#slight halemadge

[dcbutinamrev]

One Life to Lose

Y’ALL I AM SO SORRY THIS IS SO LATE. THIS WAS SUPPOSED TO BE POSTED ON SEPTEMBER 22, NATHAN HALE’S DEATH DAY, BUT I KEEP PUTTING IT OFF AND FOCUSING MORE ON MY PERSONAL FICS. BUT HERE IT IS! FINALLY!

~~~

Silence fills the still air as a young man, with light blonde hair--light enough for people to mistake it as white--bright clear blue eyes that have now faded into a darker shade, an angular face and a hooked nose. He turns to face the window outside the house he stays in for the moment, breathing in the air, cherrishing every moment he has left.

Nathan Hale gazes out towards the window, peering down at the trees surrounding the house, the sky have gone completely dark by now. Stars twinkling above the sky, a pale silvery glow filtering through the leaves and branches of the trees. He furrows his brows together, pinches his lips tight and thinks about...

He shivers. Dear God, Damon...

His Damon.

Tallmadge. His beloved Tallmadge.

Hale groans, a low rumble coming from the back of his throat before slamming his forehead agianst the glass window. He squeezes his eyes shut and swallows hard, his throat burning. When was the last time had a sip of water?

"Ben..." he sighs, a puff of warm breath escaping him and frosting the window. He cracks his eyes open slowly. "My dear Damon..."

Hale stands an inch back from the window, taking a quick glance out towards the open, seeing himself standing just underneath one of those branches the next day, seeing a crowd of people around him, watching with beady black eyes. He shivers, his teeth chattering slightly.

With his wrists bound by thick rope still, he lifts his hands up and rests a palm on the window, faintly seeing his reflection. A small smile spreads across his face however, his hand still on the window. He tips his head back up towards the sky, watching the stars twinkle. Like how Tallmadge's ocean blue eyes would against the sun, or whenever he would laugh. Silently, Hale could faintly hear Tallmadge's laugh echo through his head. Though, it being nearly close and sounding as if he were beside him, Hale spins around on his heels just to be sure, his eyes wide as the moon.

Hale puffs out a breath of relief when he only sees nothing but the darkness of the room surrounding him. He turns back to face the window with pinched and tight lips again.

"Ben..." Hale begins, whispering to himself. "I know you can't hear me...not all the way...not all the way I'm up here...and you're...doing God knows what... The last I've heard of you...was from a couple of days ago." Hale smiles again, just a little. "I know...I know I haven't written much...and I want to apologize for that. I apologize for a lot of things, Damon. Especially this...now..."

A pause.

"You probably haven't heard of my capture yet," Hale continues, glancing down towards the empty space between his shoes. "You might have, depending on...you know...how long it'll take from here to camp. Wherever you are."

Another pause. Hale lifts his head up to face the small, squared window before him.

"I'm sorry, Ben..." Hale whispers. His voice cracks, throat tightening as though a hand were clamped around it. He blinks his eyes, blinks them fast and clenches his jaw hard so he hears his teeth knock. "I failed you...I...I broke our promise....I broke yours...and what...what..." Hale swallows, licking his dry, chapped lips. Dry from lack of sneaky kisses. He shudders. "What terrifies me the most...is that...is that you're not here with me. You're not out there in the crowd, though I suppose that's also a good thing."

Hale nods as if to reassure himself that it was indeed a good thing. He sighs again through his nose before lifting his head up from the windowpane to face his reflection, to face his last view of Earth before him. His palm still resting against the glass.

"I love you, my dear Damon," Hale whispers. "Forgive me."

He clenches his eyes shut. He feels something wet trickle down his face.

I'm so sorry Ben...

~~~

Hale now sits in the carriage early the next morning, September 22. He jostles side to side as he stares at the space between his feet, stares at his hands resting loosely in his lamp, bound tight with thick brown rope. Hale furrows his brows and presses his lips together, tipping his head back and closing his eyes gently, breathing in as much as he could. His heart pounding like horse hooves clopping against the ground.

Hale jolts forward as the carriage skids to a stop suddenly. But luckily he catches himself.

The carriage door swings open and Hale sits there for a moment. He hesitantly stares out towards the small crowd that’s now lining up towards the tree. He sees a horse underneath a specific branch, with a wagon attached to it and a rope. He breathes in slowly and holds his breath, closing his eyes softly, muttering: “I’m sorry Ben” before finally climbing out of the carriage itself.

