These Inklings of Love

3

A college party on your first night. What a great idea. Alcohol and hidden feelings cannot be a good match, especially for these four in particular.

Alexander arrived first with Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and Aaron Burr. Alexander still didn't know why he stuck around these three. Everyone called them the Southern Mother Fucking Democratic-Republicans. Or Southern D-R's for short, which was a lot easier, to be honest. Alexander thought that it must have been the fact that they were the only people who voluntarily hung out with him for the rest of their days at high school. Lafayette, Angelica, and Hercules were in the years above them, and incredibly disappointed in him. Eliza and John wouldn't talk to him. And neither would Peggy, not that he had that much to do with her outside of school anyway. Don't get him wrong, Peggy was a good kid, it was just-

"Hamilton! We dragged you here so you would have fun, not continue to mope around!" Jefferson yelled over the music. Alexander sighed and took the beer bottle from Burr.

"Are you sure we-" Alexander started to speak before Madison cut him off.
"Hamilton, let it go. He was going to make you come no matter what."
Alexander could see the triangles climbing out from under his sleeve. That could only belong to Dolly. Madison and Dolly got together over the summer. Burr introduced them to each other. Alexander shook his head, opening the bottle before walking off into the crowd of people. Everyone thought that Jefferson and Madison had each other's mark on their skin. No one knew the truth. But Alexander suspected that there used to be something between them.

Alexander took a swig of his beer. He was going to be stuck here until Jefferson had to be dragged out.

---

Maria and Theodosia arrived not long after. Theodosia made a b-line straight for the Southern D-R's, dragging Maria behind her.
"Aaron!" She called out. He turned around and grinned.
"Theo! You came!"
Theodosia nodded. "Yeah. Maria needed some cheering up."
He nodded. "Thomas bought Alexander along for the exact same reason," he paused for a moment and looked at Maria, "he's gone off into the crowd."
Maria nodded and glanced around. There were so many people. So many people that she knew. So many people that she didn't. But Alexander was one of them. He was somewhere. But there was still so many people. At least it will be hard to find him. Or any of her roommates.
Aaron grabbed Theo and Maria a drink. Maria opened the bottle and took a long swig if her drink.
For now, it would be good to forget. Forget and have fun, just for today.

---

"Seriously, guys. I don't want to go." John said as Hercules and Lafayette were dragging him to the party. Making one final effort to get out of going to this party.
"We told you, man, you're coming whether you want to or not." Hercules said.
John groaned. Hercules and Lafayette shoved him through the door and followed after him. Now that they were inside, it'll be hard to leave. John sighed.
"I'm here, you happy? Can I go now?"
"John, mon ami, please close your turtle mouth."
"Turtle mouth?" Hercules asked.
Lafayette shrugged.
John shook his head and snatched a bottle out of Lafayette's hand. "I'm doing this out of spite." He said before taking a swig.

---

Angelica and Eliza walked inside. Eliza immediately regretted her decision in agreeing with her older sister. So many people. Too many people for her liking.

Angelica dragged her sister over to where she saw Hercules.
"Hey, Herc!" Angelica yelled over the music. People moved out of Angelica's way. Who wasn't scared of the oldest Schuyler Sister who metaphorically destroyed everyone's point in debates. Even Jefferson is scared of the oldest Schuyler.
Hercules grinned and turned around. "Angie!" He yelled and threw is arm around her shoulder.

Eliza glanced around. Lafayette was no where to be seen. John was standing at the edge of the party, beer bottle in hand. She looked back at Angelica, who was already preoccupied with Hercules. She sighed and weaved her way over to John.

"I see I'm not the only person who was dragged along." She said.
John chuckled. "You too, huh?"
Eliza smiled and nodded. "Yeah. Angelica came because of Hercules."
John nodded, smiling for the first time that night.

---

The party was still raging at the early hours in the morning. Alexander and John had somehow ended up in a closet. (Blame Jefferson for that). Maria and Eliza were awkwardly sitting next to each other after a game of spin the bottle. (Again, blame Jefferson. It's all his fault).

---

John to one last swig of his fourth beer bottle and dropped it on the carpeted floor. Alexander had had..  Actually, how many had he had? That didn't matter. It was enough to make him forget what happened. John on the other hand, he would still remember.
"Jefferson! Let us out!" John yelled.
"Sorry! I can't hear you! I'll be going now!" Jefferson yelled.
John groaned and banged on the door. Alexander, in his drunken state, wrapped his arms around John's waist. He tensed up as he felt the arms around his waist.
"It's okay, Johnny. Lexi's here." Alexander mumbled.
John hadn't heard those names in years. Alexander stopped using them once they entered high school.
"Alexander..." John said, quietly.
Alexander rested his head on John's back.
"You know... I have you're turtle on my shoulder. Isn't that funny?" He mumbled, slurring his words.
John was quiet for a moment. "Alex- Lexi, can I show you something?"
Alexander wasn't going to remember this, John thought. And it would lift a huge weight off his shoulders.
Alexander nodded and let go of John. John lifted up his shirt, revealing the quill on his lower back.

He felt a hand tracing the shape on his back. "You have my quill, Johnny! We love each other!"
John lowered his shirt and turned to face Alexander. He was met by Alexander throwing his arms around his shoulders.
John looked at Alexander. He smiled softly seeing Alex's grinning face.
"You know what, Lexi? I'm going to take you back to the dorm." John said.
He pulled his phone out of his pocket and sent a text to Hercules and Angelica. He waited for one of them to find them. He looked at Alex. He seemed comfortable in his arms, almost asleep.