The Boy and Mr Barrow
by: alternativebrooke
WARNING: Downton Abbey series 1-3 spoilers, M/M and Violence.
Chapter 10
"I suppose Mr Barrow isn't joining us for dinner again?" Alfred asked from the seat next to Alec.
"Still sick" answered.
It had been nearly a week since the accidental bath incident involving Alec and Thomas which had ended up in Thomas getting the flu. Alec balled up his fists he knew it was his fault that Thomas was sick.
"Jimmy!" Mrs Patmore yelled while half running out of the kitchen. "I need you to get this tray up to Thomas" Mrs Patmore put the tray of assorted sandwiches on the dining hall table.
Jimmy sighed slowly pushing his chair back and walking over to collect the tray.
"Well come on! we don't have all year!" Mrs Patmore hurried back into the kitchen to continue preparing tomorrows desserts.
Jimmy reluctantly grabbed the tray and stomped out the door Alec watched Jimmy leave he had never wanted to be a footman more in his life during this last week, he had gotten no chance to see Thomas lately ever since Doctor Clarkson put Thomas' illness down to contagious Carson forbade any general visits.
Thomas heard his door open and turned around to see a sulky looking Jimmy who was standing at the doorway with another tray of food Thomas smiled nicely and sat up.
"Thank you Jimmy" said Thomas .
Jimmy nodded and murmured something under his breath he put the tray on Thomas' bedside table before turning to leave.
"..Jimmy" Thomas almost whispered.
Jimmy stopped in his place and turned around to face Thomas "What is it?".
"Have you..spoken to Alec lately?" Thomas asked.
"Yes" Jimmy answered plainly.
"How is he?" Thomas' words escaped his mouth more hurriedly than he had expected them too.
"Fine...why?" Jimmy squinted his eyes staring at Thomas curiously.
"Just wondering, he's my friend after all" Thomas grabbed a handkerchief from beside him and wiped his nose.
Jimmy huffed and walked over to Thomas stopping a few metres away making sure he kept a comfortable distance between them.
"And how well does he know you Thomas? Does he what you did to me?" Jimmy questioned his voice straining.
Thomas swallowed "Well actually yes I told him everything"
Jimmy gasped looking up to Thomas with a horrified expression "Everything? ..And!?"
"He didn't seem to care" Thomas responded as calmly as he could manage.
"Surely you're joking?" Jimmy snarled.
Thomas just shook his head grabbing the tray from the table
"He-" Thomas looked back up but Jimmy had already gone, sighing deeply he put the tray back onto the bedside table suddenly he didn't feel hungry anymore.
Alec finished dinner once again, without Thomas. He picked up his plate and put it in the kitchen making sure he thanked Mrs Patmore, Daisy and Ivy for his meal.
"You know you don't have to thank us every single time you eat something Alec?" Daisy explained.
"Sssh Daisy he can thank us whenever he pleases " Ivy smiled looking Alec up and down once again. Alec wondered what she could possibly be looking for she's looked at him so many times she surely must have seen everything by now.
Alec smiled politely before leaving, he went up to his bedroom glancing at Thomas' door briefly before noticing Carson walking into the quarters. He continued to his own room pulling out some of Jimmy's clothes to sleep in after he had bathed. Jimmy had happily loaned Alec some of his clothes after Alfred told him about the lack of clothing Alec had brought with him.
Alec lay in the bath, and just like the last few times he had bathed this week all he could think about was Thomas and how much he'd rather be in the bath with Thomas, he sighed realising how much he missed him.
Pulling out the plug Alec got changed quickly drying his hair off just the tiniest bit. he decided he was going to visit Thomas no matter what it took.
Alec knocked on Thomas door with caution, keeping his knocks quiet so Carson wouldn't wake up he opened the door slowly seeing Thomas sitting up in his bed watching Alec enter. Thomas face lit up as soon as he walked in.
Alec pulled the chair in Thomas' room to the side of Thomas' bed and sat down.
"Hello stranger" Alec joked grinning at Thomas.
"I'm sorry, what's your name again?" Thomas asked trying desperately not to break his serious expression but failed when Alec got off the chair joined Thomas on the bed.