With a firm grip on his arm and his wrists bound together tightly, Nathan Hale stumbles his way towards his doom. He avoids the endless stares from the others, women clad in black, emotionless and blank faces, men dressed the same. Hale glances up slowly, grimacing at the sun before climbing on top of the wagon.

“If the prisoner have any final spoken words now would be the time to do so,” says the Colonel nearby.

Hale doesn’t care about his appearance or his background. He stares straight ahead, his throat bobbing up and down hard, hard enough his throat burns. It feels as though a hand were clamped around his thought.

Perhaps there might be.

With a shaky breath, Hale utters these words:

“I only regret that I have one life to lose for my country.”

A sharp snap is heard like the sound of a branch being broken against someone’s knees, some women gasp and hide their faces and crows caw in the distance.

And then…

Silence.

[regretless-spy-and-culper-master]

Halemadge week day five - Teachers and Reunions

“Finish reading Cato for next week and try to get a head start on your essay, I know it will make for a long weekend but you will thank me later. Class dismissed.”

Nathan watched as his students ran out into the fall air, chuckling as he heard the sound of young teens lingering in the schoolyard, playing various made up games. He sat down at his desk and started looking through old papers he ought to have handed back yesterday.

A student ran back in, his cheeks flushed from exercise, “professor Hale?”

“Yes? What is it James?”

“Well I know you probably have work to do but you see me and a few others-“

“A few others and I,” Nathan corrected.

“Sorry. The others and I wanted to have a rematch from a competition we started at noon break. Ezra had to leave and we no longer have even teams. Would you-“

“Hey James!” A voice called out, “you hey professor Hale to join us yet?”

Nathan chuckled and checked the time on his beloved pocket watch. “I suppose I have enough time of a game.”

He rose from his desk and followed James outside to join the other boys.

Friend Hale,

I was gladdened to receive word of your recent position as the new school master of Moodus. I hope you have settled in and are finding happiness.

I look forward to your return correspondence.

Ever yours,

Damon.

“Good work today class and might I send a heartfelt congratulations to all of you on your recent essay. With a week and half break left until break I expect you will continue to put in your best efforts. Class dismissed.”

Nathan watched as his students left, listening to them chatting amongst themselves, many hoping that “professor Hale will go easy on grading the last assignments.”

He sighed and sat down to finish the reading for tomorrow’s lesson.

Eventually the warmth of the stove started to fade and so did the sunlight. Nathan sighed and closed his notebook, sealed his inkwell and finished for the day.

He shivered against the cool air as he locked the classroom door. “Didn’t think it would get this cold so soon. Suppose fall will come early and winter will be bitter.” He chuckled at his own remark, “still the son of a farmer.”

He pulled his coat tighter around himself and listened to the soft sound of his shoes against the path. His attention was caught by a young couple standing in a doorway of one of houses. They lingered close to one another, neither wanting to be the first to part.

His thoughts returned to his days at Yale and summers in Setauket spent with Ben; to the day’s when they never left each other’s side, to the days of companionship.

It wasn’t that Nathan was unhappy, he had gotten lucky with this job, it was just that he was lonely. The people of the small town were all friendly, the family he boarded with were welcoming and treated him as one of their own. Even with the friendly faces that attempted to make their new school master feel like he was a part of the community Nathan still felt like something was missing. The normally social man hadn’t made a real connection yet and those he had from his family and Yale were hard to contact.

He found himself brushing away a tear as he walked on and was thankful for a cool wind that blew through at the moment. The wind he consoled himself, you are not tearing up Hale. It was only the wind and a natural response to an irritant.

Who was he kidding, he needed someone who understood him to talk to.

He needed Ben.

Friend Tallmadge,

May I send you my heartfelt congratulations on your teaching position. I do hope you are happy in your position and are able to surround yourself with the company of those who bring you joy.

I have found myself oft’ longing for our days in school again.

Ever.yours,

Pythias

Ben frowned at his class, watching them with a steely gaze. ”I will not repeat myself again. When you are in this classroom you all are to conduct yourself in a manor that is becoming of gentlemen. I will not tolerate ragamuffin behavior in my schoolhouse. You are to get that out of your system outside at noon break. Am I clear?”

