Chapter Text
Alex
The acceptance letter came only months before. It was one of Alexander’s greatest ambitions. Getting accepted to this school was the first step to becoming a lawyer, his legacy remembered. As he stepped into the foyer of King's College, he looked around to see hundreds of students, everyone walking with a purpose and a place to be. The ceilings towered over them all, the walls wood and stone, floors similar, every detail created so meticulously, with a sense of care. Alex glanced around to find a sign labelled “Freshmen dorm rooms”, and papers pinned on the board next to it. He squeezed through other starry-eyed freshmen and found the sheets to be ordered in alphabetical order by last name, with everyone’s room numbers.
Alexander Hamilton, Room 178. Next to it, John Laurens.
Alex had a roommate! Hopefully someone nice, and preferably quieter, not a party person or heavy drinker. This was Kings College after all, they should be a bit more put together. Now to find it. Alex stepped away, eyes trailing the walls beside him, finding the stairs to the dorms in the west wing.
First floor, Second floor, End of the hallway, Room 178.
Just as Alex went to open the door, he heard someone snoring inside.
Oh. His roommate was already here.
Instead, he wrapped his knuckles on the oak door.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
Inside, he heard scrambling around and what seemed to be a yelp of pain. It felt like a movie scene, meeting his roommate, anticipating who would be behind the door. Maybe a Star Wars nerd who decorated the whole room for their hyperfixation, perhaps a jock type of guy who adores football and girls, or maybe someone cute. Just as he started wondering what they’d be like, the door shot open.
Behind it stood a 6’3 man who towered over Alex at a strong 5’7.
Sharp jawline, blue eyes, messy hair, recently shaved. He looked tired and dishevelled, but in a hot way–if that's possible.
The man stood awkwardly leaning against the wall as if he’d…
Oh, he’d stubbed his toe. First impressions?
Clumsy, cute, and probably stays up way too late watching shitty, mind-rotting romcoms.
“Hey roomie, I’m Alexander." Alex greets him, sticking a hand out to shake.
Laurens
Knock. knock. Knock.
His mind jolted awake, tape and thumbtacks scattered across his dorm. He had stayed up way too late decorating his room before his roommate arrived, and as a result, he awoke to himself, underdressed, sleeping at his desk with some random romcom playing in the background.
As he pulled himself away from the desk, a box of spare materials crashed onto the floor. Great. “Shit!” he swore to himself as he quickly threw on a bathrobe over his boxers and scrambled to the door, praying that whoever was there didn’t hear all the commotion.
He swung open the door; a short, steely blue-eyed man with slicked-back hair stood in front of him, suitcases at either side—definitely Alexander, his predetermined roommate. Barely comprehending what the man in front of him was saying, he waved Alexander inside.
“So, uh. You need help sweeping this up?” Alex tiptoed towards his bed, careful not to impale his feet on any of the tacks spilled on the floor.
“Yeah, my fault, it's such a mess; I completely fell asleep decorating last night.” Laurens chuckled as he explained the reason for the hazard, gesturing toward the posters and memorabilia tacked into the wall, very much against school rules. He heard Alexander begin to bring up the anti-hole-in-wall-inducing-item rule, but stopped and sighed once more, seemingly too tired to fight him on something so trivial.
“Imma make a pot of coffee, and I’ll sweep it up. Also, throw on actual clothes, I guess.” He sighed, looking down at the mess in front of him. Incredible first impressions. He threw the coffee pot on to brew and swept up the tacks scattered about the floor. Laurens made his way over to his bag quietly, sighing. As he rifled through his yet-to-be-unpacked bag to find clothes, he felt Alexander watching him from behind. He glanced at his roommate, hesitating before entering the bathroom. Was he blushing? No. It's his roommate that he JUST met. Ignoring the concerning thought, he quickly swapped into his day clothes.
“I- uh- I’m gonna run to the library for a few.” Laurens spluttered before rushing out the door, avoiding eye contact with Alexander.
“You forgot your-” Alexander started, but Laurens was already gone.
Alex
“Coffee.” Alex sighed. His roommate, second impression: unorganized, still clumsy, and devastatingly hot. He hadn’t been with anyone since… Well, it didn’t matter anymore; he blocked him and swore never to go back. No more sleepless nights, stress building in his shoulders, no more late-night texts to his best friend, Eliza, who insists that if he’d just dated girls like she did, it would be easier. He entered the kitchen and grabbed the coffeepot, pouring some into a ceramic mug that said “World Class Hist-WHORE-ian” that he could only guess was Laurens’. It’s so stupid, yet it still made Alex smile the tiniest bit. An extremely loud notification exploded through the small dorm room, making him jump. He looked down at the phone to see an unknown number lighting up the screen. He ignored it, even though the number was from around where he lived. Ping. A text.
“Alex, don’t ignore me. I know you blocked me.”
Shit.