"Oh..Mr Barrow, how rude" Alec scoffed with sarcasm as he twisted his fingers in the strings of Thomas' shirt.
Thomas' expression was now a mix of surprise and desire."I've missed you"
Alec made eye contact with Thomas, there were dark bags under his red puffy eyes, his hair was a scraggily mess upon his head and his skin paler than usual except for his nose which was bright red. 'How does he manage to look so handsome even when he's as sick as a dog?" Alec thought.
"Sorry about my appearance" Thomas laughed but his expression was writhing with insecurity.
"Oh please" Alec rolled his eyes dramatically as he leaned in for a kiss but to his surprise Thomas pulled back.
Alec's cheeks reddened at the rejection.
"I just don't want you to get sick Alec" Thomas' expression was cold.
"I'll be fine" Alec smiled warmly and went to kiss Thomas again.
Thomas turned away "Seriously Alec don't".
Alec stood up from the bed "I'm sorry" The embarrassment was evident in Alec's face. Thomas knew he had hurt him but it was for the best, he felt like he needed to protect Alec even if it was from something as insignificant as the flu.
"I'll leave..I'm sorry..I hope you're well soon" Alec muttered before leaving.
Alec went straight to his bedroom slamming the door behind him and began pacing around the room.
'stupid'
Alec remembered the last time this happened, the last time he tried to kiss someone who didn't want to kiss him back, he traced a shaking finger along the jagged scar on his arm, his breathing was ragged as he dropped to his knees.
'Stupid..so..stupid'
It was like he could feel his hands on him again, strangling him, pushing his face into the floor, breaking his arm. Alec let out a strained sob slapping his hand across his mouth to stop it anymore from coming out, hunching over he couldn't contain it anymore he sobbed into his hand remembering the feeling of the man's hands twisting his arm until it broke. he had been so good at forgetting until now. Alec could hear faint sounds coming from behind him he opened his eyes and saw the ray of light coming from his open door and turned his head towards the figure coming into the room.
"Alec?" Jimmy whispered.
'Shit' he thought.
Alec didn't bother getting up it was too late now instead he got off his knees and just sat on the floor wrapping his arms around his knees. Jimmy approached slowly and knelt down in front of Alec.
"Did something happen?" Jimmy stared at Alec sympathetically . Alec could tell just by Jimmy's face that he knew this feeling.
"It's a long story" Alec murmured.
Jimmy repositioned himself to sit next to Alec wrapping an arm around Alec's shoulder to draw him in closer, Alec accepted the gesture after all he needed the comfort. "You don't have to tell me if you don't want to" Jimmy swallowed "But I'm here if you need to talk".
Alec sighed deeply leaning his head on Jimmy's shoulder "Thank you".
"Think nothing of it, I've been where you are before" Jimmy spoke softly "When both my parents died, I felt like I'd never be happy again".
Alec looked up to Jimmy "I'm so sorry".
Jimmy just shook his head "It was a while ago, don't worry about it" He smiled "Your hairs soaking wet by the way".
Alec pulled his head back and inspected Jimmy's wet shirt "Oh god, I didn't mean-"
"Again, don't worry about it" Jimmy chuckled ruffling his hand through Alec's wet hair. Alec laughed in response playfully swatting Jimmy's hand away.
"We should get you dried up" Jimmy jumped up and picked Alec's towel off the floor, Alec watched him curiously as Jimmy strode back over to Alec who was still on the floor.
Jimmy held out his hand and Alec took it pulling him off the ground with one swift pull. Alec gasped, Jimmy was much stronger than he expected.
Jimmy looked at Alec and grinned.
"What are you grinning about?" asked Alec.
"You looked impressed is all.. does my strength impress you Alec?" Jimmy asked sarcastically unable to hide his amusement.
Alec chuckled shaking his head as he yanked the towel out of Jimmy's hand "Thank you".
"No problem" Jimmy moved closer his expression now empathetic "Will you be okay? I can stay if you need me?"
"I'll be fine" Alec smiled warmly at back at Jimmy.
