A little bit of hurt/comfort here.

Reviews are always appreciated.

Three weeks have gone by since school started. That includes Thomas' friendship with Jimmy. To Thomas, things were going better than he expected when he decided to join Downton Abbey University. He actually had friends. He never thought in a million years that he would have a friend. Daisy was sweet and kind, Alfred was funny and silly and then there's Jimmy... How could he describe Jimmy? Nice, helpful, friendly, cheeky, mischievous, lovely and devastatingly drop dead gorgeous.

Throughout these few weeks, both of them have been spending lots of time together, not only because of school but because they enjoyed each other's company. The interesting thing was that Thomas was afraid on making a move because one: he wasn't sure if Jimmy was gay. And two: he didn't want the whole Phillip thing to happen again and leave him heartbroken and bitter. Thomas wanted love, real love, the kind that you don't have a short affair and tell lies to gain power, he wanted the kind that meant waking up next to someone, kiss them, hold their hand, make sweet love to them... Yes, the soppy kind that Thomas wouldn't dare to admit to anyone but he secretly craved it and he believed Jimmy fit that part well, he just needed more time and he wants to get to know the blonde a little better. He also wasn't sure if he loved Jimmy yet.

One night, Thomas was in his room when his phone rang. He looked to see who it was and it said Unknown.

"Hello?"

"Ah, Thomas!" The voice said. "Finally we will be able to speak properly. How have you been, son?"

Thomas smiled. "Father," he said. "I'm doing really well. How are you?"

"I'm well," King Albert replied. "You sound content. I take your classes are going well, yes?"

"Yes, they are. I've even made friends, they seem to like me and all."

Should I tell him about Jimmy? No, it's too soon.

"Be careful, Thomas. People cannot be trusted."

"I know, I haven't told anyone who I am... I, uh, I feel very comfortable here and people have been nice to me, father. I feel like I belong, it's a great feeling."

"I see," the King sighed. "I suppose it's a good thing. I'm glad that things are going well, son."

"Thank you, father."

After saying their goodbyes, Thomas hung up the phone and smiled. It was nice of his father to call and check on him. Then there was a knock on his door. He looked at the time. It was 10. Who the hell is it? He opened the door to find none other than Jimmy.

"Hello, Mr. Barrow," he said. He was leaning against the door frame. "What'cha doin'?"

Thomas chuckled. "Hello, Mr. Kent. I was on the phone."

Jimmy stood straight, "I'm not interrupting, am I?"

"Oh no, I was just finished, please," he gestured for Jimmy to come in.

Jimmy walked in and sat on the bed, Thomas sat next to him. "Can I ask who were you talking to? I'm sorry, you don't need to answer."

Thomas shook his head. "It's no trouble, it was my father."

Jimmy raised his eyebrows in surprise. "Oh? What does your father do?"

That took Thomas for surprise. "He, um, he is in the business industry. He deals with lots of businesses, he's always busy and having to make decisions here and there," he laughed. Oh my god, I'm an idiot.

Jimmy smiled. "What about your mum?"

Thomas looked down at his hands and sighed. "She died when I was ten of an aneurism. She had gone to the doctor and while she was there, she complained that she was seeing black, she fainted and never woke up. It was by her neck and the vein exploded, I heard that before they closed the casket, the right side of her neck was dark. It all happened so sudden," he took in a shaky breath and closed his eyes. He felt a warm hand on his right knee and opened his eyes to find Jimmy looking at him sympathetically.

"I'm so sorry, Thomas. It sounds like you miss her."

"Everyday," he whispered as he patted Jimmy's hand and then sniffed. "Oh, but enough about me and my sad story; what about your parents? I'm sure they must be proud of you for coming here."

Jimmy moved his hand away and looked at the wall. "My parents... me dad walked out on us when I was two, I don't even know if he's dead or alive," he laughed bitterly. "And my mum, well, she couldn't handle being without him so she killed himself when I was a wee lad."

Thomas felt mortified. "Jimmy, I didn't mean-"

"It's fine," Jimmy interrupted. "I ended up fine. But I have never spoken to anyone about this and I think it's time for me to talk about it, do you mind?"

Thomas shook his head.

"Right," Jimmy said as he stood up from the bed and paced the room. "After my dad left, kept her distance from me. She was a cold person. She began to drink, a lot. She would work, pick me up from school, come home and drink away. I was always at Mrs. Walter's house, our next door neighbor. She started to feed me because me mum wouldn't. She got me toys and stuff. One day, when I was eight, I heard a glass bottle break and saw her on the floor passed out with a broken bottle of alcohol and prescription pills. She killed herself and left me. Both my parents left me," his voice started to break, "and I don't know what I did."

Jimmy took a deep breath and continued. "I was sent to a foster home and I was one of the lucky ones. Mr. and Mrs. Tischel took care of me until I was out of age. I finished school with high honors. But I wanted to become a better person. Years later, I was on me own and didn't do so good and I wanted to go to school, so there was this competition for a scholarship for here at Downton. All I had to do was write an essay and I won."

"Oh, Jimmy," Thomas said. "That was awful what you went through."

"I don't want to be a burden, Thomas," Jimmy said as his eyes shined with tears. "I'm tired of being a burden, this is my time and I tend to make everything of it!"

Thomas stood up and went to wrap his arms around Jimmy's shoulders. "You are not a burden, Jimmy Kent. You are a strong person and you're on your way to become a wonderful person, you are a wonderful person." I want to give you everything that you want, you deserve it.

Thomas could feel Jimmy shake and felt him cry. "Oh, Thomas," he sobbed as his hugged Thomas back, he grabbed Thomas' shirt tightly. He broke their embrace to wipe his tears. "And I'm crying, shit. I'm sorry you had to see this," he apologized shyly.

"Nonsense," Thomas smiled. "I'm happy that you trust me and that you were able to get all that out of your system." He put his hand gently on Jimmy's shoulder. "You can trust me with anything."

Jimmy smiled. "Thank you."

They sat down on the bed and talked for a couple more hours until they were both yawning. "I should go get ready for bed," Jimmy yawned. "We got class tomorrow."

"Yes, that's true."

Both stood up and walked to the door. Jimmy turned around and faced Thomas. "Thomas, thank you for listening to me and for you to confide in me. I'll always treasure this. Thank you for being my friend."

"You're welcome, and thank you as well."

Both smiled at each other as Jimmy slowly disappeared behind his door. Thomas closed his own door and leaned against it. He put his head on the door and closed his eyes.

"I love you," he whispered.