First fanfic I've written! Please be nice on the comments :)
Tags: AU, Childhood Friends, Romance, Angst, Religious Guilt, Slow Burn, Inspired by Hilda Furacão
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Eight-year-old Georg von Trapp was used to solitude. His older brother, Werner, was away at war, leaving behind an empty space in the house that once echoed with their laughter and games. His older sister, Hede, though kind, was caught up in her own world, one filled with art and books—things that didn't quite capture the imagination of a young boy like Georg. So, he spent most of his days alone, wandering the vast estate, making up stories to keep himself company.
On this particular day, Georg had found himself by the gardens, a place where he often sought refuge. The previous gardener had fallen ill and hadn't returned to the estate for weeks. The once vibrant garden had begun to wilt, losing some of its charm without the gardener's careful touch. Georg had been disappointed by this, as he loved the garden's secret corners, where he could pretend he was an explorer in a far-off land.
As he wandered aimlessly, he noticed something unusual—a soft glow coming from the direction of the gardener's cottage. The lights were on, something that hadn't happened in weeks. His heart skipped a beat. Perhaps his father had hired a new gardener? The thought of someone new sparked his curiosity, and with the stealth of a young boy on an adventure, he crept toward the cottage, careful not to make a sound.
As he approached, he heard something that made him stop in his tracks—a sweet, lilting laugh, so light and joyful that it seemed to dance on the evening breeze. Peeking around the corner, he saw her: a little girl, about his age, standing on the porch of the cottage. She was chasing butterflies, her small hands reaching out as they fluttered just beyond her grasp. Her laughter filled the air, and for a moment, Georg forgot all about being alone.
She was the most enchanting thing he had ever seen, her happiness so pure and infectious that it brought an unexpected smile to his face. He watched her for a while, mesmerized by the simple joy she found in the butterflies and the way her laughter seemed to breathe life back into the garden.
But as he stood there, something stirred inside him—a need to be brave, to reach out and make a connection, just like Werner would have done. His brother had always been the brave one, the one who knew how to talk to anyone, to make friends easily. Georg had always admired that about him, and now, he wanted to be brave too.
Taking a deep breath, Georg stood up straight, steeling himself. He walked forward, his heart pounding in his chest, but he kept going, determined not to let fear hold him back. When he was close enough, he called out, his voice trembling slightly but still strong enough to be heard.
"Hello!" he said, louder than he intended, causing the girl to stop mid-chase and turn toward him.
She looked at him with wide, curious eyes, and for a moment, Georg worried that he had scared her. But then she smiled—a bright, warm smile that made his heart swell.
"Hello," she replied, her voice as sweet as her laugh. "Who are you?"
Georg swallowed, gathering all the courage he could muster. "I'm Georg," he said, trying to sound as confident as possible. "I live in the big house over there." He pointed toward the mansion, feeling a little awkward but pressing on. "What's your name?"
"I'm Maria," she said, stepping closer to him. "My uncle and I just moved here. He's the new gardener."
Georg nodded, his nerves slowly melting away. "Do you want to play with me?" he asked, the words tumbling out before he could stop them.
Maria's smile grew even wider. "I'd like that."
And just like that, Georg wasn't alone anymore. He had found a friend in the garden, a girl with the sweetest laugh and the kindest smile. From that day on, the garden became their playground, a place where they could escape the world and create their own adventures. It was the start of a friendship that would shape both of their lives, even as the years passed and their bond grew stronger.
As the years passed, the bond between Georg, Hede, and Maria deepened. What started as a simple friendship in the garden blossomed into a close-knit trio. Hede, who had initially been caught off guard by Georg's sudden excitement to play outside, soon found herself drawn to Maria's warmth and charm. The three of them became inseparable, spending countless hours exploring the estate, playing by the stream, and sharing their dreams and secrets.
Their childhood was filled with moments of pure joy, each memory etched in their hearts like a cherished melody. They often swam in the cool, clear waters of the nearby stream, splashing and laughing until their cheeks were flushed with happiness. When they grew tired of the water, they would walk through the gardens, where Maria's presence seemed to bring everything to life. She had a way of making even the simplest things feel magical—a butterfly landing on a flower, the way the sun filtered through the trees, the sound of the wind rustling through the leaves.
There were times when they felt particularly adventurous, sneaking Maria into the grand house when their parents were away. The household staff, who had grown fond of the sweet girl, turned a blind eye to their antics. They understood that Maria brought a lightness to the children's lives, a sense of joy that was hard to come by in a home so often filled with strict rules and expectations.
Once, they took Maria to the vast library, where the towering shelves were filled with books that smelled of old paper and leather. They spent hours there, huddled in a corner, reading stories aloud and imagining themselves as the heroes in far-off lands. Another time, they led her to Hede's private art room, where the walls were covered in her sketches and paintings. Hede, always eager to share her love of art, taught Maria how to hold a brush and mix colors, and they spent the afternoon painting together.
But the memory that stood out most to Georg was the time they sneaked Maria into the music room. It was a grand room with high ceilings and a gleaming piano that had been in the family for generations. Georg, who had been taking piano lessons since he was old enough to reach the keys, loved the room more than any other. It was his sanctuary, a place where he could lose himself in the music and forget about the pressures of being a von Trapp.
On that day, Hede had insisted they play music together. She had recently taken up the violin and was eager to show off her skills. With a playful smile, she nudged Georg toward the piano. "Come on, Georg. Play something for us," she urged.
Georg hesitated at first, but the encouragement in Maria's eyes gave him the confidence he needed. He sat down at the piano and began to play, his fingers dancing across the keys as he brought the music to life. Hede joined in on the violin, her notes blending beautifully with the piano's melody.
Then, Hede turned to Maria, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "What about you, Maria? Do you play any instruments?"
Maria, always modest, smiled shyly. "I can play the guitar, but I didn't bring it with me. But I can sing if you'd like."
Georg and Hede exchanged a look, both of them thinking the same thing. "Sing for us, Maria," Hede said, her voice filled with anticipation.
Georg continued to play the piano, and Hede raised her violin, ready to accompany him. As they began the next song, Maria's voice filled the room, soft and gentle at first, then growing stronger as she found her rhythm. Her voice was pure and clear, each note filled with emotion. It was as if the music had taken on a life of its own, wrapping around them and pulling them into a world where only the three of them existed.
Georg's hands faltered for a split second as he listened to her sing. He had always known Maria was special, but in that moment, he saw her in a different light. Her voice was like nothing he had ever heard—angelic, enchanting, as if she were singing only for him. He could feel his heart pounding in his chest, a warmth spreading through him that he had never felt before.
As the final notes of the song faded, Georg realized something that both excited and terrified him. He was falling in love with Maria, the girl who had been his friend for so long, the girl who had brought joy and light into his life. It was a feeling that made his heart soar and ache at the same time, a feeling that would only grow stronger with each passing day.
From that moment on, every time Georg saw Maria, his heart would race, and he would find himself watching her in a way he never had before. He kept his feelings hidden, unsure of how to express them, but he knew, deep down, that Maria had become more than just a friend to him. She was his first love, and though he didn't fully understand it yet, he knew that his life would never be the same.