#three pints

Summer is  a season Philip enjoys because he could spend time outside writing poetry under the shade of the trees. But not today...today it’s unbearably hot. Philip wears his hair down enjoying the breeze ruffling his unruly curls. Not today...today it’s humid making his hair frizzy coupled with the unbearable heat it was not a day to have hair sticking to his sweaty neck. “It has to be 80 degrees!” Philip huffed his sleeves rolled up to his elbows and coat over his arm. His satchel sat on his shoulder he having  planned to walk by the pond to get inspiration while his mother spent time with his aunts. The 19 year old wiped sweat off his brow feeling some drip from the tip of his nose. His hair stuck to his forehead falling into his eyes. “Ugh...” Philip brushed it back only to have it fall back onto his face again. “I can’t deal with this!” Philip grumbled irritated after the fifth time he had to brush his curly hair out of his eyes. he stopped beneath a small birch tree and rifled through his bag, “I know I have one in here...” After a few minutes he pulled a hair tie from his bag triumphantly. He pulled his frizzy hair back into a ponytail a few rebellious stands falling onto his forehead and ears. He sighed continuing to make his way home; it’s  hot and he needs to change into some lighter clothing before returning to the park.

Not too far away Lafayette and Mulligan walked towards a bar both wanting to forget the events that transpired earlier. The couple had agreed not to speak of Laf being kissed  by Madison or Hercules being hugged by Jefferson. “Knew he was secretly soft.” Hercules said pulling at his caret to ease the heat his new suit caused. Laf nods smiling his own shirt partially unbuttoned and sleeves rolled up. “Let’s drown our sorrows and the heat in liquor huh?” Hercules said right as Pip rounded the corner. Hamilton had always joked with his son that he could be mistaken for his friend John Laurens with his hair up. Philip tried to sound southern making  his entire family burst into a fit of laughter. Never once did Pip think he would ever actually be mistaken for the Lieutenant Colonel; fate seemed to have other ideas for the 19 year old. As he rounded the corner near one of his father’s favorite taverns he was spotted by Mulligan one of his father’s closest friends. “Well fate has smiled upon us today! Laurens you’re back early!” Pip looked at them confused, “Uh sir  with all  due respect I think you’re-” Mulligan laughed, “Sir? God you really have been all business. Time to loosen up don’t ya think?” Philip tried again to point out the mistaken identity, “Er I think you have the wrong-” Lafayette grasped his shoulder steering him toward the cool tavern, “Mon ami I know my friends when I see them.” Philip was led inside being unable to free himself of the older man’s grasp without being rude. So he ended up sitting across from Lafayette at a table in the cooler corner of the bar. Mulligan called for a server to bring them three Sam Adams; Philip felt sweat drip down his neck when the beer was placed in front of him. “To great friends.” Laf cheered leaving Pip to join the toast but freezing the glass against his lips when he realized he had to now take a sip. 

“What’s wrong Johnny boy? You love Sam Adams!” Hercules said already on his second beer. “Come  mon ami join the festivities!” Laf patted Philip on the back hard forcing him to swallow the entirety of glass pressed against his lips. He gagged a bit on the liquid going down his throat. “Laf not so hard what if he chokes?” Hercules said still sober. “He won’t will you John?” Philip coughed, “I’m not-” Laf laughed, “See he’s fiine~” Hercules smiled ordering his third Philip staring at the empty glass slightly confused but realized trying to correct them was hopeless. “Drink up John the day is young!” Laf giggled. “B-but-!” Pip squeaked. “Aweee listen to him stutter did you meet a pretty belle down south hmmm?” Laf teased and Philip’s mind turned to his girlfriend Theo; he turned scarlet thinking of her beautiful face. “He diiiid~ Look at his red cheeks!” Hercules laughed. “Our little John is in looove~” Philip was very embarrassed covering his face with his hands. “Awe don’t hide from us John tell us bout her!” Philip blinked stuttering about how she’s a beautiful woman with caramel skin and chocolate brown eyes that sparkle when she sings. “You ‘ave fallen hard mon ami.” Laf laughs and Philip nods his head. “Let’s have another round to you finding love!” Hercules put another beer in front of Philip. “Drink up it’s on us tonight!” Philip was now in a position where he could not refuse the alcohol in front of him without being seen as rude and ungrateful. He took a breath and swallowed down the ale letting out a breath afterwards. “That’s more like it!” Philip smiled sheepishly hoping vainly that two was enough but of course a third was put before him, “Maybe tonight you can get through three pints eyyy Johnny boy?” Philip sighed but put on a brave smile, “Sure maybe so?” They cheered when Philip downed his third without a problem. Philip was beginning to feel the buzz of the alcohol in his system and smiled loosening up, “Only three?” he giggled. “Get this man anther beer!” Three  beers later Philip was completely drunk and leaning on Lafayette singing the national anthem drunkenly Hercules joining in. The two adults had finally washed away the weird day they’d had and Philip was fully relaxed for the first time in a while. He finally understands why his dad goes drinking once a week. 

