Work Text:
Words Of Affirmation
Alexander was happy for the distraction his buzzing cell phone offered. He didn’t care if it was a pre-written text sent by his pharmacist, anything to stop talking to Aaron Burr.
“Hold that thought Burr.” He interrupted, eyes glued to the screen.
It was a text from his husband Thomas.
Thomas: I’m finishing up a big boring meeting.
Alexander: Ew. I’m talking to Aaron Burr.
Thomas: Ew. Say the thing
Alexander: The thing?
“Why are you giggling?” Aaron inquired. Alexander angled his phone away.
“None of your damn business!” He snapped.
“It’s his husband.” Laurens crooned, overhearing as he waltzed into the room. He began making kissy sounds and trying to embrace Alexander.
“Cut it out!” He stood up rounding the table as he glanced at his phone again.
Thomas: You know, the thing.
Alexander: You’re going to have to elaborate.
Thomas didn’t answer which most likely meant the “boring meeting” had something not boring happening in it. He sighed in defeat as he turned back to Aaron who seemed eager to continue the conversation.
“You were saying?” He offered and Burr continued to prattle on about how the current economic boom could actually harm Wall Street if they weren’t careful but Alexander was convinced that he had gotten his opinion on some half baked You Tube channel and just wanted to sound smart.
“You’re monopolizing my husband.” He heard the familiar Southern twang of Thomas just behind him before an arm slung across his shoulders.
Burr shrugged. “He was listening.”
“Barely!” Alexander shot over his shoulder as Thomas led him away. “Thank you.” He said when they were out of earshot. “You saved my life.”
“Don’t mention it.” Thomas released him once they were in the hall. “You on lunch break yet? I’m starving.”
“I’ve been waiting fifteen minutes.” Alexander complained. “So nice of you to finally join me.”
Thomas waved his hand like it wasn’t a big deal. “Oh please i’m here now aren’t I? Now come on to my office, i packed chinese food.”
The walk down the hall and up the stairs to Thomas’s office is a bit of a long one and they pass a few familiar faces on the way.
Best friends Hercules and Lafayette are gossiping about something over a mail cart as they march past and Lafayette casually waves for them to stop.
“Hey Alexander did you finally pull that stick out of his ass?” Lafayette asks jokingly.
“Yeah and then shoved it up his own, you know he likes it.” Thomas shot back before Alexander could speak.
Alexander scowled. “Bitch”
“Fuckwad.”
“Jolly green giant.”
“Gremlin.”
“Eyesore.”
“Mother fucker.”
“What you do with your mother is your business.”
“Wedding vows should have been. Till i kill you myself!” Hercules wheezed as they glared at each other.
“We’re going to lunch, shouldn’t you two be?” Thomas inquired.
They took the hint to get lost and went on their way.
They walk past a group of interns and Thomas strokes the hem of his jacket. “Eyesore?” He asks.
“Magenta went out with disco Thomas.” Alexander says. “I don’t see why you insist on draping yourself in such a gaudy ensemble everyday.”
“You weren’t complaining that day i caught you naked in bed all wrapped up in my jacket with your thighs pressed together and riding-”
“Shut up!” Alexander hisses and a boy who had been hurrying to catch up to his group looks positively scandalized.
“What? You only get embarrassed in front of other people.” Thomas had a shit eating grin on his face as they hurried up the stairs. Thomas taking them two at a time with Alexander struggling just behind him.
“I only get embarrased when i’m next to you.” Alexander spits back as they finally reach Thomas’s office.
“Words hurt Lex.” He pretended to be hurt as he clutched his chest before shoving the door open. Alexander gets to work yanking his side table away from the wall to push two sitting chairs across from each other on it, while Thomas fishes in his minifridge for two plastic bags.
Alexander seats himself while Thomas unpacks the spread passing a styrofoam box to Alexander along with a bottle of water and fortune cookie.
“Aww and you got me a spring roll, you can remember basic shit!” Alexander coos in faux awe as he opens his box.
Thomas rolls his eyes. “You get the most basic ass shit of course it’s easy to remember.”
Alexander sticks a food filled tongue out at him before digging properly into his food.
“You stil haven’t said the thing yet.” Thomas reminds him as he’s cutting into his beef.
