Thomas Jefferson/Alexander Hamilton.

WE GIVE IT A WEEK'S WORTH.

Summary: They didn't really address the situation. Not over night, at least. But eventually, they talk about it, and Alexander makes it obvious he desires something more with Thomas. Thomas? He might need some time to come up with his answer.

** THIS IS A FOLLOW-UP STORY TO "Let's try something new". It's not mandatory you read it before hand, but it provides some background.


A week's worth

"It's 8 a.m." Thomas says, but he doesn't move from his place, stays as still as he can, his index fingers twisting around each other as he looks nervously from the clock that's hanging on his wall to Alexander's face.

Calmly, Hamilton says, "I know," as he doesn't move from his current position.

And that's that. He doesn't ask for an explanation. He clears his throat and brings his knees to his chest, wraps his arms around them and lets his chin rest in them. He's self-aware of the situation he's in, aware of how he's dressed, of the things that have happened in the lapse of time between yesterday and today; aware they have yet to properly address their situation, and that they've shared a bed after mutually agreeing to resting before talking. He's aware of Hamilton's eyes glued to his body, and he's aware of the heat on his cheeks as he steals a glance to look at Alexander's smile.

"How did you sleep?"

Thoughts racing at the simple question, he exhales heavily, looking at his bed sheets, hand reaching for the covers so he could bring them around his body. He's not used to the familiarity in which he's caught, nor is he used to having Alexander close, being civil— being caring. Which might be why he feels naked and exposed, not physically, he's not, but he can't help feeling like he's bared his soul to the young man. Alexander's laugh catches his attention and he looks at him curiously.

"If you're not comfortable you can always put on a shirt and pants. I won't mind it."

But Thomas can't find it in himself to stand up and change his shorts, or put up something over the flimsy and torn shirt he has put on from the night before, too comfortable in it to even move. "I slept well, thank you, A… Alexander."

He's hesitant about using Hamilton's name. He's used it many times before, called him by his first name. And yet, with this new context, in a more friendly and intimate manner… he's never done that, and he's unsure if he should be doing that.

"I'm glad."

Thomas watches in silence as Alexander smiles wide at him, moves away the hand that had been serving as support for his chin and rolls to his back, adjusting the covers to the level of his chin, glowing with the warmth that surrounded him.

"I never thought of you as a shy or nervous man, Thomas."

Huffing, and feeling the sentence as some sort of taunt, he sticks his chin up high, looks down at Alexander as he replies, "I'm in my own house. There's no need for me to put up my defenses, I'm comfortable not keeping up the attitude I carry to work."

"Oh, I see."

"And I believe you'll be understanding enough to leave if I ask you to. I'm under no desire to defend myself from anything that upsets me."

Snuggling closer to Thomas, Alexander nods to himself. "I will. I didn't come here to upset you. But because I wanted to, well, provide an answer."

They both smile at each other, snickering at that. "I would like to discuss things with you, still."

Alexander hums and presses his face against Thomas' thigh, and slowly lets out a deep breath. "Your bed smells nice, you know. You smell nice. I'd totally get used to sleeping here."

And the cocky smirk he's giving him, the mischievous glint on his eye has Thomas laughing and his stomach twisting in nervousness, and once again his fingers find themselves gliding around the soft locks of Alexander's hair, earning a kiss to his cloth-covered skin.

"You sound an awful lot like you think you've got me."

"Excuse me, good sir?" Dragging himself from under the covers to sit next to Thomas, Hamilton looks at him in a faux expression of hurt. "I thought my love confession from yesterday would be enough, I put so much emotion and thought to it, after all."

Theres a moment where Jefferson doesn't respond, looks at him with an amused smile on his lips as he thinks about what's just been said. He could get used to these sort of joking comments, devoid of venom meant to mock the other in a spiteful and derogatory manner.

What happened the night before is suddenly in the forefront of his mind, and he blurts out: "You kissed me."

A faint pink colors Hamilton's cheeks, and seemingly conscious of what he'd done, he scoots away from Thomas in what seems to be a reaction to his own embarrassment.

"I did."

"And now you're telling me you... love me, Alexander? You love me?"

He's beyond confused, his emotions and thoughts in turmoil. Love was a strong word to use. He'd never use it lightly when it came to a person, and whether Alexander used it lightly or not stood unknown to him. So he's wary of the whole situation, unsure if Alexander's "answer" is something that's meant to be serious or not. He's not sure he'd like to spend a few nights in bed with him, only to break it off whenever one or the other got bored.

He didn't want to be a thing of the moment. Although not really wanting to start a relationship right off the bat, he doesn't want to be fucking around —quite literally— just to spice up their dulled relationship.

