Cabinet Battle 2
“I’m still unsure, mon ami. Are you sure staying private is the best plan of action?” Lafayette asked for the hundredth time.
“Yes, Laf, me and Thomas decided we weren’t going to go public yet,” Alexander said, rolling his eyes.
“Well, do not blame me for being cautious,” Lafayette huffs.
“I’m not, just relax,” Alex placates.
Lafayette sighs but concedes. “Whatever you say.”
Alex smiles. “Thank you, Laf!”
Lafayette twirled a pen. “Philip Schuyler gave up his seat to Aaron.”
Alex nodded. “He’s becoming a Democratic Republicans to threaten Thomas.”
Lafayette chuckles. “Sounds like him.”
***
“France and England have been on the verge of war, yet again. We need to know what we’ll do to help them- do we help them or stay out of it?” Washington asks the congressmen in front of him.
“Remember, my decision on this matter is not subject to congressional approval. The only person you have to convince is me. Secretary Jefferson, you have the floor, sir,” Washington said, going next back to his seat, letting Thomas take the floor.
“When we were on death’s door, when we were needy. We made a promise. We signed a treaty! We need money and guns and half a chance. Uh, who provided those funds?” Thomas asks, ready with his speech.
“France,” Madison mutters from behind him.
Thomas smiles as his admission and continues. “In return, they didn’t ask for land, only a promise that we’d lend a hand and stand with them if they fought against oppressors, and revolution is messy but now is the time to stand! Stand with our brothers as they fight against tyranny. I know that Alexander Hamilton is here and he would rather not have this debate; I’ll remind you that he is not Secretary of State! He knows nothing of loyalty! Smells like new money, dresses like fake royalty. Desperate to rise above his station, everything he does betrayed the ideals of our nation. Hey, and if you don’t know, now you know, Mr. President.”
Washington sat passively in his seat. “Thank you, Secretary Jefferson. Secretary Hamilton, your response?”
Jefferson smirks at his secret fiancé. Just because they were due to be married didn’t mean that they couldn’t have conflicting thoughts.
“You must be out of your goddamn mind if you think the President is going to bring the nation to the brink of meddling in the middle of a military mess, a game of chess, where France is Queen and King-less. We signed a treaty with a King whose head is now in a basket, would you like to take it out and ask it? Should we honor our treaty, King Louis’s head?
‘Uh, do whatever you want I’m super dead!’” Hamilton finishes boldly, creating a riot from the crowd.
“Enough enough, Hamilton is right.” Washington yells over the noise, raising his hands to calm the council.
“Mr. President!” Thomas protests.
“We’re too fragile to start another fight.”
“But sir, do we not fight for freedom?”
“Sure, when the French figure out who’s gonna lead them.”
“The people are leading!”
“The people are rioting! There’s a difference! Frankly, it’s a little disquieting that you would let your ideals blind you to reality! Hamilton?” Washington snaps.
“Sir,” Alex says out of instinct.
“Draft the statement of neutrality.” Washington orders.
Alexander nods and the council clears out.
“Did you forget what it was like to fight in a war that you felt like you were losing? France helped us yet we aren’t helping them?” Thomas asks his omega once they were together in Alex’s office.
“If we try to fight in every revolution in the world, we would never stop. Where do we draw the line?” Alexander counters.
“So quick witted,” Thomas drawls.
“Alas, I admit it,” Alexander says with faux disappointment.
“I bet you were quite a lawyer,” Thomas teases.
Alexander shrugged. “My defendants got acquitted.”
Thomas laughs. “Of course they did.”
After a beat of silence, Alex looks up to see uncertainty written on Thomas’s face.
“Is something wrong, Thomas? If you cheated on me again, I swear to god I’m gonna fucking-” Alexander threatens.
“No, no, Jesus, no. I was wondering…. would you like to move into my manor with me? We’re getting married soon anyways and my house is closer to the office,” Thomas said, attempting to feign nonchalance.
Alexander snickers. “Too proud to admit you want me close at all times?”
Thomas puts a hand on his heart and lets out an exaggerated sigh. “My pride is wounded, Alexander.”
Alex throws his head back and laughs. “Yes, I would like to move in with you. As long as you don’t wake me up in the mornings.”
Thomas sighs. “That might be a problem.
Alexander raises an eyebrow. “How so?”
“I might be an early waker,” Thomas admits.
Alexander’s eyes narrow. “How early?”
“5:30 early.”
“Jesus fuck! How the hell do you function?”
“My natural finesse.”
“I call bullshit.”
“It’s coffee.”
“Ok, I love you again.”
Thomas snorts. “I’d hope so. The marriage is after the election.”
Alexander sticks his tongue out and Thomas immediately reciprocates without thinking.
“Childish brat,” Thomas huffs.
“Please, you’re no better. And you love me,” Alexander counters knowingly.
“I suppose I do,” Thomas says, slightly smiling.