Chapter 1- John

The cafe where John Laurens worked had a bit of a reputation. Most of the time, John was grateful for that reputation. It kept tourists away, and meant that the closest security guard was rarely more than fifty feet away. Today, on the other hand, John was wishing that the reputation had never stuck with the cafe.

Kitty's Kitchen, owned by Kitty Livingston, was known for two things- the location (very close to both the White House and the Capitol), and the sheer amount of politicians that frequented it. Due to the latter, there were security guards accompanying nearly all the patrons, which discouraged most tourists.

John had been working at the cafe for nearly a year now, and had somehow managed to avoid a certain senator during all of that time. Today, however, that man was currently standing outside, looking at their menu.

John bit his lip, desperately hoping his estranged father wouldn't come in. Thankfully, he was distracted from his thoughts by the bell tinkling, and then, moments later, someone was leaning over the front counter, slightly out-of-breath.

"John," the man gasped, his violet eyes wide. John blinked, confused. "I'm Hamilton, Alexander Hamilton, I'm the new Secretary of the Treasury," the man rambled, and yes, of course John recognized him. He'd seen his face all over the news lately as he excitedly explained his new debt plan, and debated it passionately with anyone he could.

That did not, however, explain how Secretary Hamilton knew his name. "I'm John," he started, only to be abruptly cut off-

"Yes, I know, it's on your name tag." John flushed as he glanced down. He'd scribbled his name next to a lopsided smiley face, and he took a moment to be impressed that the other man could read his chicken scratch. "Anyways, I'm very sorry, and I hate to do this to you, but could you date me?" John blinked, nonplussed, but before he could ask Secretary Hamilton to clarify, the other man was talking again. "Just for a couple of minutes, you see my ex is outside, and well, Maria, she's quite a bitch frankly, and she'll leave me alone if she thinks I have a boyfriend."

John nodded- it seemed to be all he could do, as this (incredibly handsome) man didn't seem to stop talking.

"Would you like something to eat?" John asks Secretary Hamilton (should he call him Alexander? They are meant to be dating for the next couple of minutes, after all) as soon as he stops to breathe. He's suddenly very glad that Peggy's on her break. Alexander, however fake their relationship may be, is very much John's type, something his co-worker would never let him live down.

Alexander nods, and John is amazed that the shorter man takes a second to think about the question before opening his mouth again. From what he's seen, the man is non-stop, and between that and the general confusion, his head is beginning to pound.

Before Alexander can answer, however, the bell over the door rings cheerfully, heralding the arrival of two people. One, much to John's disgust, is his father, who is talking animatedly to a younger woman. She is about John and Alex's age, with long dark hair and shockingly red lipstick. John sees Alex tense out of the corner of his eye, and realizes suddenly that his must be his ex. (He wonders briefly if this means Alex is bisexual, before promptly dismissing the thought as none of his business).

The cafe seemed to grow silent around John as his father looked up, meeting his eyes for the first time in five years.

"John," he said tightly, nodding at the son he'd disowned years ago. "Secretary Hamilton," his tone became a little more cordial, but not by much. "I hear your debt plan will be voted on in a couple of weeks." He held out his hand. Alexander did not take it, and John was suddenly grateful that Alexander had fake-asked him out.

"Yes, you would know about that," Alexander said coolly. John frowned, hoping that the smaller man would not choose now to get into one of his infamous fights. "I saw your press release, telling your constituents what you thought of it." John held back a groan, giving up on having a peaceful day at work. "While it was full of inaccuracies, I suppose I must commend you for stating your opinion, ridiculous as it is, so boldly."

"Ridiculous?" Henry Laurens drew himself up to his full height, and John winced automatically before remembering that he was safe from his father's wrath now. "The only thing that's ridiculous about it is the fact that they allowed a man like you to create our debt plan."

Alexander glared at the senator, and John swore he was shaking in indignation. "A man like me?" He repeated. "What are you referring to, sir? My age? At least I'm not in danger of going senile." The young woman, whom Alexander had named "Maria," was smiling widely, apparently enjoying the show. "Or perhaps you're referring to my sexuality. To which, I can only respond that at least i have a happy, stable, and monogamous relationship, with this wonderful man, no less." He gestured to John, who opted to smile widely at his father and make a show of interlocking his fingers with Alexander's. Maria stopped smiling, and Henry Laurens' face was priceless.

"You're dating my so- he-him?" Senator Laurens sputtered. He regained his composure quickly, straightening himself out. "Well, I certainly won't be visiting this establishment again," he said pompously. "And I'll be sure to mention to dear old George what sort of man he's hired."

Alexander seemed to smile at the last sentence, before he turned to John. He glanced up at John, silently asking what relationship he could possibly have to South Carolinian Senator Henry Laurens, notorious for his sexism and racism.

"My father," John admitted, his throat tight.

"Ha!" His father spat. "I disowned him years ago, as soon as I found out what a faggot he is!" Alexander nodded, and John thought it might be the calmest he'd seen the other man in the ten minutes he'd known him.

Seconds later, however, Alex betrayed that thought, springing forward to punch Henry Laurens in the jaw.

Immediately, a camera flashed, and John turned to see the Secretary of State, Thomas Jefferson, holding up his cell phone. Peggy materialized next to him, apparently back from her break, and immediately started arguing with him over the cafe's "no pictures" policy.

A large man who appeared to be a security guard was pulling Alexander away from John's father, and talking to the Secretary of the Treasury urgently in a low voice. He pulled Alexander towards the exit, but the smaller man wriggled away quickly. He rushed back to the counter, scribbled something on John's arm, flipped off his ex and John's father, and then hurried out the door after his guard.