#matthew norman

[deadlymodern]

i. writer’s block | part 1

I only noticed Spring had died once a haunting of you left me speechless.

previous | next | full story | recap

transcription under the cut

BETHANY:  Come now, useless brain… Write something! Please… Just… Anything at all.

YOUNG MARY: Beth. Beth? Oi! Beth! <laughs> Goodness, you were so far away! Are you ready to go?

BETHANY: What…?

MATTHEW: I asked if you are ready to go. Golly, are you unwell? We’ll understand if you need to reschedule. 

BETHANY: No, no! There’s no need for that, I’m quite alright. However, would you mind if I met you there instead? I think I need to take a walk by myself today.

[deadlymodern]

i. writer’s block | part 4

“Alright!” I said, putting a stop to Matthew’s comforting words at once - the same ones that I had prompted just then. “And what shall we have for dinner tonight?”

“What…?” He frowned, genuinely confused, as though I had muttered words in any language other than English.

“I’m truly bored out of my mind with the same stew.” - it was true! - “Should we try something different?” Matthew sighed, bit his lip, and asked if we had enough ingredients for a fish pie.

The fact that I could read him like an open book made his attempts on hiding his own frustrations quite pathetic. His bouncy legs, his stuttering and his cracking knuckles were, most times, more deafening than a church bell. Yet, even though I felt comfortable and protected - and in control - when I steered subjects, I was certain that Matt perceived my true intentions just as easily. And I hated it.

previous | next | full story | recap

transcription under the cut

MATTHEW: Well, do any of you want to dip your toes a bit?

ROGER: Oh, I do!

MATTHEW: Beth? You coming? 

BETHANY: Nah, I’m alright. Off you go! // Ah, Roger, will you mind much if I light a fag?

ROGER: Not at all, do as you please!

***

MATTHEW: No, wait! Rodge!

ROGER: What’s this? Are you made of sugar, now?

MATTHEW: Careful!

***

MARY: Don’t you drop me, Tim!

TIMOTHY: I won’t!

MARY: Oh,  be gentle! 

TIMOTHY: What a thing to say! I am always gentle with you.

MARY: Are you, now?

TIMOTHY: Am I not, love?

MARY: I am not sure. Prove it.

***

MATTHEW: Beth?

MATTHEW: Oi, are you still listening?

BETHANY: S-sorry, what?

MATTHEW: I asked if you’d truly liked Roger…

BETHANY: Of course I did!

MATTHEW: So… You approve, then!

BETHANY: Oh, don’t be silly, now! There’s nothing for me to approve. If it’s him you love, then it’s settled.

MATTHEW: You don’t know how glad you make me, you don’t! Roger is right, I am lucky! 

BETHANY: Stop this, when have you become soft? 

MATTHEW: Couldn’t tell ya… // I haven’t told him I love him yet, so, please, don’t say that in front of him, yes?

BETHANY: You do love him, then…?

MATTHEW: I t-think I do! Still, we’re in no rush to become serious, obviously… // We’ve managed to see each other a couple o’ times after the scandal… But we’ve been, mostly, talking through notes and such. 

BETHANY: Mhm, that’s good. You should take it slow. 

MATTHEW: Yes, and I… I have an awkward request…

BETHANY: What is it…?

MATTHEW: Would you mind chaperoning Roger and I from time to time…? I know it makes little sense. What couple o’sweethearts would want to be chaperoned? // The truth is that… Some people were speculating who we were… And even if we attended Battlemere college, which Roger actually does! We’re scared that, if we go about together, just the two of us again, people will…

BETHANY: Piece the puzzle…? // Oh, Matt, really…?

MATTHEW: Come, say you will, it won’t be often! Nor permanent! And, when I go to college, I’ll be seeing him daily without being suspicious…

BETHANY: I don’t know…

MATTHEW: Please… I’d do that for you…

BETHANY: Hey! Don’t be bloody unfair! Not to me, not right now! I– //   I d-don’t mind chaperoning… Just… Just don’t get all cheeky with each other while I’m around, I won’t have that.

MATTHEW: We wouldn’t! // Hey… You really don’t have to, actually… You also don’t have to come meet Roger’s family now if you need time–

BETHANY: I said I don’t mind!

MATTHEW: Alright, alright!

BETHANY: I, uh… I’m so sorry, I need to talk about her again… I'm… // I’m trying to accept that she’ll be married in a few weeks, I am… But it’s as though my brain can’t accept it… I can’t make sense of it, Matt, I can’t. 

