Trash FanFic/PodFic Account

Connor had returned to the servants quarters after that and polished more cutlery than he’d ever seen in his entire life.

He knew the royal family were throwing quite the banquet tonight. A lot of people would be attending- the kingdoms most rich and even dignitaries from far off lands! They must have something big to celebrate (Connor had not been told what yet).

The food that he'd seen being prepared looked simply magical. Large roast Turkey's, perfectly glazed vegetables, cakes stacked so high they may fall over at any moment and hunks of Salmon that probably weighed more than Connor!

He was really looking forward to getting some of the leftovers later- if there were any.

While he'd been polishing the cutlery earlier the prince's trusted dog (called Sumo) had kept Connor company. Sumo didn't do much more than sleep, but his presence alone was soothing to Connor.

He liked dogs.

Connor looked out the window, the sun was starting to go down which meant the prince was back later than usual today.

This was bad to two reasons:

1. Connor would have less time to dress Hank for his evening meal. 2. Hank would probably be in a foul mood.

He was only really late when his bad-tempered side showed its ugly head. Connor sighed, but couldn't keep the fondness out of it. Most people found Hanks bad temper to be his worst character trait, but somehow Connor still found it a little bit endearing (just like how he found everything about Hank a little bit endearing).

He startled when he heard loud crashes coming down from the end of the corridor. He looked and saw exactly who he'd been expecting. Hank was storming down towards his room- ripping off his tie and throwing his blazer off leaving them in the corridor for someone else to pick up. Connor frowned at the young princes bad manners then stiffened and folded his arms behind his back preparing for prince Anderson’s onslaught of ranting.

Connor had a feeling that dressing him for the evening meal was going to be even more difficult than usual.

Hank reached Connor and gestured at the door angrily for Connor to open it. He did so, and allowed the prince to go in first. Connor waited a few moments for the prince to calm down slightly before entering himself and shutting the door behind him.

“So-” Connor began, calm smiled placed on his lips “How was your evening class? What was it today?”

Hank only grunted in reply. Like he hadn't actually heard what Connor had said. He was too busy angrily undoing his shirt and belt, which he again threw to the ground in a huff, he kicked over the chair sat by his desk also.

Connor kept his peaceful expression “Prince Anderson, we must talk about your poor manors if you are to continue like this. You know your parents are throwing a banquet tonight, they wont take kindly to this attitude.” He advised softly as he went to the wardrobe to fetch one of Hanks more flashy suits.

Hank glared at him before and flopping down on the bed with heavy sigh “You’re so lucky you can get away with taking to me like that, only teachers are supposed to lecture me, not my servant.”

Connor noted how tired the other boy sounded “Yes well, your lucky I’m going to pick up your mess when you shouldn't have created it in the first place.”

Hank sat up and looked at the mess he’d made, his face scrunched up in annoyance at his servant.

Connor put the suit down next to Hank on the large bed and smoothed it out with his hand, talking in the soft silk on the lapel of the jacket for a moment before going over to the knocked over chair. “Normally I wouldn’t mind as much, but I spent most of today cleaning this room. It is sad to see my hard work go unnoticed.” He stated passive aggressively, knowing it would get a Hank to apologize.

The other boy sat up from the bed and picked up the discarded clothes, hanging them over the back of the chair that Connor had stood up. They lingered there. Connor had his head tilted to the side slightly, waiting for Hank to say something.

Hank ran a hand through his hair “The room looks great Connor. Sorry, I’m just… I got some news and I don’t know how I feel abut it.” He returned back to the bed, sitting down. He looked far to weary for someone who’d had not long turned fourteen years of age.

Connor softened visibly, he hated seeing Hank in distress. “Can you tell me the news? You know I wont tell a soul.”

Hank laughed bitterly, “Doesn’t matter if you do tell anyone. The whole kingdom is going to know tonight.”

‘The party must be to announce this then.’ Connor thought to himself, eyes glued to Hank in anticipation of what the big news is, and how he can make the young prince feel better about it.

Hank leaned forward and rested his head between his hands, looking at the floor “My parents took me aside after a shitty ballroom dance lesson- so I was already in a bad mood because I hate dancing!” He exclaimed in exasperation, before falling back in to his melancholic state “They told me that they’ve selected my future bride. When I turn 18, I’m gonna be crowed King and then Married in the course of a day. It’s- it’s a lot to take in.”

Connor stood in front of Hank a while longer, letting the information he’d just received process. He was feeling a lot of mixed emotions right now, the main one being jealousy- he couldn’t work out why? It’s not like he and Hank could ever- no. That was a stupid idea. He should be scolded for even considering it.

He sat next to Hank on the bed and let the air breath around them a while longer “You must see the positives in this. Now you no longer have to worry about correctly courting a pretty maiden. The poor girl will be stuck with you.” he joked coldly.

Hank slapped his leg playfully “Yeah well, she’ll be stuck with you too. So I guess I feel sorry for her.”

Connor smiled at the rise he’d gotten out of the other boy “Well without me taming you I doubt she’d be able to tolerate you very long.”

Hank sat up, a smile was begging to tug at the corners of his lips “I hear girls prefer untamed beasts, so I guess your fired.”

“Freedom at last.” Connor rolled his eyes slyly.

They both shared a laugh. There was still clearly an elephant in the room, but the atmosphere was starting to lighten.

“Can I ask you a personal question?” Connor started.

“Go on then…”

“Why do you see this arranged marriage as such a bad thing. Unfortunately most all royal engagements these days are arranged. You must have known this was coming.”

Hank waked his hand dismissively “Of course I knew it was coming, I’m not that stupid… I just didn’t know I’d be told so soon and I didn’t-” he froze, then swallowed nervously “-forget it.” he picked up the suit next to him and started examining the interact pattern embroidered on the sleeve.

“Forget what?” Connor pressed “You can tell me anything, Hank.” He used the princes first name in a hope that he the other boy would remember their trusting relationship.

Hank run his thumb slowly over the raised stitches of the embroidery as he spoke, in need of a distraction so he could keep his mind off of what he was actually about to say. “I’m upset they have chosen a princess for me… and- and not a prince.” He struggled to get the words out, his true desires would be deeply frowned upon by all though out the land, he may even be banished for treason knowing how over the top his parents can be some times.

“That is a shame.” Connor frowned. He couldn’t say much more, the new information he’d recovered making his mind spin- he felt… Happiness? “It’s unfortunate that the kingdom would not like your true wants. I wish there was something we could do, but alas, I fear Detroit is not the most accepting of places.”

Hank put the suit back down and turned himself slightly to face Connor “I’ll just have to go along with it. For the good of the kingdom.” he was still desperately frustrated by the whole situation, but he didn’t feel as weighed down like he had before.

“I’m afraid so, Sire.” he reached over and placed his hand tenderly on Hanks “But know that I shall never leave your side. Not matter your decisions. You will always have someone to rely on- and that's not the contract I signed swearing on dedicating my life to you talking- that's me.” he grinned reassuringly “…At least I think it is.” Connor chuckled.

Hank placed his hand atop Connors and squeezed it lightly “Thank you.”

Connor almost got lost in the moment when he caught sight of the suit next to Hank and jumped “We’ll be late for the Banquet if you’re not dressed soon!”

The pair had been playing one day when they got slightly carried away and found themselves at the entrance to the vast forest surrounding the Castle. The forest was forbidden to enter, as those who go in rarely come out again.

Hank nudged Connors side "Let's go."

Connor hesitated, he had been lectured several times about the dangers of the forest by Amanda. "I think we should turn around. There are trees we can play on in the Palace Gardens, Sire." He reasoned.

"That’s true. But we play there all the time. I'm bored of it, let's go exploring here." Hank started off in to the dark shade of the trees. "-and call me Hank when we aren't around my parents!" He called over his shoulder.

Connor spared a long glance back towards the Castle. He had a sinking feeling in his stomach, the kind he gets when Amanda is displeased with him. He could almost feel her cold stare on his back as he jogged off after Hank.

Besides he couldn't let Hank go alone, he had a job to do after all. So long as she didn't find out it would be okay.

--

They climbed tress.

Jumped over small rivers.

Held races in the forests open spaces (Connor won every single time!)

Had fights with the fallen crisp colourful Autumn leaves.

Both Hank and Connor had laughed like they never had before. Being so far out of sight from the Castle made them relax and really enjoy themselves. On several occasions Hank had been the one to tell Connor to stop as what he was about to do was too dangerous (And that was saying something coming from Hank).

Hank liked this Connor.

He liked Connor anyway- but when the other boy was worrying himself with correct protocols and being way too over protective about Hanks general well-being he was no where near as fun.

They'd been enjoying themselves so such they hadn't noticed the sun go down and the moon begin to show itself. Also how much the temperature had dropped.

Hank wrapped his arms tightly around himself “It's getting cold."

Connor nodded. The cold didn’t really bother him, he couldn’t really feel it. What bothered him was the overwhelming realization that he couldn't remember what way they had come from. Every where looked the same. Guilt began to wash over him along with the fear of being lost as he looked at the young prince next to him. “Yes it is. Perhaps if we try and re-trace our steps?” Connor offered.

“Unless you’ve been leaving a trail of bread like Hansel and Gretel I don’t think we will be able to.” Hank squinted in to the distance, trying to see if anything looked familiar.

“The trail of bread Gretel left got eaten by crows anyway, If I had left a trail we would still be lost.” Connor replied dryly.

Lost.

Actually saying that they were lost made the situation far more scary than it was before. Suddenly the sound of the wind in the trees was haunting, the rustle of wildlife in the distance intimidating and the moonlight cold and unwelcome compared to the warm rays of the sun that had been there earlier.

“Well then, why don’t we pick a direction and just go that way till we find an exit?” Hank paced slowly as he spoke.

“What if the direction we pick is the wrong way? We would just be further away from the Castle than before.”

“You got any better ideas?” Hank snapped, he was known in the kingdom for having a short fuse (even at eight years old).

Connor looked at his feet as he thought of all possible options. There weren't many.

He could climb to the top of one of the trees and see if he could see the Castle, then they would know what direction to go in. But he would never make it to the top of the tree, and a fall from that height would certainly kill him- then who would be Hanks servant?

Any ideas that Connor had all had a very big chance of ending poorly apart from one.

Connor walked over to one of the trees that was more substantial than the others “I believe it would be for the best if we sat by this tree and awaited day light before we make any decisions. It will be easier to find our way in the morning.”

“We cant just sit around and do nothing!” Hank protested “If we stay here we’ll get eaten by one of those monsters out there.” he gestured to the unforgiving darkness that surrounded them.

“There is a slim chance of that yes.” Connor said thoughtfully as he sat down by the tree “But my other reason for staying here makes sense too. Or did you forget who you are? Your highness?” he emphasized the ‘highness hoping that Hank would understand what he was going for “I’m sure the royal guards will be on the search for you as we speak.”

Hank laughed quietly and went over to Connor siting next to him “You're right. Lets hope they find us quick, I’m hungry.” he yawned.

“It would be nice to be back yes.” Connor nodded.

The pair sat in a tense silence for a while, an unspoken question lingering in the air between them.

It was Hank who finally said it.

“We are going to be in so much trouble aren't we?”

“Most certainly.” Connor had a smile on his face as if he were joking. But even in the dim light Hank could tell he was forcing it. He could see the tension in the other boys shoulders and the way his hands trembled ever so slightly.

Now it was Hanks turn to feel guilty. He knew that when they got back to the Castle he wouldn't get much more than a slapped wrist and maybe have to go to bed without dinner. But Connor on the other hand would probably be in for quite an ordeal. Hank knew that Amanda wasn’t the nicest lady, he had no idea why his mother liked her so much.

Hank sighed and rested his head on Connor shoulder “I’m sorry I dragged you out here. Its my fault Amanda is gonna yell at you later.”

Connor hesitated, then rested his head on Hanks, closing his eyes peacefully “It’s okay. For all the fun we’ve had today I’ll take whatever punishment Amanda has in mind for me deviating from my duties.”

Hank hummed in agreement, today had been one of the best days they’d had in a long time. Their days where they’re could just play were becoming so few now that they really had to make the most of the little time they had.

Eventually they drifted off in to a peaceful sleep.

Only to be woken up about an hour later by the sounds of frantic rustling and distant shouts of “Prince Anderson!”

“Looks like they found us.” Connor jostled Hank off his shoulder as he stood up, fixing his clothes so he looked as neat as possible.

Hank followed suit. As they walked towards there shouting Hank sung his arm around Connor “You have one comfortable shoulder, they could have held off fining us for a little while longer, I was having a pretty good dream!”

