#reginald crawley

[autumnrose11]

what’s matthew’s birthday? either one the show gave to him or your headcanon!! additionally if you have any cute/soft thoughts about the day he was born and isobel’s thoughts and feelings etc :3 just anything baby matthew really !!!

I adore your asks, they’re so fun to think about and answer!!

We know Matthew was born in 1885, but I don’t recall a date/month being mentioned. So my headcanon is that he was born in May or June :))

*I am melting thinking about Baby!Matthew. BABY MATTHEW. My HEART*

Reginald definitely delivered Matthew himself. Isobel was completely exhausted, but she fell in love with her baby the moment she laid eyes on him. He was utterly beautiful. With pale blue eyes and little tufts of brown hair that ripened to gold over the next couple of months. Isobel stayed awake many nights just to watch him breathe. She loved all of him, gave him all her love and devotion and adoration. They named him Matthew because the name meant “Gift of God.” Which is exactly what he was to them, after all their years of heartbreak.

He was a peaceful baby in general, although he did have his moments of being badly-behaved. And he sulked and pouted, although I imagine he looked adorable doing it :D

That’s about it... if I think of anything else I’ll definitely add it later :)

[autumnrose11]

thequietworld:

#matthew’s all proud of his mama #and you know he’s secretly going ‘omgomgomg i’m sitting next to mary. are we almost touching shoulders?! i think we are…stay cool crawley. stay cool.’ #meanwhile mary is like ‘HOW DID I GET SAT NEXT TO HIM? UGH.’ *eyeroll*

[fals3nd]

a maybe to add sometime later list below.

constance blackwood, we have always lived in the castle alison blaire/dazzler, x-men media beth march, little women reginald (reg), mere mortals sue snell, carrie - musical inspired edith crawley - downton abbey

[reiignonme]

👛 ALICE CRAWLEY STARTER CALL!!

OC daughter of Isobel Turnbull & Reginald Crawley, younger sister of Matthew.

FANDOM: Downton Abbey. CROSSOVERS: open. PRE ESTABLISHED CONNECTIONS: likely. SHIPPING:  open / straight. MOST WANTED CONNECTIONS:  Matthew Crawley, Isobel Crawley, other Crawley family members.

do not reblog my starter calls. personals do not interact.

[noratilney]

Downton Abbey OC Masterlist (wip)

Hero Debenham

Full Name: Hero Debenham

Nickname(s): N/A

Face Claim: Ashleigh Cummings

Fic Title: As the world turns

Age: 24 in 1939/born 1915

Title: Miss Debenham

Position: Governess to Miss Catherine Crawley

Family: Mary Arbuthnot (sister)

Biography Stub:

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Caty Crawley

Full Name: Catherine Anna Crawley

Nickname(s): Caty, Catydid

Face Claim: TBD

Fic Title: As the world turns

Age: 14 in 1939/born 1925

Title: Miss Catherine Crawley

Position:

Family: Lady Mary Crawley (mother), Matthew Crawley (father), Lavinia Crawley née Swire (mother), Elizabeth Crawley (older sister) Theodore Crawley (oldest brother), William Crawley (older brother)

Biography Stub:

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Will Crawley

Full Name: William Reginald Crawley

Nickname(s): Will

Face Claim: TBD

Fic Title: As the world turns

Age: 16 in 1939/born 1923

Title: Mr William Crawley

Position:

Family: Lady Mary Crawley (mother), Matthew Crawley (father), Lavinia Crawley née Swire (mother), Elizabeth Crawley (older sister) Theodore Crawley (older brother), Catherine Crawley (younger sister)

Biography Stub:

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Lizzy Crawley

Full Name: Elizabeth Cora Crawley

Nickname(s): Lizzy, Liz

Face Claim: Anna Bamford

Fic Title: As the world turns

Age: 20 in 1939/born 1919

Title: Miss Crawley

Position:

Family: Lady Mary Crawley (mother), Matthew Crawley (father), Lavinia Crawley née Swire (mother), Theodore Crawley (younger brother), William Crawley (youngest brother), Catherine Crawley (younger sister)

Biography Stub:

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Theo Crawley

Full Name: Theodore Robert Crawley

Nickname(s): Theo, Teddy

Face Claim: TBD

Fic Title: As the world turns

Age: 18 in 1939/born 1921

Title: Mr Crawley

Position:

Family: Lady Mary Crawley (mother), Matthew Crawley (father), Lavinia Crawley née Swire (mother), Elizabeth Crawley (older sister), William Crawley (younger brother), Catherine Crawley (younger sister)

Biography Stub:

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Roisin Branson

Full Name: Roisin X Branson

Nickname(s): N/A

Face Claim: TBD

Fic Title: As the world turns

Age: 16 in 1939/born 1923

Title: Miss Roisin Branson

Position:

Family: Lady Sybil Crawley (mother), Tom Branson (father), Saoirse Branson (older sister), Coilin Branson (younger brother)

Biography Stub:

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Coilin Branson

Full Name: Coilin X Branson

Nickname(s): N/A

Face Claim: TBD

Fic Title: As the world turns

Age: 14 in 1939/born 1925

Title: Mr Branson

Position:

Family: Lady Sybil Crawley (mother), Tom Branson (father), Saoirse Branson (oldest sister), Roisin Branson (older sister)

Biography Stub:

———————————————————————

Ned Gregson

Full Name: Stephen Edward Gregson

Nickname(s): Ned, Neddy

Face Claim: TBD

Fic Title: As the world turns

Age: 15 in 1939/born 1924

Title: Mr Gregson

Position:

