Work Text:
Lafayette entered the workroom in a hurry, fixing his coat, “Apologies for being late, your Excellency! I was held up—”
Washington silenced him with a raised hand, “Don’t make excuses. Just be on time.”
The General cleared his throat as Lafayette took his place around the large table covered in maps, where they would plan their next move. The meeting dragged on, with the top ranking officers squabbling over what their next move should be…Lafayette could hardly pay attention, only giving his opinion when asked, which was a far cry from Hamilton, who kept giving his opinion when he was only supposed to be there taking notes.
The Generals and Hamilton were dismissed an hour and a half into the meeting. There was no point in making them stay if they were not going to make any significant headway.
THe night went by slowly, with Lafayette returning for a scheduled meeting with the General. He could hear voices from the other side of the door. The General and Tallmadge. Tallmadge sounded upset, “Sir. There is no way he will agree to this! These missions are getting out of hand.”
“What do you suggest we do? He will go because I order it.”
“Sir. This is getting too risky… Hamilton has already had too many close calls. We should use Culper, Sir. That network is valuable.”
“The Culper chain is far too slow. Why would we wait for a report from them when we could just send Hamilton?”
“Sir, Hamilton has already expressed his feelings about this. If you keep pushing him, He won’t stick around. We’re lucky he didn’t run out on us when we discovered his nature!”
“Enough, Tallmadge. Hamilton is one of the most valuable assets in our arsenal. I have a meeting with Lafayette in 2 minutes. Go and find Hamilton and send him here.”
“He thinks he’s just a tool, Sir.”
“He’s right. Get out of here and go find Hamilton.”
Lafayette quickly moved back to the front door, making it appear as though he had only just entered, nodding to Tallmadge as he passed, trying his best to look confused at Benjamin's sour expression. He entered the workroom, shutting the door.”
Washington looked up at Lafayette, then glanced at the clock, “Right on time. Well done, Lafayette.”
Lafayette smiled, taking a seat, “I take it your meeting with Tallmadge did not go well? He looked sour just now.”
Washington dismissively waved a hand, “Nothing for you to worry about. Now, I have some questions about the French navy, and what their next move should be.”
The meeting with Washington lasted only about an hour before Lafayette was dismissed. The French ships would receive their new orders within the week. The Marquis left the workroom, and padded down the hallway, pulling open the front door, and heading down the stairs.
He was ten paces from the building when he came across Hamilton, his head buried in some letter. Lafayette swallowed nervously, smiling, “Mon ami! How has your evening been?”
Hamilton looked up from his papers, “Oh, hello. It’s been alright I suppose. I have a meeting with Washington in a couple minutes.”
“There is something I must tell you.”
The shift in Lafayette's tone must have been very obvious, since Hamilton straightened up immediately, “What’s wrong? What’s happened?”
“I overheard Washington speaking with Tallmadge earlier…and I did not like what the General was saying about you.”
“...What was he saying?”
“His Excellency is preparing another mission for you…and I heard him say that he thinks of you as a tool to use to win the war.”
“...he wouldn’t say that.”
“I heard it. Tallmadge was trying to talk him out of sending you, and told the General how you have been feeling. Said that you have been feeling like you are a tool. And Washington said you are.”
In the distance, the clock tower of the nearby town chimed the hour. Hamilton blinked, “I’m late for my meeting.” He breezed by Lafayette, heading into headquarters.
Hamilton fumed as he mounted the stairs, his worst fears confirmed. He should have known? How could he have been so stupid. Washington was trying to be like a father to him, and much like his actual father, didn’t truly care for him. He opened the front door, heading into the workroom, finding Washington standing by his desk, staring pointedly at his watch.
“You’re a minute late, Hamilton.”
“Sorry, Sir. I was held up with the Marquis.”
“You treat me with disrespect.”
“I didn’t realize the time. But if this is such an offense, I will resign immediately.” Hamilton circled his desk, opening up the bottom most drawer, and retrieving an already written letter of resignation. He signed it without giving Washington a chance to protest, and handed it over, “Have fun finding another tool to win the war…sir.” Hamilton fled the room, not waiting to hear whatever it was Washington was going to say to convince him otherwise.
He went to the tent he and John had been sharing, beginning to pack his bag. He didn’t have much. He changed into the little civilian clothes he had, consisting of only a brown jacket and some shoes. He piled the rest of his meager belongings into his bag: a couple sea shells from his island, a half pound of some dried meat, among other things.
“Where are you going?”
Hamilton turned around, coming face to face with his lover, “I’ve resigned.” He approached John, taking both his hands in his, “Washington told Tallmadge that I am nothing but a tool for his cause…Lafayette overheard and told me…and then I was scolded for being a whole minute late to a meeting with the General, and I just…had this moment where I knew I need to leave…”
“I wish you would stay, but I know it is worthless to try and convince you.” Laurens brought Hamilton into a sweet kiss.
Hamilton sighed against his lovers’ lips, “I know…I will find ways to see you…” He turned, digging in his pack for a moment, before presenting a seashell, pressing it into Laurens’ open palm, “Take it. It’s a locator shell. I have one and you have one. Dip it into water, and I will be able to know where you are.”
“Why do you have these?”
“I had meant to give the other to my elder brother before we were separated…I never had the chance, so I just kept them…”
Laurens ran his thumb over the texture of the shell, Kissing Hamilton on the head, “Be safe, my love. I will be here should you ever return.”
“I’ll see you around…” Hamilton took John’s hand, pressing his forehead to his knuckles, before leaving the tent, and leaving the camp entirely.
He didn’t stop to say goodbye to anyone else. Word of his leaving would get around. Alexander knew John would run to tell Lafayette as soon as Hamilton was gone.
Hamilton left the world of the war behind him, walking straight for the beach. He didn’t remove his shoes as he waded into the water, turning and looking back one last time before he removed his amulet, and dove into the dark depths of the ocean, swimming away.