He understood that James was busy with his family and the time difference didn’t help but he missed him so much and the few Snapchats or Facebook messages he got each day only made him want more of his Jemmy.

It was Thursday, James was due to come home around lunch time on Saturday. Not much longer to go now, but it felt like an eternity.

Thomas had got no work done today at all. He’d sorted through some post, ended up reading some junk mail out of sheer boredom. He started at the words on his computer screen blankly, willing he information to go in his head but it just want happening.

He pushed his chair back from his desk and swung it gently from side to side as he frowned up at the ceiling. His office felt too stuffy and cramped today,and the picture of him and James on his desk was only making him feel worse- he needed to get out.

He got an hour for lunch. So he figured he might as well use it and take a walk to clear his head. He looked at his phone as was pleased to see a short and sweet text from James.

From: Jemmy-bean<3 Received: 11:45 Text: Going out for dinner with mom and dad now, don’t forget to have your lunch. Love you. Xx

To: Jemmy-bean<3 Sent: 11:46 Text: Just leaving now! Have fun, don’t drink too much wine ;) love you too!! xxxxxxx

James texted back a wine glass, blushing face and a heart Emoji.

Thomas felt his heart swell as his lips curled up in a warm smile as he texted back two kissing faces and sparkly hearts.

The loving feeling that had washed over him left almost as quick as it came. He locked his phone with a sigh and put it in his jacket pocket. He powered his computer down and left his office locking the door behind him (in-case Hamilton felt like pranking him today- he was not in the mood).

---

The weather had been so perfect recently, brilliant sunshine and a calming cool breeze. But Thomas hadn't felt the want to enjoy the season with out his other half.

He desperately wanted to stop feeling sorry for himself. He thought that maybe some caffeine would give him the little kick he needs.

He continued walking down the street and stopped outside a little cafe that looked pretty empty, this should do pretty nicely. He thought he’d buy the strongest most extravagant coffee he possibly could order- he needed to treat himself.

The tall lady wearing a pink apron behind the counter smiled at him “Hello, what can I get for you?”

Jefferson looked quickly at the menu behind her “Can I get a cheese and tomato panini and a latte- but can you put three espresso shots in the latte please? Oh, and some chocolate sprinkles on top if you can?” he flashed his usual charming smile.

“Sure thing.” She shrugged rung through the order “Take a seat, I’ll bring it over.”

“Thank you.” he nodded and then looked for a table. The cafe was basically empty, apart from a group of four sat at the back. The group looked oddly familiar but he couldn’t place it, then it stuck him as one member of the group stood up and called out to him. He’d recognize that voice anywhere.

He just could not escape Alexander goddamn Hamilton.

“I leave the office for once and you still find a way to annoy me” Jefferson replied as he took a seat at the furthest possible table away from them

He could see out of the corner of his eye Alexander try to go over to him only to be pulled back in to his seat by two of his other friends (he’d met them before, Hercules and John he thinks their names are?). Jefferson was left to himself for a little while, his latte and pennini had been brought over a while back. He aimlessly scrolled through social media, he’d watched James Instagram story about fifty times it felt like.

“You seem so very lonely mon ami.”

Thomas looked up in surprise, “Lafayette? What are you doing here?” Thomas was glad to see a friendly face- his cousin.

“As much as you dislike him, the petit lion over there is a good friend of mine.” He chuckled, pulling a seat up to sit with Thomas “I work at the same university as your James, it’s not far away- I thought you knew this?”

The fact had completely slipped Thomas’s mind “Of course!” he sipped at his latte, the heat from his drink feeling very comforting “how are you holding up these days?”

“Very well merci- but I feel we should be talking about yourself Thomas. James is away I take it? I’ve missed seeing him each morning on reception.”

“Yeah, he’s away visiting his parents in England.” Thomas looked down at his drink sadly “I- uh, I miss him a lot too.” he muttered.

Lafayette cocked his head to the side as he looked at his cousin with concern “You are lonely.” He reached out and places a tender hand on Thomas’s knee giving it a reassuring squeeze “Sitting around by yourself will not fix this. Come.” He gestured to his table of friends at the back “Being around some friendly faces will make you feel better.”

Thomas shook his head and put a hand up in polite denial “Thanks but-”

“No buts!” Lafayette winked as he stood up “If you still feel down after ten minutes with us, then you may return to your lonely table.”

Thomas rolled his eyes and gave in- perhaps he could make a few jokes at Alexanders expense, that would make him happier. “Okay, but let me grab another drink first.”

“I’ll save you a spot.” Lafayette grinned.

Thomas went back up to the counter, where the original waitress stood now with a much younger and smaller waitress who wore a yellow apron (they looked very similar). The taller lady smiled “Back for more already? Are you gonna become a part of their little group?”

“We’ll see2 Thomas shrugged “I’m giving them a ten minute trial run.”

The smaller waitress piped up “Your gonna love em’! they are sooo funny.”

“Little Peggy here spends more time talking to them than working sometimes.” the taller girl (Jefferson caught her name tag to read ‘Angelica’) nudged Peggy lightly on the shoulder. “Do you want the same drink again or do you not want do die of a caffeine overdose?”

“I’ll just get a smoothie this time if that's alright?”

“Sure thing!” Peggy chimed as she quickly set to work “I’ll bring it over to you guys!”

Thomas turned and began his walk toward the group at the back of the room, he felt a little bit nervous for some reason, he hadn't had proper social interaction for about a week.

Lafayette waved him over and down in to his seat a bit too enthusiastically, Thomas smiled politely.

---

Somehow, Thomas didn't find Alexander as infuriating as usual.

---

Somehow, he ran over his lunch break because he’d been having such a good time chatting.

---

Somehow, Thomas went home that day feeling re-energized.

---

From: Jemmy-bean<3 Received: 18:00 Text: Dinner was really nice, you would have loved it- I will have to take you there some day. I’m just going to bed now (it's 11pm here!) Did you have a good day? Not long now till I’m heading home to you. Miss you and love you. Xx

To: Jemmy-bean<3 Sent: 18:05 Text: I’ll look forward to it ;) I hung out with Hamilton and his squad would you believe- and I had fun! I must be going crazy Jemmy… Can't wait to see you again. Its 6 here, I’m gonna order a pizza and watch a trashy rom-com. Sweet dreams, I love you so much xxxxxxxx

---

“You know, I feel like you do nothing these days but obsess over Hamilton!” James had snapped “Every day all I hear is ‘Oh you'll ever guess what Hamilton did today!’ or ‘I pulled the most amazing prank on Hamilton earlier.’ and I always listen because it makes you happy.” He heaved a sigh “I know you're self centered- but hearing you talk about someone else as much as you talk about yourself. Its draining.” James said bitterly, not making eye contact with the other man who stood across from him.

Thomas raised his eyebrow, and said possibly the worst thing he could have- but unfortunately he never thought before he spoke “Well my life has to be interesting enough for both of us- considering how dull each day is at your little reception job.”

James looked up at Jefferson at that, his face a painful combination of hurt and disappointment before he stood up slightly taller and deadpanned a simple “Fuck you.” at Jefferson before he took his bag and left their apartment, slamming the door behind him.

The silence that Thomas was left in was absolutely suffocating.

But as confident as ever he sat down on their sofa and tried not to think about the colossal disaster he’d just caused.

Besides, James would be back later that evening.

--

James wasn’t anywhere to be found in their apartment the next morning.

--

James didn’t come home that next night.

--

The sun rose on the second day after Jefferson's big fuck up, and Thomas knew he couldn’t take this anymore.

James had replied to none of the one-hundred and seventy six text messages Jefferson had sent.

He hadn't picked up any of the two hundred and eighteen calls Jefferson had tried.

Anyone who could know where James might be wouldn't talk to Jefferson.

The worry he felt for his boyfriend (God, he hoped they were still boyfriends) was overwhelming. His entire body felt tense and all he seemed to do was nervously unlock his phone very thirty seconds- just in case James had tried to contact him.

He may have taken slightly more of his pain medication than he should have- trying to stop the pain in his heart along with the pain in his leg, but that only made him want to sleep.

He woke with a start the next morning at five AM. He’d fallen asleep uncomfortably on the sofa and felt disoriented as he gathered his surroundings. Once again, finding no James and no messages from James. He felt utterly defeated- which is a feeling he doesn't think he has ever felt before.

Thomas had picked up his phone and typed out a hasty: “Hi, I won't be in work today. Got some crazy bad food poisoning.” to his manager- this was one hundred percent a lie because Jefferson had lost his appetite the second James had left.

He struggled to get himself up off the sofa and stared longingly at the front door to their apartment, wishing desperately for James to come in quietly like he always does. But there was no chance considering it was five AM and that Jefferson had been possibly the worlds biggest ass hole the other day, and honestly he didn’t deserve to see James's warm smile again.

But he wanted to see that smile and the man it belonged too like he needed air to breath.

He needed to stop feeling sorry for himself and start taking action.

--

So that how Jefferson found himself trespassing on Reynolds University property at half past seven in the morning, with a pitiful bunch of flowers at his side- it was all the supermarket had left before they got their order in later that morning.

He sat down on a wall near the main entrance to the university, where he knew the reception area was.

Where James would be in about an hours time.

He closed his eyes and willed time to go faster, his hands resting on his cane in front of him.

“Excuse me- but, you look a little old to be a student here.” Someone said standing above him. Jefferson lifted his tired gaze to see a man who stood a bit too proudly and alert for such an early hour. “You know trespassing isn't allowed.” The man said coolly, his deep voice sounding as though it should be commanding an army- not talking to Jefferson.

“I’m waiting for someone.” Thomas sat up, trying to hold his own against the older man.

“Are they expecting you?”

Thomas considered lying, but he couldn’t help but feel like there were consequences for lying to the other man “Unfortunately not.” he sighed.

“Now why is that?” The man said, he sat next to Jefferson on the wall.

Thomas felt weary all of a sudden, why was this stranger taking so much interest in him? He began to politely say it was none of the other guys business when the stranger spoke again.

“Sorry, sorry. I forgot to introduce myself. Not everyday some random guy comes up to you and starts grilling you on your problems.” he chuckled and put his hand out for Thomas to shake “I’m George Washington, a teacher here at the university.”

“Charmed.” Jefferson said nonchalantly, he he shook the other man's hand weakly, trying to make his disinterest clear.

George must have picked up on this, because he seemed to roll his eyes and smile slyly “I've worked here long enough to know the staff pretty well. Especially our wonderful reception team…”

Jefferson perked up at that comment. George thought to himself ‘bingo’ as his hunch about this trespasser had been correct.

“I’m assuming yore Thomas?” Washington's tone had changed, and suddenly Jefferson couldn’t help but feel like he was about to get the the lecture of a lifetime off of George “The cause of James’s recent heartache?”

Thomas shouldn't feel happy about the fact that James was sad too- but he did. This means there was still a chance for them right? “That would be me, yes. The ass hole who cant keep his stupid moth shut.”

“I've heard.” George nodded. “Son, I can't say I’m pleased with you. In fact I think you have a lot of work to do.”

Thomas felt himself choking up- he never got choked up. But the weight of the situation really was dawning on him. How could he have said that to James? James is all he really has in this world that makes him unconditionally happy. Why did he leave it so long to come and find him- surely he couldn’t have just assumed that Madison would come crawling back to him after he’d been so bitter? “I know.” Was all he could manage to say.

George let Thomas stew over his regretful thoughts a little longer, before clapping the other man on the back gently “This is a good start though. The flowers could be better, they are a little rough around the edges- much like yourself.”

Jefferson looked at the bunch of flowers he’d put next to him and a small smile tugged at the corners of his lips “They do look shit don’t they?”

George laughed “I wouldn't go that far.” He stood up again “Son, I’m happy to see you're making an effort to right your wrongs, but you must keep it up. I can tell you love James a lot, but, loving is easy, young man, proving it is harder.”

Thomas nodded and said “Thank you, for talking to me, that is. I’m going to try so much harder from now on.” He stood up also, feeling more energized than he has in quite some time “I love James Madison and I’ll be damned if I don’t let him know it every single day!” he exclaimed confidently to George.

“Well you had better start soon. I have work in half an hour.” someone said from behind Jefferson. He knew that voice better than his own. I loved the sound of that voice more than his own- and that was saying something.

“James!” He jumped, cheeks suddenly going red- embarrassed that he’d been caught being so cheesy.

“Well would you look at the time, I had better get to my classroom.” George said, mining looking at a watch on his wrist that wasn’t there before he wandered off across the campus.

“I haven't forgiven you just yet.” James warned.

