The Boy and Mr Barrow

by: alternativebrooke

WARNING: Downton Abbey series 1-3 spoilers and M/M.

Chapter 8

Alec and Jimmy had cleared the last few plates from the table and were now sitting together in the dining hall about to eat dinner, Thomas had gone outside for a smoke, but had just returned.

"Come and sit over here Mr Barrow." said Alec gesturing to the only available seat in the dining hall with a smile.

Upon noticing the only available seat was situated next to Jimmy, Thomas decided he'd rather skip dinner.

"I think I'll just go for an early night, Thanks." Thomas smiled at Alec trying his best to hide his disappointment before leaving.

Alec instantly grew instantly concerned as he watched Thomas leave.

"You'll be glad to know Alfred is feeling better Alec, he should be well enough to work tomorrow so you won't need to fill in for him." said Carson sincerely.

"Good to hear he's feeling better Mr Carson" Alec replied noticing Ivy's face from across the table drop upon hearing he wouldn't need to fill in as a footman anymore.

"Damn, I liked having you as the second footman." said Jimmy giving Alec a crooked smile.

Alec chuckled. "Why?"

"Because I like you much more than Alfred" Jimmy replied with a straight face.

"What's wrong with Alfred?." Alec was curious as to why Jimmy liked him more than Alfred, it didn't make a whole lot of sense to him considering Jimmy has only known him for a few days.

"To be completely honest; He's kind of boring, very monotone and we don't have a lot in common." Jimmy said with such ease it was like he didn't even care about the fact he was insulting someone out loud.

"Oh" Alec chuckled remembering the first time he met Alfred. And after replaying their first conversation over again he realised Jimmy was pretty much spot on.

Daisy walked in with the first plate of food for the servants.

"Where did Mr Barrow go?" asked Daisy looking around the room.

Alec suddenly remembered that Thomas was skipping dinner. Jimmy got a plate for Alec and set it down in front of him.

"Actually, I'm not feeling very hungry either" Alec announced to Jimmy "I might just go to bed", Alec stood up and pushed his chair in.

"What, really!?" Jimmy stared at Alec shocked.

"Yes, I'll see you in the morning Jimmy" Alec said politely as he left.

"Oh..Goodnight, remember to return my uniform, I'll need it back soon." Jimmy called from across the dining hall.

"Sure will, Goodnight." Alec called and continued on his way to the servants quarters, he stopped when he reached Thomas' door. He stood outside for a moments trying to neaten his hair with his hands before knocking.

"Thomas, it's Alec..would you mind if I came in? Alec slowly pushed the door open, He didn't turn bother to turn the light on. The moon was bright enough to keep the room lit, Alec walked in shutting the door behind him before turning around.

He froze when he saw Thomas. Thomas was standing next to the open window in his room smoking a cigarette, His top half completely naked and his hair was wet as if he had just bathed Alec had suddenly lost the ability to speak when Thomas turned to him his eyes looked almost translucent in the moonlight and his skin flawless. It was not only Thomas' face that stunned Alec though it was Thomas' body, he was not thin but he was toned, his stomach was flat and his chest was well defined, the muscles in his arms weren't prominent but they were definitely there, he was exquisite, everything about him.

"Are you alright there Alec?" Thomas asked breathing out the last puff of his cigarette before stubbing it out on the ashtray sitting on his windowsill.

Alec had to look down in order to respond "Yes, perfectly fine, I just thought I'd check to see if you were feeling okay seeing as you skipped dinner".

When Alec looked up Thomas had moved closer to him. "That's very kind of you" said Thomas his voice sounding delectably smooth.

"It's what anyone would do" stated Alec, his voice sounded distant as he seemed to be focused completely on how perfect Thomas looked right now.

"No" Thomas replied his face unreadable he continued moving closer until they were a few inches apart.

"No one else would Alec...only you" Thomas tilted his head to the side, his eyes now boring into Alec's.

"I don't understand..why wouldn't they?" Alec responded, he felt as if he was being hypnotised by Thomas stunning blue eyes.

"In case you hadn't noticed I'm not very liked around here Alec." Thomas said grimly.

