So this has been an idea that I've had ever since first "meeting" the character of Larry Grey in 3x01. I *love* the fact that we Sybil/Tom shippers have *TWO* "villains" (Larry and Edna) for our oh-so-awesome couple to overcome in a variety of AU ideas, however, when it comes to villains, I always like to understand *why* they are the way they are; what drove them to be like that? Basically, I like layers and depth to any character I read, but especially to villains, and so that's the point of this lil' story; to try and understand who and what Larry Grey is.
This fic will be 50 Drabbles (and for me, a drabble is less than 500 words). Sometimes the story will be linear, other times it won't be. Also, this story has potential to become *very* dark in some moments, so just be prepared (I'll give fair warning; but that's why for now, I'm rating it "T"). All in all, this *is* ultimately a Sybil/Tom love story, but they will be more like background characters. This story is also AU, in the sense that we will see Larry not only interacting with Sybil as she grows up, but also see him interacting with Tom *before* the infamous dinner in 3x01, as well as after.
Anyway, I hope you find it interesting! I apologize for the title, I just couldn't resist :oP But I hope you find this interesting, this "exploration" into the character of Larry Grey; a villain, I think, who had great potential if he had been given half the chance.
Fifty Shades to Larry Grey
by Yankee Countess
First Meeting…
June, 1896
He hates coming to this place. He doesn't understand why he has to go. His father is Mary's—Lady Mary, as his mother reminds him—godfather, so why does he have to go?
"It is expected," his father attempts to explain, but what does that exactly mean to a six year old boy?
"It is the polite thing to do," his mother tries to explain as she once again fusses over his suit. He's still confused.
Lady Mary has a new baby sister. Today is her christening, which makes it all the more worse, because it means he is being forced to go to Downton Abbey and church. He would much rather be back home, playing with the other boys, pretending they're English soldiers hunting the rebellious Boers. But no, he is stuck here, at Downton, surrounded by stupid girls, and all because of a stupid baby—also a girl.
His father hisses one final warning in his ear as they disembark their carriage. Lord and Lady Grantham are standing in front of the house, and standing just beyond them are Ladies Mary and Edith. Why are they called Ladies? Mary is one year younger than him, and Edith is barely four?
He puts on the smile his father told him to wear and bows politely to Lady Grantham, congratulating her as he was told to do, and stands still while Lord Grantham leans forward and ruffles his hair. They are smiling and telling his parents how handsome he is, that he's gotten taller since they last saw him, and how he's quite the little gentleman. Even though they are speaking about him, it's his father who seems to be taking all the credit.
Mary approaches him then, with Edith standing close behind, looking nervous. "Hello, Larry," she says with a curtsey. He tries not to groan while he bows.
Someone, he thinks Lady Grantham, tells them to run along while they take tea in the drawing room. Mary decides then to take him to meet her sister, the stupid baby that all this fuss is about. He follows Mary to the nursery, not bothering to wait for Edith who starts to cry because she can't keep up.
"Ssshh!" Mary hisses, upon arriving. "She's sleeping!" She then points to the bassinette, looking very proud. "This is my sister, Sybil."
Larry makes a face when he sees her. She has a thick head of dark curls. Her cheeks are very pink. She's sucking on her fist. She smells awful.
She opens her eyes then. They're blue—very blue.
Blue is his favorite color.
She stares at him for a moment, her eyes getting bigger. He doesn't know why, but he wants to hold her. He's tempted to pick her up.
That's when she lets out a shriek.
"You made her cry!" Mary accuses.
He frowns and glares at Mary, then back at the baby.
He leaves then, hoping he never sees the baby again.
I know there is some debate in the fandom as to when Sybil was born/how old she was on the show, etc. Doesn't help that *every* season of DA there's been something to contradict the previous season's statement. So I'm going with S1; Sybil was born in 1896 which would have made her 18 in 1914 for her coming out season, and I'm saying her birthday was in early June, so she was "newly" 18 when she went to London.
As far as I'm aware, it's never said how old Larry is, but I decided to make him and Tom roughly the same age (born in 1890).