FlintHamilton Appreciation Week day 2: favourite scene

complaininginthedark:

I’m gonna be almost the cheesiest baby and chose the scene where James, all bearded and beautiful, comes back from Nassau and Thomas is KNOCKED OFF HIS FEET because it’s been three months and they are in Love and he hated being apart from James. It’s a beautiful scene, moving and subtle (not Thomas being subtle but the romance is subtle I guess) and it pushes the plot forward. 

All in all 2.05 is one of the top episodes so I’d chose that episode if I didn’t think this one scene was also incredibly important in understanding their relationship. 

I count the start of this scene as James stepping out of the carriage. The world is bleak but he shines, red hair and blue uniform. We’ve already seen Thomas in a daze because he knows James is back. Now we see James looking as though he can finally breathe because he is home at last. 

(no Thomas Loves James post would be complete without the “holy shit he is BEAUTIFUL with a beard” look)

(The Thirst Is Real)

AND THEN THOMAS. Thomas “what is subtlety” Hamilton comes into it like James popped the question. James is back and everything is beautiful and colourful and so deep and that line: “Three months. Feels like twice as long.” We know, Thomas, we know. You love him more than life itself. Time is literally changed when they are apart. Thomas is SO IN LOVE and it shows so plainly on his face it’s a miracle no one cogged on sooner. 

After the drama of “oh yeah Nassau it lost” we have James doing this: 

He is promising to make things work because he believes in Thomas as well as loves him. He is on Thomas’ side to his own detriment and it’s a powerful thing. Thomas is a powerful thing. 

James is more reserved in this scene, yes, but that is because he knows there is danger. Here be dragons. Peter and Miranda are there and he doesn’t want to be seen as something “other”. He doesn’t want to endanger Thomas “let them whisper” Hamilton. But he wants Thomas to succeed. 

When he is talking with Miranda he is clearly caught up in Thomas’ presence, pushing his points and still clearly under his “spell”. When Miranda says what is going on isn’t just “some affair” James is instantly agreeing. No hesitation. No shame, no denial or playing down. 

He is in love and it isn’t a passing thing. He is in it to the end. 

And though technically not the same scene, I want to bring up James’ general being when mentioning Thomas to Hennessey later. He is relaxed and confident, he says Thomas’ name as though it is his right to do so. Why would he hesitate to say the name of the man who means so much to him? 

And the grief he already feels when Alfred and Hennessey are in the room together, the way the sound fades and James’ near panic attack is the focus is SO POWERFUL. 

But the gentleness, the intensity and love in that reunion after only three months just makes everything more real. Even without the confirmation of their relationship with the kiss at the end of the episode, you can really see their devotion and admiration for one another. They love one another so much it seeps into their every action. 

IN SUMMARY: THOMAS JUST FUCKING LOVES JAMES SO MUCH AND CAN’T HIDE IT. JAMES CAN SORT OF HIDE IT BUT IS USELESS AT DENYING IT.

(screencaps from here)