#hamcember

Once he turned the corner and ducked into the little niche of a cozy cafe, he pulled his ochre scarf below his chin, sighing as he left the winter-chilled air behind him. He allowed the scent of fresh coffee and seasonal spices to fill his nose as he stepped into line, and it didn’t take long before the attention of the barista was focused on him.

“I’ll take a dark chocolate mocha, hold the whipped cream.” He instructed quietly, offering the barista a nod in thanks as she went to prepare his drink and he took a seat in a booth by the window.

James was quiet as he waited for his drink, watching as the hustle and bustle carried each passersby throughout their day. He was happy that the café was quiet save for the instrumental carols that provided a classic, festive atmosphere to the little café. It was pleasant, although James would never fully admit it.

Soon, his name was called and he stood to collect his drink, his lips twitching upwards at the little pair of reindeer painted on the side of the cup as he returned to his seat.

He barely got a chance to bring the mug of warm chocolate to his lips before a familiar face stepped through the door.

“Jemmy! It’s good to see you,” Thomas called, walking past the counter to sit across from his friend, taking a moment to shake some snow out of his hair before he continued, “How’s the season been treating you?”

“It’s nothing that isn’t normal,” James replied with a small sigh as he set down his mug and leaned back in his seat, “I appreciate your concern, Thomas, but you shouldn’t worry yourself over me. We’re not kids anymore; I’ve mostly grown out of my asthma.”

Thomas gave him a bit of a strained smile as he folded his hands in front of him. He was bouncing his leg; James could feel the motion slightly shaking the table and creating little ripples in the surface of his mocha.

“Something on your mind?”

“Sort of,” Thomas began again, giving James another smile, this one nervous instead, “Are you busy at all today?”

“Not particularly, why?” James knew what Thomas’ tone meant. He was about to ask for a favour, or spring some social event on him. Or both.

“Do you remember Lafayette? I roomed with him when I was working in France a little while ago,” Thomas replied, tilting his head as he tapped his fingers on the table, “He actually just moved here last month, made fast friends with Alexander and his group too.”

“And you're telling me this because…?”

“I may or may not have already told him that you could go ice skating at Rockefeller with all of us today.”

And there it was. James could only sigh in response, shaking his head and pinching the bridge of his nose, “Thomas, you know I’m not exactly a social person.”

“I know, I know,” Thomas replied with a sigh of his own, looking down and away from James in shame, “But he really wants to meet you, Jemmy. I told him a lot about you back in France and he’s excited about this.”

“Don’t ‘Jemmy’ me now,” James muttered, turning his gaze to his mocha in an attempt to ignore the pouts and whines that Thomas was trying to persuade him with.

“Come on, Jemmy, just this once? For me? It’s only a couple of hours, and I’ll owe you big time…”

“Fine,” James relinquishes with a huff, “You better not forget about this favour either.”

He didn’t give Thomas time to respond before he stood, taking his mug with him as he approached the counter and cleared his throat to get the attention of the barista.

“Could you put this in a to-go cup?”

 *~*~*~*~*~*

 The Rockefeller Centre was busy enough any other time of year, packed with native New Yorkers and tourists alike. The holiday season only dialled up the crowds to eleven.

The Christmas tree, though it was still in the process of being decorated before its grand unveiling, still caught the gaze of the many from the grandeur of its sheer size. There were streams of people coming in and out of the stores surrounding the square, the buildings of which were all dressed up in festive colours and to market themselves for the holidays.

It was New York’s beautiful, chaotic, and imperfect celebrations were well underway.

“I still miss the South’s way of celebrating this season,” James muttered as he did his best to keep up with Thomas’ long strides while he struggled to swim upstream through the mass of people, “It’s much classier, and causes much less anxiety too.”

“As much as I agree with you, James,” Thomas replied with a shake of his head, looking down and back at his much shorter friend, “Try to keep your chin up, alright? We’re here to have fun with some friends.”

James only huffed in response, looking down at the cup he held in his gloved hands. He just hoped he’d get a chance to finish his mocha soon.

“Thomas, mon ami! I am so glad that you could make it.”

James looked up as another man began to approach them. His resemblance to Thomas was uncanny, and save for a few details of his face and the neat bun that held back his thick curls, they could have easily been identical twins.

“I always keep my promises, Lafayette, it’s nice to see you too.”