Family: Lady Edith Crawley (mother), Michael Gregson (father, deceased), Beatrice Gregson (younger sister), Henrietta Gregson (younger sister)

Biography Stub:

———————————————————————

Bea Gregson

Full Name: Beatrice Helen Gregson

Nickname(s): Bea

Face Claim: TBD

Fic Title: As the world turns

Age: 10 in 1939/born 1929

Title: Miss Beatrice Gregson

Position:

Family: Lady Edith Crawley (mother), Michael Gregson (father, deceased), Stephen Gregson (older brother), Henrietta Gregson (twin sister)

Biography Stub:

———————————————————————

Henny Gregson

Full Name: Henrietta Anne Gregson

Nickname(s): Henny, Henry

Face Claim: TBD

Fic Title: As the world turns

Age: 10 in 1939/born 1929

Title: Miss Henrietta Gregson

Position:

Family: Lady Edith Crawley (mother), Michael Gregson (father, deceased), Stephen Gregson (older brother), Beatrice Gregson (twin sister)

Biography Stub:

———————————————————————

Joyce Bates

Full Name: Joyce X Bates

Nickname(s): Joy

Face Claim: TBD

Fic Title: As the world turns

Age: 16 in 1939/born 1923

Title: Miss Bates

Position:

Family: Anna Bates née Smith (mother), John Bates (father), Lady Mary Crawley (godmother)

Biography Stub:

———————————————————————

Walter Lang

Full Name: Walter X Lang

Nickname(s): Walt

Face Claim: TBD

Fic Title: As the world turns

Age: 17 in 1939/born 1922

Title: Mr Bates

Position:

Family: Henry Lang (father)

Biography Stub:

———————————————————————

Diana Winters

Full Name: Diana X Winters

Nickname(s): Di

Face Claim: Frances O'Connor

Fic Title: As the world turns

Age: 20 in 1939/born 1919

Title: Miss Winters

Position:

Family:

Biography Stub:

———————————————————————

Harold Napier

Full Name: Harold X Napier

Nickname(s): Harry

Face Claim: TBD

Fic Title: As the world turns

Age: 19 in 1939/born 1920

Title:

Position: The Honorable Harold Napier

Family: Evelyn Napier (father), Charlotte Napier (younger sister)

Biography Stub:

———————————————————————

Charlotte Napier

Full Name: Charlotte X Napier

Nickname(s): Charlie, Coco (only by family)

Face Claim: Lily Dodsworth-Evans

Fic Title: As the world turns

Age: 17 in 1939/born 1922

Title: The Honorable Charlotte Napier

Position:

Family: Evelyn Napier (father), Harold Napier (older brother)

Biography Stub:

[misscrawfords]

Isobel and Reginald Crawley for the ship ask.

(I know he doesn't appear on the show and they barely mention him, but I think Isobel loved him very much)

I agree - I think it must have been a happy marriage.

[ao3feed-marymatthew]

The Adventures of Matt Crawley, Barman Extraordinaire.

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/zRO5t60

by Frumion_III

Before his untimely death in 1887, Sir Reginald Crawley was considered a well respected Doctor. Afterwards, a gambling habit he had spent his life concealing was brought to light. When his many debtors came calling for what he owed them, they took everything. The house, the medical practice, the savings. Isobel Crawley né Turnbull and her young son Matthew were left penniless.

Some twenty-four years later, an entirely different Matthew Crawley is made heir to Downton Abbey.

Words: 1705, Chapters: 1/5, Language: English

Fandoms: Downton Abbey

Rating: General Audiences

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Categories: F/M, Gen, M/M

Characters: Downton Abbey Downstairs Staff, Downton Abbey Ensemble, Crawley Family (Downton Abbey)

Relationships: Mary Crawley/Matthew Crawley, Cora Crawley/Robert Crawley, Tom Branson/Sybil Crawley, Matthew Crawley & Downton Abbey Downstairs Staff, Matthew Crawley & Robert Crawley, Tom Branson & Matthew Crawley

Additional Tags: Class Issues, Season/Series 01, AU, Alternate Universe, Matthew Crawley is working class, It all spirals from there, writing fanfiction is how I deal with enjoying any and all forms of media now apparently, Help, I Wrote This Instead of Sleeping, All written to the Downton Abbey theme, Purple Prose

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/zRO5t60

[espoirmerveilleux]

Excerpt:

"Have you noticed a change in Ed lately?" she manages. If he's so skilled at reading her, she shouldn't have to elaborate.

"You mean the way his brains leave the building whenever Alley's around?" He shakes his head. "Wanker."

"Exactly, and I hope you tell him that! Lad's twenty; he can do what he wants, but—"

Reginald scowls. "No, he bloody well can't! Not as much as your dad relies on him; never mind the fair fortune he and your mum are spending on his education. Oh I'm bally well brassed off with him; don't you worry … missing clinic hours, failing to submit assessments. He's had the world handed to him on a silver platter and he's blowing it spectacularly. But haven't you got bigger fish to fry?"

She grins. "Well then … tell us how you really feel!" He studies his shoes and she notices the way his ears redden. She likes that about him. Come to that she can't think of anything she doesn't like about him. Shaking off that realisation, she continues, "It's everything you said … and I suppose it also makes me think that if love does that to a person, it's an experience I'll have to forgo." He scoffs and she rebuffs him. "You can't sit here and tell me I'm wrong, Reggie! Both you and my brother got onto the premed course by virtue of your marks alone. I, on the other hand, was made to provide twice the number of character references and go ten rounds with the department chair over whether my science A-levels will count seeing as I finished them a year ago. And all of that despite having higher UKCAT scores than the both of you!" She pauses for breath, her expression moving through agitation to resignation. Ruefully she adds, "It's a risk I can't afford."

