#ttfou

[dvddggs]

To the Four of Us (EPILOGUE)

Words: 2,569

Author’s note: It took me weeks (months?) to get this right. I got so attached to my TTFOU characters that I had to make sure they had the right sendoff. I ended up loving this story. I loved writing it, I loved reading your comments (don’t think for a second that I didn’t read EVERY SINGLE ONE of them. I did. And they ALL made me smile), and I love that you guys loved it so much. Seriously I can’t thank you all enough for letting me share this with you and for supporting me. I don’t wanna get long and sappy so I’ll leave it here. Also, I’m sorry for the wait, but I really hope you enjoy it now that it’s here!

Tags: @heythereitsloey @anitheunicorn @newyorkyoucanbeanew @lafbagxette @justafangirlwithanavy @iamgrayfox @ordinaryornate @schuylerjoon @georgewashingsin @trashyperson101 @crazydragon15 @but-if-you-had-to-choose @geespilots @marvelous-hamilfan @mynameisalexanderhammyham @panda-powers@lafeyettegunsandships @schokoobananaa @aphboi @hell-yes-puns-and-ships @aham-threw-his-shot-away @hesitantcat @nonstopspook@hamrevolution @alexander-did-you-know @spitaverse-burr@angelizaandpeggy @isis278 @idk-destiel @engulfedinstars@hamiltrashuniverse @ahrupe @just-me-an-asshole @readfizz@skeletonmelodies @gum-and-chips @iminwaytoomanyfandoms@hadleyelizabethuley @fictionalboyfriends @ridiculousn3ssfangirl@pleuxvoir @liallow @kanadianwithashippingproblem @bucket-of-kittens @welcometohamilton @forth-schuyler-sister @fanwaffles@ariadne1004 @inspacewmorty @marshmallow-satan @anbu1997@sinmineral @esmeraldablazingsky @fictonalboyfriends @i-am-forever–bored @imdiggingdaveed @skittle-geek

Now, without further adieu, the TTFOU epilogue!!

There's comfort in familiarity. That was why when they turned onto the familiar street with the familiar lampposts and the familiar trees John literally squealed with delight despite the snow which fell softly onto the windshield.

Alexander raised an eyebrow at his husband. Normally in the presence of snow, John would be at least a little grumpy.

"Whaddaya want, I'm excited! Can I live?"

Chuckling, Alexander turned his eyes back to the road and rubbed his eyes tiredly. He was excited too, though he had the ability to control it a bit better so as not to wake the sleeping figure in the backseat.

They were less than three minutes from his father, who he hadn't seen in months. Despite their best efforts to get back to his home state of Virginia, their lives were so hectic that they simply couldn't find the time. Not to mention the trek from South Carolina with a new baby had been rough at best.

"Y'know," Alexander said, catching John's eye in the rearview mirror. "You don't have to sit in the backseat with him every time we get in the car."

"He's more fun than you," John teased from beside the car seat. "All you do when you drive is stare at the road in silence."

"Only because I don't want him to wake up! You know how hard it is to get that boy to sleep!?"

John shrugged and looked down to his right. He had a valid point.

Alexander swung the new SUV gently into the driveway of the old house and parked behind the old car that his father refused to replace. Turning the car off, he turned in his seat to smile at his little family.

"Philip," John said softly, brushing the fluffs of hair on his son's tiny head. "Time to wake up, lil buddy. We're here."

"To meet your grandpa!" Alex chimed in.

He pocketed the key and opened the back door for John, who was unbuckling the car seat.

"I hate this thing," he murmured, giving up in favour of picking up Philip alone. "Why do they make them so difficult? We can come back for the carrier later. I can't do this anymore."

Laughing, Alexander offered a hand to John and hiked the diaper bag onto his shoulder.

"C'mon," he said. "My dad is probably quivering with excitement right now. After we fell asleep last night, I missed four calls from hi—"

He was cut off by the sound of the front door opening and his father jumping off the porch to greet them.

"ALEX!" George pulled his son into a tight hug, pulling the bag off his shoulder and plopping it on the ground in the process. "How was the drive? How are y'all? And how is my grandbaby!?"

"Tired." John pulled Philip away from his chest and smiled down at him. He knew this would probably be the last time he got to hold him for the entire summer because of his father-in-law.

Philip's sleepy gaze focused on John and he blinked as his little mouth opened in a yawn.