James watched as they shared a few more words he couldn’t make out, most likely because they weren’t in English, before they pressed a pair of quick pecks to each of each others’ cheeks. It confused him for a moment until he remembered something about French greetings, and then Lafayette’s attention was on him.

“And you must be le petit James! Thomas has talked a lot about you, I am glad to finally meet you in person.” Lafayette’s demeanour was sugar, spice, and everything nice.

James had to catch himself before the icy appearance he usually kept with strangers melted away. He sent a quick glance to Thomas to ask for a translation of the words he didn’t recognize, but when he received a shake of the head in response, he decided not to dwell on it.

“Thomas has said many things about you too,” James replied with a curt nod, shifting his mocha to his left hand so he could extend the other for a handshake, “It is nice to meet you too.”

Maybe Lafayette didn’t see James’ hand, or maybe he simply ignored it, because as he a warm laugh bubbled past his lips he leaned down and pressed two quick kisses to James’ cheeks.

Almost immediately heat rushed to his faced as he stared up at the Frenchman with a flustered gape, opening and closing his mouth like a fish out of water as he tried to find an appropriate response.

“Oh, mon Dieu! I am so sorry, James, I forgot- I was only trying to be polite. That is how I would greet friends back in France.” Lafayette quickly replied once he realized what he’d done, taking hold of James’ still-extended hand in his mitted grip as he continued to murmur apologies.

Thomas, who had been watching this scene unfold with a guileful grin, couldn’t hold back his laughter anymore, “Don’t worry about it, Laf. James doesn’t take offence that easily, right?”

In the moment James finally managed to collect himself, giving a simple nod in response as he tucked his hand back in his pocket, “Of course not. Uhm, are the others here too?”

At the change of topic Lafayette smiled again, offering a nod in response, “Yes, they’re already on the ice. I just wanted to wait for you two.”

“How sweet,” Thomas replied, giving the Frenchman’s shoulder a pat to grab his attention, “Why don’t we go grab ourselves some skates and get in on the action before they’re all tuckered out, hm?”

Lafayette smiled brighter this time with another nod as he followed Thomas to the little skate rental booth, going on to chat about something or other in his same sweet excitement.

James simply watched them leave, letting out a breath he didn’t know he was holding as he turned away to find a place by the boards where he could watch. It’s not like he had the skills to join in on the fun anyways, and here he finally got to enjoy his mocha.

He was quiet in his content as he sipped at the dark chocolate drink. It had lost some of its original heat, but it was still pleasant to hold and helped warm his chilled body. He turned his attention to the skaters a moment later, searching for the faces he recognized.

He saw Alexander and John laughing together as they ducked and wove between the other skaters in a rush to go nowhere. He watched for a moment as Burr stumbled for a moment before catching himself on Hercules, a giant of a man that looked a little out of place on the ice. Then, his gaze drifted back to Thomas and Lafayette, though he was only focused on the Frenchman.

James couldn’t help the way his lips twitched up in a smile. Lafayette’s eyes were warm, like the gentle glow of a candle on Christmas Eve. He watched the corners of the Frenchman’s eyes crinkle up as he laughed, and James felt himself mirroring the expression before he snapped himself out of his little daze.

“Get a hold of yourself, James.” He muttered, turning away as he finished off his mocha.

Still, he couldn’t help himself as he went back to watching Lafayette.

And that’s when their gazes met.

The Frenchman’s lips curled down into a frown, tilting his head in show of his confusion before he said a quick goodbye to Thomas and started to approach.

“Do you not want to join us, mon petit? I hope it is not because of me, I truly did not mean you any offence.”

“No, you’re alright,” James replied, hoping that it wasn’t noticable how his breath hitched when Lafayette touched his hand, “It’s just…”

“Is something the matter?”

James glanced away, clearing his throat. He tried to force down the embarrassed flush that tingled in his cheeks as he spoke, words not much more than a whisper, “… I can’t skate.”

Lafayette blinked for a moment, and James still didn’t look back at him before he heard sweet laughter bubble past the Frenchman’s lips. “If that is it, mon petit, then there is nothing you should worry about! Come, I will teach you.”

“I- I’m sorry?”

“I will teach you!” The Frenchman repeated with a beaming smile that James just couldn’t bring himself to say no to.

James’ cheeks were still warm with embarrassment as Lafayette hopped over the boards and held his hand, both figuratively and literally, through the process of renting and tying his skates before leading him to the edge of the rink.

