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ds-ts-smut-fics · 4 years ago

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Cave Boys [Chapter One]

Edit: Please tell me if the ‘read more’ isn’t working because this is the third time I tried adding it in and on our blog, it shows, but when I see it on my dash it isn’t there. I’m really sorry if it’s still not working.

Synopsis: While exploring, Logan finds an unknown cave. He’s too curious for his own good and wanders inside, only to be kidnapped by monsters and taken to their civilization as a prize to be sold to the highest bidder.

Genre: Logan-centric whump with a happy ending for all, NSFW, romantic intrulogical, parental loceit, parental logicality, romantic moceit, background romantic prinxiety

Trigger warnings (for the entire fic): Angst and whump, blood, gore, kidnapping, monsters, human in a cage, human in a collar, human on a leash, I think maybe technically body horror?, implied unsympathetic Janus, implied unsympathetic Virgil (neither of them is unsympathetic they’re both just assholes lol), human slavery, human being treated as property, human up for sale, threats, eventual non-con, lots of bullying, poverty

Trigger warnings (for this chapter): Traps, ankle injuries, knives that go unused, suicidal speech, talk of a person ‘fading’ (very briefly and it doesn’t happen), arguing and insults, implied poverty

Word count: 6171

Written by: Claire and Virgil

Edited by: Virgil

A/N: Hi, I played Janus and if you ask me where his personality comes from, I have no answer ~Mod Virgil

When Logan was upset, he explored the forest by his house.

The woods spread over hundreds of miles. They were covered in towering pines, ground in thick moss and large boulders. There were plenty of places of interest marked out and documented— Hot springs, caves, clearings, ponds.

Logan had visited all of them.

It got to the point where he merely wandered, focusing on landmarks instead of the people who upset him, who had once again let him down. After all, he had to be able to find his way home. A few times he got lost in the forest for longer than desired.

He was several hours into his hike, in a direction he had never been before, when he came across an undocumented cave. He checked every centimetre of his map- The one he updated every night -but no one knew of its existence.

Humming, he flicked on his light, circling the area just in case, and making a note of the find in his journal before stepping in carefully, eyes wide with wonder. “Stupendous…."

The entrance of the cave was made of high ceilings and jagged walls covered in moss. The gurgling of running water from somewhere to his left echoed through the room, and straight across, through a narrow crack in the wall, was something… Glowing. Glittering, even, shining with purple, pink, yellow, and blue.

Gasping softly, he crept carefully towards the crack, a small shiver running down his spine. "Were I more superstitious, I would say this is a fairy ring or some nonsense… how does it shimmer like that though!” Reaching out, he slipped some gloves on to touch the nearest one, the darkest blue he’d ever seen.

It was… So warm. Warm and beautiful. What was this rock- No, crystal? If he got some of it back home, he could test it… He’d have to get through the crack to harvest some of it.

Leaning out a little further, he grunted. The moment he stumbled out of the crack, metal slid against metal, and as bars flipped upward to lock him in a claustrophobic cage, pain exploded in his ankle as something clamped around it. Cheers sounded nearby.

A terrified yelp spilled from his lips as he pushed and pulled at the metal. What’s going on?!

Thick, hairy hands curl around the bars of the cage, the metal screeching along the stone floor as Logan was hauled into the darkness.

“That’s four for me,” the voice closest to him grunts, “and none for you. Have you noticed that? I have.”

His hands flew to his ears. He quickly lost track of where he was, darkness and the long strides of whoever, or whatever, now had him, making it impossible. The screaming pain in his ankle had hardly subsided by the time the moving finally stopped. The only direction Logan was certain he went in was down. He started to realize why this place wasn’t marked on the map.

“Do him like the other humans, there should be an open spot close to the city,” the same voice ordered. “I’ll go update the books.”

His heart sunk. He flinched back as a long arm reached for him. The monster tugged at him even as he kicked with his unbound leg, fumbling in his pockets for his knife and swiping. “Get the hell away! Let me go!!”

The thing laughed gleefully as its slim form easily avoided his slashes. “You know,” it clamped down on Logan’s injured ankle, pain forming black spots in his vision, “those stupid crystal things were the best thing we’ve ever done for our jobs. Made things so much easier.”

Logan snarled, certain that if he could just get one hit in, it would be fine. Maybe he’d even wake up, bed sheets wrapped around his ankles instead of this millipede nightmare.

“If you don’t stop struggling,” it sang, “you’ll never be able to use that ankle again.” It squeezed tighter, digging the metal further into his flesh, Logan’s vision turning white.

He screamed and fell limp.

The thing dragged him forward by his ankle and slapped something against his neck. It crumpled and curled around like a collar, but the material was some type of metal Logan didn’t recognize. It almost… Harnessed heat. The longer it stuck to his skin, the more it burned, like holding your hand too close to fire without touching it.

It clipped a chain on the collar and dragged Logan across the dirt floor. Logan will never forget the things he saw as it led him further into the cave system.

It brought him down to an area with square holes cut in the walls, light seeping into the makeshift hallway. What could only be described as monsters peeked through the windows, watching Logan with expressions he couldn’t recognize. There was occasional hissing, chirping, incoherent English mumbling… But not a human in sight.

Slumped in the larger pen, he tried to put together what had happened for a long time after the creature left, he finally had looked down to see the bloody mess his ankle was, and the trap attached to it. It throbbed with his panicked heartbeat ever since he had given up getting it off.

“You’re such a bitch, you know that?”

An androgynous voice, sounding almost-human, echoed down the hall as two pairs of footsteps headed for his cage. Were they human? Were they going to save him?

Shifting to his feet, Logan carefully hopped back a little. A soft whine left his lips as he imagined the horror to come.

“What?! I’m a bitch?!” A louder tone answered, an almost trill to the end echoing off the cavern walls. “You!” The voice sputtered, as if trying and failing to defend itself. “You’re not even looking at me, fang boy!”

“I don’t have to look at you to know you’re a moron. You’ve tripped over more rocks than me, and I’m fucking blind.”

Two figures came into Logan’s vision. One of them was biped, and looked vaguely humanoid, but a long snout protruded from its face and in place of nails, long, black talons curled. They were sharp enough to slit Logan’s throat. The thing’s eyes, for what tiny slits they were, had no colour.

Gesturing with a broad swipe, the second figure proclaimed loudly, “So, I wanted to be fashionable and pretty for the new arrivals, Count Woe-laff! So sue me!"

“Count… Who?”

Logan gingerly hopped out of range of the claws and the cloak the louder one wore. It floated and fluttered, as if it sat on a tide. Eyes lifting to meet Logan’s, the loud one found a rock and went down hard. He squeezed out a pained breath.

The badger thing slapped a paw to its face, right above his snout. “God, you are such a moron.” It knelt down and wrapped a paw around the other’s wrist, and for a moment Logan thought those talons were going to draw blood, but the thing helped its counterpart up and patted its back roughly.

Huffing, it dusted off, just now noticing Logan. "So, I missed a safety measure or three. Did you see-? Oh! There’s a human!"

A deep rumble fell from the badger boy’s throat, presumably a laugh. “No, I don’t see. But do you know how I know anyway? Because I listen when we’re given orders.”

The two of them stopped in front of Logan’s cage. The badger held large, flat pieces of stone and ran a single talon along it. The nail wormed its way between all the grooves and indentations, face clenched in concentration.

“Logan?” It tried. “Did I say that right? You’re listed as male, is that correct?”

Mouth opening a few times, Logan managed after a few moments, "I… Yes? How do you know that?! I haven't… There weren’t any questions asked!”

“Everything I have here is first impressions, things our superiors could tell from sight. My name is Virgil, and the idiot back there is Roman. He uses he/him, I use they/them. What do you use?” They cocked their head towards Roman and mumbled, “Did I ask that correctly?”

Roman snorted softly. “I’m not an idiot, V!"

"Yes, a bit stiff and formal, but basically correct. I prefer he/him pronouns and my name is Logan. Why am I here? Can either of you get this device off of my leg?!” He balanced, using a part of the cage furthest from the two beings, uncertainty clouding his mind.

“You were unlucky,” Virgil answered, and then the rest of Logan’s words caught up with them. They snapped something in a language Logan didn’t understand, in the same implication of one spitting out a chain of curses, and asked, “Damnit, Roman, did they leave that fucking thing on again?”

“Looks like it. They pushed it in, too! Even when they struggle, that’s just mean!” Lilting sounds left his lips in much the same implied tone. “We have to get closer to get it off.”

“I’ll do it. Just make sure he doesn’t escape.” Virgil gave Roman the tablets and pulled a set of keys from one of their many pockets. They spoke as they unlocked the door. “Roman and I are assigned to guard you when you’re on good behaviour. If you act out too much, we can’t help, and you won’t like where you end up.” They knelt in front of Logan and pat the ground. “Put your ankle right here. You’re going to have to trust us, and accept the situation.”

Slowly pushing off the wall, Logan carefully slid to where Virgil indicated, voice soft and stubbornly resigned. “Do I have a choice? I don’t know where ‘here’ is or how to get home, even if I thought that I could walk or climb to get there.”

“You’re smarter than most humans they catch.” Virgil slipped a talon into a slot on the device, a thin tongue poking between their lips. They plunged the talon deeper, and the device popped off, ripping off some of Logan’s skin with it.

“FUCK! That hurts!” He groaned. He tugged his foot close and rocked, pressing at the bleeding parts of his foot. He glared. “What good does being smart do me? I’m still here.”

“I’m sorry.” They sounded genuine. “I didn’t want to warn you, it would have just freaked you out.” Virgil stood and left the cage, closing and locking the door behind them. They took the tablets back from Roman. “We don’t have a lot of human food. Do you have… Uh, fuck, what did that girl call it? Come on, Roman, speak up, you know way more about humans than I do.”

Roman jumped a little. “Which girl, the one that had those little bars in her bag or the one that said she couldn’t eat nuts?”

“The one who couldn’t eat nuts. She said it’d kill her. We weren’t aware humans weren’t able to eat all human foods. That’s so fucking weird… You guys are fucking weird, you know that?”

“Those are called allergies. Sensitivity in differing degrees to parts of our environment. I don’t have an allergy to anything. That I’ve encountered so far at least?”

A horrible grating sound sliced through the air as Virgil noted that down with their talon. “And how old are you? We’ve tried guessing age before but another thing humans are fucking weird with, you guys don’t look the same ever.”

Covering his ears, Logan gritted his teeth. “Twenty- I’m twenty years old.”

Virgil noted that down as well and, to Logan’s immense relief, pocketing the tablets. “Okay. So what’s gonna happen is I’m gonna grab you some food while Princey here watches you, then-”

“VIRGIL! ROMAN!” An impatient voice echoed through the corridor, rapidly coming closer. “I’M HERE TO MEET THE NEW HUMAN!”

“Get lost, Janus,” Virgil growled. “The human’s not open for meet and greets yet!”

Logan hissed softly, pushing back against the wall. No more new things…

At first glance, the rapidly approaching creature looked human. It almost startled hope in Logan, until it came into the light.

It was not human.

Its skin was ghostly pale in the spaces it wasn’t covered in shimmering green scales. Its eyes were slit like a snake’s, its fangs poking out between its lips. It had similar talons to Virgil’s, but a fraction of the length and looked almost manicured.

A dazzling grin slid across its face as its eyes landed on Logan. “Oh, hello darling.” It frowned, gaze dropping to his ankle. “Oh, dear, did these two do that to you?”

Virgil shoved the thing. “You can’t keep doing this every fucking time a human arrives. Just because you meet them first doesn’t mean anyone can guarantee you a lower price.”

“P-Price?!” Logan trembled. “You mean I’m to be sold… Like property?!” His vision swam. He curled up tight around his injured limb, rocking slowly as he panicked. “Maybe I should just fucking run… Hope I find a damn cliff or something’s claw…”

All three of them jumped in visible panic, jumping over each other to discourage him.

“-horrible, horrible idea-”

“-please, darling, you’ll only get hurt-”

“-you won’t make it far enough and the punishment will make you regret trying-”

The snake thing wrapped a hand around one of the bars. “I know it looks bleak now, but if you trust me, convince the others that I would be the best buyer… You’ll be happy they took you in the first place.”

Logan laughed with a snort. “Why the fuck would I want something like that?!”

“You’re going to confuse him,” Virgil growled. “Don’t make him think he has any say. Just go and wait for his display day, okay?”

“You’ll look fabulous! And certainly end up with a better owner than snake lips there!” Roman blocked the view with his body, winking.

“I can make you happy!” It insisted. “Please, don’t listen to them! My name is Janus. What’s yours? Let me get to know you, darling.”

“Happy?! Go suck an egg and choke.” Turning, Logan tugged at his ankle, turning to Virgil. “Is there any medical treatment? Water? Clean cloth?”

“Yes, I’ll bring you water with your dinner. Roman, did you-”

“Sorry to interrupt,” Janus did not seem sorry, “but I’m not familiar with that human expression? Was that- Was-”

“You were rejected,” Virgil said flatly. “When are you going to accept that no one wants you?”

“I don’t trust any of you and I don’t like this one bit,” Logan muttered softly.

Janus hesitated, then spun on his heels and left.

Virgil sighed. “Roman, did you remember the gauze?”

Producing a roll from a bag on his hip, Roman nodded. "Of course!”