"Let's go inside," Alex prompted, picking up the bag again. "He's probably freezing."

George led the way into the house and sat down in the living room, arms outstretched. "Okay," he said. "Let me hold my boy!"

"I thought I was your boy," Alexander said as John laughed, gently handing Philip to George.

"Not anymore, kid," George deadpanned without taking his eyes off of Philip. He stared at him in stunned amazement, watching as Philip's wide, wondering eyes scanned his new surroundings.

Alexander was forced to play host and find drinks and snacks for everyone because George was too entranced with Philip to do anything else. They chatted easily about their new life with Philip for awhile until John curled up beside Alex in their usual spot in the couch and fell asleep.

"Is he okay?" George chuckled. "He's usually up later than both of us."

"We haven't gotten much sleep with the little man around." Alex held out a finger for Philip to grasp and wiggled it around in his hand. "Did you know babies suck at sleeping?"

George smiled. "No, I didn't actually. But I know you sucked at sleeping until you were nine. Why don't you guys go take a nap?"

"Are you sure? You'll be okay with Philip? I can set up his swing. If the worst comes to worst, just put him in there and he'll fall right asleep. There's an extra bottle in—"

"Alex. I'm fine! Philip and I have got this. Go. To. Sleep."

Alexander gently woke up John, who jumped up muttering incoherently about if Philip was alright and that, wow, it was already morning. Alex was willing to bet that John didn't even open his eyes as he led him upstairs to his old bed.

"Where's...Philip?" John muttered, his sentence interrupted with a yawn.

"Go to sleep, John."

Alexander pulled the blankets down and crawled after John into his bed where the two of them promptly fell asleep within seconds.

I look beside me and catch John's eye, crinkled and bright with happiness. We are alone in a room, waiting for the agent to return to her office. Today is the day. We are going home with our baby.

John is twisting the silver ring on his left hand anxiously. He is nervous that something is going to go wrong again.

I understand.

"It's going to be fine," I say, reassuring myself as much as John. She will be back at any moment. Any moment...

ALEXANDER HAMILTON

JOHN LAURENS-HAMILTON

Two signatures. A satisfied nod. Smiles. Laughter. Crying. We made it. He is ours...

The drive home. John insists on sitting in the back seat of the car with Philip, our son.

Our son.

John is still crying tears of joy. So am I. We talk to Philip on the drive, telling him about our home.

His home.

We are almost there. One more street, one more turn, one more minute...

"Where's Philip?"

John's question makes no sense. He's right beside him.

"Lex, where is Philip?"

I knit my eyebrows together in confusion and glance in the rearview mirror. The car seat is empty.

Suddenly, I'm frantic. Where did he go? Why is he gone?

"Alex, WHERE IS PHILIP?"

Alexander's eyes flung open as he wiped beads of sweat from his temple. John was hovering over him looking worried.

"Where's Philip?" John repeated, lips pressed softly to Alexander’s ear.

John’s arms were wrapped around his husband as he whispered through the darkness. Though Alexander’s heart was still pounding from his dream, he registered how at peace he was.

"Jesus fuck, John," Alexander breathed. "You damn near gave me a heart attack.

"Alexander!"

Alex rose an eyebrow questioningly.

"I told you to stop swearing with Philip around! He's slowly gonna catch on until the only words that come out of his mouth are—" John leaned in closer and dropped his voice to a whisper— "fuck, shit, and damn. Is that what you want? Huh?”

Alexander rolled his eyes, though he couldn't help but suppress a grin. "Jesus, Laurens, he’s four weeks old and an entire floor away. I think we're safe."

"Still..." John said dramatically. "Anyways, what time is it? I feel like we've been sleeping for—"

"Holy shit, three hours!" Alexander said, showing John his watch. "Three. Hours. Herc and Laf are probably here already."

“They’re gonna kill us." John bit back a yawn and pulled Alexander up. "Let's go."

Alex had been right—as soon as they left his room they could hear familiar, muffled voices from below them.

John's face lit up at the sound of his best friend. He pulled Alexander after him quickly enough that they almost fell down the stairs.

Hercules and Lafayette had just gotten back from spending a year with Laf's family in France so they hadn't all been together for ages, aside from the occasional video chat. John was at the point where he mentioned how much he missed Laf almost every day. They were planning on spending the rest of the summer at George's house, just like they all used to during university. There were a couple of small differences these days, however; namely Philip and Marie, Herc and Laf's five year old daughter.