"Perhaps my way of approaching the matter was wrong all along." Says Alexander, voice flat, and Thomas can feel himself growing anxious and panicky at the 'what-if's, at the thought of Alexander going back on his words, deciding maybe a relationship with Thomas was something he actually didn't want. "But it doesn't change the fact I still feel something for you, Thomas."

"Like previous loathing and now annoyance towards each other?" It's a pitiful attempt to calm his nerves, to gain a sense of something he's used to, something he's shared with Hamilton so many times before. He's aware he's trying to connect with the way they'd argue before, point out how much they hated each other's views, how opposed they were. Pitiful, really, how he was afraid to step into unknown territory. He chastises himself silently for that.

"I mean, you're not wrong there, although I believe more emotions are on play as of now. But, anyway, you wanted to discuss things, didn't you? Lets stop beating around the bush and go with it. Quoting you: "On with it, or leave my house", right?"

Pushing down the urge to say no and bide his time, Thomas agrees with him. Hamilton pads through the bed to sit in front of Jefferson, crossing his legs and resting his hands on them.

"So, anything you'd like to ask or talk about?"

Focusing on the task at work, he shoves away any insecurities that might be nagging at his thoughts, and pulls the covers off him, opting to seat like Alexander, try and ease himself to open up to him, look less like he's with his guard up and not pull himself back.

"You come here, Alexander, uninvited, say you've got things to discuss. I allow you in, and you point out to the way our dynamic in the past weeks have been lacking in something. And you claim you've got the answer to it, right?"

A quick nod from the younger man, signaling he's understood what he's said so far.

"And there I was, wondering what could bring back that spark back. Because we both agree that some times, it's fun to shoot back ideas to one another. And your answer comes in the form of a kiss. You've just told me there are feelings for me, yes?"

"Feelings I'd like to explore alongside you, if you're willing."

"Is it sexual?"

Hamilton seems to be taken aback by the bluntness of the question, but Thomas simply waits for his answer. He has to know. Has to weight the options to see what he's supposed to do, what he wants to do.

Coming back to himself, the Caribbean shrugs, eyes glued to his own hands for a second. "If… you're willing to explore that down the road, I'm all for it." Then he looks at Thomas, hopes he can convey how sincerely he's talking, "But I'm not about to force it upon you if you don't want to."

"Are you seeking a serious relationship with me?"

"Once again, if it's not something you'd like, I won't press further. But do not expect me to drop all my emotions and just carry on. I might flirt with you, or simply stick more around you."

"But would you want one?"

Without missing a beat, he says: "Yes. Without a doubt, Thomas."

Now it's Jefferson's turn to stay silent, and he bites the inside of his cheek, holding back a smile. The way his heart flutters in his chest and his thoughts spin make him dizzy, and he sighs as he counts to ten in his head, slowly.

"Alexander, I would like to take my time to get more comfortable with you. Don't get me wrong, we're practically as close as we can get, with our previous —or current?— relationship. But getting affectionate with you…" He frowns, thinks for a way to express his thoughts.

He was willing to admit that the idea of getting affectionate with Hamilton exhilarated him to no end, as well as it made him incredibly nervous. He, with Alexander Hamilton? A ludicrous idea if you had asked him months ago, when they were still so intent of getting at each other's throats, tear through each other's ideas. But right now he can't help how giddy the thought makes him.

After a dragged silence, Hamilton offerssome helping words. "A whole new experience?"

"A whole damn new and scary experience." Thomas agreesin a small whisper, smiling nervously at Alexander, hoping he took no offense in the way he decided to express himself.

"I agree. I'm not hoping for an all-smile relationship." Hamilton says, smiles cockily at him and leans back, holding his weight on the palms of his hands. "But I'm, y'know… I'll give it a go, as long as you let me try."

Thomas' smile widens as he notices his nerves. As much as he was trying to play it cool, the obvious way Alexander's gaze would flicker somewhere else, and the obvious smile about to form before vanishing from his lips was a death giveaway, a clear expression that he didn't know what to do with himself. And the way he licked his lips to wet them…

"I guess… can we give this a week's worth? Let me think things through. Not to get your hopes up or down, but I'd love to explore the idea without the pressure of arelationship. Give me a week to think it, and you'll have an answer." Thomas says, turns around the idea in his mind.

"Do know this is not something that I came up with at the moment, Thomas." Alexander begins, his voice quivering a bit, and Thomas' interest is peaked by it. He had never seen Alexander Hamilton hesitate or doubt his words this much. Not when it came to something that involved them both, at least. "I'm serious. I've been entertaining the thought of asking you out for some time now. But it wasn't until yesterday night that I mustered enough confidence to act. I guess I was just afraid of what would come, and— and… I don't think I can go and keep ignoring what I feel for you."

