A/N: Hey reader! Thanks for being a reader! I think you're the best reader of all the readers (just don't tell the other readers!)

Yup, this took almost a week. But I was very busy, and I am trying my best! So thanks for your support, it really does more than you know!

In this chapter, HamBurr talk about Hammy's plan to establish a standing army. He was really excited for it irl but nothing really came of it, which made him sad. And Theo discovers some strange kind of feeling! (Can you guess what it is?)

By the way, I know this is the longest note ever, but have you listened to the workshop version of Schuyler defeated? It's on YouTube, I discovered it the other day and it gave me so many Theodosia senior feels! So if you miss her, I would recommend it!

Anyway, onwards!


Chapter 9 - Winter 1797

The icy winter had firmly asserted it's grip on New York, the city clasped tightly between it's frozen talons, yet Philip Hamilton didn't feel the cold as he walked the familiar path he knew as well as the one to his own front door. But his own front door was not the one for which he was headed, rather it was that of his best friend. He had returned home from boarding school the previous day, and both teenagers had upheld their vow to maintain their friendship over the distance placed between them since he left at the start of September. Therefore he was excited to be returning, knowing a warm reception would be awaiting him, from Theodosia at least. Her father was another matter, and though formality was almost guaranteed, civility was not, because at his side walked Alexander Hamilton.

Hamilton's intentions of visiting Aaron Burr were simple enough: he wanted only to discuss his plans for a standing army with a man who, like him, had fought in the revolution and was all too familiar with the trouble of forming a ragtag volunteer army of poorly trained men too prone to deserting at the slightest encounter with trouble. However, discussions between the two men often elevated to aggressive debates, and Philip could do nothing but hope and pray their inevitable disagreements didn't disrupt his eagerly anticipated reunion with Theo.

So different from the first time the young man had walked the path, it was Philip who spoke the words of warning, "Pops, please don't have us dragged out. You know I've been waiting so long to see Theodosia again."

Hamilton nodded without even pausing to consider refusal, willing to at least try and do anything his children requested; he had still not been forgiven by his wife, and though those of his offspring who understood what had occurred had forgiven him, he maintained that he had a lot to do in order to prove his true dedication to the family. "I know. I won't," he agreed, gazing straight ahead with the kind of intense light in his eyes which ensured he fully intended to do as he promised.

It was Philip who knocked. He knew fate well enough to realise that he would never lead the kind of simple life in which Theodosia answered and invited them inside without any of the harsh words disguised by a practiced smile which had come to embody the majority of Philip's conversations with Aaron Burr. So it was hardly surprising when the tall figure himself opened the door, his smile predictably waiting as he greeted, "Alexander. Philip. How nice of you to come."

With a touch of teasing, Hamilton asked, "Were you not expecting us?"

Burr nodded, "I was expecting you. Your son, on the other hand, never actually asked my permission to visit, rather I had to learn through my daughter of his intentions." It was a petty thing to point out, especially when the pair had yet to so much as set foot inside, but Burr was already being unjustly prejudiced against the young man he perceived as a threat to his little girl's happiness. I am within my rights to expect at the very least the small courtesy of informing me that he was visiting, he justified to himself, noticing even as he spoke the words that his voice held a scathing edge, one he hadn't even planned to present.

"But I did ask Theodosia, and I assumed that a man with your views would have no quarrel with the lady of the house inviting a guest without a man's permission," Philip challenged, defending his position.

Burr regarded him with an indecipherable look, his smile never faltering while his eyes scanned the young man. Confident. Trying to be polite. But still argumentative, he decided, an unfairly strict judgment from the mind tainted with the underlying nagging worry he couldn't suppress that the boy might follow in his father's footsteps. He said nothing to Philip, only turned back to Alexander as he warned, "I hope you can make sure your son demonstrates more respect towards my daughter than he has during this little chat."