Jimmy stared back not quite convinced he pulled Alec into an embrace, they had never hugged before but it felt natural, Alec felt safe. Jimmy patted him on the back before releasing him.
"Goodnight Alec" Jimmy patted him once more on the shoulder as he left.
The next few days flew by Alec spent most of his spare time with Jimmy and Alfred although listening to Alfred's constant and horribly boring confessions of love to Ivy was beginning to get on his nerves, he glanced over to Jimmy and saw the same feelings being reflected on his face. Jimmy caught Alec glancing at him and looked back rolling his eyes and making hand gestures that insinuated he wanted to be shot in the face.
Alec snorted trying to contain his laughter but when Jimmy began pretending to tie an imaginary noose around his neck Alec lost it.
"E-excuse me Alfred" Alec was choking with laughter as he ran out of the room to prevent further humiliation. He heard the door slam behind him and Jimmy sniggering while running up to him. Alec pushed the door open and leaned on the wall outside still laughing.
"Jesus Christ! he really likes that Ivy doesn't he?" Alec chuckled looking over at Jimmy who was leaning against the wall next to him.
"Poor Alfred, he really has no idea how much we don't care" Jimmy shook his head still giggling.
"We're horrible friends" Alec muttered.
"We're not the horrible ones here Alec, he's the one torturing us with details of his almost non-existent love life" he scoffed "And with Ivy" Jimmy made gagging noises.
"Not a fan of Ivy, Jimmy?" Alec asked curiously.
"Alright look, I don't dislike either of them but..well.. the thought of them being all.. 'lovey dovey' around each other makes me feel like drowning myself" stated Jimmy pursing his lips.
"Oh my God!" Alec burst into fits of laughter again.
"See! and I'm not the only one, look at you!" Jimmy chuckled then sighed for a moment he even looked troubled.
"Alec, we should go out sometime without Alfred maybe to a pub or something"
Alec stopped laughing. "Really? you'd want to go to a pub with me?.
"Well yes, I wouldn't have asked otherwise..I have a few hours off tonight and you usually finish around 6 right? Jimmy asked staring hopefully at Alec.
"Um yeah, I do" Alec replied surprised.
"Great! tonight after dinner it is then" Jimmy grinned.
Alec was a little caught off guard by Jimmy's forwardness. "Um..alright I suppose that'll be fun"
"Of course it will be" Jimmy winked before opening the door to head back inside "See you at dinner!"
Alec stood there in awe for a moment, he's never been asked to go to a pub before, he smiled to himself before heading back to the hunting grounds.
Thomas slicked the last stray hair down with his pomade he was finally fully recovered, he looked in the mirror his nose was no longer red, his eyes had shrunk back to their normal size and had no traces of red left in them. It felt like a lifetime since he had been able to work, his immune system is not what it used to be he looked over to his smokes guiltily.
He continued down the stairs to the servants hall for dinner.
Alec was already seated beside Jimmy chatting about the pub he was being taken to tonight until out of the corner of his eye Alec saw Thomas walk into the dining room. Jimmy's voice suddenly became faded unintelligible chatter in the background. Alec studied Thomas who looked much better 'Could he have possibly gotten more handsome than he was before he got sick?' Alec thought.
Alec couldn't help but smile dumbly at Thomas' appearance in the servants hall looking even more beautiful than usual. Thomas noticed Alec and gave him a wink when he saw the smile on Alec's face.
Alec smile widened even more as he gestured his head to the seat next to him.
"Hi" is all that slipped out of Alec's mouth as he examined Thomas taking a seat next him.
"Hi" Thomas chuckled keeping his eyes on Alec's.
"You look..well" Alec unintentionally licked his top lip.
A faint flush appeared on Thomas' cheeks when he realised Alec meant a lot more than just 'well' with his tongue gesture.
"Alec are you ready to head off?" Jimmy asked loudly as an attempt to regain Alec's attention.
"Oh..oh um" Alec looked over to Jimmy "Yeah, yes sure".
"Good, come on" Jimmy stood up grabbing his coat from the back of the chair.
"Jimmy asked me to go to pub with him..I'll be back later okay" Alec reluctantly stood up forcing his eyes to peel away from Thomas.