The muffled speech stopped when they heard footsteps on the stairs, and when Alex and John got into the living room, all hell seemed to break loose. Lafayette's voice emerged victorious when he yelled, "JOHN!" in a bloodcurdling squeal and John sprinted across the room, falling into his arms a teary-eyed mess.

"Never leave me again, bitch" John muttered into Lafayette's chest. "I had no one to complain to about Lex for fourteen months, Laf. It was hell."

Alex smacked his husband on the shoulder before pulling his old roommate into a tight hug.

"How was France, Herc? We missed you guys so much.”

Hercules grinned, stepping back from Alex so they could watch Laf engage in tradition—planting a wet, sloppy kiss on John’s lips, much to his dismay. "I'm pretty sure Marie and Laf are conspiring against me because they only ever converse in French anymore. But aside from that, it was incredible. I wasn't sure Laf was going to let us leave, to be honest."

"Uncle John?" said a small, clear voice from below.

"Hey, Marie," John smiled, kneeling down and taking the little girl's hands. "How are you doing?"

“What does that word that you said mean?" she asked innocently.

“What word, my love?”

“Bitch.”

Alex snorted into his hand and doubled over laughing as John's face drained of colour and Lafayette stared at him furiously.

"John Laurens-Hamilton. We have been home for one day. One. Day. Thank you very much, my friend." Laf bent down to address his daughter. "That's an adult word, my Marie. It's unnecessary to say, so we don't say it. Uncle John said a bad word, understand?"

"Oui, Papa. Il est un mauvais oncle."

It was Lafayette's turn to stifle his laughter.

"Anyways," Alexander insisted, ignoring John's glare at Laf. "How was the drive? Sorry we slept through you guys getting here."

Hercules shrugged. "Our flight landed yesterday morning, so we spent the night at home then left earlier today. We would have been here sooner if this one hadn't bought Marie a large coke at the gas station. We were stopping for pee breaks every twenty minutes."

Laughing, Alexander returned to his spot on the couch and took Philip back from his father, who looked like he hadn't moved since they went to bed.

Marie wandered over and tapped Alexander on the knee.

"May I hold baby Philip?"

"Oui," Alexander grinned, patting the empty spot next to him. She scrambled up—with Herc's help—and outstretched her arms, looking comically similar to how George looked earlier. When Alexander positioned Philip on Marie's lap, her entire face lit up as he looked at her with wide eyes.

"He's beautiful, Alex," Laf said as he joined Marie on the couch, gently brushing a finger along Philip's nose.

"Can we keep him, daddy? I want a baby brother," Marie said to Hercules, whose eyes grew wide.

"I—uh—I think it's going to be a few years before we look at getting you a baby brother, okay, honey?"

Marie stuck out her bottom lip and nodded, leaning down to kiss Philip's forehead.

"I'm going to go play now. You can have your baby back, Uncle Lex."

"No, no, no," Laf said, wiggling a finger at his daughter. "It's my turn! This is the first time he’s been away from George since we got here.”

“Since we got here,” John corrected, taking a seat on the floor next to Marie.

Laf picked up Philip and cooed incoherently at the poor child, who Alex could tell just wanted to sleep. Today was Philip's first day around people other than he and John, and though Alexander hid it well, he was feeling anxious about everything.

"Hey, Laf?" Alexander said quietly.

Laf raised his eyebrows, barely looking away from Philip.

"When did you feel like you knew what the hell you were doing with Marie?"

Lafayette chuckled, turning his full attention to Alexander.

"Let me tell you a secret, my friend," he said. "You literally never will. We're still making things up as we go. Like, when we went to France, we had no idea if that would be best for her. I mean, it was—we ended up loving it—but still. You never, ever know. You just do what feels right until they grow up and start making their own screwed up decisions. Like, for example...going to college and getting in the middle of a revenge fuck-fest with your boyfriend-and-eventual-husband."

Alexander laughed at the jab. The best part about Hercules and Lafayette was that no matter how long they went without talking or seeing one another, when they reconnected it was as if no time passed at all.

“John,” George said, standing up. “Do you want to help me bring out snacks and drinks?”

John nodded and followed George into the kitchen. Leaning against the counter, he looked down at the familiar linoleum floor and smiled.

“Hey, George?”

Humming in response, George continued to dig through a cupboard in search of a bag of chips.