“Let’s have another *hic* round!” Hercules cheered but before he could order the drinks the door opened revealing Lieutenant John Laurens looking tired and stressed. “They’re over there.” The bar tender told John who nodded walking over to his friends. Laf looked up seeing John standing behind Philip, “Heh I must be wasted to see double?” Hercules laughed stumbling off to get more booze. “Double...?” John walked around the chair and saw a very drunk Philip. “Oh my god!” John cried in shock; the poor boy had more than gone half way to three pints. “What’s wrong?” Laf slurred. “You got Alex’s son drunk that’s what!” John hissed. “Alex’s...son...?” He blinked a few times, “Wait...JOHN?!” John winced at his volume and Pip jumped startled. “But then who...?” he slurred his vision focusing enough to see Philip. “Oh merde...”  John pinched the bridge of his nose, “Oh shit is right Laf. Alex won’t be happy.” “I k-kept *hic* trying to *hic tell them...” Philip squeaked. “I believe it. Your father raised you to be polite and honest.” Pip nods weakly. “Come on Pip let’s get you home.” Philip almost fell over trying to stand. John sighed pulling Pip’s arm over his shoulder and grabbing his bag and coat leaving his own belongings in their place. He helped Philip wobble out into the sunlight. “M’ sorry Mr. Laurens...” Philip hiccuped. “Why are you sorry? It’s not your fault we look alike.” “Shoulda refused the drinks...” Philip said the fresh air slightly clearing his hazy mind. “Probably would have had them forced on you regardless I know my idiot friends are overbearing at times.” “Is that why only once a week?” Philip asked. “Yes” John replied. Philip began to sober up the longer they walked stopping once to throw up but seemed a bit better after. “Ugh...” he whimpered. “Low tolerance. You get that from your father.” Pip wiped his mouth, “’s a lightweight?” Pip asked not completely sober. “Yes I drag him home most nights.” John laughed. 

“Mom must get mad?” Pip asked. “Your mother is used to it. We invited her once. Your aunt Angelica is a completely different person when drunk.” Pip smiled weakly still leaning on Laurens’ shoulder. They arrived back to the house and Pip was barely awake. John knocked surprised his friend answered the door. “I can explain once he’s safe in bed?” John sighed. “Okay” Alexander helped John get Pip to bed before raising a brow at his friend. “ Jesus when you said we looked alike Alexander...” John rubbed his temples. “So the tailor and the french moron got him drunk mistaking him for you?” Alex summed up. “Alas i admit it.” Alexander hugged his friend, “I’m glad you’re back safely.” John blushed. While Alexander is married with two children he still has feelings for him. “I think I’ll go grab my things and come back if that is all right?” Alex nods and John leaves returning with his things ten minutes later.  Alexander smiled offering John iced tea which was gladly accepted. Alexander also still held feelings for John but never went beyond hugging or sneaking a kiss on the cheek like a French greeting. “he is going to need painkillers in the morning like some people.” Alexander rolled his eyes setting his glasses aside. “I’m a lightweight I admit it.” John laughed and then told Alexander of his progress in the south. “That is amazing.” Alex replied sipping his tea as his wife and sister in law returned. The two men recounted what happened to Philip and Angelica slapped her palm to her forehead. “Those idiots.” 

Eliza sighed but smiled glad John is home safely. “So why are they drinking it’s not Saturday.” Angelica asked. “Well if you were kissed by Madison and hugged by Jefferson being mistaken for said people I’d think you’d want to erase that memory.” They gaped and then began to laugh. “Oh god I’d feel bad but OH MY GOD!” Angelica laughed. Eliza giggled as well finding it funny. “That white house is getting more gay ever day that passes.” John shook his head. They all agreed it was an evening spent laughing and enjoying summer. Philip did eventually come downstairs saying his head hurt. “You are my son indeed.” Alexander laughed softly giving him some painkillers. “And here I thought you were joking about me looking like your friend pa.” John patted his shoulder and they told him why the others were drinking, “Oh god.” Philip laughed. “Jefferson screamed.” Alexander hummed. “Even better.” John laughed. “We all make dumb mistakes but that is just sad.” Angelica said. “Agreed.” The others hummed. It was very awkward at work the next day and Hamilton had to bite his cheek to keep from laughing at how flustered the Secretary of State was. Washington himself asked why and his booming laughter was heard across the white house making the not so secret gay couple flush in embarrassment. “Never again” The two swore. Herc and Laf thought the same as they suffered through their hangovers.