Virgil took it and unlocked the cage again. “I’ll go grab your food after I get this wrapped up, okay? Did they hurt you anywhere else?” They sat and patted the same spot on the floor.

Slowly stretching out again, Logan thought. “The collar-thing felt like it was burning… But I don’t think so?” Looking at his hands, he hummed.

“Bruises on his hands at least,” Roman piped up, “probably all over from those damn cages.”

Virgil wrapped Logan’s ankle and held out their paws, palms up. “Give me your hands.”

Carefully, Logan held them out, palm down. “What is the purpose of taking humans? What use are we to you?”

“It’s different for each buyer.” Virgil’s dark skin was surprisingly soft as their fingers rubbed along Logan’s palms. “The simple answer is that there’s a huge market for it. There are rumours that people buy humans because they want to take out their anger at being locked down here while you all are free up there, but I think that’s bullshit. We could go up there if we wanted, we just don’t. I think the people who think that are cowards.”

Logan snorted. “Everything I’ve seen here is like a cross between a fantasy tale and a nightmare… Things most people don’t believe even exist! There’s no way there’s a lock or force keeping you here! That’s just not logical!"

“Exactly.” Virgil grinned, squeezing Logan’s hands. “You walked right in, didn’t you? What’s stopping the ones desiring to walk right out?”

"Well… I was exploring, curious. I rather fell in? It was a doorway, though!” He blushed, thinking back. “Seems it was a trap, though, from what they said.”

“Yeah,” Virgil mumbled as they rose to their feet. “It’s those crystals. Humans go crazy for them. The severity depends on the person, but it just makes you want to know… Everything about them. And you’ll put that priority over any others.” Virgil slipped out of the cage, then shut and locked the doors. “Humans are so stupid,” they sighed, and left to get Logan’s food.

Logan curled in on himself. Did I upset them? “Oh…"

Roman hummed softly and slipped into place at the door. "Should we get you more coverings? Are you too cold?"

Pausing, Logan shook his head. Virgil came back a while later with a tray of what looked close to oatmeal, and a few bottles of water. They slid it through a gap in the bars, towards the bottom.

“You should try to sleep after you eat.” They shoved a thick roll of cloth through as well. “Tomorrow’s going to be a big day. You’re going to meet one of our superiors, and she’ll be preparing you for your display day. Please, please obey us, and obey her. If you misbehave, Roman and I will not be able to help you.”

"I… Okay, I’ll do my best. Thank you for the advice. What- What exactly is a display day?"

“One of our superiors will take you to the city, along with some other humans, and, well, put you on display. People come by to meet you and look at you, and bids will start.”

"Oh… Has anyone ever… Gone home?”

Virgil hesitated, expression darkening. “You mean… Left the cave?”

“Yes. Is there a chance that I will ever see the surface again?” He raised his head to watch the expression of this strangely compassionate being. “Will I ever see my home again… Or am I here until I die?”

“Don’t ask questions like that,” Virgil hissed. “That’s exactly the kind of thing that will land you in a place you don’t want to be in. I’m sorry, I’m sure it must be hard to accept, but this is your best option now.”

“Oh…" His head dipped, resting on his knees. "That tells me what I need to know, I guess.”

“It’ll be okay,” Virgil promised. “If you’re smart, you can find yourself a good owner who’ll make you happy.” They looked over their shoulder. “Roman, will you set up our tent? I’m taking second watch tonight.”

Roman rolled his eyes. “Been setting it up as you two gossips talked, guess you really are blind, batboy!”

Virgil looked at them incredulously. “Do you think I’m exaggerating when I say I’m blind?”

Logan couldn’t help but laugh softly, a hand muffling the sound as Roman teased in that other language, causing Virgil to swipe at him.

Virgil finally just rolled their eyes. “Goodnight, Roman. Don’t be stupid, wake me up for my shift, okay?”

He huffed softly. “Fine… Sleep well, emo nightmare!”

“Goodnight, Logan. Let Roman know if you need something.” Virgil ducked into the tent and zipped it up behind them.

Logan spent most of the night struggling to sleep. The blanket Virgil gave him barely softened the hard stone floor, and every time he fell asleep for a few minutes, he jerked awake, body insisting he was in danger. Eventually, he settled for leaning against the back wall of the enclosure and mentally reciting the constellations to try and remain calm. At some point he must have passed out, because he jerked awake when the door opened, an unfamiliar voice speaking with the two guards from earlier.

“How has he been behaving?” The feminine voice asked.

“Perfectly,” Virgil said dryly. “Just went right to bed last night, didn’t even think about escaping.”

“Hmm. That’s perfect. Have you noticed anything strange about him, anything to take note of?”

Roman chuckled. “He seems quite intelligent, if a bit scared. The first crew beat him up a bit and I’m not sure if he’s having issues from that first handling?”

“Hmm,” she sounded indifferent, “I’ll check when we get him to the tailor. We’ll definitely have to market his intelligence, most humans are so dumb.”

Slowly pushing up, Logan hummed softly as dread crept into his stomach. Watching her body language for clues, he steeled himself for whatever she might do to ‘display’ him.

She talked with the two a little longer. She looked remarkably similar to Virgil.

She unlocked the cage door and beckoned Logan forward. “Are you awake? Come here, please.”

“I am.” Standing, he slowly approached, watching those long claws carefully. “Am I allowed to speak, ma'am?”

Her barely-there eyes widened a bit. “Wow, you guys weren’t kidding. He is smart. Yes, Logan, you can speak, but keep it to a minimum. I presume Virgil and Roman told you where you’ll go when you misbehave, and I feel it’s important to tell you that our rules and their rules will not be the same.”

“What are those rules, ma'am? I would prefer to avoid punishment if possible.” Gulping as she approached, he fought not to run.

She gracefully slid her talons under his collar and brought him closer, clipping on a chain. She gently tugged, like beckoning a dog, and stepped out of the cage.

“The obvious ones,” she told him as they walked through the dark corridors, Roman and Virgil flanking them, “like don’t try to escape, don’t be rude, don’t attack anyone. Any others, you have permission to break once, since you won’t know, then any time after that you’ll be assigned new guards.”

He nodded. If he were to break any rules, it would certainly be fighting back or being rude. “Yes, ma'am. Thank you, ma'am.”

“You’re very welcome, Logan. You’re very polite.”

She took them down a route Logan didn’t recognize, and seemingly all at once, the cave walls turned into carved out homes, the narrow hall opened up into a huge cavern bustling with noise, and he was surrounded in life. It was a complete city, underground, and crawling with monsters. “Roman, please visit the office and update the books while Virgil and I bring him to the tailor.”

Smiling wide, Roman saluted. He took the tablets from Virgil before turning with a flourish. “Certainly! I’ll meet back up with you there!"

Virgil’s boss led him through the city. Despite her lack of vision, she never ran into anyone or anything. She brought them to a tiny little building made of jagged rock, some of the door crumbling as she pulled it open.

“Go in, now.”

Stumbling slightly, Logan ducked inside. His eyes slowly adjusted to the lowered light. He could barely make out a small shop with piles of fabrics, some chains and restraints on the walls. "H-Hello?"

Scratching sounded as a figure rounded the mounds, low syllabant voice purring as wings and claws came into view. "Greetings, human… Hand over the chain, Sylvia? I need to see all of him easily, you know!”

A griffin.

Sylvia chuckled and passed it over. “He’s very intelligent, so we’ll need an outfit to highlight that, Rose, make sure everyone who sees him knows.”

Rose’s paw looped the chain over a stand as she drew him in closer. “So I see… His eyes are watching everything. Maybe if we highlight them….” Grabbing some materials, she draped them to check the shade. She sketched concepts with soft mutters. “Scholar… Robes?”

Sylvia hummed appreciatively and found a seat. Virgil stood guard by the door. “Yes, I’m sure that’ll work,” Sylvia said.

“Of course, darling, I AM the best!” Moving Logan with firm but gentle paws, she measured and worked on creating a heavy-looking robe with colours that complimented his features. It made him look wise, and yet hampered movement so he wasn’t tempted to run. Showing him off when she finished, she motioned for Logan to turn. “I would add some makeup for those eyes if you really want him to sell at mark up, sweetie!”

“I’ll mention that to the stylist tomorrow. I trust you’ve done a wonderful job, if there’s anything the boss has to say I’ll bring him back before closing hours.”

She stood and pulled a few gems out of the bag at her hip. One of them was an amethyst, but Logan didn’t recognize the rest. She held them out in Rose’s general direction.

Taking the stones, Rose purred and traded them for Logan’s chain. “A pleasure as always!”

“Virgil, come take this.” She held out the chain, and Virgil felt around until they found her wrist, and felt their way to the end of the chain. “Wait outside for Roman, then get him back to his cage and make him something to eat. I’m going to make sure the work on his display cage is going smoothly.”

“Sure.” They gestured for Logan to follow, taking it on faith that Logan saw and tugging him out the door.

Logan stumbled as he adjusted to the change in leading style. “Virgil?”

Sylvia passed them outside and disappeared into the crowd of people. Virgil leaned against the wall of the tailor. “What’s up?”

“Just a question. Am I to wear this outfit only for presentation, or is this to be my new daily attire?” Logan touched the navy fabric, careful not to mess it up.

“We’re just fitting you for your display day. After we get the boss’ approval, you’ll change back into your original clothes and we’ll keep that safe until everything’s ready. Why?”

“Oh… They are much warmer than what I currently have. The space I was in, it’s colder than I’m used to?"

Virgil stepped forward and clumsily rubbed one of their paws over the side of Logan’s face. “Hm. You’re right, I don’t think humans’ skin is supposed to be this cold. I’ll grab you a hoodie when I get your breakfast. Jesus, do you see Princey anywhere? He’s so fucking distractable.”

Shivering, Logan leaned into the touch. "Mmm…"

Roman scoffed softly, coming up behind Virgil. "Petting him without me, V? You’re bonding nicely!”

They dropped their paw with a sigh. “He’s cold. You should carry him back. Body heat should be able to warm him up just as well as fabric.”

“Oh!” Stepping in, Roman scooped Logan up after a quick consideration on how to position him. “Okay! He’s so light… Are they supposed to be this small?”

Virgil shrugged as they made their way back. “I don’t know. Like I said, humans almost never look the same. Feel below his chest, can you feel his ribs through his skin?”

Logan squeaked as Roman poked at him. “I am not underweight!”

“Just let Roman check,” Virgil sighed. “We need to make sure we’re feeding you correctly.”

Blushing a bright red, Logan nodded and tried to relax.

Roman hummed softly. “Not easily… Skinny but like just not a lot of natural padding? He is super cold though… Shivering.”

“Yeah, like I said, you gotta warm him up. Use friction.”

Chuckling, Roman cuddled Logan close, hands sliding under his clothes to rub gently. “Got it, V!”

They brought him back to his holding cage, Virgil holding out his old clothes. “Go ahead and get changed, I need those.”

Turning for modesty even though he knew it was useless, Logan nodded. He held out the robes to Roman. “Here… Might I request something warm for food? It helps.”

“Of course. We have some soups that are safe for humans. I’ll be right back.”

Roman grinned and settled Logan in his lap, stroking gently. “Soooo… Do you want to talk while V’s doing the boring stuff?”

He blushed and cuddled into Roman’s chest. “Sure?”

“Awesome!” Petting Logan’s hair, he bounced a little. “So, what do you do for fun? Do you live alone? 20 is above the age of leaving your parent’s territory, right?”

“It varies from person to person. It’s not an abnormal time to be on your own.” He shrugged a little. Somehow, thinking of his old life seemed… Bleeker. “I read a lot. Um, I did a lot of exploring, obviously. I liked finding things I didn’t know about and taking it home to run some tests, see if there’s anything interesting. And, uh, yeah. I lived alone.”

“Oh! So humans’ life patterns vary? There’s no set time to leave your first home, find a mate?” Roman’s eyes were wide, fascinated.

Logan nodded slowly. “Yeah… I mean, you can do whatever you want, really. Do you… Have a ‘set time’ to find a mate?”

He blushed. “Kind of? My species has a limit on how long you have to search. We have a token that we’re to give to our mates after courtship… and if you don’t, we kind of… fade?"

Logan frowned deeply. “That’s horrible. What if you don’t want a partner?”

Roman’s head tipped in confusion. "Who wouldn’t want a life partner? The world is lonely sometimes!”

“Well, plenty of people upstairs.” Logan turned to face Roman, wrapping his legs around him. He was slowly warming up, but not quick enough for his liking. “I mean… Well, are we talking about ‘life partners’ or ‘mates?’”

“Oh! You separate the sexual pairs from the companionship ones?” Roman chuckled. “That makes more sense now!”

He nodded, hesitantly resting his head on Roman’s shoulder. “Yeah. Some people only want one or the other, or neither. I mean, most everyone wants someone to be with for their lives, but… More separated. It’s hard to explain. People can just do whatever they want with their own relationships.”

Roman hummed, sliding off his outer covering layer to hold Logan closer, fingers playing with his hair. “It’s complicated. We do have some help, though? Our tokens can act as a guide, giving a nudge if we’re blind to our feelings!"

“Hmm… That’s really-”

“VIRGIL? ROMAN? ARE YOU BACK YET?”