Thomas felt his stomach drop, his regretful mood returning “I don’t expect you to have Jemmy. But I’m going to do all I can make it up to you.” He grabbed the flowers off the wall hastily and thrust them towards James “I have been a class-A asshole and I am so sorry I can't even begin to explain it.”

James took the flowers and looked at them thoughtfully “They're a little rough around the edges… just like you.” he commented looking Thomas up and down “I’ll see you later after work.” his signature warm smile beginning to show itself on his lips.

Thomas’s heart thumped loudly in his chest, he don't know how much he’d been longing for James since the he’d had left “See you later sweet heart.” He said perhaps a bit too quickly. He felt like he was sixteen with the biggest crush ever on his best friend again. It was not an unpleasant feeling, the excitement was certainly getting his blood pumping.

“See you.” James waved before walking off toward the universities main entrance.

Thomas was left, standing love struck for a short while before he managed to snap himself out of it and walk home.

On his way back he picked up the ingredients to make the special Macaroni Cheese he makes specifically for his other half. It was lactose, dairy and gluten free so that it wouldn’t set off any of James’s allergies and also it tasted amazing.

Although Thomas regrets deeply what he said to Madison, the silver lining is It really made him realize how good his life is with James by his side.

--

When James had come home later that evening, the pair had shared a candlelit dinner and talked the night away as if they were only just dating again. James informed Thomas that the teacher he’d spoken to had invited them to a barbecue at his house the following weekend- if he wanted to go.

Thomas had of course agreed, he was looking forward to seeing George again, grateful for the kick in the right direction he’d given him.

All in all, despite his best efforts, things were looking up again for Thomas, and he planned to keep it that way from now on.

Madison had only just gotten over the flu. Today was his first day back at work, he was sure to be stressed out and overwhelmed. He didn’t need Thomas adding more things to his probably never ending list of things to do.

So, it looked like option number one was the only way he was getting out of this. It was already past office hours and almost everyone had gone home for the day. All that remained where the cleaners and a couple of people who were behind with their work.

Maybe this wouldn't be so bad?

Jefferson stood and then slowly stretched out his leg- it was always stiff after being sat down for so long.

Not bad so far.

Now here came the test.

Thomas gently started to put his weight on to his right leg. He made it pretty far before the usual prang of pain shot up from the base of his heel- up his calf and through he rest of his body. He hunched his shoulders as he sucked in a sharp breath “Oh fuck me.” he grunted.

“At least take me for a drink first.” a familiar voice said dryly from the doorway of his office. Thomas’s head snapped up to look at the owner, though he already had a feeling he knew who it was- possibly the last person he wanted to see right now.

Alexander Hamilton.

“Go away Hamilton.” He he said venomously. He really wasn’t in the mood for this right now, his current predicament agitating him to no end.

“Whoa there! Did someone wake up on the wrong side of the bed today or what?” he laughed.

Thomas didn’t reply, this was a pain he hadn't felt in quite some time- the feeling flooding over him had been quite a shock to the system.

“Jefferson?” Alex called out tentatively, he’d never known Thomas to not have a snarky come back- that's what made him enjoy their love/hate friendship so much. Alexander was almost (dare he say it) concerned for his rival.

“Piss off.” Thomas glared.

“That’s no way to talk to your fellow college.” Alex laughed nervously and walked towards Thomas.

Jefferson seemed to panic all of a sudden at Alex coming closer and stumbled back in to his chair, he quickly hunched over and grasped desperately to the back of his right leg mumbling a strained “shit shit shit shit-” over and over again through clenched teeth.

Alex's eye widened in surprise and he dumped his bag that was slung over his shoulder on to the floor and hurried over to the other man. He placed a cautious hand on Jefferson’s shoulder as he knelt down in front of the other man “What's wrong? What can I do to help?”

“Stop asking fucking questions.” Thomas groaned. He didn’t know why Alex coming closer had made him jump- but unfortunately he did, and in the process he’d managed to harshly put his full weight on his bad leg. Making the situation much worse.

“I’m serious Thomas.” Alex never called him Thomas.

“Don’t call me that- Alex.” he shot back, his sarcasm would have been a lot more effective if his voice wasn’t quivering under the strain it took to focus on anything but the stabbing sensations in his leg.

“Let me help. What can I do?” Alex spoke in a firm and yet calm tone that Jefferson had never heard him use before and something inside him gave in. What other option did he have? Somehow force Alex to leave and spend the next two hours calming himself down from the pain before sleeping in the office? That wouldn't work, Madison would wonder why he wasn’t home- causing more stress and worry to his poor boyfriend that he really didn’t need.

Thomas drew in a breath and let out a weighty sigh as he forced himself to release his leg and sit back in the chair, his brow furrowed and eyes shut, tension so very apparent on his features, “C-can you massage my leg, please…?” he said reluctantly.

God, it had to be Hamilton of all people to find him like this. He was sure to use this in their next meeting against him, he could hear it now “Oh Jefferson shouldn't go and do that interview, I saw him the other day he couldn’t even stand! He’s essentially useless to us now.” Okay maybe he wouldn't be that harsh but still- the fact remains that Alex had now seen Thomas at his lowest and there was sure to be repercussions.

But, much to Thomas's surprise, Alex had simply said “Sure thing.” and had begun massaging his calf muscle with a tenderness he never thought he’d receive from the other man.

This went on for quite some time. Jefferson focusing on keeping his breathing calm and Alex doing his best at massaging. You’d have thought the air between them would be thick with tension but it was somehow very calm.

Jefferson eventually said “Okay, you can stop now.”

“Are you sure? I’m alright-” Alex begun.

“No, honestly, It doesn't hurt nearly as much now.” Thomas nodded at him and straightened up in the chair. He couldn’t bring himself to make eye contact with Hamilton just yet “Thank you.”

“Don’t mention it.” Alex shrugged, standing up and stretching, his joints had gone rigid form where he’d knelt for so long. “So is Madison picking you up?” he asked.

“No I-” Thomas knew how stupid what he was about to say sounded “-I was planning on walking home actually…”

Alex laughed at that, a proper gut laugh “What!?” he wheezed “No way! You can hardly stand!” He exclaimed.

“Here it comes.” Jefferson thought bitterly, he knew this almost truce between he and Hamilton wouldn't last forever.

“I’ll drive you.” Alex sated as he walked across the room to get his bag of the floor where he’d left it “Where is your cane?”

Thomas found himself in a bit of a stunned silence- he couldn’t believe that Hamilton was being nice to him. This had to be some kind of elaborate joke. “Someone has uh- stolen it.” Jefferson mumbled, embarrassed.

Alex turned sharply on his heel “What!?”

“You're not my only enemy Hamilton” Jefferson rolled his eyes “I piss a lot of people off- and they cant fight back with facts and words like you can, so they resort to shit like this. Though this is a new low actually. I think some people just assume I have that cane as a fashion statement, but, I really need it.” he fiddled with a pen on his desk as he spoke, trying to distract himself from the warning alarms going off in his head at letting Hamilton know this about him.

Alex didn’t reply for a while, he seemed deep in thought before saying “Those bastards.” he strode back over to Thomas “I think it was Samuel Seabury from the IT department, I swear I heard him and Charles Lee laughing about something earlier- and those two only laugh when they’re being assholes.”

Thomas was pretty sure he’d spoken to one of them the other day- he couldn’t remember the conversation but his dark humor must have come out and offended them.

“I’ll go down and get it back for you tomorrow morning and I’ll leave it on your desk like nothing happened, how's that sound?”

“Great actually, thank you.” Thomas wasn’t sure if he should be trusting Alexander so much, but the other man seemed to be showing himself to be quite honorable.

“Okay then.” Alex took his phone out and wrote a note to himself down quickly before stuffing it back in his pocket “C’mon, i'll help you stand and then you can lean on me all the way to the car and then I’ll drive you home.”

Thomas felt anxious at the suggestion “I’d rather walk actually.”

“You live on Monticello Street don’t you? There is no way you're gonna make it all that way even with me helping you. We’ll get there by car in no time.”

Thomas didn’t reply, Alex was being completely logical but the anxious feeling inside of him was giving him a complete mental and physical block.

Alex huffed “What's wrong with driving? Why won't you let me help you.”

“I was in a really bad car crash a couple of years ago.” Thomas quickly, like if he didn’t say this now he would never have the courage to say it again “That’s why my leg is so fucked up. I haven't gone in a car ever since.”

“Oh.” Alex said quietly.

Thomas felt stupid, and so very embarrassed. He knew it was irrational to still be scared- but he never wanted to be so close to death again if he could help it.

Alex stood in front of Jefferson’s desk and spoke as if he was suggesting a new segment in the newspaper, logically and with a sense of bargaining that was hard to say no to “Its about-” he checked his watch “-Six forty five right now, all the rush hour traffic will be gone so the roads should be empty. I’ll drive slowly and take any back streets I can off the main road- We’ll be back at yours in ten minutes maximum. You’ll never meet a more cautious driver than me.”

Thomas tapped the pen he was holding on his desk as he thought, weighing up the options.

1. He could tell Alex to shove his deal where the sun doesn’t shine and somehow make his own way home. 2. Take Alex up on his offer and be safe at home in no less than a quarter of an hour where his spare cane and pain medication is.

Obviously the better option is number two. Clearly that what he should be doing right now.

“Fine.” He eventually agreed, putting the pen down and sitting up.

“Well alright then.” Alex grinned and walked around the table, he hooked his arms under Jefferson's to help the other man stand.

Jefferson hummed a ‘thank you’ as he lent on to Hamilton as they walked- though it still hurt to walk, this was a lot better than the alternative.

“No problem.”

--

The car pulled up gently outside of Jefferson's shared house with James Madison- he was so glad to see their little home again after a somewhat stressful day.

“Well here we are-” Alex beamed “Do you need me to help you get in your house or do you think you’ll be okay?”

“No I’ll be alright.” Thomas said “Can I ask one more favour though?”

“Shoot.”

“Please don’t tell anyone about this? Only James knows how bad it can get- and now you. I really don’t like people seeing this side of me. So I’d really appreciate it Ham- uh - Alexander.” Thomas smiled warily.

“I will on one condition.”

Thomas felt sure that Alex was somehow going to blackmail him out of his chef editorial position at the newspaper they bother worked at “What is it?”

“You never call me ‘Alexander’ or even ‘Alex’ again- It doesn't sound right.”

Thomas raised an eyebrow at the other man who only smiled in return.

“Okay deal.” Thomas chuckled.

The pair shook hands and then Thomas took his time getting out of the car and up the stairs to his house. Every step was a challenge but the thought of the comfort that lay behind his front door kept him going

Alex didn’t drive away until he saw Thomas make it safely in to his house.

Thomas was excited to tell his boyfriend that he actually rode in a car today for the first time since the crash. He wouldn't tell him whose car or why unless the other really wanted to know.

But still, this was a big achievement.

John went to defend himself but was cut off by Hamilton "He works hard so he can play harder Laf. Leave him alone." Hamilton makes brief eye contact with Laurens who smiles at him. Alex suddenly feels uncharacteristically shy and turns back to face the theme park entrance.

The four of them join one of the small queues forming.

"Wait… four?" Hamilton thinks looking around.

He spots Aaron Burr tailing far behind the rest of the group. He'd made it pretty clear he didn't want to go but Alex had managed to convince him- Burr needed to unwind a lot. He somehow stayed later at work later than Hamilton almost every day, and Hamilton does at least an extra two hours.

"Burr quit dragging your feet." Alex calls out.

Burr goes no faster, but he does eventually arrive. "I see no point in rushing in to something I'm being forced into."

"But you're here now. Might as well enjoy it." Alex shrugs.

"If I enjoy today I'll buy you a drink." Burr rolls his eyes.

"I'll hold you to that." Alex laughs.

"Hello and welcome to York Town Theme Park. We hope you have a wonderful day. Be sure to have fun on all our rides, they'll turn your world upside down!"

07:00

The Park opened, and people filtered in one by one getting their passes scanned. Once all five of them were in Alex quickly started ushering his group towards the biggest ride.

"Calm down Alex!" Laurens said as he almost tripped over himself.

"If we want to ride The Shot at least twice before the queue is two hours long we need to hurry!" Alex urged, not letting up his pace "I'm not throwing away my shot."

Lafayette and Hercules were slightly behind basically pushing Aaron.

07:15

They made it in record time to the other side of the park, and had already been on their first ride of The Shot. The ride is extreme to say the least. At its highest point the roller coaster is 8,133 feet tall, travels at a top speed of 120 mph and has two corkscrews, three cobra rolls and five dive loops (that's not even all of it).

Each member of the group had different reactions to such a brutal ride so early in the morning.