“Thank you. For everything.”

At this, George stopped and turned to look at his son-in-law.

“It’s no trouble, John, really. You know you guys are always welcome h—”

“No,” John interjected. “I mean, thank you for everything. I mean, the people in this house are the only family I have—especially you. I seriously doubt I would have made it through college without you, and I’ve never told you that. So just…thank you.”

You know those really good hugs? The ones that are warm and strong and make you feel like crying because you feel so loved and so safe? Those were the types of hugs George gave. He held on until John’s breath hitched in his throat and he had to cough to stop himself from tearing up.

John cleared his throat gruffly and opened a cupboard.

“What do you have to drink?”

“Here.” George handed John a bowl of chips. “Bring these out. I’ll grab drinks.”

John put the bowl on the coffee table and sat next to Alexander, who was squished between Laf and Herc, laughing about something on the couch. Philip was laying on his play mat and Marie had pulled out a box of weathered, old Lego from Alex’s childhood.

A few minutes later, George emerged with two mugs in his left hand and three in his right.

“I made hot chocolate,” he said. “Extra marshmallows for Marie.”

“Just what she needs,” Hercules groaned, though Laf was smiling.

As soon as George set the drinks down on the table, everyone reached for their respective mugs.

Alexander caught John’s eye and grinned in the direction of his father, who had sat down on the floor to pick up his grandson and make funny faces to dazzle him.

John leaned in close and pressed his lips to his husband’s ear. “I love you so much, Lex.”

Wordlessly, Alexander slipped his hand into John’s and laced their fingers together, squeezing his palm.

He didn’t have to say anything.

[jackisbadateverything]

When the people you admire tag you in things

@dvddggs

[bscotchcandles]

heCk here are some sketches preparing me to draw a scene from chapter fifteen of “To the Four of Us”, @dvddggs fanfiction. they aren’t that great, but hopefully i’ll get the final thing done soon.

[goingos-blog]

i was gonna make fan art & then i realized i can't draw guys??? so here's the fem!main cast for @dvddggs 's amaziNG fic

[jacinderblocks]

Drew a scene from @dvddggs wonderful TTFOU! It’s not the best but hey I tried. (Also color? What’s that?)

[canadianfruitpunch]

I legit almost threw up at dinner bc I'm so emotional over a hamilton fic @dvddggs this is your fault

[puns-and-fics-has-moved]

I love mtb so much! I was wondering if there are any other long Hamilton fics you could recommend?

uuuum yESS!

definitely check out CYMFH by @jamiiton (aka the fic that made me want to start writing again)

and also TTFOU by @dvddggs is an amazing read

[howardent]

how do u know whats up in ttfou

@dvddggs asked for my genius opinion a while ago :))))

[iamgrayfox]

((ignore the background))  this is supposed to be when john sees alex down the isle I ‘M crY IN TTFOU WAS reelaly gooD  @dvddggs

[cat-cooties]

So as you all know I’m super into @dvddggs lil series called TTFOU and buddy ol pal let me tell you these two right here kill me. And now knowing how different their styles are like I don’t know why but I find it so damn cute so I had to doodle something. So have two gay boys who I am to emotionally attached to!! (ALSO GO CHECK OUT THE SERIES YOU W I L L N O T BE DISSAPPOINTED!!!!)

[imdiggingdaveed-blog]

Im rereading TTFOU and it's so amazing. I'm such a proud father @dvddggs

[dvddggs]

happy update!!!

GUYS IM MAKING HELLA PROGRESS ON THE TTFOU EPILOGUE IT MIGHT BE UP TONIGHT!!!!!!!!! IM SO EXCITED!!!

[darlyce]

@dvddggs Finished it! I love Ttfou and decided to draw them to celebrate. Sorry if quality is bad and coloring probably ruined it but I had fun! From left to right, Alex, Lafayette, John "don't put the couples together or it'll look like a double date" Laurens, and Herc! @its-the-hamfam you might like this too?

