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If Alexander Hamilton was known for something, it was for his capacity to engage in the most ridiculous affairs. This included his social media, which he used mostly to debate about politics with anyone he could. Or simply to publish his own poetry, if he had time to write. Even with his passion to be involved in everything and give his opinion even if no one asked for it, he wouldn't be one to participate in any Internet trend.
It's not like he would come across any of them anyway. His algorithm was already trained to show him politics-related content, so if he saw any popular trend it was probably his friends’ fault. After so many years, he already knew what to expect from each one of them. His dear Laurens was the most random one. Some days it was super political content, news from all around the world or historical facts. On others, it could be all videos about animals, science and every little thing that John thought was interesting. And sometimes it was just pure dumb brainrot and cute dedication videos, because he was that type of boyfriend. And Alexander did his best to send the cutest content he could to his boy once in a while.
Lafayette and Hercules were easier to read. Yes, they both would also send him politics-related videos, but everyone he knew thought of him when seeing them. But the catch was the different political aspect. Mulligan has always been a popular militant, and his interest in fashion and culture were part of his way to see political history. Outside of politics, the videos he would send keep the topic. And for Lafayette, he learned to expect the most progressive political videos: feminism, LGBT+ parades, drag queens, etc. but they were also the only one to send him the most trendy videos, dance and challenges.
Alexander had formed his own opinion on TikTok trends. He didn't really care about them until Lafayette and his precious Laurens started to talk about and do some of them. Half of the time it was just a quick “Hey, have you seen this trend?” but sometimes they would engage in a debate about how dumb or creative they were. And Hamilton loves to debate. He decided to see what the fuss was about, why people decided to expose themselves on social media. Was it all for some views? He quickly decided that the majority of the trends were dumb and purposeless. And some of them got to be straight up mean. Since then, he never bothered to look up any other trend unless John asked him to. And John wouldn't ask.
He was hoping to have a normal day. He just wanted to get over with his classes, go to the library with his dear boyfriend to have some privacy and study together, and then just head home to have dinner with the Washingtons. But his dreams never came true that easily. He was waiting for his Criminal Law class to start when Lafayette sat next to him with a grin on their face.
“Have you seen the Bird Theory?” They asked and Hamilton couldn't help but to roll his eyes.
“The Bird Theory? What is that?” He had an idea on what it would be. Probably just another dumb theory invented by teenagers to romanticize coincidences with their crush. Or maybe just to explain every little detail of their lives. Like the Olive theory, even if that was taken from a TV Show, or the Pomegranate theory.
“Is more like a test. I know you love to compete. I tried it with Hercules and it went pretty well.” The French looked at him and continued. “Basically, you have to tell your partner that you saw a bird.”
“And? What does it prove?” Alexander didn't want to admit it but he was willing to know what this so-called theory was about.
“If your partner would listen and want to know about your day even if it is about ordinary things.” They paused. “Like, if he would ask questions and all of that. It's pretty chill, dude.”
At least that was true. This was a simple test. Nothing too extremist or harming as some others that he saw in social media before. It didn't mean that it was a good thing to do. He had no reason to doubt his boyfriend, it was unjust.
“I don't need to test my Laurens. And neither did you need to test Hercules! You know he loves you dearly and listens to you all the time.” He returned his eyes to the book on his desk.
“Are you sure? Does your Laurens even listen to you when he's too concentrated on other things? It's a harmless test, mon petit lion. You can try just to see his reaction.”
He was sure. At least he was until Lafayette started insisting on how good of an experiment it was. He was aware of how dumb it was to test his boyfriend this way. To test anybody with a TikTok trend was absurd. But maybe, and just maybe, he could earn something good from this. Was he just trying to have a good enough excuse to do it? Yes. He hated how the idea got stuck on his mind. He always loved to show how perfect his relationship was. He liked the praise. Even if he wasn't going to record it, he liked to feel better than the rest of the couples.
Even after class, making his way to the library, he couldn't shake the idea away. If he wanted to try the Bird Theory, this was the best moment. He sighed as he used his library pass and entered the main room. He knew John was probably waiting for him in their usual spot, where nobody could see them.
He was aware of how dumb it was wanting to test John. Poor communication was not an issue they ever had. Not only were they both too hotheaded to not say what they needed to but they trusted each other with all their heart. They learned over time to be cautious, learned ways to communicate without speaking if necessary. Hamilton knew how to interpret every little movement, every look, every sigh his boyfriend let out. He could understand when a touch meant something, what he can or cannot not say aloud, when he had to step out. He didn't need to test their ability to communicate but he won't be doing any damage by trying it.
“Hi”
“Hello, dear boy”
“I saw a bird today.” He said as he sat down next to his boyfriend. Before he could speak again, he heard John's voice, even if his boy didn't look up from his notes.
“Did you know that the smallest bird known is from the Caribbean? Its name is bee hummingbird and measures up to 5 centimeters as an adult. It's just like you, tiny and super cute.” Alex found it endearing how it was obvious just from John's voice that his boyfriend was smiling. “Sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt you. What kind of bird have you seen, dear boy?”
“What kind? What do you mean what kind?” He hasn't thought about it so deeply. He didn't plan this at all actually. Did he even know anything about birds to keep the lie up long enough for the experiment? Probably not. At least not as much as his Laurens.
“I mean, what was its size? Which color were its feathers? What about its beak? You know, all those important aspects and details of a bird, darling.” John looked at him with the same excitement of a kid on Christmas morning.
