Hello!
This is a new venture for me. Never written a story for the Downton Abbey fandom before. But I hope this will be the start of a new journey for me :)
So this is a 3 part story, taking place post series 2 but AU as I have no idea what series 3 will entail for M/M in this department.
Reviews most welcome
Summary: During Matthew's journey home one evening, he is given a horrid reminder of a painful memory, and longs for shelter from the storm.
Disclaimer: I do not own Downton Abbey
xxx
Chapter 1
Dirt
Ever so much dirt. That's what it was, dirt.
Dirt shielding, dirt disguising, dirt assisting and dirt rebelling. How often dirt was present; everywhere, making its mark known to all.
The wind and rain on a blustering autumn day proved an attacking force of nature. Walking home was not an easy task. The umbrella proved futile against this mighty force.
Only a little bit farther. Not long now. Home, shelter, refuge. That's what he sought, as he battled the elements. The destination was in sight now, and all that it held within warmed him in the cold evening air.
He looked at the ground as he walked, protecting his face, but there it was. Dirt; and then he noticed that dirt continued around him, everywhere. It now turned to mud in the rain, but nonetheless it splattered everywhere, still making its mark. He finally paused. He had to. Memories burst through his mind. He had been so dirty. As had so many others. Dirt had been a part of his life for so long. Faces, covered in them. All of them.
His heart beat rapidly as he examined his surroundings. Noises. He could hear noises, encapsulating him like a whirlpool of sound, trapping him. The wind howled violently now, making its presence heard.
Make it stop, he pleaded to himself. Please.
Screams, piercing right into his soul. Visions appeared right before him. A horrifying reminder of past events, another life almost. A nightmare.
A woman's voice echoed into his thoughts, like a beautiful song. There was no place for a voice so special in this memory, he told himself. He blinked rapidly, forcing the memory out of his mind, desperately willing it gone.
"Please," he cried.
"Matthew."
There it was again, his angel calling him; calling him home.
He opened his eyes, unaware that he had closed them, and there he was, face to face with the woman who his thoughts were always drawn to.
"Mary?" he asked, momentarily confused. He turned around and glanced behind him.
He had journeyed through the storm, and survived.
Turning back to Mary, he noticed her smile was not the same.
"Is everything alright?" She carefully asked.
Gathering himself, he mirrored her smile. "Yes of course, my darling. It's rather stormy this evening," he added calmly, desperate to change the subject.
Her smile grew wider and a gentle laugh escaped her. She pulled him inside the house and the new found warmth that greeted him took him off guard. His umbrella was taken away from him, by whom, he could not say. He felt Mary's gaze on him and smiled as he met her eyes. He knew what she wanted to ask him, but like the kind woman she was, she didn't pry. His smile invited her to take him in her arms, and she held him tightly, sheltering him in her arms.
"You're drenched!" she exclaimed, as she pulled back slightly to observe him closer.
"Well it is raining, my dear," he teased.
She hit him lightly on the shoulder but smiled nonetheless. He laughed heartily as he held her close and that warmed her greater than any fire could.
"You must bathe, darling, before dinner," she gently instructed, lifting her hand to tenderly caress his face.
He could do nothing but smile at her caring nature shining though. It always did.
Mary pulled away to ask for a bath to be drawn for him, but he remained rooted to the spot by the doorway. Somehow he motioned over to where Mary was talking to one of the servants.
"Matthew, your shoes!" she admonished in horror, as she walked back over to him.
Glancing down, he finally noticed the dirt and mud that clung on to him from outside. He glared at them, startled and angry that they had found a way into his home.
"No problem, darling, just take them off so that they can be cleaned," Mary gently advised, signalling to the butler to intervene.
She gave her husband an encouraging smile but Matthew felt unable to return it, and scowled to himself.
"I will go and see if your bath is ready," Mary said, as she made her way over to the stairs. Her head shot up as she suddenly felt his hand cling on to hers tightly. He caressed her soft fingers with his own and gently pulled her closer to him.
He waited for the butler to be out of earshot before he brought his lips to brush against her ears and desperately pleaded, "Join me."
Her eyes shot wide open as she stared ardently into his intense gaze, seeking reassurance as to what he just requested. She couldn't help the bright smile that illuminated her face as his eyes bored deep into hers. Mary licked her lips, making sure no one had overheard as she made her way up the stairs, leading Matthew deep into the house, far away from the outside world, to be cleansed in every way, in the safety of his wife's loving arms.