Comments | teenwitch77: Fic: First love never dies (Mary/Matthew); 1/1

teenwitch77

Fic: First love never dies (Mary/Matthew); 1/1

Dec 17, 2011 16:24

Title: First love never dies (1/1)
Pairing: Mary, Mary/Matthew (Downton Abbey)
Rating: PG
Summary: Didn't he understand? If they couldn't be together then what did it matter who she ended up with? They would all be loveless marriages. At least this one would protect her family. 2,431 words.
Note: Just some more Christmas special speculation up in here.

( In the half light Mary turned her face in the mirror )

fic, tv: downton abbey

Comments 13

izzy_the_hutt December 17 2011, 16:56:51 UTC

Mary is so beaten here...the idea that she can't believe that Matthew might still want her is heartbreaking when his feelings are so obviously still there.

Despite that, it's beautiful and is getting me very excited for CHRISTMAS!

teenwitch77 December 18 2011, 01:39:11 UTC

I think that was very much influenced by how downtrodden she was in the finale, after Matthew's "we are cursed" spiel. I just wanted to hug them, and slap him.

I am so excited!

ju_dou December 17 2011, 22:42:39 UTC

Eeeee! This was GREAT, really realistic and totally in character for Mary, Matthew and Richard. It has totally heightened my excitement for Christmas. Your dialogue was particularly apt and it conveyed the feelings behind it beautifully without saying too much. I loved how Matthew hid behind the door, I could just imagine how tense Mary would have been talking to Richard at the door in such a scenario. Well done!

teenwitch77 December 18 2011, 01:39:51 UTC

Oh thank you! I am so excited to see where they take things in the Christmas special.

trapperii December 18 2011, 00:59:38 UTC

Oh, I liked this! It was painful to see Mary so convinced that Matthew didn't care for her in that way anymore (and it was very nice when Matthew helped her throw that notion out where it belongs). Loved the image of Matthew's irritation as he moves to hide behind the door. The scenario itself -- Matthew being pulled into her bedroom, hiding behind the door, and hearing what Richard says to her -- could be almost farcical, but it wasn't at all. You handled it so well that it seemed perfectly realistic.

Loved this line: "It was a hopeful smile, and one that reminded her of the Matthew he had been before the war. The Matthew who had been startled and enraptured by her"

teenwitch77 December 18 2011, 01:41:17 UTC

Thank you, I appreciate that!

I was rewatching season 1 recently and oh, Matthew. He has changed so much. He was so innocent.

heron_advocate December 18 2011, 04:01:59 UTC

Needs to happen! This is an excellent fic.

sugangel7 December 18 2011, 21:57:36 UTC

Oh my goodness, this is BEAUTIFUL.

Just beautiful.

So many lines in this stand out to me, like: She wanted him to want her but she also wanted him to think her virtuous and untouched. Lavinia was those things.

Your characterization of Mary is just so spot-on. Her annoyance and frustration with Matthew at up-ending things when she feels that he's made it clear that he is not one of her options. And then his frustration at her refusal to believe that he doesn't want her anymore, culminating in that kiss. Yes!

I love that you had Matthew listen in on the conversation with Richard, how you had him assure her that she doesn't need to be the martyr for the family. She doesn't need to sacrifice her happiness for the sake of their reputation.

Then, when he kisses her and she realizes that she could never deny him anything? Gah! And the hopeful smile. And how they're both the same people they were before the war and yet not those people at all. Just wonderful job on this. Thanks for sharing!