Wincing, Roman groaned and tucked Logan against him. "Son of a sea cow! GO AWAY!”

Janus appeared in the light, looking flustered. “Oh- Logan! You’re out of your cage!” He smiled shakily. “How did you sleep? Oh- Are you cold?” He started to shrug off his jacket.

Logan snickered softly. He patted Roman’s hair as he hissed at Janus and bared his fangs.

“I am,” Logan said, “I slept some… Roman is taking care of me, but, thank you?"

“Oh, I don’t mind!” Janus messily grabbed some gems out of one of the pockets and stuffed them in his pants’ pocket, then held out the jacket. The inside was covered in patches of various fabrics, some of those patches with patches of their own. “I was hoping you’d be more up to talk today? Are you busy?”

Deciding it to be rude to refuse the gift, Logan slid into the jacket carefully. It wasn’t very comfortable— Scratchy, the material stiff. "Well… Um, I don’t think I’m allowed to before presentation day? I don’t want trouble.”

“Janus.” An irritated voice echoed through the tunnel, and Virgil came into view. “Why are you back?”

“I’m trying to talk to Logan.” Frustration bit into his voice, Janus’ hands curling into fists. “Is that a problem?”

“Yes,” Virgil snapped. “He doesn’t want you. You can bid on him tomorrow like everyone else.”

“Thank you for your interest, Janus… But perhaps some other time?” Logan set his head on Roman’s shoulder, confused by the odd snake creature’s persistence.

One of Janus’ fangs poked into his lip. “Of course. I wouldn’t want to bother you. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Virgil set the tray of food down and came over to Logan with a thick hoodie. They felt over Logan’s shoulders and frowned in confusion, then anger.

“Take that off,” they snapped.

Blushing, Logan quickly obeyed. “Sorry… It seemed rude to refuse?”

Virgil tossed the jacket on the floor, one of their talons catching and ripping another hole. “When Sylvia said you couldn’t be rude, that certainly does not apply to him. Don’t trust him. Don’t take anything he gives you.” Virgil wrapped the hoodie around Logan’s shoulders and patted him softly. “Let’s get back in your cage, okay?”

Janus picked up his jacket silently, and left.

“Oh… why?"

“He doesn’t deserve to be around humans. You don’t know how things work down here, so you wouldn’t understand, but trust us. He should not be around humans.” Virgil held out his food tray once Logan was in the cage.

Taking the tray, Logan leaned against the bars, wishing for Roman’s warmth again but sipping the soup happily. "Do you have any other advice?"

“You’ve been doing fine,” Virgil promised. “Just get some rest for your display day.”

"Are most humans bought after just one display day?” His forehead pinched at the thought of being uprooted again.

“No. There are usually four, and you’ll be waiting at least a month. How long exactly depends. Bids are open for at least a month, and depending on the popularity of the subject- You -the date might be extended to try and raise a higher price.”

“O-Oh… and I’ll be kept here, or a different place between displays?” I wish I had my notebooks, my things… I dropped all that outside the hole when I fell in.

“It depends on your behaviour. If you behave, you’ll be kept with us until you’re bought. If you break a rule, though, you’ll immediately be switched guards until you’re either bought or the superiors are convinced you won’t act out again.”

Shaking his head, Logan nibbled his bottom lip. “I meant is there a way to earn perhaps… Warmer space, things to distract myself with? I am used to activity, knowledge-seeking.”

Virgil frowned. “I’m sorry. No, that’ll have to wait. You can ask your owner when you’re bought.”

His shoulders slumped. “Oh… This will be a very long month then.” I’m to be bored and confused and scared, lovely.

Virgil headed back to Roman.

Blushing a little, Roman pulled out a small package and handed it to Virgil. “Oh, before I forget, I saw this new tea at the vendors! It’s supposed to be super calming and it smells really good!"

Virgil pressed the bag to their snout, sniffing it curiously. “Mm! Spicy! Thanks, Ro!” They jumped to their feet. “I’m gonna go make some, do you want any?”

Preening a little, Roman made a little chirp of happiness. "Sure!”

Logan arched an eyebrow. Is… Is Roman courting Virgil?!

Virgil squeezed his hand and rushed away. Logan arched an eyebrow. “So… You did say gifts were instrumental to the courtship process, did you not?”

Blushing bright red, Roman turned to Logan. “Yeah… Doesn’t have to be expensive, just thought out!”

Logan finished his soup and hugged his knees. “How many gifts have you given them? Do they understand what you’re doing?”

Roman hummed softly as he thought. “There was the material for a new hoodie, some repair on their clothes… The tea, a few meals. I don’t know if they do, but I hope so! They’re so sure that nobody would want them, silly Clawsian!"

“How long do you have until your, um, deadline?”

Looking down, Roman tugged at his cloak gently. "Six lunar cycles…"

Logan’s eyes blew wide. “What-? That’s- Tell them! You have to tell them!”

Roman blush deepened. "Well, I don’t want to make them become my mate out of a sense of duty, to somehow save me? They’re so honourable…. Kind.”

“That’s-”

“That’s the dumbest thing I ever heard.”

Two mugs clanked against the stone and Virgil charged forward. They felt up Roman’s arms, his shoulders, neck, finally cupping his face, then tilted his head to kiss him hard.

Melting into the strong hands, Roman moaned, kissing back with equal passion as he revelled in the caring touches. “Virgil~”

Logan laughed. “I would agree… They seem quite amenable!”

Virgil slid their talons into Roman’s hair. After a moment or two, he pulled away, voice ragged. “If you ever put yourself in danger for me, ever again, I will break up with you so fucking fast, Princey-”

Face bright red, Roman nodded quickly and chased the touch. “O- Okay! I promise to tell you if I’m ever in danger again!"

Virgil poked his nose. “Good.”

They grabbed their mugs of tea and settled against Roman’s side. Virgil’s smelled approximately ten times spicier than Roman’s.

Nuzzling lightly, Roman smiled. "Does that mean we’re together then, you accept me as your mate?!”

“Depends on how good this tea is.” Virgil took in a long sip, eyes fluttering shut. “Yes, I accept.”

Laughing, Roman snuggled in and sipped his own. Virgil finished the mug and rested their head on Roman’s shoulder, falling asleep for a nap while Roman took watch.

The sub of this duo, Virgil, does commissions! Earn yourself 300 words for each coffee and the knowledge that you’re helping me pay the bills and start my own business

You can read my writing specifically here

#logan sanders #roman sanders #virgil sanders #janus sanders #prinxiety #sympathetic deceit #sympathetic janus #not safe for sanders #ds writes #cave boys #logan #virgil #roman #janus

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goose-books · 4 years ago

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For the character ask: Reuben 👉👈🥺

OF COURSE... YOUR BOY

what they smell like

this is... abstract but like. you know when the weather starts getting colder and you bring your extra blankets out of your closet and they smell so cozy. that’s what reuben smells like

what their favorite smells in the world are

for some reason as soon as i read this i was struck with french vanilla as if it were god-sent fact. french vanilla

what pajamas they wear

sorry y’all had to find out this way but reuben 100% sleeps in fluffy socks. only member of the montacrew who wears socks to bed. rahma’s like “don’t you get hot though :0” and reuben’s like “i’m cozy” and bitty’s like “i’m kicking you out of the group chat”

my favorite ship (if applicable) and a cute hc about them

again... victor... i must point my finger at you... everyone, victor said “max i think hawk and reuben should kiss postcanon” and i thought about it for about two seconds and then blacked out and wrote like a page and a half of postcanon fanfic about it (does it count?? as fanfic?? if you’re the author??? but it’s not in the text itself???). anyway they watch polygon together and hawk has the shriekiest laugh in the world and every ten seconds reuben has to pause the ultimate pokerap so hawk can roll around on the floor laughing

my favorite friendship (if applicable) and a cute hc about them

rahma and reuben... i think reuben is one of the first people rahma shows her poems to because he’s so nice (bitty... means well but he can’t NOT make mean jokes about rahma’s not-to-me-not-if-it’s-you type writing). reuben doesn’t know shit or fuck about poetry but every time he’s like “this is so emotional good job!!!!” and rahma is like :D :D :D (and then sends it to avery who analyzes her rhythm and stanzas or whatever and reuben is like I’ve Done My Job)

a song that reminds me of them

first love, late spring by mitski. “please hurry, leave me, i can’t breathe” you know who can’t breathe??? ME thinking about reuben’s ISSUES WITH BEING LEFT and his CONVICTION THAT PEOPLE COME INTO YOUR LIFE AND THEN LEAVE and THIS SONG. i am the one who cannot breathe ms. mitski

on a less deep note. reuben canonically likes pink floyd so now i think of him when i hear “wish you were here” (he listens to it on the bus ride to school to block out the Bus Ambiance)

what animal i think they would be if they were an animal

not to assign every amt character a cat fursona but... reuben loves cats so much that i would feel bad saying anything other than cat. but, like, ginger is the cat that skitters across the floor when you start the vacuum. reuben is the cat that sits on top of the scratching post blinking at you and flipping his tail and when you make loud noises he’s just like

cats aside -- in middle school reuben drew the montacrew all fake fursonas for the Laffs and he made himself an iguana with sunglasses. (rahma was a fox with heart eyes. bitty was a rooster)

what position they sleep in

on his side, usually, but if his cat smokey wants to sit on his feet then he’ll lie on his back so he can make his legs the Optimal Smokey Seat

their favorite drink

victor once said “reuben’s blood is coke zero” and i haven’t stopped thinking about it since

a gift i would give them if i could

a fucking hug??? ugdhgdfbdsfsdbs probably a new sketchbook or a better gaming computer but in the ideal world i would take reuben out to lunch and let him tell me about his problems and listen attentively and tell him he’s wonderful

#asimpleram #TYSM !!!#max.txt #amt tag #reuben katz #victor tag #asks

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imthepunchlord · 6 years ago

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It'd actually be interesting to see Future Alix in the Gloria AU. She's in the past but doesn't know any of the heroes well, much to their collective confusion (and Lila's ire). Instead, she tells them about the hero "Ladybug" in the future but none of them know who she is or who she's supposed to be because she doesn't exist yet. Lila would no doubt be unhappy at the implications that someone else gets the earrings. It's not until later on that Alix realizes Chelone is rather familiar...

Weird.

That was the one word that Jack would use to describe this as she turned around to the five pairs of eyes gazing upon her, all ignoring Mr Pigeon’s scream as the akuma kicked far, far away, flying right into the Seine, easily knocked out by this sudden hero. She had quite literally came out of nowhere, a portal of light, a rabbit themed boot coming first and delivered that kick right into his middle.

The old villain didn’t stand a chance against her unexpected force, and none these heroes of old expected her either, just gaping at the sight of her. When she faced them, all five gaped at her, half of them had their jaws slack, the others were tense, gazing up at her in wonder, curiosity, and tension. Jack had to take a minute from this blast from the past.

They were as she remembered them, there were some details that were different here and there; and names... what were their names? Damn its been forever.

Mitsubachi she knows. She’s been going strong since she got the bee.

There was Jinx, lacking the calculating look in her eyes, a burning fire that needed to be cooled but hasn’t reached that point yet. If Jack remembers correctly, this Jinx has yet to get into her political plot.

Then the cat and this ladybug, she faintly remembered them. And the turtle, she remembered the turtle the least, though there was something familiar about her, the look in her eyes, already in stance, her shield up and ready for trouble.

Very familiar.

“You’re not an akuma, are you?” this ladybug accused, sounding unsure as she gazed up at the rabbit hero. She didn’t respond immediately, still taking them in.

In the face of this weirdness and tension, she said the only thing she could think of when facing heroes of ten years ago. “You all are so tiny.”

The group faltered, not expecting this to be the first words from a white, black and blue rabbit themed hero, a thin looking black and white helmet on her head. The fox recovered first, scoffing loudly, “Excuse you! Ruuude! I’m clearly the tallest of the heroes. And not tiny at all.” She received a dry look from the bee and turtle

The cat responded first, turning to the fox with an irritated look. “Gloria and I are taller than you.”

Gloria. That was her name. Ironic, she wasn’t really known to be glorious.

The fox snorted. “You guys aren’t heroes.”

Before a fight could break out, the turtle stepped forward, coming to stand between the fox and cat, though Jack had a feeling it was more to stop Jinx than cat. There was a quiet stare down between them before the turtle turned to the rabbit, looking her over wearily. She asked aloud, her tone insistent, “Who are you?”

Jack found her lips twitching up. She answered, “Jackrabbit, a hero from the future.”

That earned her long stares, all of them stupefied by that claim.

“Prove it,” demanded Mitsubachi.

“A little hard to do,” Jack said, “really rather not reveal too much of your future.”

Gloria came up, smiling charmingly up at the rabbit hero, asked with a tone full of giddiness, “Surely you can tell me a little bit of mine?”

“Nope.”

The cat came up next, asking eagerly, “Ok, how about this, do Gloria and I date in the future?” His hopeful expression fell whens he told him no.

“Why are you here?” the turtle asked. “If you are from the future.” She glanced at the watch that was strapped to Jack’s belt. “Does your miraculous time travel?”

“No miraculous can time travel,” Jack said, "some can have a power to manipulate time a bit, or see all types of futures and work around what’s coming; but actual time travel? Nope. If that existed, your... oh what was his name? Hawk Moth? He’d be after that instead.”