“I’m not so sure about this…” James murmured. His steps were already shaky enough as he tiptoed behind the Frenchman, he didn’t know what would happen if he dared to step on the ice.

“Just don’t let go of my hands, yes? I will make sure you don’t fall.” Lafayette reassured, his words gentle and his smile as sweet as sugar.

James nodded, taking a wobbly step into the ice. He nearly slipped right out of the gate, but Lafayette was there, keeping his hands in his tight yet comfortable grip.

“See? It is not so hard. Just follow my lead, I will make sure you are alright.” Lafayette added with a soft laugh and a little smile. Sugar, spice, and everything nice.

James wasn’t sure if his legs were wobbling because of the skates or the fact that at this rate the Frenchman was going to make him melt.

He gave a small nod in response, smiling a little bit as he began to slowly glide forwards. Of course, Lafayette was doing most of the work, but he still let himself feel a little proud that he was getting somewhere.

James let his lips twitch up into a smile as he glanced up at Lafayette, and a different kind of heat flushed to his cheeks at how the Frenchman was looking back at him.

There was a gentle pride shining in his eyes as he smiled back down at James, giving his hands a little reassuring squeeze. He was nothing but genuine, soft and sweet in all his actions and words.

James couldn’t help the heat that flushed to his cheeks again and how his legs began to wobble. Whatever was left of his icy composure had long melted away, and apparently so did his balance.

“Oh Dieu!”

Lafayette wrapped his arms around James’ waist in an attempt to keep them both upright, but the Frenchman had already been knocked off balance. He fell back, landing flat on his backside with James pressed flush against his chest.

They slid to a stop a moment later, both staring at each other with wide eyes and flushed cheeks.

James burst into laughter; it was all he could think to do in the moment. The sound rang clear like a bell as he relaxed against Lafayette’s chest. The Frenchman soon joined in, his own laughter a bright chiming sound that tickled James’ cheeks as it bubbled up from his chest.

“I’m sorry,” James began to speak, slowly calming down after taking a few deep breaths, “I don’t quite know what happened there.”

“It is quite alright, mon petit,” Lafayette replied, shaking his head. He was still laughing, though the chime had quieted down, “You did quite well for your first time, you should be proud.”

James smiled more with a quiet hum and a nod in response. He began to shift so that Lafayette would be able to stand again, and in turn, the Frenchman helped him back up onto his feet.

“I should repay you for doing all of this for me… Do you like hot chocolate? I know a good café that’s not far from here.”

Now Alex is sitting on the bed with the book in his lap and tears still streaming down his face, desperately trying to remember why they even had that fight in the first place, but he comes up empty. He wipes the tears away with the back of his hand and takes a deep breath, before opening the photo album with trembling fingers.

The first picture shows Thomas and Alex in their last year of high school, the year they became friends, but still before they got together. It´s a polaroid Laf took of them at their school´s Christmas party and even though it´s a bit burry, and the lightning isn´t great, it´s one of Alex´s favourite pictures of them. He gently traces the edge of it, a small smile on his face as he thinks back to that time.

Alex turns the page, and the next picture is them kissing underneath a mistletoe at their university. He doesn´t remember who took it, but it doesn´t really matter. It was one of their first pictures together after they´ve become a couple and Alex can´t help but wish to go back in time and just start all over again.

He has to take a moment, before he is able to turn the page, because he has started crying again, the fear that this is all over filling up his head once again. His hand is trembling even worse as he turns the page, looking down at the picture of their first Christmas together at the house of Thomas´ parents. They are standing in front of a Christmas tree and the picture looks a bit forced and Alex remembers how awkward it was, but they still look happy.

Alex is still flipping through the pages of the photo album, silent tears rolling down his cheeks, when there is a knocking on the door. He freezes, his heart beating loud and fast in his chest and for a moment, he doesn´t manage to make any sound.

“Come in.”, he finally says, his voice raw and a bit husky.

Alex doesn´t know if he should be happy or afraid, when he sees Thomas standing in the door, his eyes red and swollen as well. Normally he can read his boyfriend like an open book, but today, as he needs it most, he can´t tell what the other man is thinking.

“Thomas-“, Alex starts, even though he doesn´t know what to say exactly. He just knows he has to apologize, has to make this right, before there is nothing left for him to fix.

