A/N: I don't even know, this is simply procrastination at its best. I saw these prompts on Tumblr and thought, why not? So there's 100 in the list (although I'm not sure how many I'll ever be able to get done) and I'll post them here as and when. I want to try and keep them in Downton-universe but they may stray into modern AU sometimes. Any S4 spoilers, I will mention it at the top of the page. We sort of need fluff at the moment, so most of it probably will be.
Nothing More, Nothing Less, Only Love
1, Introduction
Anna would always remember the day she met John. The day Downton received news of the Titanic's sinking. She had woken that morning groggily – forever wishing she could be granted just that little bit longer to sleep – and, for some unknown reason, her chores that morning had dragged. Dressing all of the girls had been a challenge, especially since Lady Edith had decided she wanted to wear a completely different outfit, one that had conveniently been stored in a separate wardrobe across the house to make space. Then, making the beds with Gwen had seemed monotonous (well, it was but usually Anna would get by). The only thought that had been getting her through the early morning was the nice, hot cup of tea waiting for her in the Servants' Hall. And Mrs Patmore had been cooking her favourite that night – beef stew. The thought had left Anna's mouth watering with anticipation.
But, strangely, her outlook on the day had suddenly changed as she was making her way downstairs with Gwen and Miss O'Brien.
It seemed something, or someone, even better had been waiting for her. There he had stood, leaning heavily on his cane – now, she knew, it must have been the walk up to the house with his bag.
'I'm Anna, the head housemaid.'
And as she had offered him her hand, felt his sturdy grip around it, she had suddenly felt as though a missing piece had aligned itself. She would not have been able to describe it back then. Back then it felt as though a kinship had begun. The way he smiled and followed her once Miss O'Brien had rejected his formal gesture, the way he had subtly appreciated her faith in his abilities when all of those around him saw the cane first and not the man, they just seemed to know each other.
Anna smiled to herself at the memory.
'Penny for your thoughts?'
'Oh, they're worth a lot more than that, Mr Bates.'
Anna teased him, turning on her side to face him. She loved seeing him this way – his hair ruffled after a night of sleep, and perhaps other particular activities, the crinkles around his eyes that accompanied any true smile of his, or just there in his night clothes, a simple reminder of all they had fought through and achieved together.
His arm moved, his hand splaying across her hip through the fabric of her nightgown. He began to gently circle his thumb across it, Anna shivering even through her clothes.
'I don't doubt that,' he replied hoarsely.
'I was thinking… Do you remember the day we met?'
John smiled. 'Of course I do. The fifteenth of April, 1912.'
Anna looked up at him, her eyes scolding him lightly for being such a sentimental softie – it was true, he was the most likely of the two of them to remember dates and shower her with gifts for no particular reason other than he felt like it – even though, in truth, she remembered the date too.
'Pushing my way in through the back door, getting a scolding from Miss O'Brien for the trouble, and meeting you.'
'Do you think you knew?' Anna asked softly, raising her hand to his chest and stroking it softly. 'Do you think you knew, even then? Because I think I did.'
John paused for a moment, still stroking her side. 'I knew my life was going to change, and I also knew that you were one of the most beautiful, kind and thoughtful women I had ever met.'
Anna smirked at her husband.
'John Bates, you charmer. I know exactly what you want.'
John raised an eyebrow, but soon a devilish smirk took over his features, and his hands gripped her sides a little more forcefully, managing in one, swift movement to pull her into a position above him, his lips immediately searching for hers greedily.
'I knew it,' Anna murmured against his lips, although still very willing to respond to his touches and kisses.
As it turned out, they would arrive late for work that morning.