Tango

You're a mysterious man...

From that moment on Alexander, and Thomas had become a lot more easygoing around the office. Exchanging loving gazes across the meeting room table, sharing chaste kisses in the break room, or even managing to sneak in some cuddles on the sofa in Thomas's office. Obviously, he and James didn't agree on some of the decisions he had made. So, the pair of friends had simply decided they would not discuss these topics with one another, still retaining their friendship.

The couple began to hang out at each other's places a lot more, mainly Alex at Thomas's since his apartment was small and his neighbors complained about everything. It was nice to run away to the castle that was the other man's house. From the lavish sofa in front of the tv. To the endearing and cozy little back garden where there was a big wooden swing for the summer and a small vegetable garden that would grow bountiful in the season. Alexander had no idea Thomas liked to garden and, this - was just one of the myriad of small details they didn't know about each other. It was just November when they had started, and low and behold, December was almost over. With them going to work only for one more day before Christmas break.

During his many visits to Thomas's, Alex had noticed the other still sometimes walked with a cane at home and when doing longer distances like going to the store for groceries. That fact intrigued him greatly. Why the hell was Thomas walking around with a cane if it wasn't for show?

The thought crossed his mind just as the older man was putting his walking stick away, against the wall before jumping into bed.

"What's with the cane." He asked, lifting up the covers for Jefferson to slip under.

"Ah, that old thing?" The Virginian laughed softly.

"Maybe someday I'll tell ya."

"But why walk around with it if you don't need it?" The younger man propped himself up on his elbow.

"I do need it." The other responded matter-of-factly.

Hamilton looked at him, his expression full of doubt.

"I really do." The taller man chuckled at the other's face.

"You have your secrets, I have mine, we're even now."

"Not fair..." The brunette grumbled.

"This is absolutely fair, Alex. As soon as you tell me whatever this mystery of yours is that makes Lafayette so protective of you, then I'll tell you why I walk around with a cane."

"There's no way whatever reason you may have is as much a burden as mine is." He crossed his arms tightly.

"Then why don't you just tell me?" Thomas pleaded.

"Goodnight, Thomas." - Was all he got in response.

"Alex-"

"I said, Goodnight." Alexander rolled over on his side, the width of his back in front of Thomas' eyes ending their conversation.

                                                                 ***

The next morning he received the silent treatment from his bedmate as well as on their drive to work. Thomas tried several times to strike up a conversation but - something during the previous night's argument had made Alexander mad, and he couldn't quite understand what it was. Why was Alex so sensitive about this secret? The hours on the clock were passing by mercilessly. Each second spent apart with the knowledge he had somehow wronged Alex drove him crazy, until sometime past midday, his phone pinged. Jefferson looked at his phone to see it was a text from none other than Alex.

Alexander: _I'm sorry about last night but - I really can't tell you yet._

That was it, the silence had been broken, and he couldn't stand the separation any longer. Thomas left his office, not bothering to grab his cane. He barged through the other man's threshold unannounced, locked the door behind himself, and walked towards the shorter man. Hamilton was about to say something but was silenced with a hungry kiss, completely stunning him.