“The photographer is here.”, Thomas says, interrupting him. “We´ll talk later. Get ready for the picture, okay?”

Before Alex can say anything else, Thomas has closed the door behind him, and Alex is left alone again. He can feel panic spreading through him, the realisation that he might actually lose Thomas forever, that this will be their last Christmas picture together, hitting him hard. Alex struggles to breath for a moment, sure that losing Thomas will actually kill him.

Alex shakes his head and takes a deep breath, trying to calm himself down. There is still time to fix this. They´ll have their picture taken and maybe that will help remind them of how much they´ve gone through together. Alex takes another deep breath and gets up from the bed, walking over to the mirror on the wall, looking at himself. He looks horrible, just like he feels. His skin is pale, his eyes are bloodshot and there are tear tracks on his face. He lets out a sigh and walks into the bathroom, washing his face and pulling his hear into a ponytail. He tries out a smile, but it looks fake and doesn´t reach his eyes, so Alex gives up and walks back into the bedroom, where he pulls the Christmas sweater over his head.

Alex feels sick with anxiety, as he walks down the hallway to the living room, where he hears Thomas talking with the photographer. He hesitates a moment, before he opens the door and walks into the room, giving the woman a weak smile.

“This is Alex Hamilton, my boyfriend.”, Thomas introduces him.

The words “my boyfriend” feel like a stab directly into Alex´s heart, and he has to do his best to keep smiling and not break down into tears.

“Hi.”, he says to the photographer. “Nice to meet you.”

“Nice to meet you too. I´m Theo Bartow.”

They exchange a few pleasantries, but Alex can´t help sneaking glances at Thomas, his heart aching for things to go back the way they were before the fight.

“So you want the picture taken in front of the Christmas tree?”, Theo asks finally, releasing Alex from this hell.

“Yes, that would be perfect.”, Thomas answers, while Alex just nods.

They walk over to the tree and stand next to each other, but with a visible gap between them.

“Thomas, could you wrap your arm around Alex and Alex could you place your hand on Thomas´ chest?”, Theo instructs them, and Alex can feel his throat closing again.

He flinches a bit as Thomas touches him, but hurries to get into the position Theo had requested. His heart is beating fast in his chest and he hopes Thomas can´t feel it.

“Looks great.”, she informs them. “Now smile.”

Alex does his best to make his smile believable, as the woman takes a picture. After looking at it for a moment, she adjusts the light. She takes a few more pictures, before she has them change positions. This time they are simply standing next to each other, with Thomas´ arm around Alex´ waist, both smiling at the camera.

Usually Alex loves those photoshoots, as cheesy as they are, but today it´s torture. He endures it though, as Theo requests different positions for them, until she suggests that Thomas should pick Alex up bridal style.

“I think we´re good.”, he says quietly. “I´m sure you´ve got some amazing pictures.”

“Oh, okay, sure. We can end this here. I´ll mail you the pictures once I´m back at the office and you can choose the ones you want me to work on.”

Alex nods and they talk for a bit, while Theo packs up her equipment. After she is done, they walk her to the front door and say their thanks. As soon as the door closes behind her, the anxiety from before comes back full force, and Alex feels himself starting to tremble. He feels sick.

“I´ll head to the bathroom real quick.”, he informs Thomas, not waiting for a reply.

Once he reaches the bathroom, he sinks down in front of the toilette, feeling like he might throw up any time. He tries to open the toilette lid, but his hands are trembling so much, that it falls down again. This is the last straw, which causes Alex to start crying again, his body shaking even more now. After what feels like hours, there is a knocking on the door once again.

“Alex?”, Thomas asks tentatively. “Are you-?“, he hesitates, apparently not knowing how to end his question. “Can I come in?”

Alex takes a deep breath, hoping that his voice doesn´t sound es pathetic as he feels.

“Give me another minute, alright?”, he gives back, his voice actually sounding almost normal.

“Okay.”, he hears Thomas say, and then steps retreating.

Alex gets up after a few seconds and walks over to the sink, taking a tissue and blowing his nose, before he washes his face again. He takes a deep breath and walks out of the bathroom and into the living room, where he finds Thomas sitting on the couch.

“Hey.”, he says quietly.

“Hey.”, Thomas gives back, looking up at him.

They are quiet for a moment, neither of them knowing what to say.