~ Dean <3

[canadianfruitpunch]

yall @dvddggs is killing me and my ships but i love it so much

[cat-cooties]

So this was originally just going to be doodles of my and my partner but then i read @dvddggs new chapter to TTFOU and drew daddy George coming in to excited and some lams. Boi let me tell yea i really love this fic seriously GO READ IT !! (I swear i will actually draw something besides doodles and actually draw legit fanart because this fic is super good like wtf)

[dvddggs]

To the Four of Us (Part Twenty Nine)

premise: modern AU chronicling the squad as they make their way through college and deal with general life things. words: 2,213 warnings: nothing besides some swears all chapters: x tags: @heythereitsloey @anitheunicorn @newyorkyoucanbeanew @lafbagxette @justafangirlwithanavy @iamgrayfox @ordinaryornate @schuylerjoon @georgewashingsin @trashyperson101 @crazydragon15 @but-if-you-had-to-choose @geespilots @marvelous-hamilfan @mynameisalexanderhammyham @panda-powers @lafeyettegunsandships @schokoobananaa @aphboi @hell-yes-puns-and-ships @aham-threw-his-shot-away @hesitantcat @nonstopspook @hamrevolution @alexander-did-you-know @spitaverse-burr @angelizaandpeggy @isis278 @idk-destiel @engulfedinstars @hamiltrashuniverse @ahrupe @just-me-an-asshole @readfizz @skeletonmelodies @gum-and-chips @iminwaytoomanyfandoms @hadleyelizabethuley @fictionalboyfriends @ridiculousn3ssfangirl @pleuxvoir @liallow @kanadianwithashippingproblem @bucket-of-kittens @welcometohamilton @forth-schuyler-sister @fanwaffles @ariadne1004 @inspacewmorty @marshmallow-satan @anbu1997 @sinmineral @esmeraldablazingsky @fictonalboyfriends @i-am-forever--bored @imdiggingdaveed a/n: chapter 30 is the epilogue, so this is the last actual chapter of ttfou and i teared up when i wrote the last line dedication: every single person who’s ever liked, reblogged, or sent me a message about TTFOU. I am so lucky and so touched that so many people have enjoyed my story. It’s truly been a pleasure writing this and I can’t wait for you all to see what the boys get up to in the future (so stay tuned for the epilogue)!!! but for now, I hope you enjoy the end of TTFOU. Please let me know what you think. Again, thank you all so, so much. <3

The weather was unseasonably warm for early March.

The intoxicating smell of spring was in the air and everyone on campus was in a weirdly good mood despite being in the midst of midterm season.

Ignoring Alexander’s warning that it was going to get cold again, John had dug down to the bottom of his drawer for the three pairs of shorts he'd packed from home, and was now rotating through them day by day. Every morning on their walk to breakfast, his entire body would be shivering so hard that his teeth would chatter, but he still refused to admit that he was cold. By midday, however, the sun beaming down and warming the air was enough to convince Alexander, Lafayette, and Hercules that John may have been onto something.

“Just admit it,” John said. The four of them were walking aimlessly around campus one Saturday to avoid studying. “You wish you were wearing shorts.”

The other three rolled their eyes, though they were all smiling.

“John.” Lafayette tugged his roommate’s ponytail, making him stop in his tracks and turn around. “You will never, ever catch me wearing shorts. Nothing about these legs looks good in shorts.”

John snickered as Hercules took Lafayette’s hand in his and muttered, “I bet this ass looks nice in shorts, though.”

“OH MY GOD, YOU’RE BOTH DISGUSTING, SHUT THE FUCK UP!”

John and Alexander’s simultaneous screech made their friends crack up. No matter how long Herc and Laf were together, they were pretty sure that John and Alex would never get used to it.

“I literally want to throw up,” Alexander muttered bitterly, taking John’s hand and speeding ahead of the group.

Lafayette rolled his eyes, reaching upward to peck Hercules on the lips.

“Our friends are five years old,” Hercules remarked as he threw an arm around Laf’s shoulders happily.

John and Laf’s room was almost always unoccupied these days. Ever since John last saw his mom, he’d been quite opposed to going out and partying so the guys had made it a nightly tradition to gather on Alexander’s bed and watch movies, do homework, or hang out. Almost every night, the four of them passed out there—a messy pile of limbs—even though the bed was hardly big enough for Alexander alone. By the middle of the night, Herc would usually have been pushed onto the floor, after which he’d adjust his friends’ blankets, pick up Laf, who would yawn and sleepily kiss his neck, and they would return to his own bed for the rest of the night.

John still had nightmares every once in awhile. It was always the same one—the car crash. Despite his efforts to not wake Alexander with his heavy breathing, he always jumped up and pulled John into a tight hug, stroking his hair until he felt his heart rate return to normal.

