WE GIVE IT A WEEK'S WORTH

Summary: Somedays later, Thomas finally has the opportunity and courage to ask Hamilton to dinner at his house.

It's a date, then

.

Alexander, true to his word, had been more thoughtful when it came to his future gifts and affections. And in the following two days he'd given Thomas plenty of gifts and notes, all methodically put so he'd be the one to find them.

After the first display, he'd gone back home only for the flowers to be delivered half an hour later. Now they were all making his living space more lively. They were enough to decorate his place plenty, the sight of flowers welcoming him in every room he entered, a constant reminder of Alexander's feelings towards him. The note he'd written laid on his nightstand, at hand's reach if he ever felt like reading the sweet words.

Although now, in the fourth day, his chest ached in the good kind of way whenever he thought of Alexander. He'd look at the gifts given to him, and he'd find a gentle smile on his lips. There was a small pile of notes on the drawer of his nightstand. They weren't anything big. Barely anything after the first note reached its length, Alexander opting for minimal writing such as:

'Hello, Thomas. I've written this to let you know that a day has lapsed since my last courting attempt. And I want to tell you something: you're one of the prettiest men I've laid my eyes on. And you're cute.'

'I thought you might be hungry', when a lemon tart awaited him in his desk when he returned from his bathroom break after he'd skipped lunch hours to favor getting ahead of his work.

'I thought about you last night and let me tell you, you've certainly taken away some minutes worth of sleep. It's okay. I wasn't planning on sleeping in any of those occasions. But you're a constant when I close my eyes. It's actually a lovely sight in my mind.'

'There's as many flavors as there are parts of you that I love. Well, significantly less flavors.' Regarding a small box that contained 7 truffles with different flavors each.

'Update: you're cute as fuck.'

'Spoilers: this has such a sweet-filling. Almost as sweet as your smile.' And the filling of that pastry had been sweet, but not overly so.

'Update 2.0: you're cute and hot as hell.'

And all of that was okay. Thomas had warmed up to the idea of notes addressed to him, of small gifts being left over his desk. It was probably easier to calm his nervous thoughts of 'what if someone else finds them before me' after Alexander had shared a table with him in their small lunch break, happily chatting his excitement to Thomas, asking what did he thought of him leaving him notes on places that Thomas frequented, and if Thomas would rather Alexander stop that.

Thomas had seen the excitement and glee shine on those brown eyes and hadn't been able to tell him to stop. Because Alexander seemed to be rather happy doing that. Who was Thomas to deny him that small slice of happiness? Besides, it wasn't like he didn't particularly enjoy what Hamilton was doing.

So in the fourth day of the week Thomas has taken to think things through, he finds out the man has decided to step up his game.

"So…" Alexander begins, entering Thomas' office without knocking. Thomas doesn't complain, as long as the door is closed so there wouldn't be prying eyes. "I was thinking today we could… uh, try something else?"

Thomas quirks an eyebrow, and stops what he's doing to focus his attention on Alexander. "'Else' being…?"

"Getting to know each other better?" He tries, standing still in front of Thomas' desk, hands drawn back. Thomas is vaguely reminded of the night Alexander had stood before him, just moments before declaring he had an answer to solve the dulled situation of their relationship.

Thomas leans back on his chair, and allows a small smile to grace his lips. "I was actually looking forward to addressing this. I'm glad you have presented the opportunity."

"Oh."

"I was planning on inviting you to dinner. My house. What do you think?"

Alexander holds his breath at the question, cheeks heating under Thomas' gaze. Not a trace of nervousness or hesitation on those eyes Alexander has come to love so much. He silently commends the way Thomas' able to keep his facade at work, and feels slightly envious. He'd never been to good at keeping his emotions at line. "I think… I would love that." Thomas smiles at him, "But—", and the smile falls off those lips, brows creasing together, "—I, uh. Was actually going to invite you to my apartment. Maybe a restaurant if that isn't so out of line?"

Jefferson sighs and stands from his place, making Alexander take a few steps backs, heart racing inside his chest at the thought that he had suggested the wrong thing.

"Alexander," the seriousness on his tone only makes Alexander's nerves rise more, and the young man's eyes deviate to the floor as he feels too ashamed to look at Thomas. Thomas speaks again in a softer tone, "Alexander, look at me." Silence stretches over them, and once the order is followed, it's broken, "I offer my house because for the past days, you've been really charming. And really, I had been thinking on how to approach you with the matter. I want to know you better. And I want you to know me better. It might be too much to ask, but I'd rather let my walls down in a place I feel safe."

"Oh, shit. Right." He smacks his forehead lightly, and nods his head in understanding. Of course. "Yeah. Sure. To-Tonight?"

"Tonight sounds good, yes." Then, on a lighter tone, he adds, "If you can get yourself to part ways with your beloved work, that's it."

"Pff, it'll be hard, but I assure you I'll find a way…", for a moment, he hesitates on his following words, but ultimately decides to speak with a cocky grin on his face, "Anything for you, love. I'll be there by nine. Is that okay?"

Deciding to let the pet name slip, Thomas nods his agreement. "I'll be waiting for you, then."

"It's a date then." Alexander chirps happily, before his mind catches up to his mouth and his whole face reddens. "I mean! Not like— It's not a date, date. I'm not pressuring you to anything. That's not my intention. Oh my god am I pressuring you, Thomas? Because I don't want you to think I—"

Thomas laughs, and moves his hands in front of him, trying to get Alex's attention. "Relax, Alexander. It's… it's fine. Don't over-think it. We have a date." Hamilton's eyes widen a fraction, before a shy smile forms on his lips. Thomas finds it adorable. "Now go on your way, Alex. Better finish whatever work you've got left so you can join me at dinner. Don't be late for our first date!"

Thomas has a feeling that his answer by the end of the week will most likely be yes; and as he gives it a brief moment of thought, he can't really come up with any reason so far as to why would he say anything but a resounding yes.

.

Sorry this took too long to post (for what little might be worth, lol). I hadn't noticed almost two months had passed since the last update! But with school and whatnot, I barely had any time to seat in front of my computer.