Thomas nodded "Have fun" Thomas watched Alec follow Jimmy out the door with his best attempt at pretending he didn't mind.
"It's right on the edge of town, we can just walk it'll take us maybe 10 minutes" Jimmy stated smiling at Alec.
"Sure that's fine with me" Alec replied yawning.
Jimmy took note of Alec's yawn "And don't worry I'll get you back early so you don't fall asleep on me".
"Oh..god ..no I'm sorry, I-I won't fall asleep I promise." Alec replied apologetically.
"I was kidding Alec" Jimmy glanced at over at Alec's apologetic face and put an arm around his shoulder "Relax okay?".
Alec nodded keeping his eyes straight forward, he could see the lights of the pub it was only a couple hundred metres away now.
"Alright here it is, come on" Jimmy patted Alec on the back and walked inside beckoning at him to follow.
Alec was about to head inside when he heard some rustling in the bushes beside at the entrance of the pub, he glared at the bushes ' an animal maybe?' he thought.
"Is that him?"
Alec definitely heard a voice, it was barely a whisper but he knew he heard it.
"The queer one?"
Alec spun around looking for the people he could hear whispering but could see no one. He swallowed hard, his breathing getting shallower by the second.
"Alec?" Jimmy walked back outside "Come on"
Alec glanced around before walking inside with Jimmy.
"Alright I'm buying you a drink, sit down" Jimmy lead Alec to a table with two seats next to the window before buying some drinks and joining Alec.
"Thank you" said Alec taking the beer and checking out his surroundings, it was a quaint wooden pub with a large fireplace on the other side of the room.
Jimmy took a sip of his drink before downing the whole thing without taking a breath.
"Whoa" Alec said a little too loudly his expression full of surprise.
Jimmy had an over-confident smile on his face "Oh that's nothing" he made eye contact with the bartender and held up 4 fingers gesturing his head towards the empty beer pot.
Alec raised his eyebrows while taking a small sip of his own drink, he'd never been much of a drinker he always hated the taste.
The bartender came over with another 4 large draughts and Jimmy handed over money.
"See if you can beat me, you ready?" said Jimmy holding another draught to his lips at the ready.
" I guess" said Alec uncomfortably.
Jimmy smiled back deviously "1, 2, 3".
Jimmy was already half way through by the time Alec got the drink to his mouth.
"Poor effort Scudder" said Jimmy slamming his glass to the table before picking up another one and starting on it.
"Jimmy..you might want to slow down-" Alec started but stopped when Jimmy held his hand up gesturing him to stop speaking.
Alec sighed looking around the room making eye contact with a large, angry looking bald man by the bar who was glaring back at him. Alec turned his attention back to Jimmy who had just slammed down another glass to the table making Alec jump.
"So I've got something to talk to you about" Jimmy exclaimed tracing his finger around the rim of the untouched draught in front of him.
"Anything" replied Alec smiling.
"Mr Barrow told me that you.. know some...things" Jimmy grimaced grabbing hold of the drink in front of him and downing it like the rest.
Alec looked confused "What things?" .
"Disturbing things" Jimmy's expression changed to anger.
"What do you mean?" Alec was beginning to get concerned now.
"He told me..that he told you about.." Jimmy exhaled sharply reaching for the last beer of his on the table. Alec's arm shot out and grabbed hold of Jimmy's wrist before he realised what he was doing.
"Jimmy stop, you really need to slow down" ordered Alec.
Jimmy's nostril's flared as he yanked his arm away spilling some of his drink in the process.
"Don't you tell me what to do Scudder" Jimmy spat "It's not like you bloody care anyway!"
"Jimmy what are you talking about? you're being ridiculous" Alec spoke loudly.
"If you really cared for me you would have punched Barrow out for what he did!" Jimmy took a few large gulps of his beer "You know what he did but you didn't care?!"
Alec's eyes widened he knew Jimmy was talking about the kiss Thomas gave him in his sleep.
"How the hell could you just not care about him bloody harassing me" yelled Jimmy.
