Thomas had to dragged himself to work, exhausted and late but not giving a fuck, avoiding Aaron's office and hiding in his own. All he could do last night was stare at the hourglass shaped tattoo; odd, weird tattoo. He couldn't look away, scared he was only hallucinating the tattoo and it would disappear. He traced the outline and lightly poked at it. It was still just skin but Thomas felt that part of skin had gone numb. To be honest he wasn't even sure it was Aaron's tattoo, but who else could it be? The evidence was clear and there was no way he could've missed his head reeling over two people. The real question here was what he was going to do about it. Thomas didn't know what to do with... feelings. Can he get laid? Yes, he's a master at it. Can he form friendly relationships? Yes, if the person didn't repulse him. But romantic feelings and starting a new chapter in his love life? No! Slam the book closed, burn it, walk out the house and never come back! As embarrassing as it may sound, Thomas didn't know what the hell to do. If he was interested in someone then everything that came out of his mouth as a lewd comment. He never had to ask anyone out, he had only been with Martha and she was the one who asked him out. Thomas groaned into his hands at the mess he was in. Not only was he frustrated with this but he didn't even know he liked guys! Sure, he'd done some experimenting but everyone did experiment.

"Fuck my life," Thomas groaned.

Before he could wallow in his own misery again his attention was stolen by James walking to his office. His first thought was to say hello and good morning but something else had popped into his mind. James and Aaron were friends; why else would Aaron take James's spare clothes? Thomas grated down on his teeth and took a deep breath. Turns out he would have to ask for a favor. He hated asking for favors, he liked being able to get what he wanted without assistance. Pity and he knows it. Maybe Thomas didn't have to ask for a favor because he just had too many flaws to be a good partner. Then again he wasn't one to let opportunities slip from him either. He stood up and walked to James's office, knocking on the door with a shy grin.

James looked at him and smiled. "Morning Thomas, how are you doing?"

"On the fence," Thomas admitted.

"About what?" James asked, genuinely curious.

"About asking Aaron out," Thomas spat out.

Without evening needing a drink or something in his throat to inhale, James brusted into a huge coughing fit. Thomas jumped back in surprise. It didn't matter how many times he's seen James hack out a lung or magically get sick the snap of a witches fingers, he will always be shocked on how the man is still alive. James held up a finger then proceeded to cough in his handkerchief some more. When he (finally) stopped, James stood up.

"Okay," He started slowly. "You, Thomas Jefferson, want to date Aaron Burr?"

"What is this? A wedding?" Thomas asked, trying to hide his embarrassment. "Yes, I, Thomas Jefferson, would like to date Aaron Burr."

"Sorry, just didn't know you liked guys too."

Thomas clapped his hands together. "Well call me bi or what the hell it is the kids call it these days!"

"It's still called bisexual, Thomas, when you like both girls and boys," James said in a much more cut and dry voice. "There are other sexualities too you know. Dolly's polyromantic and I'm asexual."

Thomas winced, knowing his mistake. "Sorry, sorry, not a good thing to joke about. Just... a lot of stuff I'm processing."

"You're lucky it was me and not Hamilton," James muttered. He paused for a moment before smiling a little. "So, Aaron, huh?"

"Yes," Thomas grunted out, knowing his face was red.

"That's good, Aaron nice and sweet, he'll be good for you."

"You think so?"

James beamed. "I know so. But I have to warn you, you hurt that little guy and you have a long line of people who will hurt you; I included."

"Good to know," Thomas said.

Thomas was going to ask a million questions but the knocking at James's office door beat him to it. He turned around about to tell the person to beat it but the words died in his mouth when he saw that it was Aaron. He was hovering by the door and looking between the two, no doubt knowing he was walking in on a conversation. Thomas felt his stupid feelings kick up again and his mind go numb. Fuck Aaron and his ability to do that. He took his own glance at James and almost hissed to see James all too pleased.

"Am I intruding?" Aaron asked.

"Not at all!" James answered his voice unnaturally cheery. "Come in!"

If glares could kill then James Madison would be dead. Thomas stood awkwardly as his love interest walked in. He could feel his heart jump in his throat and his natural smooth attitude abandon him.

"How is Dolley?" Aaron asked. "And Polly?"

"Polly?" Thomas echoed.

"Their parrot," Aaron filled in. "Creative right?"

"Oh yes, almost like how through high school kids called me Thomas the tank engine."

Aaron snorted. "Really? Who started that?"

"I have no clue."

"Martha did, I'm better sure," James chimed in.

"Of course she did," Thomas muttered.

"I'm sorry, but who's Martha?" Aaron asked, looking back and forth at them.

Thomas felt his whole body clench. It still wasn't easy to talk about, it never will be. What made it so much worse was that this was his crush. A sense of betrayal over flooded him. Was he really about to forget about Martha? Replace her with some other guy who walked into his life? Aaron wasn't even anything like Martha. He was sweet and kind while she was roaring flame. Thomas cursed his own stupid self that he let himself fall for someone else, someone who wouldn't be able to keep up with him. Aaron's nice but he wouldn't be able to do what Martha could and Thomas knew that would always bother him.

"Excuse me," Thomas said bluntly and marched out.

"Thomas!"

He heard James call for him but he didn't dare go back. He needed to work, needed to work through his feelings, get over this school crush on Aaron.