Alexander points his fork at him. “And you still haven’t told me what the thing is.”
“Already told you i can’t ask for it.” He says secretively again. “It’s gotta be mostly unpromted.”
“Why?”
Thomas shrugs. “Means more that way.”
Alexander scrunched his face as he looked at his husband trying to discern exactly what the fuck he could be talking about.
Thomas looked almost pouty like he could not fathom why Alexander wasn’t figuring it out. He bit his tongue as a tiny lightbulb went off in his head, a phrase they said often but never so often in front of other people. Thomas preferred it to be mentioned in the privacy of the car or the home or an empty office. When others were around he declared it to be much too showy and that it held not nearly as much depth as it did when it was just the two of them.
“I love you Thomas.” He said.
Thomas’s face contorted into a stupidly sappy one. Wobbly grinning lips and crinkled up eyes that seemed to shine a tiny bit brighter anytime Alexander said it. He craved four simple little words like a blind man craved to see the sun and basked in them each time they were said like it was the first time he ever had.
“I love you too Alexander.”
Quality Time
“You’re home late!” Thomas called as soon as he heard the front door open. He was putting the finishing touches on his appearance preparing to head out for a late work meeting.
“Astute observation.” Came the sarcastic voice of his husband as he emerged a few moments later having shed his shoes and jacket. He looked rumpled as usual but his face looked dejected, kind of sad and defeated. Which wasn’t normal.
“Everything okay sugar?” He asked pausing his inspection of himself in the full length mirror to look over his husband.
Alexander nodded but he didn’t look it. He was distracted staring off into the distance.
“You’re sure?” He crossed the floor, his polished shoes clicking on the hardwood floor as he put his hands on his shoulders. His phone buzzed in his pocket and he reached for it as Alexander spoke.
“Yeah, just a couple of things went wrong today.” He rubbed his eyes. “I’m really looking forward to a hot shower, where are you headed?”
“Out to the office.” His eyes are on his phone. “I have some unfinished business with a client and have to meet late.”
Alexander smiles at him and stands on tiptoe to kiss his cheek. “Sounds like fun love, I hope you have a great time.” He maneuvers over to the kitchen. “Is there anything to eat?”
“I reheated lasagna from last night.” Thomas called softly, watching him walk away. His phone buzzes again, this time a work email from the client. He trails Alexander into the kitchen as he answers it.
He half watches as Alexander heats his plate in the microwave leaning against the counter and yawning heavily. Noticing that he is busy Alexander doesn’t speak to him, just crosses his arms and waits for his food to finish.
Thomas finishes typing his reply and sends it, not giving Alexander a backwards glance as he heads upstairs in search of his briefcase. It’s obvious something bad happened but if Alexander really wanted to talk about it and if it were really that serious he would say something.
“Do you know what time you’re going to be back?” Alexander asks when Thomas re-emerges with his jacket and briefcase. He is now seated at the dining room table preparing to tuck into his food.
“An hour? Maybe two? I’m going to try not to make it long because I'm tired but he may draw it out. And in that case I've got to be sharp no matter what.”
Alexander nods, taking a bite. “I missed you today.”
“Oh?” He asked, picking up his phone as it buzzed again.
“You left real early in the morning and I barely saw you at the office.”
Thomas nods half distracted. “That client was on my ass since 5 o'clock I knew it was going to be hard with him but fuck.”
“Will you be busy tomorrow?” He asks timidly.
Thomas sets the phone down. “I’m hoping not. But if things don’t conclude tonight I might be tied up. What did you eat for lunch today?”
He was concerned because they usually ate together and he knew that Alexander had the tendency to forget.
“Chicken salad sandwiches.” He spoke through a mouthful. “Laf packed a bunch extra, I was fine.”
“Still haven’t told me why you look sad.”
“It’s nothing. I’m okay.”
“Really truly?”
Alexander nodded.
Thomas grit his teeth as another email came through. “Well I better get going before this guy has a brain explosion or something.”
“Okay. I’ll see you when you get home.”
Thomas pulls on his jacket, grabs his briefcase and is prepared to exit the room when he turns around one last time. His heart aches. He sees Alexander sitting at a big fancy table in a big fancy kitchen, completely alone. He’s picking at the food and looking just as dejected as when he walked in.
