Nothing /// Mullette Asylum Fic

10 - Thomas Screws Up

Some Lams and Jeffmads for the soul ;)

Alexander
Day 3 of Lafayette's Absence
The whole institute was in a dismal mood. Eliza and James had taken to looking after everyone, Washington hadn't left his office in days and Schmidt had basically taken over.
Hercules had it the worst. He talked so quietly and only ever spoke with James through writing notes.
Alexander and John were talking, trying to avoid the subject of Lafayette because Hercules was in the same room as them, but it was like a Windows update, there's no avoiding it.

"How long is this gonna go on for?" John whispered, glancing at Hercules, who was slumped in a beanbag and staring blankly at a wall with tears slowly making their way down his face. Angelica was sitting next to him, trying futilely to comfort him.
"It's only been three days, John", Alex said bluntly.
"I know, but there's only a-"
"20% chance he could survive, lowered by the fact he hasn't eaten, slept and has been beaten harshly by a grown and healthy man. Yeah."
John blinked. "So he has a really small chance, then?"
"We all knew that", Alex said gently. "We've always known that Lafayette wouldn't last that long."

John glared at him. "How could you say that?" he said quietly.
Alex sighed. "John, he didn't eat or sleep. He's not right in the head- don't look at me like that, you know it's true. He's not well and it's like he's hanging on the edge of a cliff and we have to pull him up every time he slips."
"So you're saying we should let go and let him fall off this metaphorical cliff?" John said angrily, not caring if Hercules heard anymore.
"No, but... Hercules gave him a chance, a lifeline. I feel like if that lifeline was taken away..."
"He would fall", John finished worriedly.
"It's worse than that. He might jump."
John stared at him, didn't say anything.

Alex pulled him in for a hug as he began to cry. "I know, Johnny. I know. I don't want him to go either", he murmured, kissing John's forehead.
Hercules took one look at them and left. Nobody followed him.

James
Day 5 of Lafayette's Absence
Only five days and everything had gone to hell. James suddenly had to rush back and forward, looking after everyone and making sure they didn't do anything stupid. He had thick bags under his eyes and his limbs were weak but he pushed through, bringing trays to people who stayed in their rooms and putting aside at least two hours a day to talk to Hercules.

When he left the boys room when his two hours was up, he ran into an angry Thomas Jefferson storming towards Alexander and John who were talking further down the corridor. James frowned and hurried after him.
"Thomas what are you doing?" he signed when Thomas could see his hands.

"Alex has been saying some wack shit about Lafayette", he growled, marching onwards.
"What did he say?" James asked.
Thomas ignored him. "Hamilton", he called.
Alex looked towards him and his face fell.
"The fuck you been saying about my friend?"
"Before he was your friend, he was mine!" Alex said angrily.
"Actually, I was here first."
"Congratulations, you're more fucked up than me to be sent here first."
James stepped in front of Thomas. "Thomas, calm down", he pleaded, placing a hand on his friend's shoulder.

Thomas hit him. Punched him right on the cheekbone with enough force to split mountains.
James fell back, dazed and hurt. He put a hand to his aching cheek and looked up at Thomas fearfully.
"James, I'm sorry, I-" Thomas took a step forward and instantly John and Alex were standing in front of James protectively and glaring daggers, spears and swords at Jefferson.
James scrambled to his feet, shakily signing, "Stay away from me" before running off.

Thomas
Thomas looked down at his clenched, shaking fists. Why the fuck did he do that? He shouldn't have done that. He loved his Jemmy. (Yes, he had figured he was in love with the smaller boy.) Nobody had seen Madison in hours.
Thomas had been yelled at by Alex, Angelica and Washington. The others just gave him wary and disappointed looks when they saw him. Eliza, bless her soul, had still comforted him, saying she understood that he hadn't meant it and the best thing to do was apologize.

Thomas was suddenly hit with a brainwave of where James could be. Outside. The delivery room. Nobody knew but us.
Getting to his feet, he ran out of his room and dashed to the delivery room, people, corridors and thoughts blurring as he ran. James was like a beacon that he was following, he had tunnel-vision and could only focus on that beacon.
He crashed through the door and pushed open the fire exit, hesitating for only a heartbeat before gently lowering the bar and stepping outside.

There, sitting with his knees tucked up to his chest and his face buried in his knees, was James, shaking slightly.
"James?" Thomas said softly as he approached.
No reaction.
"I'm- I'm so sorry. I don't have an excuse, I'm just a tool. I can't say anything but I'm sorry over and over until you believe me." He moved closer to the boy, even daring to sit next to him and put a hand on his shoulder.
James tensed at the contact.
"I'm so sorry, James", he whispered, tears forming in his eyes. He wiped them away impatiently and waited until James' muscles relaxed before pulling him into a tight hug.

Tears silently flowed down James' face as he gripped onto Thomas' magenta shirt. Slowly he raised his hands and signed, "I forgive you."
"R-really?" Thomas asked.
James nodded and pulled him closer.
They sat in silence for a bit, Thomas working up the nerve to say what he was planning on confessing.
"Um, James?" he said, voice cracking a little.
James slowly looked up at him.
"I have something to say-"
James raised a hand.
Thomas looked at him nervously.
"I could be reading this completely wrong", James started. "So forgive me if you hate me after this. But if you're about to confess your love, save it. I love you too."

Thomas was still in shock as James reached up and pulled his head down for a gentle kiss. It was new and experimental, but Thomas savored every second of it.
"Worth it", James grinned.
Thomas laughed giddily and kissed him again, deeper and more passionately this time.
When they pulled away, gasping for air, James' eyes were sparkling. Thomas found himself entranced by them. He only came back to reality when James hit him on the arm.
"Quit staring, it's weird", he complained.
Thomas smirked. "What, I'm not allowed to enjoy the scenery?" he said, leaning in teasingly.

James pushed him away gently with a grin.
They lay down facing each other.
Thomas reached a hand out and placed it gently on James' cheek but pulled his arm back when James winced.
"James, I'm so sorry", he whispered.
James rolled his eyes. "Stop calling me James, it doesn't feel right."
"Sorry, Jemmy", Thomas sang.
James smiled brightly.
"Can I try something?" Thomas whispered.
James nodded.
Thomas reached out and gently, very gently, placed his hand on James' cheek again. He ghosted his thumb across the cheekbone, James closing his eyes at the contact and smiling softly.

Thomas pulled him closer, thumb still stroking his cheek. "I love you", he breathed.
James opened his eyes and signed, "I love you too, Tommy."

A/N: AHH THEY'RE SO CUTE. I know there wasn't much Lams, but I really suck at writing Lams and Jeffmads just makes me want to die of adorableness.
Mullette is in the next chapter I swear.