Baker - G. BLYTHE

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-ˋˏ *.·:·. [FOUR DAYS LATER] .·:·.* ˎˊ-

GILBERT HAD MADE A DECISION DAYS AGO, ONE WHICH HE STRUGGLED TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO TELL HER. He had decided that the best choice for him right now was to get out of Avonlea, to go and see the world in all its beauty. The days at the Rayhill's home were full of wonderful distractions from his Father's death but those distractions also meant that the two rarely had any downtime where this serious conversation could have been had. The two baked, well Charlotte did most of the baking since Gilbert could hardly make a bowl of porridge when he arrived. They read all sorts of books together, took many walks around her fields and had some of the best conversations in the space of two days. These two days brought them closer than ever before, they were practically joined at the hip now and certain feelings were beginning to arise for the both of them (even though the majority of them were pushed deep down, to be focused on when the time was right.) 

So as the two sat at the slightly frozen lake at the bottom of her fields wrapped up warm in layers of clothing since Charlotte had begun to feel slightly under the weather, he decided it was time to tell her. "Lottie," he whispered quickly, causing the girl to turn her head and look directly at him with concern written on her features. The voice he used brought her out of a calming thought and to her it sounded like something was wrong. 

"Is everything okay?" she asked, noticing how his eyes kept darting from hers and to the surroundings nervously. She began to roll the skin of her finger between two fingers once again, it had become something she did when she was nervous or uncomfortable. Over the past few weeks, the skin had become slightly bruised without her noticing. 

"Fine, I just have something to tell you." She urged him to continue with a slight nod of her head. "I'm going to go travel for a while, see the world as Dad suggested," he explained, a smile coming to his face just at the idea. Seeing the world was one thing that brought him out of his death related funk. 

"Oh... " she whispered, feeling her hands drop slack in her lap - this certainly wasn't what she would have expected him to say. She had noticed the signs of him wanting to leave but just put them towards them spending too much time together, she thought he just wanted to be away from her. "When are you leaving?" 

"As soon as possible really, I just...I just can't be here anymore," he sighed pinching the bridge of his nose. Her initial shocked feeling left, it was replaced with one of dread. But she pushed that all away, she nodded showing that she understood completely then rested her head against his shoulder. They enjoyed the small gesture of contact, especially with the looming thought of them not being together for a while longer. 

"How long will you be gone for?" she asked quietly watching the skeleton looking trees moving in the slightly chilly breeze. 

"I don't know, as long as I need to be," he replied in the same quiet voice taking a deep inhale through his nose, the scent of freshly baked buttery pastries and a heavenly floral scent enveloped his scenes. It was a scent he recognised as a great comfort and he already felt himself becoming more relaxed out in the cold. 

"Do you need any help with plans or packing up your house or anything? I can keep an eye on it if you want me to," he smiled even though he couldn't see it, the idea seemed like a good one. One where she could spend time with him before he left. He had a smile too, he was glad that she had taken this well. That she hadn't anything against him for leaving, that she would be okay without him here for a while 

"That would be great. Thank you, Lottie," he replied sighing with relief, her reaction to this had been something toying with his mind for a while.