“How did you get here then?” Mitsubachi asked.

“I’m here because of a knight. One that has a really twisted up code of chivalry, made from a really twisted up source, and while butterfly can’t time travel itself, it can manifest the power, and it did so in a knight known as Timetagger, who’s here seeking a certain pair of earrings and ring.”

All heroes glanced at each other, and it was Jinx who snapped. “Are you serious! After all this, we’re still fighting Hawk Moth!”

“I said knight, not akuma, kit.”

“So someone else will misuse the butterfly,” the turtle murmured gravely, earning a confirmed nod.

“Who?” the cat asked, earning a huff.

“If we knew, you think Monarca would still be floating around?”

“Where is this Timetagger, then?” Mitsubachi asked, always ready to get serious.

Jackrabbit shrugged. “I was hoping maybe you guys have seen him. Especially since he’s my ticket home.” And she’d really rather not be there, weary of what could be changed. She missed Sass, his easy going nature, but sharp and ready to act. And ferocity of the snake that she could let out when needed; rabbit had great speed that she enjoyed, but there was no real fight with rabbit. And Laff the goofball wasn’t for her, this was more Cottontail’s alley, and the quiet rabbit enjoyed Laff’s silly energy far more than Jack did. The kwami had a hard time focusing, and wanted to live life at whimsy, having faith that just being on the move would be enough.

Plus, she has hope that Ladybug would be able to fix the original miraculous so she could get her watch back. Letting Laff hang in her watch and in her care has left it a target for those that want to get around quick.

Jack’s not crazy about that.

One of Jack’s long ears twitched back, and she looked over to see pigeons starting to come together, ready to fight. Bringing out her trumpet, Jackrabbit blew into it, letting out a loud and chirper blast that gave the young heroes a start. The portal opened up eagerly, and pointing to it, Jack ordered, “Alright kiddos! In you go! Pigeon Man is not the priority here!”

“It’s actually Mr Pigeon,” the cat corrected.

“And we’re not kids!” Jinx snapped.

“I don’t care, toddlers, get in!”

The cat when first, complied and eager, no hesitation at all. Far different from the Chat Sith Jackrabbit knew. Mitsubachi followed next, grabbing the growling fox and dragging her behind her, jumping into the portal. All that was left was Gloria and the turtle, neither moving to jump through that portal, the former had her arms crossed and was glaring up at the rabbit hero.

“Come on,” Jackrabbit prompted.

“I’m not going to you tell me what the future’s like,” Gloria said.

The turtle didn’t say anything, frowning softly as she gazed up at Jackrabbit, looking torn and unsure.

Before Jackrabbit could respond, there was an angry shout behind them, making them all tense.

“I’m coming for you, Ladybug!”

The two heroes whipped around, seeing what had to Timetagger coming their way. Jackrabbit acted, grabbing them both and hauling them back into the portal, evading Timetagger before he could reach them. There was a whirlwind of white and all three dropped around the tense heroes that were waiting on the other side, near Notre Dame, safe in its shadow.

Chat quickly came to Gloria’s side, alarmed by her shaken expression. They went off to the side as Jinx and Mitsubachi came to stand with Chelone. On their own, Gloria whispered, tense and furious, “Timetagger shouted Ladybug. Not my name. There’s a Ladybug in the future.”

Chat’s eyes widened, sending a guarded glance at the trio. “Someone’s going to steal your miraculous.”

Someone would have to for Gloria to not exist anymore. Sending an angry look their way, she made her resolve, no one was going to replace Gloria Rossa in the future. This Ladybug will not come to be.

And with this, maybe it was time for this Turtle, Fox, and Bee to not run around anymore...

#nobodyfamousposts #ask Punchie #Gloria au #Timetagger #rabbit!Alix #Jackrabbit #kwami swap

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carpisuns · 3 years ago

Text

ok bc you asked (i.e., I very presumptuously invited myself over to your house💜) here are some fics that cracked me up!! laugh out loud type of fics!! the Good Kush! sorry this list got long I just love funny stuff!!!!!

Motherf***ing Superheroes by @hamsternamedmarinette (HILARIOUS gen chat fic,,,I was wheezing the whole time djsjsk)

Kiss shy by @emsylcatac (the most incredibly stupid and chaotic prpr ft. disaster marinette I’m in tears)

Charcoal Lines by @gabriel-agreste-has-no-rights (marichat/adrinette with adrien posing as a model for marinette’s figure drawing hw and let me tell u i somehow physically injured myself from laughing so hard at this fic. literally saw stars DHSJSKS)

Tastes like Dirt by @gabriel-agreste-has-no-rights (the OG marichat dirt fic. yes, dirt is actually eaten. yes it’s stupid and yes it’s funny and yes it’s perfect😌)

The Funny Guy by @trashcatontherooftop (another marichat dirt fic �� yum yum!!!)

tell me your heart by @e-milieeee (it’s a ladrien reveal and at one point I was silently shaking w laughter and couldn’t breathe for like three whole minutes I nearly died but it was worth it)

So That Just Happened by @botherkupo (KWAMI BODY SWAP. NEED I SAY MORE)

I’ll Be Your (Wing)Man by @botherkupo (stupid marichat identity shenanigans, very good 🤪 kim is just really good at humor and has a bunch of other fun stuff too so I highly recommend checking her out!)

Short-Circuited by @mikachu-chu (sleep-deprived marinette shenanigans ft tiktok 😌)

an uncurtain discovery by @ladyofthenoodle (peak stupid ladrien my beloved<3)

the montparnasse scene’s downgraded, budget-sliced, straight-to-video of a sequel (or: adrien takes a tumble) by @bugaboo-n-bananoir (more peak stupid ladrien my beloved <3)

What’s in a Name? by @bugaboo-n-bananoir (post reveal aged up with the stupidest most amazing premise ever ft my favorite…disaster spiraling marinette🥰)

Shipping Wars by @thewritewolf (it’s post reveal but from Tom & Sabine’s POV so they keep seeing different sides of the LS together and they’re confused hdsjjsks)

Also I’ll mention Heartsong (Needs More Bass Drops) by @gabriel-agreste-has-no-rights cause idk if u would ever be interested in trying out luxy aka luka/XY but it’s literally so funny and good and made me laugh a lot!

hope these give u a laff 💜

You know whats so funny im usually big into angst but ml canon has been delivering so faithfully that I've been really craving comedy lately LMAO

#fic recs

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kcnnarys · 4 years ago

Note

queen forgive me i was too invested in the twc universe and the fact that pb didn’t update any (really) good book again made me forgot how much i LOVE seeing your asks pleaseeeee i just laughed out loud to your posts and then favorited some of them so i can laugh about it again later. oh3 is coming soon and i will stay tuned to your blog bc your reactions are so funny to me lmao

OMGGGGGG this is so sweet tysm for your kind words 🥺🥺😭😭 so glad i could give you a laff 💕

#i hope i will be able to provide some good oph content for you when its releasing again. its usually when i am in full force #asks #anon

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undead-hamilton-blog · 7 years ago

Text

My Entry for Some Writing Contest Thing

This was written as an entry to a writing contest I entered on instagram. I usually do not do things like this and don’t write smut at all but I wanted to venture out my comfort zone.

I did not proof read as much as i should have since there’s so much text.

Word Count: 10,523

Warnings: mentions of death, smut, angst, and actual death (probably some other stuff so if you’re senstive maybe don’t read)

Despite their victory at the Battle of Bunker Hill Laf wasn't so sure that going out to a tavern was the right way to celebrate. Sure, he enjoyed drinking until he could forget about his actions and not worry about how to choose his words correctly for his friends to understand. Not like they could anyway as he tended to slip in and out of horrid English and his native tongue when he was drunk off his ass. Anyways, the reason for his sudden desire to just stay in and talk about what their next strategy would be is because he tends to get a little handsy when he was intoxicated. Much to his dismay and embarrassment it was, almost always, aimed towards his closest friend Hercules. He didn't mind, at least he didn't think so, but that was probably because he was as equally drunk to even care. Alexander, much to his annoyance, never failed to tease him about it when they have their little talks in French. Of course, Laf would just change the subject or pick on him about his attraction to their other friend, Laurens.

Anyways, despite his complaints and pleas, they were huddled together in an uncomfortable booth a drink in their hands and more on their way. One by one they drank like they have been deprived of any sort of liquid their entire life. By the end of the night, Alex and John were staggering through the empty streets giggling and leaning onto each other for support. Laf, although slightly tipsy, made sure they found their way to their tent. The place would have usually been bustling with life at this hour but it seemed like everyone was either asleep or not here.

Laf rubbed his face and looked to Hercules who was staring at him. The look he gave him was unreadable. Lafayette was nervous he had never seen Herc stare at him like that.

"Quelque chose ne va pas?" He said not even realizing that his best friend couldn't even understand what the hell he was saying. "I'm sorry." He was blushing. "What I meant to ask you is something, umm, how you say, the matter?"

No words were exchanged on his friend's side which made him even more nervous. He opened his mouth to speak again but before he could even say anything else his mouth was being attacked by Mulligan having his tongue down hs throat.

The kiss was shocking and overwhelming. He has no idea how to respond but just gave in to his body's urges. They kissed until their lungs physically hurt. They gasped for air as they looked at one another not a single word being said but a mutual understanding of what was going to happen next passing through them.

This time Lafayette made the first move shoving Hercules onto a nearby tree. Dominating him. He forced himself between his legs "Eager?" Mulligan teases him but he shuts him up by kissing him in an almost violent press of mouth. Lafayette's body stiffens and he is suddenly aware of his erection on Herc's thigh. He sucks in a breath through his nose while Herc bits at his lips, his tongue licking and swiping inside of his mouth.

Hercules slides a hand around the back of Lafayette's neck, lets his fingers tangle in his hair. He tilts his head, kisses him more roughly this time, and Hercules accidentally moans into his mouth. He nips at his lower lip, sucks a kiss over the corner of his mouth a Herc's fingers drag through his hair.

At this point, Hercules can barely move, let alone remember how to even kiss someone properly. He lets Laf lead, and Laf doesn't seem to have any sort of problem with this, opening his mouth and knotting his fingers into Hercules's uniform to pull him closer. "Is this a good idea?" Herc asks around the kiss.

"It's a little too late to think about that mon chaton," Laf says before nibbling at Herc's bottom lip again.

"What does that even mean?"

"It doesn't matter. I want you, Hercules," Lafayette growls out, grinding his thigh into Herc's dick, "I have for a while. So, let us not think too much or else we will have something to regret."

"I think I am more than capable of doing that." Laf lets out a laugh and cups Herc's jaw in his hands in order to bring him closer to put his mouth up against his lips once again. Herc kisses him back greedily and impatiently. He grinds into Laff making him growl needily in his throat. His nails graze over Herc's scalp 1as the kiss evolves into something hungrier. Herc gets his hands full of Laf's uniform and tugs him on top of him as he situates them in the grass. Laf reaches his hands under Hercules uniform. Herc sighs, let's Laf's hands skim over his ribs and tweak his nipples. He makes an undignified groaning sound that doesn't seem to deter Lafayette's exploration of his body. Laf shoves Herc's uniform up past his chest so he can kiss a line down his stomach. Hercules squirms, blindly reaching for the grass to grasp onto because he feels like if he cannot get a grasp on reality he might just come undone by Laf's kisses and teasing.

He manages to dig his hands into the grass as Laf's mouth opens around a nipple. He moans, gets louder when Laf's teeth graze over the tender skin. Taking his hands from out the Earth he fumbles with Laf's pants. Laf just stares at him.

"C- can I?" he asks, displaying the look of a little boy whom just got caught doing something he wasn't supposed to.

"You can do whatever you want, Mon précieux bijou," Laf breathes out in a way that sounds like something out of a wet dream.

Hercules seems to understand and sheds Laf of his breeches and any other clothing separating their two bodies. Laf returns the favor until they're both completely stripped of their clothing. The moonlight is dim but it shines enough to see the glitter of sweat on Laf's body. Hercules admires this. Loves the way the man on top of him looks so strikingly breathless. They admire each other just a few moments before Hercules brings down Laf's jaw to kiss him once again.

The kiss is like their first one. Long and leaving both men to gasp for air once they have pulled apart. They look at each other helplessly both knowing what they want but too shy to do anything about it. Hercules having a moment of confidence turns them so they are lying side by side. Laf seems confused but realizes where this is all gong when Herc puts two fingers in his mouth to substitute for lube. He takes his hand and slides it down the curve of Laf's spine. He works his way underneath and his salivated fingers ghost over the spot that has Laf shoving his hips backward in order to meet his hand. Herc takes this moment and presses a kiss to his mouth to muffle the gasp Laf let out, as he slips two fingers inside of him.

The moans Laf lets out are hot and needy over his lips before Herc kisses him again. His fingers stroke and press inside and Herc watches mesmerized at the way Laf's brow creases and teeth capture his bottom lip. Laf's fingers clutch at Herc's chest and hair, and Herc ruts against the hard muscle of Lafayette's thigh shoved between his legs. The friction he receives his so good and it leaves Hercules moaning out loud. He strokes over Laf, fingers gently rubbing over his opening before finding their way back inside him. Laf moans like he's in shambles like Herc's fingers are slowly tearing apart atom by atom. Laf rocks back in order to meet Herc's touch, he whimpers and makes pleading noises around quick, sloppy kisses.

