#thomas barrow & oc

[sour-punch-art]

The ult sadman Thomas Barrow finally graces my page

[soft-valet-barrow]

A treat from the Butlers Pantry;; MINORS DNI

“Would you be ever so kind as to get the middle of my back? I can never seem to reach.” Lord James asked as he held out the soap to his butler, Thomas. Thomas sat the towel that he was preparing, down upon the basin, and walked over to the bathtub, careful that he didn’t sleep on the steam-tiled floor. Adjusting the sleeves of his shirt so they wouldn’t get wet, he bent down upon his knees as he took the soap from James's hand. As requested, Thomas slathered the soap over James’s back where he couldn’t reach, running both soap and fingertips over the bare skin of the Lord that he serves. Both men were quiet. James, leaned forward slightly to allow Thomas full access, focusing on how good Thomas’s fingers felt against his skin. It wasn’t the first time he had asked Thomas to wash his back. Nor would it be the last. Before Thomas could move his hand away as he finished cupping the water and gently splashing it over James’s back to remove the soapy residue, James grabbed his wrist and guided it to his chest and then beneath the water. “You missed a spot, Thomas.” Thomas’s lips lifted in a smirk as his fingers brushed against something quite hard. “Seems like someone’s enjoying their bath.” Before James could answer, his lips parted as he let out a sharp gasp as Thomas’s fingers wrapped around his length, giving it a gentle squeeze. James was too ashamed to admit how long he had lusted for this moment without doing anything about it. James’s head tilted backward and rested on Thomas’s shoulder, quietly suppressing little gasps against the material of Thomas’s uniform. It didn’t help that Thomas’s velvety voice was encouraging James on, “That’s it, My Lord, let me take care of you.” As gentle as his voice was, so was the painstakingly slow movement of his hand. Squeezing up... and gently squeezing down. This wasn’t the first time Thomas performed extra services for his lord, nor would it be the last. Thomas didn’t mind. Not as ideal as he’d like it to be, this was the easiest and safest option. They were never disturbed during James’s bath-time. It was the ideal opportune moment for the two extremely forbidden lovers….

|| Tags: @its-all-or-nothing94

[thesudrianchronicles]

NWC 7: Finally! An Atlantic!

Written By NorthBritishAtlantic

1929

An engine coasted down the Cumbrian Coast Line along the West Coast of England. He seemed to move majestically, his motion hardly making any sound. Like a phantom in the mid morning sun.

As he passed through smaller stations with names such as “Parton”, “St Bees” & “Seascale”, he noticed people on the platform & even some engines looking on at him in awe & surprise.

For you see. This engine was very far from home. For he was a North British Atlantic.

And he had said goodbye to Scotland, for a new life on a small Island, which many people said was in the middle of Nowhere.

Soon, he arrived at a large looking station. Its overall roof covering its platforms. He saw a sign which read “BARROW CENTRAL”, in big bold letters. He pulled up to the platform & his crew got out of his cab.

“We’ll be back in a few minutes Sam.” His driver said.

“Don’t wander off now!” His fireman added, before the driver slapped his arm. Which made Sam chuckle.

The two humans left their Atlantic with his thoughts. He looked around his surroundings. It was a quiet Sunday morning, and there weren't any trains due for an hour or two. So he had the station all to himself.

Or so he thought.

“HEY!” A voice called from behind, causing the Atlantic to jump. “What you doing in my platform?”, “Sitting there like Lord Mutt.” “I’ve got a station to run ya know?!”

Sam looked to his right. Sitting on the track next to him, was a tank engine. Her black paint was bright but dirty. And the letters “LMS'' were in big bold yellow lettering on her sidetanks.

“Well?” She said, eyeing up the larger engine. “Do you say anything?”, “Or do you just sit around & look like an idiot?”

“That’s enough Poppet.” An older voice called. “Leave Him be, even if he is sitting on the mainline taking up space.”

Sam looked over to his left. He saw an older looking engine sitting inside a glass box next to the platform. He had 4 small wheels, a tall thin funnel, and most notably, he had a large round copper firebox.

“The name’s Sam.” The Atlantic spoke, “And you two are?”

“I’m Coppernob”, the old engine said, “And the tank engine next to you is Poppet.”

“What’s an LNER engine doing all the way down here?” asked Poppet, raising an eyebrow at Sam.

“Heading to Sodor”, Sam replied, “NWR needs an engine for local passenger work. So I’m going there to stay.”

“Why you staying?”, Asked Poppet curiously. “Wouldn’t your frien-”

“If I stay I'll end up scrapped.” replied Sam bluntly, cutting Poppet off mind sentence. “My class is on the way out, it's only a matter of time before I’m withdrawn.”

“Don’t worry about it mate.” Poppet said, understandingly. “I’m on borrowed time myself.” “Most of the older Furness engines are being withdrawn as of late.”

“But you at least still have work.” Said Coppernob, “A hard working engine is a useful one.”

Sam sighed. Thank you Coppernob, he smiled slightly.

Poppet chuckled. "Just call him Nobby!" "Everyone else does!"

Coppernob rolled his eyes. Poppet just laughed, and Sam smirked.

“Alright then! Nobby it is!” Sam chuckled.

“So Sam.” Coppernob asked, making the other two stop chuckling. His facial expression was blank. “Have you travelled far?”

“Aye, a wee bit.” Sam said, his gaze returning to the older engine. “Perth, you heard of it?”

“Perth?” Poppet said, raising an eyebrow. “Isn’t that a part of Glasgow?”

The look that Sam threw at Poppet made her shut up instantly & made Coppernob burst out laughing.

The three engines would continue to talk for about 15 more minutes. Nobby & Poppet were telling Sam about one of the old FR’s busiest & most interesting tourist days back in the spring of 1919.

Just as Coppernob was telling Sam about his rather, as he put it, “interesting” experience with a young fireman. Sam’s crew arrived back & came up to see him.”

“Awwww Sam!” His Driver chuckled, putting her jacket back on. “Looks like you made some friends already!”

“Yeah, good on you lad.” His fireman added, trying to hide the obvious lipstick marks on his neck.

“Well come on then!” His driver said, climbing into his cab. “Sodor awaits us!”