Alec thoughts immediately turned to how Jimmy had acted around Thomas today.

"Why doesn't Jimmy like you Thomas?" Alec asked hesitantly.

Thomas drew in a deep breath" Come and sit with me" Thomas grabbed Alec by the hand and lead him over to the bed.

They sat on the end of the bed right next to each other. Thomas took another deep breath, he knew what he was about to tell Alec had the potential to ruin their relationship and that terrified him.

"As you can imagine when Jimmy came to Downton everyone noticed how good looking he was, myself included" He looked over to Alec who was sitting right next to him listening carefully.

"And I got the wrong impression, I thought he really liked me..well as much as I liked him anyway.. but I soon learnt that wasn't the case. I hadn't had attention from anyone in so many years and I thought maybe...". Thomas' looked down, the expression on his face was grim. he looked as if he was about to cry, Alec was starting to get worried, he didn't see Thomas as man that got upset often so what he was about to tell him must have been bad. Alec was still holding Thomas' hand at this point. He used his thumb to stroke Thomas' hoping it would help him to calm down.

"Thomas, you can tell me anything" Alec smiled at him reassuringly.

Thomas looked down "Well I was also being lead to believe that he liked me by someone who I used to trust. So one night about a month ago I went to his room and... I... kissed him, although I'm quite sure he was asleep" Thomas bottom lip began quivering. "It was so stupid. I don't know what I was thinking, I'd been alone for so long and as soon as I thought someone had the slightest interest in me I jumped at it. I regret it every day of my life Alec. I nearly lost everything over it: my career, my freedom..everything." Thomas voice was straining, Alec could tell this was killing him to admit.

"You must think I'm revolting". A single tear fell from Thomas' eye. he swiped it away as quickly as it fell. Alec wasn't so much concerned about the fact Thomas kissed Jimmy, he was more concerned for Thomas' wellbeing at this point. He had never seen a more beautiful man so filled with pain. It seemed Thomas put on a strong face for everyone. but Alec knew this was the real Thomas. The one he lets no one see.

Alec let go of Thomas' hand and stood up from the bed, he turned around and knelt in front of Thomas who was still sitting on the bed, he put both of his hands on the sides of Thomas' face, Thomas looked up to Alec surprised, His blue eyes were wet with tears, his skin blotchy from where he had been rubbing it, his hair was drying messily on his head, again Alec was awe struck. Even when he was sad he was still the most striking man Alec had ever seen.

"Thomas, you're anything but revolting" Alec leant in, pulling Thomas' face gently towards his own and kissed him lightly on the mouth. But when he pulled back all Alec could see on Thomas' face was disbelief. Thomas really believed himself to be revolting. Alec decided to reassure him he was the exact opposite.

"But how coul-" Thomas was cut off when Alec's lips crashed onto his. Alec wrapped his arms around Thomas and held onto him firmly. Thomas was rigid at first from the surprise of the kiss but he soon relaxed. Thomas' mouth parted slightly and Alec swiped his tongue across Thomas' bottom lip causing Thomas' breath to hitch, Thomas grabbed Alec by the waist and pulled him on top of him their mouths still on each others. Alec moved one of his hands to Thomas' bare chest and pushed him down so he was lying flat on the bed. Thomas was running his hands up and down Alec's back pulling Alec's body closer and closer to his own as he went. The kiss was getting deeper by the second, their tongues caressed each others slowly and languidly. Thomas pulled back and to catch his breath, Alec looked down and smiled when he saw Thomas' face was flushed. He decided to move to Thomas' neck while Thomas was catching his breath, he trailed small kisses starting from below Thomas' ear and making his way down until he got to the middle of Thomas' neck where he began lightly sucking and nipping on Thomas' skin, Thomas moaned in response his hands now digging into Alec's back. Bodies pressed hard against each other. Aroused and frantic Alec returned his lips to Thomas' this time Thomas was the one to push his tongue inside, his movements were not slow like Alec's but instead Thomas' kiss was much deeper, Thomas ripped off Alec's jacket and threw it to the ground anxious for the feeling of warm skin on his own. Their tongues still ravaging each other's mouths, they became desperate for more Alec pulled back from the heated kiss panting and sat up on top of Thomas his legs either side of Thomas' body. He started speedily undoing the collar of his uniform followed by the buttons on his vest and shirt, pulling one article of clothing off and starting on the next Alec's eyes were full of desire as he pulled off the final layer of clothing, revealing his naked chest. Thomas stared admiring Alec's bare chest. He had a boyish physique, slim with gorgeous naturally tanned skin. Upon Looking closer he noticed a few scars on Alec's stomach and some faded bruises, Thomas' thoughts on the injuries were interrupted when Alec pressed his body onto Thomas'. Thomas couldn't remember ever feeling such a warmth, Alec trailed wet kisses and licks down Thomas' chest continuing down Thomas' body, over his stomach getting deliciously close to Thomas' cock which was already half hard, Alec made eye contact with Thomas while playfully tugging at the strings on Thomas' pants. Thomas was panting heavily realising what Alec was about to do to him.