“Theo just sent the pictures.”, Thomas finally says, breaking the silence. “Do you want to see?”

Alex hesitates a moment, before he nods, forcing his legs to walk over to the couch and sit down next to Thomas.

“I´m sorry.”, Thomas says quietly. “I-“ He takes a shuddering breath. “I´m sorry.”

Alex nods, silent tears slipping down his face.

“Me too. I´m so sorry.”

He doesn´t know for what he´s actually apologizing, still doesn´t know what they are, but he wants Thomas to know that he is sorry, either for the fight or for causing them to break up.

“Do you want to talk or look at the pictures first?”, Thomas asks.

“Pictures.”, Alex says immediately

Like that he can still hope that everything will be okay again.

Thomas nods and opens the laptop, clicking on the link Theo has sent them and then on the first pic. It looks forced, both their eyes sad and smiles fake, but maybe it´s just because Alex knows that it is.

“Next.”, he says, and Thomas swipes to the left.

It´s almost the same picture, just like the next four, but then the position changes. It looks a bit more natural, but Alex can still see how red his eyes are.

“Next.”, he says again.

His breath catches when he sees the next pic, and he just stares at it for a moment in disbelieve, before looking up at Thomas, who is watching him intensely.

“This day wasn´t supposed to be like that at all, but I still want that.”, Thomas says quietly, his voice serious and calm, but Alex can hear the slight tremble in it.

He looks back the picture again, then at Thomas once more.

“Are you sure?”, Alex asks, he has to ask.

“I am and always was. Alexander Hamilton, will you marry me?”

Alex can feel his eyes filling with tears again as he nods, glancing back at the picture, that shows Thomas kneeling in front of the Christmas tree with the biggest smile on his face and a ring in his hand, holing up a sign that reads the exact same phrase.

“Yes, I want to. I-“, he hesitates. “I really thought this fight was it. That it was over.”

Thomas shakes his head, tears falling down his face as well.

“I love you. This fight was stupid, and I don´t want to ever lose you. I want to marry you.”

Alex surges forward, knocking the laptop off Thomas´ lap, but he doesn´t care as he holds on tight to the other man.

“I love you so much. So, so much.”, Alex whispers.

They stay like this for some time, with Alex softly crying, but this time from relief, while Thomas gently strokes his hair. When Alex looks up again, he notices that Thomas´ face is full of tears too.

“We really fucked up, huh?”, Alex asks. “That was the worst fight we ever had.”

Thomas nods, wiping the tears from his cheeks.

“I´m sorry that I just walked out like that, I- I just needed some time to think.”

This time it´s Alex that nods.

“No, no, I get it. I needed time to calm down and think too. I just thought… I was scared that you´d never come back.”, his voice cracks at the last word and he lets out a sob, clinging even tighter to Thomas.

“I will always come back.”, Thomas promises. His voice is quiet but serious.

Alex shakes his head and Thomas frowns.

“I will never let you leave again.”

Thomas chuckles quietly and Alex gives him a tiny smile. He leans forward and kisses the younger man. Alex melts into it, more tears leaving his eyes, as he wraps his arms around Thomas´ neck. When they part again, Alex lets out a shuddering breath, but he feels something inside of him settling into place again. He smiles up at Thomas, lightly poking his chest.

“Hey, where is my ring? Don´t you normally hand that out when you propose to someone?”

Thomas laughs and nods, pressing another kiss to Alex´s lips.

“Yeah, you´re right. Let me get it.”

With that he gets up and walks over to the Christmas tree, taking a small box from underneath it, that Alex hadn´t noticed before. He is kind of shocked Thomas hid the ring in such plain sight, but at the same time Alex can feel his heart fluttering nervously in his chest. Alex´s body moves almost on his own, as he gets up and slowly walks over to Thomas, who is still standing in front of the tree. There is a warm smile on the other man´s face and Alex´s heart makes a jump, when Thomas gets down on one knee in front of him, showing him the delicate gold ring.

“Let´s make it official, won´t we?”, Thomas asks, and all Alex can do is nod.

“Alexander Hamilton, will you make me the happiest man alive and agree to marry me?”

Alex lets out an almost breathless “yes”, shuddering as Thomas slips the ring onto his finger with trembling hands. Alex stares down at the ring for a long time, completely blown away by the thought that he is engaged. Especially after the day they´ve had.

