Tango

Start talking, lover boy.

About two weeks later, mid-October. The couple found themselves cuddling in bed, as strong winds blew waves of rain against their bedroom window. Grace was in the room next door, having just gone down for her nap. The two found themselves reminiscing about old times. Alex explained how he'd met Washington when he took his class in college. How John and he had formed a close bond at the time, and had helped Washington flesh out what would eventually become the firm where the two of them met. Washington eventually left his teaching job and hired both men full-time. A part of Alexander missed those days...

"...I helped build that place from the ground up, Thomas. And when you showed up, I kinda felt like you were going to tear all I had built to pieces." He explained rather vividly. His old memories and potentially buzzing hormones, riling him up.

"What?" Thomas laughed, stupefied. "Did you not know anything about me before Washington brought me on? Did he not consult with you? Sounds like you should've had a say in the matter."

"I know, right? That's what I thought too. But Washington never wanted a partnership, so I guess he figured he didn't need my opinion when it came down to it. And to answer your question. Obviously, I had heard of you. But you were in France. Why was I supposed to care about anything you were doing? It wasn't relevant."

Thomas let out a dry laugh.

"You wound me, Darling." He placed a hand over his heart, dramatically.

"Oh, really? Like you even knew my name before Washington introduced us. Please..." Hamilton rolled his eyes.

"Of course I did..." He propped himself up on his elbow. "Gilbert mentioned you quite a bit, actually."

"Of course he would..." Hamilton rolled his eyes as he let one of his hands wander across his belly absentmindedly. "Well then?"

"What?" Thomas frowned, confused.

"What did you think of me? Silly."

"Ohh-" He caught on. "Well, I'll admit I've always admired your work ethic. From the stories Gil told me."

"Really? That's it? My work ethic?" Alexander pried, somewhat offended. "You didn't fantasize about my eyes or wonder what it would be like to kiss my lips?" His voice rose theatrically as he gestured towards his face, making Thomas laugh.

"It's not like he sent me a photo. He'd just tell me about his day. I didn't know what you looked like until Washington introduced us."

"Seriously? I ought to give that Frenchman a stern talking to..."

Thomas chuckled as he snuggled in closer, his hand joining Hamilton's on his middle. "The fantasizing came later."

Alexander's mouth dropped open.

"Well, go on then. Start talking, lover boy." He pushed.

"Alright." Jefferson giggled. This was getting ridiculous. "Since you used to avoid me at all costs. You won't be surprised, I mostly did it during work meetings."

Alex hid a bashful smile, covering his face with his hand, briefly remembering some of his own work meeting fantasies.

"I never understood what you were doing. Staring. Either at me, or past me... But since your thoughts were somewhere else completely, it gave me the time to... observe you, for lack of a better word."

Thomas watched as Alexander's face flushed red, as the simple smile behind the hand turned into nervous laughter.

"And what did you observe?" Hamilton looked at Jefferson from between his fingers.

Thomas grabbed Alex's hand from his face and guided it down to the bed.

"You looked so tired..." Alex frowned. "...and yet, when you were staring at me. It felt like it was the only time during the day when your face relaxed. And dare I say, smiled." The memory forced the corner of his mouth into a slight grin. "A part of me hoped you were smiling because of me..."

He gently revealed, making Alexander giggle again.

"Yeah, see. Just like that." Thomas now smiled fully.

"Why do you always have to be so effortlessly romantic? Damn it." Alex sighed, frustrated, and shifted his weight to his other side. Making Thomas laugh.

"I'm just saying what I saw. Though something tells me, you had fantasies of your own, huh?"

"That's putting it mildly." He scoffed playfully. "My thoughts were a bit more... carnal, if you will."

"You were undressing-"

"I was undressing you-"

"-me with your eyes, weren't you?"

"-with my eyes, yes."

They spoke in unison, Alex nodding along. And then laughing to himself.

"Well, no wonder you were smiling." Jefferson teased. Earning him a playful shove to the chest.

"Tell me." Thomas began. "Did you actually hate how I dress?" He couldn't help himself while they were on the topic.

"Honestly?" Alex wondered. "I think... yeah. Some of your fashion choices were really — choices..." Alex opened his eyes wide with exaggerated fright.

"How dare you?" Thomas gave his shoulder a light slap. "I dress like a gentleman ought to dress. Thank you very much."

"Hey, that's not what I said. Most of the time, I won't fault you. You did look amazing. But like, that one time when you came in wearing an all magenta suit? God. Prince is rolling in his grave right now. Not to mention I might've been a bit jealous."

"You? Jealous?" Jefferson mocked.

"There's no way I could ever pull off the extravagant combinations you do."

"Yes, you would." Thomas hugged him tightly. "I'll throw you a fashion show, you'll see." He nuzzled into Hamilton's neck.

It was then that Grace could be heard on the baby monitor. Not crying, not awake. Just a small coo as she continued to sleep. But enough to break them out of their little daydream. The rain hit the windows, tapping a steady rhythm on the window pane.

"She'll probably be waking up soon. Her naps are getting shorter recently." Alex remarked, his gaze flowing down towards his stomach. As he once again brought a protective hand over it.

"Do you think we should tell her?"

"No." There was no hesitation in his voice. "It's so early. There's no point in confusing her. It's too abstract. I'm barely even showing." He caressed his belly.

While true, he'd started showing earlier this time. It wasn't too noticeable yet. His changing waist size, the only real proof so far. Jefferson's hand joined his as he pressed it firmly onto the warm skin. Feeling something deep inside. The quiet knowledge of a blooming life within, resting over them.

"Okay then. It stays between you and me. For now..."

"For now." Alex echoed with a quick kiss.