He rises from his chair and walks towards the door. It's only moments until she's due at the podium. "Look, I'll go. I came to say good on you and break a leg and walk out there with your head held high because you've earned this …"

Getting to her feet, she moves to the doorway. "Reg, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be so ratty. Thank you for coming to see me." She squeezes his bicep, smiling softly.

"I'm not going to argue with you. We haven't any of us chosen an easy path: you, me, or Ed. And there's no doubt you've had a harder go than us. You'll always have an uphill climb. I just think it's a mistake to write off love because of it." The earnestness in his eyes catches her on the back foot.

"That's as may be," she demurs, eyes cast towards the floor. "All the same, I can't see why you should trouble yourself with what I think. I mean I know I'm like a little sister to you, but—"

"No, Isobel. That's not how I see you at all." Their eyes meet. He takes a small step closer to her. The world stops turning as she watches his eyes flit from her own eyes to her lips. He touches her shoulder, his hand moving up to cradle her cheek.

Surely he isn't … He can't … He is! He's going to kiss me! "Reggie," she whispers, almost too faintly to hear, "I don't know how … I've never—"

"I know," he murmurs. "It's alright." He leans in. She can feel his breath on her face.

I should close my eyes, she thinks. Aren't you supposed to close your eyes? He stops just short of her mouth. Giving her time to pull away. Oh! he's warm. And he's handsome. And I don't want to close my eyes. I should touch him. Shouldn't I touch him? She's never been in such close proximity to a man before. To be sure, she's danced with Daddy and Ed at weddings and hospital functions, but they don't count. She reaches up with uncertainty and fumbles, her hands finding purchase in the lapels of his jacket.

[carlisle980]

👀

Manchester, 1972

It would rain on commencement day. She checks her hair in the mirror one last time. She’s fixed it twice since arriving. Thankfully they’ve moved the ceremony indoors. She smooths her collar, rolls her shoulders. Practises her smile as the words of her speech run through her head. She mouths them, pacing, the click-click-click of her high heels echoing off the walls, setting a cadence for her to follow.

She is nervous. It isn’t that she lacks confidence in her ability to deliver the speech, exactly, it’s …

Her musings are interrupted by a knock at the door. “There she is … the woman of the hour!”

She turns to see Reginald Crawley stood in the doorway in coat and tie.

“Reggie! Oh wow, hi! I hadn’t expected you to turn up today. I didn’t know as Daddy could spare you.”

“We only had two patients on for this afternoon and both of them rang to cancel. And even if they hadn’t, your mum would have persuaded him to close early. It’s not every day his only daughter delivers the Head Girl’s speech at Lady Barn House.”

“About that …” she mutters, studying the floorboards.

“What is it? Not nervous, are you? You’ve performed a thousand times.”

She responds with a withering look. Meets his eyes. Sees him grinning, and grins back. Shrugging her shoulders, she tells him, “Yes, but speaking is rather a different animal from playing piano. That, and I still feel like a bit of an interloper, I suppose.”

“Because you’re leaving a year early and these aren’t the lot you started with.”

She opens her mouth to reply, then closes it promptly. He’s done it again, she realises. He’s said precisely what she’s thinking. Again, because it’s been happening rather frequently of late. It’s true that they spend a lot of time with each other, she managing the clerical things at her father’s surgery and he assisting with as many procedures as his training permits. She works the maximum hours allotted a secondary student, determined to put by as much money as she can for her university tuition fees. But her brother works just as much as the both of them, and if he’s got any inkling as to her mental state he seems completely oblivious.

Of course, there could be an explanation for Ed’s aloof manner of late. He’s recently been spending the little free time he’s got in the company of a young lady called Alice Tamworth. Alley. She was two years ahead of Isobel at Lady Barn House. She’s taking a degree in literature at U of M. Isobel likes Alley. Rather a lot, in fact. But she’s turned Eddie’s brains to mush. Which is why Isobel has resolved that love is not for her. The path she’s chosen demands excellence, and the pressure on her will always be greater by virtue of her having been born female. She can’t afford to give her studies — or her work — less than her absolute best.

Why, then, is it suddenly so difficult to ignore the piercing blue of Reginald’s eyes? And why does it feel as though his ability to discern tiny details about her is rooted in something deeper than just friendship?

“Earth calling Isobel,” Reginald teases.

“Hmm? Oh, sorry. I was miles away.”

He grins. Was he always so handsome?

“Penny for them.” He pulls out a chair for her and indicates she should sit before taking a seat of his own.

She smiles softly, feeling her cheeks pink. “I doubt they’re worth that much.”

“Ha’penny, then.” He smiles again. Her heart pounds in her chest. He’s gorgeous. How had she missed it all this time?

“Have you noticed a change in Ed lately?” she manages. If he’s so skilled at reading her, she shouldn’t have to elaborate.

“You mean the way his brains leave the building whenever Alley’s around?” He shakes his head. “Wanker.”

“Exactly, and I hope you tell him that! Lad’s twenty; he can do what he wants, but—”

Reginald scowls. “No, he bloody well can’t! Not as much as your dad relies on him; never mind the fair fortune he and your mum are spending on his education. Oh I’m bally well brassed off with him; don’t you worry … missing clinic hours, failing to submit assessments. He’s had the world handed to him on a silver platter and he’s blowing it spectacularly. But haven’t you got bigger fish to fry?”