Alexander Hamilton thought himself quite the thrill seeker though he was only just tall enough to ride the rides. He'd worn shoes with an elevated platform today- just in case. He loved the rush of adrenaline that pulsed through his blood thanks to roller coasters and other thrill rides. Hitting the highest point on a ride before the drop made him feel absolutely on top of the world, and being there with his closest friends made the feeling even more exhilarating than he could possibly fathom.

John Laurens was more than a little bit scared of some of the bigger rides. Getting in to a roller coaster harness would make a very uncomfortable mix of nervous energy and dread settle in his stomach. But these anxieties only made him want to ride more, fight back against his own worries and feel the rush of the G-force. He automatically grabbed on to Alexander's hand when the ride was about to drop, looking for support. Although it happened fast. John was sure he saw Alex smile at him before they fell.

Lafayette lived for rides. He often joked: "If there isn't a ninety-nine point nine percent risk of death, then what the point in riding?". He was the one to gather everyone together for this trip, where he'd held a season pass to the theme park for so long he'd gotten a voucher for fifty percent off ticket prices for four of his close friends. Lafayette now considered most of the rides at the theme park tame, but The Shot never failed to excite him.

Hercules Mulligan didn't do rides, he suffered with pretty bad motion sickness. He paid his entry fee just to spend time with friends and watch them have fun. That is all he wanted. Hercules had taken his friend's bags off them, found a nice spot on a wall where he could sit and watch the rides and greet his friends when they were done, and laugh at them when they were dizzy and their legs had gone to jelly, of course.

Aaron Burr. Hates. Rides. They make him scared to the point where he sweats just looking at a ride brochure. But he couldn't tell the others that. Hamilton and Lafayette loved rides, John was the youngest so they let him off for being more frightened and Hercules was just too cool to ridicule. If Burr let slip his fear he was sure they would laugh at him. After all, he was the calmest of all of them, never held a strong opinion just reluctantly going along with what the others wanted. Burr held his breath and shut his eyes for the entirety of the ride.

"C'était génial! Ça ne devient jamais ennuyeux!" Lafayette exclaimed running up to Hercules. He grabbed his friend by the hands and spun him around.

"Laf, stop." Hercules laughed "I don't go on rides, I don't need you taking me on one."

"Mon ami, I could take you on a much wilder ride." Lafayette said quietly looking Hercules in the eye with a slight smirk on his lips.

Hercules blinked in surprise then his face softened "You're so funny Laf." he patted the other man on the shoulder. "C'mon lets see how the others took it, their stomach's aren't as strong as yours."

Lafayette watched Hercules go to their other friends, his shoulders dropping in defeat. he constantly dropped hints to Hercules that he liked him and yet the other man never seemed to pick up on them. Lafayette sighed and put his happy face back on, maybe he and Herc just weren't meant to be?

"John you feeling okay?" Alex patted him on the shoulder lightly "You're looking a bit pale."

Laurens gave Alex a weak smile in return "I'll be fine- I just think I'll sit the next ride out." He laughed. He still felt very dizzy from the whirlwind he'd just been on. Not that the ride wasn't fun! It was probably a bit too fun for just gone seven in the morning.

"That's right join my side!" Hercules ginned nudging Laurens.

Alex shrugged "That's down to you guys" He waved to Lafayette "C'mon Laf! The queue is still only ten minutes! Lets go again!"

"You do not have to tell me twice!" Lafayette yelled back.

In the blink of an eye the pair were gone, it looked as though they were racing each other to get in line… they probably were.

John and Hercules went and stood with the bags. "They are non-stop." Hercules' face looked so fond, his eyes brimming with love for his friends and their quirkiness.

"They sure are." Laurens leaned against the wall behind them, looking up at the huge ride they had just been on. He felt so pleased that he'd been on it and lived to tell the tale, but he didn't think he'd be doing it again any time soon. Though, the chance to hold Alexanders hand again may make it worth it.

The pair stood in a comfortable silence for a moment, taking in the morning air and clear blue sky. When Hercules noticed someone stood nearby clutching their stomach. "Hey, buddy, you okay? Can I help?"

The stranger looked up.

"Burr?" Laurens said in surprise. He'd forgotten the other man had ridden the ride with them. Aaron had the unfortunate situation of being paired with Lafayette on the ride, who had insisted on sitting at the front.

"I'm fine." Burr snapped quickly holding a hand up to wave the other men away.

"You don't look it." Hercules added, giving the other man a bottle of ice cold water.

Aaron had gratefully accepted the drink after a moment's hesitation. He took his time to re-compose himself. "where is Alexander?" He finally said.

"He and Laf went to ride again." John answered, scrolling through his phone.

"Again!?" Burr looked at them in disbelief. Then at the ride. Then at his friends again. "No way."

"They love thrill rides. Of course they would."

"well. Fine. I will ride again also." Burr stated, his confident voice was unconvincing to say the least. "I can't have Alexander outdoing me here either."

"You don't have to ride if your don't-" Hercules began but Burr had already shot off to the 'Single Riders' line.

John and Hercules shared a look, they silently decided they couldn't stop him even if they tried.

"Hey you want to play Heads Up?" John asked as he tapped on the app on his phone.

"Yeah sure, load up the Star Wars category, considering we marathoned them all the other day we should be pretty good."

"Bet I can get more than you."

"You're on."

07:45

Lafayette and Alexander came off the ride, laughing like idiots, an arm slung happily around each others shoulders.

Hercules and John had just finished their game when the pair arrived to them.

"was it better the second time?"

"as always! But-" Laf began before he made eye contact with Alex again and they both couldn't hold back their giggles. They were so childish when left alone together.

"What have you guys done?" Laurens asked skeptically.

"Just you wait." Alex rubbed the tears of laughter from his eyes.

"Hurry up Burr! Or you'll miss it!" Lafayette explained over his shoulder, as he was already marching off in the direction of the rides photo booth.

Aaron groaned in reply.

07:50

And there its was.

On the LED screen above the staffs head.

What can only be described as a modern renaissance painting caught on camera.

A photo of Lafayette and Alex going down the rides steepest drop where they had somehow managed to point directly at the camera, wink and blow a kiss.

Alex and Lafayette were beside themselves with joy.

"Can I get two photo frames and three key-rings, S'il vous plaît? Laf beamed at the worker.

She made up his order and commented on how she'd never seen someone- let alone two people manage to pose on that ride before. It was so impressive that she gave them both a voucher for free small popcorn as a reward.

Lafayette and Alex turned back to their friends triumphantly.

"How did you ever do that?" Hercules, Laurens and Burr said in stunned unison.

"We can get anything we set our minds too done." Alex said smugly "We held that pose throughout the whole drop! Just to make sure we got a good shot of us."

"We haven't got a photo of us together in so long, we felt this would be the perfect opportunity. We had time to plan in the line you see." Lafayette said as he handed Alex his photo and key ring happily.

"Thanks Laf! But, why the extra key ring?" Alex asked.

"Oh this?" he dangled the keyring somewhat wickedly in front of his friend's faces, "Well a certain someone else is in the picture and I thought he may like a copy."

Burr snatched the key ring off of his friend and looked at it in a panic.

There he was.

In the top right corner.

Quite simply, he looked the embodiment of pure terror.

Eyes wide, knuckles going pale at the sheer grip he had on the safety harness and his mouth clamped shut clearly holding in the most almighty of screams.

Burr glanced over at the others who were all looking at a picture Lafayette held and laughing. He felt so embarrassed, he shouldn't have come on this stupid trip, he knew he hated rides and yet he couldn't stand the thought of not being able to do something that Alexander could do so easily.

Aaron was just about to make his exit when a hand clapped him on the back with a such a force that it could only be Hercules Mulligan.

"Nothing to be ashamed of about not liking rides- you couldn't pay me to go on that death trap!" he reassured the other man lightly.

"Yeah man, it's no big deal, once was more than enough for me." Laurens smiled.

"We aren't all blessed with stomachs of steel." Lafayette added.

Alex took the park map out of his pocket "The next ride is one we can all enjoy anyway- it's just over here." he pointed to his left.

They all smiled expectantly a Burr, who straightened up and rolled his eyes with a smirk "Well we had better check it out then."

"Right!" Alex fist pumped and turned on his heel, heading towards the next ride.

Laurens jogged up to Alex and they walked together.

Lafayette linked his arm with Hercules, another happy pair.

Burr walked behind them. He was used to fifth wheeling with this group. He was just waiting for the day they would officially start dating instead on constantly pining after one and other all the time- it was hard to watch sometimes. Burr smiled to himself, he liked his own company more anyway and he enjoyed watching them- they always made him laugh. Even when laughing at him it wasn't even particularly evil.

Perhaps he would enjoy today after all.

"It's looking to be a beautiful day here at Yorktown. Please remember to stay hydrated at our complimentary water fountains. Current queue times are at an average of twenty to thirty minutes. We hope you're having a great time!"

8:00

The group stood in line for 'Uptown'. A calm and fun boat tour ride for all ages. The oldest remaining ride at the park and one of the most loved. Uptown is peaceful, perfect for settling the adrenaline rush some of the park's other rides may cause.

They played 'Fuck Marry Kill' in the line for the ride (though they called it 'Bed Wed Behead' so that any younger ears listening in wouldn't catch on to their conversation). Playing games always made queue times fly by, they were on the ride before they knew it.

Alex turned to Burr "Just because we are on the ride now doesn't mean you don't have to answer- just means you get more thinking time. King George the III, Theodosia form work or the main Emoji from the Emoji Movie."

"You mean Gene." Hercules corrected him.

"Yes. Sorry. Of course." Alex snorted "You gotta answer Burr."

"You guys are crazy." Burr said has he tried to focus on the petty surroundings of the ride instead of having to focus on the ridiculous question that was being posed.

"Yes but we are also fun." Lafayette lent back in his chair, resting his hands comfortably on his lap.

The ride was such a lovely experience for them all.

For the most part…

There is one very small dip on Uptown towards the end. No more than three meters and on a slow incline. But even that had been to much for Herc.

As the ride began to make its way up for the short and fun drop, Hercules had turned to Lafayette in absolute horror. "You said there was no drop on this ride!" He snapped, the betrayal in his voice oh so real.

"Mon Amour you must relax, it is only small I promise! Like driving down a hill."

Hercules laughed sarcastically "You're just trying to make it sound like nothing so I don't flip out at you for making me go on this!"

"You're being a bit dramatic don't you think?"

He had no reply to this- Hercules simply clamped his hands tightly on to the rail in front of him, shut his eyes and began breathing deeply to calm himself.

Lafayette bit his lip. He was starting to feel guilty now, perhaps this was too much. He reached out tenderly and placed his hand over Hercules' "Please, you must trust me. I would not put you on something that you wouldn't enjoy."

The other man nodded. He flipped his hand over and intertwined his and Lafayette's fingers together. Although Hercules' grip was tight, Laf couldn't quite believe that he was finally holding hands with his love- if only the circumstances were more romantic.

"Mon dieu, tu es si mignon. je t'aime tellement." Lafayette said out loud (he had not meant to) feeling his cheeks grow hot. His whole body was tingling, from the tips of his fingers on the hand that held Hercules' all the way through to his toes. This was what love was supposed to feel like in fairy tales, not real life.

08:40

Laurens, Hercules and Lafayette mulled around in the rides gift shop. Aaron and Alex went outside to argue about Aaron's answer he had finally given to the Fuck, Marry, Kill question posed earlier.

Laf laughed to himself as he heard Alex exclaim loudly "So you're telling me you'd fuck Gene. An Emoji. Over King George the III!?" Lafayette really admired his petit lion for being so confident and full of sheer life. His admiration for Alexander when hand in hand with his pity for Aaron Burr who seemed to take the full force of Alex's relentless energetic questioning at all times.

He looked over at Hercules who had been very quiet since they had gotten off the ride.

The small drop in the ride had been as calm and easy as Lafayette had said it would be, Hercules had just worked himself up to the point of near panic- and now it seemed like he was giving Lafayette the silent treatment out of sheer stubbornness. Well, Laf was not having that, he'd had the smallest taste of being intimate with Hercules and there was no way he was about to give up on having that feeling for the rest of his life.

"It was not so bad was it?" He offered.

"I guess." Herc shrugged "It's kind of hard to be scared when I've got someone like you to ground me." He smiled at Lafayette in such a way that it left the other man in a stunned love struck silence.

Lafayette's mind was going in to overdrive, was that… flirting?

He shook away the thought, he was just wishful thinking.

"J'ai besoin d'un tour de frisson. à présent." He muttered walking briskly out of the shop to where Aaron and Alex were arguing.