The class nodded and mumbled apologies to Ben.

“Better. Now,” Ben smiled as he set down his book. “It would be a shame to waste such a lovely God given day inside. I propose we take our reading outside this afternoon. Does that suit all of you?”

He was met with cheers of various pitches. He chuckled and led the students out to the yard.

Friend Hale,

I do pray that you are well. The cadence of your last correspondence was unlike you. It held notes of melancholy that did not reflect the man I once knew. I do hope all is well and you and your family still have your health.

I have been missing you dearly and am hoping that with the harvest season upon us and schools closing in observance of this critical time, that you may find time to join me for a thanksgiving. Or, if it is less burdensome that I may journey to see you. If I do not hear from you I shall assume you do not have the time for such visitions. Though I pray we might be able to be reunited in happiness once more.

Ever yours,

Damon.

Friend Tallmadge,

I am sorry for having troubled you. It was no more than a passing bout of distemperment.

It would please me greatly to visit with you and as my students have been dismissed until after the epiphany I am able to journey to you. I will leave day after next and hope to arrive by mid week.

Ever yours,

Pythias.

Natnan knocked on the Tallmadge’s door, rubbing his hands together in an attempt to warm them.

A tall man who bore great resemblance to Ben opened the door. “Yes? Nathan! Good to see you lad. Please,” he stepped aside, “come in. Won’t you join me for a glass of cider while we wait for Benjamin to come home.”

Nathan smiled warmly, nodding in response to the Reverend. “Thank you Reverend Tallmadge. It’s good to see you again and cider sounds lovely. It’s rather brisk out there.”

“Winter’s bound to be hard this year.”

Nathan nodded “we were lucky. It’s been a good harvest.”

Nathaniel handed Nathan a mug and sat down next to him. “There you go lad.”

“Thank you sir.”

“So, has work been going well? Benjamin told me you were teaching in Moodus. Connecticut right?”

“Yes sir. It’s been,” Nathan hesitated looking for the right word. He didn’t want to sound ungrateful but he didn’t want to lie to the reverend.

“I’m thankful for the opportunity.”

Before Nathaniel could question him the door swung open and Ben strode in, mumbling to himself about how the falls seemed to be getting colder every year. His eyes lit up the moment he saw Nathan sitting in the living room.

“Pythias!”

Nathan chuckled as Ben ran over and wrapped him in a tight embrace.

“I’ve missed you!”

“And I you, my dear, Damon.”

“You’ll have to tell me everything about your school house.”

Reverend Tallmadge chuckled, “Benjamin, go slow my boy. Nathan just got here. I’m sure he’s rather hungry. I propose we have supper and after you two can catch up.”

*******

Ben smiled as he sat on the edge of his bad wrapped in a blanket, “so. How has it been?”

Nathan chewed his lip for a few moments “it’s been fine I suppose. The schoolhouse is in slight disrepair but it’s cozy. The people aren’t the conversational companions I had hoped for but they’re welcoming.” He sighed “Lord forgive me- I shouldn’t be ungrateful.”

Ben frowned “you never did well in isolation or some groups. Are you thinking of staying on?”

“I’ll fulfill my contract and hope that something else comes up. What of you? How is teaching so close to home?”

“It has its perks and hardships. I feel like the whole town is watching me, expecting me to be the best. I still enjoy it though.”

Nathan raised a brow, “you're not completely happy either are you?”

“I’m not unhappy but I cannot see myself teaching forever. Maybe the law or maybe local government. I see myself as doing something more Nathan.”

“As do I Ben.”

“Do you mean beyond teaching?”

He shook his head, his eyes suddenly sparkling. “Within teaching. Ben I know this is what I was out here to do. I just can’t do it where I am now. I want to reach more people. Give more boys the opportunities we had. I want to be more than just persuasive words and bold ideas Ben.”

“Nathan? What do you mean?”

“Women! Giving girls the opportunity for an education. Act on what we debated in favor of. I know it’s a risk, I know it’s frowned upon but Ben, daughters deserve these chances just as much as sons. Maybe- maybe this is what I’m meant to do.”

Ben chuckled “that’s the Nathan I remember. You’re made of strong stuff. You’re going to do something great someday Nathan. I know it.”

“You will too, Ben.”