Something was wrong and Thomas who had been in a big stupid hurry had took his stupid excuses that everything was okay and believed him. And he was about to be stupid and walk out on Alexander when he needed him.
“Alexander.”
He looked up.
Thomas moved back into the room. His phone buzzed again and without even looking at it he took it out of his pocket and held down the power button. It shuts off and he tosses it onto the counter along with his briefcase.
“Come here.”
He takes the plate with one hand and his husband's arm in the other leading him into the living room. Kicking his shoes off onto the carpet and settling the both of them onto the couch. He momentarily sets the plate on the coffee table and takes Alex’s hands in his, giving him full eye contact.
“Now tell me what is the matter.”
And Alexander’s eyes fill with tears. “Everything went wrong today. It was little stupid things like the printer or the fax machine but then we lost our meeting room and we couldn’t regroup so Addams yelled at me on the phone for like 40 minutes and Seabury didn’t finish his reports like fucking usual so i tried to bring those up to complete but it just made it look like i was the one who messed them up and then-”
Thomas does not say a single word as his husband tearfully recounts the woes of the day he’d had. Doesn’t offer a single word as he finally finishes, gasping for breath as Thomas tenderly wipes the tears streaming tracks down his face.
“And when I saw you leaving for a meeting I didn't wanna mess it up so i told you everything was fine.” He hiccuped between a sob.
“You didn’t mess it up.” He whispered. “You could never mess anything up if you need me. You come first before everything else, I'll always choose you.”
And he offered no solutions to the issues that Alexander had presented him.That isn’t what he wanted. Thomas had learned a long time ago that what Alexander craved was to be listened to, to feel like he was being heard.
“Feel better?” Thomas asked.
He nodded sniffling. “A little.”
Thomas picked up the half eaten lasagna and disappeared into the kitchen. He came back with a full plate and set it in Alexander’s hands. He then reached for Alexander’s own pocket and took out his phone, shutting it off before placing it and the tv remote on the side table. He then stretched out on the couch letting his feet hang off the armrest and the upper half of his body cradle in Alexander’s lap.
“Tell me about that Spiderman movie you and John went to see?” He asked and his eyes lit up.
“The opening sequence was phenomenal, Thomas let me tell you-”
Physical Touch
There must be something special about hand holding, Thomas thinks. For Alexander to reach for his hand the way he does everywhere they go. Sometimes he thinks it must be an unconscious thing or second nature. Like when he reaches for him in the night when they’re both lying in bed just to rest their hands together. Or anytime they are walking outside the car and he immediately feels fingers entwine with his own.
It makes him feel as though he is someone worth holding on to. Sometimes he struggles to even find the words for it.
He doesn’t mind it at all. He finds it sweet that he wants to latch onto them whenever they are out. They aren’t known much for saying endearments aloud, around people or themselves so Thomas sees it as a way for them to silently let the other know their affection.
Although the utter simplicity of it had always baffled him.
“You don’t deserve to lick the dirt off my shoe much less talk anymore shit about how this dumb as fuck debt plan is going to do anything but cripple our company’s assets!” Thomas leaned over the table, eyes blazing.
Alexander wasn’t backing down. “And you’re so fucking blinded by your own dumbass ideas of what the fuck you consider to be an adequate track of our assets that you won’t shut the hell up and listen to someone who is actually right!”
“Gentlemen please!” George interjected, confusing him as it always did how they could stand and spew insults and go home with each other at the end of the day.
“You can fucking sit in your fucking office all day and write your little fucking papers on how you think you’re better than everyone but its all in your stupid fucking big ass head!”
Alexander reached his hand across the table to squeeze Thomas’s wrist.
“And you can ride on your fat ass high horse around the corridors and mind everyone else’s business instead of your own and not get your work done but you’re the one who has to suffer for it!”
The fingers trailed over his knuckles, eyes never leaving him as the palm slipped into his own.
“Maybe we should take a break!” George suggested. “Everyone can go on an hour-long lunch.”
There was a sigh of relief around the room as people got up and began to file out. Alexander stayed staring at him for another moment before he tugged insistently at his hand indicating them to leave as well. They walked hand in hand out the door and down the stairs to the revolving doors leading outside to their car.
