A Pup's Purpose: In Memory (Memorial Day Special)
A/N: Another short one because today was Memorial Day. Takes place a bit further in my Pup!John AU timeline, where the Hamiltons have had John/Jack/their dog for about 2-3 years now. Written on mobile; forgive typos! Will edit later!
It had been a long trip. So long that Laurens would've forgotten where they were going had this route not been emblazoned into the deepest confines of his subconscious from his previous life.
Still, he wondered why they were going there at all….and without the family no less.
It was just the old gang.
Just so happened they were in town, Lafayette and Mulligan, and they had taken a liking to the Hamilton family's canine….so much that Alexander brought him along on this trip, one that he said was strictly for the men to handle business.
Laurens sighed as he rested his head in Mulligan's lap. The men had all taken turns holding and taking care of the dog while on this trip. Alexander was asleep, so Mulligan took John in the meantime as Lafayette alternated between writing in his journal and taking in the scenery.
They'd been on the road about two weeks now, with only a few stops. The rockiness of the route was unforgiving, and John particularly hated it in his new form, as he couldn't seem to grip anything with his paws. Thus, he was more than grateful to be held by his friends.
They reached their destination as the sun was setting against the horizon.
Lafayette woke Alexander.
All was quiet, the air suddenly tense as they filed out of the carriage.
Hercules put John down and he instantly shook head to toe, trying to get some feeling back after being in a cramped space for so long. Still, he was hot on their heels.
….and froze as they approached a headstone.
His ears and tail drooped and he hung back as the three men gathered around it, Hamilton falling to his knees and running his fingers over the cement block.
John swallowed. ..they were…paying their respects to him.
A low whine built in his throat and he hunched over, causing the others to look back at him curiously. Alex gave a watery smile before beckoning him forward.
He didn't move.
They tried coaxing him gently.
He hunched over even more.
Lafayette approached and bent before him, muttering something in French that Laurens could understand, though he wished Lafayette hadn't spoke so quietly. Still, they were words of reassurance.
It was odd he felt he was trespassing on his own grave site, that he was imposing in a special time of reflection among his adopted brothers…but then…they wanted him as a part of this. Him, the stray dog they'd welcomed with open arms. His ears perked up and his head tilted at Lafayette's words. The frenchman smiled and beckoned him forward once more. John whined again, but stayed close to the French man's side as they walked back over to the group.
Hercules bent down to scratch his ears.
Alex picked him up and held him in his lap, stroking his fur in a manner that John figured was to calm Alex more than anything. He decided to make himself as unnoticeable as possible.
They all spoke to the headstone, as if he were right there. Spoke of their latest accomplishments, reminisced on the past, spoke of the dreams they had, how much he was missed.
And when it was over, Laurens squirmed from Alex's hold, only to lay himself down atop his own grave.
The men were shocked, but only for a moment. Alex let out a laugh,
"Ya know….I wonder of he sent you to look out for us, pup. I definitely think he would've liked you," Alex said, rubbing him under his chin.
John inwardly smiled and his tail slowly wagged as he looked around at his makeshift family, the closest thing he had to brothers when he'd been distant from his own all those years ago.
He didn't realize how much he had missed them.
He sighed and closed his eyes, the memory of the inscription he'd seen on his grave, still still prominent: DULCE ET DECORUM EST PRO PATRIA MORI.
But more than that, he was touched they had all made a special trip just…to remember him.
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