Come As You Are (An Anne With An E/Sebastian 'Bash' Lacroix Fanfic)

12. Dinner at Anne's

I walked through the snow with Bash attached to one arm and Gilbert on the next one. We were going to Anne's house to visit and have dinner. It was going to be nice since I hadn't seen Anne or the Cuthbert siblings in a long time. They were great people.

"Have you met Anne yet?" I asked.

"Only in stories," Bash replied. "She sounds like an amazing young woman."

"She's the sweetest person with a wild imagination that I love so much," I said. "She would describe what things look like since I've forgotten what most things are like. She explains things so well."

"You've forgotten what things look like?" Bash asked.

I nodded. "It happens when you become blind. When your sight leaves, so does your ability to remember." I looked down at the ground, a sense of sadness coming over me. "Even the snow."

"She lost her sight on a day like this," Gilbert murmured softly.

"Sledding down a hill," I remembered. "It was snowy and a weekend. It was just Gilbert and I. We were just trying to have fun."

"What happened?" Bash asked gently. "If you don't mind answering. It's okay if you don't want to answer."

I shrugged. "I lost control of the sled and hit a tree. I don't remember what happened but the doctors said that I hit my head hard enough or something. I couldn't see after that. I was sent to the deaf school in Toronto the next year. It was a miracle that Father could pay for it but it was a cheaper price than usual because of our status."

"It was nice of him to send you to a school that would help you in a world not built for people like you," Bash said.

"He sent me away and I was alone in a city," I replied. "I didn't have my best friend and I couldn't do anything by myself. I was helpless. Then I found myself and I came back to my brother. Do you know how hard it is to be separated from your twin? From your best friend? It was hurtful and I didn't get to talk to my family very often but I knew one day I would come back. And I did. Are we almost to Anne's house?"

"Close," Gilbert replied. "We'll be there in a few minutes."

"Good," I said. "I'm getting hungry."

"We'll feed you, don't worry," Bash said. "We wouldn't want our dear Aria to be hungry, eh?"

I laughed as we continued. We made it to Anne's house ten minutes later. They welcomed us inside, seemingly a little shocked at Bash's presence by the feeling of the room and the tones of voices. We were moved into the parlor to wait for Anne. When she came in, she was floored by Bash and started saying some ignorant things.

"Anne," I interrupted. "Remember when I stayed with you and you assumed things or misspoke about my blindness?"

"Yes," Anne replied.

"This is a similar situation," I replied. "Don't assume anything because of who Bash is in the same way you shouldn't assume anything about me."

"Yes, indeed," Anne said, the floorboards creaking. "I deeply apologize, Bash. I didn't mean to offend or anything."

"I accept your apology, Anne," Bash said. "I appreciate your willingness to step up like that."

It was silent for a second before Marilla offered to start dinner. Bash led me into the kitchen and we sat next to each other. We were touching, Bash's hand on my leg. The conversation started flowing after everyone seemed to get more comfortable with Bash's presence.

After dinner, I helped with dishes. When I finished, I joined the others in the parlor room. Sitting next to Bash, I took his hand and brought it into my lap. I squeezed it tightly, rubbing my thumb over the back part. When the conversation kept going on and on, I rested my head on Bash's shoulder and sighed. He kissed my head, wrapping an arm around my shoulders. I smiled, closing my eyes momentarily.

It was late when we finally decided to head home. I wrapped my shawl tightly around me with only one hand while the other one held Bash's. I squeezed it tightly, trying not to slip on the snow. It was colder than when we first left, allowing me to believe it was nighttime and dark outside.

We got back to our house and I went straight to Bash's room. I changed into nightwear and got into bed. Bash came soon and got into bed with me, kissing my bare shoulder. I smiled a little, wanting it to go farther but hoping it didn't. I wanted to wait for a little bit longer before I actually had sex with Bash. I wanted to know that my feelings for him were true and I wasn't fooling myself that he actually loved me. I hoped he did because he was one of the only people who truly accepted me for who I was.