Chapter 2 is here, and I tell you it did not want to be written lol. Every word was a struggle, I wanted to write the chapter, but my brain wasn't having a bar of it. Hopefully it turned out OK. It is honestly mostly just fluff, but this whole fic will be mostly just fluff so it works. I did do some research but if anything isn't accurate just roll with it, this is fanfiction after all and can be whatever I want it to be. Enjoy!
Chapter 2
Thomas wasn't sure what he was expecting when he made his way to the dining room the following morning to break his fast, but Hamilton still in his pyjamas and robe looking adorably sleep ruffled was definitely not it. Though he had his dark blue robe fastened tightly Thomas still managed to catch a glimpse of his white sleep shirt and a hint of collarbone peeking through.
Thomas actually froze in place, heart pounding and his pants becoming uncomfortably tight as he watched a sleep rumpled Alexander rub his eyes and take his first sip of tea with a soft sigh. His mind briefly flashed to thoughts of waking up next to the hard-headed treasurer, of sharing breakfast with him every morning.
He forced himself to move into the room and take his seat, wondering where that errant thought had come from.
"Why, anyone would think this was your home, Alexander and not mine" Thomas teased getting nothing but a bleary-eyed stare from his smaller counterpart.
Thomas glanced at James to find the other man hiding a smile behind his toast.
Alexander relaxed as he sipped his tea and ate some freshly diced fruit, before excusing himself.
Thomas couldn't help the way he watched Alexander as he walked from the room, forcefully having to fight back a smile as he saw the slippers he was wearing.
When he finally focused back on his meal, he realised that the room had gone silent and Washington, Knox and James were all staring at him.
A linen napkin hit him square in the face, "for the drool running down your chin" James said with a laugh and Washington and Knox grinned.
"You would be a very lucky man to have Alexander by your side" Washington said seriously "and I would hope that you would treat him well."
Thomas swallowed thickly at the slightly threatening look that passed over Washington's face.
"I have no idea what you're talking about" Thomas said imperiously, returning to his own breakfast.
Causing all three to grin again. They continued eating in silence and Thomas found his thoughts straying back to Alexander. He couldn't deny that seeing another side of the younger man had done something to him, feelings of curiosity, protectiveness and possessiveness were swirling around him, stronger than he'd felt in years, if ever. Seeing this side of the other man made him seem more real, not just as a political opponent.
When their discussions began shortly after, Thomas was nearly unsettled to see Alexander looking all prim and proper again. He wrote furiously as he argued passionately with Thomas about almost everything that he said. The shorter man's eyes narrowing in anger, hair coming down from its bun as he gestured furiously. Thomas was memorised. He could barely pull together the coherency needed to argue with Alexander as he usually did. As he needed to do to stop all of Alexanders ludicrous ideas from going through.
They had failed to reach a consensus by midday, when they were called for lunch.
"Surely you must concede that when it comes to matters of state, I am the ranking authority" Thomas asked as they made their way to the dining room.
Alexander just rolled his eyes, "I will, when you concede that when it comes to the nations finances, I might have some understanding of what I'm doing."
"Perhaps," Thomas said as he took a step closer and let his hand casually bush the others hip. "That doesn't mean that you are the only one to have a say, no one man should have that much power."
"You think I would abuse my power?" Alexander asked, outraged.
Thomas just shrugged, looking supremely unconcerned with Alexander's anger.
"It sets a dangerous precedent."
Alexander opened his mouth to continue arguing before closing it slowly, his eyes drifting away in thought. He reached up and ran his hand through his hair, managing to make more of a mess of it than usual.
Thomas frowned as during lunch Alexander barely touched his food, instead muttering to himself and making frantic notes. He thought back to how little the younger man had eaten at breakfast and again at dinner last night, before deciding to step in.
"No writing at the table, Alexander. Where are your manners?" Thomas teased, fighting back a smirk as Alexander glared up at him.
"This is important!"
"So is eating. My house, my rules, put down whatever it is your working on and eat something."
The secretary of the treasury let out an angry huff, before doing just that, sending annoyed glances at Thomas the whole while.
Washington was biting his lip to keep from letting out a laugh at how easily Thomas had handled the younger man. It was about time someone stepped up and took care of Alexander for a change, he'd been on his own for so long he'd forgotten what it was like to have another take care of him.
Thomas still eyed the other dubiously even after Alexander had cleared his whole plate.
