Chapter Text
Alexander groaned quietly in the backseat of Washington’s car. What in the world had enticed him to decide to send him, John, Laf, Burr, Madison, and heaven forbid- Jefferson on a camping trip together? Well, when Alex asked, he was told that “I need a break, and you all need a bonding experience, and I can think of no better way then going camping together!” Alex didn’t agree. Any trip with Jefferson on it was sure to be a nightmare.
“Hey, Hamilton.” Jefferson reached over to poke him. “Ask the President how much longer it is until we get there.”
“If you want to know so badly, ask him yourself!” Alex shot back quickly.
Jefferson opened his mouth to respond but was cut off by Washington, who was at that point very done with his two secretaries, both of whom seemed determined to bother the other the whole two hour trip down. “Alexander, Thomas. Cease your petty squabbling this instant or I’m leaving you two at the next gas station!”
Alex and Jefferson both sat back in their respective seats simultaneously, not wanting to be left in the middle of nowhere with no way to get home.
“Thank you.”
“Don’t worry, mon amis!” Laf turned around in the front seat to look at them. “The GPS says that it is only a few more minutes until we arrive!”
“Thank goodness.” Aaron had been quiet up until this point, miserably squished in between Alex and Jefferson to try to keep them from fighting, while James and John sat in the far back, bonding over how they always had to drag their respective best friends away from each other every day.
“Please turn around before you get sick!” Alex yelped. “I love you, Laf, but I don’t want to be covered in your puke!”
Laf chuckles and turns around. “If I’ve made it this far without getting motion sick, I think I’ll make it another ten minutes.”
“Just keep your eyes on the road, Laf!” John called from the backseat, not hearing what was happening up front and thinking that his friend was feeling sick.
“I am, mon ami!”
Washington sighed as he pulled into the campsite. He loved these men like his own kids, but sometimes he wondered why he kept putting up with them. “Stay here while I get you guys checked in please.” He left the car, ignoring the protests of certain members of the party.
“So… What should we do while Washington is away?” John asked.
“Well…” Alex grinned, poking John’s nose. “While Washington is away, his charges will play!”
“Did you just make that up?”
“You’re no fun, Burr.”
“I’ve had to sit between you and Thomas this whole ride, of course I’m no fun.”
“Washington is back.” James reported, looking out the window.
Washington reentered the car, looking very surprised, but very pleased to see his charges so well behaved. “Well, I’ll drop you at your site and help you set up, but after that, you’re on your own until Sunday!”
“Yessir.” Aaron grabbed his bag and let it on the ground next to the car. “Now, who’s helping me unpack? If we leave something important in the President’s car, it’s not gonna be my fault.”
After a few hours, and several mishaps with the tent, they finally got the campsite set up. “Okay, I’m going now.” Washington announced. “Don’t kill each other. Aaron, you’re not allowed to touch the matches, or the lighter, or anything that has to do with fire for that matter. Alex, please try not to make a mountain out of a molehill, or debate everyone within hearing distance, just because they’re wrong does not mean you need to correct them… James, if you see anyone sick, stay well out of contamination distance. John, no recklessness, and I mean it. Thomas, don’t annoy Alex, and take a break away from the others if you need to. And Gilbert… Please keep Alex and Thomas from fighting, you’re better about that than anyone here.” He sighed and drove away.
“Well, I guess we’re on our own now.” Aaron deadpanned.
“What should we do?” James asked. “It’s too early to sleep quite yet, but too late to do much else.”
“We could tell scary stories!”
Alex scoffed. “Laf, we all know Aaron won’t sleep tonight if you tell him those.”
“Oh, all right. We could go for a walk?”
“Now that sounds like a good idea!”
After getting everyone’s approval, much to the surprise of everyone there, they started out.
On the way back, Thomas ended up giving James a piggyback ride, despite his protests that he would weigh too much. Thomas easily countered them by saying “If Dolley could give you piggyback rides back in your past life, I can now. You barely weigh a hundred pounds soaking wet!”
“Why did Washington think that it was a good idea to make us share a tent??” Alex groaned and flopped over his sleeping bag. “There’s barely room to move!”
“Bonne nuit, Alexander.” Laf turned the lantern off, leaving them in complete darkness.
“But Laf! I wasn’t done doing my nightly writing!”