08:42

Laurens jumped in front of Hercules wearing a tacky but cute souvenir hat for the Uptown ride "What do you think?"

"It brings out your eyes." Hercules chuckled plucking the hat off the shorter mans head and placing it back on the stand.

"Hey! Maybe I wanted to buy that."

"As if you can afford it on your student allowance."

"touche…"

"Anyway I don't think Alex will find that look the most attractive." Hercules reasoned. Sneakily bringing up Laurens' crush.

John 'shh-ed' him quickly looking around for sight of Alex anywhere "I told you too keep that quiet. Besides-" He straightened up "I think he would find it cute, actually."

"Well Alex does have odd tastes."

"Whatever, you can tease me all you want about Alex, at least I plan on confessing at some point. You need to say something to Lafayette before I do it for you. Hell- you guys were even holding hands on that last ride! What are you waiting for?"

Hercules paused for a long moment, looking thoughtfully at a novelty snow globe he held in his hand "The right moment, I think. Lafayette deserves only the best- I gotta make sure I can give it to him."

Laurens let out a small fond sigh, he looked out the shop window at their friends. "Well you better hope that moment hurries up- you forget how popular Lafayette is." he pointed at said Frenchman who was talking to a rather stunning young lady in a yellow dress. He made her laugh and she touched his arm gently before waving goodbye and joining her friends with similar dresses of different colours (pink and blue).

Hercules gulped nervously "Okay I'll hurry up."

Laurens felt triumphant as they left they shop. Now, if someone could give him a kick like he'd just given Hercules, he'd be dating Alex in no time.

09:00

The group had found a routine that worked for them

One big ride and one small ride.

This was mostly for Aaron Burr could keep up his facade that he had as much of a tolerance for rides as Alexander. Even though they all told him he didn't have to ride if he didn't want to, Burr kept forcing himself.

Burr was usually so relaxed, it was odd to see him actually fighting to prove something for once.

Alex, Aaron, Lafayette and Laurens had gone on a ride which Hercules would only describe as a death trap. It was essentially a chair that raised up slowly, then when you least expect it, drops at a shocking speed. Herc found that one hard to even watch, the sheer height of the ride was astounding.

After that ride everyone looked a bit pale in the face from fear- except Lafayette who looked as exhilarated as ever.

They went on the Carousel next. They may have been the oldest ones on it but, who cares?

10:00

After another hour of trying to keep up with his more thrill seeking friends, Burr had finally decided to take a moment to himself. He honestly felt sick.

He slipped away from the rest of his group and bought himself a cold lemonade and some salted popcorn. Burr found a spot in the shade on a bench sat down and took some time to shut his eyes and calm himself. As much as he liked his friends he needed his own company sometimes.

"Aaron?" a voice Burr would recognize anywhere called out.

He opened his eyes and sat forward "Theodosia?" It was no secret that Burr was head over heels in love with Theodosia. They worked in the same department at the office, she would always help Burr with his computer when he was having troubles.

"I thought it was you." She smiled sweetly, brushing some of her hair over her ear "I could television my eyes, I thought you hated theme parks the other day?"

"I do." Burr grumbled "But I got dragged along with Alexander and his crew."

"I'm not the biggest fan either but some of them are fun." She sat next to Burr on the bench, he offered her some popcorn which she gratefully accepted "I'm here with my friend Eliza and her sisters. Its her youngest sister Peggy's birthday and she is mad on thrill rides, so we all chipped in to take her here as a surprise. I've been sitting out on some of the bigger rides."

"She sounds like Alex and Lafayette- I don't know how they can enjoy that."

She shrugged, not understanding either "Thank you for the popcorn. We only got here an hour ago but I'm already hungry."

"No problem, I was dragged here at half past six" He yawned "It's been a long day already."

"I guess we had better make the most of it- the weather is beautiful today." she seemed thoughtful for a moment. "Have- have you been on Uptown yet?" she asked timidly.

Aaron suddenly felt an off-mix of nervous energy and excitement fill him at the way she had asked "I have, but I really enjoyed that one. It'd be nice to ride it again without Alex pestering me." he tried to smile coolly at her but he probably looked extremely goofy.

Theodosia's heart jumped a beat, Burr looked so- cute when he smiled "Well then would you like to ride it with me? I know the queue time is long but I feel like its worth it."

A sudden burst of confidence filled Burr and he took Theodosia's hand in his gently, looking her in the eyes "I'm willing to wait for it."

10:15

"Where's Burr?" Hercules asked, sipping on his coke he'd just bought.

The gang all looked around and they couldn't spot him anywhere.

"I'll call him hang on." Alex got his phone out and searched for Burr's number when a text form said man came through.

Text from: Aaron Burr

Received at 10:17

"Bumped in to Theo, going on some rides with her. DON'T come find us. Text when you guys are heading home."

Alex raised his eyebrows at the text and quickly typed his reply with a grin.

Text to: Aaron Burr

Sent at 10:17

"We wont, you have my word. On one condition, you let us know how it goes ;) and you finally ask her out!"

The reply was almost instant

Text from: Aaron Burr

Received at 10:18

"Thank you. You're one to talk- Need I mention Laurens?"

Text to: Aaron Burr

Sent at 10:18

"...Touche."

Text from: Aaron Burr

Received at 10:18

" ;) "

Alex closed his phone, returning it to his pocket "He's managed to bump in to Theodosia, and they're going on some rides together- go figure."

"I can feel it-" Lafayette said wistfully "Love is in the air."

"Our restaurants and snack bars are second to none! Please take a moment to try some of the food on offer. Our world famous Vanilla and Coffee Muffins are sure to blow you away with flavour!"

10:30

They went on a 4D shooting range ride next. They shared a kart on the ride, and were all shooting against each other to win. They made a bet that the lowest scorer would have to do something for the highest scorer- what that was, they had not decided yet.

"It's a good thing Burr isn't here, he's a terrible shot!" Alex laughed as he fired off round after round of the laser gun.

"You aren't much better look at your score" Laurens teased as he tapped the monitor in front of Alex smugly.

Alex glanced down and was horrified at the shockingly low score "M-y my gun may be broken!" He panicked shooting more viciously that before.

"I think it's just your aim." Laurens snickered as he racked up an impressive score.

"Do not relax yet mes amis! We have an enemy to defeat!"

"Laf you're getting a bit too into this." Hercules chimed in, his face holding a stiff look of absolute focus as they shot away enemies.

"Take that! And that! Oh you want some too? Ha! Take it! Tu ne peux pas me battre! Je suis imparable!" Lafayette continued to babble away in French after that, whenever he was really focusing on something his native tongue took over completely.

FINAL SCORE BOARD:

PLAYER 2 (John) : 103,229

PLAYER 3 (Hercules): 100,007

PLAYER 4 (Lafayette): 99,884

PLAYER 1(Alexander): 65,492

Alex stared at the leaderboard in absolute disbelief for a good five minutes "I demand a re-match!" he cried as his friends dragged him away.

"Face it Alex, you lost." Hercules patted his shoulder "The queue for that ride is over an hour long now, you sure you want a re-match now?"

Lafayette nodded "He has a point mon petit lion, you are not one for patiently waiting."

Alex folded his arms and pouted like a child "Whatever." he turned to Laurens "I believe I owe you a forfeit."

Laurens coughed quietly to clear his throat "Yes, I believe you do." he seemed very shy for someone who had just won such a prize "Your forfeit, is to, uh-" he paused "Take me out to dinner."

Hercules and Lafayette grabbed each others hands in excitement and surprise, amazed that they were finally getting to see their friends agree to start dating.

Unfortunately Alex didn't quite take the hint.

"Well sure, I'll take us all out! My treat- its been a while since we had a proper-"

"No. Just me." Laurens corrected more confidently, suddenly scared that his big chance might slip though his fingers. "Alexander Hamilton, I won the game and so I'm asking you to be my prize- by talking me on a date."

Laf and Herc looked eagerly between the pair, still clutching on to one and other, unable to contain their excitement.

For one in his lifetime Alexander was speechless.

"I- that is - I mean." He started about five different sentences, stumbling on his words every time, face getting a more rosy shade of pink each time. He took a deep breath in and exhaled shakily "Yes. Of course. God I've been trying to find the right moment to ask you out for so long now." he laughed wearily running a hand through his hair.

Laurens had never seen Alex with a smile this stunning before. The sunny day only seemed to make the man shine even brighter.

If John wasn't in love with Alex before, he was now and forever more.

Alex stepped forward and held Laurens in a tight embrace which the other man happily returned. They stayed like that for a while enjoying the start of a connection that was sure to last a lifetime.

Lafayette wiped a tear from his eye "Ah, this is like a modern day fairy tail." he lent more in to Hercules' side and rested his head on his shoulder. Staring lovingly at his friends new found relationship.

"It sure is." Hercules hummed thoughtfully.

John and Alex had broken apart from this hug now and were enthusiastically chatting to one and other at a ridiculous speed.

"C-come on guys!" Laurens exclaimed eagerly "Let's go on the Teacups!" then he and Alex waked off briskly in the direction of the next ride, their hands bumping against each others every now and again as they walked- both of them too shy to hold hands just yet.

11:45

Alex and Lafayette had paired together on the Teacups spinning about as fast as possible.

Hercules and Laurens had gone at a much more normal pace.

They had all ended up dizzy and had to take a break after the ride to stop the world from spinning.

Hercules spotted Aaron Burr going on the teacups just after them, he wasn't with Theodosia but with the girl in the yellow dress he had spotted earlier talking to Lafayette. He noticed Theodosia sat near them with their groups bags.

Hercules made eye contact with Burr for a fleeting second and he looked like a man fearing for his life. Herc didn't blame him. That girl looked as fired up about rides as both Alex and Laf combined! Burr was in for one wild ride.

As a group, they decided now was a good time to eat their packed lunch and get out of the sun for a bit.

12:20

Alex and Laurens were clearly making up for lost time where they had been pining after one and other instead of dating. They were basically joined at the hip as they sat and ate together, sharing bits of their lunch, laughing at almost everything the other one said. Sheer pleasure just radiating off of them in to the air around them.

The air around Lafayette and Hercules wasn't as pleasant. In fact, it was tense. The pair weren't talking. Just eating in silence and listening to their friends.

It wasn't that they didn't want to talk, its that neither of them knew where to start.

Eventually Hercules heaved a sigh and put his sandwich down "Look, Lafayette, there's something I really want to talk about."

Lafayette stopped eating also, he couldn't bring himself to make eye contact with his friend he felt apprehensive. He wanted so badly for Hercules to feel the same way. But there was more evidence pointing towards Hercules wanting nothing more the friendship between them.

After all, they'd be best of friends for years now, why ruin it?

He raised a hand to stop his friend from talking, he smiled bitterly "It Is okay, we do not need to talk about it. I understand. Why ruin all we have built up just because I cannot control my feelings?" He laughed but it was so forced, so joyless.

"But I want to talk about it." Hercules countered softly "-and I think you're jumping the gun a bit Laf."

Lafayette looked up at this comment, he searched Hercules' face for any sign that he was lying or that somehow this was just a cruel joke. "Je ne comprends pas…"

"And I don't always understand you when you speak french." Hercules chuckled lightly.

"Je suis désolé- uh, I mean-" He swallowed nervously "I'm sorry." Lafayette shrugged his shoulders in, looking sheepish.

"Don't be, I find it very…" Hercules searched for the word he wanted "Attractive. When you speak french that is." he took a gulp of his drink, throat suddenly going dry.

"Well they do say it is the language of love." Lafayette's usual bravado and confidence was stating to return now "So what are you saying?" he asked, raising a suggestive eyebrow at the other man, his lips quirking up at the sides slyly.

"I'm saying that, I'd like to go out with you. I want you to be my boyfriend. mon petit chou."

Lafayette gazed tenderly at Hercules. "Mon amoure, it would be my absolute pleasure." the words rolled off his tongue as if he'd wanted to say them his whole life. "Did Alexander tell you to say that last bit?" he giggled.

Before Hercules could open his mouth to answer Alex had already butted in "Yes he did!"

John and Alex had stopped looking at each other and had been watching their friends for a little while now.

Laurens stood triumphantly and poured them all some more orange juice in to their disposable picnic glasses. "I propose a toast. To all of us finally talking a leap in to what we have all wanted for years now, but never had the guts to go for. Raise a glass!"

"To a happy future!" Alex added, mind racing with positive thoughts and ideas of what the future has in store for them all.

"To love!" Hercules grinned, eyes locked fondly on Lafayette.

"To a day at the Theme Park making us all see the light! à votre santé!"