MATTHEW:  You’ve said she’s changed her mind before…

BETHANY: Yes, but… But she hadn’t promised me anything   back then… She hadn’t touched me, nor looked me in the eye and said she loved me. Blimey, I’ve known her my whole life! I can’t believe she would fool me like that… She… She wouldn’t do that to me… Not my Mary… She… She–

MATTHEW: She did it, Beth. // She’s chosen to be with Mr. Laurence and was too cowardly to tell you. You have to accept that and move on…

BETHANY: I know that! I just… I have a feeling there might be something more to it. 

MATTHEW: And what shall you do?! Leave your life on hold as you wait for an answer? 

BETHANY: I… I don’t know… 

MATTHEW: I just want to see you happy… Like Rodge and I. You deserve no less…

[deadlymodern]

i. writer’s block | part 3

“You won’t tell a soul, Matty, will ya?” I whispered to him - that one sorrowful night at the beach -  as we clung to each other so tight it seemed our secrets would spill and spoil the water if we dared to let go. “Not even to Roger!”

“But…” He stuttered in confusion. “He doesn’t have to know of you and Mary, only that you are like us….”

“Oh! Say you won’t!” I might have stomped - I’m not sure - for I felt Matthew flinch through our embrace. “Say I’m accepting of the two of you, nothing more!” He only sighed and consented with his head, and I knew, now, that he had kept his word.

‘If she can be ordinary and happy,’ I thought, bitterly, 'well, so can I!’ I was determined to set myself on a path to normality. A path without her, at last.

And, venturing into such an ordinary world, I caught myself hoping Matthew - and Roger - would be just as common and as plain, and as miserable as I was. As I walked to meet the young men halfway, I begged, with each step, for Roger to be displeasing. I begged for him to leave in a hurry, or to laugh and claim he had changed his mind. But he never did.

Instead, the man was nothing but wonderfully pleasant, and quite gallant. He spoke so naturally of his - of our! - nature as though he was most proud of it! I had never heard such a speech… Mere months ago, I was still certain that Maisie and I were the only people in the whole world like that. And, now, this young man talked about his family, about their acceptance, about their support of him and my brother… I felt my throat tight, keeping a weep from bursting. 

That was their ordinary. 

Despite wanting to tell Roger the truth, - and let him and his loving family aware of my own leaning - I shoved the idea aside and concerned myself in being the most endearing host there ever was. It was the least I could do for I felt terribly guilty and ashamed of my own thoughts just as I did, as a teenage girl, when I was first falling in love.

previous | next | full story | recap

transcription under the cut

MATTHEW: I, uhh Bethany, t-this is Roger Buckley. Roger, this is m-my sister– // Where are your shoes?!

BETHANY: Oh, do forgive! I just meant for a little walk and lost track of time…

MATTHEW: My, I’m sorry, I told you she was a bit rough 'round the edges…

ROGER: Come now! // If it would be alright, I’d love to take my shoes off as well, in a bit!

BETHANY: Ah, we shall be good friends, I can tell!  It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, Roger.

ROGER: The pleasure is all mine, Miss Norman!  Matthew has told me much about yourself.

BETHANY: Good, things, I can only hope! And do call me Beth, won’t ya?

ROGER: Oh, I… Are you quite sure I should? 

MATTHEW: You’re right. // I believe she’d prefer to be addressed as Betsy.

BETHANY: No, he teases! Please, ‘Beth’ is just fine.

ROGER: Very well. // I… Thank you very much for inviting me. I– I hope that… I hope  this queer situation between Matthew and I doesn’t offend you… I don’t mean to–

BETHANY: Oh, no, I’m not one bit offended. I’m delighted!

MATTHEW: I said you needn’t worry! She’s accepting as well.

BETHANY: As well…?

ROGER: Ah, yes, my… // My family is aware! Of my ways, I mean. And of Matthew and I, even if they haven’t met him yet.

BETHANY: Really?!

ROGER: Really. All of them: my mother, and sister, and–

BETHANY: And are they supportive?!

ROGER: Very much, indeed! // We all take it as something natural, of course.  Matthew and I, we… Well, we were apart for a while, after the scandal, isn’t it right? Still are, a bit. My family insisted I was extremely careful until the gossip died off… Yet, they’d still love to meet him. // And you, as well, Miss No– Beth! Sorry . Once I mentioned Matthew had an accepting sister, they were most content!

MATTHEW: Isn’t it brilliant, Beth?! // His whole family! 

BETHANY: 'Tis about the most marvellous thing I’ve ever heard… You are a very lucky chap, Roger, you are.  Having such a family…

ROGER: I suppose I am, aren’t I? // Yet, so is Matthew! He says you’re brought up quite traditionally, no? I’m surprised, then, that  you are so open minded and, obviously, very relieved!

BETHANY: Of course. As long as he is happy, so am I! Now, here is an utterly important question: Are you hungry?

