The Truth is Rarely Pure and Never Simple
When Emma Molesley is suddenly presented with an alternative to heterosexuality she realizes that her feelings for her best friend are further from platonic than she'd always assumed. She does her best to hide her feelings until, much to her surprise, Sybbie Branson admits she feels the same way. A coming-of-age story that follows Emma Molesley and Sybbie Branson as they come to terms with, and explore, their sexualities and relationship, while simultaneously navigating the dangers and prejudices in both the world around them and themselves.
Part of the What's Past is Prologue series, taking place after the events of If I Can't Remember My Past, I'm Condemned to Repeat It. While there are call backs to events from the first work of this series, this story can also be read as a standalone piece.
[Chapters Posted Weekly on Sundays]
AO3 | FFN
Fandom: Downton Abbey
Relationships: Primary Romantic: Emma Molesley/Sybbie Branson Primary Familial: Phyllis Baxter, Joseph Molesley, Emma Molesley, & Elizabeth Molesley Primary Friendship: Emma Molesley & Thomas Barrow; Sybbie Branson & Thomas Barrow Secondary Romantic: Phyllis Baxter/Joseph Molesley; Thomas Barrow/Richard Ellis Secondary Friendship: Phyllis Baxter & Thomas Barrow
Content Warnings: Homophobia (Period-Typical, Internalized); Mental Health Issues (Anxiety, Depression, PTSD); Conversion Therapy; Coming Out (Characters Outed via Circumstances); Additional Content Warnings & Chapter Recaps Included in End Notes