Chapter Text
Alex had been pacing outside the library for five minutes, just long enough to convince himself that bravery came in measured doses. He straightened his jacket, swallowed a nervous laugh, and stepped up to Aaron. “Hey,” he said, trying to sound casual, “so… Uh… Valentine’s Day… That’s today.”
Aaron turned to look at Alex, holding a few books and papers in his arms. The moment the young man said Valentine’s Day, he cringed internally. “... Indeed,” he nodded respectfully, “as good a day as any, I suppose.” He had noticed Alex had been a lot nicer to him lately, probably a crush developing. It was predictable, but he’d never had a timeline where Alex had ever had romantic feelings for him. He could only imagine it was due to the attention he was giving the boy to keep him alive and well. He felt a little guilty over the matter.
He had long since noted that Alex resembled more of a lonely boy now than he ever had.
“I’d say so,” he mumbled shyly–a characteristic he didn’t often convey. “So… Would you be my Valentine?” Alexander took a careful step forward, timid in every sense of the word.
It was as if he were so fragile that a rejection would break him, but Aaron knew better. He’d recover quickly. “... No,” Aaron smiled gently, “but thank you for asking. That’s very sweet of you.”
Alex blinked, the words hanging in the air between them. “... No?” His soft features molded into confusion, then understanding, then hurt that hardened into anger. “What do you mean no? Why not? Do you still not like me?”
“I never said I didn’t like you.” He shook his head and put his books in one arm. “We’ve been over this.” Brushing past Alex and the topic, he added quietly, “you’re just… Not my type, I guess.” Alex was his type, but only when he was older. Right now? He was just a kid, having just turned seventeen in January.
“... Not your type?” He took steps backward as he continued to follow Aaron out of the library. “So you’re straight then? Not interested in men?”
“I didn’t say that,” Burr shook his head.
“Then you think I’m not physically attractive?”
“I never said that either,” he sighed and stopped walking to turn and face Alex once more. “It has nothing to do with your physical appearance. You’re very cute, Alexander, really… You’re just-” Aaron paused before saying, “well, you’re too young for me.” He was mentally twenty-six after all. “I couldn’t possibly be your valentine-”
Hamilton scoffed, “you act like you’re so much older than me. Need I remind you that you only just turned eighteen–like, oh I don’t know–a few days ago? You’re basically still seventeen, and I’m also seventeen. What, are you only attracted to adults like Washington’s age?”
Aaron practically flinched at the question, a grimace on his face. “No… no, definitely not. I mean-” He caught himself, took a breath that did nothing to steady him. Washington was married, and physically Aaron was a teenager, which also felt wrong. “Just ask me again when you’re older.” The words came out shakier than he intended. Before Alex could embarrass him further, Aaron was already moving, his feet carrying him down the hallway faster than dignity should allow.
Alex stood where Aaron left him, watching the other teenager run away. “… When I’m older.” Alex said it quietly, almost to himself, like he was making a promise rather than accepting a rejection. “Okay.”