Thomas took the initiative to link their arms when they were actually on the sidewalk which seemed to surprise Alexander but he just rested his head against his shoulder and walked beside him.
“What are you hungry for?” Alexander asked once Thomas was reversing the car out of their space.
“McDonalds.”
“You’re so basic.”
“It’s good.”
“It is.”
Alexander of course wanted to eat inside for the sole reason that he liked to link their ankles together under the table when they were eating across from each other.
Thomas never asked him to explain his obsession with always having his hands all over him whenever they were with each other. He didn’t need him too, he remembers the distant Alexander he’d timidly asked out on a date 13 years before.
The man had been a mess of flailing hands while talking and muttered apologies whenever he’d so much as grazed Thomas. Around their third or fourth date Thomas had told him that he didn’t mind the touching and it had been history after that. There hadn’t been a date after when their fingers weren’t locked 80% of the time. When they made their relationship official all body parts were up for grabs and after marriage well-
Thomas smiled over the table at Alexander who seemed to think he was being left out of some joke.
“You lose something over here hon?” He asked sarcastically and Thomas rolled his eyes, still smiling.
“Just taking a gander at what I have sugar.”
Now it was Alexander’s turn to roll his eyes, not fazed by the sweet words, not that Thomas minded. That wasn’t what was important. He went up to get them both a refill and the second he sat down their legs were tangled right up again, and that is what mattered. The fact that Alexander was focused intently on his last two nuggest like his life depended on him eating them and yet still felt the force of his love at the same time.
They were ready to leave when Thomas announced that he needed the bathroom. Alexander was waiting just outside the door on the sidewalk when he exited looking at something on his phone.
He didn’t right away notice Thomas.
“Alexander.”
Head turned to look in his direction and Thomas made a grabby hand motion. His face lit up with a genuine smile as he went forward to meet him and arm and arm they made their way back to the car.
“We got 30 minutes left of our hour lunch.” Thomas observed as he started the engine.
“Lets go to the river park by the office. I wanna see the ducks.”
“As you wish sir.”
The drive was short and in no time they were tripping across the grass, Alexander kind of pulled on him because yes there were a lot of ducks in the pond and he left Thomas sitting on the bench as he tossed them some wilty fries he’d taken from the car.
And Thomas watched the man that he loved start talking to one of the ducks very seriously about something he could not hear and knew that no matter what he never had to wonder if he was loved.
Alexander, seemingly satisfied with his conversation, came to sit beside him and instantaneously they were plastered side to side. And Thomas smiled, he didn’t have to wonder because he knew how much he was.
Acts Of Service
“Tired?” Alexander asked Thomas. The man in turn grunted and slumped next to him on the bed. Alexander patted his shoulder kindly. “Poor thing, they over worked you today?”
Thomas leaned against him and nodded.
“You look real tense.” Alexander cooed tossing the blankets off his legs and sitting up. “Come here sweet face.” He leans against the headboard so that Thomas can settle between his legs and then he begins rubbing his shoulders. Thomas groans as Alexander presses his thumbs and kneads the taut skin of his back.
The movements continue down his arms before Alexander’s true intent is revealed and his hand settle between his thighs.
“You need to relax sweetheart.” He murmurs lovingly unbuttoning Thomas’s pants. The man doesn’t say anything to stop him as he opens the flap to tug his boxers down and let his dick out.
“Now i’ve got you love.” Alexander wraps an arm around his middle while his other hand takes Thomas’s dick. “You just relax and feel it.”
The arm around his waist keeps his hips from canting up into the glorious pressure on his dick and he is left thighs trembling to loll his head against Alexander’s shoulder and whine pitifully.
“You want it?” Alexander purrs. The arm moves so that he is stroking his dick and the other hand is cupping his balls. “You want it bad?”
Thomas spreads his legs giving Alexander more ample room to do as he wants. “Yes.” He moans. “Yes Alexander please.”
“Of course, you deserve it precious. You need someone to take care of you? They work you all day and now you need me to make you feel good?” Thomas nods hips thrusting up into each stroke.
“I- You feel so- Alexander.” He chokes on his own words and the hand cupping his balls moves to stroke his cheek gently.
“You don’t have to say anything babe. You just sit right there and let me do this for you.”