Hamilton squinted, recognizing that Burr was intentionally ignoring his son. But before he could correct him, Philip himself insisted, "If you intend to lecture me, you can do it directly, Sir. I think I can handle your criticism, however undeserved it is." Even the optimistic boy who always tried to find the best in everyone could clearly see Burr's strong dislike towards him. He meant to stay as calm and collected as Aaron Burr himself, but he couldn't prevent his volume rising ever so subtly as his frustration seeped into his words. A flicker of anger flared in Burr's eyes momentarily, and Philip couldn't help feel glad that he'd affected the man who so often went out of his way to reaffirm his definite disapproval of the teenager. If he can't take it, he shouldn't deal it out.

His verbal reply hadn't been terribly loud. But it was loud enough that Theo heard, and came rushing to the door to meet her long-absent friend.

"Philip!" She cried, pushing past her father in her haste as she approached with an unrestrained grin on her face and flung herself into Philip's waiting embrace, wrapping her arms tightly around him and laughing in the sheer euphoria of being by his side once more.

She'd missed him, though she hadn't quite realized just how much until she heard the voice and felt her chest seem to tighten as her heart expanded while it recalled the boy it regarded so fondly.

The excitement was mutual, and Philip chuckled at her enthusiasm, holding her tight, relieved just to be holding her again, and with the sweet scent of something unfamiliar - is she wearing perfume? Either that or she's been frolicking in a field of roses. In the dead of winter. Definitely perfume, in that case - filling him with an unexpected sense of calm. When he released her, both wore matching smiles.

Though Philip's aggravation had melted away and he found himself unable to look away from Theo, Hamilton noticed with significant satisfaction that Burr's own smile had miraculously vanished without a trace.

"Oh my goodness Philip, I've missed you so much! You must tell me everything," Theodosia insisted, eyes wide and sparkling with joy: she was not quite able to believe that what she saw was real instead of another daydream of the second she'd been longing for since the moment he left her bedroom, bidding her farewell with a kiss to the hand four months ago.

"I will, I promise," Philip agreed, "But you have to tell me what you've been doing, too," he demanded, suddenly a twelve year old again in his eagerness to learn all he could about the brilliant young girl with such a compelling soul.

"I told you everything in my letters, you told me next to nothing!" Theo complained, unwittingly earning her friend a suspicious look from Burr.

If his life is not the subject of the letters, what is? The overly protective father pondered, reluctant to assume that they must therefore have been love letters traded at such a tender age but unable to draw any other conclusions from the little he knew. In reality, the letters mostly consisted of jokes, riddles and declarations of how deeply the knife of separation cut both parties, with the occasional anecdote included to keep the reader updated on the events of the writer's life.

Aaron Burr was blatantly uncomfortable at the affectionate familiarity displayed between the teens, a fact which Hamilton relished. With an unabashedly smug smirk, he suggested, "Is there any point standing on the cold doorstep when we could be having this pleasant conversation inside? That is, unless you were so irate about Philip not asking your permission to visit that you retract your invitation to us both..." He continued nonchalantly. Burr stepped aside, a motion which Hamilton interpreted as welcoming despite the fact Burr's face said otherwise.

He invited himself in, stepping past Burr and continuing into the living room, letting Philip, Theodosia and Aaron follow behind him. And despite her happiness, Theo couldn't help but allow her spirits to falter slightly as a frown of concern graced her brow in reaction to her father's sigh of frustration.


"I was thinking blue. A royal blue, only not royal at all, it should be renamed revolutionary blue, and it will hark back to our days of former glory. And it should serve to remind France that we once fought by their side, inspiring guilt on their part for turning their backs."

"What?" Burr asked, deeply confused by Hamilton's sudden declaration. It had been a perfectly polite conversation for almost half an hour, with even Aaron Burr managing to uphold some semblance of polite interest when conversing with Philip, who had slowly been moving along the sofa as the time passed to sit with his shoulder brushing Theodosia's. Yet the peace was not destined to last, for Hamilton seemed to have reached his capacity for normality and was now speaking enthusiastically about a change in topic of which no one in the room had been forewarned or understood.

