"You seem eager today." Hamilton teased as he was quickly ushered into the other man's private quarters. The man scoffed, but didn't argue. Alex grinned and started to undo the buttons of his raggy uniform. As he did so, he glanced around the other man's spacious room. His fingers froze when he took in the scenery.
In front of the large window, which was currently portraying a beautiful view of Uranus, there was a table. Alex abandoned his task of stripping in order to get a better look. Slowly, he approached the table; observing the soft cloth that was thrown over it. The lights in the room were low, leaving the only source of light coming from small holograms strategically placed around the room. Candles probably would've been better, but they're a fire hazard and are banned on all regulated spacecraft. In the middle of the table was a little vase, with a singular flower in it.
Alex picked up the flower and turned to the other man, "A dandelion?"
The man shuffled awkwardly, "It's an - Earth flower."
Alex snorted, dropping the weed back into the vase. "Sure."
The man scrambled forward, pulling out one of the chairs and gesturing for Alex to sit. Regarding him carefully, Alexander slowly took his seat, allowing the other man to push it in for him. Alex twisted around to look at him in the eyes, "What are you-"
"I-I made dinner!" He said, disappearing into the kitchen. Alex watched as he came back with two plates full of food. "It's a, um, Moon recipe that my ma taught me."
Alex didn't say anything as the plate was put in front of him. There was a little bowl in the center of the plate, with some bread and fruit carefully surrounding it. The food, which appeared to be some sort of broth, smelled delicious. Believe it or not, Hamilton knew when to shut up. He raised an eyebrow at the other man, but didn't say a word. Instead, he picked up a spoon and delicately scooped up a small taste. When he looked up, the other man was watching him intently.
Swallowing, Alex smiled, "It's very good."
He relaxed and allowed himself a spoonful of his own. He spoke quietly as he said, "You seemed hungry lately."
"I'm always hungry." Alex replied easily, taking in another mouthful, "Nothing new."
"Yeah, but," The man paused, glancing at Uranus hesitantly, "You've been giving away your rationings."
It was Alex's turn to squirm, "You noticed?"
"I notice everything about you." The man smiled shyly.
Alex looked away. "Yeah, I gave my food to the other Earthlings. So?"
"So, you're not on Earth anymore. You don't have to struggle." The man said. He sent down his spoon to gesture as he spoke, "I can give you food, I can give you hot showers, and a place to sleep; anything you need, I will-" He cut himself off suddenly, looking away. Alex got the feeling that he said more than he wanted to, without even saying much at all.
No one has ever expressed this kind of care, this kind of concern for Alexander before. The thought kind of terrified him. Alex's heart stumbled in his chest, "We're just … fucking." The other man flinched slightly, Alex continued, his quiet voice too loud in the empty room. "You don't have to do any of this. You're right, I'm not on Earth anymore. But I'm not struggling, either. This, the few things they give me, is more than enough. I appreciate the showers, you know I do, but - I don't need your charity."
"It's not charity!" The man immediately said. He reached out, taking Alexander's hand in his own, "I'm not doing any of this out of pity. You've seen how I treat the other Earthlings. I don't care about - it has nothing to do with that."
Hamilton almost wanted to start a fight; to call out his racist ass. 'Yeah, I'm horrible to everyone else from your planet, but not you! You're great at giving head!' It would be so easy to fall into that normal banter. They could ignore this strange tension in the room; turn the lights back on and keep eating as if they were in the cafeteria. Maybe afterwards they could do what Alex thought they were going to do. Things could go back to normal. But the look that the other man was giving him was too much to ignore.
Alexander slowly lowered his spoon, "...Why are you doing this? Why are you being so nice to me lately?"
The man squirmed in his seat, a light blush spreading across his cheeks. Alex held his breath as the other man opened his mouth to speak.
"Holy hell!" The door suddenly slams open, making both of the men in the room jump. "You will not believe who just beat me for the position of the Immigrant!"
Both men silently stared at none other than Second Officer Aaron Burr. Aaron's gaze flicked between the two of them before he regained his composure. "Mr. Hamilton, my apologies, I didn't realize you were here."
Alex waved it off and then said, grinning, "Well, fill us in. Who's the new Immigrant?"
It took a mighty amount of self-control for Aaron to not scowl as he said, "I'm sure you can guess. I hear you were quite persuasive with the Captain."
This had Alexander standing up, grinning excitedly, "Yeah, but, it's like, official now!?" He bounced on his feet as he awaited a response.
Burr hesitated, "The Captain will be confirming it this evening at dinner."
Alex squealed and engulfed Burr in a giant hug. "Oh my god! I'm going to be the Immigrant! This is the greatest thing to ever happen to me!"
Burr awkwardly clapped his back. "Yes. I'm very … excited for you."
"Better next luck time, Burr!" Alex grinned, patting his cheek. Aaron let himself to scowl then. But Alex didn't care, he spun Burr around and headed towards the door, "I have to go get the paperwork and my new uniform! And tell everyone, obviously! And pack my stuff! And prepare my-" He was still talking as the door slid shut behind him and he disappeared.