"Cheers!" They all cried, knocking their plastic cups together and taking a drink of the cool orange juice.

"Current ride wait time is at an average of thirty to forty minutes. Feel free to purchase one of our reasonably priced fast passes for the rides if you want to make the most of your day here at Yorktown!"

13:25

They had spent more time talking at than they had anticipated over lunch.

But then they also hadn't anticipated not only one but two confessions of love over the course of the day either. So honestly, anything was game from here on out.

14:00

The couples waited in line for and rode: Hurricane.

A ride with a much more intimidating name than what the actual ride was. Much like Uptown it was a scenic boat ride, the main difference being that you were basically guaranteed to get wet.

John got the most of it.

He looked somewhat like a drenched poodle after the ride, his usually curly and puffy hair dripping and heavy.

Alex stayed with John while he dried off. He gave him his jacket which had been kept safe and dry in his bag so that John wouldn't catch a chill from being wet.

Lafayette and Hercules went to go look around the park's gift shops together.

They would meet up later, in good time to get the perfect spot for the fireworks display and parade in the evening.

14:45

"Thank god the weather is so nice today, no way would I be dry by now if the sun weren't out." John looked up at the clear sky, shielding his eyes from the sun with his hand.

"Yeah, we got lucky we chose today, couldn't ask for better weather." Alex agreed "That ride was worth getting soaked for though, man you looked hilarious!" He snickered, mind going back to John's look of absolute stunned horror when a wave of water had tipped completely over him.

John folded his arms in fake annoyance "Well it could have just have easily been you! If I remember correctly you were about to sit on that seat and then you let me go first instead. I basically took a bullet for you Alexander."

"And I am oh so grateful for your service." Alex reached out and laced his fingers together with John's.

They stayed like that as they looked for something else to go on. Alex's finely tuned plan of making the most of the day had gone out the window ages ago.

When, out of the corner of his eye John spotted someone familiar and he instantly waved at them " ! Mr Washington!" he called.

The man looked over as he heard his name called out and his face brightened when he recognized John Laurens. "Please John, call me George when we aren't at University." He shook John's hand and then Alexander's- he had a tight and firm grip.

"Alex this is my History and Political Science Lecturer, George Washington." He smiled proudly "Best teacher you could ever wish for."

"You're too kind John." George laughed rubbing the back of his neck bashfully.

"What brings you here, sir?"

"I thought I'd treat Martha and the girls to a day out- I'm not one for rides, but they love them!" George said, affection for his family oozing from each word. "They're in the line for that-" he pointed at The Shot which wasn't too far away "While I find a good spot for the fireworks. Can you believe that my new kid, Frankie, has never seen a firework display? I felt like I needed to change that the second they told me."

"How many kids do you have- ?" Alex asked, curious.

"Twelve and counting! All adopted. Nine girls and three boys. I'm sure I can house more though, Mount Vernon is big enough and I love keeping the house lively. You and John should pop round sometime, son. Any friend of John's is always welcome."

"I- I'd like that, thank you." Alex nodded. He was acting much more timid than usual, something about the other man overwhelmed him.

"Me too, thanks George!" John beamed.

"Well that's settled then, just let me know a day that's good for you two and I'll see what I can do." he brought his hand to his chin and tapped it as he pondered a thought "Its been a while since I hosted a Barbecue, that could be fun- What do you guys think?"

John and Alex were quick to agree that it sounded like a perfect idea.

George happily shook both their hands again before he went off to get at the front for where the parks closing ceremony and firework display would be later on. "I'll see you kids later!" He called out as he waved them off.

Alex and John continued wandering the park, quietly enjoying the atmosphere.

"Isn't he just be best?" Laurens turned to Alex, he felt as though he had stars in his eyes "Teachers aren't supposed to be that down to earth and nice, right?" he joked.

"Yeah, you've got a point there." Alex seemed in awe as he looked back at the spot where Washington had been standing only moments ago.

"You alright? You don't look yourself." Laurens frowned.

"I'm fine." Alex shook his head as if snapping himself out of wandering thoughts.

"I don't believe you." John said quizzically "You know you can tell me anything, right? I'm saying that as your friend and as your new boyfriend. If there's anyone you can trust, its me."

Alex sighed and kicked weakly a bit of gravel on the floor "This is going to sound stupid- don't laugh…"

"Oh my god please don't tell me you have a Daddy kink."

"What! No!"

"I'm kidding."

"Whatever." Alex rolled his eyes "You know how I'm an Orphan? Well I've been transferred from house to house my whole life until I was deemed stable enough to live on my own. Not that any of the foster families I had were particularly bad, but…"Alex trailed off, he looked incredibly lonely "If someone like had Fostered or adopted me, I could have had a real family I guess. I've never really thought about it before." he fiddled with the bottom of his t-shirt absentmindedly "Seeing such a kind father-figure in the flesh, I don't know, I think it made me think about what I could have had."

Laurens listened carefully to what the other had to say, he took it all in and gave Alexander a gentle squeeze of his hand "That's all in the past, and now you have possibly the best family ever. Me, Herc and Laf, hell, even Burr!" He paused for a beat "Friends are the family you can choose, friends are the best."

Alex let what John had just said process, the words sounded somewhat familiar "Did- did you just quote The Lego Batman Movie at me?"

"I might have"

"I cant believe you." Alex said as he absolutely lost it laughing.

John blushed "Hey don't laugh! That stupid song has been stuck in my head all day! And besides- the sentiment is nice!"

"No, it's better than nice John." Alex kissed his cheek lightly "Its exactly what I needed, you're right."

"We hope your stay has been amazing today here at Yorktown theme park! The park shuts at six thirty. But before that, we have our daily closing ceremony and fireworks display. Please stick around- you'll never be truly satisfied if you miss it!"

17:50

There were exactly ten minutes until the days big finale.

Alex and Laurens ha managed to go on a few more rides together, nothing too crazy, stuff they could both enjoy to their full potential. They shared a tropical smoothie as they wandered.

Lafayette and Hercules and gone from shop to shop sampling sweet treats and looking at all the cute gifts. They tried to stay away from any wearable merchandise because Hercules would start roasting the quality of the fabric and the general lack of care that had gone in to the mass-produced product.

Nothing could rile Hercules Mulligan up quite like a poorly tailored product.

Laffayette found this extremely charming, it was amusing to see his usually calm and cool petit chou getting so worked up.

Burr had had the most amazing day with Theodosia. He'd even managed to get her number, he was well on his way to making her Mrs Burr like he always dreamed. Even hanging out with her friends the schuyler sisters was fun (if not bad for his blood pressure thanks to riding with Peggy).

They all met up at around four o'clock and found a nice place to stand. Burr introduced Theodosia and the sisters to the group and they all got along like a house on fire.

They chatted loudly in a circle, different conversations happening everywhere. From politics to puppies- you name it, they had spoken about it. Though it seemed chaotic, it was very organized chaos and the start of a great friendship or an alliance, even, between the two sides.

18:00

The first firework boomed across the sky. Instantly stopping all conservation and directing everyone's eyes upwards.

It was truly a sight to behold. The sun setting on the horizon making the vast sky a beautiful shade of orange mixed with purple. The fireworks snapping and zooming upwards. It was a serious light show.

Alexander wondered how much it cost them to run this show each night.

While the display was going on performers roamed the area doing circus tricks.

There was a stage at the entrance of the park where a group of dancers and singers all in costume military gear performed the parks theme song: "Yorktown: We'll turn your world upside down."

Speakers strategically placed all over the park played the song as the actors on stage gave it their all.

The fireworks were let off in time to the beat of the song.

The whole experience was a symphony of sights and sounds.

When the show finished with a round of twenty false cannons firing confetti in to the audience with one last almost deafening boom. There was a stunned silence that fell over the crowd before everyone began cheering their hearts out. The closing ceremony certainly was something. People would come to the park just to see it.

18:30

Alexander, John, Lafayette, Aaron and Hercules where back where they had started the adventure of their day. Back at the parking lot.

"We're stopping at Pizza Hut on the way back yeah?" John asked.

"Hell yeah." Hercules nodded in confirmation, unlocking his car. He and Lafayette were driving together.

"We'll see you there." Alex smiled. He would be driving with Burr and Laurens (Laurens had called dibs on the front seat).

"We should do this again sometime." Lafayette said dreamily as he looked back at the theme park which seemed so far away now.

"Wouldn't miss it for anything." Burr added gladly.

"See you in a bit!" They all waved to each other before getting in their respective cars.

18:45

"You know what?" Aaron said as he looked out the window, looking at the rolling fields passing him by.

"What?" Alex answered. John had already fallen asleep in the passenger seat.

"I guess I owe you a drink." Burr rolled his eyes.

"That would be nice." Alex said softly, looking at his friend through the back mirror and winking at him.

The visit to Yorktown Theme Park became an annual event for them. The only thing that changed was the amount of people going. Their circle of friends grew and grew, and Alex finally had the large family he'd always wished for.

"We hope you enjoyed your stay. You'll be back, time will tell!"

Peter is the best chef, Drax doesn’t understand most jobs but he is surprisingly good at sewing, Gamora can navigate the ship better than anyone else and Rocket is obviously the best mechanic. On the other hand, Groot just tries his best at everything- with less than satisfactory results… but he always looks so proud of himself after so no one can really get mad with him.

From the kitchen on the ship, the loud bangs of pots and pans being thrown around could be heard (Rocket always liked to make his disdain for cooking very apparent). Peter normally could ignore when someone was having issues in the kitchen, because whenever he tired to help he’d always just end up just cooking the whole meal instead. No one would learn anything that way. But after the last disaster of a meal Rocket had created Peter couldn’t really let it happen again. The team had been out of commission for a week with food poisoning. How Rocket managed to do that with a salad they’ll never know.

Quill sighed and prepared himself for the disaster sight he was about to witness in the kitchen.

There were small fires basically everywhere but the stove, suspicious looking green goop splattered on the walls and a pile of dirty pots and pans taller than Quill himself (since when did they even own that many pans!?). Groot stood watching Rocket, not looking best pleased.

Rocket sat on the floor with a knife trying to cut some strange looking vegetable, his ears pricked up when he heard Peter enter. “Ah Star-looser! Looking to see a true master at work?” he grinned his usual sarcastic grin. Rocket knew he was no good at cooking, in fact he made an effort to be even worse in the hopes that the rest of the team will stop putting him on this job all together. He stood up and walked over to a pot containing… Well it was certainly something- whether or not it was edible was another matter entirely.

“If you’re a master than I must be some kind of god.” Quill rolled his eyes and looked in to the pot his team mate was stirring, the urge to vomit washed over him just looking at the concoction. “What are you even making there?”

Rocked laughed “Heck if I know. I feel like I could use it in some new corrosive bombs or something honestly.” he pulled the spoon out of the concoction to show it fizzing dissolving slowly “Powerful stuff- probably got a kick to it!”

Groot who had been stood in the corner frowning at his companion decided to comment here “I am Groot.”

“What? I’m not trying to get Quill to cook for me! Unless he’s offering that is.” Rocket smiled slyly at Peter “I’m sure we’re all looking forward to eating- whatever this is.”

“I’m not going to cook for you.” Peter started down at Rocket, this was one fight he wouldn't loose.

“I am Groot” Groot smiled.

“Don’t take his side!” Rocket thew his arms in the air in exasperation “You seriously want to chance eating this garbage?” He waved the dissolving spoon in front of Quill’s nose.

Peter pushed the spoon away quickly “No way. But I can help you make something new. That you know- wouldn't kill us all.” he offered.

“I don’t need help, either I cook the whole thing, or you do.” Rocked growled.

Peters eyes darted from Rocket to the pot. His stomach growled lightly. He groaned outwardly in annoyance “Fine! Whatever! I’ll cook the meal.”

“I am Groot!”

“See? I told you I’d get my way” Rocket exclaimed at Groot “That’s fifty credits you owe me!”

“I am Groot.” Groot glared at both Peter and Rocket.

“Yeah yeah, just get out of the way.” Peter said angrily. Then, without thinking he picked Rocket up by the scruff of his neck, like you would a pet. He hadn't meant too, his stomach was telling his mind to just make some decent food, telling him he needed to move Rocket. It was in his muscle memory somehow.

Of course this was a mistake.

Rocket cried out in pain as he landed on the floor, falling to his knees straight away and clutching at the back of his neck. His teeth were grit together harshly as he tried to see through the black spots of pain that were clouding his vision. Unable to produce any form of sound but pained wines.

“I am Groot!” Groot was at his side immediately trying to calm Rocket down and find out what he can do to help.

