div class="chapter preface group" style="border-width: 1px 0px 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; outline: 0px; font-size: 18.9px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.5em 3em; padding: 0.643em 0.643em 0px; float: none; color: #2a2a2a; border-style: solid initial initial initial;"
div id="summary" class="summary module" style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 18.9px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.643em; position: relative; width: auto; float: none; min-height: 5em;"
blockquote class="userstuff" style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 1em; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 0.643em; padding: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; word-wrap: break-word;"
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 18.9px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 0px auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"Lafayette enters a world of pain/p
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div class="userstuff module" style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 18.9px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; width: 1252.06px; float: none; word-wrap: break-word; color: #2a2a2a;"
h3 id="work" class="landmark heading" style="border-width: 0px 0px 0.25em; border-image: initial; outline: 0px; font-weight: 500; font-style: inherit; font-size: 0px; font-family: Georgia, serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0.125em; line-height: 0; opacity: 0; height: 0px; clear: both; color: transparent; border-color: initial initial #333333 initial; border-style: initial initial double initial;"Chapter Text/h3
p dir="ltr" style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 18.9px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="text-decoration: underline;"strongangst request by the-last-refrain: Laf getting hurt./strong/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 18.9px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="text-decoration: underline;"strong I think of being hurt in two ways: Physical pain like being shot and emotional/psychological pain like heartbreak, death in the family etc. So buckle up and prepare yourselves. /strong/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 18.9px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="text-decoration: underline;"strongNOTE: This takes place leading up to Lauren's Interlude meaning during the French Revolution and of course after John dies. Also take note there is hints of Laferson but it is not serious. /strong/spanbr /span style="text-decoration: underline;"strong-Ships are Lams (platonic), Mulette, Hamliza and Jeffmads./strong/spanbr /span style="text-decoration: underline;"strong-They will switch back and forth between English and French and the translations are in parenthesis./strong/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 18.9px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="text-decoration: underline;"strong-Lots of swearing and slight OOC for several characters I guess?)/strong/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 18.9px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"strongLet's begin/strong./p
p dir="ltr" style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 18.9px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"Lafayette knew it began shortly after he returned to France with the story of America's success of defeating the British and gaining their freedom; he supposed Jefferson leaving promptly after drafting a declaration was another hint. /p
p dir="ltr" style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 18.9px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"French peasants flocked to the bars talking about revolting. "If the Americans can do it so can we! Down with the king!" "No more tyranny!" "We will not be oppressed again!" Lafayette smiled at first and said he'd talk to Jefferson who'd written the American Declaration of Independence to write one for them. So he did. "Come on in I figured I'd be meeting you eventually." Thomas said letting the revolutionary into his flat. "Very nice place you 'ave here." Laf said awkwardly. "None of this awkward shit. You want a declaration? Let's write one." Thomas said handing Laf a glass of red wine./p
p dir="ltr" style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 18.9px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"Two hours and a bottle of wine later it was half done. "Let's take a break and eat hm?" Laf nodded stretching his back. "You know this will end badly…you have no force to fight the king." Laf wasn't offended, "Oui" "Then why bother? You have a death wish?" Thomas asked leaning back in his chair. "Non…I want the people to feel empowered." Lafayette replied swirling his wine slowly. "Fair enough. If it goes to hell you could always return to the states with me?" "Oho that sounds like an invitation for intimacy." Thomas blushed, "We j-just met!" he spluttered. Lafayette laughed, "What's so funny!" Thomas hissed his face red. "I apologize I should not 'ave teased you." Lay said between laughs. Thomas huffed trying his best not to smile. "I should go home though." Laf said quietly. Thomas stops him, "It's late and we're both drunk. You might as well stay the night. I have a guest room you can sleep in." Laf smiled, "But I'll be lonely~" Thomas turned scarlet once again, "Sweet Jesus we just met damn it!" He yelled but he was smiling. So began a close friendship that would lead to the first real pain Laf had felt since he left America in 1781. /p
p dir="ltr" style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 18.9px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"Three months had passed since he met Thomas and he felt like he'd gained a twin. They often dressed similar to confuse people. Fake Lafayette as Thomas was known as. "Which one is the REAL one?!" Micheal shouted as they sat in a bar. "I am." They both replied causing more confusion. "MON DIEU!" Micheal yelled tipping his drink over causing the bar to erupt with laughter. "Okay okay Mike I am the real Gilbert." Micheal stared at him in drunken stupor. "Gil?" Thomas bit back a laugh, "Oui mon ami." Laf was struggling hard not to fall out of his chair. "Why do you do this to me?" Micheal slurred. "I have a look alike it seemed appropriate?" Thomas replied. "I'd probably do it to me too…" Micheal slurred slapping money on the counter before stumbling outside. "Oh my GOD!" Laf fell out of his chair in hysterics. "He is gonna be pissed when he figures out I lied." Thomas chuckled paying the tab as the two walked outside. Two weeks later the declaration was finished and the duo watched in horror as the revolt began. Blood in the gutters, beheading…Laf felt sick. "This is not what I had in mind…at ALL." he walked to Thomas's flat to find it empty and a note,/p
p dir="ltr" style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 18.9px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: oblique; font-size: 18.9px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"strongI'm heading home to Virginia. My invitation still stands. I'm sorry I can't stay here and watch them behead children… /strong/spanbr /span style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: oblique; font-size: 18.9px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"strong-Thomas/strong/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 18.9px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"Laf felt like he'd been shot…his friend was leaving him to deal with the crazed people alone?! he ran to the dock seeing the ship calling for the final boarding. "Come on Gilbert it's gone to hell!" Thomas shouted from the deck. Gilbert tried to get onto the ship but the plank was pulled from under him sending him into the water, "French scum stays in France, we don't need another war!" The American deck hand shouted. Gilbert broke the surface coughing watching the ship pull away. "I'll get the president to send aid!" Thomas shouted. "I'm sorry!" Gilbert was left alone to climb out of the frigid water watching the ship shrink on the horizon. Three weeks after Thomas left the king was beheaded. /p
