laolafi
Fandoms
- Downton Abbey (19)
Recent works
-
Tags
Summary
Downton Abbey, 1920
Sybil finds herself back in her childhood home after the burning of Drumgoole Castle put an abrupt end to their simple but fulfilling life in Dublin, and her husband's life too. Now, she's once more trapped in an existence without purpose, fighting for any shred of individuality.
Edith is desperately trying to regain her footing after the unspeakable tragedy that was her wedding. But, as Granny reminds her, she's a woman with brains and reasonable ability. She should be capable of finding something to do, something that will finally give her a purpose and some appreciation.
Mary and Matthew are in love and newly married. From the outside looking in, their lives are perfect, if it weren't for the matter of an heir – and that, surely, can only be a matter of time. But for all that Matthew left the battlefield behind years ago, it still haunts him more than he lets anyone see.
Series
- Part 2 of Reversal Of Fate
-
Tags
Summary
Esther Turner is many things. An all-around good Christian woman and pillar of society. A clockmaker’s wife, tirelessly helping to run a flourishing third-generation family business. A loving and caring wife, mother and grandmother.
When her grandson, Ian, who had always been a frail and sickly child, falls ill again and doctors recommend he’d be taken away for recovery in a healthier environment than the polluted airs of Manchester, her dear old friend Phyllis invites them to stay with her on the bucolic Sussex Weald.
Only there does she realise she’s now faced with a wholly different predicament; a wholly different aspect of her she has to confront again, one she’d long put behind her: the fact that she was a sister, not to three but four siblings. Sister to one Thomas Barrow. The brother she, together with all the family, had shunned thirty years prior, and with good reason.
Series
- Part 11 of The Whole Predicament
-
The Predicament of Lady Mary Villiers, Duchess of Crowborough by laolafi
Fandoms: Downton Abbey
03 Nov 2025
Tags
Summary
It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a married aristocrat in possession of a good title, must be in want of an heir and, preferably, a spare. Such is the predicament of Lady Mary Villiers, duchess of Crowborough, who, after eighteen months of marriage, unfortunately still finds herself rather lacking in that department.
When the Duke of Crowborough finds himself entirely incapable of performing his duty as a husband, Mary has to resort to more unconventional methods that hopefully lead to the acquisition of an heir.
Series
- Part 1 of The Whole Predicament
-
Tags
Summary
Some twenty years after the Duke of Crowborough had “conducted a study of the genus footman” snooping in Downton Abbey’s servants’ quarters, the Crowborough children – well, Carrie and George, the baby was just a baby – decide to “conduct a study of the genus Baba”. That’s Thomas Barrow’s title nowadays – underbutler to the household, personal aide to the Duke, and Baba to the children. They figure out where he lives, at the very end of the servants’ corridor, and they’re rather shocked and saddened to learn he doesn’t keep any personal belongings in this very bare and unheated room. So they decide to cheer him up.
Series
- Part 10 of The Whole Predicament
-
Tags
Summary
It's 1930. Only a few days after their return from Downton, Guy Dexter is asked to make an appearance at a film festival somewhere in the south of England ... and Thomas unexpectedly gets to relive his past some more, and more intensely than he'd ever thought.
Recent series
Recent bookmarks
-
Tags
Summary
Bates gave him a half-smile. “I was only thinking… imagine if it had been Thomas instead.”
Robert blinked. “Thomas?”
“As Mr Crawley’s valet,” Bates clarified. “Imagine it — Thomas, with his pride, his sharp tongue — and Mr Crawley, with all his notions of righteousness and order. If he finds Molesley oppressive, what would he make of Thomas Barrow?”
AU where Thomas becomes Matthew’s valet in season 1, and everything changes.
-
Tags
Summary
"Tom has, for once, fallen for a convenient person. The family will give their blessing along with a sigh of relief, and toast to his happiness."
(Or: Tom, Lucy, and what it means for them to get together--what it means for Tom that they do.)
Bookmarked by laolafi
02 Jan 2026
-
Tags
Summary
The Halo Effect is the tendency for a positive impression in one area to produce a more generous or optimistic interpretation of ambiguous information in other areas.
When Thomas rescues Lady Mary from the nefarious attentions of Turkish houseguest Kemal Pamuk, his employers and coworkers begin to see him differently...and Things Get Better.
A Season One AU diverging from canon in Episode 3, The One Where The Turkish Gentleman Dies in Mary's Bed.
Series
- Part 1 of Halo Effect
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 81,331
- Chapters:
- 8/8
- Comments:
- 572
- Kudos:
- 2,679
- Bookmarks:
- 673
- Hits:
- 70,564
Bookmarked by laolafi
24 Dec 2025
-
Tags
Summary
Philip Villiers, Duke of Crowborough, comes to Downton Abbey for a number of reasons. That night, he realises which one was the most important.
(or, the one where Philip isn't a raging asshole)
Bookmarked by laolafi
02 Dec 2025
-
Tags
Summary
Lord Grantham is still shunned by his wife after the tragic death of his youngest daughter.
Thomas Barrow has no true friends and finds himself alone in his grief for one of the few people who had enjoyed his presence.In the wake of Sybil's death, an affair fueled only by lonely grief begins.
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 12,998
- Chapters:
- 3/3
- Collections:
- 1
- Comments:
- 17
- Kudos:
- 43
- Bookmarks:
- 6
- Hits:
- 772
Bookmarked by laolafi
26 Nov 2025