"The uniforms for my soldiers, when I get my army," he explained, too keen for Burr's thoughts to spare a moment to patronize him for what could be perceived as naivety: Alexander's army was the reason of his visit, not a social call.

"You don't know that Adams will even approve it, and you know his feelings towards you anyway: If he ever changes all he believes in and consents to a standing army, Washington will head it, not you," he astutely pointed out, resigned to humouring Hamilton's fantasy of reviving his military success regardless of how unlikely he considered the prospect of the dreams coming to fruition.

"Of all the people to comment on how unlikely it might be for someone to change their opinions, you are the one man on earth who has least right to criticize." He smirked teasingly, a childish action when he sat opposite an insulted frown, before formally continuing, "Adams will approve my army, because Washington supports the idea. And as for Washington leading, he has told me himself that he will not assert his authority unless it really comes to a war. For the rest of the time, I will be at the head of the army. So what are your thoughts on blue?" He repeated, feeling his confidence had been fully justified.

Still dubious, Burr mused, "Have you made your impatience and enthusiasm so obvious to Adams? I hope for your sake not..."

"Why on earth would I make him think I'm anything less than completely committed?" Hamilton retorted, swiftly losing patience with Aaron.

"Because, Alexander," Burr directly adressed him, treating him like exactly the immature, rash little boy he viewed him as in that instant, "he despises you. There is no guarantee he'd ever approve your idea, and now he knows how much it means to you I would hardly be surprised if he refused it simply to spite you. And if he does, you'll have to face the humiliation of having people see how you have been defeated in something which they all know was so important to you."

Hamilton paused, considering Burr's argument: intelligent words, to be sure, but revolving entirely around his own approach. Sneering and sarcastic, he rolled his eyes as he answered, "I see this is yet another one of your attempts to dampen the flame of my progressive mind with the same placid detachment which governs yours. Next you'll be telling me to talk less, that I should completely release any influence I have and become like you, too anxious to join the fray in any genuinely significant way."

Philip gently laid a hand on Theo's knee, a silent apology for his father's shameless insult. She glanced to him with her wide eyes, sad but understanding, as she laid a hand on her father's forearm, encouraging him to rise above petty disagreements for her sake.

Burr didn't need reminding, as fortunately the guest's harsh words glanced off the strong shield he had built over years of knowing the tactless man. Alexander's unwelcome comments were as predictable and repetitive as his own advice to the other man was. He only agreed, "As a matter of fact, I do think you should talk less, as you are aware. But that is not because I am afraid, it is because I know better than to hand my enemies a pistol with which to shoot me. If they know all you are invested in, they know where to attack." At Hamilton's responding glare, he couldn't resist the temptation to stab at the wound which was still raw for both Hamilton men, "I don't suppose you care much for your enemies exploiting your honesty when you've done such a good job of humiliating yourself already."

Daddy!" Theodosia exclaimed, outraged at her father's intentionally hurtful reference. When her reassuring hand made it's way to Philip's forearm to squeeze apologetically, she sensed him stiffen. "You should know better," she chastised her father, though she was more opposed to his statement due to the way she felt Philip's muscles tighten under her hand at the mention of the exposing paper Hamilton had published earlier in the year than the insult fired specifically at the grown adult.

Aaron removed his now-fierce gaze from Hamilton to glance at her, his eyes softening as he saw how annoyed by his behaviour she was. Reluctantly, he nodded, "You're right." Eyes narrowing and returning to look at Hamilton, he continued, "I do know better."

"Of course you do," Hamilton muttered sceptically.

"Dad, remember what I asked," Philip appealed, his plea just audible in his tone. Reluctantly, his father sighed, submitting to Philip's request.

For a few seconds, a silence ensued, both men eager to voice their true opinions, yet both bound in identical chains of duty to their offspring. It was Theo who offered a reprieve, "Perhaps Philip and I should leave you both to continue your conversion alone?"

