Chapter Text
Washington is the first person Alexander sees on the other side, he looks sad but claps Alexander on the shoulder with a familiarity he’d refused to express in life.
“Son, you can rest now,” Washington intones as his mother comes up and wraps an arm around his waist.
“My beautiful boy, you did well,” his mother whispers and Alexander feels like he might just cry which is something he continues to refuse to do in front of Washington, he didn’t cry before the man during war or the difficult years building government, he will not cry now. Washington laughs as though he’s aware of Alexander’s thoughts and steers him towards Laurens, he’s leading fellow soldiers in song, a hearty welcome indeed, even if some of the uniforms aren’t those of the Union there are clearly no hard feelings.
“Come! Have a drink and never regret it in the morning!” John yelled and the soldiers all cheered loudly. The rest of the night seemed to pass in meeting old faces anew and filling them in on his life, triumphs mostly, but as things quietened down a little he drew those closer to him aside and confided his mistakes. His mother slapped him for it, but she hugged him immediately after so Alexander figured that was more than he deserved, Phillip tried to duel him before Washington reminded them both they were already dead, because of duels, and he’d have to either sulk like a child or man up and admit his disappointment but move on. Philip decided that since his mum hadn’t done the killing he could still be close to his dad.
As Alexander began to realise that the lightening of the sky wasn’t caused by any sun or flame he looked out the windows of the bar they were in to find rolling fields that looked completely out of place. He was about to start asking questions about the afterlife in general when the door burst open and a short woman walked in with confidence not expected facing a rowdy tavern full of soldiers.
“Out.” She ordered and as one the soldiers put down their darts and drinks and filed out of the door leaving Alexander and his small group of friends. “Alexander Hamilton, the pleasantries are over, welcome to death,” the woman said lightly and Washington clapped him on the shoulder again, propelling him forward to stand alone in front of her, feeling instantly smaller as her hard gaze swept over him.
“Am I to presume you’re God?” He asked, surprised by the wide and bright smile he was favoured with, subtly he reached behind to steady himself against the nearest table, distantly hearing footsteps behind him.
“Indeed! Now that I’ve got a couple of key players I think I can start judgement, yes?” She asked.
“Uh, sure?” Alexander did not squeak, but it was a very close thing, there were more people behind him now but he couldn’t tear his eyes away to see who.
“I think you ought to know I don’t really keep up with each individual human soul anymore, there’s just so many of you and it’s so much more fun to see what you can do by yourselves, and you! The Revolutionaries, perhaps not as unprecedented as thought but certainly something rare. You all did some amazing things,” God waved her hands around as she spoke, inspecting the others behind Alexander.
“Made some amazing mistakes too,” Alexander agreed, thinking of his time with Maria when he should have been with his wife.
“Those too. I don’t mind mistakes though, after all, it’s not like I make you infallible or anything. So! I’ve an offer, something I try to offer every group of people who impress me and I think there’s enough of you here to start. How would you like another turn at life? Not the one you just finished, a new one in a different time, some similarities, some differences, see if you can be amazing again?”
“Do we have to agree for everyone? Who, precisely, is in the group? Because if I get stuck with Jefferson and Adams again I will not be held responsible for my actions,” Alexander warned, instantly annoyed just thinking about them.
“I’m game!” John called from the back. “I didn’t get a long life and I’ve learned a lot about myself here, I’d love another go,” He defended when everyone turned to stare at him.
“I think I will pass, I cannot bear a long life, nor can I bear to leave my son early again,” Rachael, his mum said.
“I cannot list the people I am considering, they will not all be friends because sometimes you humans are defined by your opposition, nor will all of them be directly tied to your life Alexander. You can wait here and see who else agrees, if they ask I can tell them who has agreed, but not who has refused,” God explained and Alexander considered his options.
“How similar will my childhood be?” He asked softly.
“Similar enough to shape you but not enough to hold you back unless you allow it to,” God assured and Alexander nodded. “I’m afraid you can’t keep your names, but I’ll go for something similar.”
“I’m in.”
“In that case, I will see you when you next arrive, I cannot go,” Washington declared. “I’ll watch though, perhaps if I yell loud enough you will think before foolishly challenging people to duels,” he gave them a stern look that had John looking sheepish.
“Alright, off we go,” God announced and before Alexander could even see who else had joined them the bar faded out.