p dir="ltr" style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 18.9px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"Lafayette was hiding from the soldiers and rebelling peasants. He limped hissing when he fell on his injured leg. He'd been stabbed in the leg thankful it was a shallowly wound but he had no time to properly treat it. "Dieu ça fait mal comme l'enfer…" strong(God this hurts like hell) /strongLaf hissed as he limped away from Micheal. "Reviens-toi et te combattes-tu lâche!" strong(Come back and fight you coward!)/strong The popper shouted chasing after Lafayette who swore in French, "Merde!" he limped toward an untouched building slipping inside and locking the door./p
p dir="ltr" style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 18.9px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"He immediately slid to the floor his injured leg throbbing. He trembled pressing his hands over the wound to slow the bleeding tears forming in his eyes. "M-merde…" Laf sighed shakily; he grabbed towel and tied it around the cut limping to find the medicine cabinet in the house. Upon finding it he realized…this was Thomas's flat. Tears slipped down his cheeks as he washed out his cut and treated it. Once his leg was tended to he slide down against the wall crying into his knees. "Pourquoi tu m'as laissé Thomas …?" strong(Why did you leave me Thomas?)/strong Lafayette flinched hearing gunfire outside and shouting of both soldiers and civilians. He curled up into a tighter ball ignoring the pain it caused him. This was not America where he had confidence to fight tyranny. The king is dead. The soldiers and civilians are killing each other in brutal ways. They need help. Laf crawled to the bedroom and curled up on the cot scrunching into the corner. "J'ai peur … s'il vous plaît … dépêchez-vous et envoyez de l'aide …" strong( I'm afraid … please … hurry and send some help …)/strong/p
p dir="ltr" style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 18.9px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"In America Thomas was livid at Washington so easily taking Hamilton's side leaving France to suffer the failing revolution alone. "Did you forget Lafayette?!" he spat at Hamilton. "What?" Hamilton asked rubbing his temples tiredly. "I mean you accumulate debt and power but when France needs us you just leave them to suffer?!" Thomas stepped close to Hamilton towering over the smaller man. "Like Washington said the people are rebelling. We had a plan. The French did not! Their king is dead Thomas. Lafayette is smart he'll be fine and before he was your friend he was mine." Thomas quite literally picked up Hamilton and said, "And what if he dies huh? What then smart ass? He's still your friend! He needs your help! You think anyone is gonna give a rat's ass about his status? They'd sooner kill him." Hamilton paled at the thought but stood his ground, "I can't disobey a direct order from Washington." Thomas glared shaking him, "So what our friend dies in the riots?!" Hamilton struggled a bit frightened. "I can't do anything! I have to write the bill…." Thomas threw him down towering over him once again, "You are a horrible friend to him then. France helped us and we promised them aid yet you'd rather hide like a coward and watch your friend die?!" Hamilton trembled frightened, "Please stop T-Thomas…" His voice cracked in fear. "You have damned your friend, congratulations." Thomas spat spinning on his heel leaving Hamilton there trembling not seeing the tears in his eyes. /p
p dir="ltr" style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 18.9px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"Thomas walked into the office he and Madison shared plopping behind his desk with a shaky sigh. "T-Thomas?" Madison said quietly. "I have to tell Lafayette he's on his own. I really don't want to do that James…" Thomas put his head in his hands staring at Lafayette's letter which has both tear and blood stains on the parchment. The jumbled French begged for aid and expressed fear. "J'ai peur … s'il vous plaît envoyez de l'aide Thomas … c'est parti en enfer" (strongI'm scared…please send help Thomas…it's gone to hell)/strong Thomas carefully set the letter aside feeling tears burn in his eyes realizing that no amount of verbal abuse can change what Hamilton has to do./p
p dir="ltr" style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 18.9px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"A knock came on the door leaving James to look at Thomas who nodded, "Come in…" James called coughing after. The door opened… speak of the devil. Hamilton looked a mess his face tear stained and eyes full of distress. "S-Sir…" He stammered. "Sit down" Thomas sighed. "I d-don't like it either!" Hamilton said a few fresh tears escaping down his cheeks. "I…I've damned our friend…." Thomas felt bad having been so harsh seeing Hamilton so upset. "I wanted Washington to help..I…made it worse instead.." Hamilton gave a soft sob. "Me and my big mouth…" Thomas stood and walked around his desk to Hamilton his political enemy crouching to his level. He didn't give a damn if James saw or Burr walked in; he wrapped his arms around Hamilton pulling him into a hug. The young man flinched startled at the out of character gesture but quickly relaxed into it crying softly into Thomas's shoulder. Thomas rubbed his back trying to calm him down so they could talk; James came over and awkwardly patted Hamilton's arm not sure what to do. Thomas was crying too not wanting to cause Lafayette more pain./p
p dir="ltr" style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 18.9px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"Hamilton settled down after ten minutes of soft sobs; he settled on the small couch Thomas sitting beside him, "We're both a mess aren't we?" Hamilton rubs the tears from his cheeks with his handkerchief. "I s-suppose we are…" He agreed Thomas finding his stutter strange. "I don't want to break my word either…I promised him we'd be there for him at Yorktown…" Thomas raised a brow, "That long ago? Jesus we're both fucked…" Hamilton nods rubbing away the fresh tears as they fell. "There is no way out of neutrality is there?" James asked. "No…Washington expects the statement by Monday morning…" Hamilton replied his voice full of guilt and sorrow. Thomas sighed shakily, "I should probably reply to Lafayette then…" Hamilton nods sadly getting up, "S-sorry…" He bowed his head and left the office tears dripping off his chin. Thomas sat back down and wrote a response to Lafayette sending it off the same day. /p
p dir="ltr" style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 18.9px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"strongspan style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: oblique; font-size: 18.9px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"I regret to inform you that the president has decided to remain neutral in this affair. No aid will be coming from my side of the sea.. you are on your own despite the promise of aid in Yorktown. I did everything I could but nothing swayed Washington's decision not even Alexander himself. We both tried to convince him to allow us to come and rescue you but he stated that we are forbidden from doing so as members of his cabinet. I…I am in tears writing this Gilbert…I didn't want to write this…please stay alive…please stay strong…we all miss you…please make it to the next boat out…I'm so sorry Gilbert.. /span/strongbr /strongspan style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: oblique; font-size: 18.9px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"-Yours Thomas Jefferson/span/strong/p
p dir="ltr" style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 18.9px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"Lafayette saw the obvious tear stains on the parchment and let loose a sob as those words echoed in his head; America had broken their word to help France yet he couldn't be angry at Alexander and Thomas. He could see how upset the decision made them; Alex's letter was even harder to read due to the smudged ink caused by Alexander's tears. It was many apologies and regret and sorrow./p