Everything had happened so quickly that Peter hadn't realized what he’d done. He took a moment of stunned silence for him to put the pieces of what had just happened together. He knelt next to his smaller team mate “I’m sorry man, I’m so sorry. God I completely forgot about-” he stopped, his eyes catching the red raw skin around the others cybernetic enhancements.

Suddenly he felt like one hundred percent a dick.

“I am Groot” Groot said saddly, not liking to see his friend in such a bad way.

Rocket heaved a few deep breaths “Y’know- If you wanted… to cook that bad I’d’ve moved.” he gritted painfully squeezing his eyes shut “What the hell Quill?!” he managed to yell. “You caught me, right on the…” He trailed off and banged a fist on the floor. Most of his cybernetic enchantments were connected to the top of his spine, making that his most vulnerable area, pulling at that made it feel as though the wounds were fresh once again.

“I know, I know I shouldn't have. What can I do?” Peter fussed, desperate to stop the pain he’d caused his friend.

“I am Groot.” Groot explained. Peter wished he could understand him.

“He- said get some ice and painkillers.” Rocket said sounding calmer than he should be, but it was still clear from his tense muscles that he was most certainly not calm.

“I’m on it.” Quill nodded “Groot you take him to his bedroom. I’ll be there soon.”

“I am Groot.”

Peter had taken the ice and painkillers to the room without really saying anything. He felt really guilty- that was the kind of thing you did to an annoying pet- not a close friend. His stomach growled again but he didn’t feel like eating.

He knew someone who might appreciate a well cooked meal though.

Quill knocked on Rockets room door, tray in hand with the only recipe he could remember from Terran: Vegetable Soup.

“I am Groot.” came the answer from the other side of the door. Now this could have meant ‘come in’ or ‘go away’, Peter chose for it to mean the former. He opened the door slowly “Hey Guys…”

“Oh look its my good friend Quill” Rocked practically snarled.

“I am Groot.” Groot scolded him gently for being rude.

“What? The guy treats me like some ratty pet and throws me to the ground and you expect me to be nice?” Rocket folds his arms.

“I said I was sorry-” Quill defended “-and I really meant it Rocket. Its not often I’m honest. But I really didn’t mean to hurt you.” He could see that the raccoon wasn’t listen to him though “So-” he began, approaching Rockets bed with the tray “I made you dinner, as a peace offering.” he smiled sheepishly.

Rocket ignored Peter and the food at first, but then his nose picked up the delicious smell of the soup and he looked at the bowl with furrowed eyebrows.

Groot nudged Rockets arm lightly “I am Groot.”

Rocket sighed dramatically and accepted the soup from Peter, he didn't eat it just yet though, he looked down at it sadly “I didn’t expect you of all people to treat me like that Quill.” he said quietly. Seeing rocket without his usual bravado was odd to say the least, it didn’t suit him at all.

“It wont ever happen again I promise.” Peter almost looked as if he’d never been more serious about anything in his life.

He’d never purposefully hurt his friends.

“Fine.” Rocket accepted then started to eat the soup “You really are a good cook Quill…” Rocket said begrudgingly “-Maybe I could learn a thing or two from you.”

Groot smiled warmly at his companion then looked at Peter with the same bright eyes.

“Well you wont find a better teacher in the whole galaxy.” Peter smiled. “and I’d be happy to teach you.”

Rocket nodded, then was thoughtful for a moment “Hey, what did you do with my cooking anyway?”

“You mean that battery acid? Threw it out the air lock before it could contaminate anything in the ship.”

“What! I wanted to use that in my next bomb!” Rocket seemed genuinely annoyed about this “What if someone else finds it and makes something out of it? They’ll be unstoppable!”

“I think it will kill them on contact” Peter quipped.

“I am Groot.”

“Whatever, I’ll just have to make it again.” Rocket said as he ate some more of his soup.

Groot and Peter shared a look- a silent agreement to never let that happen, one pot of that stuff was more than enough.

Something was always happening on the Milano, even the lazy days were eventful.

The league found themselves fighting some kind of large technologically advanced blob of an alien monster. The sort of generic villain thought up by a two year old with a decent imagination and access to an array of crayons. The blob was protecting itself with some kind of purple electronic field, which cyborg had just found the weak spot on.

Batman called in the latest model of bat-fighter-jet (the power of money) and was now shooting relentlessly at the the monsters shield. Superman flew through the air, heat vision focused on the weak spot. Dangling off each of his hands were Wonder Woman and Aquaman, sword and trident gripped in their respective hands, ready to slash the great monster through the middle once the opening was there.

The Flash could see it happen in slow motion. The shield broke. Arthur and Diana swung from Clarks hands, battle cries exploding from their mouths as their weapons broke the slimy skin of the foreign being. But instead of making a strong slice though their foe, they began to get swallowed up by the surface of the monster.

Barry moved with out thinking, Batman and cyborg weren't fast enough to help, Superman (as much as he liked to think he was) wasn’t fast enough either.

He was there in a second, only sharp shocks of lighting tracing his steps. He vibrated his body at such a rate that the monsters surface couldn't get a grip on him, he reached in pulling his friends out from the ooze. Then jumped back himself. All three of them fell to the ground harshly, tumbling and rolling before grinding to a stop. Victor, Bruce and Clark all charged up their weapons, and together dealt a finishing blow to the monster. It let out a shriek and eventually fizzled away to nothing.

Arthur and Diana get up from where they fell and brushed themselves off.

“Thank you, Flash, we can always rely on you to be there when we most need you.” Diana said as she stretched out her muscles, before she noticed her team mate struggling to sit up.

“Hey man, whats wrong?” Arthur said, hurrying over.

Barry managed to sit himself up, he held his head in his hands, eyes clamped shut- was he spinning around? Or was it just the world? Either way he felt sick to his stomach, and like molasses were being poured all over him . “Nothing, nothing I just-” he let out a deep breath “I need a second.” he tried to brush it off but he honestly just sounded pained.

“If you are not well, tell us whats wrong,” Diana said on her approach.

Bruce had now landed. He, Clark and Victor made their way over quickly.

Diana sat behind Barry, supporting his back and holding him up. Bruce knelt in-front of him an held a small light at Barrys face so he could get a better look at the speedster. His eyes were unfocused and his skin looked clammy. “Barry are you hurt anywhere?” Bruce spoke clearly and firmly.

“Only my pride.” Barry sounded like he didn’t really know what he was saying “I’m no match for you guys.” his words were slurred. His eyes rolled back and his head lolled to the side, Diana cradled his head gently.

Victor stepped forward, “Let me run a scan on him.”

Bruce put his hand up to stop him “I’ll take him back to my manor, we have the facilities there to help him, I have a feeling I know whats wrong. Speedsters aren't built to run on empty. Today has been rigorous, we all need time to recuperate.” he turned to Superman “Clark, if you could.”

Clark nodded. Wonder Woman lifted the speedster up with ease, handing him over to Superman who then flew off, up and out of the building.

“I’ll monitor his blood-sugars and make sure he eats enough to feed a small village.” Bruce continued. He seemed calm, but he was kicking himself for not taking in to account the speedsters needs first. He was aware that Barry was at risk of overdoing it, but never really took notice.

Barry didn’t do anything slowly. But waking up from the exhaustion induced sleep he’d fallen in to seemed to take forever. He was semi-conscious for quite some time, he could hear Bruce and Clark talking about what could have gone better on their last mission- listening to them be so serious was very… boring. It was sending Barry back to sleep.

Eventually Clark left, all Barry could hear after that was Bruce typing at the bat-computer. It was quite soothing, he couldn’t remember that last time he felt so calm. But he was also really starting to feel the need to move again, his fingers were twitching with the want to be active.

He groaned and opened his eyes, the batcave was brighter than he remembered. The light giving him a headache instantly. “What I would do for like fifty deep pan ham and pineapple pizzas right now.” He mumbled, voice sounding dry.

“I need to re-evaluate your membership to the league if you like pineapple on your pizza Flash.” Bruce stated, sounding an awful lot like he wasn’t joking.

“Don’t knock it till you try it- We cant all have caviar on our pizzas Mr.billionaire.” Barry ginned.

Bruce exhaled almost fondly in reply before going back in to serious mode “Don’t move too much, your hooked up to a specially mixed IV solution, it took a bit of work to make something to bring your blood sugar levels back to normal. Your metabolism is really something else.”

“I’m a freak I know.” Barry laughs and tries to sit up but he honestly still feels light headed, the laughter only adding to his headache.

“Try not to move for a bit longer. You really burnt yourself out.”

“You're telling me.” Barry rolls head back “I cant remember the last time I was still for so long. I don’t even sleep this long at night- power naps work wonders, even better when you're a speedster.”

“Yesterday-” Bruce began “-how long had you been without eating before the fight?”

“I don’t know- since second breakfast? Maybe? We were really busy.”

“And did you feel your blood sugar affecting you before the fight?” Bruce asked, lips tight in his usual frown.

“I guess. But we didn’t have the time to stop for anything. Its not like I can tell some gooey alien monster thing to stop for a time out ‘cause I gotta grab a pizza or ten.” Barry sighed, he couldn’t help but feel like Batman wasn’t far off of kicking him off the team. Why wouldn't he? He can move at super human speeds, sure, but hes scared of so much and hes the only one who seems to have a limitations.

Bruce was silent as he took in the information.

Barry braced for bad news.

He really didn’t want to leave the team. They were his first real fiends since… well, ever. He felt such a sense of belonging with them, purpose, like he was actually doing something good with his life. Fighting against evil forces. Instead of doing his best and running away before there was any real sense of danger.

“I've made some modifications to your suit so we can avoid situations like this again.” Bruce said, walking over to Barrys uniform, which was spread out on a table near by.

Barry didn't want to think about who got him out of the suit, and how they did so. He felt that it should be one of the only questions that he never found out the answer too. “

Pimp my suit!” Barry joked. When Bruce didn’t respond the speedster felt the need to explain himself- he spoke too much when he felt nervous “Y’know, like- Pimp My Ride? You ever watch that? Is that where you get your ideas for the batmobiles for?”

“Right.” Bruce said, he clearly hadn't listened to whatever Barry had just word-vomited.

He picked up one of the deep red arm guards off the table and showed it to the flash. He clicked a small button on the inner side of the piece of costume and a panel slid back revealing eight small balls. “These are energy balls. Alfred developed the recipe back when I first became Batman, they are extremely useful for giving your body an extra kick when you need it. He changed the mix so it could work with your heightened metabolism. If you ever need more we will keep a supply here, just say the word. But don’t eat these for snacks. I can tell you they don’t taste good and should never replace an actual meal.”

Barry blinked in surprise. He couldn't believe someone, let alone Batman, had done this for him. “Thanks.” was all he could muster, he felt quite speechless.

“-And” Bruce continued going back to the table “Press and hold here for five seconds,” He pressed an area on the left hand shoulder of the Flash uniform. Another compartment but this time on the right side of the outfit opened revealing a small injection. “This, is for emergency situations only. Its a mix much like whats in that IV, but with a concentrated dose of adrenalin also. Again, only use this if you feel it is necessary.”

Barry listened carefully. It was impossible not to listen to Bruce when he spoke in that serious tone. “Bruce, wow.” Barry sat up slightly, he felt his energy slowly returning. “I don’t know what to say. For once.” He chuckled “Thanks for looking out for me. Honestly I thought I was about to get the boot form the team, you guys really don’t need me holding you back.” the sadness in his eyes showed that he really meant what he said.

“Barry, you're stronger than you think and more important to this team than you could ever truly know.” Bruce didn't waste any time getting to his reply, he felt that the youngest of their team could use a boost. Years of being a father to Robins and support from Alfred kept him from being one hundred percent made of stone.

Barry nodded, his famously chatty and chirpy voice failing him. Overwhelmed by the care he had received and also still a bit woozy from recent events.

Bruce understood, silent communication made more sense to him that actual conversation sometimes. “When you're ready, let me know. I’ll call the other league members and we can discuss plans gong forward over dinner. We’ll order pizza, save Alfred cooking enough to feed your ‘snackhole’ as you put it.” Bruce smirked.

“Will do!” Barry smiled laying back, just five more minuets and he’ll be zapping around again no problem. He could listen to Bruce tying on the batcomputer for a bit longer.

He may be the weaker of the justice league members on paper. But he knew he was valued and just as important as his friends.

He could get used to this.

Gamora, being the masterful assassin she is, researched any possible enemies they could obtain in the foreseeable future- her fantastic initiative was one of her best assets.

Drax, spent his time in the small training room on the ship, punching a fighting whatever he felt like to become stronger than he already is (if that’s even possible).