"Very well," Burr agreed, just a millisecond too fast, revealing his concealed irritation with Hamilton which refused to die. Not deeply rooted anger, but the birth of the smallest seed of it.

"Alright. Come on, Philip," she rose, pulling his arm still gripped in her hand with her and leading him towards the door, commenting just as she exited, "By the way, Mr Hamilton, sir, I think blue sounds wonderful." Hamilton grinned at Burr, victorious until she continued, "I do think you'd do well to adhere to my father's advice, however."


The mood in the library was far more relaxed than that in the next room as the pair sat on the floor, a large tomb open and laying between them as Philip explained a specific mathematical method he had learned over the past few months.

"So the x represents an unknown value -"

"Which in this case must be 4," Theodosia finished, getting the right answer after having only learned of algebra moments ago. She knew her father had planned to teach her, but Philip's impromptu lesson seemed very informative.

"Yes, that's... right," Philip confirmed, surprised at her seemingly limitless capacity to absorb new information, though he'd witnessed her mind at work many times before.

Chuckling at his shock, Theo teased, "You didn't forget I study mathematics too, did you?" A single eyebrow raised in a high, inquisitive arch.

"Of course not!" He affectionately nudged his shoulder into hers, knocking her to the ground while she groaned in protest.

"So kind," she commented sarcastically, a playful smirk forming on her lips as she decided, "not as kind as I am, however," and threw another book, which had laid discarded on the floor, at him, thankfully light enough that it didn't hurt him when it hit him, toppling him to lay opposite her, beaming at her success as he frowned. Satisfied, she insisted, "Tell me more about school."

Philip took a moment to think. Aloud, he recalled, "There are a lot of intelligent students, although my grades are always the highest. The others are a lot of fun to be around, and -" he stopped, noticing a glimmer of envy on Theodosia's face.

Puzzled by his unexpected pause, she checked, "What is it?"

"You looked jealous, although I can't tell if it's because I know other clever people or if I know other fun people."

Slightly bashful, Theo admitted, "Maybe a little of both..."

Laughing, Philip assured, "Don't worry, you're by far the most intelligent person I've met. And as for fun, I've never known anyone as entertaining as you." Despite his laughter, his words were absolutely genuine, something his honest hazel eyes seemed to glow with the light of truth, and Theo smiled, comforted.

"Go on," she urged, her interest returning.

"The teachers are strict, but I've only been caught misbehaving once. Since then," he grimaced as he remembered the sharp snap of a cane on his knuckles, time and time again, "I've made sure not to be discovered." A sly smile emerged as he leaned slightly closer to reveal conspiratorially, "That doesn't mean I have been completely well behaved, though."

Equally sly, Theodosia asked, "What, pray tell, does that mean?"

"Oh, nothing much," he replied, feigning nonchalance as he admitted, "Only that I may or may not have sneaked from my dorm room a few nights, and that I may or may not have run riot when doing so."

He enjoyed the obvious surprise Theo displayed, and happily obliged when she asked, "What did you get up to?"

"This and that: exploring the forest surrounding the campus, dumping a bunch of frogs in the classroom of the worst teacher, setting up traps of buckets of flour ready to fall onto whoever next walked through the door." The trace of shame in his eyes informed Theodosia's next question:

"That was what you got found out for, wasn't it? I bet you didn't even think to clean your feet of flour, and led them straight to your bedroom!"

Philip blushed, but agreed, "Yes, that's what happened." Somehow, he couldn't quite make eye contact, making her doubt him.

"That's not what happened," she realized, smirking as Philip's blush deepened to a furious crimson and confirmed her suspicion. "If you didn't lead them with your footprints..." She mulled it over, before gasping in delight as she came to the conclusion, "It fell on you, didn't it?"

He was incapable of verbally answering, only nodded, hanging his head in shame as she disintegrated into a fit of giggles, obliterated by her amusement and clutching helplessly at her side as she pictured it: Philip standing alone and baffled in a dim hallway, white as a ghost, rubbing flour from his eyes with one hand and rubbing the slight bump on his head which had caused him to shout out in pain, instantly alerting the staff to his forbidden venture.