p dir="ltr" style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 18.9px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"The letters fell from his grasp onto the floor as he cried his heart breaking. No one was coming to save him; he was completely on his own against the masses. he lay there on the floor wrapped in the sheets his leg throbbing adding more pain to the whirlwind of emotions he's feeling. Betrayal, terror, pain, sorrow, regret…the list went on. Each gunshot made his heart skip a beat and with each bang on the door his heart nearly stopped. He barely moved unless he needed to eat or change the dressing on his wound. /p
p dir="ltr" style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 18.9px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"Back across the sea both Thomas and Alexander were stressed to the highest degree having heard nothing since they replied to Lafayette. The two sat in Jefferson's office Hamilton watching Thomas pace in a frantic state. "I can't stand this!" Thomas cried exasperated and stressed. "We need to tell Hercules…" Alexander said quietly. "What?' Thomas asked ceasing his pacing for but a moment. "I said we need to tell Hercules. John is in South Carolina or I'd send him after Laf." Thomas looked perplexed. "But why Mulligan?" Alexander's cheeks colored and he looked shocked, "Laf never told you?" "No?" Thomas replied so Alexander leaned up and whispered the truth in his ear, "Whaaaaat? I never would have guessed-" Alexander chuckled, "No one guessed that ils sont amoureux." strong(they are in love)/strong/p
p dir="ltr" style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 18.9px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"At that moment Madison walked into the office fresh from a meeting looking stressed as the duo still felt despite the topic change. He coughed a bit rubbing his temples a frown marring his features. "Embrasse-le Thomas." strong(Kiss him Thomas)./strong Thomas blinked, "Embrasse-le, comment savez-vous?" strong(Kiss him...how did you know?!)./strong Thomas replied. Alex smiled, "Vous vous inquiétez toujours de lui plus que tout le monde. Je pourrais vous avoir vu deux personnes endormies sur le canapé quand j'ai déposé des documents la semaine dernière. Je vous ai couvert avec une couverture." (strongYou always worry about him more than anyone else. I may have seen you two asleep on the couch when I dropped off documents last week. I covered you with a blanket)/strong Thomas sighed running his fingers through his thick curls a blush on his cheeks looking back at Alexander, "Mais pourquoi l'embrasser?" (strongBut why kiss him?) /strongAlexander smiled, "Eliza does that when I get stressed. I immediately forget my troubles." Thomas looked at Madison who looked very unhappy his shoulders tense. /p
p dir="ltr" style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 18.9px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""Ah what the hell." Thomas walked over to James who looked up glancing at Hamilton who gave a slight nod, "Thomas?" James asked covering his mouth as another cough escaped him. Thomas pulled James closer causing the smaller man to blush, "E-er?" he squeaked. "Shush" Thomas pressed his lips to his boyfriend's feeling him relax in his grip./p
p dir="ltr" style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 18.9px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"He pulled away, "T-Thomas!" James squeaked his face scarlet. "Hush" Thomas led James to the couch and they sat down. "So we get Mulligan and?" he asks wrapping his arm around James who hid his red face in Thomas's coat."Then all hell breaks loose. Hercules is extremely protective of Laf and when he hears that we received no reply…well…you can imagine." Thomas shuddered having heard stories about Mulligan's fighting tactics. /p
p dir="ltr" style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 18.9px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"They agreed to get Mulligan and returned to idle chit chat, "So aside from that kiss it's obvious?" Alex nods. "I have no issue with homosexuality if you two are happy gender be damned." James blinked, "You told him to kiss me though?" He asked his cheeks still rosy. "It works to calm me down I figured it might be worth a try?" Alex chuckled. James snuggled closer to Thomas and smiles shyly. "It does work." he admits. Alexander sat up straight looking at the door, "Someone is coming." James moved away from Thomas as Burr walked in. "By all means carry on cuddling I couldn't care less."/p
p dir="ltr" style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 18.9px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"Burr waved his hand. "I am assuming you told Thomas to get Mulligan Alexander?" Alexander nods. "Bout time you did." Alex rolled his eyes at Burr who smiled returning said gesture. "Why do we all hate each other in Congress again?" James said. "Because politics." Alexander replied. Everyone began to laugh because it was true. "I'll tell Hercules after the meeting in which we all must hate each other again." Alexander said still chuckling. /p
p dir="ltr" style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 18.9px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""Fuck you politics." Thomas laughed. James gave soft chuckles as well and they agreed to not kill each other outside the meetings not that it was hard choice. "See you in the meeting." Alexander said standing up. "Indeed" James said. "Fight me Hamilton." Thomas replied. "Gladly" Hamilton retorted before leaving the office./p
p dir="ltr" style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 18.9px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"Needless to say Hercules reacted the way Alexander knew he would; he was upset and his over protective mode kicked in. "I'll bring him back Alex. You can count on me!" Alex smiled, "I know I can. God speed." Hercules nods and boarded the ship to France. "I'm coming Laf." he murmured as the ship sailed from New York. In Thomas's flat Laf was running out of food and medical supplies. His sheet was being used for bandages. His voice was practically gone and his hair was a tangled mess. Moving hurt after an explosion threw him against the wall so he cried feeling abandoned./p
p dir="ltr" style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 18.9px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"Another two weeks passed in this matter and Laf had given up hope ready to embrace death; at least he'd die in the quiet of his friend's flat./p
p dir="ltr" style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 18.9px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"Suddenly a heavy force hit the locked door of the flat making Laf's heart leap into his throat a whimper escaping him. "Damn lock…" A gruff voice hissed before the same force hit the door again and again. "Fuck this." BANG! The gunshot echoed in Laf's ears along with the lock hitting the ground. Footsteps approached the room leaving Laf to curl into a ball whimpering in pain trying to hide. "Laf? Laf- oh sweet JESUS!" Hercules Mulligan gasped in horror at the bad shape his lover is in. He carefully walked to Laf who curled up further into the corner whimpering. "Gilbert it's me…the demidork." Laf blinked daring to turn his head; immediately his eyes widened seeing his lover. "H-herc…" He wheezed. "I'm here amour shhh." Hercules picked him up careful of his leg and carried him from the house avoiding the angry soldiers and people. "It went to hell all right…" He mumbled holding his lover close to his chest and running for the ship that was due to leave in an hour not daring to stay longer. Laf blacked out half way there breathing shallowly./p
