Who: Tom Branson and Sybil Crawley What: Sybil had a disturbing dream When: After this log Warnings: Spoilers for Downton Abbey season 3
The Baggins household was asleep--almost all of it, anyway. Sybil had pulled on shoes and a jumper over her pajamas and was waiting at the front door. She didn’t know if Mary had been able to fall back to sleep yet or not. Sybil certainly didn’t feel like she’d be able to sleep again tonight after that dream--maybe not for days.
When Sybil saw the lights from Tom’s car, she opened the door and stepped outside to greet him.
Tom wasn’t sure if he was surprised or not when he got the call. He’d known it would rattle Sybil, of course, but he hadn’t been sure how badly. Honestly, he was just glad he could be there this time around to help. He drove as quickly as legally possible and pulled up quietly outside the house. Stepping out of the car, Tom strode over to Sybil to meet her halfway, and pulled her into a tight hug.
“I hope I didn’t keep you waiting long.”
Sybil hugged him back, burying her face against his neck for a moment and breathing in his scent. "No, it's fine. I'm fine."
When she pulled back, she looked up at him. "We can go inside."
“All right.” Tom stroked her hair a bit until she seemed to relax a bit, then glanced at the house. He didn’t want to have to get in any sort of trouble for meeting Sybil at inappropriate hours, but what more could be expected from him? Surely her family would understand. “Let’s head in.”
Her aunt and uncle would certainly understand; they were hopeless romantics with modern sensibilities. Her sister, though.. Sybil believed that Mary wanted her to be happy, but Mary never seemed sure how to go about it.
Sybil didn't take him in the front door, instead leading him around the side. But far from a servant's entrance, they were walking toward Bag End, a little structure attached to the main house and built into the side of the hill. They would have more privacy here. She turned the key and led him inside.
Well, that was a bit of a twist of events, but Tom wouldn’t complain. He felt more comfortable this way rather than disturbing the home. Besides, privacy was likely the better option at the time. Still, he blinked when they went inside.
“Your uncle’s almost something of an eccentric man, isn’t he?”
Sybil smiled. "That's one way to put it," she agreed. "I think it's fair to say he doesn't dream of Downton." It was strange to think about him not fitting in, after she'd known him for so long.
Sybil sat down on the sofa, tugging on the edge of her sleeve. "I'm glad you came."
“I can tell,” he said, smiling a little. Once Sybil had sat down, Tom sat next to her, putting an arm around her shoulder.
“Of course I came,” Tom told her. He gave her a gentle squeeze. “It’s not a great dream to have.”
Sybil turned toward him, resting her head on his shoulder. "I wish I'd been there for you. I hate that you have to wake up from those dreams alone." It had to be worse for him, dreaming about losing her and then waking to an empty bed.
He shrugged, keeping his arm around her. “I just couldn’t believe it. It’s a bit like watching your favourite show on television and they kill someone off, you know? And you think, how is this family going to function without her? I can’t believe how much tragedy and disappointment strike in that place.”
Sybil nodded, glad he was able to distance himself from the dreams. She'd never figured that out. Maybe that was why this was so hard. "That's the problem with being an optimist, I think. I'm always surprised when the awful things happen. You and Mary talk about how tragic Downton always is.. And I know there were trying times, of course, but... Overall I was happy."
“Well, I say this without meaning any offense, but Mary strikes me as something of a cynic,” he teased, gently. Trying to coax Sybil out of her sadness a bit. “I can’t blame her, knowing what I know at least of her life there. And I suppose I’ve just been too much of a realist. Optimism’s never been a strong suit of mine.” Tom laughed a bit.
Sybil smiled, nodding a bit. “I can’t say you’re wrong about Mary. It must be hard for her, without Matthew. I can’t say I’ve ever heard of him outside the dreams. I keep hoping she’ll find someone here to make her happy.” Being with Matthew seemed to have helped Mary in the dreams.
“I’m glad we have each other,” Sybil said, letting her head rest on Tom’s shoulder.
“It is strange, isn’t it, him not being around here.” Tom had gotten used to Matthew through the dreams. Honestly, if anyone was going to show up from them, he’d want it to be Matthew. But for now, Tom kept his arm firmly around Sybil and stroked her hair a bit. “I’m glad, too.”
Sybil closed her eyes. She'd been so certain she wouldn't be able to sleep again, but Tom's gentle touch was so relaxing. "I wish it could always be like this."
“Maybe some day it will be,” he told her. It seemed reasonable enough. Tom was pretty sure that, after all of this, he’d never find anyone like Sybil again. But he’d promised Mary he’d never try to persuade Sybil into anything, so he’d follow her lead.
"Why not now?" Sybil asked, lifting her head to look at him. "I may be young, but I'm not going to change my mind, Tom. It's always going to be you."
He frowned at her a bit, working out her meaning. After a moment, he gave her a bit of a smile and continued to stroke her hair. “Believe me when I say that I’d never say no, but right now you’re upset. Let it sit a while before making any decisions on the future, all right?”
Sybil nestled back against him with a soft sigh. "You're probably right." Her sister would have likely said the same thing if she heard Sybil's idea, only not nearly as diplomatic as Tom had been. It was comforting to know that his answer wasn't a No, though. "Still... You'll stay tonight, won't you?"
“I’ll stay as long as you need me,” Tom said, “you know I will.” He turned his head to press a kiss to her hair.