As giddy as ever, Thomas threw on a fancy flannel. It was finally the day! The day that he and Alex would be going on their first proper date! Granted, it was at a coffee shop, but a date nonetheless!

   Alex was equally excited. He was locked in his room, trying to decide what to wear. He finally decided on a dress shirt.

   Perfect. Not too fancy, but not too casual either.

   The two men both came out of their rooms at the same time, smiles crossing their faces as they saw the other.

   "You look stunning, darlin'~" Thomas flirted, reaching a hand out to Alex.

   Alex couldn't help the blush that spread across his face at Thomas' words. He took his hand, smiling sweetly. "You look pretty nice, too..," Alex said.

   Thomas smiled and pulled Alex out of their dorm, the feeling of Alex's hand intertwined with his own exhilerating. He finally had Alex to call his baby, and he wouldn't have it any other way.

   Alex was silently admiring the feeling of holding Thomas' hand as well. A small smile spread across his face as they walked.

   Thomas noticed the cute little grin on his lover's face and chuckled. "What're you smiling at?"

   Alex sighed happily. "It's just...I'm happy that we finally get to be together. That nothing can get in the way of us, you know?"

   "I feel the exact same way," Thomas stated, squeezing Alex's hand lovingly.

   Alex returned the squeeze, a strange feeling filling him up.

   Wait. Was that...

   Happiness?

   Alex hadn't felt it in so long, he couldn't be sure. But whatever the feeling was, it felt great. Like a thousand little fireworks were going off in Alex's heart. Like nothing could ever disturb him again.

   By that time, the two lovers were out of their dorm building and in the great outdoors.

   The gentle wind blew through the two men's hair, causing Thomas' perfect afro that he worked so hard on to get a bit tangled. But that was okay. As long as Alex was by Thomas' side, nothing could go wrong.

   Right?

   Yeah.

   The silence was oddly comforting to Alex and Thomas, but Thomas broke it.

   "Hey, Alex?"

   "Yeah?"

   Thomas hesitated a little before answering. What he was about to say might've seemed a little...fast to Alex. He might not have been ready to hear that after what Thomas did.

   But Thomas decided to follow through anyways. Fuck waiting. He needed to say this now.

   "I love you," he said, looking over at Alex.

   Alex felt as if his heart stopped. He was overjoyed that Thomas had said he loved him, but he wasn't sure if he was ready to say it back. They had only been dating for a week since the incident with James, and Alex wasn't ready to say it again.

   But, just like Thomas, Alex's love for Thomas took over.

   "I love you too," Alex said, staring into Thomas' brown eyes, which were full of passion and love.

   Thomas fought the urge to fall over in surprise. He couldn't belive that Alex had said it back!

   "Are you sure?" Thomas asked, afraid that Alex meant to say something else or something.

   Without hesitation this time, Alex nodded. "Yep. Without a doubt."

   Thomas actually started jumping up and down, letting go of Alex's hands so he could throw up his own. "Yay!" he said childishly.

   Alex chuckled, shaking his head. "Weirdo."

   They both arrived at the coffee shop that their date would be held in after a few more minutes of walking. Thomas pushed the door open with his m u s c l e s, and the two walked inside.

   The atmosphere was very calming. There were fluffy chairs scattered across the shop, tables, and even a fountain.

   "A FUCKING FOUNTAIN!" Thomas yelled like a two-year-old, dashing to the fountain and touching the water.

   Alex rolled his eyes, giggling at his lover.

   After a few minutes, Thomas still hadn't moved from the fountain. "Thomas, come on!" Alex giggled.

   "No way! This fountain is the shit! Look at it!" Thomas said, his hands soaked from the water.

   "We need to order," Alex pouted. "And Lexi wants some coffee."

   Thomas sighed, stepping away from the fountain. "All right..."

   "Yay!" Alex smiled, pulling Thomas to the counter to order.

   The cashier was a woman who looked to be about Thomas' age, and, speaking of Thomas, she seemed to be really interested in him. She looked at him with a look of admiration and want. "Hello, sir. What can I get you?"

   Both Thomas and Alex picked up on the lady'a gaze, and Alex went full murder mode. "You son of a--"

   He was about to leap toward the woman when Thomas rested a hand on Alex's shoulder, reminding him to keep calm.

   Alex got himself together, breathing deeply.

   Thomas smiled at the woman politely, trying not to let her gaze weird him out too much. "Could I get the pumpkin spice latte, please?"

   The lady nodded, putting in the information. "Of course." She decided to be bold and say, "Anything for a handsome man like you."

   Alex balled his hands into fists. Who did this woman think she was?

   "And I'll have a black cappuccino," Alex growled through gritted teeth.

   The lady put in Alex's information as well and looked over at Thomas. "So, are you free tonight?"

   Thomas was silent for a moment. He didn't know what to say. After a bit, he just said, "I'm gay."

   The lady's eyes widened. "U-uh...what name should I put the order under?" she said with a fake smile, trying to brush off the mistake she made.

   "Thomas," Thomas responded.

   "O-okay, sir. Thank you..," she whispered.

   Thomas and Alex sat down at a random table, the shorter of the men still fuming. "Who did she think she was?!" he hissed.

   Thomas chuckled. "Relax. She didn't know I was taken. Or gay."

   "That doesn't give her an excuse to throw herself at a stranger!"

   "I guess you're right," Thomas giggled. "But she meant well."

   "Thomas?" the same lady called, holding up Thomas' and Alex's order.

   "I'll get it," Alex hissed indignantly, causing Thomas to laugh.

   Alex stood up and collected the drinks from the lady, sending her a death glare. He came back, placing the two drinks on the table.

   Thomas grabbed his latte and took a sip. "So. How's life?"

   Alex chuckled and took a sip of his own drink. "Pretty life-y. You?"

   Thomas giggled. "Same."

   The two boys stared at each other lovingly, hoping that things between them would always be this good.

   "Hey, Alex?" Thomas asked.

   "Yeah?"

   "I know I already said this, but I love you."

   Alex felt as confident as ever about Jamilton when he responded:

   "I love you too."

...

NUMBER 19 IN HAMILTON AND NUMBER 8 IN JAMILTON?!?!?!? YOU GUYS ARE INSANE!! THANK YOU!!!!!!