At that moment, Hamilton understood that he was correct from the start. He had no right to question Laurens' ability to listen to him. Alex didn't need to show how perfect his relationship was to anyone. Right now he just needed to lie to keep seeing that happiness on his boyfriend's face. It was rare to see John smiling so widely, so carefree. He just wanted to have it this way as much as he could. To make his dear boy smile every time he had the power to was enough for Alex to be satisfied. As satisfied as he could ever be.
He tried to think quickly about any bird he knew well enough to give specific details about. Hamilton wasn't particularly interested in birds to pay attention to them. He considered them mundane, especially considering the amount of pigeons he had seen in New York. He didn't even remember what pigeons looked like. Oh, but John Laurens probably knew about every single species that ever touched American land. Now that he was thinking about it, maybe trying this experiment with his nerd boyfriend wasn't the brightest idea. Of course John would ask more about this non-existent bird.
He hesitated before answering. “It was a bird.” John chuckled softly at that. “I don't know, love. It had a white breast and brown feathers. But it was more of a greyish brown, you know?” Was Alex sure of whatever he was saying? Absolutely no.
The vague description was too out of character for the one and only Alexander Hamilton. The man that can speak non-stop, who loves poetry and writing in every opportunity he has. Laurens couldn't find himself to be bothered by it as he took out his sketchbook from his backpack along with a pen. He pushed his chair a little closer to Alex's.
“What are you doing? Are you going to draw it?”
Laurens nodded. “It has been a while since I had enough time to draw birds…or anything actually.” He looked at the redheaded expectantly. “Was it a female brown headed crowbird by any chance? They are very common in this part of the city. Well, actually it depends, where did you see it?”
“I was going by the coast with Laf when I saw it. But it didn't seem like any other bird we ever saw in New York before. I don't think it was a crowbird, it was less puffy and had a warmer brown in its feathers. Actually, it had white streaks going vertically down its wings.” A very vivid image appeared in his mind. He had no idea where it came from, or where he had seen this bird before.
“White strikes, huh? That doesn't narrow it down as much as you would think, dear. Maybe it was a White-Crowned Sparrow or a White-Throated one.” John seemed to whisper that to himself as he would then say a little louder for Hamilton. “New York has over 500 species in its land throughout the year. Any more specific features you can retell? Like the color of its beak or how its crest was.”
“I- Wait, let me think about it so I can give you the best description.” Alex pulled even closer to John, their chairs were as close as it was physically possible. Half of Hamilton's body was on his boyfriend's chair. John felt his boyfriend's head on his shoulder. They were alone in the library anyway, there was nobody to see them. He soon started to explain as good as he could the bird he had made in his mind.
Laurens drafted as his dear boy described the bird. He was pretty skilled at drawing, even if he didn't practice as often as he wished to. It was something he did mostly when he was alone in his room, and he would never show his drawings to anyone. But now he had Alexander to share his hobby with. John didn't cut Alexander off once during his explanation.
“So…you're telling me you saw this bird?” The blond asked softly, showing the drawing to his lover. It was exactly the same one Alex had in mind. He was too amazed by the drawing skills of his dear Laurens to notice the tone of his voice.
“Yeah…yes, that's the one. You're so good at this.”
“No, my darling. You didn't see this bird, there's no way in heaven you saw it here in New York. Are you pranking me, babe?” Laurens didn't sound mad nor disappointed nor anything. It was pure love. Almost too sweet.
“It was a TikTok trend, sorry. Just wanted to see your reaction. It was dumb, I'm sorry.”
John blinked. “I was just startled. This bird lives in the Caribbean, dear boy. It would've been weird if you saw it here, alarming even.”
Realization hit Hamilton's face. “Fuck, that was were I got the bird from! You're so smart, my love.” Soon he noticed John's confusion. “I couldn't figure out where I saw that bird, but it was probably back in Nevis. Mom loved to birdwatch every morning before we had to go to the market.”
“Oh.” Without even thinking it twice, Laurens ripped the drawing page off of his sketchbook and handed it to his boy. “You can keep it, my love.”
“I- Really? You're the best.”
“It's a Caribbean Elaenia, in case you wanted to search more about it. I don't really know much about it either, but I guess this is my signal to start indulging in Caribbean birds for you.” This was just another reminder of how much he loved him. How much he loved every little detail. He loved the way John always wanted to make him feel heard, how his dear was a nerd, how he was so sweet when speaking.Alexander could kiss him right there. Well, he literally had the chance to. Who would stop them? Not that it was their first time making out in the library.
“Can I kiss you?” John didn't answer but connected their lips instead. It was soft, sweet, almost like touching a cloud. None of them had the intention to change the pace, it was perfect as it was.
John was the one to end the kiss. “I love you” Alex looked at his boyfriend, dumbfounded. Before he could answer, John spoke up again. “Since when do you do TikTok trends, sweetie?” Was all he needed to hear to come back to reality.
“I- It was a dumb idea. Lafayette told me about this Bird Theory, or whatever it was called, and I felt insecure for just a second. Which was dumb knowing we are pretty good at communicating with each other and then you got excited. I had to be a good boyfriend and keep it up for you!”
Laurens chuckled softly and kissed him again, smiling against his lips. The whole situation was kinda dumb, but he did not find it in himself to mind. He simply hoped Gilbert would show Alex better trends from now on.