A/N: So here's a quick little drabble from July. The prompt here was "novel," and I think it's a universal head canon that both Anna and Bates are rather bookish, which makes them adorable together. I don't know if I'll write an expansion on this later (I'd love to), but for now, here it is.

Disclaimer: I don't own Downton Abbey

Enjoy!

"You seem distracted," John said, watching his wife's features with attentive care. Even in this lighting, there was no mistaking the worry in her features, from the tightness in her jaw to the fleeting look in her eyes that reminded him of a frightened rabbit.

Silently, he cursed himself, realizing how obvious Anna's distress had been, and how he ought to have gone straight to her and presented her with the ultimatum he'd given Mrs. Hughes. He doubted she would've told him even then, with the attack fresh in her memory, even if he'd threatened to leave. She would've let him, he realized, with the same desperate persistence he'd heard in her voice when she'd insisted that he go to America with His Lordship.

"I was just thinking...I suppose," she answered, reaching for his hand across the table, curling her delicate fingers under his.

He took her hand in both of his, gently lifting it to his lips, watching her closely, afraid to spook her and destroy whatever progress they had made towards putting the past behind them. "About what?" He asked, risking the sensitivity of such a question.

Anna shook her head, a gesture John now read as meaning "nothing," or simply, "I don't want to talk about it," and he didn't press her further. As much as her sudden silences pained him, he knew that she found some kind of safety in them. God knew he did too, which made for a fine description of the couple. A pair if brooders.

"Do you want to keep reading?" He knew she liked reading, as well as being read to, and he hoped it would bring her some peace, to focus on a reality that was not their own. "I didn't read ahead, if that's what you're worried about," he added.

It was true, he hadn't.

He hadn't so much as looked at the novel he'd bought for the two of them to share when he's been in Ripon, before the house party. It seemed like such a long time ago, and, perhaps it was simply age getting to him at last, but he could scarcely remember the book's title.

Anna nodded, a strained smile on her lips. "Yes," she said, some brightness returning to her expression. "I'd like that...very much."

"It's settled," he said, a smile breaking the gentle set of his lips.

"Though, Mr. Bates, one thing."

"Of course Anna. Anything."

He meant it. He would truly do anything for Anna, even if it meant his absence from her life. If it made her happier, he would do it, no questions asked.

"Could we start from the beginning? It's been a while, and we might benefit from starting over...to refresh our memories."

"Of course my dear."

A/N: Thank you for reading, and please review if it so pleases you. It means a lot to see what y'all think, and if anything, it helps me learn what works and what doesn't, which is what this process is all about, I suppose.

Thank you~