“Now that you both are here, let's begin the debate.” Burr soothed as the crowd cheered. Stepping out of the way, Burr pulled out cue cards to read off from. “What do you think about Adams resignation? Start us off Mr. Jefferson.”

“Honestly I'm disappointed as his Vice President that he isn't running again.” Jefferson said running his smooth fingers through his bushy hair, tipping the hat slightly. “He's too smart and stubborn to lose. But since he's gone I will be happy to fill that position in his name.”

“And what do you think Mr. Madison?”

The camera eyes all shifted to him in a silent awe. A shiver running down Masison’s sides. “I….uh….” Jefferson’s gaze trained on Madison smirking to himself on his stuttering.

“Um...John Adams was…”

“No need to be shy. Want daddy to hold your hand?” Jefferson laughed with the crowd. Madison, fed up with the constant teasing, cleared his threat loudly at Jefferson causing him and the crowd to shut up.

“John Adams is a fool. A self obsessed hypocrite that should've never should have laid a hand on Washington's seat. John Adams thought presidency is a high born title that needed to be treated with respect. As vice-president, he advocated that Washington be called “His Highness the President of the United States of America and Protector of the Rights of the Same.” That is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard! Not to mention he was so unfocused that he gave congress his diary. He was basically saying, "can you believe how ridiculous it is that a silly French aristocrat said that I AM THE WASHINGTON OF NEGOTIATION!!!"

The crowd went silent, you could hear paper fall onto the ground Jefferson chuckled a bit and rubbed his arm awkwardly. Burr moved on quickly as to not have to deal with this debate any longer.

He cleared his throat and spoke, “Tell us, what is your stance on the ‘incident’ involving secretary of treasury, Alexander Hamilton?”

The crowd began to shush as the tension of the question grew. Madison, twiddling his thumbs, glanced over at Jefferson who’s palm began to sweat at the name. Madison let out a clean scoff before leaning into the mic mounted on the podium.

“I guess I will start this one off then.” He said closing his eyes and adjusting his suit. “I would be unfair of me to speak about Hamilton in a bad manner when he isn't present. He is a very skilled writer and a decent general. It just….upsets me that a man who co-founded my party decides to switch parties at the last second because of Hamilton.” Madison glanced over at a Jefferson with a snooty glare. “The affairs on the other hand-”

“Lemme tell you something about that Madison.” Jefferson quickly interrupted. “You see people of the United States. I have no shame. I am a open book begging to be read. So here is what I say about the affair.” He cleared his throat dramatically. “I. Fucked. Alexander. Hamilton.”

James swallowed hard, his fist clenched as he remembered, Thomas, no HIS Thomas was engulfed in bedsheets with another man, the trust was broken, James, was broken. Thomas sensed his tension, and his first instinct was to run to him and embrace him in a long warm hug, that he'd grown so used to. But he couldn't, the trust was broken, HE broke it. He beats himself up every day but he can't let anyone see it. So he decided to be an ass, sure, he hates it, he hates himself, but this was business.

“Okay! Jefferson! Thank you that's enough.” Burr said putting on a fake smile, trying to hide his laughter. As the debate continued, James’ will to answer the questions began to crumble. Every question thrown at him almost made him fall over. It was like the eyes of the millions began to push back on him all at once, slowly breaking down his tall barriers he built with his bare hands. Until Aaron let out the sweet words.

“Well thank you for joining us tonight gentlemen. Good luck to both of you in this upcoming election.”

The debate was over. Finally. Thomas shook hands with the eager Aaron Burr as he gave James a passing glance. With what was left of James strength, he shook hands with bitterly with Aaron Burr who gave him a warm smile.

James felt like crying, no sobbing. He bit his knuckles as the debate was dismissed when suddenly in a burst of fury, he grabbed his coat and ran for the door, not looking back at Thomas. He pushed open the double doors and was hit with heavy rain. He couldn't take it anymore. His body. His mind. None of him out withstand the anguish anymore. So he broke. Sprinting across a corner, his aching body slid down the brick wall, hugging his knees and beginning to sob. God, he missed Thomas. So much. He loathed to admit it but the feelings refused to leave. The rain dropped down his hair and down his clothes. The pointing fingers and eyes sat with him even though he was far gone from the cameras. Tightly he held his knees, hoping and praying to shrink down to the size of a ant so he would never be bothered again.

That was until a warm, comforting hand was placed onto his shoulder. Instantly he flinched and his head flipped up to see who was seeing him so weak, eyes swollen and wide with tears.

A tall man with large hair stared down at him, his eyes glistening like stars. A sleek black cane complimented the leaning top hat placed ever so carefully on his poofy hair. All eyes on him.

Just as he wanted it.

“Hey...” He started but was cut off by James leaving. Thomas grabbed his arm “James please..” He begged. Begging? From Thomas? James tore his arm away from his grasp., the tears drying onto his face.

“Eat shit Jefferson.” He made an escape for his car.

“You can't leave it like this!” Thomas yelled.

“Fuck you!” James retaliated.

Thomas made a run for James, he pulled james collar and hugged him, James was stiff. Not daring enough to push him away. Thomas repeatedly told him he was sorry, James fell limp and sobbed into Thomas’ shoulder. “You bitch..” James sobbed. Thomas held him closer. “I know, I'm so sorry.” Thomas just cried out to him harder, he clutched to James for dear life.

“.......I know….”

James lifted his hand up, pressing it against Thomas’s cheek. Hope filled Thomas’s eyes as James' expression softened. But the hand slowly shifted into a tight fist. James thrust his fist across Thomas's cheek, causing him to fall to the ground.

“I hate you. Go say sorry to Alexander.” James muttered spitting down at Thomas. He climbed into his car without another word and sped off.

Thomas felt tears stinging his eyes, he let them fall, he fell to his knees and choked on his tears. “Fuck..” he got up and rubbed his burning cheek, he climbed into his car and punched the steering wheel, as he screamed and cried. No one has seen him like this before. Claiming he is a open book being begged to be read is a lie.

Nothing more than a lie.

“Damn it James…” He muttered trying to cool himself down. Those feelings of anguish and sorrow. They slowly began to collapse into itself into...rage.

James...He missed him so much. No matter what he did. No matter what he said. Nothing made him forgive him.

Fine.

“...I'll show him…”