Friday Fic Fave: "Driving Lessons"

Driving Lessons by MrsTater

(read it on FF.net here)

Today's Friday Fic Fave is an oldie but a goodie -- a Sybil/Branson fic that was completed over the summer, before season two began airing.  The premise is fairly simple: Branson teaches Sybil how to drive.  It's a great device to get the two of them close to each other, and it forces the two of them to own up to their feelings and face the potential consequences that acting on those feelings may create.

My favorite scene in this fic takes place toward the end of the story, when Branson takes Sybil to dance at a wedding reception.  We get a great glimpse of Gwen after she leaves Downton, and we get to see the way that Sybil might fit in to a world very different from the one in which she was raised.  You may have read this story already, but if you haven't, I'd suggest giving it a try!

Friday Fic Fave: "Lost Time"

Lost Time by ARCurren

(read it on FF.net here)

One of my all-time favorite fics, "Lost Time" is a brilliant take on the moments we've missed from Sybil and Branson's relationship since it began in season one.  Recent chapters have covered Sybil's reaction to Tom's unexpected hip touch, Tom's first brush with journalism, and Sybil's twenty-first birthday.  The story does a wonderful job of fleshing out a relationship that was largely left to our imaginations on the show; we see how these two talk, fight, and fall in love, all within the parameters of the show's established canon.

The war is coming to an end in "Lost Time," and you know what that means -- we're heading soon to Sybil and Branson's attempted elopement and their eventual announcement of their relationship.  And I cannot wait to see what happened off-screen!

Friday Fic Fave: "A Woman's Prerogative"

Time for a new blog feature -- most of you reading this probably know that I write fanfiction for Downton Abbey -- mostly stories about Sybil and Branson, some historical and one lengthy modern AU.  Here's a link to my profile at Fanfiction.net if you'd like to read them.  

I'm fairly good at regular posting when I start a story, but I am straight-up terrible at remembering to review.  Hence, a new blog feature: the Friday Fic Fave, in which I highlight a story that I've read recently and loved.  If you have a story that you love and think I'd like, too, feel free to recommend it to me on Twitter! :-)

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A Woman's Prerogative by ShirleyYouJest

(read it on FF.net here)

This story is set immediately before and immediately after Sybil and Branson's failed elopement at the end of season two.  ShirleyYouJest's version of Downton would probably be a better fit for HBO than PBS (a claim that could easily be made about my stories, too!); she explores the growing affection and physical relationship between Tom and Sybil, considering the ways that the couple might be tempted to test boundaries before they're able to leave Downton and marry.  In part this is an exploration of Sybil's own realizations about sex and about her own body, as well as her growing feelings for Tom.  This certainly isn't a Sybil who just sees Tom as a "ticket" to get away from home; she loves him, and her growing desire for him is both a revelation and an obstacle for the two of them as they remain on the estate.

The sexy aspects of the story are hot and well written, but even better is the characterization of the two, especially of Sybil.  There's a conversation between Sybil and Cora in one of the recent chapters that's especially great -- it demonstrates just how tough it would be for Sybil to marry the chauffeur and have her family accept her actions.  The dialogue is great, the pacing is good so far, and I'm always excited when I see that a new chapter has been posted.  Highly recommended!