oh my gosh why are you so awesome? this is one of those plots that elude you until someone explores it and you instantly turn into mush after reading it because you realized how much you ached for this to happen.

I was browsing through your DA stories and found this jewel. Either I didn't see it when you first published it or I forgot that I already have read it. Either way: I am glad Inre-found it. I like it very, very much. Anna/Bates stories from the first series are so powerful because everything between them is not outspoken and gives room for romantic speculations. I like the concept of Bates as the romantic hero - damaged but full of potential. And you capture this perfectly. Have a great Sunday.

I often like to think about the servants’ ball, and so I was excited to read this. You captured John’s brooding and awkwardness very well. Especially for the first one, with him still settling into life at Downton, he must have felt like a ghost on the edge of all the festivities. And it is heartbreaking to think of him standing there alone because he can’t join in like the others can. That was really highlighted through the way that he was watching everyone else dance and enjoy themselves. Brilliant characterisation of everyone dancing, I can definitely imagine William standing on people’s toes, bless him. Miss O’Brien’s snarky comment about Matthew was spot on too.

John’s interactions with Anna are always lovely. I love how easy the conversation is between them, and how they can talk about their lives more intimately when it wasn’t common for people to really share that many details. It shows just how comfortable they are with each other. I liked John working out her age in his head and guiltily realising that it was because he was attracted to her, and then later feeling bit jealous when she danced with William, even if he knew it was unnecessary. And the fact that she’d persuaded him to come was very sweet – I can definitely imagine him not wanting to go. I also liked the intimacy of the touch, and what it signified to John even though he couldn’t feel the warmth of it. Servitude is a lonely life, so it’s always nice to think of Anna and John defying the odds.

Thank you for a fabulous read! :)

so charming

awww, I really loved all of this. Even the part when Anna tried to play match maker with Mr. Carson and Mr. Hughes. How sweet.

That timeline really is wonky. But oh, I absolutely loved reading this. I like to imagine what Bates' first experience of the Servants' Ball would be like, and how he surely must have found it awkward, and you did such a great job.

I love how you started it straight off with John watching Anna dance with Robert. I have no doubt that his eyes would be on her, even if at this stage their feelings were still taking time to develop. O'Brien's cameo was perfectly in character, especially her remark about dancing with Matthew. I also really liked the descriptions of the dance and everyone going from partner to partner.

Yay, Anna had a hand in persuading John to come along. I love that detail. I also loved John's attempts to focus the conversation on Anna, as he thinks it should be. Lovely. Their conversation about their respective lives was so natural, and it's quite clear that something is bubbling under the surface but it's played perfectly for this stage in their relationship.

Given her turn in the S3 CS, I can imagine how Anna would be sought out as a dance partner. The bit with Carson was very sweet, and I enjoyed their bit of gossip about the state of play between Carson and Mrs Hughes. It's so sad to read about John being denied again by fate, and that he should feel somehow less for not being able to dance. Anna's comfort, both in words and by touch, is beautiful - that line about John so rarely being touched was heartbreaking but lovely. And I also liked their continuing their conversation, and John feeling like he could have met Anna anywhere. I also love your description of Anna's sense of humour, which I think is very fitting.

Hats off to you for creating a great Dowager Countess line! It's very her, that comfort with a sharp edge, and I'm glad John got to to overhear it.

Fantastic story.

Aww, this is really lovely like all your stories. You really capture all the characters well from William stepping on Edith's toes (dang, I miss William!) to Matthew accepting with a smile a dance with Mrs. Patmore. Of course, you got John down to a tie. All his brooding that melts away with Anna. All his rather gloomy, almost childish remarks ("I don't anyone else would notice me gone.")-so John. It's almost like a cry for help to Anna that he is able to open up to her.

Love Anna simply touching him and the description of how it had been such a long time since someone had truly touched him and not some stray brushing of fingers, etc. So well written!

Beautiful one-shot! Love it!

I enjoyed this. It's so nice to read these stories. They are the scenes we didn't see.

This is so sweet :)

Very good! I enjoy everything you write.

Absolutely lovely. I love to explore the time when they were getting to know each other, before they were in love. And I think you captured Bates' probable mindset perfectly.

A good one

Excellent work! I love this richly detailed little glimpse into their early relationship and how it grew. Everyone was so well characterized and I really liked the Dowager Countess at the end and how Bates was able to take a bit of comfort in that.

This was such a lovely story. Anna sending Mr carson over to Mrs Hughes was so sweet. I am glad Anna took the opportunity to be able to learn more about John. She is so caring. My heart broke a little bit when John told Anna he never felt more alone than at the ball surrounded by all the people. Good thing the Dowager didn't mind not having to dance with John after all. At least John recognizes the fact that he has a future at Downton. Thanks for sharing!

We need the stuff of fluff while we wait on tenterhooks for 5x8. We might need it afterwards too. Thanks for writing this.

And this is the place where I don't mention 'old wounds' and how much I want an update or conclusion.