The dark room was filled with silence as Burr turned to look at the other man. He sighed as he sat down across the table from him, in Alex's abandoned spot. "I apologize for ruining your evening."
"I think it was ruined the moment I tried to make it romantic." The man muttered, resting his chin in his hand. "Hamilton just isn't interested in more than a quick fuck, it seems."
Burr looked out at Uranus, "More likely, he's too blind to see your intent. I don't think he realizes what you were trying to do."
"Wishful thinking. I made it pretty freaking obvious." The man grumbled, pushing his bowl away. He wasn't hungry anymore. "And now he's going off on some space trip, where he'll probably die or be sold into alien slavery."
Burr hummed noncommittally. The two sat in silence, each moping over their bad luck. Eventually, Aaron looked away from the planet and glanced at the romantic table setting. His brows lowered in confusion.
"Why is there a dandelion in a cup?" Aaron asked.
"It's an Earth flower."
"...No."
"No?"
"This is a weed. Earthlings hate them."
"Are you serious!? Do you know how much this cost me to ship up here!?"
Aaron Burr cracked a smile, shaking his head good-naturedly.
"What are we going to do with you, Thomas Jefferson?"
"Remember, a few years ago, when the Moon tried to declare war on the Earth because they lost the Olympics?" John said, forcing a smile. Hercules could see through it; the boy was obviously nervous as hell.
But he accepted the distraction and nudged Eliza. "What was the excuse your people gave? Why was it you lost again?"
The girl chuckled, "My queen said that it was unfair to host the Olympics on Earth, because our athletes were not used to the enhanced gravity. So they performed worse."
"Yeah, but you guys also lost the race to Pluto and back." John said, "What was your queen's excuse for that one?"
Eliza thought for a second, "I think she claimed Earth of cheating? Using illegal fuel?"
Hercules grinned, "As if Earth could afford illegal fuel."
"It was the first time Earth won in decades." John said, "One for the history holograms."
"My queen was so ashamed." Eliza hid her face in her hands, "She declared war on Earth."
John cackled, "And Earthian Council agreed to fight! They were ready to go to war against the queen of the Moon!"
"And then the president of Mars had to step in and calm everything down." Herc remembered, shaking his head, "They were so pissed. I didn't think anyone in the world could shout at the Moon Queen and Earthian Council and get away with it."
"That's our prez for ya." John grinned. The two high-fived, while Eliza rolled her eyes. "I wish I was in that room when it happened."
They were quiet for a moment, walking through the hallways of the ship; headed towards the Command Center. Everyone was on edge with nervous energy at hoping to talk to Alex; to see if he's okay.
Eliza broke the silence. "Why is that a saying?"
"Hm?" Herc looked over to the girl, "What saying?"
"Anyone in the world." Eliza waved her hand as she said, "Or just 'in the world'. Shouldn't it be 'in the worlds'?"
"Or 'in the worlds, plus the Moon'." John grinned, winking at the Moonie.
"What qualifies a world? Is the Moon a world?" Eliza frowned, "It's not a planet."
"Can it be a world, but not be a planet?" John asked, looking past Hercules to watch Eliza.
"Well, it depends on what language you're speaking in." Eliza started slowly, "We're using Martian, so the word 'world' means something like 'a safe space'. But if you switch to Moonie, then it means -"
"'A breathable landscape', right?" John said, "So, in Moonie, the Enterprise could be a world. Because we're able to breathe in it. Right?"
"Yes, exactly! So, I suppose in your language, my home could be a world, but in mine, it's not. Unless you're indoors." Eliza said, "But then with all of Earth's languages it's-"
Herc groaned, "Oh my God, guys, shut up. No wonder Alex loves you two. It's just 'in the world' because in the ancient times there was only Earth and no one bothered to change it."
John and Eliza snickered, grinning at each other. They finished their walk in silence. When they approach the guards, Eliza takes out her ID. It might be the main reason why John and Herc invited her. She, as a Moonie, has higher access and will be more likely to be let into the Command Center, as apposed to two loud-mouthed Martains. Eliza working directly under Thomas Jefferson helps as well. She could always claim she was running an errand and no one could deny it.
But the guards pushed their guns in her way, shaking their heads.
"Sorry, Miss Schuyler. The Captain requested no one enter right now."
Eliza put her hands on her hips, "Is his wife visiting?"
"Um, no?" One guard said.
"Then he has the time to see me." Eliza tipped her chin up in challenge. John held back an excited woot.
"Ma'am, I really don't think-"
"Yes, it seems you don't." Eliza said, pushing her way past the guards. Herc followed immediately, holding the door open for them. John stuck out his tongue. "Sir!"
The Captain looked up and sighed deeply. The guards ran in and stood at attention, blocking the group from entering any further. Thomas Jefferson was leaning against the Captain's chair, eyebrow raised.
"We're sorry, sir. She's a Schuyler, it's hard to tell her no." One guard said.
The Captain threw his hands up in the air, "What good are you two!? What is your job!?"
"To… not let people into the Command Center?" One said slowly.
"And what do you keep doing!?" The Captain stood up then, slowly approaching the guards.