“Well goodbye you two.” Said Sam, “I’ll try & visit as much as i can.” “If this all works out that is!” He added chuckling.

“Bye Sam!” “See you around!” Poppet called as Sam drove off.

Sam blew his whistle loudly in goodbye. It echoed around the yard, and startled some of the engines in the shed! He picked up some speed, as he chuffed over the bridge to await his new life.

On the isle of Nowhere.

30 Minutes later

“FINALLY!” a stout gentleman nearly yelled from the platform. “FINALLY I GOT AN ATLANTIC!”

Special thanks to @mean-scarlet-deceiver for letting me use Nobby & Poppet for this story.

[legends-of-time]

The Journey of Living at Downton - Masterlist

Pairing:

Tom Branson/Original Female Character

Warnings:

Major Character Death, Minor Character Death, Implied/Referenced Character Death, Period Typical Attitudes, Cannon-Typical Violence, Implied/Referenced Suicide

Summary:

Emma’s life used to be fairly normal one for someone living in England in the early 21st century, nothing peculiar but that all changed when in 2021, at 19, she woke up in the past, more specifically 1909.

Emma turned up in Yorkshire, England on a mild day (what else) in the grounds of an estate called Downton Abbey. After literally falling onto the floor right in front of said owners of the estate, the Earl and Countess of Grantham, Robert and Cora Crawley.

——

A young girl from the 21st century ends up in the world of Downton Abbey. Not a typical one where it is another Crawley sister or where she’s from a world where Downton Abbey is a TV show.

Chapters:

Chapter 1: April to Summer 1912

Chapter 2: September to October 1912

Chapter 3: April to May 1913

Chapter 4: End of May 1913

Chapter 5: July to August 1913

Chapter 6: May 1914

Chapter 7: July to August 1914

Chapter 8: Autmun 1916

Chapter 9: April 1917

Chapter 10: July to September 1917

Chapter 11: Early 1918

Chapter 12: August 1918

Chapter 13: October to November 1918

Chapter 14: February 1919

Chapter 15: April 1919

Chapter 16: April 1919 to January 1920

Chapter 17: March 1920

Chapter 18: April to Early May 1920

Chapter 19: Late May 1920

Chapter 20: Late July 1920

Chapter 21: Early August 1920

Chapter 22: Early August 1920 Continuation

Chapter 23: Mid August 1920

Chapter 24: Mid August to End of September 1920

Chapter 25: September 1921

Chapter 26: February 1922

Chapter 27: March 1922

Chapter 28: April 1922

Chapter 29: April 1922 Continuation

Chapter 30: May 1922

Chapter 31: June 1922

Chapter 32: July 1922

Chapter 33: Early August 1922

Chapter 34: May 1923

Chapter 35: February 1924

Chapter 36: February to Late April 1924

Chapter 37: Late April to Early May 1924

Chapter 38: Summer 1924

Chapter 39: September 1924

Chapter 40: Late September 1924

Chapter 41: Late September to Early October 1924

Chapter 42: Mid to Late October 1924

Chapter 43: November to December 1924

Chapter 44: January to Early May 1925

Chapter 45: Mid May 1925

Chapter 46: Mid to Late May 1925

Chapter 47: June 1925

Chapter 48: July 1925

Chapter 49: August 1925

Chapter 50: September to December 1925

Chapter 51: July 1927

Children of Downton - Spoilers!!!

Just a little additional post explaining when the children born during the show were born and parents. Not that important but if anyone wants to keep track, it’s here rather than sifting through chapters.

Wattpad access

fanfiction.net access

Ao3 access

[bitletsanddrabbles]

WIP Wednesday: New Stuff? Nah. REVISIONS!

Because whenever new content is more important than revision, oh, then my brain is all down for it!

This is now the most polished scene - and one of the only two finished ones - for the "Phillip Comes To The Island" story from Island of the Gays by @alex51324.

...and FYI, Lord Hexham is referencing Buddha, not Confucius. He's a nice boy, but very confused on his philosophers, especially when it comes to quotes he undoubtedly heard from someone who heard them from someone who heard...

-

All conversation ground to a halt as Lord Hexham walked in. “Good morning,” the marquess greeted them all, cheerfully. Then he seemed to take in the general air, not to mention the fact Eddie was giving him a rather frosty look, and his smile faltered into polite confusion. “I hope I’m not interrupting anything?”

“Not really,” Peter assured him, ever courteous. “We were just discussing our upcoming arrival.”

“Oh.” Lord Hexham’s voice spoke volumes. Honestly Thomas was surprised by how dry it had gone. “Well don’t worry about me rushing to his defense. He’s been a right ass most of his life, I’m well aware.” To Peter he said, “I’m just stopping past to pick up my order.”

“Of course.” Peter stepped behind the counter and went digging for the package in question.

Thomas thought that ‘right ass’ was definitely a step up from ‘pig fucker’ if maybe not as emphatic. Then again, coming from Lord Hexham it might actually have been worse. It added another layer to his curiosity. “I thought Dr. Rouse said you didn’t mind his coming here?”

The other man glanced at him, then dropped his eyes to the counter, a thoughtful crease between the brows. “I don’t, really, but my perspective on the matter is rather different than the rest of you. We come from similar places, is all.” He thought a moment. “I remember something I heard once, a quote from a Chinese philosopher. I’m not certain which one. Probably Confucius…it seems like everything you hear is from Confucius. But it ran along the lines of ‘Everyone suffers. The poor man suffers because of his poverty, the rich man suffers because of his wealth’.”

Eddie snorted at that. “Clearly your philosopher had never been poor,” he retorted, collecting his small order from the counter top and stalking out of the shop. Apparently he wasn’t in the mood to listen to anyone who didn’t hate Phillip.

Lord Hexham watched him go. Once the door was shut, he turned back to Thomas and continued, “I don’t think that was quite the point. I think the point is that we all have our problems, no matter what our station in life. Phillip has always been a right ass and while I don’t approve, and I hope I’m not the same, in a way I understand simply because I’ve been in a similar place.”

“And that’s perfectly fair.” Peter placed the box on the counter. “Now, here’s your order.”

[the-girl-in-the-box]

One Swallow Can Make A Summer V

A/N: Finally back with an update! I'll be real honest, I… finished writing this like at least a week ago if not longer, but I've just been so busy with the holiday season that I never got around to posting it XD So, even if it is super late, I hope you'll still enjoy!

