Hey guys,

welcome back! I'm so sorry for the long wait and I'm also sorry that this is only a short kinda filler chapter where not much happens.

I promise, the next chapter is gonna deal with the real plot of this fic, as announced in the summary.

Thanks for all the kind reviews so far, they mean soo much to me!

Contains: mentions of violence and some non-graphical violence (flashback)

Enjoy!

Alexander left the warm comfortableness of the house to be hit by a front of cold air and icy wind. Shivering, he pulled his coat closer around him, hurrying down the hill towards the main camp. The howling wind bit into his skin after mere seconds, causing him to shiver violently as he made his way down the frozen pathway.

Despite the harsh weather, the aide didn't spare a second thought about it, all of his mind was occupied with Laurens, his John, and the shocking possibility of him being injured. His friend had been away for almost a week, a week Alexander had spent thinking about him all the time, longing for his other half, the one who completed him, the only one who was able to calm him down, the only one in whose presence he could be himself, letting down his guard and all his carefully constructed walls of self-defense. He couldn't bear seeing him hurt again, not after he had to fear for his friend's life so many months ago.

Memories began to overwhelm him.

The shock, as Alexander rushed to Laurens, knowing he would reach him too late, but nonetheless pushing his body to and over his limits.

The surprised look on John's face, as the sword pierced his side and was pulled out again.

The dull force, as Alexander's body connected with their enemy's, who had just pulled back his sword in order to push it back in again, this time through Laurens' heart.

The surprised face of the other soldier, as Alexander's speed sent them both crashing to the floor.

The feeling of blood on his hands, as he shoved his dagger through the motionless body of his enemy again and again.

The quiet cry of pain from John, causing him to stop his stabbing and crawl over to his friend.

Again, the blood on his hands as he pressed them onto the wound, frantically searching for some kind of bandage while he kept reassuring Laurens that everything was gonna be alright.

The weight of his friend on his side, who leaned heavily against him, causing his already sore muscles to scream out in protest.

The pure fear for John, fueling his movements, even when his body threatened to just give up.

The relief, when they saw friendly faces at last, then again fear, as the doctor admitted he wasn't sure whether Laurens would make it.

The painfully long hours until his friend woke up, leaving Alexander with nothing to do than wait, wait and wait.

Shaking his head, Alexander forced his brain to stop those whirling memories, concentrating on the icy path instead. He wouldn't face this again, no, he refused to wait outside a tent and just stand there with absolutely nothing to do, not being able to help at all, condemned to wait!

Soon, the aide reached the first tents, some soldiers forced to work outside greeted him, but he merely nodded their way, once again too caught up in his thoughts to really pay attention.

After some minutes of walking, he reached the entrance of the encampment, where the returning soldiers arrived, searching for a familiar aide de camp. Panic began to clench his chest as he couldn't spot his friend, so he turned to some soldier.

„Hey, you, yeah you, quick, you know where Lieutenant Colonel John Laurens is? He must have arrived about 20 minutes ago."

„John Laurens? Ehm.. I dunno, sir.. Was he injured, sir?"

„I do not know! Now, would you kindly ask someone who might know, please?", the aide snapped.

„Yeah yeah, sure, sir.", the soldier murmured with a frown.

And with that, he turned away to ask his superior, if he knows where that John Laurens was. Well, as long as he didn't have to face that for whatever reason pissed dude, he was content.

A minute later, he returned.

„Sir? The captain said that Lieutenant Colonel John Laurens, aide de camp, who was away for five days with-"

„I know how long he was away! And why and with whom goddammit! Just tell me where the fuck he is already!", Alexander shouted at the soldier.

„I was gonna say that! My God... He went to the food tent to eat something,.. sir."

„THANKS!", the aide cried and stormed off towards said tent.

„Asshole.."

Alexander hurried towards that tent, almost running, but slowed his pace as he reassured himself that John obviously wasn't hurt, when he was able to go to get some food.

As he approached the tent, the smell of food reached him even though the wind was still howling, reminding him how hungry he actually was, not having eaten all day. But that could wait.

