It was almost 3AM when Aaron Burr was awoken by a sudden noise in his quiet house. He sat up in bed, wondering what the noise was when he heard a hesitant knock at his door. Checking the clock, he had no idea who could possibly be at his door at this time of night. Slowly getting up and putting on his robe, he headed down to his front door and opened it, surprised to see his friend Alexander Hamilton standing there.
"Alexander?" Burr looked at him, but Hamilton kept his eyes down at his hands, which he was wringing together nervously.
"Aaron." His voice shook slightly, and Burr was surprised to not receive Hamilton's usual enthusiastic greeting.
"Is there something I can do for you?" He asked tiredly.
"Can we talk?" His friend asked quietly, hands now trembling slightly.
"Hamilton, it's the middle of the night. Is this a legal matter?" Aaron inquired, ready to send Alexander on his way before he went off about one of his famous ideas that could most definitely wait until the morning.
"...no. I... I really need to talk to someone." Hamilton answered, finally looking up to meet Burr's eyes. He was very pale and it was clear from his red and swollen eyes that he had been crying.
Shocked, Aaron nodded, opening the door wider and leading Alex to his living room to talk. They sat down on the couch and Burr looked at his distressed colleague. "What happened?" He asked softly. Alexander looked down, staying quiet. Aaron was about to speak again when Hamilton finally spoke up.
"Laurens...Laurens is dead."
Burr was shocked. "What? When, what happened?" He couldn't believe it, considering how young John was.
Alexander kept his head down. "He..." The heartbroken man sighed. "He was shot in South Carolina.." His voice shook as he recalled the letter he received just hours ago.
Tomorrow there'll be more of us...
"The war was over..." Alexander ground out before covering his face with his hands, his shoulders shaking as bitter tears leaked through his trembling fingers.
Aaron put a hand on his friend's shoulder, still in shock. "Alexander, I...I'm so sorry.." He looked down, unsure of what to say to his weeping colleague.
"He was only 28... he was still so young.." Hamilton whimpered, not wanting to believe that Laurens was gone. "He had such a great life ahead of him.. and...and I had to send him to South Carolina...w-why did I do that...? If I had just kept him here with me-"
"Hey, hey, hey.." Aaron shushed Alexander before he could continue. He kept a hand on his shoulder as he looked at his friend. After a moment, he finally spoke.
"This wasn't your fault."
The dam broke. Hamilton burst into tears, quickly hugging Burr and burying his face in his shoulder, his body trembling. Aaron was surprised but was quick to hold him close. "I-It's okay, Alex..." He had never seen Hamilton so emotional. It was so different from the arrogant act he put on around others.
Alexander shook his head. "It's not okay! I-I killed my best friend...my brother..." He wept, tears staining Burr's shirt as he gasped for air, trying to compose himself.
Aaron rubbed Hamilton's back and placed a gentle hand on the back of his neck, consoling him. "Okay...alright...let it all out." He whispered. He really felt bad for Alexander. He knew how much both of them had gone through already, and he knew how hard it was to lose someone you love.
Burr held a weeping Alexander until his cries finally slowed, leaving the man hiccupping and shaking in his colleague's arms. Slowly, Aaron let go of Alex, standing up. "I'll get you some tea." He said softly, leaving after Alexander nodded sheepishly. After a few minutes, Burr came back with a cup of tea and handed it to the broken and embarrassed man on his couch. Muttering a timid thank you, he took the cup that was offered to him and took a small sip.
"Aaron, I-I'm so sorry.. I can't tell you how embarrassed I am.." Alexander confessed, his cheeks a bright red. "I was acting like a child."
Burr shook his head, smiling. "You were being real, Alexander. I know what it's like, and I know how hard it is to lose someone." He put a hand back on Alexander's shoulder. "It's okay. I'm really happy you came to me. And I'm glad I could help." He said honestly. "You know, we're really not too different."
Hamilton smiled brokenly and nodded. "I-I agree.."
After Alex finished his tea, the two men headed out to Hamilton's house. They walked in a comfortable silence until they reached the front door.
"See you tomorrow, Alexan-"
He was cut off by Hamilton hugging Burr tightly, letting out a shaky breath. "...thank you." He held on for a moment before letting go and walking to his front door, slowly opening it before taking one more glance at his friend, who was smiling sadly at him. "Sleep well, Alexander. I'll see you tomorrow." Burr said before turning around and heading home.