licence to ridicule Anne as well. Gilbert worried for Anne as she endured what was said about her. She was clearly hurt but she wore it bravely. Very few things in the world provoked a strong reaction out of Gilbert, and none quite as much as seeing Anne hurt, or even someone speaking ill of her as Billy Andrews would well remember, and it took a lot of restraint to sit there and listen, knowing to his core that what they were saying was so far from the truth. Personally, he had never seen Anne for the way she appeared on the outside, it was her spirit and her fire that drew him to her. And despite the change she was as cute to him as she ever was and the words that were flying around the room did nothing to shift his mind.