"Your cook really is extraordinary" Alexander said with a small smile. "I must make sure I introduce myself and thank her before my stay here is over."
Both Thomas and James's eyebrows rose in surprise, and they shared a look. They didn't think that Alexander seemed the type to introduce himself to or thank the help. Thomas supposed he should have thought of it last night when Alexander had explained that he cooked all of his own meals. That wasn't the actions of someone obsessed with power and appearances. Even if Alexander couldn't afford a cook, though Thomas suspected that he could, he would've lied about it to protect his image if he was so concerned with promoting himself.
"I'm sure Helena would like that very much" Thomas said softly.
"You should try her oat cakes" James said with a grin. "Perhaps you could request she make them during your stay when you introduce yourself."
Hamilton let out a bark of laughter, "why? So, you can just eat them all?"
James didn't even try to deny the accusation.
"Alexander makes a very nice seed cake" Washington put in suddenly, his expression turning thoughtful.
Three sets of eyes turned to stare at him incredulously.
"You bake?" Knox asked surprised and Alexander glared at Washington.
"I do" Alexander said shortly. Not at all impressed with one of his closest friends spilling such a personal secret. The worse part was Washington didn't even look apologetic; he looked the younger man straight in the eye and smiled.
Thomas wasn't sure exactly why the thought of Alexander in the kitchen baking was making his heart race. His thoughts strayed to images of Alexander in an apron, flour on his cheek. His hands clenched around the arm of his chair for a moment before he took a deep breath and forced himself to relax. Shaking his head slightly to rid himself of the tantalising images.
"You will have to bake it for us sometime before the week is up" Thomas said as he looked at the other man, delighting in the light blush that dusted Alexander's cheeks. Before any words of protest could be voiced Washington and Knox were already nodding in agreement.
"An excellent idea" James said agreeably.
"Oh, don't listen to George, it's not very good. Certainly nothing to compare with Helena's cooking" Alexander mumbled, looking down at his plate, clearly embarrassed.
Thomas could do nothing but sit and gape in shock. Alexander admitting his own weakness, that he wasn't an expert in all things. He was so used to the extreme confidence that the treasurer usually showed that he had no clue what to do with this shy, blushing Alexander, except perhaps, pull him into his arms and never let him go.
"Nonsense" George smirked, obviously amused by Thomas' inner turmoil. "You do a very fine job of it."
They were back to their meeting after lunch, but Thomas found his thoughts constantly returning to Alexander.
That evening as they settled for a drink after dinner Thomas made sure to sit beside Alexander, ignoring the knowing looks that Washington and James were sending him.
Alexander was once again dressed in comfortable attire instead of the stuffy everyday wear that everyone else was wearing. Perhaps tomorrow night he'd follow the others example and dress a little less formal.
Out of the corner of his eye Thomas caught a shiver pass through Alexander.
"Are you cold?" He asked softly, not wanting to disturb the conversation flowing around them.
"A little" Alexander responded. "It's colder here than I was expecting, and I fear I should have perhaps packed some warmer clothing."
"I can lend you some of mine if you have need?" Thomas offered, already feeling all his blood rushing south at the very idea of Alexander dressed in his clothes.
The shorter man shot him an incredulous look, "like your clothes would even fit me" Alexander said with a laugh. "In case you hadn't noticed I am a lot smaller than you are."
"Oh, I've noticed" Thomas said with a leer that caused Alexanders eyes to pop open in surprise before narrowing suspiciously.
"I was thinking along the lines of coats, scares, mittens, those kind of things" Thomas explained.
Alexander looked like he was chewing on a lemon before sighing and nodding his head.
"That would actually be great, thank you" Alexander said shyly, glancing up at Thomas from under his eyelashes. "I- I hate being cold, it reminds me of my childhood."
Now it was Thomas's turn to look surprised. Alexander rarely spoke about his childhood, though he knew that the other had immigrated from the British West Indies. Before he could think of an appropriate response Alexander had turned away and appeared to be listening to Knox talk about his newborn son. Thomas saw him shiver again and without even consciously deciding to do so he moved closer, reaching out an arm and wrapping it around Alexanders shoulders, tucking the other man against his side. He felt Alexander tense for a moment and wondered if he would be pushed away, before he finally relaxed, nearly burrowing into Thomas' side and soaking up his warmth. Thomas brought his other hand around and rested it gently on Alexander's knee, very much enjoying having the smaller man in his arms.