Daisy in the garden of roses {Gilbert Blyth x Oc}

Oil stains

(mostly edited)

The cool night breeze brushed against Alice's face as she went for her nightly walk. A book clutched in one hand and a lamp in the other. The nightly walk that she was used to doing through the London streets rather than the fields of Avonlea. A walk she had to sneak out of the house to complete. It was the first time she had taken one since they moved across the ocean. A red scarf hung loosely around her neck tapping against her top with every step. She had thrown on a pair of pants and a shirt she had taken from Emmit. Her hair smacked against her back with each step. 

She shivered slightly in the cold air, she was used to it being cold but it was much different when it was back in London, at least there she knew what to expect. But here in Avonlea, everything was different, even the frozen stale air. Entranced in how she was going to complete the first shelf of the attic room she found herself knocking into someone. Cursing under her breath at how stupid she was and how this can't keep happening. In those moments Alice found herself to be very stupid. She lost her footing as she stumbled backward.

An arm wrapped around Alice's waist catching her before she could hit the ground. Her eyes were sealed shut as she prayed under her breath for it not to be Gilbert. It was already awkward enough the first time, a second time would only make it weirder. A soft voice spoke up as the mystery person helped her to her feet, "You know when this happens for the second time you start to wonder if it's on purpose." She opened her eyes slowly sighing, "Oh I'm deeply sorry I was just walking, and then I, well you know.." She slammed the lamp and the book together jumping back at the cracking glass.  Gilbert laughed through his words, "Did you think that wasn't going to happen?" Alice looked up from the glass slightly annoyed, " I would have you know sir I forgot I was holding something."

Holding out his hand towards her he kicked some of the glass out of the way, a lantern in his hand, "There's that Daisy fire we all know and love." She grabbed his hand reluctantly letting him help her step over the mess of broken glass. Scoffing her glare softened, "Not many people do." She let go of his hand slowly squatting and poking the oil-soaked book. He leaned down looking at her, " Might I ask why you're out so late Daisy? It's not very safe." She lifted the book out of its glassy oil pile. Tilting her head as she watched it drip oil, "I used to walk every night in London, And I'm pretty sure I can take care of myself." He sighed setting his lamp down beside them, " I don't doubt that but..."

Shaking the book slightly she perused her lips, "You can say it you know." He looked at her puzzled, "Say what?" She looked at him annoyed by the pale lamplight shining against her features. In the light, her bangs left a dark shadow over her eyes, she blew at them her rosy cheeks puffing, "That I'm a girl." Pushing her bangs behind her ears he smiled, "I was gonna say it's because your short." She smiled smacking the side of his head, " I'm not that short I'm just not done growing." He laughed and rubbed the few splashes of oil off her face with his thumb, "Keep telling yourself that."

A smile grew on her face, "I'm gonna Blythe because it's the truth." Turning away from him she looked back at the book. Standing slowly she held the book away from her. Oil was already stained across the pant's legs and a few drops splashed into the pale yellow almost white shirt. She shook the book violently, before stopping and scoffing, "I ruined the bloody thing." She had truly ruined the book entirely. She had managed to get oil in between the pages and it was eating away at the words. Alice isn't extremely short at all she's around 160 centimeters (around 5'3)  she just looks shorter compared to her taller siblings and standing next to Gilbert. Her father was on the taller side, unlike her mother who was barely 5 feet tall. Alice inherited most of her mother's petite features, something that is of no help.

One thing I must have you know dear reader is that Alice loved her parents, she truly did. And they loved her as they loved all of their children. They just believed in a different teaching method than most, they didn't hide the real world from them, and there was no sheltering the disorder that went through many minds under the home's roof. None of the children grew up with Santa or fairies other than Eveline of course who Alice fought to let her have the whimsy she was never given. 

I must also have you know that in these moments Gilbert was debating on whether to finish his father's work. With his recent passing, which had yet to break news to the public, he found himself wanting to run. To run faster than he ever could and to get away from the house he watched him die in. But most of all to get away from the town he watched him once thrive in. The only thing stopping Gilbert was that he didn't want to get away from Alice. Even if Alice had no idea she had managed to get the headstrong boy to fall for her. And yet he knew she could never love him. Because he was broken and somehow she managed to stay perfect in his eyes. 

When his whole world went to shit her smile brought life back into him. He stopped going to class for a while until he couldn't bear not seeing her any longer. And it was killing him that he couldn't go more than a day without seeing her. He couldn't find a reason for how she was so different from him and everyone else.  But she wasn't any different than he is, they are both broken and shattered on the floor like the glass of the oil lamp. Neither of them saw the other's pain because both were too blinded by their own. 

He looked at her with stars in his eyes as he walked her home, something he had insisted on doing for her safety. In all reality, he knew she would be fine alone. He just didn't want to let go. He wanted to never feel the need to consider getting on that boat. Yet he knew he had to because deep down he had to let go of this place. Although he couldn't let go of her. He laughed under his breath at himself at how stupid he was.

 Fantasizing over someone he couldn't have, and romanticizing a life he wanted but was never able to reach. A slight gust of wind knocked on a tree just ahead of them causing it to wail caused Alice to jump. She gripped Gilbert's hand without even realizing what she was doing. He nearly pulled his hand away finding it rude to have these feelings and disguising them with her friend. Yet again he found himself rationalizing that she was nearly holding his hand. Nothing more and nothing less. They reached Alice's home shortly after in silence. Alice's eyes darted around trying to figure out if anyone was following them. She was paranoid by the smallest sounds, especially in the darkness. And he was in a daze trying to make the toughest decision of his life. Was he to follow his gut and finish his father's work or his heart and stay in the town he had always known?

Pulling her hand back from his gently, she crept back up towards the house. Smiling back at him she gave him a small wave. As he began to walk away hiding his seldom face he gave her a wave in return. Watching as he walked she yelled out, "Hey Blythe." He turned around quickly with a smile, "Yes Daisy?" She moved her hand behind her back opening the door, "I'll see you tomorrow alright." He sighed smirking, "Are you sure about that one?" Stepping back into the doorway she laughed, "Yes yes I am."

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