Peter… well, no one ever really knows what the self-proclaimed “StarLord” is doing. He’d most likely spent a majority of the day grooving along to the Awesome Mix Vol.2 whilst looking up possible jobs the guardians’ team could go on; the only jobs they take are the ones that pay big credits.         

Groot, still wasn’t quite fully grown. The flora colossus was almost at full size once more, but he wasn’t back to full strength at all. So on these lazy days the team have on rare occasions, Groot happily watches Rocket tinker with whatever new thing the raccoon is building whilst sitting under a sun lamp said raccoon built for him.

No one knew, or really wanted to know what Rocket was building; and if he was being completely honest, sometimes even Rocket didn’t know what he was building (but he’d never tell anyone that).  The raccoon just had to be doing something with his hands almost 24/7 or else he would “get bored and start blowing shit up”- as he puts it.

This particular lazy day was near to ending, and it was Rockets turn to cook dinner for the team- although they’d rather not eat his cooking, everyone has to do their fair share around the ship no matter how bad they are at certain jobs.

Sunshine crept in to Souda’s apartment through a gap in the curtains. He grunted sleepily when the light touched his face, awakening him from his peaceful slumber.

He sat up groggily and stretched out his arms, yawning widely as he did so.

"Jeeze... I should not have stayed up till 2 fixin’ that TV..." he mumbled to himself as he got out of bed.

The moment his feet touched the floor his cat Sprinkles was rubbing her around his ankles happily. He bent down and petted her head gently; she was only slightly bigger than she was when he had first rescued her.

"Look I can’t stay here and pet ya forever," Souda smiled at the cat "I’ve got school or whatever." he scratched behind her ear then trailed his hand down the rest of her back and to the tip of her tail, before standing up to brush his sharp teeth.

As brushed his teeth he walked around his apartment, getting his uniform together and taking something out of the fringe for breakfast. He had his usual of left over take out from the night before; one day he would start eating healthily- that day was not today of course.

The mechanic finished brushing his teeth then ate as he put his uniform on, bushed his bright pink hair and finished off his signature look with his favourite black beanie.

He said goodbye to Sprinkles then left for school (Sprinkles was definitely a house cat, due to her past experiences, she had no interest in going outside).

Every morning is the same; the only time it’s really different is when the mechanic gets caught up on a project and forgets to sleep.

It’s a nice easy way to start your day, and he wouldn’t really change it if he could.

-*-*-*-

Upon arrival to school Souda is normally happily greeted by his soul friend Hinata or on some occasions Leon.

If he met with Hinata the convocation would be rather laid back, they'd just discuss what they had done the day before or what Hinata is doing on the weekend, there want much of a point asking Souda what he was doing as it was probably just going to be mechanic things.

On the other hand if he met with Leon the convocation would be a lot more fired up, they would excitedly chat about music or cars or sports! They liked pretty much the same things and always got so wound up when they got to talk about that stuff.

Despite all that, mornings before the first lessons started were probably the most relaxed part of the school day. Everyone was still half asleep (apart from Ibuki who always seems to have energy) so people would just chat idly with one and other and even make plans for after school.

Souda could never really make after school plans because he had to work, which didn’t really bother him- sure he'd love to hang out with friends but the mechanic was also quite content with tinkering about with machines to make money.

The bell to signify the start of the day’s lessons would go, and then Souda would spend the rest of his time in class not listening and hoping not to get picked on by the teacher. It’s not like he needed to know any of the stuff the teacher was saying, he already had a booming freelance mechanic business- couldn’t he just do that for the rest of his life?

To Souda, the day’s lessons would always pass surprisingly fast. one moment he'd be doodling new designs for some invention he was working on then the next thing he'd know everyone would be getting up for lunch.

Lunches he spent with Sonia and Gundam, he was pretty sure they were now dating, and in all honesty he didn’t care- in fact he was happy for them! After he confessed to Sonia and she explained to him his real motives for loving her, he realised how stupid he had been and no longer felt the same about her.

Souda and Sonia were now good friends, although he would still sometimes objectify her (old habits die hard) but they would just laugh it off now. She knew he didn’t mean anything by it.

Gundam and Souda had become surprisingly close; Souda was probably Gundam’s best friend! They had gone from pretty much hating each other to acting like an old married couple all thanks to a little cat! It was a very unlikely friendship, but they just seemed to bounce off one and other- their personalities clashed and yet mixed perfectly at the same time.

The trio would sit around one of the lunch tables and talk about anything that came to mind. It wasn’t exactly the most exciting event of the day but Souda enjoyed every moment of it nonetheless.

Lunch would be over after an hour or so and everyone would return to their lessons quite quickly.

Once again the mechanic wouldn’t really listen to the teacher, there really was no point.

By now the mechanic had probably gotten a detention for not listening, but that didn’t phase him at all, it just meant he got to go and see Ishimaru and check he was still doing okay.

The hall monitor would always greet him with a big broad smile then quickly scold him for getting another detention (although he was quite obviously pleased to see him).

By the looks of the hall monitor, he seemed to be doing just fine.

But sometimes Souda would notice a little cut or a bruise somewhere on his face and worry. Ishimaru would quickly reassure him that there was no problem, but the mechanic wouldn’t always believe him 100%.

At least Mondo knew about Ishimaru’s problems at home, and was now keeping a close eye on the hall monitor for any signs of distress.

Leon would still be in detention with Souda every day and lately Hagakure had been getting in trouble more often than not.

Once detention was over Souda would say good bye to Ishimaru as Mondo came to pick the hall monitor up. Then it would just be himself, Leon and Hagakure left to make their way home.

They all lived in the same direction luckily so they could all walk home together.

A mechanic

A baseball star

A fortune teller

It doesn’t exactly sound like the best combination does it? But they certainly make it work, a trio of bros just out to have a good time. They could make each other laugh so easily, that sometimes they would keel over with laughter on their walk home!

Those walks Souda spent with Leon and Hagakure were by far some of his best memories.

-*-*-*-

When Souda got home, he was quickly greeted by Sprinkles (who had missed her owner throughout the day).

He picked her up and cuddled the cat close to his chest as he kicked off his school shoes. The mechanic dragged his feet along the floor then flopped down on the sofa, his day’s weren’t exactly busy or stressful but he liked to chill out on the sofa and just pet his cat for a while before he looked at his list of jobs.

The mechanic always had work to do, it came in a steady supply- he was never over or under worked just how he liked it.

Being stressed out just isn’t worth it.

It was always the same kinds of jobs to do as well, fix a few cars or TVs, maybe build a custom radio for someone. Occasionally Mondo would call him out to do a maintenance check on all his gangs bikes.

He really loved his job, being a mechanic and fixing things just made him feel so proud and satisfied with him.

He was helping people and they were grateful.

He was needed, he was useful and that gave him a kind of fulfilment nothing else could.

  A nice supply of business and a steady flow of money.

His own flat away from his father.

Fantastic friends and a very loving cat.

  If you asked Souda what he thought of his life right now, he'd probably tell you he was happy.

Absolutely no need to change a single thing.

    -THE END-

  Please tell me what you thought of it!

I worked so hard on this whole set of stories! I hope you liked it!

I don’t really have a problem with school; I have a problem with the people that go there.

School is fine, I learn things and the teachers ain’t' so bad (apart from Mr.Monokuma, that guy is messed up, I don’t even know how he became a teacher!).

It’s not even all the people that go there either! A lot of them are fine, they don’t talk to me but they don’t mess with me either y'know? I mean, sure company would be nice! But I can deal with bein' alone, I don’t think I long for companionship.

No, it’s just a few punk kids that make my school life a misery.

I don’t feel safe anymore.

It’s like, they could be anywhere and I wouldn’t have any kind of power against them! The next thing I know they've smacked me round the head or yelled something at me about how useless and boring I am.

Useless.

I can take them saying that, because I know I’m not. All the work I do at dads shop proves that! I defiantly have my uses, so they can call me useless all they want and I won’t care one bit.

Boring.

Now that one kind of hurts... But it annoys me more than anything. Everyone around me seems to think I’m plain and boring, that I blend in with the crowd. For example, if I was in an anime- I’d be the character you see in the background sometimes but you never hear them talk, or they end up dying early on and no one cares about them. I guess it annoys me because no one has given me a chance to prove I’m not boring.

I'm sure if someone noticed me they'd like me.

-*-

The bell had just gone to signify the end of a school day, so that meant I just had to get home safe then I would have gone one whole day without an encounter with any bullies! It would have been the first in a while, so I was being extra cautious as I made my way through the school building.

But at almost every corner I turned there seemed to be someone intimidating standing there, like they were just waiting for some weakling like me to pass by!

Maybe I was just being paranoid, but I don’t think you can ever be too careful.

After a while I finally thought I’d found a safe route to the schools exit, I was almost home free! I could practically smell the motor oil!

But no.

Some tall blond guy suddenly turned the corner holding a baseball bat.

In all honesty, he wasn’t even looking my way- but I still tuned on my heal and ran, I really didn’t want to take any chances especially if this guy had a baseball bat.

I stopped for breath down one of the schools corridors; I really wasn’t built for running.

That’s when I heard it.

Footsteps moving quickly, running in fact, in my direction.

I swear my heart stopped for a moment and my blood ran cold.

It just wasn’t fair okay? I’d gone out of my way to avoid any kind of contact with anyone who looked remotely like they wanted to beat me up, and now one was chasing after me!

I pulled my beanie down low over my head with one hand and fiddled with my braid using the other. I was just trying to calm myself down as tears threatened to spill down my face. I knew there was no running from whoever was on their way, so I just had to face whatever they had in store for me.

I head them stop running as they reached the corridor I stood in, and they began to walk towards me. They didn’t even sound out of breath so this guy must have been an athlete or something.

I know it sounds lame, but I whimpered with every step they took closer to me, I just really wanted to go one day without anyone hating me...

The stranger taped me on the shoulder, and I froze up.

"Yo? Dude you okay there?"

Wait, so he wasn’t going to hit me?

"Look I thought I heard someone running away. I was sort of hoping it would be some smoking hot chick in need of a hero to sweep her off her feet... but whatever."

I looked out from under my hat and rubbed my eyes the moment I realised I was in no real danger.

It was that blond boy with the baseball bat from before (I kinda guessed it would be him, I'm not the quietest runner in the world).

"Look are ya gonna tell me what wrong or not?" he said, folding his arms.

"N-no thing, I was just being paranoid I guess..." I managed to say although I did sound very shaky.

"Oh okay- shit was it because of me? Sorry man, I didn’t mean ta scare ya" the blond boy laughed, trying to lighten the mood a little.

This was certainly a first for me, not only had someone apologised to me, but they were also talking to me out of their own free will. This was all new, but I really liked it.

"Don’t worry about it" I said with a little smile.

"But uh..." the blond began "Why'd ya think I was gonna beat you up? I don’t even know you."

"I get picked on a lot round here, I just don’t really trust anyone not to beat me up." for some reason I found that extremely hard to say, someone actually wanting to know my problems was so… different.

The blond looked a bit surprised "Really? That’s not right man. I’m sorry to hear that, it must really suck." he put his hand on my shoulder.

"Yeah." I agreed slowly, still getting used to the convocation.

"Oh hey! I have an idea." the blond exclaimed quite happily "The first step to not getting picked on, is looking tough! So I think you need to go home today and completely change your appearance!"

I stared blankly back at him, not quite sure what he was going on about.

"Look, no offence but let’s face it dude, you look kinda weak and plain." he slung an arm around my shoulders after he said that "-and just a little secret between us: I used to be like you too- people used to call me a weenie all the time." he whispered, although there was no one else around to hear it.

I found the idea of this blond stranger looking as plain as me hard to believe, he just looked so cool!

"But-" he continued "I just changed my appearance! Made myself look cooler so people believed I was cooler y'know?" he grinned and unhooked his arm from around me.

I nodded "I get what you mean!" this was really exciting; he could have just solved all of my school problems.

"I think red would suit ya." the blond said as he looked me up and down "See what ya can do with red- I’ll look out for you around school tomorrow." he grinned again then looked at his watch "Aw man, I gotta go now or I’ll miss my bus." he waved then dashed off back the way he came.

The blond stranger was gone before I knew it and I didn’t even get to know his name.

But that didn’t matter right now.

Right now, I needed to change my appearance.

Look cooler so people will think you are cool.

Shouldn’t be too hard, why hadn’t I thought of it before?

-*-

Okay, so my new look hadn’t gone exactly as I planned, (the red hair dye turned out to be pink) but I was still pretty happy with it.

Pink is a cool colour, well; at least I think it is.