Thomas moans unabashed against Alexander’s shoulder, slightly embarrased to find that he hasn’t looked away from him no matter what he is doing.
“You’ve been all wound up haven’t you?” His free hand massages one of Thomas’s inner thighs, dancing close to his hole. He presses the balls of his feet into the blankets, lifting his hips into the air slightly hoping to entice Alexander.
“Yes. Please fuck i need-”
“Shhh. I know honey. I can’t remember the last time you let me do this for you, poor thing.” And one finger torturously presses into him up to the knuckle.
“Alexander!” He whines struggling to find the words.
“I know it isn’t enough pet, but you’re too tired for that.”
Alexander adds a second one scissoring him and Thomas is embarrased to admit how he grinds back against him chasing the delirous feeling of pleasure.
“My perfect boy just needs a little bit of help. Now are you going to be good and cum for me? You’ve been so good all day and now you want to let it all out?”
Thomas nods rapidly and the stroke increase, thumb swiping at his tip and gathering pre cum.
“Good boy, come on now. Cum for me Thomas. You’re being so good, so perfect. Cum for me honey.”
He feels a kiss press into the side of his face.
The next morning Thomas’s alarm obnoxiously wakes him at 6 am and he fights the urge to smash his phone into the wall when he reaches up to turn it off. Getting home at 10 oclock last night is not helping his sleep schedule.
He then rolls back over to look for Alexander. He always gives the still sleeping man a kiss before starting his day. But this morning he isn’t there.
Thomas shrugs it off, Alexander is allowed to get an early start if he wants. He heads into the bathroom to shower. Everything is already laid out for him his soaps and hair washes arranged, a couple of dry towels hanging on the rack. He steps in re-emerging 10 minutes later damp and dressed. He takes the stairs two at a time. Alexander isn’t in the kitchen either. He’s prepared for his routine but this morning the coffee machine already has a fresh pot brewed, there is even already a mug filled and steaming. He takes an experimenal sip and finds it made just the way he likes. He’s about to search for the toaster but the microwave light is on and there is a plate of eggs, bacon and potatoes saran wrapped for him. He smiles greatfully, he usually settles for toast in the morning because its quick and easy and a full meal is a welcome change.
“Lexi?” He calls as he carries his food into the dining room.
“Garage!” An echoey voice calls back and satisfied he tucks into his breakfast. Alexander finally emerges when Thomas is washing his dishes in the sink.
“Breakfast was good.” He says finally able to kiss his husband. “Thank you.”
“I also packed lunch.” He wiggles out of Thomas’s grip to open the pantry and present him with his lunch bag. “Hot soup and roast beef sandwiches, nothing real fancy.”
But it touches Thomas to the very core of his heart.
“I might have to leave early.” He checks his watch. “The car needs gas and-”
“Already done.”
“Really?”
Alexander shrugged.
Thomas’s entire voice floods with sincerity. “Thank you.” He smiles and Alexander returns it.
“You gonna be home late again today?” Alexander asks and Thomas’s face falls.
“Gee i sure do hope fucking not.” He smirks at Alexander. “Do i get another relaxation session when i come home tonight if i do?”
Alexander grinned cheekily. “We’ll see.”
Thomas checks his watch a final time and bigs up his bag from where he had dumped it on the counter the night before. “Okay well now i really have to go. I’ll see you tonight.”
He stoops down so that they can properly kiss this time.
Gift Giving
The door to his office slams open without a single warning knock or greeting. It startles him enough to knock his pen off his desk and he forlornly watches it roll under one of his cabinets before he finally looks at whoever had just rudely barged in.
Of course it was Alexander.
“Hello darling.” He croons sashaying into the room and pulling Thomas’s face up for a kiss.
“Hello.” He grins, confused. “To what do i owe the privelege of such a greeting?”
“Because.” Alexander singsongs reaching into the folder he’d dropped onto Thomas’s desk. “You are the last person i had to get approval from to sign this proposal and once you do-”
“So you’re buttering me up for something?” He takes it from him to scan it with scrutiny.
“No.” Alexander clucks with his tongue. “I was just excited because as the love of my life you will do anything to make sure that i am happy.”
“Mmhm.” Thomas hums glancing the paper over while Alexander fidgets. “This doesn’t look important enough of my time.”