p dir="ltr" style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 18.9px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"When he woke he was in Hercules's arms a cool cloth on his head and he hurt all over. "H-Herc?" He said weakly gripping his lover's sleeve to get his attention. Herc looked down at him, "How do you feel?" he asked him. "Everything hurts." Laf moaned softly. "You were thrown against a wall." Hercules dead panned before placing a kiss on his head, "But I'm glad you're okay…if…anything happened to you I'd…" Hercules choked up tears rolling down his cheeks; Laf reached up and shakily wiped them away. "Don't cry I'm right here." Hercules nuzzled into his hand wrapping his larger one around his lover's. "Y-you know I'm a sap." Laf laughed weakly the sound foreign to his own ears, "I know and I love it." Herc gave him a gently kiss snuggling contentedly with his injured lover. br /Laf sighed softly leaning against his chest noticing his hair was no long tangled. "Many combs died." Herc said dramatically drawing another raspy laugh from his lover. "I expected no less." Herc smiled and kissed him again pulling away and running his finger through Laf's curly hair. "Mmm" Laf hummed soothed by the gesture closing his eyes. Hercules covered them both with the quilt he'd packed. He closed his eyes soothed by the rocking of the ship falling asleep quickly. They'd be home in a week and then they could all grab a drink with John and hear his story of how he recruited the first black regiment from his home state of South Carolina. Little did the two know that the pain awaiting them when they returned./p
p dir="ltr" style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 18.9px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;" A week later the ship docked in New York City jostling Hercules awake; Laf was still asleep so Herc stood up shouldering his bag before picking up his lover. he walked off the ship into the streets Laf in his arms. Most people were against a same-sex relationship but did nothing to stop Herc from being with Laf; the support of his friends was all that mattered to Hercules anyway. Half way to Hamilton's home Laf woke up, "Have you been carrying me since we arrived?" He asked his face turning red. "You needed to sleep." Hercules kissed his head putting the Frenchman down. "Let's go hear the story of John making history eh?" Laf nodded and they continued to walk Laf having a slight limp. When they arrived to Hamilton's home Herc knocked on the door. After a moment shuffling was heard and the door opened revealing Philip Alex's son. Instead of being excited the child looked sad; he opened the door for them to come in calling for his mother./p
p dir="ltr" style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 18.9px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"The duo walked inside seeing Angelica who walked to Laf hugging him, "Thank god." He hugged back and Herc jokingly said, "Your welcome." Angelica for once didn't smile at the joke; Eliza came in her face tear stained but hugged them both. "Has Burr done something?" Lafayette asked being out of touch with what happened while he was trapped in France. "He became a senator." Philip said quietly gripping his mother's hand looking ready to cry. "Mamma I'm going to find Theo…" Pip said and Eliza nods letting him go. Pip left the room tears starting to slide down his cheeks. /p
p dir="ltr" style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 18.9px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""I'll go get Alexander." Eliza excused herself and went upstairs as Burr walked in his own cheeks wet from tears. "Now I'm worried…what happened while we were at sea?" Lafayette asked sitting down to rest his still healing leg. "Where's John?" No one said a word but tears fell silently down their the remaining couple came downstairs they decided Alexander looked the worse of all his hair frizzy, beard unshaven and his face tear stained. "Seriously what the heck happened? Why is everyone upset?" Hercules asked confused. Eliza said nothing but handed the couple a letter pressing her face in her husband's shoulder giving soft sobs. Alexander rubbed her shoulders crying himself. "I'll go find the kids…" Burr walked back in the direction Philip had gone covering his mouth as tears went down his cheeks. The two stared at the fact that the letter was from John's father Henry Laurens; Hercules carefully unfolded the letter reading it silently hearing Angelica give a soft sob. /p
p dir="ltr" style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 18.9px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""span style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: oblique; font-size: 18.9px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"On Tuesday the 27th, my son was killed in a gunfight against British troops retreating from South Carolina. The war was already over. As you know, John dreamed of emancipating and recruiting 3000 men for the first all-black military regiment. His dream of freedom for these men dies with him."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 18.9px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"The paper fell from his grasp landing on the floor his eyes wide with shock; John was…he was..! "No…" he whispered. "He can't be…" They all nodded quietly Eliza trembling in her husband's arms. "The funeral is in two weeks." Angelica said before wrapping them both in a hug, "I was so scared we'd have to bury another friend." Laf hugged her back feeling her crying into his shoulder. "Non..Hercules found me…" Here nodded hugging her as well feeling tears burning in his eyes; he saved his love and returns to find his friend was wrongly killed. Laf started to cry as well; it seemed there was no end to the whirlwind of pain. He was saved from one painful situation only to be thrust into another; it was too much for his poor heart. Burr came back with the children who were still crying holding hands and it was normally the cutest thing but now it was painful. The children climbed onto the chair hugging Hercules who hugged them back crying himself. "He was so young…" Laf sniffled. After another hour Eliza and Angelia made supper which was a silent affair; after supper Burr left with Theodosia. Alexander invited the returned couple a place to stay till the funeral which the graciously accepted; two weeks later they stood in Mercy-View Cemetary crying as the priest said his blessings and prayers for the deceased. They all placed flowers around John each having a separate meaning. Roses for courage and passion, Peony for nobility and value, Water Lilies for majesty, Dalia for his proud love for his dreams that held no compromise and daisies for his pure soul./p
p dir="ltr" style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 18.9px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"The coffin was closed and slowly descended into the ground a few more flowers thrown into the grave before A few men began to shovel dirt over it. They left once the stone was placed; the men went to get drink but ended up crying because….without John it felt empty. Hercules with a shaking voice said "Raise a g-glass to freedom?" The others raised their glasses along with the bartender who had been good friends with John. "Tomorrow there will be more of us…" Alexander added and they took the shorts. "He never did finish three pints…" They all laughed sadly but it was a fond memeory. Burr spoke up, "He would not want us to mourn…" "No that he would not…" Lafayette agreed. "So let's celebrate the life of John Laurens and the good times we shared!" So they did each man attempting to down three pints in his honor and boy did they fail miserably having little tolerance for alcohol . In the end while it hurt to lose a friend they all knew that he was smiling down on them. /p
p dir="ltr" style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 18.9px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"Lafayette was the last out of the bar and as he left he heard a whisper, "Raise a glass to freedom? You guys were always light weights." He turned to see his friend shaking his head laughing, "J-John?" He whispered nearly eyed, "Aw come one Laf don't cry…" John hugged him his ghostly hands feeling oddly warm, "You're not drunk enough to imagine me I'm sorta here.." Laf was crying but hugged back, "Live for me will you? See that they abolish slavery?" Laf nodded. "Hey who knows I might be reborn?" Laf smiled, "As a shot glass?" John gave a hearty laugh, "Pffft as if Laf!" "I'll see you on the other side? Just do me a favor and take your time." Laf nodded and despite John being gone… it would be enough. /p