He blocked the third new number. He didn’t care to be told how sorry his ex was or that Alex was being selfish for not giving him another chance. Just one more chance. Until it was two more, then 5, until he lost count, blocking and unblocking out of impulsivity. He was done. This was his new start at King’s College; he would never see that man again. Maybe he could even look for new love. Speaking of, what was the deal with his new roommate? He couldn’t read him; usually Alex had what the media affectionately coined as a “gaydar”, easily able to determine when someone was queer, but Laurens truly was an enigma. It didn’t matter anyway; Alex was going to wait to get on his feet a bit before plunging back into the dating pool, of course, should the tall, awkward, seemingly nerdy boy ask him out… but no, he’s probably straight anyway. Alex shook the thought out of his mind, opening the fridge for some creamer.
You’ve got to be kidding.
Oat milk. Almond milk. Not even normal dairy milk. This is ridiculous. He looked through all the bottles and cartons in the door, finding oat milk-based creamer. He poured the creamer into his coffee and took a sip, preparing for an assault on his taste buds, but instead found… it was incredible, better than his usual half n’ half creamer. Maybe this kid did have taste after all.
Laurens
And he forgot his coffee. Though it wasn’t worth it to head back to the dorm, he needed time to mentally recover after his totally super awesome first impressions. On the other hand, he would get to check out Alex again… Right. That's the other thing. Laurens, who had only been attracted to women his whole life, is starting to find his male roommate—who he had met no more than an hour ago—hot. What the hell was happening?
Laurens shook off the thoughts and speed-walked towards where the library was—er, where was it? He thought he knew the layout of the university like the back of his hand, considering he ran through three separate tours of the place to avoid this exact situation. He sighed; there was a seemingly experienced student about to pass him; maybe he could ask him for directions.
Laurens looked down at the name tag on the student’s chest. Aaron Burr. All he had to do was properly socially interact.
“Pardon me, are you Aaron Burr, sir?” Laurens asked, gesturing toward the name tag.
“That depends who’s asking.” Aaron winked.
Laurens chuckled; he was far too socially maladroit for this.
“Would you walk me down to the library? I went on the school tour like a billion times, but I still forgot where it was.” Laurens stood awkwardly, hoping that he wouldn’t immediately get denied due to the air of tension he’d inadvertently created.
“Oh for sure! Are you new around here?” The relaxed-looking man grinned, but something about it felt off. Laurens brushed it off, providing a small smile in return.
“Yeah, I just arrived yesterday, from South Carolina.” Laurens fully grinned now, remembering arriving in New York for the first time with an air of excitement buzzing around him.
“South Carolina? New York must be a pretty crazy change of scenery then.” Aaron made small talk while walking with Laurens to the library; the short man seemed incredibly likeable; the short conversation with him flowed well; he seemed upbeat and laid back, but there was just something about him that made Laurens fiercely distrust him.
As they arrived at the library, the man once again flashed a hollow smile.
“It was nice to meet you..?” He waited for Laurens’ name.
“Laurens. You too.” He responded with a forced smile, every moment becoming more tense even though the man hadn’t technically done anything wrong.
Burr awkwardly held his fist out for a fist bump before swiftly making his way out of the library. Glad he’s gone, Laurens thought as he drifted towards the endless towering bookshelves. Action, realistic fiction, non-fiction, sci-fi, romance… Laurens dragged his pointer finger across the spines of the books that he passed, aimlessly wandering around hoping a book would catch his eye. He found a book with a pink cover as he walked and paused, pulling it out.
Red, White, and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston.
The book had drawn him in, something he really wanted to read, for no particular reason. He read the back of the book: “What happens when America's First Son falls in love with the Prince of Wales?”
Wait.
First son. Not daughter. It’s gay? And why does he feel more intrigued knowing that? He goes to slot it back in place but hesitates. Glancing around, the library was nearly empty, and he quickly skittered over to the checkout kiosk. Beep.
Shit, that was loud. What would his friends from back home do if they knew he was reading a book about gay guys? Laurens took one last look around his as if to confirm nobody had seen the book. He took a deep breath, holding the book under his sweatshirt, as if it were contraband. Laurens got all the way back to his dorm when he paused. What if Alexander was still inside? And saw him with a gay book? What would he think of him? I mean, Laurens definitely wasn’t gay; he would’ve known if he were, and it’s not like he hates them or anything. Alexander was fit, yes, but it wasn’t in a hot way, but more of an objective appreciation for a good workout routine. He couldn’t like Alexander even if he were gay—which he isn't—they’re roommates! And he’s probably straight anyway and-
The door opened just then, startling both Alexander and Laurens.
“Uh- hey, sorry.” Laurens looked just past Alexander, very pointedly not looking at his lips. They sat in silence for a few moments before Alexander broke the silence.
“Since we’re, y’know, roommates and all, would you want to go down and get lunch together? Don’t really know how I feel about sleeping in the same room with a guy I’ve spoken less than a hundred words to.” Alexander chuckled sincerely. At his own joke.
“Yeah, that- yeah.” Laurens brought his eyes back to Alexander's face. Shit, he was hot, wasn’t he?