[deadlymodern]

a steampunk! lookbook for @sims-and-pixels & @wildtree-garden.

I am this close to making this AU. I just love the steampunk aesthetic so freaking much aaaaaa. There's something so gay about it, idk jdfkl.

Thank you for the prompt, lads! This was SO much fun! x

[deadlymodern]

𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐩𝐭. 𝟒 ///

"Forgive me." Beth said as she slowly pulled herself out of her brother's embrace. "I've been too self-centered today… Tell me. Who is he?"

The lantern's light was dim, yet it was more than enough to reveal the slight red tint on Matthew's cheeks. 

"His name is Roger… I… I ought to introduce him to you."

"Oh! I'd love that! I would love that very much!" She giggled and made her way back to Matt's arms. 

That day seemed terribly long. Yet, knowing that she could truly be herself with someone - her own dear brother! - made her heart lighter. And that should be enough, at least for the night.

𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬 | 𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐭 | 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐩 | 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲

𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐮𝐭

MATTHEW: I know...

BETHANY: You do…? 

MATTHEW: It never took much for me to suspect… But also...  // You forget that you and I share a bedroom wall... 

BETHANY: What…? Wait! H-have you ever heard--

MATTHEW: Umm, yeah……  Let's not talk about that, ever.

BETHANY: Alright, I'm going to drown now, goodbye.

MATTHEW: <chuckles> Stop.  // What I meant to say was that I was quite sure. Yet, there was that 1% of me that feared being mistaken. Hence why I never asked… // I was hoping one day you'd bring it up. And you did. In your own disastrous way, I suppose, but you did.

BETHANY: So… You have always   known and… And you still liked me for me…?

MATTHEW: <chuckles> I’ll always like you, you tosser. Not much of a choice, really. // And I… I hope you feel the same because… There will never be a better time to tell you that  I was one of the two men spotted by lake Battlemere that day…

BETHANY: Are you serious?!

MATTHEW: Yes, I am.

BETHANY: I've searched so much and it was you?! Actually?!

MATTHEW: I w-was certain you would say "I know" as well.

BETHANY: Goodness, no! // I… For a while, I truly believed I was defective. So, imagining that someone in my own family could be like me... Oh, it never crossed my mind. // Besides, didn't you like Charlotte when we were younger?

MATTHEW: I truly was! She is lovely. Perhaps that's how I managed to acknowledge my recent feelings… They were very similar to me.

BETHANY: Do you think I might be the same…?

MATTHEW: Why do you ask?

BETHANY: I don't know. I might have wondered about it once or twice... But I wasn't aware that this was a possibility. It  sure would make things easier…

MATTHEW: Do not mix things up... Even if you and I are the same, it isn't as if you could just choose who'll love. I’m certain you know that.

BETHANY: <sighs>

MATTHEW: Did Mr. Carrington propose to you? You’ve mentioned him earlier today...

BETHANY: Goodness, you don't miss a thing, do you...? 

MATTHEW: <chuckles> Being observant is a skill you learn when you're not outspoken... Have you given him an answer?

BETHANY: No…  // Honestly? William is the last thing in my mind right now. 

MATTHEW: O-of course.

***

MATTHEW: I'm... Very sorry about Mary… I can’t understand why she wouldn’t tell you...

BETHANY: <scoffs> I should have known she’d change her mind. She has done it before, on  a smaller scale. I am but an utter fool.

MATTHEW: No, you’re not...

BETHANY: Yes, I am… We were to leave together in July, you know? 

MATTHEW: Oh? Where to?

BETHANY: I don't know… We were supposed to be planning the details… <sighs>  // But now she has mum's ring with her as well as my favourite notebook… And…  // And… She looks s-so wonderful in that p-portrait... I kept looking at it, but...    But every time I did… <sighs> Every time I did, I saw Mr. Laurence r-right above it and <inhales> and… Ugh don't cry, don't cry, don't cry.

MATTHEW: I’m sorry...

BETHANY: <exhales> I'm relieved that, of all people, you are the one who knows.

MATTHEW: So am I. // We will figure things out.

[deadlymodern]

𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐩𝐭. 𝟏 ///

𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬 | 𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐭 | 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐩 | 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲

𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐮𝐭

RONNY/PAPER BOY: Daily News! Daily News! Get 'cha Daily News here! Psst. Oi!  Mr. Norman! Care for a  morning paper?

EDWARD: Eh, sure thing!

ELIZABETH: Hmm, I'm certain your father already bought it.

EDWARD:  Oh, yes,  he went up to the village, right? Sorry, lad. Not today, yeah? 

BETHANY: Ey, Ronny. Care for some apples?

***

EDWARD: Father is going to be cross with you for giving all the bloody apples away.