He entered the warm tent and immediately began looking for his friend. Then, he spotted a messy brown ponytail that could only belong to one person. He couldn't help but run towards Laurens, but holding himself back to not kiss him in the middle of the tent.

„JOHN!"

Laurens turned his head in confusion, and then grinned as he saw the mess of hair, coat and red cheeks running towards him.

„Hey pal!", he laughed as his short friend flew into his open arms, practically suffocating him. He let out a small wince as Alex pressed against the wound at his chest.

Alexander noticed and instantly pulled back, eyes wide open with sorrow.

„What is it? Don't tell me you managed to get yourself injured again! My God, I told you to take better care of yourself, I mean you do realize we are in the middle of a war where there is a certain danger to get hit by a bullet or a sword or whatever, and that you actually have to pay attention to not get hit! Didn't you learn anything out of last time? Do you even realize how much you cause me to wo-"

„Hey, HEY!", John interrupted, effectively shutting his friend up.

„It's nothing, okay? Really, it's just a small cut at the chest!"

„Small? I do not trust your definition of ‚small'! You would even say ‚I'm fine.' if your head would be ripped off!"

„You wanna see, then?", John offered with a dirty smirk.

„What? Don't you think that it would be a bit strange if i looked at your chest in the middle of.. oh.. you smooth fucker!", Alexander laughed.

„No seriously, get it looked at by a doctor."

„C'mon, it's just a-"

„Even a small cut may get infected. Besides, you want to be ready for my close investigation afterwards, don't you?"

„Hell yeah! I'm just gonna finish my meal, which you were so kind to interrupt, then I'll see that doctor, and then, well.. HEY! What the hell?"

Alexander had realized just how hungry he was himself, and since a meal was in close proximity, he had helped himself to some of John's food. When Laurens noticed, he was already halfway through and smiled at his friend with innocent eyes.

„What? I am hungry, and there is food. I had a lot of work today, and you were chatting, so I might as well help you with your meal.", Alexander declared.

„Only problem. That is MY food!", Laurens exclaimed, reaching over to his plate, trying to snatch it away from his friends hands. Alexander just giggled and held the plate out of reach, mocking Laurens.

„Ts, ts, you're injured! Don't you make swift movements! Besides, I need it more than you! I probably weigh half of your heavy mass!", he laughed, wiggling the plate teasingly.

„Let's see how far your bony body gets you!", Laurens cried, launching himself towards his friend, who only managed to squeak in surprise before both went down in a mess of limbs. Buried under John, Alexander couldn't prevent his friend from wrestling the plate out of the younger aide's hands.

„Ha! Gottcha!", Laurens laughed.

Suddenly, a deep voice sighed from behind: „Why am I not exactly surprised?", caused both of them to stop their fight and look up.

A facepalming Tilghman looked down onto the two aides of the general, members of the greatest army of freedom the world had ever seen, fighting for liberty with fierce determination. And there they were, lying on the floor, coats dirtied and cheeks red, faces shifting between barely contained laughter and guilt.

„I knew that you're still boys, but-"

„We're not boys! In fact, we-"

„BUT, still I expected more adultery.. Well, some may never change.. Whatever, Hamilton, the General wants to see you in his office."

Said aide quickly stumbled to his feet, cheeks now red with shame, and mumbled something along the lines of „Of course, thank you", while hurrying out of the tent.

Tilghman turned back to Laurens, who looked less ashamed and instead tried to keep a neutral face while sitting back at the table.

„Oh boy.. Laurens, I heard you were injured?"

„Yeah, but it's but a scratch, sir."

„Well, I guess I'm gonna let you finish eating now, I'm sure the cook will give you another portion, since your original meal is, you know, a tiny little bit spilled on the floor!", and with that, he turned around and exited the tent, leaving behind a grinning Laurens.

He couldn't wait for Alexander to return from the meeting with the General.

Like mentioned before, the next chapter will be longer and more important, and I'm not entirely sure yet, but maybe we'll get some action for all the Lams-Shippers out there (the one and only OTP ;)).

Thanks for reading nonetheless, and as always, pleeeaaaase review (or like if you want to).

Have an amazing day!