[dcbutinamrev]

please. i. i need some halemadge. i am shaking. pl. please. anything literally anything i just need some halemadge.

I'll do my best bestie!

I did just finish a hamdre ficlet for @skyetheesorceress that took me all day to do, but if this ficlet is super short or crappy, it is because I am exhausted as I have been staring at this computer screen for...since...like...nine in the morning. I'll rewrite it or add more to it tomorrow. But I hope this will fill all your Halemadge needs for the night!

Modern au for this one.

~~

Young Benjamin Tallmadge has always kept his eyes fixed on the bright and intelligent, kind and yet handsome also beautiful Nathan Hale in his class each day at Yale University. He sits currently with Hale beside him, a boy who has his similar looks--blonde hair; though his blonde is more white--his eyes bright blue and smile wide and bright as the sun.

Tallmadge sighs, his chin resting in his palm as he sees Hale chatting lively to one of his friends, Anna, he believes her name was. Anna Strong. Tallmadge doesn't know how long it's been since he's began "stalking" Hale, as his best friend since his childhood years, Caleb Brewster, would put it, him. Tallmadge grunts when he feels an elbow being jabbed into his ribcage.

"Ow! Dude, what the hell?" Tallmadge hisses, whipping his head sharply over his shoulder at Brewster. Brewster raises his eyebrow as he sips on his water.

"You were doing it again, Tallboy," Brewster says, flipping a page in his textbook.

"Doing what?" Tallmadge scoffs.

"That," Brewster says, emphasizes on That. "You got that look on your face again."

"What look?" Tallmadge says stupidly.

Brewster rolls his eyes. "That look. The look you always give him."

A pause.

Tallmadge shakes his head, clearly denying it.

"You're in ~love~ Tallboy," Brewster says in a teasing tone. "It's pretty obvious."

Tallmadge just simply gives him a look.

"I'm just saying," Brewster says.

"I'm not in love with him, Caleb. I won't say I am."

"Are you seriously quoting Hercules?" Brewster asks with a smirk on his face.

"Which one? Mulligan? Or Disney?"

Brewster chuckles, causing Tallmadge to do so as well. They both end it with a sigh.

"Look, Homecoming is around the corner. And as to my knowledge you don't have a date yet," Brewster says.

"What are you saying?" Tallmadge asks, furrowing his brows together.

"I'm saying, Ben, now's your chance!" Brewster says, patting his shoulder as Tallmadge turns back to face Hale, who laughs at something Woodhull have said, Robert Townsend looking ready to wipe Woodhull's face clean with his fist. Tallmadge presses his lips together firmly as Brewster continues. "If you love him, go get him! What are waiting for?"

Tallmadge stares at Brewster for a moment or two, blinking once and twice, before clearing his throat and pushing himself up from his chair. Brewster's eyes widen with slight surprise and he grins as he watches Tallmadge marching up towards Hale.

Brewster rests his chin in his palm, waiting with that same teasing smirk just as before.

Once Tallmadge approaches Hale's group, he breathes in sharply. He glances over at Brewster over his shoulder who flashes him a wide smile, a curt nod and a thumbs up, before turning back to Hale. When he steps close to Hale's desk, Tallmadge clears his throat.

Silence falls among the group, followed by soft murmurs. Tallmadge shifts on his feet and bites the inside of his cheek, unclenching and clenching his fists. Hale cranes his neck slightly upward, raising an eyebrow suggestively.

"Hey um...do you mind if I talk to you? Nate?" Tallmadge tries. "Privately..."

Hale narrows his eyes and presses his lips together. He sits up straighter in his chair, both eyebrows high. "If you have something to say to me, you can also say it to my friends."

Tallmadge glances up to find the others gawking at him. He knows how loyal Hale is towards his friends and those he love. Tallmadge swears to himself he has never seen anyone trusting nor as kind as he.

Tallmadge clears his throat again and shifts awkwardly on his feet, his hands stuffed into his jean pockets. "It'll uh...it'll be five minutes at the latest. I promise."

"Why can't you tell me here?" Hale challenges, crossing both arms over his chest.

"Because I don't want to look like a fool," Tallmadge snaps, causing Hale to sit up straighter even more, clicking his mouth shut.

He glances at the other, who nod once, before Hale turns back to Tallmadge, nodding his permission.