"Is it good?" Herc asks through is own moans his breath heating the space between them. Laf only groans in response, and Herc grinds into his thigh. "Tell me what you want." He spreads his fingers as if he were mimicking scissors, stretching him, this action only makes Laf suck in a breath and clench his free hand in the grass. Hercules licks his lips and pressed in farther; Laf makes a stilted, choked-off sound, and his nails drag over Herc's chest as his hips jolt backward.

"Right there," Laf breathes out, and Hercules strokes and presses again in a way that makes Laf shudder and gasp. "Oui, oui, dieu, Hercules, s'il vous plaît..."

Hercules has no idea what the hell he was trying to say but by the way, he said his name and the look of pure please written obviously across his face he knew he was doing it correctly. Hercules slides his free arm underneath Laf, pressing his palm against his back and pushing him a little closer. His hips are still shoving in Laf's thigh, and as one hand strokes inside Laf the other fists the ground underneath them as he feels himself about to come.

But before he can spill his load there's a hand pushing against his chest. 'I don't want you to come yet," he says his breath a slow drawl scratchy and low, "I wanna be the one to make you do it."

Well fuck, that is probably the most attractive thing that Hercules has ever heard. He swallows thickly, nods, and keeps his hips impossibly still as his fingers are still working inside of Laf trying to help him reach his release. Laf bites his lip, suppressing a moan, as Herc manages to take him apart slowly and unhurried. The ends of Hercules's fingers graze over something that makes Laf tip his head back and moan loud enough to possibly wake the whole camp up. Pressing his lips to Laf's in order to quiet him. Laf pulls away after a few sloppy kisses and rolls his hips more onto Herc's fingers and chants his name along with some French curses like they were a prayer. Gripping onto Herc's shoulders, digging his nails into his flesh in the process, and he lets out a sob of fragmented words and praises as he comes hard, tight around Herc's fingers.

Hercules couldn't believe is eyes. Watching Lafayette come undone was the most attractive thing he has the honor to see. He felt his ego grow just slightly that he has been the one to completely wreck the one man everyone viewed to be so incredibly masculine and strong. Surely, this had to be some sort of dream and he would awake in his bed and everything would make sense once more but this wasn't a dream. He has done this.

His mind now blissfully void of thoughts gently and lovingly strokes his fingers out. Lafayette's whimpers, get caught in his throat still not over his post-orgasm lassitude and he covers Herc's body with his own.

They are once again kissing one another desperately and Laf moves his hands from Herc's chest down south to where his erection is lying painfully on his stomach. He grasps his cock in his hand stroking it slowly his thumb rubbing over the tip. Hercules lets out quiet groans and whimpers wanting more than just Laf's hand on his cock. "Please..." He practically whines his body feeling overwhelmed with all the teasing.

"Mon amour, do not suppress those little whimpers and moans of yours," He whispers into his ear his hot breath fanning his neck making him shiver. "Let me hear you. I wanna know just how good I am making you feel."

Laf presses another kiss to his lips as he continues to stroke his cock lazily. He bites his lips playfully as he leaves a trail of kisses down his chest. He removes his hands from his cock making him let out a whine of disappointment that the warmth is suddenly now gone.

Laf spreads Herc's things and places a leg on one of his shoulders. He presses a kiss to his thigh, licking and sucking on the skin. Herc's hips thrust up involuntarily wanting to feel any sort of friction. Laf pushes his hips down and presses another kiss to his thigh before he's paying attention to Herc's swollen cock.

He's practically dying in anticipation as Laf takes the swollen tip into his mouth. Once again his hips buck into the air as a way to get Laf to take more of him in. Taking the hint, he goes down on him until he's practically gagging. He uses his tongue to wander over the curves and ridges of his cock. It's obvious, he has no idea what the hell to do with a cock in his mouth but Hercules would be lying if he said this wasn't the best fucking blowjob he's ever fucking had. It is extremely sloppy and unpracticed but that doesn't stop the moans that emit through his mouth, as well as the, pleads and chants of Lafayette's name.

Hercules is begging for release and Laf is determined to give it to him as he hollows his cheeks in an attempt to give the illusion of his mouth becoming tighter for Herc to fuck himself on. Through this entire time they couldn't believe that nobody came and checked to see what the entire commotion was because, in all honesty, they weren't exactly being discrete.

Hercules quiets his moans enough to be able to listen to the noises that are coming out of Laf's body. The sounds are heavenly and they would have been enough to just come undone bu the way that Laf is sucking and licking at the top of his cock like it held the secrets to win the war was enough to make him shoot his load, unexpectedly, down Laf's throats. Shocked he gagged a little as Herc rode our his orgasm and swallowed every little drop that had been given to him.

The men exchanged a kiss and Hercules could taste himself on Laf's lips. They tore apart from one another as the sun was warning them that it would be time for the other men to wake up. So, in a hurry, they pulled on their clothes they had on the day before and rushed to their tents. Almost as if nothing has happened.

After their little "romantic night" under the stars, the two men went on like nothing had happened. It pained Hercules to know that Lafayette would treat their little charade as if nothing happened. He tried not to think about it and that was probably for the best. He shouldn't get too attached if the other men were to discover that the men were possible gay lovers they would be viewed as sodomites and punished for their crimes.

A week had passed before Lafayette got Hercules alone. He was just sitting against the tree where they had kissed. He smiled fondly at the memory but pushed the thought out of his head as he felt a hand clasp his shoulder.

He looked up and locked eyes with the man whom he was just thinking about. He gave him a half-hearted smile and offered him a seat right beside him. The sun was setting and it cast a perfect glow against Laf's skin that made Hercules' heart race. The man could only be described as perfect. He could spend hours, years even, looking for a single flaw that this man could possibly have and he would come up empty handed.

"Look, Mon très Cher Ami, about our little adventure the other night," Laf seemed nervous. He took his time choosing his words carefully. "I don't want to act like nothing happened or like it didn't mean anything because the truth is, mon chaton, it made me realize some feelings that I have been keeping."

Hercules nodded understanding what his best friend was trying to say. "Do you want to continue," He questioned the Frenchman. "I mean with whatever it is we're doing. Us?" He couldn't seem to explain what he was implying very well with his words because, damn, Lafayette was looking at him like everything that just came out of his mouth meant everything to him. He looked at him like no one else was there, and there wasn't, but it was an amazing feeling to know that this handsome guy cared so much.

Lafayette scooted closer to him and rested his head on Herc's shoulder. "I want to continue seeing you, mon chaton. Like this, whenever we have the opportunity to be alone." He lifted his head and placed a small kiss to his jaw. "Just us."

Hercules didn't have a response to Lafayette's words but sealed the deal by pressing a gentle kiss to his forehead then to his lips. They didn't bother moving just stayed there and talked quietly to one another until the sun has sunk down completely and replaced its light with that of the moon. Nothing happened between them that night beside a little flirting and stolen glances and kissing. The idea of it all was rather romantic and it made both their hearts beat a mile a minute as they cuddled under the stars.

This is how some of their nights went when they met up at their tree if not that their nights were mostly similar to the first. Both men panting and sweating completely at the others mercy as they passionately kissed and explored each other's bodies as if it were the first time all over again. Most nights Laf would take control and shove an unexpected Hercules up against their tree and completely wreck him. He would have him a moaning and pleading mess. He was rather rough as if he was taking out all his anger and pent up sexual tension on his body. Herc didn't really seem to mind. He loved when Lafayette was rough with him but he did enjoy the moments where he was gentle and caring and made love to him like he was fragile as glass.

But there were times when Hercules took the reigns and dominated Laf. He could make him squirm and beg for release. It was his guilty pressure to watch him let his guard down and just be at his mercy. Watching the way his face would scrunch up and his head would tip back when he had managed to angle his cock in that sweet spot that made Laf just scream out. Or how he would bite his lip to suppress his urgent and needy moans. But most of all he loved seeing him come undone and watch as his thighs quivered and his thrusts become sloppy as he came all over his stomach. It was erotic and so blissfully sinful. It should be against the law to see the way he licks his lips after he's finished sucking Herc's cock. The man was a saint.

These little things mattered so much to Hercules and he knew inside that he was falling in love with his best friend. It was just his bad luck. The war was at an end and he had no idea what would become of his relationship with Lafayette. He has hoped he would stay just like Laf said he would. I mean he sailed all across the ocean just to join a war that wasn't even beneficial to his own country. He obviously loved America enough to fight for freedom but now he had a better reason to stay. To be with Hercules.

The minute Alex came bustling into the house he was staying in asking him why the hell he was still on his ass and not on his way to say goodbye to Laf had him feeling confused. "What do you mean," He questioned his good pal. "Laf said he was staying." He said a matter of factly. Alex only shook his head. "Well, I guess he had a change of heart because he's on his way to board a ship to France." Alex rushed his words and tugged the taller man by his coat sleeve.

Hercules had no time to establish any sort of thoughts as was running to try and catch Laf on time before he was to sail out of their lives, possibly forever. "Just a couple more blocks." Alex let out in between gasps. They made it to the dock just in time because their friend was making his way onto the ship bags hanging off his shoulder and in his hands. "Lafayette!" Alexander yelled. He yelled his name a few more times before Laf finally saw the two men running towards his ship.

He dropped his bags and made his way to them. Hercules hung back his attention focused on the way Laf was trying to ignore him. It hurt. But he put on a smile as he watched his two friends say their goodbyes. They hugged and Alex was the first to let go. "I'll let you two say goodbye." He gave them privacy.

"When were you planning on telling me that you were leaving," Hercules felt betrayed accusation was evidently laced in his voice. "This was your plan all along, wasn't it?" He refused to look Laf in the eye because he knew that all the anger in his voice would dissipate and he would start to cry.

"Mon Ami, you do not understand," Laf started to say sadness in his voice. Hercules wasn't having it. "What is there to understand!?" He tried to keep his voice down but it was damn near impossible because there were so many different feelings and thoughts going through his head. "I have to go back to France." Laf tried to reason with him but he continued to ignore his words. "I wasn't your harlot. I deserve more respect than that." He finally had to confidence to look his lover in the eye and he regretted doing so because all arguments just seemed to fall out his ass.

"I need to get back to my family, my wife." His voice was barely a whisper. Almost as if he was embarrassed by his confession. "My Adrienne awaits my return." He couldn't believe his ears Laf had never mentioned having a wife to any of the guys. Bachelor is what he had always called himself. "You're lying." Hercules tried to sound strong but the quiver in his voice gave him away. He felt defeated. "You said that you had no ties to anyone back home. No family, that you are an orphan." The Frenchman stayed quiet not knowing how to handle all these accusations. "Please, Gilbert, stay." Herc's voice faltered as he had felt a tear threatening to escape his eye. He took his hands in his own, "We can run away. Go some place far away where no one knows our name and we can figure this out. Figure out a way to still be together. Just us." Hercules was well aware that he was making a scene and he was thankful that anyone who was in the vicinity to possibly hear what he was saying was either too preoccupied with saying goodbye or just too oblivious to know what the hell was going on between the two men.

"I do not want to stay," Laf's voice boomed it rung in Hercules' ears. "I do not reciprocate these feelings that you have for me." He gave him a look of pity. "I am in love with a woman. I could never find it in myself to have any sort of love for a man." His voice sounded disgusted as if the very thought of loving Hercules was as bad as catching the plague. "We may have said some things that might have made this relationship seem like more than it actually was but that was all based on the spur of the moment and my desire to keep you in on our agreement." The fire in his eyes made Herc cower away as his gaze cut right through him. "I was under a lot of pressure and stress working for our General and you were a perfect little pet to help me relieve all these urges I had within me." He gave him another hard glare as if daring him to speak against what he had to say. "I thought of you as nothing more than just a good friend helping another out." He patted his back. "We were never anything more because I did not love you like you are so helplessly in love with me."' With those final words, Laf gave him a firm nod before picking his bags back up and taking passage on the ship.

Hercules had nothing to say but just watched as more people boarded the ship. Alex came to try and talk to him but he shoved him aside and wandered off. He refused to turn around and watch the ship leave. Lafayette didn't deserve that from him after he led him along giving him false hope of a future together. He had to stay strong and move on.

But moving on was hard despite every single fiber in his body telling him not to look back. He did and watched as the ship, which carried the man who had broken him, sailed away across the rocking waves. He watched until it was merely a speck and then until he could no longer see it. The sun was setting and the ocean breeze was starting to make him shiver when he finally decided to leave the place where he stood. "I will still love you." He whispered into the night air. "Because I am a fool. A fool whose heart you have stolen and broken." He was alone now walking through the night and that's how he felt like he would feel for a long while.

Lafayette was in pain having told Hercules all these nasty, vulgar, and unforgivable things. Stayed, he heard the man beg him but he denied him and opted to just break his heart more than it already was. He never meant anything he said about only using the man. Everything they did together meant the world to him. The way he caressed him and feel like he was the only thing in the world worth living for. All those shy words he would whisper into his ear when he was making love to him. Everything about what they had was meaningful, but Lafayette knew in his heart that if he admitted all this to Hercules he would have stayed. A part of him knew that it was the wrong choice to run off with him but it also felt wrong to go back to France. It was a difficult choice that he had been battling inside his own mind all the weeks that he had been with Hercules. Obviously, he chose to return to where he had grown up.