"Letting people into the Command Center…" The other almost pouted.
The Captain just stared down at them, his arms crossed. He didn't even have to inform them that they were dismissed. The guards very awkwardly shuffled out of the room, their guns trailing after them. The door slid shut, leaving the small group to deal with the Captain.
The Captain turned to Jefferson, "Make note for me to deal with them later." Then, to the group, "What can I do for you, Miss Schuyler?"
"I would like to request an oral visitation with one Alexander Hamilton at the earliest convenience." Eliza spoke with the eloquence that only a Moonie could master. The Captain, instead of replying instantly, turned to Thomas Jefferson.
The two appeared to share a silent conversation, glancing at one another with raised eyebrows. Finally, Thomas shrugged and hung his head, leaving the Captain to turn back to the group.
"I'm afraid I cannot allow that at this moment." The Captain said, his hands clasped behind his back.
"And why not?" Eliza asked, then belatedly added, "Sir."
The Captain hesitated. "...We may have run into some unforeseen difficulties."
"In which ways?"
The Captain avoided answering by looking to the two men behind Eliza, "Are you Alexander's friends?"
John and Herc stood at attention. They were such good little soldiers. While Eliza was not afraid to question the good Captain's authority, these two knew their place. Not only that, they held high respect for their leader.
"Yes, sir." John said.
"We were the first he met after entering space, sir." Hercules added.
John dared to look the Captain in the eye as he spoke, "He is very dear to us, sir. We simply wish to speak with him, sir."
Thomas made a small noise from across the room, earning a glance or two from the group. He was staring down at his hands, listening intently to the conversation while trying to appear as though he's not. His expression was pained, though, as he listened to John speak.
The Captain sighed and strolled back to his desk. He sat down in his chair and rested his head in his hands as he spoke slowly. "I do not wish to lie to you. How could a crew trust a captain that withholds information?"
"Sometimes ignorance is bliss, sir." Thomas spoke, not looking up. "If I were you -"
"Yes, I'm well aware, Chief Jefferson." The Captain cut him off. "But… I can't in my good conscious lie to these people."
"Sir-" Thomas tried again, but was silenced by just a raised hand.
Eliza and John took Herc's hands. Fear was quickly growing in their chests.
"Good sir…" Eliza's voice shook slightly, "Please, what is it? What have you yet to tell us?"
The Captain stood up and approached the young girl. He put a hand on her shoulder and spoke with a very sad tone. He looked into her eyes until she refused to watch him anymore.
Closing her eyes, she could feel tears flow down her face as she shouted.
"No, it can be!" Alex whispered, his body shaking as he stared down the hallway. There, at the corner, standing there was none other than, "John!?"
Alex took a shaky step forward, then another, and another. Until he was running towards his friend. His heart was pounding, elated to see another human being. He grinned as his eyes grew watery with emotion. Just as he was about to reach the other man, he turned the corner and walked out of sight. Alex skidded to a stop, looking down the hall that his friend just walked down. His smile fell instantly.
John was nowhere to be seen.
Alex stood there, breathing hard, his mind racing. Where did he go? This is a long hallway, he can't run so fast that he would disappear without Alex seeing where he went. There were no doors either, so he didn't duck into one of the rooms. Where was his friend? Where was John Laurens?
Why did he abandon him?
No. Alex shook his head, scowling at himself. No, John wasn't here. He couldn't be. They were on the other side of the universe. His friend was back at home. He's just imagining things.
"Your mind is playing tricks on you, Hammie." Alexander muttered to himself, as his hands scratched at his scalp.
That was perhaps a scarier thought than a disappearing human.
Alexander's mind is everything to him. It was the only thing that kept him strong during his life on Earth. He took great pride in his wicked mind; he believed his logic and reasoning could out-match anything life threw at him. But now the mind he loved so much was turning against him.
Throughout the rest of the upcoming days, Alexander would see his friends, out of the corner of his eye. They would be standing there, watching. One second he would catch a glimpse of them; the next they were gone. The worst was when he could hear them. When they spoke to him.
"Come on, Hammy, you can do better than that."
"Where's that Hamilton spirit?"
"No, you shouldn't eat that. That's slave food."
"Are you being serious right now? You're that stupid?"
"That question was already answered, dumbass."
Alexander couldn't even find peace in his writing. When he settled down to work on his report, they were still there. Not just anyone - one specific person. He only ever showed up when Alex thought he had a moment of peace. He hardly ever spoke. Instead, he would simply on Alex's bed, in front of him. There - but just out of touch. A mockery, a painful tease of what once was.
"Oh, puppet. You're dying out here, aren't you?" Jefferson would sneer though the hologram. His voice would always sound hollow. All of them did. "I can't help you now. You're all alone."
These were not his friends. Not the people he loved. He had to keep reminding himself that. Every time he blinked, one of them was there, haunting him. With shaking hands, he added to his report.
The isolation from my own race terrifies me. With each passing day I grow more and more deranged. The people of my home - my friends, my love - plague my waking moments. Sleep evades me - I fear I am losing my mind.
Tell me what you think!