She grins. “Well then … tell us how you really feel!” He studies his shoes and she notices the way his ears redden. She likes that about him. Come to that she can’t think of anything she doesn’t like about him. Shaking off that realisation, she continues, “It’s everything you said … and I suppose it also makes me think that if love does that to a person, it’s an experience I’ll have to forgo.” He scoffs and she rebuffs him. “You can’t sit here and tell me I’m wrong, Reggie! Both you and my brother got onto the premed course by virtue of your marks alone. I, on the other hand, was made to provide twice the number of character references and go ten rounds with the department chair over whether my science A-levels will count seeing as I finished them a year ago. And all of that despite having higher UKCAT scores than the both of you!” She pauses for breath, her expression moving through agitation to resignation. Ruefully she adds, “It’s a risk I can’t afford.”

He rises from his chair and walks towards the door. It’s only moments until she’s due at the podium. “Look, I’ll go. I came to say good on you and break a leg and walk out there with your head held high because you’ve earned this …”

Getting to her feet, she moves to the doorway. “Reg, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be so ratty. Thank you for coming to see me.” She squeezes his bicep, smiling softly.

“I’m not going to argue with you. We haven’t any of us chosen an easy path: you, me, or Ed. And there’s no doubt you’ve had a harder go than us. You’ll always have an uphill climb. I just think it’s a mistake to write off love because of it.” The earnestness in his eyes catches her on the back foot.

“That’s as may be,” she demurs, eyes cast towards the floor. “All the same I can’t see why you should trouble yourself with what I think. I mean I know I’m like a little sister to you, but—”

“No, Isobel. That’s not how I see you at all.” Their eyes meet. He takes a small step closer to her. The world stops turning as she watches his eyes flit from her own eyes to her lips. He touches her shoulder, his hand moving up to cradle her cheek.

Surely he isn’t … He can’t … He is! He’s going to kiss me! “Reggie,” she whispers, almost too faintly to hear, “I don’t know how … I’ve never—”

“I know,” he murmurs. “It’s alright.” He leans in. She can feel his breath on her face.

I should close my eyes, she thinks. Aren’t you supposed to close your eyes? He stops just short of her mouth. Giving her time to pull away. Oh! he’s warm. And he’s handsome. And I don’t want to close my eyes. I should touch him. Shouldn’t I touch him? She’s never been in such close proximity to a man before. To be sure, she’s danced with Daddy and Ed at weddings and hospital functions, but they don’t count. She reaches up with uncertainty and fumbles, her hands finding purchase in the lapels of his jacket.

In the next moment his lips touch hers and apprehension vanishes. He is so gentle, brushing the backs of his fingers across her face. She has no idea what she’s doing, how to make this enjoyable for him, but as the first kiss melds into the second she opens her mouth under his, and then so does he. She makes a sound that surprises her, moaning into his mouth when he deepens the kiss and she doesn’t want this shouldn’t want this oh sod it all this is incredible but what the hell does it mean? Oh shut up, for the love of God would you just shut up and enjoy something like a normal person for once you fool?

“Oh!” she gasps loudly when the tip of his tongue slips just past her teeth. Alright, I was wrong; this isn’t unpleasant at all and his mouth is so sweet and I don’t want to stop and—

He pulls back. She gasps again, missing the softness of his lips. “Are you alright?” he pants. “I’m sorry.”

“For what?” She frowns, inching closer to him again, aiming to put her hands on his shoulders. He stops her, taking her hands in his own.

She has never thought of herself as small. In fact, she has scarcely ever given any thought whatsoever to her stature. Wit is the standard by which she has measured herself against others. Intellect. But now she notices two things: firstly, that her hands are tiny, held inside of Reginald’s. And secondly, she doesn’t want him to let go. Ever.

“I shouldn’t have done that,” he whispers, looking down at their hands. Her left thumb has begun tracing tiny circles over the blue veins on the underside of his wrist. He should stop her. He doesn’t.

“Why not?” she counters. “It was … nice. Wonderful, actually. I suppose the first time was going to happen sooner or later, and there’s no one I’d—” She stops herself suddenly, realising what she’d been about to say. There’s no one I’d rather have done this with. She scolds herself. But you just finished saying that love is for fools, not for women fighting like hell against men for the right to practise medicine. Not for you. Her cheeks flush bright red and she presses a hand to her mouth.

Yet he still holds the other. He waits for her eyes to meet his.

“There’s a longer conversation to be had,” he says gently, astutely. “But now you’ve got to go. Look, it doesn’t have to mean anything, Isobel, if you don’t want it to—”

“Yeah, but you do! You never do anything unless you mean it.” She pauses briefly, pacing back and forth. “Right, I can’t talk now. But we need to do …”

“So ring me up when you’re ready. Best of luck out there, you’ll smash it. I’m going to go find your dad and mum.” He drops her hand and starts to walk away.

She catches his wrist. “Wait,” she implores him, sounding less steady than she means to do. “Reggie, I …” She leans in and presses her lips to his, deepening the kiss when a soundless ‘Oh!’ escapes his lips. “I don’t know, alright?” she whispers when they break apart. He nods. “But I’ll ring you.”

He lifts her hand to his lips and kisses the back of it. “You’ve done it, Izzy,” he says, giving her fingers a squeeze before leaving go of her hand. “Congratulations.” As he walks away she touches her lips. They still tingle from his kisses.