Tallmadge extends his hand out towards Hale, who takes it gently as he assists Hale helping up to his feet. In the corner of his eye, Tallmadge could see Woodhull scowl slightly, furrowing his brows slightly as he watches the two disappear out of the room.

"Now," Hale says once the room's door clicks shut. "What is it you wished to tell me, Ben?"

Tallmadge swallows, staring deep into Hale's bright blue eyes as he grasps both of his hands suddenly. Hale becomes stiff, raising an eyebrow as he inclines his head upward to meet Tallmadge's eyes.

"Nathan...Nate..." he breathes in sharply. It's just three words, Tallmadge, he thinks to himself. Just three words. "Nate...you know how...you and I have been best friends, right?"

Hale nods, a kind and warm smile on his face, squeezing Tallmadge's hands in his. "Of course...we've been friends since...we were...kids really."

Tallmadge nods. "That's the point. Well, my point is...my uh...my question is...Homecoming is around the corner...and I was wondering...I-I was wondering if um...if uh...if you'd..."

"If I'd...If I'd like to go with you?" Hale finishes, catching Tallmadge by surprise.

Tallmadge nods, letting a breathy sigh as he braces himself.

Hale smiles wide with a soft chuckle, leaning up on his toes to press a soft, quick kiss to Tallmadge's cheek.

Tallmadge stares at the hallway before him with a blank look.

"Of course, I'd go, Ben," Hale chuckles as he lowers himself back down.

"Really?" Tallmadge says with slight disbelief in his voice.

Hale nods. "With you of all people, Ben."

Tallmadge scoffs out a laugh, his eyes wide and blinking. Hale nods with confirmation, giggling adorably, making Tallmadge's heart flutter before dropping their hands and bursting into the classroom once more with his arms open wide, a triumphant laugh escaping him.

Brewster stands up immediately.

"HE SAID YES!" Tallmadge gasps. "HA HA! HA HA! YES! HE SAID YES! LOOK WHO'S GOTTA DATE!"

"That's my Tallboy!" Brewster shouts, embracing Tallmadge tightly before patting his friends shoulder before releasing him.

Tallmadge wraps his arms around Hale's shoulder, pulling him closer. He whips his head towards his lookalike John Laurens and his boyfriend, Alexander Hamilton in the middle of the classroom.

"Beat that, Laurens!" Tallmadge says.

"Uh...I still win, Benny-Boy," Laurens says without taking his eyes off of of Hamilton's. "I've been dating Alexander for a year now and you? A day."

"Oh, whatever!" Tallmadge groans, waving a hand at him.

Tallmadge turns back to stare at Hale's eyes, bright blue--blue as the sky on a summer's day. He leans down to steal a quick kiss, which Hale happily returns.

Tallmadge vows to himself to protect and to love and to cherish his dear Nate at all costs.

Until death do they part.

[dcbutinamrev]

Halemadge and their first meeting! Please!

Of course! Ask and you shall recieve!

***

Fifteen-year-old Benjamin Tallmadage stares at the double wooden doors in front of him with wide, bright, sky-blue eyes. He presses his lips together firmly and swallows the lump down his throat nervously, worrying his lower lip. He glances around him, watching the other students attending Yale University climb up the moutain of marbel steps around him in clustered forms, chatting and laughing. Women in twirly dresses ranging from a variety of different colors skitters up the steps and men in coats and waistcoats and breeches follow them, some chasing them foolishly and teasingly.

Tallmadge eyes them carefully, watching their every move. Tallmadge grimaces when he feels a student's shoulder brush against his roughly, the man laughing ahed of him. Tallmadge scowls in slight annoyance with his lips puckering out as he clutches onto his books close to his chest. He stands taller, somehow taller than before and squares his shoulders, puffing out his chest confidently. Ignoring the nervousness he feels squeezing his chest, he pushes through the crowd, keeping his head held high. In the distance, just before the doors close, Tallmadge can hear the horses whinnying and their hooves chopping against the gravel road and men whistling to get their attention.

Tallmadge watches behind him as the front doors of the school slams shut behind him. He grimaces at the sudden bang and lets out a shaky breath. He turns around, trying to find out where he could get his dorm and where his classes are and what they would be. He follows the other students, not talking to anyone. Just follows them.