“Where´s yours?”, Alex asks, looking around the room, as if he might find a second ring box hidden somewhere.

Thomas laughs quietly and takes another ring box out from underneath the Christmas tree. Alex lets out a huff.

“That´s not a good hiding place.”, he comments, and takes the box from Thomas.

“They´ve been here for about a week now and you didn´t notice, so I call bullshit.”

Alex shrugs and opens the box, marvelling at the ring for a moment, before he carefully takes it out. Thomas holds out his hand and Alex slips the ring onto his finger, his breath catching.

“I really didn´t expect that day to end like this.”, Alex admits, finally tearing his eyes away from the ring, to look up at Thomas´s face.

“I didn´t either this afternoon.”, Thomas says quietly.

Alex nods, dropping his gaze again.

“Do you regret it?”, he asks after a moment, and Thomas frowns.

“I can´t follow.”

“That you asked today.”

Thomas shakes his head almost instantly, grabbing Alexander´s hands.

“I don´t. This day didn´t go as I thought it would, but you said yes and that´s all that will ever matter.”

Alex lets out a sigh and nods, squeezing Thomas´ hands.

“I think we still have to choose a picture?”, Alex asks, and Thomas nods with a grin.

“We can do that if you haven´t broken my laptop earlier.”

Alex sticks his tongue out at Thomas, walking over to the couch again.

“I want a divorce.”, he declares with a big grin.

He is about to flop down onto the couch, but Thomas catches him by the waist at the last second, pulling him against his chest.

“Oh no, you are stuck with me, baby.”, Thomas gives back, a teasing note in his voice.

“I meant jealous of him, not me, ya loser.”

Thomas smirked and folded his arms over his chest. “And why the hell would I be jealous of Alexander Hamilton? I’m taller, smarter, dress better, and I’m way more handsome.”

John laughed. “And so modest.”

Jefferson grinned. “It can be hard sometimes, when you’re This Great.” He couldn’t help but chuckle. “Wait. It’s like negative 100 degrees outside. Where’s your hat?”

“I don’t have one.”

“What? I gave you an awesome one last year!”

“It was pink, Thomas.”

“Excuse you, it was magenta, and I thought it looked good on you.”

“The wool was itchy and it made my hair frizz.”

Thomas sighed dramatically. “You’re going to be freezing, you know. Your little South Carolina self was not made for these New Hampshire winters.”

“And your Virginia ass was?” John raised an eyebrow.

“Hell no. I hate the fucking cold. That’s why me and my thin, southern blood is staying inside.”

“For all of winter break? Just cooped up all alone in this stupid apartment.”

Thomas nodded. “Yup. And I can’t wait. I got tons of booze, a giant tv, a kitchen full of junk food. I’m all set. I don’t need anyone cramping my style.”

John picked up his bag and walked to the door. “You could just admit you’re gonna miss me.”

“Sorry mate.” Thomas shook his head. “I have a lot of faults but lying isn’t one of them. Plus, I can always text you if I get bored.”

“Please don’t.” John’s face darkened a little. “Alex gets mad when I get texts and stuff from other guys.”

“But… I’m your roommate. I’m not some rando. We’ve been friends since freshman year.”

“I know. He just…” John sighed heavily.  “I dunno. He gets weird about things sometimes.”

Thomas was going to use the opportunity to list all the times Alex had acted weird but his attention shifted to the window and the way the sky outside had turned the shade of bright grey that meant it was about to snow. “You sure you don’t want me to drive you?  The storm is supposed to be pretty bad.”

John shook his head. “It’s only a twenty-minute walk. The snow isn’t supposed to be awful until later tonight.”

Thomas frowned. “Ok. Well… see ya next year, I guess.”

“Yeah.” Laurens gave him a half-hearted chuckle and left.

  Two Hours Later

Thomas had fallen asleep on the couch while The Shining played on the tv in front of him.  The ice in his drink had long since melted and the leftovers he had microwaved had grown cold on the table. His phone had fallen and was resting on his cheek, the screen dimming and then fading to black. The phone vibrated against his skin for a while before he figured out what had stirred him awake and he looked at it confused for a minute before sliding his finger across the screen to answer it.

“Hello?” His voice was thick and groggy and his eyes were too blurry to see the caller id on the screen.

“Thomas?” John’s voice sounded thin and weak.

“John?” He was quickly regaining his senses and John sounded upset. “John, are you ok?”