[autumnrose11]

okay reading your post gave me follow up questions. firstly, i wanna know more about matthew’s past !! when did his father die? what sort of relationship did he have with him? and also just anything else you wanna share about pre-canon matthew :3

So my headcanons for Matthew’s pre-Downton life actually starts with Isobel. She and Reginald struggled to conceive, and she had Matthew pretty late in life (later than most first-time mothers of her age). He had an amazing relationship with both his parents, and he showed traits he inherited from them both – Dr Crawley’s gentle, soft-spoken, charming, honourable personality, and Isobel’s characteristic stubborness and fierce independence and willingness to stand up for what he believes in. He was his parents’ miracle, so he was ten times more precious to them.

He was genuinely the sweetest little boy. Incredibly kind and soft hearted. Sometimes sulky, threw tantrums on occasion, was stubborn and pig headed. Matthew was very close to both his parents. He had a great relationship with his father; Dr Crawley taught him to ride a bicycle when he was five. He was very, very proud of his little boy. Slightly disappointed when he showed no inclination to follow in his footsteps and pursue medicine, but he let Matthew know that he’d support him in anything he wanted to do. They were a very happy family on the whole.

The Chronicles of Downton Abbey state that Dr Crawley passed away when Matthew was “quite young.” This could have multiple interpretations, so I have it in my head that his father passed away when Matthew was around 12 - 13. He and Isobel were both devastated at the loss. Isobel made herself strong for Matthew’s sake. She couldn’t afford to lose herself in grief because her boy was just upon the threshold of turning into a young man and needed her so much. They became each other’s strength and support and more protective than ever of each other. It was just the two of them now. They became a team.

There were times when it felt horribly lonely and terrifying without Reginald there with them. Even then Matthew would cuddle against his Mother tightly and tell her he’d take care of her *tears up*

So the time came for Matthew to start school at Radley College once he turned 13. The busy pace of life was a welcome distraction from his grief, and soon he became pretty well integrated into school life. He and Isobel wrote to each other frequently, and she sent him Mrs Bird’s biscuits and cakes and sweets because she knew he had a huge sweet tooth ;)

I also think the early loss of his father matured Matthew immensely. He had to grow up too quickly, had to support his mother and himself. Which is why you don’t often see his carefree side: he has rarely been 100% free of responsibilities. He does have a wonderful sense of humour though :D

So yeah. Those are my thoughts on pre-canon Matthew :))

[autumnrose11]

This is my headcanon. Made me tear up. So beautifully written and I love every word of it.

Books

Matthew is eight years old. He sits on the floor, crosslegged, with a book in his lap and his eyes wide.

Isobel watches from the couch, as he is entranced by the book, slowly tracing his eyes over the words and smiling every once in a while, or rounding his mouth into a ‘o’ shape.

He finishes reading a page, but he hesitates to turn it. He stares at the carpet in front of him, and then at the words again, and finally turns his head to his mother.

“Why does the cat walk by himself?” he asks.

Isobel raises an eyebrow. “I’m not sure. Does the book tell you?”

“He wants independence, which I suppose is alright, but I don’t understand. Why would he want to walk completely alone?” Matthew purses his lips. “He says all places are alike to him. But there are so many beautiful places, how could they all be alike?”

“Does the cat have any other reason for wanting to be alone?”

Matthew shrugs and closes the book. “I suppose I simply don’t understand why anyone would choose to be alone forever.”

“Neither do I, Matthew. But I’m sure the cat has his reasons.”

.

Matthew is thirteen years old. It is his birthday, and he now has exactly what he wanted as presents: books, books, and more books. They sit in a stack on his bedside table, and he sits on the edge of his bed, dangling his legs and looking over all of them, deciding which he wants to read first.

Isobel had wanted him to put them on the bookshelf in their small library, but Reginald had convinced her not to push it. “We won’t be hearing from him much either way,” he said, winking at Matthew. “Might as well let him keep them with him. They’re his.”

Matthew had smiled gratefully at his father, and had gathered up the stack of books in his arms.

He sits on the bed with two next to him to decide between: Frankenstein and The Count of Monte Cristo. He closes his eyes and happens to grab The Count of Monte Cristo.

There’s something that enthralls him about the elaborate revenge of the story, and the very fact that a man who came from nothing was able to do anything.

Matthew doesn’t come from nothing, but the story thrills him nonetheless. By the time it’s nearing midnight, his mother knocks on the door. His eyes are red and bleary, but he needs to know what happens next.

Isobel knocks on the door, comes in, pats his shoulder, and gently takes the book from his hands. “Happy birthday, my darling. Get some sleep.” She turns down the gas lamp in his room and kisses his forehead.

As soon as she leaves, Matthew turns the lamp up again and picks up his book.

.

Matthew is eighteen years old. Reginald is 56 years old. Or, at least, Reginald was 56 years old.

Matthew is without a father.

He didn’t get home in time to see Reginald, either. Matthew got on the train from Oxford as soon as he got the telegram from his mother that his father was suddenly very ill, but it was to no avail.

He had knocked on the door, and when he saw his mother’s face, he knew.

He can’t cry, though. God knows he cried on the train ride home, despite the stares. But the shock of his father’s death is cold and hard and Matthew almost doesn’t believe it. He had been so healthy and lively and suddenly…

A heart attack, Isobel had said. And like that, Reginald Crawley was gone.

Matthew comes out of his room, wandering, unsure where to go.

His feet take him to the library, and he sees a book on the table. The Divine Comedy. His father must have been reading it.

Matthew curls up on the couch, in his father’s favorite spot. It still smells like Reginald, and it comforts Matthew.