They had decided, based on Laf’s advice, that they needed to communicate better which was why, one afternoon, John entered Alexander’s room to find him searching through his suitcase.

“I can’t find it,” he murmured frantically. “Where is it? Where the fuck is it? Oh god—”

“Are you okay, Lex?” John tapped him on the shoulder. “What are you looking for?”

Alexander didn’t avert his attention from the depths of his suitcase. He shook his head vaguely and continued to mutter. John stepped back in surprise as Alex began rifling through the pockets of his pants then tossing them over his shoulder.

“FUCK!”

“Alexander! What—are—you—looking—for?!” John tapped him gently on the head between each word.

“Trying to…communicate—with you—fuck—John where’s my phone? I need—call my dad…John!”

Before Alexander had finished his broken phrase, John had already pulled out his phone and was dialling Alexander’s father’s number, which he’d saved during the winter break.

“John? Is everything okay? Did Alex break his jaw again?”

Despite being worried about Alexander’s odd behaviour, John couldn’t help but laugh.

“No, sir. I just have a question for you.” He looked down at Alexander, who was now crawling across the floor to double-check his pockets. “Is there something Lex could be looking for? Like, something small that could fit in his pocket? I think your son is broken.”

Realizing who John was talking to, Alexander stood up, snatched the phone, and began speaking rapidly.

“Dad—have you seen my note? I wanted to show John but now I can’t find it and I’m scared it fell out of my pocket or got lost during the flight or something, I need it, is it at home? Can you look for it? Seriously, Dad, I need it.”

His voice broke before his father’s booming voice cut through the phone speaker. John furrowed his brow in confusion—he had no idea what was going on.

“Alexander,” George said firmly. “Breathe. I noticed that you forgot it when you were packing, so I packed it for you. It’s folded in the first page of your passport.”

John could see the relief flooding Alexander’s face as he unlocked the safe under his desk and pulled out a small piece of paper.

“Thank you,” Alexander whispered. “I love you, Dad.”

“I love ya too, kiddo. Talk to you later.”

Alexander hung up the phone and handed it back to John with an apologetic smile.

“What the hell was that all about? All for that—what is it?—a napkin?”

Wordlessly, Alexander extended his hand and gave the note to John. He turned it over gently in his fingers, meeting Alexander’s gaze. He could tell that it was old—the paper was soft and worn down with ripped edges, and it was somewhat discoloured.

Carefully, as if he was afraid of ripping it, John unfolded the note and saw five simple words scribbled in red crayon.

I love you, Lexie. - Mom

The penmanship was shaky and over time the crayon wax had faded so that it was barely legible. The napkin had been folded and unfolded so many times over the years that it had begun tearing at the folds.

“From your mom,” John whispered.

Alexander nodded, smiling sadly.

“It’s all I’ve got left of her.” He took the note from John’s hands and gazed at it lovingly. “Thought it was gone. I’m trying to take Laf’s advice. Y’know, communication and all that jazz.”

Alexander’s behaviour suddenly made sense to John and he felt bad for thinking he was acting erratically.

“She would have liked you,” Alexander continued, folding the note back up and tucking it in the pocket of his jeans. “She would have approved.”

John chuckled, wrapping an arm tightly around Alexander’s shoulders. “I love you.”

“I love you too,” Alexander murmured.

The rest of the year seemed to fly by. Before any of the guys could believe it, it was exam season, which no one besides Alexander was particularly concerned with.

Despite John’s countless requests-turned-begging for Alexander to take a break, Alex refused to let up until his exams finished. John, on the other hand, was thinking only of where he could go during the summer.

Now that the end of the semester was looming closer and closer every day, the realization that he was essentially homeless began to dawn on him. Sure, he had his father’s house, but it was the last place that he wanted to be by himself. The dented walls and fridge filled with beer was going to be a dim reminder of the year he’d had.

Once Alexander’s exams finished, his focus shifted back to his friends, but he couldn’t figure out why John had been distant. A week earlier he hadn’t cared about anything but spending time with Alex. Now that he was free, however, John had all but fallen off the face of the earth. They still texted regularly, but the only time they hung out was during meals and in the evening with Hercules and Lafayette.

“You, my friend, are still shit at communicating,” Laf deadpanned one day after one of Alexander’s venting sessions. “Despite what I fear are your best efforts.”

John had been locked in his room studying all day, something he usually preferred to do in a group. (It was easier to procrastinate that way).