Summary: The world is at war, and none will be left unchanged in its wake. Downton Abbey is now a convalescent home where wounded officers are sent to recover, and Sergeant Thomas Barrow couldn’t be more satisfied with his position in running it. But with the arrival of a kind new maid, the downstairs dynamic shifts, and Thomas finds himself in the middle of a strange situation, which only grows stranger as the war goes on. With the answers he seeks hidden in the Abbey’s past, inaccessible to Thomas alone, and danger lurking around any corner, he’ll have to learn to trust his instincts and his allies before it’s too late.

Masterlist

--

“I just can’t understand why they hired him. He falls to pieces just because some general is leaving, begging us not to send him back, when that wasn’t even on the table? I don’t know, seems there should have been some sign that he wasn’t ready to work again yet.”

Thomas shrugged in response to Sylvia’s words as he sipped his tea. “Can’t always tell with these things,” he pointed out. “But I will give you that they should have noticed after that stunt he pulled the other night, carrying on in the middle of the night the way he did.”

Sylvia hummed as she pulled a needle through the dress she was stitching up, tugging on thread to make the stitch itself disappear entirely. “A bad dream’s one thing,” she allowed. “Don’t know anyone who doesn’t have those here and there, but waking the whole attic up because of one?” She paused to shake her head. “He won’t last long after today anyway, so I don’t see that it really matters anymore. He needs to just go and rest, and find work again once he’s good and ready for it. Not right now.”

“I’m not sure why you think you get a say in any of this,” O’Brien interrupted. Thomas looked over at her with a slightly lifted brow. “He’s seen things you never have, and I don’t blame him for having a bit of a panic at the thought of going back to war.”

The lack of an immediate answer from Sylvia made Thomas look back over at her, only to find an icy smile on her lips, and a fire in her eyes. This ought to be interesting.

“Maybe I haven’t seen what he has,” she allowed, “but he hasn’t lived what I have. Stay in your place, Ms. O’Brien. If I want your opinion, I’ll ask for it.”

Thomas’s eyes widened. It felt strange, to see the two people he considered to be his friends in that house arguing over anything. But ultimately, he had to say he agreed with Sylvia. “I’ve seen what he has, and I’ve never caused a scene over it,” he pointed out. “All the officers in this house have, and they’re fine.”

Well, no, that wasn’t actually true, but what was he supposed to say? He knew everyone that sort of horror differently. He didn’t have to think very long to remember the things he’d seen at the hospital, what- who- he had lost at the hospital. Maybe he was so quick to write Lang off because of that. It still wasn’t easy for him to go there, and seeing Lang struggle made him wonder- would Edward have struggled this way had he lived? Had this sort of thing played a part in his decision? Thomas himself saw the trenches every time he closed his eyes. What if he could never open them again?

He was grateful for the interruption of William Mason, no longer a footman but now a visitor to Downton, coming into the room. He looked older in his uniform than he had in his livery. Apparently, William hadn’t overheard very much of their conversation, as he sat down and asked, “Who’s fine?”

“The officers upstairs,” Sylvia answered. “You know, maybe Mr. Lang would have done better if he had gotten to convalesce. Do we know if he did?” 

“It weren’t here, if so,” William replied, and then he smiled at her. “I don’t think we’ve met. I’m William- William Mason.” He stretched his hand out across the table.

“Sylvia Sharpe,” she said, and shook it. “I’m afraid I’ve been busy for most of your visit, but it’s good to meet you now. When do you leave for the front?”

“Tomorrow morning,” he answered. “I’m to be stationed in the Sommes.” 

Sylvia turned her attention back to Thomas and asked him, “Isn’t that where you were? He realised then that he also had William’s attention now, not that it made much difference. 

“Until they brought me back here after my injury,” he confirmed, then addressed William. “I don’t know why you seem so excited to be going over there, it’s a nightmare.” He grew a little irritated when William just smiled and shrugged.

“I just want to help, I think- however I can,” he replied. “If that’s on the front lines in the trenches, then that’s that.”

Sylvia looked at him thoughtfully, and she hummed softly as she returned to her mending. “I hope you hold onto your enthusiasm,” she commented. “And I hope you’re spared from the worst of it over there. I haven’t been myself, of course, but I’ve heard enough to know I’d never want to.”

William’s smile faltered, and Thomas couldn’t help the way his lips quirked up into a small smirk. If it was so bad he’d gotten himself shot to escape it, how was someone like William going to survive it? He was too soft and nice for the sort of violence and death he was going to face. He was too good for it. Truthfully, although Thomas hated to say it- or rather, strongly disliked saying it- he wasn’t sure he’d make it out of there alive. The thought came out as a halfway sneered, “Oh I don’t know, Sylvia, I think you’d survive it. Not too sure about our William, though.”

There was no faltering this time- William’s smile dropped entirely, completely washed away. Thomas felt a little sting when he saw, though it wasn’t quite enough to make him want to rectify it. Still, he was going off to war in the morning, a war Thomas himself had already seen first hand. Somehow he felt like it might have been a little cruel even for him, and a glance over at Sylvia told him she felt the same way.

He watched William shift uncomfortably for a moment, before finally starting to get up. “I should probably go… see if there’s anything I can do to help upstairs,” he said, rather unconvincingly- especially considering the fact he wasn’t staff anymore. “I’ll be back down later.”

He stood and started to go, but Sylvia stopped him by calling out to him. “William,” she said. He turned back to look at her. “Keep your chin up. Stay alert, stay low. I think you’ve got a better chance than we’ve given you credit for.”

His smile began to come back, even if only halfheartedly. “Thanks,” he said. “I’ll do my best.” As he finally went on upstairs, Thomas found himself a bit relieved that Sylvia had gone ahead and boosted William’s spirits a bit- at least someone had.

But was that really what she wanted? To be always cleaning up the wounds his sharp tongue left behind? As good natured as she was, even to the point of helping him- him!- through his various trials, he couldn’t imagine she’d be willing to put up with this for very long.