BETHANY: I didn't give them all away. I’ve kept one for myself <giggles>

EDWARD: I’m being serious.

BETHANY: Sorry, I can’t hear you over the sound of my munching.

EDWARD: Ugh, grow up, you beast.

ELIZABETH: Enough, you two… 

***

EDWARD: We’re back!

BETHANY: Eliza, do you mind if I take a break before--

EDGAR: Bethany, dear! Why haven’t you told us?!

BETHANY: What are you talking about, father?

EDGAR: The engagement, of course! 

MATTHEW: F-father, wait--

BETHANY: Wait… H-how do you know about that? Did William--

EDGAR: They announced it on the paper! How else? Of course Mary would have a ceremony in Normouth.  It’s so posh. 

BETHANY: What?

ELIZABETH: Mary is engaged?!

PHILLIP: Mhm, to Mr. Laurence’s son.

ELIZABETH: Oh, how lovely!

EDGAR: I can’t quite grasp it. I still remember her as a young girl.

BETHANY: Wait, give me that! 

***

NEWSPAPER:

LAURENCE-MCNEILL ENGAGEMENT

It is with great pride that an announcement is made of the engagement of Miss Mary Katherine McNeill, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles McNeill, to Mr. Timothy Andrew Laurence, son of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Laurence.

The holy ceremony will be held on the 23rd of July at the St. James Cathedral in the town of Normouth.

The bride, born in Normouth and raised locally, attended the Windenburg Mädcheninternat and is recently finished. The bridegroom, born and raised in Upper Brindleton, has graduated from the Cunningham College.

***

BETHANY: Oh. I see.

EDGAR: Were you actually unaware…?

BETHANY: <scoffs> No? She’s obviously told me! I'm sorry I forgot to mention.

EDWARD: But you haven't--

BETHANY: Now that you all know the wonderful news, how about we get on with our chores?

ELIZABETH: Didn’t you want a break?

BETHANY: I was joking! There's plenty of work to do. I’ll also handle the meals alone, yes? // Who wants some tea? 

EDWARD: Oi, can we talk? How did you know about the engagement if you hadn’t received any letters from Mary since--

BETHANY: Let go of my blouse.

EDWARD: I just--

BETHANY: Let. go.

ELIZABETH: Give her space, dear…  The poor thing must be upset because we can't afford to  go…  To miss your dear  friend's wedding must be saddening.

[deadlymodern]

𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐩𝐭. 𝟑 ///

𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬 | 𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐭 | 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐩 | 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲

𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐮𝐭

MATTHEW: Woah, girl. Stop. Good girl, Daisy.

BETHANY: Let's get closer… I want to walk by the water.

MATTHEW: There are too many rocks from this point on. Let's tie Daisy up first and then go around-- // What are you doing?!

BETHANY: It's faster through here.

MATTHEW: It's too dark! 

BETHANY: 'Tis fine!

MATTHEW: Are you joking?! Beth! // At least wait until I get down so I can light up your path, please! I'll finish Daisy up and go around! 

BETHANY: Yes, yes.

MATTHEW: Oh, have mercy… 

***

BETHANY: <squeals>

MATTHEW: Oh, shit, shit! Beth!

BETHANY: I'm alright!

MATTHEW: Are you?! Are you certain of that?! // Because it bloody looked like you were willingly trying to get yourself killed! Why didn’t you wait?!

BETHANY: Will you calm yourself? You act as though I've never climbed before.

MATTHEW: Not at night! Much less so recklessly! 

BETHANY: Blimey! I said I'm fine!

MATTHEW: You've cut your face, you nutter! // And you could have snapped your neck just as easily!

BETHANY: Stop yelling at me! I meant for a pleasant walk, not a headache!

MATTHEW: Well, so did I, but you truly frightened me just then! That was unlike you! Why are you behaving like a child?!

BETHANY: Mercy me! Can't I ever step out of the caretaker role for a single moment?!

***

MATTHEW: Why are we here, Beth...? 

BETHANY: I'm… <whispering> I think I'm not alright…

MATTHEW: I would agree… // Well, you've told me not too long ago that… That it's terrifying to allow oneself to be vulnerable but that it is worth it...

BETHANY: Yes, well, that's rubbish. I didn't know better.

MATTHEW: <sighs> All I'm trying to say is that… // I might not be the most eloquent but... I'm quite a good listener...

BETHANY: <inhales> I'm… // I'm in love with Mary…

[deadlymodern]

a fantasy! Beth & Matt for @moonaive and nonny.

And by fantasy, I mean a Game of Thrones AU because I've been dying to throw my characters in that universe, ehe. So, here's the bi siblings as House Stark children.

thank you thank you for sending me these prompts! ❤️