He doesn’t know how long it’s been. He doesn’t know how long he’s been walking through these halls that never seem to end, glancing left and right, watching the others head into classrooms and their rooms. Tallmadge lingers by a classroom, looking through the window as he watches the students jot down notes, the white feather of their quills flickering back and forth, scratching against the parchment papers, and hunched over their desks with their heads down.

Tallmadge purses his lips together tightly in a firm line and swallows nervously again before continuing down the hallway. He pulls out pocket watch to check the time. Only 8:15 in the morning. It doesn’t feel like 8:15.

Tallmadge continues his journey through Yale, glancing through windows of classes and paying attention as to what he should expect. He doesn’t know how long it’s been now until he feels a shoulder bump into his, followed by an “oof.” Tallmadge gasps suddenly as he trips over the tails of his dark brown coat and buckled shoes.

He hears shoes scrape against the tiled floor and followed by a grunt. He hears a clatter and a sharp curse. Tallmadge lays on the floor for a moment, staring blankly at the brick wall in front of him, his cheek pressed against the floor and so are his palms. He hears the other person scrambling back up which makes Tallmadge’s eyes ticks to his peripheral to see who he bumped into.

Which he finds is a mistake.

The boy couldn’t be much older than him, perhaps sixteen at the latest with flaxen blonde hair, almost a pale white the blonde clearly visible nor is it necessarily honey or dark or dirty. His hair is pulled back into a tight braid with a black ribbon securing it in place. Tallmadge inhales sharply through his nose, still lying on the ground when the boy turns around with his books clutches to his chest again.

The boy’s eyes are what entrances him. It’s not the angle of his jawline, the sharp curve of his neck, the heart-shape of his lips or the smallness of his hands or his lean frame. It’s his eyes.

They’re blue. A sparkling blue. Blue as ice. Blue as the sky. Much like his. Tallmadge thinks they’re beautiful.

“What the hell man?” the boy gasps as he dusts the dirt and dust off his shoulders. “What are you blind? Didn’t you see me walking ahead of you?”

Tallmadage finally gathers his courage and forces to push himself up off the cold floor and clears his throat. He glances at the boy behind him over his shoulder and he feels his cheeks grow warm.

“My apologies,” Tallmadge mutters. He reaches over to grab his books and pushes himself up to his feet to meet the boy in front of him. “I was…uh…distracted.”

“Distracted?” the boy says. “By what?” He grins teasingly as he raises an eyebrow. “A girl?”

Tallmadge purses his lips together as he tilts his head slightly but not in a reprimanding kind of way. He only raises an eyebrow. 

“No,” Tallmadge says. “More of the classes here.” 

The boy’s teasing grin fades into a curious frown and he raises his eyebrow. “You’re new here at Yale?” 

Tallmadge gazes at him for a breath before clearing his throat again and nodding sheepishly and scratching the back of his neck. 

“I am,” Tallmadge says. 

The boy in front of him locks his eyes with Tallmadge, those piercing blue eyes ticking up and down as he scans Tallmadge up and down, the frown shifting into a small twist of a smirk. He shifts his books in his arms into the crook of his arm and into a more comfortable position as he wraps one arm around them and extends his other towards him. Tallmadge eyes the man before him, raising an eyebrow hesitantly. 

The man urges his hand forward, encourgaing Tallamdge to do shake his hand. It takes Tallmadge a moment to figure out what it meant at first but when it does click, Tallmadge makes an “O” shape with his lips and clasps his free hand around the man’s and shakes hard once. He frowns when he feels the man’s hand gripping their clasped hands before finally pulling them apart and resting it at his sides. 

“Hale,” the man in front of him says. “Nathan Hale. A pleasure to meet your aquaintence Mr....” 

“Tallmadge,” Tallmadge says. “Benjamin Tallmadge.” 

“Mr. Tallmadge,” the man--no, Nathan--continues with a curt nod. He dips his head in warm wecloming, a warm smile painted across his face. He winks at Tallmadge. “Welcome to Yale.” 

“I thank you,” Tallmadge says, following Hale down the hallway, their shoulders nearly brushing against the other. 

“Where’re you from?” Hale asks, glacning at Tallmadge’s profile. 

“Setauket,” Tallamdge answers. 

“Setauket?” Hale repeats, shock written all over his face. 