Thomas’s mind began filling rapidly with these sorts of thoughts, and so he also soon stood, and stalked off toward his office without another word. Even though he heard Sylvia call out, “Sergeant Barrow?” he didn’t stop, but he ignored her attempts at reaching out to him. If he hadn’t, he would have gone back to hear her out and just put off the inevitable. No, he couldn’t do that this time.

Sylvia frowned a little when he didn’t come back, and she let out a small sigh. “Any idea what might be wrong with him?” she asked O’Brien, turning her attention from the now empty hall back to the lady’s maid on the other side of the table. They hadn’t spoken very much, not with as much time as Sylvia spent either with Thomas or working, but she figured now was as good a time as any- especially knowing how close she was to the man in question. At least, that’s what Anna had told her.

O’Brien gave her a bit of a funny look, and frowned. “Nothing’s wrong with him,” she said. “He just likes to make himself scarce sometimes, that’s all.”

“Does he?” Sylvia questioned. She had noticed that he usually kept himself to himself, sure, but somehow that didn’t feel like that was all this was, not in the immediate aftermath of his little spat with William (if it could even be called a spat, she wasn’t sure it had escalated enough to warrant it).

“He does,” O’Brien replied. “What’s it to you, anyway? He’s military staff, not house staff. He won’t be any help to you.” 

Sylvia’s smile turned almost imperceptibly fake. “Is it so wrong for me to want to be friends with him without wanting something from him?” she asked. Why would O’Brien think she had to have a motive? 

“No, not at all,” O’Brien answered. “But he’s a prickly one, I just don’t see why you’d go for his friendship instead of, say, Anna’s… or anyone else who seems nice like you.” 

She chuckled a bit in response and shook her head, cutting the thread as she finished her mending. “I didn’t connect with them the way I did with him,” she confessed. “Maybe he can be a bit prickly. But is it any wonder with everything he’s been through?”

“He’s told you then?” O’Brien questioned. “Funny- he’s not the type to open up.”

Sylvia shrugged and started to pack up her sewing kit. “No,” she agreed. “But we’re quite similar, he and I. I think things just tend to come out when you’re talking to someone who knows the same pain you do.”

“And you know his pain, do you? How convenient,” O’Brien accused, and Sylvia bristled.

So, she was going to go there, was she? It was one thing to wonder about her intentions with Thomas- she’d expect that from a friend who just cared to protect him, but to insinuate she’d make something up on this level just to get through to him? It told her quite a lot about what O’Brien herself would do, certainly. Projection had always been such an eye opener.

“If you think you’re going to make me try and prove myself to you, you’re wrong,” she said, her tone and words clipped. “I can see what this is, anyway- you’re jealous. He agreed with me instead of you earlier, and now you’re afraid you’re losing his grip on him. But I’m not going to stand here and let you sling accusations at me just because you feel threatened, and I’m not entirely sure how comfortable he’d be with it if he knew.” Sylvia smirked at her just slightly. “So be careful, Ms. O’Brien, and be sure to mind your own business. I won’t have you minding mine.”

O’Brien blinked a few times, surprised with the pushback, but Sylvia could see her quickly readjusting, making new calculations which were reflected in her eyes. Eventually, she said, “I do wonder if Sergeant Barrow knows this side of you.”

“Of course he does,” Sylvia said with a roll of her eyes. “Haven’t I already said we’ve become friends because of the things we recognise in each other? Even down to how ‘prickly’ we can both get. Why do you think that’s no surprise to me?”

“Because you’ve turned out to be the same way, if you’re to be believed,” O’Brien said.

“Are you just trying to rattle me, is that what this is?” Sylvia asked, narrowing her eyes and letting out a disbelieving chuckle. “Really?” She shook her head. “Well, I think I’m going to get on with my work, and check in with Thomas. Good day, Ms. O’Brien.”

She stood and gathered the dress she’d mended, walking quickly toward Thomas to make good on that. But, as fast as she was walking, she knocked straight into Anna who was coming around the corner with a dress of her own- or likely, of Lady Mary’s. “Oh goodness, I’m sorry,” Anna said with a light laugh. “If you’d been a snake, I think you would have bitten me.”

“No, I’m afraid the snake’s just through there,” Sylvia retorted, and tossed her head back to indicate O’Brien. Anna’s eyes widened.

“Has something happened?” she questioned, concern lacing her voice.

Sylvia sighed and shifted on her feet. “Unfortunately so,” she replied. “I don’t think Ms. O’Brien approves of my friendship with Sergeant Barrow, and she’s decided to make that my problem.”

She could read in Anna’s face that the maid wasn’t exactly surprised, especially as she very nearly rolled her eyes. “Of course she has,” she said, just a touch exasperated. “I don’t think she’s ever had an opinion without making it someone else’s problem.” She sighed and shook her head. “Just… try to keep your head down, and don’t fight her unless you’re prepared to fight fire with fire. She’s the type who won’t drop it unless you do.” 

“Apparently so,” Sylvia agreed. “Unless she’s the type to give up if you don’t react very much?” 

“Oh, I wish she was,” Anna chuckled. “No, she’ll push it until she’s satisfied- but your Sergeant Barrow’s much the same way, you know.” 

Sylvia hummed slightly. “Well, on that note, I think I should be going,” she said. “You’ve reminded me that I meant to speak with him about something, so if you’ll excuse me…”

She brushed past Anna before she had a chance to say anything else, not wanting to stand and talk about Thomas in that way. Besides, she had more important matters to attend to.

Thomas looked up when he heard the door to his office open, and his brows lifted at the sight of a rather frustrated Sylvia walking in. He didn’t even get a chance to say anything before she had asked, “Is O’Brien always like this?” Ah, that explained a lot.

His lips quirked up into an amused sort of smirk. “You’ll have to be more specific,” he quipped, but then grew more serious as he asked, “What did she do?”

“Oh, the usual…” Sylvia said, rolling her eyes. “Just, accused me of making things up to get close to you, questioning why I’d even want to with as ‘prickly’ as you are… Then Anna was telling me that you’re just like O’Brien, which I don’t agree with in the slightest of course, but it’s just… is this whole house against you, or something?”

Thomas chuckled bitterly. “Seems like it sometimes,” he confessed. “I take it you’re not though, if you’re in here mad about that?”