Now, as he sailed away he was debating whether or not he made the right choice. He was so indecisive and it was way too late to make another hasty decision. They were too far gone for him to jump overboard and swim back to Hercules. Even if he did the man hated him the way he looked at him proved just that. Never had he seen someone look that way at him with so much sadness and betrayal in his eyes. He remembered how those eyes used to be filled with so much love and adoration: just for him. Everything was tainted now and there was no possible way to fix it. "Despite what I said, mon amour, I will always hold these affections in my heart. For you." He sighed and made himself comfortable knowing that his entire passage home would be filled with his thoughts on how he could have done things differently.

Hercules was filled with joy as he woke up his beautiful wife, Elizabeth Sanders, by his side. She was breathtaking, to say the least, she was currently pregnant with their eighth child and the other seven kids were jumping off the walls waiting for the arrival of their next little brother or sister. After he had said goodbye to Lafayette he was in a state of depression but when he had met Elizabeth he filled with sudden hope that maybe things in his life wouldn't be so bad. They took the time to get to one another before Hercules asked her father's blessing to court and marry his daughter. He has obviously said yes and now here he was about to be a father once again. Everything in his life was going well but there were still times when he would think of what could have been if Lafayette had stayed. There was still a special place in his heart where he yearned to be with him but there was also a darker side which clouded his mind with bad thoughts about Gilbert. Either way, the man was still in love with him and despite how much he tried convincing himself to stop he couldn't seem to forget the infamous Frenchman.

Lafayette was ecstatic he was returning back to America to visit a good friend of his and take care of some other things. The trip took a lot of convincing as he, once again, battled himself on whether or not this was a good idea. His good friend, Thomas, convinced him to just come along claiming there was no way he could run into his old flame as he liked to call it. After weeks of sending letters to one another, he had finally packed his bags and made his way back to the country he risked his life for. And when he finally stepped foot onto American soil he was filled with so much emotion that it took everything within him to not get down on his knees and kiss the ground beneath him. He was finally back to his home away from home. It may only be a few weeks but everything just made sense now that he was here.

"Are you sure," Hercules questioned his wife for the hundredth time. "I can come along and help you with the kids and the baby." He said placing a hand on his wife's pregnant stomach. Elizabeth was going away to visit some family and she insisted Hercules stay and take care of himself as he had been working too hard. He begged her to come with but she just denied him and said that it would only stress him out more as he would most likely be in charge of taking care of his kids but those of his relatives as well. They adored him and loved to gather around his feet as he told them stories of his time as a spy in the war. They listened intently as he described all the roles he had to play in order to achieve a victory for the colonies. Never once did his stories fail to captivate the interest of the young ones no matter how many times he told it. Because in their eyes, he was a hero and the reason they were living in a free world in which they can shape to be their own one day. He was the reason they were alive and free. "I'm more than positive on the decision," His wife kissed him to reassure his worries. "I practically take care of eight children already. What's a couple more going to do?" She said poking fun at Hercules for his sometimes immature behavior. Sometimes he could be a handful and just a plain out man-child. His wife never complained though as she loved him with everything she had. Sometimes he was convinced she worshiped the ground he walked on. His wife loved him more than he loved her and it had him riddled with guilt, which is why he made it his mission to never hurt her or be unfaithful and thus far he's succeeded. He hugged her one last time and planted a kiss to each of his children's foreheads before bidding them farewell. It would all be alright he thought as he saw them wave goodbye. They'll be back in a few weeks time.

Night had fallen and Hercules was sitting down enjoying a glass of whiskey when he heard a knock at the door. He was confused but also alarmed because it was too late for people to be strolling the streets unless they were pissed drunk and trying to find their way home from the pub. He heard the knocking again and decided to answer the door thinking if he helped whoever it was that they would go away. He swung the door open just as whoever was standing there was going to knock again.

"Oh," He heard a familiar voice say. "I know it's late but I really need to speak with a Mr. Hercules Mulligan." The voice had a French accent to it. "You're speaking to him," Herc said a little suspicious that he couldn't seem to figure out who this man was. It also didn't help that he could barely see his face. The thing that was most noticeable was just the outline of his hair and the way he held himself. His posture was straight and his head was held high like he was expecting everyone to respect and pay attention to him. It reminded him of Lafayette.

That's when he realized who the man was. It was him. "No, please, God," He attempted to shut the door but Laf was one step ahead of him and placed his foot in the way of the door and his hand on the handle in an attempt to pull it open. "Go away," Hercules said sternly focusing all his strength on getting Laf's foot out the way in order to properly shut the door.

"Please, mon ami, hear me out." He pleaded. "There's so much I have to say and explain to you. Just let me inside and we can talk." He tried to open the door wider so that he could slip in but Hercules put himself in the way to prevent just that. "You don't get to come here and expect me to talk to you after everything you've done to me." Hercules stopped fighting and just let the door swing open. "You have no idea what you put me through after everything you said to me. How dare you have to audacity to come here and beg me to listen to you tell me what you did was valid and justifiable." He stepped back as Laf made his way into the warmly lit house and closed the door behind him.

"I'm not here to tell you what I did was right," Lafayette was picking his words carefully because any minute he knew Hercules could burst and beat him up where he stood. "I was just want to explain to you why I had said such vulgar things to you, mon chaton." Lafayette stepped closer to Hercules. "Please, just let me explain."

"Explain how you lied to me and the rest of our friends about who you are," Hercules waved his arms in the air for dramatic effect. "You said you had nobody back home. That no one was waiting for you to come back." The tension in the air was thick. "Why would you promise me that you would stay with me?" "I wasn't lying Herc," Laf's voice was low. "My parents, grandparents, and everyone else." His voice was shaky. "They passed when I was younger." Hercules felt bad that he had raised his voice at Laf and pretty much forced him to confess something that was hard for him to relive but he had to keep his guard up. "That doesn't explain why you told us you weren't married." Laf knew Hercules was expecting an answer but the one he was ready to provide felt like it was too wrong to say. "Because I wanted to be with you," his voice was stern and full of emotion. "I wanted you, only if it was just for while." He looked Hercules in the eyes. "I was in love with you and I still am." "No, no, no no!" Hercules stormed off into the bedroom he shared with his wife. He shut the door behind him and sat against it. "You can't come here after I finally figured everything out and profess your love to me." He felt like Gilbert was taking advantage of him and his emotions just like when they were hooking up back then. "Is this why you came back? To mock me?"

"No, mon chaton, I love you," Laf's voice was barely audible due to the door being in the way but he could fairly hear what he had to say. "I came here to apologize and tell you everything I said to you the day I left was a mistake." He could hear a couple taps on the door. "I never meant to hurt you. I did what I did because I knew if I didn't make you think I no longer wanted you that I would stay." He heard him sigh. "Now that I'm here with you. It's making me think that I made the wrong choice. I should have stayed and run off with you." There were a few more soft knocks on the door. "Just us."

That seemed to cut it for Hercules because he stood on his two feet and opened the door. He was seething with anger and Lafayette looked at him completely terrified. "Before you do anything we may regret-" He didn't get to finish his sentence because Hercules took two handfuls of his coat and pushed the Frenchman up against his chest and covered his lips with his own. The kiss was full of anger, lust, and need. It's like this kiss made up for all the years they had spent without one another. "Fucking come here," Hercules said in between angry kisses. "And spew all this bull shit about wanting me." He bit at the Frenchman's bottom lip drawing blood. "I bet you see me as some sort of whore. Well, tonight you'll be mine." He forcibly shoved his tongue down his throat. Exploring every sweet and wet crevice of his mouth. Their tongues battled for dominance and Hercules, of course, came out on top. They kissed until both men could no longer breathe. Their breath was labored and each felt the press of the others erection against their thigh.

Once they had caught their breath Hercules explored Laf's body snaking his hand under the Frenchman's shirt and tweaked and twisted at his nipples. The sounds and whines he had made in response to the older man's teasing had him nuts. He sucked and kissed at the exposed skin of his neck. He ignored the Frenchman's pleads to not leave any visible marks. "A whore does not get to make the decisions," He said roughly shoving Laf against the door and stepping between his open thighs. He grinded against the Frenchman's thigh causing more whimpers to escape his lips. "Hercules," Laf's voice was shaky and full of want. "Please."

"Tell me what you want," Hercules' breath fanned hotly against Gilbert's neck. "Beg for it." Laf's voice got caught in his throat and the only response he could give was a slur of profanities and low drawn out groans. "Fuck me." Was all the Frenchman got out before he was yelping at the sudden pain that shot through his neck as Hercules bit at the sensitive skin most likely leaving a hickey.

After Herc's attack on Laf's neck was done he made it his mission to take his clothing off agonizingly slow. It felt like hours before both men were completely unclothed. Ceasing this quiet moment that both men spent to appreciate each other's naked figures Laf ran his hands over every single part of Hercules body. The older male was mesmerized at how the younger's actions had such an effect on him So he pulled in for another kiss and used one hand to steady his waist and the other to cup at his buttcheek giving it a firm squeeze. He massaged the flesh kneading it before teasing at his opening. He hovered his fingers at his opening making small circles and lightly pushing in the tip of his finger before pulling away.

This only made Lafayette growl out impatiently and grind up against his thigh. He attempted to angle his hips in a way to finally push Hercules fingers inside his awaiting hole but Herc wouldn't allow it. He enjoyed watching as he squirmed and would bite his in anticipation. Or how his hair was falling out of his neatly done ponytail and the strands of curls would frame his face just right. He wanted to paint of portrait of this exact moment but he knew that that would require for another man to see the Lafayette like this and Hercules felt selfish not wanting to share the way he had this man so impossibly wrecked just by barely touching him.

"I swear, mon amour, if you do not put your fingers inside of me I will do it myself," Lafayette was serious in his threat and part of Hercules wanted to give the younger man what he wanted but also wanted to see how his threat would play out. So he removed his fingers from the man's behind and took his hand leading him to the bed that was in the bedroom. "Show me."

Laf was nervous as he got down on his hands on knees ass facing towards Hercules. He refused to make eye contact as he took two of his own fingers and lubed them up with his own saliva. Ass still in the air and one arm keeping him steady he watched as he let one finger slip into his awaiting hole. It felt slightly uncomfortable seeing as this has been something he hadn't done in years. He just let his hand stay still as he added a second finger. His hand went at a steady pace as he fucked himself open. All that could be heard in the room was the sound of his own whimpers and his fingers as they worked inside of him as he scissored himself open and added a third finger hoping to reach his peak and just release all the tension that has been bubbling up inside the pit of his stomach.

Unable to stay in control of his own actions Hercules removed laf's fingers and pushed the man down so he was laying flat on his stomach. He kept one hand on his shoulder to hold him in place and his other digging into his side. It hurt, to say the least, and he was certain that he would have bruises in the places where Herc was digging into his flesh. Hercules lined his erection up with Laf's entrance and slowly let the tip of his dick protrude into his puckered hole. "More please," Laf's voice was muffled as Hercules was pushing his head into the blankets. "I want you to fill me up." He tried moving his hip backward to take more of him in. Hercules pulled out and slammed in again causing a choked out noise to escape Laf's lips. He repeated this process just a few more times just to see the young man squirm. When he thought that Laf was close he flipped him over so that he could press kisses to his face.

Hercules let his lips kiss down Lafayette's jawline down to his chest. He wrapped his mouth around a nipple and flicked his tongue over it. Taking his empty hand he paid attention to his other nipple teasing it as he pulled and twisted the sensitive nub. The sounds that filled the room was a mixture of drawn out growls and moans and the slap of skin against skin contact. It was rather erratic and the way Lafayette was moaning louder as he was close to coming was making this entire experience better than anything Hercules has ever been a part of him. He watched as the Frenchman involuntarily wrapped his legs around the other man's waist pulling him closer and impossibly further into him. "I'm not going to last much longer." He heard him whisper his hot breath fanning his face as their foreheads touched. "Mhmm. cum whenever you're ready." He kissed his nose. "I'm gonna fill you up. Have you leaking out my cum." He buried his face in Laf's neck kissing at the skin there. He felt Laf clench around his cock and his back arched slightly as he came over his stomach. Hercules' thrusts got sloppier as he to came inside of Lafayette.

Their bodies were sweaty and sticky and they shared a kiss before Hercules pulled out. He stood up and left to another room bringing back a damp towel to clean them up. He doesn't bother saying anything else as he dove under the covers of his bed and drifted off to sleep. Laf, not really knowing if he was supposed to stay or not moved over to one side of the bed, making sure there was an appropriate amount of space between them and drifted off to sleep.

That next morning when Hercules woke up Lafayette was still in his bed beside him. He was snoring slightly and every now and then his nose would twitch or his face would scrunch up in a certain way. Hercules admired the way his facial muscles moved in response to whatever he was dreaming about. He guessed it was a good dream seeing the smile curl up on the younger guy's face. Sleeping with Lafayette was probably a bad idea and he would most likely beat himself up over his choices, but to be fair, he wasn't known for making rational decisions. He got of bed and picked his clothes off of the floor and put them back on. Now in the kitchen, he prepared breakfast for two hesitating whether or not to wake up Lafayette before the food he prepared got cold; but when he saw the Frenchman come in with tired eyes he realized there was no need.