Tallmadge nods.”You?” 

Hale grins, the edge of his lips quirking up as he turns back to the front. “Coventry.” 

A pause. 

“Conneticut.” 

Now, it’s Tallmadge’s turn to be surprised. Hale raises an eyebrow. 

“You were from Conneticut?” Tallmadge wonders. 

Hale nods. “Mhm. Where did you think I was from?” 

“I...do not know, to be honest. Perhaps...New York?” Tallmadge suggests. “Or Philidelphia at the latest?”

 Hale pffts, shaking his head before flashing Tallmadge a genuine smile. “I like you Mr. Tallmadge.” 

Tallmadge returns the smile. “Please. Call me Ben.” 

Hale smirks charmingly and winks. “Then call me Nathan.” 

Tallmadge’s breath hitches in his throat as he returns the charming grin. He doesn’t know this strange feeling in his chest, the tightenss he feels as though a hand were crushing his lungs, his heart fluttering in circles and his stomach twisting in knots. 

“Do you hope to join the army?” Hale says out of no where, startling Tallmadge from his thoughts. “I’ve always wondered what glory must feel like, always pretending to be an officer in my youth, wondering about the victorious feeling of victory. Do you ever believe in that?” 

Hale turns to Tallmadge which causes him to stop sharply. Tallmadge frowns in thought, his brows furrow together which casues a small crease to form in his forehead. He glances up at Hale before he speaks. 

“They’re fighting for a King,” Tallmadge says and turning to Hale as he speaks.”You and I? Are fighting for our homes. Fighting for our families. Fighting for our freedom.”

This catches Hale’s eye. Hale nods once, sharp and curt, his expression blank but a smile remains and betrays the seriousness in his tone. 

“For our freedom.” 

Tallmadge doesn’t know this feeling, doesn’t quite understand it. But whatever it is, Tallmadge knows it’ll be an everlasting one. 

[dcbutinamrev]

28. Dance in the rain with you will always be my favorite thing in the world, cause in those moments, I feel like you love me back” with halemadge or lams, please.