“Of course I’m not,” she replied. “You and I are too much alike for that, I think. And everything they try to tell me to change my mind, it isn’t as though it’s nothing I haven’t heard before…”

Nothing you don’t know yet, Thomas thought with a hum. But he knew O’Brien had information on him that really might just change her mind. Not that he was surprised to hear she was beginning to meddle, but if she went too far… Well, he just had to hope it wouldn’t come to that.

He decided to try and change the subject before that conversation went deeper. “Did you see William again?” 

“William?” Sylvia repeated, lifting a brow. “He’s the one shipping out in the morning, isn’t he?” Thomas nodded. “No, I haven’t seen him again.” Thomas hummed quietly, and her tone grew more gentle as she asked, “You two don’t get on very well, do you?”

“We could have, I think,” Thomas mused. “It’s not his fault. I just…” He paused and sighed. “I say things sometimes, I don’t really know why. I don’t even know that I meant what I said earlier… Not that anyone would believe me if I tried to tell them that- if they’d even care at this point- so I don’t really try anymore. I was snippy when I was a kid, and they wouldn’t believe it if I tried to change. Why bother?”

Sylvia offered him a small, somewhat sad smile. “Have you tried telling William this?” she asked. “I don’t get the feeling he’d have a bad response, and anyway… you don’t want that to be the last thing you say to him, do you? If the worst does happen?”

Thomas began to drum his fingers on his desk. She was right, and he’d known the truth of everything she was saying from the moment he’d said what he had to William. “It won’t be the last thing I say to him,” he eventually told her. “I’ll send him off with something nice.”

“That’s good,” Sylvia replied, and her smile turned a bit happier.

Thomas looked up at her curiously, then chuckled. “Next thing I know, you’ll be telling me to make friends with him when he gets back, if he makes it,” he accused her with a playful smirk, and Sylvia chuckled a bit herself.

“Would it be the worst thing in the world, though? If you did?” 

“Would it?” Thomas repeated. William may well have been one of the nicest people he had ever known, but there was a lot of water under that bridge- probably too much, if he was honest with himself. Then, there was the other thing… That was what made Thomas shake his head. “It’s too late for that,” he said. “And you know me, I don’t need too many to be close to me anyway, so even if he was willing…”

“Do you really think he wouldn’t be?” Sylvia asked. “He seems too nice to hold a grudge, if you really did decide you wanted to start over.”

“Of course he is,” Thomas agreed. “But that doesn’t change the rest- I just don’t need him.”

“Is that really all it is?” Sylvia questioned. “Or do you not want to let him get close to you for some reason?” 

“That’s all it is!” he snapped suddenly. He regretted it as soon as he saw the way her eyes widened, but that was an answer he just couldn’t give her. Thomas knew what people thought of men like him, and even as friendly as she was… well, that was just the thing. She was good, he’d finally realised that, and yes, she was friendly, but that didn’t mean they were alike just enough for him to trust her with this. Who could say if she’d still accept him if she knew? How could he really justify taking that risk? Oh, but that look on her face…

She nodded. “Alright,” she said, and he wished her voice hadn’t gone so quiet. “Well, I should… probably get back to work, then. I’ll see you at dinner.”

Sylvia slipped out of the room, leaving Thomas to do nothing but sigh and run his hands over his face. He really couldn’t stop sabotaging himself for one minute, could he? Just because he couldn’t tell her one thing… he had gone ahead and scared off the one person who didn’t talk to him because she wanted something from him. Fantastic.

Well, he imagined she’d believe the stories now, what Anna said, and everyone else. It had been a rare chance for him to start from scratch when she told him she didn’t believe gossip without any evidence, but now he’d given her plenty. And what if she went and started spreading her own story? How she had been nothing but kind to him, and he all but bit her head off for trying to help him patch up a relationship.

Thomas tried to distract himself by angrily flipping through his various records, but he found it hard to do as he kept imagining how everyone would welcome Sylvia with open arms as she told them what happened, how she’d finally seen the light, and they’d be so happy that she wouldn’t be wasting her time on him anymore… Even William would probably tell her she’d dodged a bullet in him.

Let her talk! She’d told him plenty enough to fight back with. Sure, she could do a lot of damage with as much as he’d told her, but it wouldn’t be without paying the price for it herself… She’d thought she had found a kindred spirit in him, clearly, and… And…

And he had thought the same, hadn’t he? He had really thought he’d had a shot at something genuine for once. But he couldn’t keep his mouth shut for five minutes, and it had cost him. Now, instead of talking to her over late night tea, he was planning to fight back against her if she started anything. 

Will that really make you feel better? Sylvia’s voice whispered to him in his mind, and Thomas frowned, returning to his work to try and shut it out. 

Taglist: @butwhyhavethey, @marxin-grilli, @queencharleeblog

If you want to be added to the taglist, feel free to reach out either by commenting, reblogging, DMing me, or sending an ask, and I’ll be more than happy to add you!

[alex51324]

It's not wrong.

Some readers may feel icky about it, especially if you are changing a character from a marginalized sexual orientation.

That is their own business, and as long as you have accurately labeled/tagged your fic, you have done the maximum that is reasonably expected, from the standpoints of morality and etiquette, about a stranger's hypothetical potential feelings.

For example, writing fanfiction in which a canonically lesbian character has a relationship with a man; writing about a canonically asexual character having sex; etc.

–

We ask your questions so you don’t have to! Submit your questions to have them posted anonymously as polls.

[acewithobsessions]

Me

Basic stuff:

Other blogs: @just-tryand-stopme @endwolldel (spam blogs) @dailydoseofbill (bill wurtz blog, no longer mine) @tintin-of-the-day (Tintin infodumping blog)

Minor

Pronouns: whatever. I'm cisgenderless (cisgender but only due to convenience) so anything goes

Stuff I post: Fandom stuff, memes, asexuality stuff, important stuff every now and then. I am your typical reblogger.