He sat across from Hercules and began picking at the food on his plate. He wasn't sure if it was alright for him to bring up what happened last night and he wasn't prepared to be kicked out of Herc's house before getting to spend more time with him. "I know you wanna bring up last night," Hercules said ruining the awkward silence. "Say what you want." Laf put his fork down and looked at Herc with wide eyes. "I thought this was a one-time thing, Mon Ami," He confessed the worries in his head. "Something we wouldn't talk about and act as if it didn't happen. Well, that's what I thought you would want." He rubbed the back of his neck. "I didn't want to give you any false hope since I am not going to be staying."

"I know that much," Hercules said. "But I don't think this should be the last time we see one another." Lafayette couldn't believe what he was hearing. "So you wanna meet up again?" He asked the older man. Hercules gave him a curt nod before standing up from where he was sitting and placed his dish on the counter to be washed later. "We need to make up for wasted time." Was the last thing he said before leaving the room.

The men met up each night around the same time. They would talk until the talking turned into a little more physical activity. Each time they hooked up Hercules felt a pang of guilt knowing that his wife was away thinking he was waiting on her. But instead, here he was in bed with a man whom he had been pining for all these years. Lafayette was leaving tomorrow in the afternoon and this would be the last time they would see another for a while. "Will you be there to see me off," Lafayette asked as his fingers danced over the smooth flesh of Hercules' chest. "Yea, I wouldn't miss it." Hercules pressed a kiss to his cheek. Honestly, he didn't know what the hell he was doing what he was doing. He knew when Lafayette left he will be right where he started the first time he left the country. His poor decisions were going to end up biting him in the ass, once again. Focusing his mind elsewhere he decided to relish in the fact that he was here with Lafayette now and everything else that happened just did.

When the next day came around Laf was nowhere to be seen but that was not worrying for Hercules. Laf had to sneak out before the sun started to rise so that his neighbors wouldn't ask questions as to why there was a grown man leaving his home early in the morning. He groaned and fixed the bed and put on clothes he had on the night before. His wife was going to be home tomorrow and he had to clean the place up so that she wouldn't be suspicious. He had the sheets washed and everything sanitized where they could have possibly been physical. It took him all morning and he was done a thirty minutes before he had to say goodbye to Laf.

He grabbed his coat and the keys to his house which he stuffed in his coat pocket before heading out. Standing before him was the mother of his children and the seven little monsters that resembled them both. She had an enormous smile on her face and wrapped her arms around him as much as her pregnant stomach would let her. She kissed his face all over small tears threatening to leave her eyes. "I missed you," She sobbed. "I'm so glad to finally be home." Their kids seemed to think the same thing as they swarmed the couple nearly knocking them down.

"Daddy," Their tiny voices cheered as they enveloped him in hugs and kisses. "We missed you." As much as he had missed his family and thought about them he had hoped they would have been back tomorrow like they had promised. Time was running out and there was no way he could make it to Lafayette on time.

"I missed you all too," He put on a forced smile. "Let's get you inside." He ushered them inside much to his dismay and listened as they talked about their trip.

"I am sorry sir we can no longer wait for this friend of yours to show," the helmsman told the Frenchman. "Maybe they will meet you in France." He patted him on the back and went off somewhere. Laf sighed and made himself comfortable. He couldn't believe that Hercules hadn't shown up. He holds him that he would be there when it was time to come and say goodbye. They both knew that this was only a fling but he couldn't help but feel used. Like, he was a whore who got passed around. They made each other one promise during this entire relationship and that was to say goodbye when it was time for Laf to go off to France. Oh god, was this how Hercules felt when he had left him behind the first time. He remembered him saying that he wasn't his harlot and my god he couldn't believe that he made him feel like he was worthless. That feeling he once had was something he was feeling too. Was this Hercules' way to get back at him for what he did all those years ago? Whatever the answer was there was no way he would ever stop forgetting about this.

Lafayette kept true to his promise and sometimes would spend his afternoon in his study wondering what possibly could have happened to prevent Hercules from coming to say goodbye to him. It was like a plague that was stuck in the back of his mind. It kept him awake at night. Of course, his lovely wife would be there to coax him to bed but then she was no longer there as she has passed on.

It had been years since she was no longer with them and now eighteen years later he was holding a letter addressed to him all the way from the states. The letter remained unopened but he didn't need to read it in order to discover what the contents inside held. He let the letter sit there for several days until finally, he gathered the courage to open it.

Dear sir, We are sorry to inform you that your friend and fellow ally, Hercules Mulligan, has met the end of his days and went off to live in a brighter world. It is with a very sorrowful heart that we invite you to visit the place of his burial at the Sanders Tomb located behind Trinity Church. The causes for his passing are unknown but we suspect he passed peacefully. We are aware that this may be very hard information to process so we insist you take your time deciding whether or not you will be present at his burial. Signed, A mourning friend.

He received the letter weeks ago and now he was on his way to go and pay his respects to his closest friend. His last friend to pass after the war. First, it was Laurens who was killed in the Battle of the Combahee River in August 1782. Then it was Alexander when he dueled against Aaron Burr. The man was honorable and refused to shoot his opponent instead he aimed his gun towards the sky. He was stricken right between his ribs and passed away the next day with Eliza and Angelica at his side. He had heard that the man spent every last moment he had talking. Laf admired that even when facing death Alexander Hamilton refused to stop talking. And now it was Mulligan, that meant that Laf was the last one. He would die alone and without his friends. So, when it was his time to go they would never know. It made him sad but it helped him feel better because it meant there would be no guilt filling his mind about his friends mourning him. They wouldn't have to worry like he is right now. When he was gone that would be it.

So here Lafayette is standing looking at the newly made grave. Everyone had left and it was just him. There was a myriad of flowers decorating the rather gloomy area. He didn't know what to feel as he looked at the mound of Earth that encased his lover. The one man he ever felt any affection for was now gone and he would never see the way his smile reaches his ears when he excited or happy. Or hear his loud laughter echo across the room making it seem like there was nobody else but him and his boys. There were so many things that he would miss and so little time to possibly think of them. He couldn't believe the mess he made of this poor man's life and of his own. Everything they've ever done had led up to this moment. He knelt down and placed the bouquet of flowers he was clutching in his hand onto the Earth.

Laf refused to speak and just knelt there reminiscing on every single moment he had ever spent with him. "I have no doubt, mon amour, that I have taken you for granted," He placed his hand on the tombstone looking at the engravement. "There are so many mistakes I have made and so many things I wish I could say to you." He took his hand away and placed it on his lap. "You didn't deserve to be treated the way you were. All you ever did was love and give and I abused over that." His voice was starting to break and he knew if he kept talking he would start crying. "I'm glad you left me that day so long ago because it made me realize just how painful it was being disrespected and feel like you are worthless. But you, mon amour, are not worthless. You did so much for other than you did yourself and I couldn't believe that I had the honor to be loved by a man such as yourself. Because, in truth, I never deserved anything you ever had to give me."

He allowed himself to sit there just a while longer until he could no longer bear seeing the reminder that Hercules was actually gone. Laf made his way to the exit of the cemetery when he bumped into a young man. "I'm sorry," He apologized and tried to slide past him. "It is totally my fault, do you happen to go by the name Lafayette?" He had asked placing a hand on his chest. Laf nodded and the young male clapped his hands excitedly. "This is for you," He handed him a letter. "My dad had wanted you to have it." The happy look on his face was wiped away at the mention of his deceased father. "Thank you," Laf said and clutched the letter tightly in his hands.

My Dearest, Marie-Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du Motier de Lafayette, Our time together has come to an end and you are leaving today for the second time since we have known each other. My heart years to be with you before you are gone but it simply cannot be as we both have business to attend to before we part ways.

The letter ends suddenly there but there's a continuation further down the page.

My wife has come home early just as I was about to bid you farewell. I have never felt such sadness to not be able to say goodbye to you. Oh, how you must feel. I cannot imagine it. There's so much guilt in my heart as I picture just how you must have looked waiting for the man who would never show. Sometimes I think it is for the best that I did not come say goodbye. It would be just like the first time around. Me begging you to say and you denying my offer and breaking my heart. There was so much to say to you but it seems as if faith is against us because we once again have run out of time.

This letter ends there and Laf moves onto the second one.

I am awake late at night writing to you, again. I never send the letters because I feel as if it would only hurt you more. I wouldn't expect you to write me back after the way I had left things between us. You are one of the few things constantly crossing my mind. I often think back to those nights under the stars where you and I would fool around. The words we would exchange and the kisses and glances we would steal. Back to when everything made sense. Where I was foolish enough to believe that a man such as yourself would run away with me. Sometimes I wonder why I even write and I always come to a conclusion that I love reliving the days of the past. But something within me is telling me that deep inside I am hoping that you are awake writing about me too. That you are explaining every single feeling you have ever felt back when we were together. Just as I do. But it goes so much deeper than that. Every time I write to you it is the best part of my day. Are you wondering why? It gives me the chance to fall in love with you all over again. With every single stroke of my quill against this parchment, it is a reminder of the things that I love most about you. It sounds silly, I know. But this is my way of always keeping you with me.

This is how a majority of the letters go on with Hercules pouring his heart out and in turn leaving Lafayette an emotional mess. Letter after letter he is crying tears onto them staining them. This man spent every other night writing to him and Laf had nothing to show for it. He didn't write to him and profess his love and adoration. Yes, he thought about the man constantly but that was only ever it. He couldn't bring himself to ever write about Hercules in a way that was so permanent. He didn't want people to discover the love they had because it was something solely for the two of them. But Hercules, he didn't care. He was unashamed to have the world know that his deepest affections were not for his wife but for Lafayette. "Oh, mon chaton, you never fail to amaze me." He said closing the letters and tucking them away.

It was 1834 now and the world seemed gloomier. The news spread rather quickly that the Hero of the Two-Worlds had passed away. People in the streets wailed upon hearing of the tragedy. An uncountable amount of people had come to try and see the service as he was buried near his wife, but this ceremony was deemed as a military funeral to keep those who were unwanted from showing. Lafayette had spent his last day's bed ridden and delusional. He would often talk to the air as if someone was there listening. It made all those who saw break down in tears and turn away from him. He spent a lot of time alone as visitors refused to see the old man suffer but what they could not see they could hear. They heard him through the door as he had conversations with passed loved ones. They turned a deaf ear to his pleads to let him rejoin the outside world that he could no longer take the constant reminder of all those he failed. He felt haunted and alone.

But yet here he was weak and ready to let go at any minute but it just didn't feel right to him. He felt as if there was something missing. So with the last strength he could muster brought himself to his feet he walked across the room to his desk where he had tucked away the letters that Hercules had sent to him. He held them close to his chest and made his way back across to his bed but stopped when his eyes landed on the portrait of his late wife. He took that off its mount and continued to walk. He was inches away from his bed before he collapsed. The two reminders of the people whom he loved the most still in his hand. Lafayette didn't bother to push himself back but instead embraced what he knew was inevitable. "Il est temps pour Moi de Vous Revoir Les amours," He closed his eyes and with his last breath, he has willing to spare let these words leave his lips.

#hamilton #lafayette #hercules mulligan #john laurens #mullete #smut #hamilton smut #hamilton ships #marquis de lafayette

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hollywoodx4 · 8 years ago

Text

Sticking With the Schuylers (24)

I love everything about John Laurens

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 I 13 14 15 16 17 18A 18B 18C I 19 20 21 22 23

The morning is busting, business and chaos around every turn. He is enrobed in the deep smell of dark roast beans and frothed milk, the chatter of painfully tired twenty-somethings reverberating off of the wood-laden walls, just barely making it over the music he’s put on. It’s the half-hour before the first classes of the day start. It all seems overwhelming, the way an atmosphere can change just by a minute or two on the clock. But for John Laurens it is exciting, enthralling. He moves behind the counter like he’s been a barista his entire life, keeping his coworkers in check as he sings along to the radio.

He knows every customer at this point; greets them by name and has their order half-written before they can even say it. He enjoys this job, he’s good at it. Not only does he get to please people but he gets to move, to be involved in the chaotic pace of something he knows everything about. And the bonus of free drinks helps, too.

He’s enjoying the last lingering movements of the wild morning when they walk in; the bell above the door chimes and John looks up, grinning, before waving over the counter to them. He’s busy, filling orders and chatting with the others, but he looks up every so often to send a joke or a smile their way.

They’re inseparable. For every day this week Alex and Eliza have been together, from morning until night. She’s made dinner for the entire apartment, caught up on their own shows, become a part of their routine. The only moments John has seen Alex without her is when Eliza’s been in class, or student teaching, or home sleeping. Even then, Alex’s phone has been glued to his side; a constant. And it’s a plague, sending him into an emotional turmoil that his best friend has never seen before. They’d be sitting at lunch, the four of them chatting and John trying to lighten the mood, when Alex would just up and leave. And once, when John had followed him into the hallway, he could hear Alex’s low voice over the phone; his Eliza voice.

They make him roll his eyes.

They’re cute. John is glad. Alex is so much happier, so much better than he’d ever known him to be. He’s more pacified, able to step back from his work and enjoy his life. Eliza’s done that, nothing could take the truth away from that. Her presence has altered his way of life and view of himself in a miraculous turn on the inner demons. But it’s made a host of issues appear that had never been a problem. Even though Hercules has a long-term girlfriend, and Laff has had more than a few casual dates this past month, the only person who’s seemed to be affected drastically by having a girlfriend is Alex.

