Sickness, Freckles, and Magenta (ON HIATUS AND SLOW UPDATES)

Chapter 17

James pulled Philip into the living room to sit in front of the fire. When James went out to get the water, he'd noticed a considerable drop in the temperature, so he left Philip there while he went and lit the other fireplaces around the house, like in the library and the office.

Thomas joined the boy in front of the fire, and Philip lay down, resting his head in Jefferson's lap. When Madison came back, he found Thomas lazily stroking a hand through Philip's hair and Philip had his eyes closed. He walked around them and lay down, his head on the boy's stomach. The boy subconsciously moved his hands to run through the Congressman's hair.

The trio just relaxed for a while, content with each other. Thomas felt a shift under his hand as the boy woke up. James looked up to see the boy staring at the flames

"Whatcha thinking, hon?", Thomas asked, stroking the boy's hair, getting lost in the flames as well. Philip, spaced out, hummed in thought.

"That you guys treat me way too good... And that... I love you...", he murmured quietly. James looked up with love-filled eyes and Thomas looked down at Philip and James with revered affection.

"We love you too, darlin'. So much.", Thomas murmured, running his hand through Philip's hair. James smiled.

"We're so proud of you, baby boy.", he said, reaching up to stroke the boy's jaw. The boy purred at the touch and sniffed the air.

"Smells good.", he purred. James smiled and got up to check on the food. Thomas gently pulled the boy close to him. "Thomas?"

"Yeah baby?"

"Um... how did you decide to let me in? Like into your relationship?", the boy asked quietly. Thomas's heart broke a little hearing his boy say that. He didn't want Philip to feel left out or this was pity.

"Oh darling... You showed up on my doorstep in distress in the middle of the night because of Alexander's actions. You were obviously emotional and I brought you in. No matter what, I won't ever turn away anyone on my doorstep in need. Why do you think I have so many rooms?", he said, gently stroking the boy's hair. Philip giggled.

"So you basically run an inn?"

"Sometimes. But you were a special one, darling. You seemed like you needed comfort, so I made you as comfortable as possible. And I let you sleep with me in case you needed anything.", Thomas said as the boy cuddled into his side and buried his face in his chest. James walked back in on Thomas talking to Philip and he kneeled in front of them.

"I'm assure you, it's not out of pity, sugar. We genuinely love you.", he said, stroking the boy's hair. Philip purred and reached out for him and James scooted closer to him. Philip clung to him and James held him while Thomas went to set the table.

"Thank you...", he said, nuzzling into James's chest. The Congressman smiled and stroked his back gently.

"You know, as part of your classes, Thomas and I could take you to a Congress meeting, to watch. Thomas has the deciding vote if there's a tie.", he said. Philip's eyes widened.

"So I'm living with the Vice President and a Congressman, who are also the founders of my school, and who are also the author of the Declaration of Independence and Father of the Constitution?"

"Yeah. I know, it's overachieving, but, you know... It's nice.", he said, nuzzling into his hair. Philip smiled and laid his head in James's lap as the Congressman pet his hair.

"I want to be like you guys one day...", he murmured sleepily. Madison smiled and Thomas came back in to find Philip drifting off to sleep. He kneeled in front of them and gently stroked the boy's hair.

"You will be...", Thomas murmured, kissing the boy's forehead. Philip wrapped his arms around Thomas and cuddled into his lap. Jefferson smiled, picking the boy up and carrying him into the kitchen.

Philip let his head fall against the back of his chair as Jefferson put a plate in front of him, kissing his forehead again. The boy smiled as Jefferson and Madison sat down on either side of him.

James smiled at the boy, a thought eating away at him.

"Um... I'm sorry, loves. I have to go back to Montpellier for a while and then to Washington. Congress-"

"Jemmy.", Thomas said. "We understand, darlin. I know being a part of Congress requires much traveling."

Philip nodded. "When do you leave?"

"In a week, we get the holidays off. I'm going to be gone for a couple of weeks.", he said. Thomas reached across the table to grab his hand and Philip scooted his chair closer.

"At least you'll be here for the holidays.", Thomas said, smiling, Philip nodding in agreement. James smiled and started eating, happy to be with his loves.