"Goodnight Mr Carson"

Thomas and Alec froze when they heard voices and footsteps in the hallway.

"Mr Barrow?" Carson knocked on the door. Alec and Thomas looked at each other both with the same mortified expression, Alec got off of Thomas started hastily picking up his clothes from the floor Thomas jumped up from his bed and threw his white t shirt on. He moved quickly to the door, Alec stood against the opposite side of the wardrobe clutching his clothes to his chest so he would be just out of Carson's visual field if he looked in. Thomas opened his door the tiniest bit.

"Yes Mr Carson?" Thomas replied as smoothly as he could.

"I just wanted to let you know Alfred's feeling better and he'll be able to work tomorrow" Carson squinted his eyes at Thomas through the small gap in the door.

"Are you feeling alright Mr Barrow? your face is looking rather red" Carson asked concerned.

Thomas' eyes widened "Um I think I've got a bit of a fever that's all, but I'll be fine" Thomas replied with the straightest face he could manage, meanwhile Alec was trying not to laugh from behind the wardrobe.

"Well let's hope you didn't catch Alfred's illness, we don't need another sick employee. Anyway I'm off to bed I'll see you in the morning Mr Barrow." Carson said as he turned around and left.

Thomas nodded, shutting the door as soon as he could. Alec poked his head out from behind the wardrobe with the cheekiest grin on his face "Close one." Alec laughed as started changing back into his uniform.

Thomas chuckled "Quite" he leaned his back against the door and let out a deep breath "Are you leaving?" Thomas said upon noticing Alec was putting his clothes on.

"Oh trust me I don't want to, but I've got to get this uniform back to Jimmy as soon as possible. He reminded me in the dining hall" Alec said pouting. Once dressed he walked straight over to Thomas who was still standing with his back against the door.

"How dare Mr Carson." Alec tilted his head to the side looking Thomas up and down before moving even closer.

"Making you put on your shirt like that, it should be illegal" Alec ran his hand underneath Thomas' shirt making Thomas gasp. Alec slid his hand higher and higher enjoying the smoothness of Thomas skin and letting out a sigh.

"You know you're making it really hard for me to leave" Alec smirked and leant up to kiss Thomas lightly on the lips before moving his hand out from under Thomas' shirt. Thomas looked down at Alec and reluctantly moved away from the door so Alec could get out.

"Oh and about the incident you had with Jimmy..It really doesn't bother me. You made a mistake Thomas but that doesn't make you revolting" Alec gave Thomas a reassuring smile before opening the door slightly and checking for people in the hall.

"Alec?" Thomas' face was back to serious.

"Yes?" Alec looked back concerned at Thomas' tone.

"Thank you " said Thomas his tone was now thankful, a small appreciative smile spread across his face.

"No need, really...no need to thank me at all" Alec responded looking Thomas up and down again before sighing noisily "Goodnight Mr Barrow." Alec bowed playfully and gave Thomas a wink before ducking out into the hall, leaving Thomas laughing grinning at Alec's exit.

A/N: Thanks so much for reading guys! and don't worry more Thomas/Alec action to come. Also I'm sorry if there's spelling and grammar errors.

Leave reviews if you can. Let me know of how you think I went at writing my first very mild smut haha. :)