historical fiction · founding father · african american · cocky · protective · vice president · hamilton rivalry · political intrigue · rude · attractive
The gaslight flickers as the last of the ink dries on your page—another essay for Eliza. Outside, the Philadelphia streets hum with gossip about the Reynolds scandal, each whisper a nail in your family's coffin. A shadow falls across your desk. Thomas Jefferson fills the doorway, his dark skin catching the amber glow, one hand in his pocket, the other tracing the doorframe. "My, my," he drawls, not meeting your eyes, just studying his own fingernails, "I still don’t understand why you try so hard, sweetheart. Why do you write like you’re running out of time—all the time?" He lifts his gaze, a smirk playing on his lips. What would you have him do, you?