Having faced the severe repercussions first-hand, Philip found it less funny, flatly stating, "I'm glad you take such pleasure in the mistake which caused me to be disciplined by a cane."

"You shouldn't have been doing it anyway!" She retorted, though she did not at all believe that her sweet friend could ever have deserved corporal punishment.

He only gazed at her, managing to raise a smile as he watched her roll on the floor, laughing between her gasps for breath. He was entertained by her own entertainment though not quite to the same extent.

A knock on the door interrupted, quickly prompting both teenagers to push themselves from where they lay to stand up just as Aaron Burr entered the room, Alexander Hamilton just behind him.

"What's so hilarious that we could hear you laughing from the living room?" He enquired, not quite interrogating them for once.

"Philip was just telling me about -"

"About Algebra," Philip clumsily interrupted, shooting a desperate look to Theodosia, begging her to keep his tale of mischief a secret. Please, my Father doesn't know, and I want it to stay that way.

With a miniscule, almost non-existent nod, Theo agreed, "Yes, x represents an unknown value." Glancing meaningfully towards Philip, she spoke of more than just maths when she told him, "I found it hilarious."

"Evidently so, Miss Burr. And now, my son and I must be leaving," Hamilton explained, beckoning the boy towards him.

"Yes, Mr Hamilton, of course." Offering a hug to her best friend, she continued, "Goodbye, Philip. I'll see you soon?"

"Absolutely," he replied, accepting her embrace but keeping it respectfully short for the sake of her watching father. "I still have a few weeks before I leave."

"In which case, you can leave without any qualms about whether you will be able to see my Theodosia again. Goodbye, Alexander, Philip," he smiled at both, yet his voice was more insisting that they leave than offering them the option.

"Mr Burr," Hamilton returned, with a polite dip of his head, before walking past him towards the front door

"Sir," Philip offered, following his father to leave. However adamant he is that we leave, he's right about one thing: I'll be visiting Theodosia again.

With the father and daughter duo alone once more, Burr approached Theodosia and laid his hands on her shoulders, kneeling to make eye contact on level with her. Slowly, he explained, "Theodosia, I know it wasn't algebra which made you hysterical." His deep brown eyes seemed almost to stare into her soul, reading the truth, or what he assumed was the truth.

She attempted to explain, "Daddy, you're right, but it wasn't anything -"

Burr cut her off, "I trust you to judge what is appropriate conversation and what is not. That said, I can't say I particularly want to know whatever it was that he told you."

Which means I don't need to tell him what happened, so I won't, else that would be betraying Philip's confidence, Theo decided. So she stayed silent, allowing him to speak.

"I just want you to promise me that you'll be careful around him. I admit, he seems a nice enough young man. But no young man is good enough to win your heart, especially when you're still so young. And even when you do begin looking for a suitor, he will still not be a realistic option, because he will always be his father's son. The entire country knows how Alexander Hamilton treats women."

Surprised at each and every part of his proposed pledge, Theodosia defended, "Philip doesn't see me that way, nor I him. And Daddy, I swear Philip isn't like Mr Hamilton. Not even Mr Hamilton is like that now, Philip is sure he's learned from his mistakes."

Burr frowned, not so easily convinced despite Hamilton's belief that his opinions were as fleeting as time. He hardly seemed any different earlier. If only to avoid a lecture, she sighed, exasperated as she agreed, "Fine. I promise."

I promise to be careful. But I don't promise to turn away from my best friend - I love his company.

But later that night as she tossed in bed, kept awake by her unyielding excitement that she'd be able to see Philip again whenever she wanted in the next couple of weeks, her thoughts still vividly active from sharing his company for the few hours he had been there and somehow unable to push the image of his honest hazel eyes from her mind, she was not completely convinced that his company was all she loved.