Fandom stuff:

Fandoms I'm in, in order of activity: Tintin, Downton Abbey, Artemis Fowl, Bill Wurtz, Les Misérables, Cats are Liquid (game), Corner Gas, the Legend of Luoxiaohei, the Starless Sea

Fandom tags:

lxh (for the Legend of Hei)

Les mis

Sometimes "Downton Abbey", but mostly "Thomas Barrow"

AF (Artemis Fowl)

tss (the starless sea)

the rest are as just the names of the franchises

Oc tags (I never talk about them but I tag stuff that reminds of me them):

Luck tag

Thomas and Bea tag

DNI if:

You're an uncensored 18+ blog

You ship Haddock and Tintin (I know Tintin's age is ambiguous, but I perceive him as much younger than Haddock, so that makes me uncomfortable.) (I'm an aromantic Tintin truther! If you see me reblog ship art, it's because I think the art is pretty, not because I ship him)

Other:

My personal rambles, thoughts, vents, etc. will be tagged with "ramblelele" (three "le"s, one for each word in my url).

My profile picture is a picrew and also not my real appearance.

My blog is a safe space. Do not derail my posts with hate.

Anything else? Idk? I'm an INFP 9w1. I am Christian. I don't vibe with eat the rich but I won't try and stop you from vibing with it. My ask box is always open :) et je peux parle un peu de Français, mais mon grammaire et autographe sont horrible. I write, but I almost never post it.

It's fine and great to tag me in picrew chains/tag games! Please let me know if you want me to tag you, or stop tagging you. I won't automatically add you to my list unless you ask. I love to be asked and I will never say no!

My current ping list is @/augmentedchordsofficial @/queenmelancholy @/thegirlwholivesin-delusion @/fridaywashere @/no-not-today-please

I'll tag for undescribed, videos, gifs, etc

Note: undescribed videos and gifs will be tagged with "video" or "gif", whereas ones with descriptions will be tagged as "described video" or "described gif"

I think that's all?

oh yeah . . .

if you're wondering why my header image or banner or whatever it's called says "binden". . .

https://www.tumblr.com/acewithobsessions/733427288002150400/was-he-fond-at-park-yet-or-binden-missing?source=share

I'm leaving this here

[butlerbarrow]

#𝐁𝐔𝐓𝐋𝐄𝐑𝐁𝐀𝐑𝐑𝐎𝐖 | independant, private & selective, rp account for thomas barrow of downton abbey. penned by jae (18+). oc & crossover friendly.

blog is currently heavily under construction.

(x)

[adamsvanrhijn]

it's fine if i recycle thomas barrow for a tga oc ⬅️ me when i lie

[redrikki]

Disability Pride Masterpost

July is Disability Awareness Month. Here is a master list of my stories featuring and focusing on characters with disabilities.

Agent Carter

Cheer Up, Get Out of Bed - Jack had opened up to Peggy Carter and all he got was this lousy concussion. Tag to 1.06. (Jack Thompson, Daniel Sousa) [features amputee character] warning: ableist language

Take Good Care of Yourself - Post Season 2 finale, three people who visited Jack Thompson in the hospital and one who never made it. (Jack Thompson, Daniel Sousa, Peggy Carter, Rose Roberts, Dottie Underwood) [features amputee character]

A Modest Proposal - The mess with Vernon Masters has left Daniel’s office short staffed, but he has some replacements in mind. (Daniel Sousa, Edwin Jarvis) [focus on amputee character]

Avatar: The Last Airbender & Legend of Korra

Gather Up Every Wayward Lock - The girls do their hair. (Katara, Azula, Toph) [focus on blind character]

Chips and Blocks - Lin called Toph ‘Chif’ for years before some well-meaning busybody taught her to say 'Mom’ instead. Toph isn’t sure what kind of mom she is, but she knows which kind she doesn’t want to be. (Toph, Lin, Poppy) [focus on blind character]

Leaves on the Wind - Korra’s spirit gives some advice to the next Avatar. (Korra, OC) [focus on characters with chronic illness]

Downton Abbey

The Hedgehog’s Dilemma - Thomas Barrow’s daemon is a hedgehog and you best mind his spikes. Five warnings, four relationships and one revelation. (Thomas Barrow, Sarah O’Brien, Duke of Crowburrough, Edward Courtney, Jimmy Kent) [features blind character]

The Dragon Prince (Cartoon)

The Language of Bees - Bees talk by dancing too. (Ezran, Amaya) [features deaf character]

The Broken Earth Series - N.K. Jemisin

Seismic Shift - Schaffa tells himself he will stop if Eitz says no. This one will be allowed to say no. The boy says nothing at all. (Schaffa/Eitz) [focus on character with chronic pain] WARNING: Child sexual abuse

Star Wars 

Prequels Era

Bridal Carry - On Naboo, it’s tradition for the groom to carry the bride to their marriage bed. With Anakin’s new prosthetic, it’s more difficult than it sounds. (Padmé Amidala/Anakin Skywalker) [features amputee character]

Nothing to Write Home About - WIP. A month after losing his wife, Cliegg Lars decides to write to her son. Anakin Skywalker gets the pen pal he never knew he needed. (Cliegg Lars, Anakin Skywalker) [focus on amputee characters]

Lightning Rod - Anakin gets electrocuted…again. It probably says something bad about his life that he’s getting used to it. (Anakin Skywalker, Ahsoka Tano, Obi-Wan Kenobi) [focus on amputee character]

Ahsoka the Vampire Slayer - BTvS fusion. Ahsoka is the Chosen One, the Slayer. The one girl in all the world with the power to fight the forces of darkness, or at least she was until she died. She got better, but now there’s a new Slayer in town and things with her Watcher are strained at best. Add in a bunch of zombie mind control bugs and Ahsoka’s week could be going better. (Ahsoka Tano, Anakin Skywalker, Luminara Undulli, Barriss Offee) [featuring amputee character]

Rebels Era

Chicken Soup for the Jedi Soul - Four meals Kanan made for his crew and one he made for himself. (Kanan Jarrus, Ghost Crew) [focus on blind character]

A Distraction - Kanan’s been blinded. There’s nothing Hera can do to fix it so Chopper gives her something she can. (Hera Syndulla, Kanan Jarrus, Chopper) [featuring blind character]

Graffiti on the Walls of the Heartland - Three works of art Sabine made for crew members and one she made for herself. (Sabine Wren, Kanan Jarrus, Hera Syndulla, Chopper) [featuring blind character]

Then My Hair’s Too Short - Apparently, Ezra had a new hair cut. That’s fine, it’s his head after all. Kanan just wished he had mentioned it. (Kanan Jarrus, Ezra Bridger) [focus on blind character]

The Blind Beggar - When Ezra objects to Kanan taking point on a mission, Kanan decides its time they had a talk. (Kanan Jarrus, Ezra Bridger, Ghost Crew) [focus on blind character]

Rebel Moments - Short stories from the Rebels era. (Ghost Crew) [focus on blind character]

Original Trilogy

After the Funeral - Han offers Luke some unexpected support after the funeral of the guy who tortured him. (Luke Skywalker, Han Solo) [focus on amputee character]

[beatrice-otter]

❄️ ⇢ what's your dream theme/plot for a fic, and who would write it best?