He picks up the book. His father was on the third section of the book, Paradiso. Matthew didn’t go back to the beginning, he just began to read, and something struck him.

His father had known. Why else would he have been reading a novel about heaven? This both chills Matthew and comforts him.

Matthew isn’t Catholic, but he agrees with some of the book. There is a God, and heaven, and if anyone deserves to be there, it’s Reginald Crawley.

Maybe because Reginald knew, he had left it there on purpose.

For Matthew to know.

.

Matthew is twenty-eight years old. There is something next to his bed. And on top of it, a letter. Signed ‘Mary’.

It’s been a few weeks since his birthday, and he hadn’t really expected to receive anything from her. They didn’t really get along. But there it is, a package with a letter from her.

He tentatively opens the letter. Mary’s handwriting is elegant and his heart drops in his chest.

Matthew,

I apologize for how dreadfully I have been treating you. Both my mother and my sister have brought this to my attention. (Sybil, of course; Edith might have but I would never listen to her anyway) I know I have been, although I cannot regret everything I have said, because quite a bit of it is true. I know it was your birthday a few weeks ago, and here is my late contribution. I assume you have read it, considering our conversation on the topic, but in any case, enjoy it. I doubt this can make up for what I have said to you, but I hope it can be a step in the right direction. After all, we must live with each other and peace is always preferable to war.

Mary.

Matthew tears open the package, and inside is a thin book. The story of Perseus and Andromeda.

Matthew recalls their discussion at one of his first dinners, and smiles.

This is certainly a step in the right direction.

.

Matthew is thirty-three years old. And he understands now.

He is broken beyond repair, by war and injury and heartbreak, and he sits (after all, there is nothing else he can do) with books in his lap whenever he is not too tired, and he understands so much of what he read when he was young.

He understands the cat who walked by himself. Because now he is the cat, apart from the irony that he cannot walk. But he has empathy for the cat, who wants nothing more than to be independent through a meaningless, dull life. All places look alike because there is nowhere he can go, and nothing he can do.

He understands the Count of Monte Cristo, and how his desire for revenge was both all consuming and self destructive. War has turned him into a monster, it seems, and he has such strong hatred toward the Germans. They took so many lives, the lives of his friends, his legs… But Matthew also realizes that revenge is both impossible and impractical.

He even understands his father, and why he left The Divine Comedy open on the table in the library. He has been so close to death for so long, and there is such comfort in knowing that there was life after death, that he would see his father and his friends again, and that he had a chance, too, to go somewhere far better than the earth. He isn’t afraid of death anymore; how bad could it be? To be in heaven would be far better than his meager existence.

He only doesn’t understand Perseus and Andromeda; the story of a gallant hero saving the woman he loves doesn’t strike him anymore. There is no valor, there is no honor in fighting, there is only dirt and mud and pain and screams.

Matthew used to understand heroism. But for all that he understands now, he doesn’t understand that anymore.

.

Matthew is thirty-seven years old. And everything is clear.

He sits with his four year old son on his lap, with his wife by his side, and reads the story of Perseus and Andromeda to George until he falls asleep and Matthew tucks him into bed.

Matthew understands Perseus now. He was not trying to be valiant or heroic. He just wanted to save the woman he loves.

He squeezes Mary’s hand. “Your gift has come in handy,” he says, with a smirk.

“I’m glad,” she replies, and kisses him.

[much-brighter-ink]

Matthew’s refusal to accept his inheritance from Lavinia’s father out of his guilt and feeling of responsibility in Lavinia’s death because he wasn’t in love with her directly parallels Daisy’s refusal to accept war widow reparations or William’s father’s invitations out of her guilt over lying to William on his deathbed because she wasn’t in love with him. In this essay I will

[whatyouwill77]

Reggie - April 1898 (where there is light AU)

“Robert, I am so very sorry but I must warn you that this birth is going to be very difficult. If the child makes it through alive- and I will do everything in my power to make it so- there is a chance that there may be problems with their health.” Reggie said, his voice wavering over concern for his friend’s unborn child. 

“And Cora?” Robert asked, his audible gulp only making his fear all the more palpable. 

“I believe she is not in any danger. Thankfully.” Reggie confirmed, his tone hollow with apprehension. 

“Thank you, Reggie, and please, do whatever you can.” Robert was sincere, he was grateful for his friend’s support and expertise during this trial but he couldn’t think of much to say at the moment, praying silently with bated breath for the life of his child. 

“I will do whatever I can, I promise you that.” Reggie was never one to make an empty promise. 

[melancholic-pigeon]

I took that fictional characters quiz again with the exhaustive version and again got a character from a series I don't know, namely Ambrose Spellman from Chilling Adventures of Sabrina

But further, I went and looked at the full list and. Everyone at 80% or above:

Ambrose Spellman (Chilling Adventures of Sabrina): 88%

Nomi Marks (Sense8): 87%

*Abby Sciuto (NCIS): 85%

Marie Kreutz (The Bourne Identity): 85%

*Sam Button (The Perks of Being a Wallflower): 85%

Riley Blue (Sense8): 85%

Amanita Caplan (Sense8): 85%

*Remus Lupin (Harry Potter): 84%

*Penelope Garcia (Criminal Minds): 84%

*Jack Hodgins (Bones): 84%

*Luna Lovegood (Harry Potter): 83%

*Sirius Black (Harry Potter): 83%

*Alice Cullen (Twilight): 83%

Cisco Ramon (The Flash): 83%

*Lane Kim (Gilmore Girls): 83%

Joyce Byers (Stranger Things): 83%

Reginald 'Bubbles' Cousins (The Wire): 82%

Fox Mulder (The X-Files): 82%

William H. 'Shakespeare' Hill (This Is Us): 82%

*Dobby (Harry Potter): 81%

*Nymphadora Tonks (Harry Potter): 81%

*Doc Brown (Back to the Future): 81%

*Patrick Stewart (The Perks of Being a Wallflower): 81%

Frenchie (The Boys): 81%

Dr. Sean Maguire (Good Will Hunting): 81%

Dustin Henderson (Stranger Things): 81%

*Angela Montenegro (Bones): 81%

Lady Sybil Crawley (Downton Abbey): 80%

Marty Mikalski (The Cabin in the Woods): 80%

Ian Gallagher (Shameless): 80%

blah I STILL DON'T KNOW HALF OF THEM but these are all the characters I got 80% or above on and. The asterisks are the ones I know. And...yeah.

Bolded are the ones I already identified with before I took the quiz.

Yup. It tracks.

[darkacademicx]

A List of Show Recs, While You’re Stuck at Home

This is a huge and continuously updating list.  The first 2 categories are ‘definitely DA’ and ‘Probably DA’, but beyond that all of the shows are sorted by category.  Enjoy!

Definitely DA:

The Living and the Dead - The plot revolves around Nathan Appleby and his wife, Charlotte Appleby whose farm is believed to be at the centre of numerous supernatural occurrences. Set in Victorian times and has ghosts and an excellent aesthetic.  Available on Amazon Prime. 5/5

A Series of Unfortunate Events - This series follows the tragic tale of three orphans -- Violet, Klaus, and Sunny Baudelaire -- who are investigating their parents' mysterious death. The siblings are saddled with an evil guardian named Count Olaf , who will do whatever it takes to get his hands on the Baudelaires' inheritance. Violet, Klaus, and Sunny must outsmart Olaf at every turn, foiling devious plans and disguises. The series is based on the series of books by Lemony Snicket.  Available on Netflix. 

The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina - A dark coming-of-age story that traffics in horror and the occult. In the reimagined origin story, Sabrina Spellman wrestles to reconcile her dual nature -- half-witch, half-mortal -- while standing against the evil forces that threaten her, her family -- including aunts Hilda and Zelda -- and the daylight world humans inhabit.  Available on Netflix. 5/5

Downton Abbey - This historical drama follows the lives of the Crawley family and their servants in the family's Edwardian country house. The programme begins with the 1912 sinking of the Titanic, which leaves Downton Abbey's future in jeopardy, as Lord Grantham's presumptive heir -- his cousin James -- and his son, Patrick, die aboard the ship, leaving him without a male offspring to take over the throne upon his death. As a result, Lord Grantham must search for a new heir. As the programme progresses through the decade, other historical events happen leading up to Lord Grantham declaring in 1914 that Britain is at war with Germany, marking the beginning of World War I, which becomes a major plot on the programme.  Available on Amazon Prime.

Gran Hotel - Set in Spain in the early 20th century, Julio arrives at a luxury hotel to meet his sister, head chambermaid Cristina only to discover she has disappeared. Julio makes it his mission to find her and infiltrates the hotel under the guise of a footman.  This show is in Spanish but available with English Subtitles. 5/5

Penny Dreadful - An exploration of the origin stories of classical literature characters in this psychological thriller that takes place in the dark corners of Victorian London. Sir Malcolm is an explorer who has lost his daughter to the city's creatures, and he will do whatever is needed to get her back and to right past wrongs. His accomplice, seductive clairvoyant Vanessa Ives, recruits charming American Ethan Chandler to help locate Sir Malcolm's daughter and slay some monsters. Available on Netflix and Hulu. 

The Umbrella Academy - On one day in 1989, 43 infants are inexplicably born to random, unconnected women who showed no signs of pregnancy the day before. Seven are adopted by billionaire industrialist Sir Reginald Hargreeves, who creates the Umbrella Academy and prepares his "children" to save the world. In their teenage years, though, the family fractures and the team disbands. Fast forward to the present time, when the six surviving members of the clan reunite upon the news of Hargreeves' passing. They work together to solve a mystery surrounding their father's death, but divergent personalities and abilities again pull the estranged family apart, and a global apocalypse is another imminent threat. 

Sherlock - Dr. John Watson is a war vet just home from Afghanistan. He meets the brilliant but eccentric Holmes when the latter, who serves as a consultant to Scotland Yard, advertises for a flatmate. Almost as soon as Watson moves into the Baker Street flat, they are embroiled in mysteries, and Sherlock's nemesis, Moriarty, appears to have a hand in the crimes.  Available on Netflix. 5/5

Stranger Things - In 1980s Indiana, a group of young friends witness supernatural forces and secret government exploits. As they search for answers, the children unravel a series of extraordinary mysteries. Available on Netflix. 5/5

Twilight Zone - It's a strange mix of horror, science-fiction, drama, comedy and superstition. Serling introduced each episode, and many of the black and white episodes concluded with a surprise ending. Available on Netflix and Hulu. 5/5.

Outlander - After serving as a British Army nurse in World War II, Claire Randall is enjoying a second honeymoon in Scotland with husband Frank, an MI6 officer looking forward to a new career as an Oxford historian. Suddenly, Claire is transported to 1743 and into a mysterious world where her freedom and life are threatened. To survive, she marries Jamie Fraser, a strapping Scots warrior with a complicated past and a disarming sense of humour. A passionate relationship ensues, and Claire is caught between two vastly different men in two inharmonious lives. Available on Netflix and Hulu.

