Chapter Text
With one final tap of his keyboard, Alexander leaned back in his chair. His report of sixteen pages, that took half as many days to complete, printed next to him. When it finished, he grabbed the papers, checked the order and stapled them together. Standing up and stretching, he walked out of his office for the day, grabbing his coat and heading down the stairs. He dropped the report in his boss, Washington’s box, and headed to sign out. Looking at the clock, he began writing. Suddenly, a loud voice sounded behind him.
"Oh! What a coincidence! I was just leaving as well!” Jefferson. Straightening up, Alexander turned around.
"I'm not in the mood for your antics, Thomas," he said. Jefferson quickly signed out and looked at Alexander.
"Well, if I can’t talk to you, at least tell Laurens, your, ah, boyfriend that I said hello.” Alex’s face suddenly changed from dislike to pure fury.
“Are you really going to go there? Are you going to go so low as to target my being gay?”
“No, no,” Jefferson cut in innocently. “I have no problem with you being gay. I just think that Laurens could have...chosen better.” He grinned. Alexander was livid. He strode toward Jefferson and shoved him backward. The taller man fell back a little but managed to keep his balance. All traces of arrogance had gone from his face; they were replaced by disgust. “Don't you touch me,” He paused for a split second. “ Orphan. ” Jefferson spat the insult as though it were a swear word.
“I swear to God, Jefferson! I'll f-” but before he could finish his threat, someone walked into the room. That someone happened to be the boss of both men.
" What is going on here‽" Washington came into the room, looking between both parties. Neither one spoke. They looked like young children being scolded for some prank. "I try to get one quiet moment in my office, and I have to come out here to stop a brawl! Are you not both members of the governmental system‽"
"Yes, sir." Both men spoke together.
"Then act like it!" Washington paused for a moment. "Now, do either of you have that report I asked for a week ago?” Alexander spoke up quickly.
“I have mine, sir. Just turned it in.”
“Good. Jefferson?” The man in question reddened slightly.
“On your desk by the end of tomorrow,” he said stiffly. Once again, Hamilton had done it quicker, and probably better, now that Thomas had given himself a time frame. They both worked well, Alexander just worked faster and more ambitiously. These thoughts, among other things, were going through Washington’s mind as he nodded and turned to go back to his office. All was silent for a few moments until Jefferson, now thoroughly embarrassed, as others in the office had come downstairs to check on the racket, turned and left the building. Alexander turned to leave as well but decided against it, and instead walked toward Washington's office and knocked lightly three times. Soon enough, the door opened.
“Hamilton?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Come in.” Alexander did so and shut the door behind him. Sitting down across from Washington at the older man’s desk, Alexander realized how unnerving this would be, considering the earlier situation. His thoughts were interrupted by his boss’s voice from across the desk. “You wanted to talk about something?”
“Y-Yes, sir. First of all, I want to apologize for my earlier behavior. I was out of line, and reacted far too strongly to Thomas’s insults.” Washington raised an eyebrow.
“Apology accepted. Now, what do you want from me?” he asked jokingly. Alexander blinked.
“What?” Washington smiled gently.
“Don't worry, I can usually tell when someone wants something from me.” Alexander reddened slightly.
“Well, sir… I was going to ask…” He paused. This was awkward. “Could I, uh, could I take Christmas day off?” He looked down. “I know Christmas is in two days and it’s kinda short notice. I mean, I could come in earlier the day after or something!” he added hastily. Washington smiled again.
“Of course you can take Christmas off. I was planning to let you anyway. No need to come in early, either.” Alexander looked up.
“Really?” Washington nodded. “Thank you so much!!”
“You deserve it, son. You’ve worked twice as hard as anyone here, with half as many breaks!” Alexander smiled.
“I appreciate that, sir!”
“Of course. Now, go home and get some rest. You seem like you could use it.”
“Yes, sir.” Alex laughed lightly and left the office.