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div id="summary" class="summary module" style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 18.9px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.643em; position: relative; width: auto; float: none; min-height: 5em;"
blockquote class="userstuff" style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 1em; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 0.643em; padding: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; word-wrap: break-word;"
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 18.9px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 0px auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"Lafayette enters a world of pain/p
/blockquote
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div class="userstuff module" style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 18.9px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; width: 1252.06px; float: none; word-wrap: break-word; color: #2a2a2a;"
h3 id="work" class="landmark heading" style="border-width: 0px 0px 0.25em; border-image: initial; outline: 0px; font-weight: 500; font-style: inherit; font-size: 0px; font-family: Georgia, serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0.125em; line-height: 0; opacity: 0; height: 0px; clear: both; color: transparent; border-color: initial initial #333333 initial; border-style: initial initial double initial;"Chapter Text/h3
p dir="ltr" style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 18.9px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="text-decoration: underline;"strongangst request by the-last-refrain: Laf getting hurt./strong/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 18.9px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="text-decoration: underline;"strong I think of being hurt in two ways: Physical pain like being shot and emotional/psychological pain like heartbreak, death in the family etc. So buckle up and prepare yourselves. /strong/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 18.9px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="text-decoration: underline;"strongNOTE: This takes place leading up to Lauren's Interlude meaning during the French Revolution and of course after John dies. Also take note there is hints of Laferson but it is not serious. /strong/spanbr /span style="text-decoration: underline;"strong-Ships are Lams (platonic), Mulette, Hamliza and Jeffmads./strong/spanbr /span style="text-decoration: underline;"strong-They will switch back and forth between English and French and the translations are in parenthesis./strong/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 18.9px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="text-decoration: underline;"strong-Lots of swearing and slight OOC for several characters I guess?)/strong/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 18.9px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"strongLet's begin/strong./p
p dir="ltr" style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 18.9px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"Lafayette knew it began shortly after he returned to France with the story of America's success of defeating the British and gaining their freedom; he supposed Jefferson leaving promptly after drafting a declaration was another hint. /p
p dir="ltr" style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 18.9px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"French peasants flocked to the bars talking about revolting. "If the Americans can do it so can we! Down with the king!" "No more tyranny!" "We will not be oppressed again!" Lafayette smiled at first and said he'd talk to Jefferson who'd written the American Declaration of Independence to write one for them. So he did. "Come on in I figured I'd be meeting you eventually." Thomas said letting the revolutionary into his flat. "Very nice place you 'ave here." Laf said awkwardly. "None of this awkward shit. You want a declaration? Let's write one." Thomas said handing Laf a glass of red wine./p
p dir="ltr" style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 18.9px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"Two hours and a bottle of wine later it was half done. "Let's take a break and eat hm?" Laf nodded stretching his back. "You know this will end badly…you have no force to fight the king." Laf wasn't offended, "Oui" "Then why bother? You have a death wish?" Thomas asked leaning back in his chair. "Non…I want the people to feel empowered." Lafayette replied swirling his wine slowly. "Fair enough. If it goes to hell you could always return to the states with me?" "Oho that sounds like an invitation for intimacy." Thomas blushed, "We j-just met!" he spluttered. Lafayette laughed, "What's so funny!" Thomas hissed his face red. "I apologize I should not 'ave teased you." Lay said between laughs. Thomas huffed trying his best not to smile. "I should go home though." Laf said quietly. Thomas stops him, "It's late and we're both drunk. You might as well stay the night. I have a guest room you can sleep in." Laf smiled, "But I'll be lonely~" Thomas turned scarlet once again, "Sweet Jesus we just met damn it!" He yelled but he was smiling. So began a close friendship that would lead to the first real pain Laf had felt since he left America in 1781. /p
p dir="ltr" style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 18.9px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"Three months had passed since he met Thomas and he felt like he'd gained a twin. They often dressed similar to confuse people. Fake Lafayette as Thomas was known as. "Which one is the REAL one?!" Micheal shouted as they sat in a bar. "I am." They both replied causing more confusion. "MON DIEU!" Micheal yelled tipping his drink over causing the bar to erupt with laughter. "Okay okay Mike I am the real Gilbert." Micheal stared at him in drunken stupor. "Gil?" Thomas bit back a laugh, "Oui mon ami." Laf was struggling hard not to fall out of his chair. "Why do you do this to me?" Micheal slurred. "I have a look alike it seemed appropriate?" Thomas replied. "I'd probably do it to me too…" Micheal slurred slapping money on the counter before stumbling outside. "Oh my GOD!" Laf fell out of his chair in hysterics. "He is gonna be pissed when he figures out I lied." Thomas chuckled paying the tab as the two walked outside. Two weeks later the declaration was finished and the duo watched in horror as the revolt began. Blood in the gutters, beheading…Laf felt sick. "This is not what I had in mind…at ALL." he walked to Thomas's flat to find it empty and a note,/p
p dir="ltr" style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 18.9px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: oblique; font-size: 18.9px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"strongI'm heading home to Virginia. My invitation still stands. I'm sorry I can't stay here and watch them behead children… /strong/spanbr /span style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: oblique; font-size: 18.9px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"strong-Thomas/strong/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 18.9px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"Laf felt like he'd been shot…his friend was leaving him to deal with the crazed people alone?! he ran to the dock seeing the ship calling for the final boarding. "Come on Gilbert it's gone to hell!" Thomas shouted from the deck. Gilbert tried to get onto the ship but the plank was pulled from under him sending him into the water, "French scum stays in France, we don't need another war!" The American deck hand shouted. Gilbert broke the surface coughing watching the ship pull away. "I'll get the president to send aid!" Thomas shouted. "I'm sorry!" Gilbert was left alone to climb out of the frigid water watching the ship shrink on the horizon. Three weeks after Thomas left the king was beheaded. /p