And at first it was fine, they were fine. But lately, the change has left the three of them wondering just when this stage of Alex and Eliza would end. Or, as Lafayette had suggested, when they should put an end to it.

They weren’t exactly the most pleasant of couples to be around, at this point. From the middle of the previous week it had begun, after Alex had flew out of the apartment only to return two hours later with Eliza and two bags of takeout. That’s when he’d begun his excessive phone use. And his constant check-ups. And that’s when they started losing themselves, a little bit.

It was hardly ever Eliza that initiated it-not to say that John was watching or keeping tabs, but more often than not it was Alex who would come sauntering over, away from his work, and interrupt a conversation. They’d be sitting on the couch, or cross-legged on John’s bed, chatting and listening to music. John enjoys her company-she’s pleasant, likes the same music that he does. Sometimes he makes her draw designs on his skin with a thin black marker, outlining his extravagant tattoo ideas with a steady hand. She listens to him, understands him. Yes, he enjoys Eliza Schuyler’s company very much.

But then Alex will come in, to the living room or John’s room or the kitchen, and he wishes they would both just go away. Alex will announce himself first, saying hello before wrapping his arms around Eliza from behind. And then she’ll tip her head back with a closed-lip grin he’s never seen before, cheeks raised and eyes glimmering. Alex will rest his head against hers for a brief moment before kissing her-once, twice, three times until John finally clears his throat. It makes them jump every time, as if they haven’t been interrupting each other’s social lives for a week and a half.

Today is no different.

They’re standing in line, her fingers intertwined with hers as her other hand grabs his arm-as if the physical feeling of holding his hand still isn’t enough. And she’s leaned up against him too, Eliza, in a way that Alex will lean down every so often to whisper something into her ear. She’ll laugh, and kiss him. By the time they get to the front of the line John has rolled his eyes so many times he’s sure they’ll grow sore the next day. They order-dark espresso and hibiscus tea-and move over to the space in front of his machines to chat. It’s Thursday-not much is going on, Alex’s class with Angelica and Eliza’s student teaching, John’s work and one class. But in the time between running to fill another order and coming back to continue their conversation they’ve started again, Alex’s hand on her waist, her cheek against his-too close for public space, too close to hold a conversation.

“I’m slammed here, just talk to me later.” His voice is rushed and terse and it sends Eliza back a little, searching their friend for a sign of difference. But then they’re leaving, and John is grateful.

The night is just the same-interruptions of conversation, Eliza perched on Alex’s lap. Their usual Thursday night television routine is thrown by the couple, who in their own right aren’t doing much of anything wrong, John supposes. It’s just become awkward to have them around. The room grows increasingly uncomfortable when Eliza’s legs are dangling over Alex’s-when his hands can’t find their way away from her waist, her thigh, her hair. It’s not as if he’s too busy groping her-they barely even kiss in these moments-but they don’t have to. It’s simply their presence, the way they look at each other. It’s the way they have trouble keeping up with conversation even though lord knows Herc talks loud enough for the entire city to hear. And it’s Alex’s eyes in particular, the way he suddenly becomes this far-off figure foreign to what it was once like to live a single moment without Eliza.

And then Friday, after game night, she stays over.

Then, John feels that last bit of irritation fill his gauge. Because he knows that Alex wouldn’t be stupid enough to actually do anything while their apartment is full and he’s right next door. But he does hear Eliza’s muffled laughter at one in the morning, and he does have to get up at four to make his early shift. So he lays there, with Alex and Eliza on the other side of his wall and headphones in his ears.

The next day Alex comes into Starbucks-alone, for the first time in a while-around seven in the morning. And a sleep deprived John Laurens has little time for pleasantries. No, because while he was struggling to get in his few hours of sleep Alex had been displaying a complete disregard for him-for his friendship. John is unsure whether the sudden irritation he feels upon seeing his friend comes from his lack of sleep or over-caffeination, but it doesn’t matter. He leans on one hand against the counter, greeting Alex with a flat expression.

“What?” Alex watches as John writes on his paper cup, passing it along the line before moving to clear the counter with a rag. Each action is done with a certain gusto-slamming and feverous wiping, all directed toward him.

“Do you seriously not know why I might be just the slightest bit upset with you right now?”

“Uh…no?”

“Alright. Okay. So I’m just going to leave you here then, and I’m going to ask you to go since I’ve been working since 5:30 this morning and couldn’t get a decent sleep because someone was too busy getting busy with their girlfriend on the other side of my wall last night.”

Alex stops mid-motion, his hand gripping the paper cup John had slammed onto the counter in front of him. He can feel his insides boiling, the way he’s suddenly tensed and rigid, lips moving into a thin line. He stares back at John, whose face has a matching glare.

“We didn’t-we haven’t-you know, you’re kind of making an ass out of yourself.”

“Me? Me.” John shakes his head, a sardonic laughter escaping his body as he begins movement again, coming back to Alex’s piece of the counter only to hiss at him through gritted teeth and exhausted eyes. “That’s nice. Pretend I can’t hear what’s going on. Because everything is about her lately. Not anyone else. Just her.”

“Really, John? Did you ever think that there’s a reason for that? Did you ever stop and think that for once it might not be all about you, or me, but something deeper? But no, that’s fine. Assume that I’m only into Eliza for her body,”

“-How is that,”

“-It might not be what you said, John, but we both know it’s what you meant.”

Alex slides his cup from the counter in a huff, adjusting the strap of his bag on his shoulder before storming away. His emotions play through his movements; rapid pace, tightened fists. His coffee spills through the hole in its lid, movements too rapid to pay mind to the hot liquid whose droplets fling onto his exposed hand. He winces. It only adds to his aggravation.

John spends the rest of his shift in much of the same state, murmuring under his breath while trying desperately to maintain a positive tone with the customers that stagger through his line. He’s never been so off-put in the time he’s known Alexander. His eyes are half-opened, body struggling to stay awake. And in his mind the assumption Alex had made rings for the entire day, on repeat like the horrible scratching of a broken record.

Assume that I’m only into Eliza for her body.

And it’s this level of snark, of immediate defense, that stings John the most. Never had he assumed that Alex and Eliza’s relationship was sonly surface level. He’d known Alex for years-hell, he’d been his first friend in America. And in turn, Alex knew him. But apparently, the level of a bond they had grown throughout the years had been erased by a girl. John hated to think it-to spend time seething over somebody he knew to be so wonderful and kind and good for Alex. But the more time he spent on his shift the more tired he got-the more irritated. When he finally has the chance to hang his hat at the end of the day, after a marathon shift and unexpectedly covering someone who decided not to show up, he’s spent.

And then, he gets a phone call.

Alex is frantic, talking one-hundred miles a minute with the sounds of the city behind him. John feels his own heart begin to race-there are one thousand different levels to his best friend’s anxious moods and panicked states, and this one sounds chaotic. He’s sure Alex is fueled by something completely unexpected and terrified-until Alex explains his anxiety.

“I’m late-really late-I was supposed to walk Eliza home and her school gets out in ten and I’m on the other side of town,” Alex can practically feel John’s eyes rolling from the other side of the phone. But he can also hear a sigh; a click of a door and the jangling of keys. Hope.

“She needs an escort?”

“John. Trust me on this, please. This is serious.”

“I know, your relationship is very serious.”

“Come on, man. The situation is-please, just do it.”

“Oh, I didn’t say I wasn’t going to do it. She works at that one by the flower shop and the weird tarot place, right?” John steps out into the chilled air with a sigh, covering his face below the nose with his scarf. He bustles through traffic on heavy, tired feet as Alex resounds his thanks into his ear-over, and over again. Finally he hangs up, letting the friendly noise of the city drown everything else out. He’s trying hard not to be resentful. Or saddened.

He sees her before she sees him.

Eliza stands in front of the building that houses the school, eyes not once stopping as she scans the crowd before her. It’s late-all of the children have gone home. She’s alone. She hugs her knee-length peacoat closer to her body, one hand with a white-knuckled grip on her cell-phone. She looks down to check it. Her eyes move rapidy back to the crowd. She’s almost a different creature, sans confidence and smiles, and it takes a moment for John to even realize that it’s her he’s been looking at.

When she finally sees him her head tilts slightly in a subconscious show of confusion. John quickens his pace, waving a gloved hand before holding his arm so that she may link hers though it. She manages a smile, asking immediately about Alex with a worried expression.

“He’s running late, so I’m your escort today.” He expects her to grin-that same, lit-up expression that takes over her entire being-the entire area she occupies. Instead her brown locks shake from underneath her earmuffs. A hand reaches her face, holds itself there for a moment.

“I’m so sorry, I really don’t want you to have to go out of your way. This is stupid, really, it’s just me being stupid.”

“It’s nothing, really.”

“Well, I appreciate it. You’re a really good friend, John.” Her voice changes him. Her humble smile, sweet and thankful, turn the last bit of his resentment away from his body. They begin walking in comfortable silence, John looking over at Eliza every so often. Her eyes are still wandering, posture trained and slightly uncomfortable to look at. Her grip on his arm is tighter than he’d like-he doesn’t have the heart to tell her that.

There two levels to John in constant battle that fight in his mind as he walks with Eliza, the first being his upbringing. He had been raised in a Puerto Rican home with five siblings to help with, along with a mother who preached honesty and courtesy at every chance. He was certain she’d be at him in an instant if she could hear his mind, the series of questions rolling around it. Her voice calls for him to be tactful but there’s an inner desire, a pull to know as much as he can, that pushes against it.

“Were you and Alex having sex last night?” He can feel Eliza’s reaction before she can see it-her body jerks and she wheels around to face him, letting go of his arm. John can’t tell how she’s feeling- one hand running through her hair as she lets out a long stream of air from slightly parted lips.

“No, we were not.”

“So at one in the morning you were,”

“Watching Netflix because I couldn’t sleep, John. Just Netflix. Why are people so obsessed with other people’s sex lives? Can’t some things just stay private?”

“They can unless you’re on the other side of the wall thinking the worst before your 5 A.M shift. Which then turned into a double. With little to no sleep.”

“Oh my god,” Eliza shakes her head as the explanation reaches her ears. Her face flushes, heat crawling up her skin. It’s an immediate guilt that consumes her immensely, and she looks upon John with wide eyes and a shaking head. “I’m so sorry, I had no idea, I really-no, we’re not at that level yet but I swear to you when we get there there’s no way we’ll ever do that to you. That’s just-it’s-that’s wrong.”

John nods. Eliza’s honesty and flustered nature washes over him in a wave that finally settles the tension he’s been feeling. And in turn, it’s replaced with guilt. There’s a sudden memory of each hostile word he’d shot at Alex that morning over slamming coffee cups and accusations, when in reality he’d just been defending his girlfriend’s honor. And then there’s her clear refusal of the topic, the fact that his need to dig further into their personal lives may have actually hurt her feelings.

“I’m sorry I asked.”

“Don’t be, I understand. I’m sorry you couldn’t sleep. But there’s…there’s something I was going to ask you-all of you, when we’re at the apartment.”

“Okay…” She pulls his arm and they move to a bench, sitting side-by-side on cool metal as Eliza studies the scenery around them. Her foot taps against the pavement, breathing coming slow and calculated. When she finally speaks she is quiet-soft. Her hand brushes against her hair before settling in her lap, playing with her fingers. John is apprehensive, curious. He watches Eliza with great care.

“Alex and I talked, and I was going to ask you guys if maybe it would be okay if I stayed for a while. I know you all have your time and I know it must be really frustrating to have someone intruding on it, and I don’t need you to say yes if you’re not comfortable with it. If all of you aren’t comfortable with it. It’s just,”

“Are you alright? Is something going on?”

“There’s a lot going on right now. And I’d stay with Angelica but she has Church, and this-my situation-" A pause. “That day I had a meltdown in Starbucks, the things I told you-my relationship with James ended on more than just a bad note. And I can’t stay at my apartment because my roommate is never there, and I can’t stay at Angelica’s because he knows where it is, and there’s four guys in your apartment. Weighing the options,”

“We’re the safest.”

�� “Yeah. And right now, that’s kind of what I need.”

It takes him a moment; weighing the pros and cons in his mind. But in reality his decision has already been made for him. It’s been made in the way Alex loves her; in the way she has changed him for the better. His decision lies in the positivity that comes around whenever Eliza is within their presence. But the feeling that bubbles in his stomach-soothing and vivacious-is friendship. A deep-seeded, very real friendship. Eliza Schuyler is more than just a face on a magazine now. She’s more than Alex’s girlfriend. And now, John knows he’ll do anything to plead her case to the remaining two roommates so that she can stay.

And when he tells her this, fills her eyes with tears and heart with joy, she engulfs him in a tight hug. Eliza practically sings her thanks through her misty eyes. And then, there is peace. John and Eliza walk huddled together back to the apartment, stopping only so that he may offer to buy her an ice cream. For good luck, he smiles. And he hopes that luck-and the grin that takes her entire body-will be enough.

#hamliza #hamilton #mine: swts #we're getting to more #we're getting there #but i hate turn after turn cliffhanger angst dramas in fics #things need to be settled and developed too #give my story a chance #sobs

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