The world is quiet here.

[ladys_night]

When You Say Nothing at All Words can be twisted into any shape. Promises can be made to lull the heart and seduce the soul. In the final analysis, words mean nothing. They are labels we give things in an effort to wrap our puny little brains around their underlying natures, when ninety-nine percent of the time the totality of the reality is an entirely different beast. The wisest man is the silent one. Examine his actions. Judge him by them.

A picture's worth a thousand words, but what about an action? When you're with someone, or even just so attracted to a person that you've watched them for a while, you are probably tuned in to them more than any random off the street. You can read their body language. You know their moods, what makes them happy or sad or angry, and, hopefully, how to comfort them or cheer them up. Words aren't the only way to do this: an embrace, a soft kiss, or even an offer of a hand could be worth a MILLION words. Comment with your character and preferences. ALSO, this is super important, put what mood your character will be in/what tone you want the thread to have! If you leave your comment blank, you'll look stupid jsyk. Reply to others.

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[moreequal]

[It's hard to remember, in moments like these, that Madison is supposedly the weak one. The one who will burst into a coughing fit at the slightest provocation, the one who has to be extremely careful about things like 'climate'. And yet Thomas is the one all but clinging to him.]

No you do not. [He grins, a despicable grin to himself.] I lashed out at you when the truth was I was jealous. I see that now. But you are too forgiving, and I am too selfish to not use that to my own advantage.

So thank you, friend.

[itsatie]

[ Oh, Madison is weak. Madison is very, very weak. Jefferson's words make him tremble again. Jealous. What does Thomas have to be jealous of, Madison is all his, even his secrets belong to that man, there's nothing left if you take Thomas Jefferson away. He's been in utter, complete pain since Jefferson got angry at him, and now...

Now.

friend, Thomas calls him. Not even my friend, just friend, and Madison's heart is beating so fast it feels like it'll burst. And he's clinging back, so tight.

It takes him a long, long moment before he can find any kind of words again. ]

You have... no reasons to be jealous, Thomas. Not over something I have no control over. You know... you know where I choose to be. You know whose... friend I choose to be.

You know. Right?

[moreequal]

Apparently I don't or I wouldn't be so stupid about this entire ordeal.

[He still hugging him, but he does pull away oh so slightly. He knows now he's completely adrift without this man, so he won't push it. But still...]

Is there something, anything I can do that will get you to trust me with his name?

[itsatie]

[ Madison huffs softly, for a moment too relieved and relaxed to try to answer.

... and then the last question makes him tense up again.

It's not that he can even say that Jefferson shouldn't make everything about himself, that it's not about trusting him, or not trusting him...

Since it is.

His eyes remain downcast, and his words are so, so quiet. ]

Not... right now.

[ Since begging didn't work, twice. And something in his stomach is burning, burning with Thomas's words about jealousy. (Maybe Hamilton is right?

Maybe?

But he can't do it. Not right now.) ]

[moreequal]

[It's not the answer he wanted to hear, but it's the one he was expecting. So with a sigh, he nods.]

Can't say I understand but I can respect it. [And latch onto that 'right now' like it's his lifeline.]

We should maybe get some job done today.

[itsatie]

[ Madison will cling for another long moment, before giving a small nod, and slowly backing away. His face is almost composed, even if his eyes are haunted, and sad.

He takes a deep breath, then steps back, sitting again, to focus on the proposals. ]

Of course. Is there something in particular you're unsure of, about these, or do yo want a general go-over?

[moreequal]

A general do over.

[He's a good writer, he knows that. When John Adams tells you you're a better writer than he is you know you're good. So he would never, ever admit to anyone else that his writing might need editing sometimes because he's supposed to be the golden kid with the magic pen that actually gets people by his side. But, as always, Madison is different.

And now that he's realized just how different he actually is the idea won't stop bothering him, like an itch he can't scratch. He sighs.]

And as always, thanks.

[itsatie]

[ Madison's head tilts back so he can look up at Jefferson. As always, the man says, but this might just be the first time Jefferson has said it.

Not that Madison hasn't known. Not that Madison hasn't known that Jefferson even giving these to him is an explicit thank you. But hearing the word... It makes a difference. It ties another knot of warmth inside his chest, burning softly.

He gives the man a smile that only trembles a little bit, and his voice doesn't tremble and all. ]

You're always welcome, Thomas.

Just give me a few.

[ And he looks down to focus on the pages, not completely able - ever - to shut Jefferson away from his attention, but focusing very much on the writing. His teeth worry his lip, here and there, but he doesn't have that many corrections.

It's so easy to focus on something specific, and loving Thomas's writing unconditionally has always been easy. It steadies him, a little, and his smile turns less shaky very soon. ]