p dir="ltr" style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 18.9px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"Lafayette was hiding from the soldiers and rebelling peasants. He limped hissing when he fell on his injured leg. He'd been stabbed in the leg thankful it was a shallowly wound but he had no time to properly treat it. "Dieu ça fait mal comme l'enfer…" strong(God this hurts like hell) /strongLaf hissed as he limped away from Micheal. "Reviens-toi et te combattes-tu lâche!" strong(Come back and fight you coward!)/strong The popper shouted chasing after Lafayette who swore in French, "Merde!" he limped toward an untouched building slipping inside and locking the door./p
p dir="ltr" style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 18.9px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"He immediately slid to the floor his injured leg throbbing. He trembled pressing his hands over the wound to slow the bleeding tears forming in his eyes. "M-merde…" Laf sighed shakily; he grabbed towel and tied it around the cut limping to find the medicine cabinet in the house. Upon finding it he realized…this was Thomas's flat. Tears slipped down his cheeks as he washed out his cut and treated it. Once his leg was tended to he slide down against the wall crying into his knees. "Pourquoi tu m'as laissé Thomas …?" strong(Why did you leave me Thomas?)/strong Lafayette flinched hearing gunfire outside and shouting of both soldiers and civilians. He curled up into a tighter ball ignoring the pain it caused him. This was not America where he had confidence to fight tyranny. The king is dead. The soldiers and civilians are killing each other in brutal ways. They need help. Laf crawled to the bedroom and curled up on the cot scrunching into the corner. "J'ai peur … s'il vous plaît … dépêchez-vous et envoyez de l'aide …" strong( I'm afraid … please … hurry and send some help …)/strong/p
p dir="ltr" style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 18.9px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"In America Thomas was livid at Washington so easily taking Hamilton's side leaving France to suffer the failing revolution alone. "Did you forget Lafayette?!" he spat at Hamilton. "What?" Hamilton asked rubbing his temples tiredly. "I mean you accumulate debt and power but when France needs us you just leave them to suffer?!" Thomas stepped close to Hamilton towering over the smaller man. "Like Washington said the people are rebelling. We had a plan. The French did not! Their king is dead Thomas. Lafayette is smart he'll be fine and before he was your friend he was mine." Thomas quite literally picked up Hamilton and said, "And what if he dies huh? What then smart ass? He's still your friend! He needs your help! You think anyone is gonna give a rat's ass about his status? They'd sooner kill him." Hamilton paled at the thought but stood his ground, "I can't disobey a direct order from Washington." Thomas glared shaking him, "So what our friend dies in the riots?!" Hamilton struggled a bit frightened. "I can't do anything! I have to write the bill…." Thomas threw him down towering over him once again, "You are a horrible friend to him then. France helped us and we promised them aid yet you'd rather hide like a coward and watch your friend die?!" Hamilton trembled frightened, "Please stop T-Thomas…" His voice cracked in fear. "You have damned your friend, congratulations." Thomas spat spinning on his heel leaving Hamilton there trembling not seeing the tears in his eyes. /p
p dir="ltr" style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 18.9px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"Thomas walked into the office he and Madison shared plopping behind his desk with a shaky sigh. "T-Thomas?" Madison said quietly. "I have to tell Lafayette he's on his own. I really don't want to do that James…" Thomas put his head in his hands staring at Lafayette's letter which has both tear and blood stains on the parchment. The jumbled French begged for aid and expressed fear. "J'ai peur … s'il vous plaît envoyez de l'aide Thomas … c'est parti en enfer" (strongI'm scared…please send help Thomas…it's gone to hell)/strong Thomas carefully set the letter aside feeling tears burn in his eyes realizing that no amount of verbal abuse can change what Hamilton has to do./p
p dir="ltr" style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 18.9px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"A knock came on the door leaving James to look at Thomas who nodded, "Come in…" James called coughing after. The door opened… speak of the devil. Hamilton looked a mess his face tear stained and eyes full of distress. "S-Sir…" He stammered. "Sit down" Thomas sighed. "I d-don't like it either!" Hamilton said a few fresh tears escaping down his cheeks. "I…I've damned our friend…." Thomas felt bad having been so harsh seeing Hamilton so upset. "I wanted Washington to help..I…made it worse instead.." Hamilton gave a soft sob. "Me and my big mouth…" Thomas stood and walked around his desk to Hamilton his political enemy crouching to his level. He didn't give a damn if James saw or Burr walked in; he wrapped his arms around Hamilton pulling him into a hug. The young man flinched startled at the out of character gesture but quickly relaxed into it crying softly into Thomas's shoulder. Thomas rubbed his back trying to calm him down so they could talk; James came over and awkwardly patted Hamilton's arm not sure what to do. Thomas was crying too not wanting to cause Lafayette more pain./p
p dir="ltr" style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 18.9px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"Hamilton settled down after ten minutes of soft sobs; he settled on the small couch Thomas sitting beside him, "We're both a mess aren't we?" Hamilton rubs the tears from his cheeks with his handkerchief. "I s-suppose we are…" He agreed Thomas finding his stutter strange. "I don't want to break my word either…I promised him we'd be there for him at Yorktown…" Thomas raised a brow, "That long ago? Jesus we're both fucked…" Hamilton nods rubbing away the fresh tears as they fell. "There is no way out of neutrality is there?" James asked. "No…Washington expects the statement by Monday morning…" Hamilton replied his voice full of guilt and sorrow. Thomas sighed shakily, "I should probably reply to Lafayette then…" Hamilton nods sadly getting up, "S-sorry…" He bowed his head and left the office tears dripping off his chin. Thomas sat back down and wrote a response to Lafayette sending it off the same day. /p
p dir="ltr" style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 18.9px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"strongspan style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: oblique; font-size: 18.9px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"I regret to inform you that the president has decided to remain neutral in this affair. No aid will be coming from my side of the sea.. you are on your own despite the promise of aid in Yorktown. I did everything I could but nothing swayed Washington's decision not even Alexander himself. We both tried to convince him to allow us to come and rescue you but he stated that we are forbidden from doing so as members of his cabinet. I…I am in tears writing this Gilbert…I didn't want to write this…please stay alive…please stay strong…we all miss you…please make it to the next boat out…I'm so sorry Gilbert.. /span/strongbr /strongspan style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: oblique; font-size: 18.9px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"-Yours Thomas Jefferson/span/strong/p
p dir="ltr" style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 18.9px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"Lafayette saw the obvious tear stains on the parchment and let loose a sob as those words echoed in his head; America had broken their word to help France yet he couldn't be angry at Alexander and Thomas. He could see how upset the decision made them; Alex's letter was even harder to read due to the smudged ink caused by Alexander's tears. It was many apologies and regret and sorrow./p
