Rewind

Words: 4371
Pairings: Jamilton, JeffMads(platonic, and soon slightly romantic)
Category: Heavy angst
Characters: Hamilton, Burr, Jefferson, Madison, Hamilton
Warnings: blood, death
Time period: Hamiltime
A/N: turning ideas into something big is fun

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Jefferson is fueling with rage. He's pacing the floor at a high speed, Madison trying to convince Jefferson to "please, just stand still for a second."

Then Burr walks into the room. Madison barely has time to hold the President back before he walks towards the seemingly grateful man. Madison can do nothing but follow him.

Burr is struggling to keep a calm expression. His eyes are red and puffy, similar to the other two's. "Thomas, James, thank God. Right now we need support more than ever. I know you're upset, probably more than me. Hamilton was a close friend, and—"

"Burr," Jefferson's expression grows cold. "Congratulations."

Confusion twists on Burr's face. "What....?"

"You have invented a new kind of stupid," Jefferson begins, watching Burr's face slowly drop. "A 'damage you can never undo' kind of stupid. An 'open all the cages in the zoo' kind of stupid. A 'truly, you didn't think this through?' kind of stupid."

"Thomas, it was an act of political sacrifice—"

"Sacrifice?!" Jefferson snaps. "For a good chunk of my life, I lived only to read Madison's letters. I had nobody to love. When I met Hamilton, I was eager to wake up in the morning to see his eyes and hear his voice. And I'm never going to see them again all thanks to you."

"Thomas, you don't understand. Alexander was my friend too. We had many fun times together, and—"

"But at least I don't dignify political taunts with gunshots." Jefferson growls. "So yeah, congratu-fucking-lations, Aaron Burr." The last two words are in a venomous hiss.

Burr's eyes are refilling with tears again. "James, y-you must understand me, right?" He reaches out slightly. "Y-You used to be Hamilton's friend. At least there's somebody who understands what I'm struggling here to do." He puts a hand on Madison's arm.

Madison's eyes are stone cold, something that turns Burr's blood to ice as he moves his arm away. "I'm not here for you." His voice is solid, and almost angry, which is very rare for him.

"I love my friend Thomas more than anything in this life. I'd choose his happiness over mine every time. I'm sticking by his side no matter what. So congratulations, Burr. Look at where you are. How many people you've hurt. Look at the consequences you're paying now."

"J-James, please listen to me." Burr begins to walk towards Madison with his arms open. Madison instinctively shrinks back in fear at the sudden offer of a hug.

Jefferson suddenly pushes Burr against a wall, his elbow against his neck, threatening to choke Burr out if he moved an inch.

"You killed him." He growls. "You fucking monster. Don't get anywhere near my friend."

"J-Jefferson, I—"

"Don't say a fucking word!" Jefferson is yelling. He's usually quite the loud and sarcastic person, but he never yelled out of anger. He kept his cool. But now he doesn't care anymore.