“What do you mean?”

“Dude.” Hercules smacked Alexander on the arm. “Don’t be stupid. He’s waiting for you to invite him to stay with you for the summer. Well, I dunno if he’s waiting for that specifically, but he needs to hear something. He obviously has no idea where he’s gonna go, and he only has a week to figure it out. That’s probably what he’s been doing all week.”

“Oui. Last night I heard him talking to his brother on the phone. He was asking if he could stay with him for awhile.”

Alexander’s mouth fell open. “That’s what he’s worried about?”

Lafayette nodded smugly, not bothering to hide his dramatic eye-roll.

“He has nowhere to go, Alex,” he said as Alexander pulled out his phone.

Alex: John.

Alex: John.

Alex: JOHN!!!

John: john can’t talk right now. he’s studying. leave a message.

Alex: Ugh you’re so annoying. can i come down to your room? Study break.

John: fine. five minutes, but you owe me.

John: if you know what i mean

Alex: you horny bastard.

Alexander shoved his phone in his pocket and slipped his shoes on. He took the stairs down to John’s floor two at a time, jumping at the prospect of having something to do. His father wasn’t picking him up until the end of the week and without schoolwork to keep him busy, Alexander was mind-numbingly bored all the time.

“John!!” Alexander burst into his boyfriend’s room grinning ear to ear. He threw his hands in the air in greeting.

John couldn’t help but smile at the grand entrance. He shut the textbook that was on his desk and spun around in his chair to face Alexander.

“What’s up?”

“Why didn’t you tell me what was wrong?!” John raised an eyebrow in confusion. “About this summer!”

“Lex, I have no idea what you’re—”

“Of course you’re coming to stay with me! I thought it was a given—that’s why I didn't say anything!”

The confusion on John’s face turned to relief mingled with elation at the thought of spending every night in that comfortable bed with Alexander. His grin mirrored his boyfriend’s as he jumped out of his chair excitedly.

“Really?!” he asked.

“My dearest Laurens,” Alexander replied, closing his eyes dramatically. “You are mine for the next four months. And there is nothing—I repeat, nothing—you can do about it.”

It was settled. At the end of the week, Alexander, John, Hercules, and Lafayette were sitting on the curb, watching as George pulled up in the old car. He rolled down the window and waved at them all.

“Well—” Alexander began. He and John turned to face their two best friends in the entire world, who were smiling down at them.

“Y’all’re still coming down in August, right?” John smacked himself in the forehead at the subconscious use of his southern slang. “Fuck. It’s already starting. Fuck. Just seeing your dad makes my accent come out. By the end of summer I’m going to be a cowboy. Fuck.”

Everyone laughed as John huffed and lifted his suitcase to shove in the trunk.

“When Laf comes back to New York we’re going to drive down,” Hercules reassured Alex. “I’m gonna miss you, Lex.”

Alexander smiled, thinking about the loud, rowdy roommate named after the demigod who he met at the beginning of the year.

“It’s gonna be weird not waking you up at eight AM on Monday mornings,” Alexander grinned.

Nodding in agreement, Hercules pulled him into a tight hug.

“Oh my god,” Laf screeched. “Stop it! You’re going to make me cry. I love you, Alex. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to go keep with tradition and smooch my John goodbye.”

Alex and Herc watched as Lafayette grabbed John by the shoulders and spun him around, smashing their lips together. John’s eyes flung wide open in surprise, and they watched his brow furrow in horror as he realized what was going on.

From where they stood, John spluttered silently as Laf smiled contently and hugged his roommate tightly. Finally, John chuckled and wrapped his arms around Laf in return.

“They’re so ridiculous,” Herc murmured, Alexander nodding in agreement.

“You guys ready to go?” George asked, stepping out of the car to hug Alexander hello.

Alexander and John nodded, waving goodbye to their friends one more time and climbing into the car.

“Have a safe flight home, Laf!” John called out the window.

“Goodbye, my loves! Until we meet again!” they heard Laf yell back.

Leaning back against the seat, John sighed and rolled his window up. He closed his eyes and let the sound of Alexander and his father quietly discussing exams lull him into a dreamless and peaceful sleep.

He’d made it.

Somehow, he’d made it through both the best and worst year of his life.

He could see the light at the end of the tunnel, and that light was the fluffy pillows on Alexander’s bed.

He was going home.