p dir="ltr" style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 18.9px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"The letters fell from his grasp onto the floor as he cried his heart breaking. No one was coming to save him; he was completely on his own against the masses. he lay there on the floor wrapped in the sheets his leg throbbing adding more pain to the whirlwind of emotions he's feeling. Betrayal, terror, pain, sorrow, regret…the list went on. Each gunshot made his heart skip a beat and with each bang on the door his heart nearly stopped. He barely moved unless he needed to eat or change the dressing on his wound. /p
p dir="ltr" style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 18.9px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"Back across the sea both Thomas and Alexander were stressed to the highest degree having heard nothing since they replied to Lafayette. The two sat in Jefferson's office Hamilton watching Thomas pace in a frantic state. "I can't stand this!" Thomas cried exasperated and stressed. "We need to tell Hercules…" Alexander said quietly. "What?' Thomas asked ceasing his pacing for but a moment. "I said we need to tell Hercules. John is in South Carolina or I'd send him after Laf." Thomas looked perplexed. "But why Mulligan?" Alexander's cheeks colored and he looked shocked, "Laf never told you?" "No?" Thomas replied so Alexander leaned up and whispered the truth in his ear, "Whaaaaat? I never would have guessed-" Alexander chuckled, "No one guessed that ils sont amoureux." strong(they are in love)/strong/p
p dir="ltr" style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 18.9px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"At that moment Madison walked into the office fresh from a meeting looking stressed as the duo still felt despite the topic change. He coughed a bit rubbing his temples a frown marring his features. "Embrasse-le Thomas." strong(Kiss him Thomas)./strong Thomas blinked, "Embrasse-le, comment savez-vous?" strong(Kiss him...how did you know?!)./strong Thomas replied. Alex smiled, "Vous vous inquiétez toujours de lui plus que tout le monde. Je pourrais vous avoir vu deux personnes endormies sur le canapé quand j'ai déposé des documents la semaine dernière. Je vous ai couvert avec une couverture." (strongYou always worry about him more than anyone else. I may have seen you two asleep on the couch when I dropped off documents last week. I covered you with a blanket)/strong Thomas sighed running his fingers through his thick curls a blush on his cheeks looking back at Alexander, "Mais pourquoi l'embrasser?" (strongBut why kiss him?) /strongAlexander smiled, "Eliza does that when I get stressed. I immediately forget my troubles." Thomas looked at Madison who looked very unhappy his shoulders tense. /p
p dir="ltr" style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 18.9px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""Ah what the hell." Thomas walked over to James who looked up glancing at Hamilton who gave a slight nod, "Thomas?" James asked covering his mouth as another cough escaped him. Thomas pulled James closer causing the smaller man to blush, "E-er?" he squeaked. "Shush" Thomas pressed his lips to his boyfriend's feeling him relax in his grip./p
p dir="ltr" style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 18.9px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"He pulled away, "T-Thomas!" James squeaked his face scarlet. "Hush" Thomas led James to the couch and they sat down. "So we get Mulligan and?" he asks wrapping his arm around James who hid his red face in Thomas's coat."Then all hell breaks loose. Hercules is extremely protective of Laf and when he hears that we received no reply…well…you can imagine." Thomas shuddered having heard stories about Mulligan's fighting tactics. /p
p dir="ltr" style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 18.9px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"They agreed to get Mulligan and returned to idle chit chat, "So aside from that kiss it's obvious?" Alex nods. "I have no issue with homosexuality if you two are happy gender be damned." James blinked, "You told him to kiss me though?" He asked his cheeks still rosy. "It works to calm me down I figured it might be worth a try?" Alex chuckled. James snuggled closer to Thomas and smiles shyly. "It does work." he admits. Alexander sat up straight looking at the door, "Someone is coming." James moved away from Thomas as Burr walked in. "By all means carry on cuddling I couldn't care less."/p
p dir="ltr" style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 18.9px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"Burr waved his hand. "I am assuming you told Thomas to get Mulligan Alexander?" Alexander nods. "Bout time you did." Alex rolled his eyes at Burr who smiled returning said gesture. "Why do we all hate each other in Congress again?" James said. "Because politics." Alexander replied. Everyone began to laugh because it was true. "I'll tell Hercules after the meeting in which we all must hate each other again." Alexander said still chuckling. /p
p dir="ltr" style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 18.9px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""Fuck you politics." Thomas laughed. James gave soft chuckles as well and they agreed to not kill each other outside the meetings not that it was hard choice. "See you in the meeting." Alexander said standing up. "Indeed" James said. "Fight me Hamilton." Thomas replied. "Gladly" Hamilton retorted before leaving the office./p
p dir="ltr" style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 18.9px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"Needless to say Hercules reacted the way Alexander knew he would; he was upset and his over protective mode kicked in. "I'll bring him back Alex. You can count on me!" Alex smiled, "I know I can. God speed." Hercules nods and boarded the ship to France. "I'm coming Laf." he murmured as the ship sailed from New York. In Thomas's flat Laf was running out of food and medical supplies. His sheet was being used for bandages. His voice was practically gone and his hair was a tangled mess. Moving hurt after an explosion threw him against the wall so he cried feeling abandoned./p
p dir="ltr" style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 18.9px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"Another two weeks passed in this matter and Laf had given up hope ready to embrace death; at least he'd die in the quiet of his friend's flat./p
p dir="ltr" style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 18.9px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"Suddenly a heavy force hit the locked door of the flat making Laf's heart leap into his throat a whimper escaping him. "Damn lock…" A gruff voice hissed before the same force hit the door again and again. "Fuck this." BANG! The gunshot echoed in Laf's ears along with the lock hitting the ground. Footsteps approached the room leaving Laf to curl into a ball whimpering in pain trying to hide. "Laf? Laf- oh sweet JESUS!" Hercules Mulligan gasped in horror at the bad shape his lover is in. He carefully walked to Laf who curled up further into the corner whimpering. "Gilbert it's me…the demidork." Laf blinked daring to turn his head; immediately his eyes widened seeing his lover. "H-herc…" He wheezed. "I'm here amour shhh." Hercules picked him up careful of his leg and carried him from the house avoiding the angry soldiers and people. "It went to hell all right…" He mumbled holding his lover close to his chest and running for the ship that was due to leave in an hour not daring to stay longer. Laf blacked out half way there breathing shallowly./p