Hm. This is a tough one, because I always have lots of fic ideas, but mostly for stuff I'd write myself. Most of the things I want other people to write are things like "finishing a fic" or "a sequel to a fic of theirs."

But of "fics I would like to exist that I don't want to/can't write myself" I think the biggest is a Downton Abbey AU where Mary got pregnant by Mr. Pamuk in season 1. (He still died, just after instead of before they had sex.) So Mary goes to her mother and confesses, and Cora decides they're going to pass the baby off as hers without telling anybody, even Robert. (And maybe it will be a boy to inherit!) They accomplish this by setting off immediately on a trip to visit Granny in America with only O'Brien as a companion (because leaving her behind would be suspicious). It could go a number of ways from there, but I'm just surprised nobody has written this very obvious AU idea. Lots of other AUs! but not this one.

In my vague ideas of how it goes from there: Back home, Edith is happier with a chance to shine and no Mary to bring her down (and a promise of a special trip with Mama in a year or so). Sybill gets up to more shenanigans because Robert can't reign her in.

On the trip, O'Brien is still a servant but also gives Mary a talking-to; Mary has to treat O'Brien better now, because O'Brien knows her secret. And also, Mary's been feeling really sorry for herself and terrible, and O'Brien's not having any of it. After all, Mary's still going to have an awesome life filled with wealth and privilege, and if O'Brien had ever been so stupid, her life would have been ruined. (O'Brien is still deferential to Cora, because she actually likes Cora.)

Cora has been Visibly Disappointed in Mary this whole time, but when they get to America, Granny isn't; she's very matter-of-fact about the whole thing, which Mary finds very helpful.

From there it goes ... I have no idea where it goes.

That's my idea for a fic that I will never write and wish someone else would, and as for "who would write it best," I'm not sure. I might have to go with alex51324, because they write INCREDIBLE Downton Abbey stuff with wonderful historical detail and interesting OCs, and this is my fantasy fic author casting so why bother with trifling details like "they only write slash" and "their fave character is Thomas Barrow who is Sir Not Appearing In This Fic"

[soft-valet-barrow]

𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐃𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐭𝐨𝐧 𝐀𝐛𝐛𝐞𝐲; 𝐴𝑛𝑜𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟 𝐸𝑟𝑎

Hello. My name is Lady Rose and this is my Downton Abbey blog, which is mostly catered towards our beloved gay butler, Thomas Barrow. Please understand that this is an 18+ blog, Minors DNI.

Another Era is a Downton Abbey AU that is currently a work-in-progress where a few minor changes have been made to the canon universe. Please keep in mind that this is my lil corner of the internet, my lil fanfiction world.

Downton Abbey; Another Era introduces a new aristocratic member, Jameson 'James' Matthews. He is only currently a day old in creation, so nothing notably has been worked out other than the fact that he and his butler, Thomas Barrow, are in a secretly forbidden romance.

Due to my laziness, you'll likely see snippets of their romance in a bunch of one-shots rather than a multi-chapter story. However, feel free to ask questions or send in prompts.

I'm also quite new to the fandom and have not met anyone. So please, I ask kindly of your patience.

Below, you will find the Butlers Pantry, which will server as the Masterlist of ficlets. We can find all sorts of treats in the Butlers Pantry. For now... go see a sneak peek of a rather spicy treat.

𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐒: ▸ Ficlets ▸ Incorrect Quotes ▸ Reblogging Content

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐁𝐔𝐓𝐋𝐄𝐑𝐒 𝐏𝐀𝐍𝐓𝐑𝐘:

▸ Sneak Peak at a Bubble Bath Forbidden Spicy Moment

[ginevrastilinski-ocs]

Finally They Have A FC!

Yes, I had some (read: too much) ocs without fc that were already on my masterlist... but now they have one! (Everyone thanks my brainstorming for my new ocs)

Good Omens

Althea Price - witch; Eltanin’s girlfriend; immortal being (kind of? it’s complicated)

Her faceclaim is Diana Silvers!

Shadowhunters

Nico Lightwood - Shadowhunter; descendant of Violet & Samuel’s kids; Vienna’s younger brother; lives in Rome Istitute; main character in TWP (Yes, I know that series is not out yet)

His faceclaim is Finn Wolfhard! 

Alice Knight - witch/warlock; adoptive “mother” of Lydia Knight; Alice and Magnus are like the fixed points of all the series lmao; angst queen

Her facelaim is Lily James!

Lydia Knight - witch/warlock; Elys’ childhood friend; Brian’s girlfriend

Her faceclaim is Vanessa Morgan!

Brian White - werewolf; Elys’ childhood friend; Lydia’s boyfriend

His faceclaim is Mark Mckenna!

Jackson Milligan - Mundane; Elys’ adoptive father

His faceclaim is Tyler Hoechlin!

Samuel Milligan - Ascent Shadowhunter; Mundane raised in a Shadowhunter family; Alistair Carstairs’ parabatai; madly in love with Violet Lightwood

His faceclaim is Josh Whitehouse!

Vienna Lightwood - Shadowhunter; Nico’s older sister; been to the Academy the same year with Simon Lewis

Her faceclaim is Shelley Henning!

Cassandra Blackthorn - Shadowhunter; Ty and Livvy’s twin sister (they’re a triplet); main character in both TDA and TWP

Her faceclaim in TWP is now Emilia Jones! (Her fc in TDA is Malina Weissman)

Downton Abbey

Lady Elisabeth Crawley - second daughter in the Crawley family; takes shit from no one; her and Sybil could run the world if they wanted to

Her faceclaim is Keira Knightley!