“Don’t say that.” Alexander whined holding onto his arm.
“It looks like it’ll deflate my departments workflow.”
“Just for like a month.”
“I can’t afford to slow down, none of these people can.”
“Thomas!” Alexander bellows like a child getting ready for a tantrum. “Yes you can you just don’t want to!”
“Okay.” Thomas closes the folder and crosses his arms. “I just don’t want too.”
“Ugh. I thought you loved me.”
“You are a child.” Thomas opened the bottom drawer of his desk and pulled out a small wrapped box. “Here open this.”
Alexander eyed it suspiciously for a moment, his face looked a little alarmed.
“It isn’t my birthday right?”
Thomas shook his head.
“Or our anniversary!”
“It isn’t anything Alexander just open it.”
“It’s poison isn’t it? Meant to knock me into a drug induced coma so you can destroy my proposal.”
“It’s not poison, just open the box.”
Thomas didn’t look very excited so Alexander carefully tore the paper away and lifted off the lid.
“Oh.”
“Do you like it?”
The voice was hushed and hopeful, excited. Like he was holding his breath.
“Yes. Where did you get this?”
“That huge swap meet I went to 3 weeks ago. AndI wanted to get you something. I found this booth where this old woman was selling these antique ceramic animals.”
“This looks brand new.” He said accusingly.
“Well yes. It was a little worse for wear when i originally purchased it, but I found that it was relatively easy to paint and refurnish.”
Alexander looks up, shocked. “You did this?”
Thomas nods, watching him lift it out of the box. It’s small fitting in the palm of Alexander’s hand. It’s tan body, and yellow golden and black mane show hours of careful craftmanship and a steady hand. The lion sits back on its haunches and the mouth is wide open.
“I tested it, it’s the perfect little place to put your pen.”
“It is, but why?”
“I just wanted to get you something. Remember how you were telling me the story of how your mom used to call you little lion?”
Alexander nods.
“Well that was the animal inspiration.”
It was obvious that hours of love and adoration had been poured into this piece.
“And.” Thomas continued. “Because i can never do anything by halves.” He reached into his drawer again and pulled out a leather package.
Alexander tenderly set the lion down and took the other gift, unwrapping the tie and laying everything on the table.
“Oh wow.” He breathed. There were ten brand new pens that he instantly recgonized from a website he’d been crooning over a month prior. There were two feather pens, two ink, one calligraphy, two charcoal, felt tip and a few other ones looking just as expensive. Each one had the initials A.Ham engraved on them.
“Thomas this is all so beautiful.”
His hand covered his mouth as he looked up at Thomas whose eyes were glossy and who was smiling in satisfaction.
“You’re welcome.”
He rounded the table to kiss his husband again, cupping his face tightly in his hands as his cheeks wet both of their faces.
“Don’t cry love, it’s okay.” Thomas rubbed his back soothingly.
“How am i ever going to beat this?” Alexander joked and Thomas smiled.
“Oh honey, you don’t have to. I just want you to know how much you mean to me. This is my way. You just have to keep being you.”
“Why would you give these to me at work!” He complained standing up so he could wipe furiously at the tears gathering on his face. “I’m gonna be a mess.”
“I was trying to save them, but i figured maybe you needed a distraction from trying to convince me to sign this god awful proposal.”
Alexander tucked a strand of hair behind his ear. “Speaking of how much i mean to you-”
“Nope.” Thomas said ruffling his hair. “I gotta talk to Washington first.”
“Oh come on!” Alexander complained. “That’s ridiculous.”
“You are ridiculous!” Alexander growled crossing his arms.
Thomas rolled his eyes when he couldn’t see, knowing he’d been forgiven on the car ride home.
“Come on lets go put your new stuff in your office.” He suggested picking up the parcel.
“I can’t.” Alexander said holding up the proposal. “This was my current assignment so now i have to go tell Washington you won’t do it.”
“Aww poor baby.” Thomas cooed sarcastically. “Well then lets just keep this hear for safe keeping until later. Technically i do still have quotas to finish.”
“But we could go hang out in my office like you want if you just sign.” Alexander swung the paper enticingly in front of him.
Thomas did not look impressed. “Yeah never going to happen.”