p dir="ltr" style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 18.9px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"When he woke he was in Hercules's arms a cool cloth on his head and he hurt all over. "H-Herc?" He said weakly gripping his lover's sleeve to get his attention. Herc looked down at him, "How do you feel?" he asked him. "Everything hurts." Laf moaned softly. "You were thrown against a wall." Hercules dead panned before placing a kiss on his head, "But I'm glad you're okay…if…anything happened to you I'd…" Hercules choked up tears rolling down his cheeks; Laf reached up and shakily wiped them away. "Don't cry I'm right here." Hercules nuzzled into his hand wrapping his larger one around his lover's. "Y-you know I'm a sap." Laf laughed weakly the sound foreign to his own ears, "I know and I love it." Herc gave him a gently kiss snuggling contentedly with his injured lover. br /Laf sighed softly leaning against his chest noticing his hair was no long tangled. "Many combs died." Herc said dramatically drawing another raspy laugh from his lover. "I expected no less." Herc smiled and kissed him again pulling away and running his finger through Laf's curly hair. "Mmm" Laf hummed soothed by the gesture closing his eyes. Hercules covered them both with the quilt he'd packed. He closed his eyes soothed by the rocking of the ship falling asleep quickly. They'd be home in a week and then they could all grab a drink with John and hear his story of how he recruited the first black regiment from his home state of South Carolina. Little did the two know that the pain awaiting them when they returned./p
p dir="ltr" style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 18.9px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;" A week later the ship docked in New York City jostling Hercules awake; Laf was still asleep so Herc stood up shouldering his bag before picking up his lover. he walked off the ship into the streets Laf in his arms. Most people were against a same-sex relationship but did nothing to stop Herc from being with Laf; the support of his friends was all that mattered to Hercules anyway. Half way to Hamilton's home Laf woke up, "Have you been carrying me since we arrived?" He asked his face turning red. "You needed to sleep." Hercules kissed his head putting the Frenchman down. "Let's go hear the story of John making history eh?" Laf nodded and they continued to walk Laf having a slight limp. When they arrived to Hamilton's home Herc knocked on the door. After a moment shuffling was heard and the door opened revealing Philip Alex's son. Instead of being excited the child looked sad; he opened the door for them to come in calling for his mother./p
p dir="ltr" style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 18.9px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"The duo walked inside seeing Angelica who walked to Laf hugging him, "Thank god." He hugged back and Herc jokingly said, "Your welcome." Angelica for once didn't smile at the joke; Eliza came in her face tear stained but hugged them both. "Has Burr done something?" Lafayette asked being out of touch with what happened while he was trapped in France. "He became a senator." Philip said quietly gripping his mother's hand looking ready to cry. "Mamma I'm going to find Theo…" Pip said and Eliza nods letting him go. Pip left the room tears starting to slide down his cheeks. /p
p dir="ltr" style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 18.9px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""I'll go get Alexander." Eliza excused herself and went upstairs as Burr walked in his own cheeks wet from tears. "Now I'm worried…what happened while we were at sea?" Lafayette asked sitting down to rest his still healing leg. "Where's John?" No one said a word but tears fell silently down their the remaining couple came downstairs they decided Alexander looked the worse of all his hair frizzy, beard unshaven and his face tear stained. "Seriously what the heck happened? Why is everyone upset?" Hercules asked confused. Eliza said nothing but handed the couple a letter pressing her face in her husband's shoulder giving soft sobs. Alexander rubbed her shoulders crying himself. "I'll go find the kids…" Burr walked back in the direction Philip had gone covering his mouth as tears went down his cheeks. The two stared at the fact that the letter was from John's father Henry Laurens; Hercules carefully unfolded the letter reading it silently hearing Angelica give a soft sob. /p
p dir="ltr" style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 18.9px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""span style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: oblique; font-size: 18.9px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"On Tuesday the 27th, my son was killed in a gunfight against British troops retreating from South Carolina. The war was already over. As you know, John dreamed of emancipating and recruiting 3000 men for the first all-black military regiment. His dream of freedom for these men dies with him."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 18.9px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"The paper fell from his grasp landing on the floor his eyes wide with shock; John was…he was..! "No…" he whispered. "He can't be…" They all nodded quietly Eliza trembling in her husband's arms. "The funeral is in two weeks." Angelica said before wrapping them both in a hug, "I was so scared we'd have to bury another friend." Laf hugged her back feeling her crying into his shoulder. "Non..Hercules found me…" Here nodded hugging her as well feeling tears burning in his eyes; he saved his love and returns to find his friend was wrongly killed. Laf started to cry as well; it seemed there was no end to the whirlwind of pain. He was saved from one painful situation only to be thrust into another; it was too much for his poor heart. Burr came back with the children who were still crying holding hands and it was normally the cutest thing but now it was painful. The children climbed onto the chair hugging Hercules who hugged them back crying himself. "He was so young…" Laf sniffled. After another hour Eliza and Angelia made supper which was a silent affair; after supper Burr left with Theodosia. Alexander invited the returned couple a place to stay till the funeral which the graciously accepted; two weeks later they stood in Mercy-View Cemetary crying as the priest said his blessings and prayers for the deceased. They all placed flowers around John each having a separate meaning. Roses for courage and passion, Peony for nobility and value, Water Lilies for majesty, Dalia for his proud love for his dreams that held no compromise and daisies for his pure soul./p
p dir="ltr" style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 18.9px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"The coffin was closed and slowly descended into the ground a few more flowers thrown into the grave before A few men began to shovel dirt over it. They left once the stone was placed; the men went to get drink but ended up crying because….without John it felt empty. Hercules with a shaking voice said "Raise a g-glass to freedom?" The others raised their glasses along with the bartender who had been good friends with John. "Tomorrow there will be more of us…" Alexander added and they took the shorts. "He never did finish three pints…" They all laughed sadly but it was a fond memeory. Burr spoke up, "He would not want us to mourn…" "No that he would not…" Lafayette agreed. "So let's celebrate the life of John Laurens and the good times we shared!" So they did each man attempting to down three pints in his honor and boy did they fail miserably having little tolerance for alcohol . In the end while it hurt to lose a friend they all knew that he was smiling down on them. /p
p dir="ltr" style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 18.9px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"Lafayette was the last out of the bar and as he left he heard a whisper, "Raise a glass to freedom? You guys were always light weights." He turned to see his friend shaking his head laughing, "J-John?" He whispered nearly eyed, "Aw come one Laf don't cry…" John hugged him his ghostly hands feeling oddly warm, "You're not drunk enough to imagine me I'm sorta here.." Laf was crying but hugged back, "Live for me will you? See that they abolish slavery?" Laf nodded. "Hey who knows I might be reborn?" Laf smiled, "As a shot glass?" John gave a hearty laugh, "Pffft as if Laf!" "I'll see you on the other side? Just do me a favor and take your time." Laf nodded and despite John being gone… it would be enough. /p
/div