Sorry this is so late!!! I was waiting to get my new laptop to make these again!! Lams in modern au but with of course historical appearances. This is pretty short, as I'm about to call it lights out but I wanted to get something in. So, hope you enjoy bestie!

~~~

Seventeen-year-old Alexander Hamilton sits at the piano bench in the living room in his apartment, the apartment he lives with his adoptive family: The Washington's. A nice, kind and welcoming couple, Mr. Washington who just not only happens to be Hamilton's foster father, but also his teacher at King's High School. His wife, Martha, an accountant and his older foster brother, Gilbert Marquis de Lafayette, off to college back in his home country in France.

Since Lafayette had left, it's just been him. Alone in this cold, dark, nearly empty apartment. Hamilton and Lafayette are extremely close, nearly inseperable from each other. A tight bond no other siblings would have, a special connection between them. Hamilton sighs as he stares at the white keys before him, letting his fingers rest gently on the keys. It's nearly eight in the evening as Hamilton sits here, impatiently waiting for his boyfriend's, John Laurens--who happens to be the eldest son of the President of Congress, Henry Laurens--return. Laurens had assured Hamilton he'd be home around seven thirty to eight that evening since he had football practice with the boys, and they were out for dinner.

Hamilton sighs heavily, pressing his lips together before pulling out his phone from his back pocket, checking to see if there are any messages from Laurens. Hamilton groans frustratingly when he sees there are none, flopping his head down onto the keys, making a loud bonk noise and letting his arms rest at his sides. Hamilton's lips aches for his dear Laurens's kiss, for his rough hands to touch his soft, freckled skin and run his hand through Laurens's colored hair, seeing Laurens bare and exposed before him.

"Alexander?" says a familiar, soft, feminine voice Hamilton knows all too well.

Hamilton huffs out a breath as he lifts his head up from the keys and turns to the right to find Mrs. Washington standing before him with a worried look upon her face but a soft smile remains. She walks slowly towards him, sitting herself down on the bench and wrapping her arm instinctively around her son's shoulders, pulling him closer to her so Hamilton's head is now resting upon her shoulder. Mrs. Washington hums before pressing a kiss to Hamilton's brow and whispers, "What's wrong, honey?"

Hamilton shrugs, staring at the stand with the music sheet flipped open. "I don't know, Maman. Just...Gil...off to college...leaving me..."

"Alex, he's not leaving you. You know he'll come back for the holidays," Mrs. Washington assures, rubbing Hamilton's shoulders up and down. squeezing once.

"I know," Hamilton sighs, sitting himself up. He stares at his hands in his lap. "I just...I just miss him, is all. And Jack..."

Mrs. Washington frowns, pressing her lips together as she furrows her brows, watching Hamilton turn to face the window as it's now starting to sprinkle.

"What about John?" Mrs. Washington says.

"He's..." Hamilton shakes his head. "He's late...he should be home by now..." He turns to Mrs. Washington, his youthful deep indigo-blue eyes wide with slight fear and his face clearly showing anxiety. "You don't think he's--"

Before he could say a word, however, Hamilton yelps with surprise when he hears his phone ding suddenly, causing a soft vibration in his back pocket of his black jeans. Hamilton pulls out his phone and sees a message from Laurens. Hamilton instantly relaxes, letting out a breathy sigh, a small smile tugging on his lips.

Reckless Himbo: Meet me in our room, dear boy.

Hamilton smiles and glances behind him at the closed front door as though Laurens were standing directly behind him. Mrs. Washington eyes him curiously.

"Alexander...? Mrs. Washington says cautiously.

Hamilton quickly types out a response.

Little Lion: On my way, babe.

Hamilton clicks his phone off, sliding it back into his pocket before bolting up towards his bedroom, still wondering how Laurens got in without him noticing. Hamilton marches up the steps, his feet thunderous as he rounds the corner once he reaches the top step. He swings the door to his bedroom door open and yelps with surprise, skidding to a stop.

Hamilton's dashing soldier stands before him, wearing a formal dark blue suit, his honey blonde hair pulled back into a tight braid, black dress shoes matching the color of the sky, the silver moonlight reflecting off the tip of his shoe. Hamilton stares at Laurens without blinking before glancing back down towards his own attire, feeling his cheeks flush colorfully, becoming red as his hair. Hamilton only wears a pair of sweatpants, one of Laurens's baggy sweatshirts, his striking red hair pulled into a low, messy bun. Clearly not presentable as Laurens's.

Hamilton gasps suddenly when he sees the bed made, red roses forming a heart, candles lit on the nightstands and desk and dresser. Hamilton glances around his room, amazed and shocked and surprised. Hamilton could nearly cry at the sight.

"John...?" Hamilton says breathlessly once his eyes makes contact with Laurens once more. Laurens takes a brave step towards him, his eyes hazy with lust--a look Hamilton knows all too well. "What is the meaning of all this?"

Laurens hums, a twinkle in his rich, vibrant, sky blue eyes, and a slight quirk of his lips. He takes a dangerous step close, close enough for him to wrap his arm around Hamilton's waist, in which he does. Hamilton lets out a startled gasp and Laurens chuckles, leaning down to steal a kiss or two.

"Dance with me," Laurens whispers as they pull apart, his lips grazing against Hamilton's, eyes closed and foreheads touched, his hand threading through Hamilton's out to the side while his other arm remains behind Hamilton's waist. Laurens cracks his eyes open, lifting Hamilton's chin. Hamilton smiles sheepishly. "In the rain as you will always be my favorite thing in the world..."

Hamilton blushes, causing Laurens to grin with triumph and steals another kiss, gripping the small of Hamilton's back as he leads him into a swaying, slow dance, moving about the room in circles. Hamilton only keeps his eyes on Laurens's.

"Cause in these moments," Laurens says. He pauses, lifting their threaded hands up above them, allowing Hamilton to twirl about before returning to their original position, but Hamilton loops his arms around Laurens's neck instead, smiling wide as he listens to Laurens's southern voice, standing on top of his toes. Laurens presses his nose against Hamilton's freckled cheek. "I feel like you love me back..."

Hamilton laughs, cupping Laurens's jaw, rubbing his thumb against the rough hairs along the side of his face. Hamilton rises up slightly and presses a firm, chaste kiss to his lover's lips.

"Oh, Jack...I could always love you...I'll never stop loving you," Hamilton whispers.

Laurens smiles softly, staring deep into Hamilton's eyes before tucking a loose red curl behind his ear.

"I love you too."

Forever.