Baker - G. BLYTHE

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-ˋˏ *.·:·. [AT THE BEGINNING OF THEIR FIRST SUMMER TOGETHER] .·:·.* ˎˊ-

CHARLOTTE WONDERED TO THE BLYTHE HOUSE, admiring the sun-covered surroundings that she had missed during the colder months. Gilbert and Charlotte were both home from school for the summer Now, Gilbert had voiced his want to surprise Charlotte to her brother when he saw him in town and Rían swore secrecy - with his fingers crossed behind his back. Rían sprant home, forgetting to collect the very thing he was sent out to get and jumped through the doorway of his sister's bedroom. Charlotte was so startled when the sudden tone of her room changed from the peaceful painting atmosphere to one that had her spilling light blue paint water all over the floor.

From then on, she quickly dressed into a dress that was suitable for going out in society, then quickly walked to the Blythe residence. She made the effort to keep off the major paths that she knew he often used, hoping to catch him surprised for once. Once she approached the house, using the gates to her advantage, she managed to catch the attention of Bash who sat on the porch with the waving of her hand. He laughed and over-exaggeratedly gestured to the back of the house, making sure that she knew where he was. She chuckled to herself then continued her sneaking journey, making sure to hide when necessary even though he had his back toward her as he chopped wood. When he had placed the axe down, she ran up behind him and immediately hugged him. At first, he was so startled he physically jumped then - once he had noticed who it was -he sighed in annoyance and dammed Rían before turning to hug her back.

Charlotte, after they had greeted each other with a few hugs and stolen kisses, sat down on an upturned log and placed her basket full of paints at her feet - she never went anywhere without them nowadays. Then, seconds, before they were to get into a proper conversation, Bash yelled out of the open window that he was watching and acting as a chaperone - per her mother's request.

"Remember the last time we were out here?" Gilbert asked as the laughter from Bash's yelling calmed down and ceased completely.

"As if it was yesterday," she smiled softly, lightheartedly yet there was an ounce of sadness due to how long ago that seemed now. Then, her gaze fell to the window where Bash sat - half paying attention whilst talking to Delphine. She sighed in annoyance, "Why is it now that we must have a chaperone?"

"Because Bash is too stubborn for his own good and your mother asked him to be," Gilbert laughed before he swung the axe, chopping through more wood.

"We never used to."

"That was different then though, we weren't... well you know."

She raised a brow, watching him chop through the log once more, "Do I?"

He sighed and looked up at her, axe slung across his back, "Lottie..."

She bit back a smile, "I would like for you to say it, Gil."

His brow fell, "But I hate the term courting."

She nodded in complete understanding, "Well, how about le chélie? It means together."

Another splintering of wood echoed in her ears. "That is much better," he chuckled softly. Charlotte smiled brightly, happiness bubbling throughout her veins, as she walked over to Gilbert. When she was within touching distance, Bash knocked loudly on the window and startled them both to jump apart.

She sighed, muscles slackening, "I wish we could just run into the forest, for at least half an hour and just talk without someone else present." 

He gasped in fake outrage, "But it is not proper!"