Madeline Barrow - Thomas Barrow’s niece; the most rebel girl in town; a menace to society

Her faceclaim is Millie Bobby Brown!

MCU/Marvel

Victoria Vill (2) - Spider-Girl; Vicky from Raimi!Verse

Her faceclaim is Emmy Rossum!

Victoria Vill (3) - Aranea; Vicky from TASM!Verse

Her faceclaim is Willa Holland!

Ate Erisdottir “Aimee” - goddess; daughter of Eris; Loki ship (they’re literally soulmates okay? 🥺)

Her faceclaim is Emilia Clarke! 

XCU (X-Men)

Leia Forbes - Mutant; half-aware of the fourth wall; Wade ship

Her faceclaim are Zoe Kravitz & Margot Robbie! (Trust me, it has sense, okay?)

Ness Fitzgerald - Hellfire; Ness from the original timeline

Her faceclaim is Angelina Jolie!

Ness Fitzgerald - Hellfire; Arcane; Ness from the New Timeline (but not First Class)

Her faceclaim is Nina Dobrev!

RiordanVerse

Catarine “Cata” Johnson - Redacted; parents Redacted; Apollo/Lester’s friend (her story is setted during TOA); powerful lesbian

Her faceclaim is Rachel Zegler!

Evelyn Chase - Magnus’ adoptive sister; daughter of Loki; TJ ship

Her faceclaim is Kiernan Shipka!

Teen Wolf

Redacted “Addie” Lewis - werecat; Stiles ship

Her faceclaim is Anya Taylor-Joy!

Stranger Things

Autumn Hopper - 013; Anya Richards; Hawkins Lab experiment; Miles Henderson’s sister figure; Steve ship

Her faceclaim is Jenny Boyd!

Under this you have my Harry Potter ocs! You’ve been warned!

Harry Potter 

Nath Andrews - wizard; part of the S.Q.U.A.D.; Ravenclaw;

His faceclaim is Jordan Fisher!

Theo Denton - wizard; part of the S.Q.U.A.D.; Gryffindor

His faceclaim is Evan Mock!

Callisto Black - witch; daughter of Rosalinf and Sirius; sister of Jan us and Justine Black; Hufflepuff

Her faceclaim is Danielle Campbell!

Janus Black - wizard; son of Rosalind and Sirius; brother of Callisto and Justine Black; Gryffindor; Luna Lovegood ship

His faceclaim is Joe Keery!

Justine Black - witch; daughter of Rosalind and Sirius; sister of Callisto and Janus Black; Slytherin

Her faceclaim is Alba Baptista!

[dykebarrow]

writing secret fics of my oc x thomas barrow 🫡 and its all the "problematic/weird" things i cant show my friends. right now im working on an omorashi fic between them... earlier was a/b/o, and before was noncon. im a little silly billy

[sunriseverse]

Shipper tag game

tagged by the lovely @lucientelrunya (thank you!!!)

What ship were you completely obsessed with when you were a teenager, but now you don't care about anymore?

hmm..........i wrote a lot of oc stories when i was younger, largely for warrior cats settings/spinoffs, so i don't think i had a specific ship i was into? i read a lot of genfic (again, warrior cats fan).

Which ship would you consider your first one?

like i said, i didn't really have a "ship" for a long time, but in 2013 i was gifted the first l&co book and it prompted me to get much more seriously into fandom, so.......locklyle, i guess (i had yet to discover gay people, which is very ironic if you consider certain facts about my life).

Your first fanfic was about which couple?

again, locklyle! i actually deleted the fic i wrote, rewrote it, and reuploaded it years after i had first written it.

Do you remember the first couple you saw fanart of?

i think it was wc art? probably sandfire (gay cats weren't exactly..............in, yet).

Have you ever gotten into ship discourse?

no. i refuse to do so. if i hate a ship i'll complain about it to my friends to let off steam and then continue on with my life. i'm here to have fun not spend my limited spoons on arguing about fictional characters. if there's one person or people who post a lot of ships i don't like i'll block or avoid them.

Did you use to have any NOTP or have one currently?

yeah but i'm not going to say them because i would rather not get into an argument about things with people. beloved friends can probably guess though.

Who were the couple in the last fanfic you read?

uhhhhhh fuck. i think. hang on. du cheng/shen yi (this is @lunarriviera's fault).

Currently, do you have any OTPs?

[shakes dmbj] yes. (mainly tiesanjiao as a romantic pairing. i have written quite literally 100k+ about them u_u)

Is there any couple that, to this day, you are extremely mad about not getting together?

i was going to say nygmob in gotham but then i remembered. [YOU cat meme] syfy magicians. ohhhhhh i have so many words in my head and rage in my heart and hatred of showrunners and the way the show was handled later on and—whatever. whatever. it's fine. i still have a life in the day.

Is there any ship you used to dislike but now you think they are kind of interesting?

uhhhhhhhhh fuck. um. i can't think of anything on this aspect but i have the opposite. when i first got into tgcf i was neutral on fq but as i read more i got more and more annoyed that people were ignoring the clear class dynamics at play and how that complicated and complicates their relationship and instead just pigeonholing them into the enemies (rivals) to lovers mould.

Do you have any ship that, in the past, would've been considered normal but now you would be cancelled over?

what's the view on firetiger these days because that's probably the only one i can think of.

What is your favorite crack ship?

i don't really read crackfic? i like crackfic but i prefer crack taken serious—WAIT. I JUST REMEMBERED. tony stark x thomas barrow. if you know who that is you probably know the exact fanfic i'm talking about. that's probably the only crackship i can think of that has left any sort of impression on me. no idea how it holds up currently since i only read it once at like 4:00am but yeah it was fun.

What is the couple you read the most fanfics about?

numbers-wise probably either newmann or hualian. probably hualian? emotional support godghost couple <3

What do most of your ships usually have in common?

deeply fucked up people who find meaning in each other, probably.

What you absolutely hate in a ship?

destroying a character's personality to make the ship work. i love shipfic but fuck you i want those characters to be in character. i don't care if it makes the ship "more fucked up" that's actually fun in my opinion.

tagging..................uhhhhh @lunanoc @lungache @owengrose @lasenbyphoenix @mhaccunoval @butchybats and anyone else who wants to play!