“I’m f-f-fine.” He replied, sounding anything but.

“John. Are you crying or shivering?”

“K-k-kinda hard to say. Maybe b-b-both?”

Thomas sat up, fully awake now. “John Laurens, what the hell is going on? Are you all right?”

“Can you… can you just come get me?  I tried to walk home but it’s snowing really bad and I just… Well I just couldn’t even see, so now I’m just like, in the doorway of a store.  The deli on Main Street. And I’m…. it’s really cold.” His voice broke and he sounded miserable.

“Yeah.  Yeah, of course. I’ll be right there, ok?”

“K.” John nodded, though of course Thomas couldn’t see. “Please hurry.”

Thomas cursed as he hoisted himself off the couch and quickly got dressed. He brushed the snow off his windshield and hunched behind the steering wheel as he waited for the car to warm up. When his windshield was sufficiently defrosted and the air from the vents had gone from arctic to tropical, he headed to meet John. The snow was blinding, and he was thankfully the only dumbass that seemed to be out driving. His car fishtailed trying to make it up the hill that led to Main Street and he was certain he was going to skid all the way down the other side. He made it to the bottom safely and exhaled in gratitude. He squinted his eyes and saw a small figure outside one of the shops that had been closed when all the students left campus. He slid to a stop and unlocked the passenger door. John stumbled in; arms still wrapped tightly around his chest. He dropped his bag between his feet and closed the door.

“What happened?” Thomas looked over at him wide-eyed. John was shivering and it looked like his runny nose had frozen while he’d been waiting.

“I don’t want to talk about it.” He stared straight out the windshield. “I just want to go home.”

“Yeah… all right. Hang on, the roads are terrible.”

Thomas struggled the entire drive back while John sat in silence. When their street came into view, Thomas was relieved and could focus on John again. “Hey.” He said softly. “You ok?” There was no answer, so Thomas hazarded a look over at his friend. John just shook his head no as a tear spilled over his cheek. “K… well... we’re almost home, all right?” He carefully pulled into their parking lot and reached for John’s bag.

When they got inside, Thomas could see just how cold John was. “Shit, man. How long were you out there? Where the hell was Alex?”

“He was home.” John said softly. “I… I had to leave.”

Thomas furrowed his brow and was looking him up and down as he took John’s coat off and hung it by the door. “Why is the bottom of your pants soaking wet?”

“I tried to walk home. There’s a shortcut through the park but the path isn’t shoveled. Nothing is, really. There’s already so much snow on the ground.”

Thomas forced him onto the couch and knelt in front of him, immediately taking off John’s shoes and socks. “You need to change. Put on something warm.” He took John’s hands in his own and rubbed them together for heat. “Jeez, your fingers are like icicles.”

“It feels like my nose is gonna fall off.”

Thomas looked up at him and saw how red John’s nose was. He touched his hand to it and winced.  “Let me make you something warm. Tea? Cocoa?”

“Cocoa and Kahlua.”

“Oh?” Thomas raised his eyebrows and started to smile.

“I need it.” John said simply and Thomas could see the faintest trace of a smile on his face.

“No doubt.” Thomas stood up and started walking to the kitchen. “You go put on new clothes, I’ll get the drinks.”

Angelica rolled her eyes. 

You, my dear, are not worthy of such a pompous prick. Alas, I too cannot claim to be worthy of you, for you are far more beautiful than the sun, and far more elegant than the moon, and I am simply floating, caught in your orbit. I am a scoundrel that clawed my way up to a position of power, and you are a wealthy, graceful socialite of the highest class. It seems like the plot of one of those romance novels that Eliza enjoys so much. 

And yet, somehow, I have managed to capture your affections as surely as you have conquered mine. We have been dating for about a year and a half now, in fact. A year and a half of great joy and love, and I can only hope your affections have grown as mine have. 

I have missed you. You are one of the only ones who could possibly match me in conversation, and you handle these political affairs with a grace that I cannot. But beyond that, I have missed your company. The way you hug me when I get frustrated, the taste of your lips on mine, oh, my darling Angelica, I have missed you. 

You know me; I am a man who, once he knows what or whom he wants, strives for them with all his being. And this is no different. I wish to see you, and so I shall.

She smiled. She, too, couldn’t wait till he came home.

In fact, I am currently standing outside your window. 