Thomas smiles gently, feels himself honored to have Alexander present his insecurities and emotions, thinks it must be hard for him, since not long ago showing a vulnerability in front of Thomas would have been a sure way to get mocked and belittled.

"One question, though."

"Yes?"

Alexander clears his throat as he sits straight, cheeks acquiring a pink hue. "May I… Would you allow me to court you as the week goes by?"

Thomas blinks at him. And blinks once more. Because he's unsure what's the point of that. But also because Alexander seems so flustered by the petition that makes him wonder just how deep did the man's feelings run for him, how shy could he turn around him when those feelings were on the surface. It was almost… cute. Endearing. And a little bit off-putting how now the thought of making fun of such behavior didn't pop in his mind. He was so used to seek anything that could destroy Hamilton that the fact he hadn't considered this put his thoughts on halt.

Remembering Alexander is still awaiting an answer, Thomas clears his throat, and gives a small nod of his head, "Of course. I don't see why you shouldn't. I… guess I'd feel honored to be at the end of your attention." Smiling shyly, he added, "A less toxic kind of attention, I mean."

The Secretary of Treasury laughs at that, and one of his hands find a way to gently hold one of Thomas'. "I—I'm sorry if I ever gave you more attention than necessary." Jefferson's lips turn upwards, and he wants to wave the apologize away. He had done just as much as him. "But, rest assured—" he gives a light squeeze to the bigger hand in his, "— I plan to make up for that."

The smile that blooms on Thomas' lips is big, "Good," he shifts his hand to grab Hamilton's, entwining their fingers for a brief moment, before an undesired thought kicks his mind. "But, uh. We should go to work."

"Right. Work." He scrambles off the bed, and smooths down his clothes. "I'll… see you there?"

"I don't see why not."

An adorable blush spreads over the short man's cheeks, and he quickly splutters an answer as he walks back towards the door that leads out of Thomas' room, picking his coat off the chair he had left it in the night before. "Of course. Right. We work on the same place."

"See you there, Hamilton." The aforementioned man directs him a small smile, and stops at the doorframe, brown eyes locking with Jefferson's own.

"A week, then?"

"A week, Alexander."

And with one last smile, his guest slips away from his room, closing the door behind him. Thomas lets out a heavy sight once a minute or two pass. What had he just gotten himself into? Dragging one hand around his wild curls, he shakes his head. The idea of dating none other than Alexander Hamilton made his insides clench with something he wasn't quite sure was anxiety, nervousness or eagerness.

Getting out of his bed to get ready for work, he wonders just how hard would it be for them if he accepted Alexander's proposition. Surely shifting from their past relationship to a new one would have its own tribulations. Habits didn't die as easily as one would like. And Thomas was sure their relationship so far had been a string of habits that mounted to a toxic rivalry. He wasn't sure it'd be easy to just pull themselves from that apparent routine.

Furthermore, he barely knew Alexander on a personal level. They barely did know each other, never speaking about personal matters on the other's presence. And it wasn't like they shared views on multiple topics. They were bound to start bickering at one point or another. He would accept, thought, that he could see on many occasions where was Hamilton coming from. His angles might not be the same as Thomas', but Thomas did appreciate a quick and sharp mind such as Hamilton's. And truly, despite tearing at his ideas for what seemed like ages, he would admit there was some sort of respect he had towards him.

Perhaps they could find middle ground?

He had a week to figure it out, see what could he ask from Hamilton, and see what sort of attention he might receive from him. Mind you, he wasn't really expecting a big change. Wouldn't know what to do with if suddenly Hamilton stopped being, well, Hamilton, as Thomas knew him. He likes him enough as he is, just enough for Hamilton's presence to be bearable, and at times enjoyable. He also knows he can't really bent his own ideas and thoughts to appease Alexander's fiery nature. He won't do that, and he hopes Alexander won't do either— he does expect, however, for them to not go at each other's ideas so viciously.

He keeps his thoughts to himself, though, and puts up his usual facade before stepping out of his house, psyching himself for another day of work.


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So yeah, you could say this fits better as a 2nd chapter to Let's try something new. BUT! I always meant for that story to be a stand-alone/one-chapter. I'm only developing it more because a) I love it (I love me some nervous Thomas) and b)on AO3, notchason & hamiltoninthebathroom gave a little nudge to the story so it could move forward.

Anyway! I hope you enjoyed it :)