"Jimmy I don't think this is an appropriate location to be discussing this" Alec said looking worriedly up to Jimmy.
"I'll talk wherever I bloody like" Jimmy looked lost in thought for a moment before gasping and looking back at Alec "Unless..you liked what he did..unless you're like him".
Alec eyes shot to the table "Jimmy stop it" his voice was a barely a whisper.
"You are aren't you?..you're a bloody queer" Jimmy slurred.
Alec stood up glaring at Jimmy "You're a real bastard Jimmy" Alec left the table taking note of the amount of people staring at him. He stalked out of the pub angrily walking in the direction of Downton.
Alec huffed crossing his arms and continuing on his way to Downton
"Scudder"
Alec spun around looking behind him, he heard someone calling his name, he was positive. Everything was quiet for a few seconds before he heard the sound of running behind him.
Alec felt something hit him hard in the back of the head causing him to fall to the ground his head throbbing.
"I knew it was you" the man said kicking Alec hard in the chest.
Alec gasped and sputtered he could feel the air escaping his lungs and not returning.
the second and third man kept kicking him in the back and stomach as Alec cried out in pain trying to drag himself forward but the first man was now standing near Alec's head laughing before slamming a plank so hard onto Alec's forehead that he almost lost consciousness.
He lay there covered in and blood gasping for air. The first man walked back around to Alec's side and slammed the baton into his chest Alec choked and screamed holding his arm around his chest the pain was excruciating.
"Shit" Alec heard one of them mutter.
A car was nearing, Alec could tell by the noise.
He heard faint sounds of his attackers arguing before running away, the car whooshed past him and Alec was left alone on the side of the road.
He had been beaten before but never like this. Alec let out a choking sob clutching his body he knew he had to get back to Downton quickly in case they came decided to come back and finish him off.
His breathing was still erratic from when the air was kicked out of him, he could feel the warm blood pouring heavily down on his face. He eventually was able to get to his feet although his legs were straining and his knee was aching from the kick directly to it.
Things became more terrifying when he heard rustling around him he tried to run but his legs buckled and he fell to the ground again sputtering and coughed while glancing around to see if anyone was around before he pulled himself to his feet and started walking again.
The pain was becoming unbearable now, he kept stumbling and losing his balance. He could see Downton in the distance and fought through the pain and dizziness.
The blood was still pouring down his forehead he could feel it dripping into his eyes and could taste it in his mouth. he had no idea how much he was actually losing but he was getting extremely woozy.
He made it to the door of Downton smiling to himself he reached for the door knob but completely missed it, everything was becoming blurry as he held himself up on the door and tried reaching for the door knob again only this time he was successful.
He stumbled in through the door nearly falling over when he tried looking at the ground everything was moving around him the floorboards looked like they were shaking underneath his feet.
He needed to find Thomas 'Thomas will look after me' he thought as he staggered into the servants dining hall.
Ivy screamed when she caught sight of Alec and suddenly every ones attention was on him he could vaguely hear people yelling around him he tried to take a step forward but his knees buckled and he hit the floor agonizingly hard. His vision was so blurred at this point he could barely make out anyone's faces, his breathing was faint and he was having major difficulty controlling his consciousness.
"Ring Doctor Clarkson now, hurry!" A woman ordered .
"Get the first aid!" Another one ordered.
Alfred sprinted over to Alec "Oh God..Alec".
The last thing Alec saw was what looked like Thomas on the other side of the room looking at him with a horrified expression.
Thomas dropped the teacup he was holding in his hands with a crash as ran over to Alec.
" Jesus!" cried Thomas as he picked up Alec's limp body and cradled him "Can you hear me Alec?!" Alec wanted to reply but he couldn't find the strength to he could feel his eyes rolling back into his head and after that everything went black.
A/N Soooo sorry for the late update guys I know it's been a while.
Hope you liked this chapter although chances are you didn't but don't worry things can only get better from here.
Next update shouldn't be too far away, please leave reviews or PM me if you can it's the only thing that keeps me motivated to write this.
Thanks so much for reading guys I really appreciate it! :)
ps: if you want to follow me on tumblr my url is now ' i-live-for-television ' :)