Angelica furrowed her brow. Surely, he hadn’t come all the way back from Virginia to see her…

It sounds quite far-fetched, I’m aware, but if you look up-

She did so, curious. And to her utter disbelief, she saw Alexander. And that wasn’t all.

He was on one knee with a ring box in hand.

She nearly shrieked. Opening the window, she leaned down and shouted, “Alexander! What are you doing?” He grinned. “What does it look like I’m doing?” “Why would you be proposing out in the cold?” He shrugged. “Well, the snow was a bit unexpected, but all in all it was a great proposal, don’t you think? I do better with written words than I ever could have if I said things off the top of my head.” She shook her head at him, closing the window and running down the stairs two at a time to open the door and let him in. 

He spotted the door opening and smiled. “Angelica!” “Alexander.” “So, uh.. Will you marry me?” He presented the ring box, which was absurdly large. Angelica reached out and carefully pulled the lid off. And inside lay not a ring but a small dagger, the handle made of pink stone and the blade shining with rose gold. It was beautiful and elegant, and there was no doubt it must have cost him a fortune. “Alexander… what is this?” He grinned cheekily. “I know you don’t like tradition, and me proposing is pushing it a little bit, so I figured I’d offset the traditionalness of the man proposing with a dagger. And it’s just like you- beautiful, elegant, and very very dangerous.” Angelica stared at him, eyes watering. “I- oh my goodness Alexander, this is amazing,” she said. She reached out and took the dagger carefully. Alexander cocked one eyebrow, waiting for her response. And it came soon, the words bursting from Angelica’s lips like they had been waiting her whole life to do so. 

“Yes, yes, I’ll marry you!” Alexander started to cry, setting the dagger-box down and waiting patiently for Angelica to put the dagger on it before throwing himself into her arms, kissing her like never before. Angelica wrapped her arms tighter around him as they broke apart, not minding the snow on his coat. Alexander was here, and he was hers. She smiled, setting him down, closing the door and leading him to the kitchen.

They sat on the couch for a bit, sipping hot chocolate and talking. Angelica had missed their discourse, those times when they debated, Alexander matching her wit every time. They bantered back and forth, fitting together like two puzzle pieces. Their chatter was interrupted when Laurens video called, spotting the dagger on Angelica’s lap and gasping. “Alex- you did it, man! I didn’t think you had the balls!” Alex huffed as Angelica laughed beside him. “You still haven’t proposed,” he pointed out. “Wait- how did he know what the knife meant?” Angelica asked. “We made a pact to propose with knives, because the Schuyler Sisters deserve more than plain old rings,” John explained, winking. “Hey, she’s mine!” Alex said, pulling Angelica closer on the couch. John rolled his eyes. “I’ve got Laf and Peggy. I think that’s quite enough for me. Anyways, I gotta go! Oh man, now Herc doesn’t have any excuse not to propose to Eliza,” he said, grinning. “Bye! Congratulations!” There was a click, and he hung up. 

Alexander set his phone down, leaning up to kiss Angelica again, when it rang and he pulled away reluctantly to answer it. It was Eliza, looking absolutely radiant. “Angie! Look!” She moved the camera to show a dagger with a sword-like hilt and a blue stone handle. Angelica gasped. “Oh my gosh, congrats! Me too!” She pulled out her dagger and they squealed for a bit, Hercules looking on amusedly in the background. “Congrats, you guys,” he said. Alex grinned. “Thanks, man, you too.” 

They talked for a bit before hanging up. “I wonder how John’s gonna do it,” he said. “Two daggers maybe? Or like a ring and a dagger?” Angelica laughed. “They’ll figure it out. And if they don’t, Peggy’ll just do it herself.” Alex laughed too, leaning into her. “Yeah, that sounds about right.” They settled into contented silence. Outside, the snow continued to fall. 

Angelica looked out the window. It was getting dark, and so she nudged Alex. “C’mon, Lex, we should go to bed,” she muttered. “No,” he whined, “I wanna stay here. It’s comfy. We can sleep here.” His arms tightened around her waist. She laughed, lying down and pulling Alex on top of her. He kissed her goodnight and fell asleep promptly. She closed her eyes, feeling Alex’s comforting warmth. He was home. It wasn’t too long until her breathing deepened, matching his as they fell asleep on the couch, the engagement dagger glinting on the table in the moonlight.