Probably DA:

The Magicians - Quentin Coldwater, a grad student at Brakebills College for Magical Pedagogy, has been fascinated by the magical fantasy world since he was young. But as he has gotten older, Quentin and his 20-something friends have discovered that the magical world they read about as children is not only real, but it poses dangers to humanity. While studying at the secret upstate New York school, the friends struggle to cope with the aftermath of a catastrophe that befalls the institution. Available on Netflix, Hulu, and the Syfy website. 5/5

Merlin - This action-packed fantasy-drama revisits the saga of King Arthur and his wizard, Merlin, by focusing on the two characters when they were ambitious young men struggling to understand their destinies. In this telling, Prince Arthur is known to be the heir to the throne (no sword from the stone here). And he is acquainted with all those who will one day form the legend of Camelot, including Lancelot, Guinevere, and Morgana. Merlin is also forced to deal with King Uther's Great Purge, which bans all use of magic. Available on Netflix. 5/5

The Order - When Belgrave University student Jack Morton joins a fabled secret society, the Hermetic Order of the Blue Rose, he is thrust into a world of magic, monsters and intrigue. Out to avenge his mother's death, he uncovers dark family secrets and lands in an underground battle being waged between werewolves and practitioners of dark magic. Assisting Jack in the fight is Alyssa, a tour guide at Belgrave and fellow member of the Order, which is led by Jack's estranged father.  Available on Netflix. 4/5.

Legion - David Haller is a troubled young man who was diagnosed with schizophrenia as a child. Shuffled from one psychiatric institution to the next, in his early 30s, David met and fell in love with a beautiful and troubled fellow patient named Syd. After a startling encounter with her, he was forced to confront the shocking possibility that the voices he hears and the visions he sees may actually be real. Syd led David to Melanie Bird, a demanding but nurturing therapist who heads a team of specialists -- Ptonomy, Kerry, and Cary -- each of whom possesses a unique and extraordinary gift. Together, they helped David to recognize and harness his hidden abilities and unlock a deeply suppressed truth -- he had been haunted his entire life by a malicious parasite of unimaginable power.  Available on Hulu. 4/5.

Comedy:

Derry Girls - Following Erin and her friends as they grow up in a world of armed police in armoured Land Rovers and British Army check points in 1990s Northern Ireland and attempt to navigate the highs and lows of being teenagers. Available on Netflix. 5/5

Detective/military:

Broadchurch - When the corpse of an 11-year-old British boy, Danny Latimer, is found bloodied and dirty on an idyllic beach, a small Dorset community becomes the focus of a police investigation and media madness. Out-of-town Detective Inspector Alec Hardy gets the point position over Detective Sgt. Ellie Miller -- who feels the job should have been hers. Slowly, more members of the community of Broadchurch are drawn into the investigation. While dealing with so much unwelcome attention, Danny's family tries to cope with its grief. When a suspect is named and charged, the ensuing trial sees the defendant promising to expose more of the townspeople's secrets.  Available on Netflix. 5/5.

Haven - FBI Agent Audrey Parker arrives in Haven, Maine, on what she believes is a routine assignment. But the longer she stays, the more curious she becomes -- about the townspeople, who seem to be beset by a range of supernatural afflictions; about the town itself, which contains many secrets; and about her own surprising connection to this strange place.  Available on Netflix and Tubi.  4/5.

A Very Secret Service - At the height of the Cold War in 1960, André Merlaux joins the French Secret Service and contends with enemies both foreign and bureaucratic.  In French with English Subtitles.  Available on Netflix. 5/5.

Criminal Minds - An elite squad of FBI profilers analyzes the country's most-twisted criminal minds, anticipating the perpetrators' next moves before they can strike again. Each member of the "mind hunter" team brings his or her expertise to pinpoint predators' motivations and identify emotional triggers to stop them. The core group includes an official profiler who is highly skilled at getting into the minds of criminals, a quirky genius, the former media liaison who manages to adeptly balance family life and the job, and a computer wizard.  Available on Netflix and CBS.  5/5

Eureka - In the years since World War II, the U.S. government has been relocating the world's geniuses (and their families) to the Pacific Northwest town of Eureka. Daily life there shifts between amazing innovation and total chaos. U.S. Marshal Jack Carter learns this first-hand when his car breaks down in Eureka, stranding him among the town's eccentric citizens. When they unleash a scientific creation still unknown to the outside world, it's up to Carter to restore order. Subsequently, he's let in on one of America's best-kept secrets.  Available on Amazon Prime.  5/5.

Our Girl - Taking destiny into their own hands, British Army female medics of 2 Sections are dispatched on different missions, where they encounter the heartbreak and realities of life on the battlefield.  5/5.

Political:

The Crown - This lavish, Netflix-original drama chronicles the life of Queen Elizabeth II from the 1940s to modern times. The series begins with an inside look at the early reign of the queen, who ascended the throne at age 25 after the death of her father, King George VI. As the decades pass, personal intrigues, romances, and political rivalries are revealed that played a big role in events that shaped the later years of the 20th century.  Available on Netflix. 4/5.

Victoria - The monarch's life is chronicled as the story begins with the death of King William IV in 1837, her accession to the throne at the tender age of 18 and her relationships with the influential forces around her. With the advice of the prime minister Lord Melbourne and the support of her husband Prince Albert the young queen flourishes and establishes herself in her newfound role. Available on Amazon Prime. 4/5.